Path of Exile 2 The Third Edict – Support Gem Overhaul & Lineage Gems Guide

Aug-25-2025

Grinding Gear Games has revealed sweeping changes to Path of Exile 2's Support Gem system, alongside the introduction of a brand-new tier of endgame chase items: Lineage Support Gems. These updates arrive with The Third Edict expansion and mark one of the biggest overhauls to character customization since the game's announcement.

A Core System Reforged

Support Gems have always been the backbone of build variety in Path of Exile, enabling players to transform simple skills into powerful, complex abilities. However, PoE2's early design included heavy restrictions—most notably, the limitation of only one copy of each support gem per character. While this was intended to avoid cookie-cutter builds, it often left players feeling constrained rather than empowered.

With The Third Edict, this restriction is gone. Players can now socket multiple copies of the same Support Gem across their skills, dramatically increasing build flexibility. Want to run multiple levels of the same support to amplify scaling or interact with different abilities at once? Now you can.

Additionally, many Support Gems now feature progressive tiers as you advance through the campaign and endgame. These higher-tier versions may offer stronger numbers, extra stats, or even unique twists on the gem's original mechanics. Lower-tier gems remain viable for early-game progression, but the new scaling ensures that supports feel rewarding to upgrade over time.

To accommodate this system, numerous existing Support Gems have been adjusted. Some have had their effects combined, others rebalanced, and several have been renamed for clearer functionality. Grinding Gear Games also confirmed that 11 brand-new Support Gems will debut with the update, expanding the total pool of options available.

Lineage Support Gems

The real headline feature, however, is the arrival of Lineage Support Gems—an entirely new category of supports that act as the equivalent of Unique Items for gem slots. These rare and powerful gems are designed specifically for the endgame and can radically alter how a build functions.

Unlike normal Support Gems, Lineage Supports cannot be crafted or obtained from Uncut Support Gems. Instead, they are exclusive drops, some appearing in the general endgame loot pool while others are locked behind specific bosses or encounters. In total, The Third Edict introduces 40 Lineage Support Gems, ensuring plenty of chase-worthy targets for players to hunt down.

What makes Lineage Supports so impactful is their dual nature: they often provide massive, build-defining bonuses but come with significant drawbacks. For example:

Zarokh's Refrain makes supported spells echo twice, massively boosting output but complicating timing for certain skills.

Sione's Temper builds up Wildshards that can unleash bursts of projectiles, but all shards are consumed at once, creating a volatile power cycle.

Dialla's Desire adds +1 gem level and +10% quality, but raises mana costs and reservations, demanding tighter resource management.

Loot, Progression, and Farming Potential

Part of what makes Lineage Support Gems exciting is how they integrate into the loot hunt. Some will drop rarely while mapping, creating moments of surprise and high-value finds. Others, like Zarokh's Refrain, are tied to bosses such as Zarokh at the end of the fourth floor in the Trial of the Sekemas—making them target-farmable rewards that encourage players to revisit challenging encounters.

With 40 Lineage Supports in rotation, the expansion introduces a massive layer of loot-driven progression. These gems are expected to be some of the most valuable items in the economy, creating both a trading market and long-term goals for players who thrive on optimization.

What This Means for Players

For veterans of Path of Exile, this overhaul fundamentally reshapes endgame buildcraft. The removal of one-per-character restrictions frees up creativity, multi-tier supports provide a sense of natural progression, and Lineage Supports bring the same chase excitement as hunting for a top-tier Unique item.

Whether you're experimenting with scaling your favorite skill in new ways, theorycrafting around high-risk, high-reward Lineage powers, or farming specific bosses for the perfect drop, the Support Gem overhaul ensures that gems will once again be at the heart of Path of Exile's identity.

With The Third Edict on the horizon, one thing is certain: build diversity, loot excitement, and endgame customization are about to reach an entirely new level.