How Meta Skills work in Path Of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 ^[1] gives players multiple ways to personalize their builds and strengthen their characters. From newer weapons to better armor, the game gives players the freedom to do a lot of things. However, one of the many things they can use to perfect their builds is Meta Skills.

Today, we’re here to go through everything players need to know about Meta Skills in Path of Exile 2. This includes what these skills are, how the interact with enemies, and the sort of energy they consume. Naturally, we’ll also highlight the types of Meta Skills in the game to ensure players know what to expect.

Without any further delays, here is how Meta Skills work in Path of Exile 2.

What are Meta Skills?

Path of Exile 2's meta-skills make gameplay smoother by automatically triggering linked skill gems in certain conditions. They work through an Energy system that builds up from events like freezing or burning enemies. Once the Energy hits a set limit, the Meta Skill resets to zero and activates linked skills.

For example, Cast on Freeze gains Energy each time an enemy is frozen. When it reaches 100 Energy, it resets and casts a linked skill like Ice Nova. Meta Skills create stronger and more efficient builds, letting players focus on strategy rather than manual activation.

Interaction with Enemy Power

The Enemy Power system also interacts with Meta Skills, giving opponents a value according to their difficulty. Unique monsters have a base Power of 20, while weaker opponents have a Power rating as low as 0.5. This rating impacts how quickly Meta Skills gains Energy during combat. A unique boss or other high-power adversary will produce more Energy than a low-power enemy. By understanding this system, players can choose targets that boost Energy generation more efficiently.

Shared Energy Pool

Meta Skills have a shared Energy pool. Players must first earn Energy before using another Meta Skill, as using one depletes all stored Energy. A player with many Meta Skills must ensure that their energy generation is steady enough to support frequent activations without causing their other Meta Skills to go inactive for some time.

How to generate energy faster in PoE 2

Meta Skills depend on Energy, so boosting Energy creation is crucial for efficiency. Here are four main ways to speed up Energy generation:

• Impetus Support Gem: This gem adds 40% to the energy gain of a Meta Skill. Only one can be equipped at a time.
• Enhance Gem Quality: Some Meta Gems can increase their energy absorption rate by up to 20% when a Gemcutter's Prism is used on them.
• Passive Skill Tree Nodes: Investing in particular nodes within the passive skill tree can increase the effectiveness of Meta Skills, particularly Energy gain. Players can find these nodes by searching for "meta" in the skill tree interface.
• Sapphire Jewels: You can further boost Energy acquisition rates by giving Sapphire Jewels modifiers like "Meta Skills gain (5–15)% increased Energy."

It's important to remember that the abilities activated by Meta Gems can't produce Energy. Players must rely on outside sources and additional techniques to maintain a steady cycle of energy creation.

Meta Skills and Spirit Reservation in PoE 2

Meta Skills need Spirit to function, with most needing at least 60 Spirit. Players can raise their base Spirit level by applying gear modifications to items like amulets, body armor, and scepters. Some Support Gems grant Persistent Buffs, which last as long as there is enough excess Spirit to reserve. 

However, support Gems with a Cost Multiplier do not increase Spirit Reservation unless they specifically contain a Reservation Multiplier. Proper Spirit management is key to maintaining high-performance Meta Skill setups, as insufficient Spirit can prevent Meta Skills from activating.

Types of Meta Skills in Path of Exile 2

Since most Meta Skills are trigger-based, they can activate socketed skill gems in specific situations:

• Cast on Ignite: Activates connected spells at maximum Energy and earns Energy upon igniting enemies. The total base cast time of all socketed spells determines the maximum Energy.
• Ancestral Warrior Totem: Calls forth a totem that may be equipped with any Mace-based skill gem, making it an automated and personalized battle partner.

Support Gems in Meta Skills

Support Gems that are socketed into Meta Skills apply to both the associated Skill Gem and the Meta Gem. Players can further optimize their Meta Skills through these connections, producing potent synergy that improves the related abilities.

• Persistence Support Gem: Gives the Meta Skill and the associated Skill Gem a 40% More Skill Effect Duration modification.
• Impetus Support Gem: Boosts Energy gain specifically to enhance Meta Gems.

FAQs

What are Meta Skills in Path of Exile 2?

Meta Skills are a new type of support skill in Path of Exile 2 that modify how linked skills function. These skills usually automate their usage or change their behavior entirely, allowing for smoother and more complex skill interactions.

How do Meta Skills differ from traditional Support Gems?

Unlike traditional Support Gems that enhance a skill’s damage, area, or other attributes, meta-skills fundamentally change how linked skills are used, such as enabling multiple attacks to be cast in sequence or altering the way skills activate.

Can all skills be linked to Meta Skills?

While many skills can be linked to meta-skills, there will likely be restrictions on which skills are compatible, as some interactions could be too powerful or unintended, meaning careful planning will still be required when building a character.

References

1. [1] "Official PoE 2 website". pathofexile2.com. Retrieved February 19, 2025