Weapon Swap Mechanics

Learn how to properly utilize Path of Exile's Weapon Set Swap Mechanics to automatically switch your Weapon and Passive Skill Tree depending on what skill you use. This system allows you to mix and match different weapons to maximize the power of your skills!

Skill Gem Weapon Swap Mechanics

By default, your skills use whatever weapon you have equipped at the time. But you can also assign a skill to use a specific weapon. Start by opening your Skill Gem tab and navigating to the extended Gem description.

Here you can configure which Weapon Set your character swaps to when using the Skill. By ticking the first (I) but not the second your character always swaps to your first Weapon Set before using the selected skill. It works the same way when only ticking the second (II) Weapon Set. Tick both at once for you to cast your ability no matter which Weapon Set is active.

The exception here is when you use a Skill that does not meet the required Weapon conditions in one Weapon Set but does in the other, causing it to swap to the eligible one. For example, when you attempt to use Shield Charge while currently holding a 2 handed Mace it swaps to your other Set if that set has a Shield equipped.

Passive Skill Tree Weapon Swap Mechanics

You can also use your Weapon Swap to dynamically change allocated nodes on your Passive Skill Tree. This is called "dual specialization."

Weapon Swap Points are passive points that can be allocated to only be active depending on what Weapon Set is active. To allocate Weapon Set Specific Nodes there are three requirements:

• You have a Weapon Set Point Maximum higher than 0 (24 in the reference image). You acquire these throughout your campaign playthrough.
• You have unallocated Skill Points (9 in the reference image) in order to assign them to a Weapon Set instead of globally.
• You have selected which Weapon Set the following points should be assigned to. (Arrow on the left)

Pay close attention to which nodes are allocated Globally, which to Set I, and which to Set II as you allocate them.

Closing Words

Path of Exile 2 has the ability to assign your skills to a specific weapon. Then, you can further enhance this using the dual specialization system. Understanding Weapon Swap mechanics helps you get the most power out of your build and gives you the freedom to experiment with new ideas.

Written by: Cptn_Garbage

Reviewed by: Tenkiei