How To Upgrade Your Skill Gems To 5-Link FAST In PoE 2

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Path of Exile 2 introduces an exciting array of mechanics for players who like to customise their gameplay. One of the standout mechanics is the creation of Corrupted Skill Gems, which allow players to upgrade their skills while avoiding the high cost of Greater Jeweller’s Orbs. In this guide, we’ll break down the step-by-step process for crafting four and five-link corrupted skill gems, discuss how these upgrades affect your build, and highlight key strategies for maximising efficiency.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, this guide will help you understand the nuances of crafting skill gems to boost your DPS without breaking the bank.

Quick Tips And Tricks

Affordable Crafting – learn how to turn three-link skill gems into powerful four- and five-link setups for as little as 1-2 exalted orbs.
Corruption Mechanics – discover the effects of Vaal Orbs on skill gems and how to mitigate risks.
Quality vs. Corruption – understand the trade-offs between quality upgrades and corrupted gear.
Efficiency Tips – save resources while maximizing your damage output.

Corrupted Skill Gems In Path of Exile 2

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Corrupted skill gems are special upgrades created by using Vaal Orbs. These orbs modify your skill gem in unpredictable ways. While this corruption process can grant additional sockets and links, it also comes with risks, such as bricking the gem or rendering it unusable for certain upgrades like quality enhancements.

Here’s the payoff: if successful, a corrupted four- or five-link skill gem can massively boost your DPS, making it a viable alternative to more expensive crafting methods.

Materials Required

To craft corrupted skill gems, you’ll need:

Material	Description	Approximate Cost
Vaal Orb	Used to corrupt skill gems, granting unpredictable outcomes	1-3 Chaos Orbs each
Lesser Jeweller’s Orb	Creates additional sockets and links in skill gems before corruption	3-5 Chaos Orbs each
Uncut Skill Gems	Basic skill gems with no prior links or corruption, available from vendors	Minimal cost

Step-By-Step Process

Acquire Uncut Skill Gems – start with any uncut skill gem of your choice. These are low-cost items, and it’s best to stockpile several for this process since corruption isn’t guaranteed to succeed.
Use Lesser Jeweller’s Orb – apply a Lesser Jeweller’s Orb to increase the gem’s sockets to three or four. This step creates the base structure necessary for linking support gems.
Apply Vaal Orbs – use a Vaal Orb on the gem. The outcomes can vary:

Add a link (e.g., from three to four).
Reduce the number of sockets.
Apply a different corruption modifier.

Repeat If Necessary – if the gem doesn’t gain the desired links, repeat the process with another uncut gem. The chance of success is approximately 1 in 6, so having multiple gems on hand is essential.
Equip and Optimize – once you’ve achieved a four- or five-link gem, insert it into your gear and optimize it with support gems to boost your DPS.

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Upgrading And Quality Restrictions

A critical aspect of corrupted skill gems is the inability to upgrade their quality. You cannot use items like Gemcutters’ Prisms or other enhancement tools to improve their stats.

Example – if you have a corrupted Earthquake gem with four links, it cannot receive additional quality upgrades. However, you can still apply quality improvements if the gem remains uncorrupted (e.g., created using a Greater Jeweller’s Orbs).

Cost-Effectiveness And Risk Management

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Corrupting skill gems is a cost-effective alternative to using Greater Jeweler’s Orbs, which are often prohibitively expensive. With the price of a single Greater Jeweller’s Orb reaching up to 20 exalted orbs, the Vaal Orb method becomes a budget-friendly solution for players aiming to boost their DPS.

Tips For Success

Stockpile Materials – always have extra Vaal Orbs and Lesser Jeweller’s Orb on hand to account for failed attempts.
Plan Ahead – use this method on skill gems that are crucial to your build, such as your main attack or AoE damage skill.
Accept Trade-Offs – while corrupted gems provide substantial damage boosts, the inability to upgrade their quality is a permanent limitation.

Pros And Cons

Pros	Cons
Significant DPS boost (20–30% for main skills)	Corrupted gems cannot have their quality upgraded
Cost-effective compared to Greater Jeweller’s Orbs	Corruption outcomes are unpredictable (e.g., bricking or reduced links)
Allows players to experiment with four- and five-link setups	Requires multiple gems and materials for consistent success
Suitable for builds prioritizing socket links over quality enhancements	–

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Conclusion

Crafting corrupted skill gems is a game-changing mechanic for players in Path of Exile 2. By using Vaal Orbs and Lesser Jeweller’s Orb, you can create powerful four- and five-skilled gems without spending a fortune. However, there are risks to this method – most notably the inability to upgrade the quality of damaged gems.

For players looking to optimize their builds on a budget, this technique offers an efficient way to increase DPS and experiment with different skill setups. While the process may require patience and a bit of luck, the rewards are well worth the effort.

Find more tips, strategies, and insights in the following PoE 2 guides:

F.A.Q.

What are corrupted skill gems in Path of Exile 2?

Corrupted skill gems in Path of Exile 2 are skill gems modified by Vaal Orbs. They can gain additional links or unique effects but come with a trade-off: once corrupted, they cannot have their quality upgraded or be further modified.

How do I get four- or five-link corrupted gems in Path of Exile 2?

You can craft four- or five-link corrupted gems in Path of Exile 2 by using Lesser Jeweller’s Orb to increase sockets and Vaal Orbs to corrupt the gem. Be prepared to repeat the process since outcomes are random and not guaranteed.

Are corrupted skill gems worth it in Path of Exile 2?

Especially if you’re on a budget. Crafting corrupted gems is a cost-effective way to boost your DPS in PoE2. However, remember that you’ll lose the ability to enhance their quality.

Can I upgrade the quality of a corrupted gem in Path of Exile 2?

No, once a gem is corrupted, it’s locked. You can’t use Gemcutters’ Prisms or other quality-enhancing items on it. Plan your upgrades before corrupting.

How risky is corrupting skill gems in Path of Exile 2?

Corrupting skill gems in Path of Exile 2 is risky but manageable. Outcomes are random—you could end up with extra links, reduced sockets, or a bricked gem. To minimize frustration, always craft with spare gems and materials.