Grinding Gear Games is preparing to launch The Third Edict (Patch 0.3.0) for Path of Exile 2, and with it comes a sweeping change to how Support Gems function. The restriction that once limited duplicate Support Gem usage is being removed entirely. This means players will now be able to use multiple copies of the same Support Gem across different Skills simultaneously.

For a game where built creativity is king, this adjustment is nothing short of a revolution. Every archetype-from projectile-focused bow builds to elemental casters and melee bruisers-will now find new ways to scale damage, utility, and survivability.

Let's break down exactly what's changing, why it matters, and how it's about to reshape the Path of Exile 2 meta in 0.3.

What's Changing With Support Gems in Path of Exile 2.0.3?

One of the defining design choices of Path of Exile 2 compared to its predecessor is that Gems are no longer socketed into items. Instead, Skills and Supports are equipped directly, freeing players from the classic gear-link prison of Path of Exile 1. While this was initially seen as liberating, early testers quickly ran into a different restriction:

·You could only use one copy of a Support Gem at a time.

·That meant if you loved a modifier like Martial Tempo or Clarity, you had to ration its usage and decide which one Skill got the benefit.

With the Third Edict, this limitation is gone. Want to run Martial Tempo on both your primary attack and your movement Skill? Go ahead. Want every single damaging Spell in your arsenal to apply Chaos damage? Now possible.

This shift transforms Support Gems from scarce, rationed resources into true scaling multipliers across your entire build.

Why This Is a Big Deal for All Builds

The practical applications of this change are enormous. Here are some of the biggest winners:

1. Elemental and Ailment Spammers

Players who want to consistently apply Shock, Freeze, Ignite, or Poison across multiple Skills will now have a much easier time. Imagine a caster who can ensure every projectile or nova they throw out contributes to stacking ailments. That's consistent damage scaling that was previously impossible.

2. Chaos Damage Builds

Chaos has always been a niche powerhouse, often locked behind specific Support choices. With duplicate Supports, players can make Chaos conversion universal across their kit, turning even utility Skills into sources of DPS.

3. Utility Supports Spread Wide

Supports like Clarity or defensive ones that boost survivability can now be applied across the board. That means smoother resource management and more forgiving gameplay, especially for hardcore players.

4. Build Diversity

The removal of this restriction massively expands the creative space for theorycrafters. Instead of forcing players into "one Skill to rule them all" builds, the game now encourages hybrid playstyles. A totem caster could double-dip into multiple supported Spells, or melee characters could finally supplement their main attack with effective secondary Skills without wasting Supports.

In short: this isn't just a balance patch. It's an invitation to experiment.

The Problem With Early Linking and How 0.3 Fixes It

Support Gems weren't the only source of friction in the early versions of Path of Exile 2. Another common pain point was the scarcity of linked Support setups.

·Early in the campaign, most players were stuck with three-link Skills, making it difficult to scale damage.

·Even after Act 5, getting reliable five-links was rare due to the low drop rates of Jeweller's Orbs.

Patch 0.3 addresses this by adding guaranteed POE 2 Orbs drops in key campaign zones. This ensures players can progress naturally without feeling bottlenecked by RNG.

Together, these changes mean builds will feel more complete earlier, and Support Gems will be a reliable foundation instead of a frustrating limitation.

Support Gem Progression: From Tier I to Tier III

GGG isn't just changing the duplicate rules-they're also overhauling how Support Gems progress.

·Many Supports now come in tiered versions (I → III).

·Players start with a basic version, like Rapid Casting I.

·As you upgrade through Uncut Support Gems, you unlock improved versions like Rapid Casting II and Rapid Casting III.

But here's the exciting twist: higher tiers aren't just stat bumps.

For example:

·Rapid Casting I → flat cast speed bonus.

·Rapid Casting III → "Gain 10% increased Cast Speed for each Spell you've cast in the last 8 seconds."

This design adds layers of strategy and rewards mastery, making Support Gem progression a meaningful part of your build path instead of pure number inflation.

Lineage Supports: Vaal Gems 2.0

Perhaps the flashiest addition in 0.3 is the arrival of Lineage Support Gems.

Think of them as the Support Gem equivalent of Vaal Skills from Path of Exile 1: rare, unique, and fundamentally build-defining.

Some examples:

·Dialla's Desire - Adds +1 Level and +10% Quality to the linked Skill while reducing Mana/Reservation cost.

·Zarokh's Retribution - Grants double Spell Echo but forces a cooldown on the linked Skill.

These are not just power spikes-they're playstyle changers. Suddenly, a gem isn't just an augment; it's the foundation of your entire build identity. It is worth buying Path of Exile 2 Items.

What This Means for the 0.3 Meta

The net result of all these Support Gem changes is simple: the 0.3 meta will be the most diverse Path of Exile has ever seen.

·Expect fewer cookie-cutter "one-skill" builds since Supports can now amplify multiple abilities at once.

·Look for chaos and ailment archetypes to dominate the early meta thanks to their synergy with duplicate Support stacking.

·Lineage Supports will create new "god-tier" builds around specific drops, leading to a more varied and exciting endgame economy.

And while the Gemling Legionnaire used to enjoy a unique perk of running duplicate Supports, this change levels the playing field-forcing GGG to find new ways to keep that class unique.

Why This Is a True Buff for Every Player

No matter your preferred playstyle, this change is a win:

·Casual players get smoother leveling and easier access to powerful builds.

·Hardcore grinders gain more options for min-maxing and crafting unique strategies.

·Theorycrafters get the sandbox freedom they crave to push the game's mechanics to their limits.

For years, Path of Exile has balanced on the knife's edge of complexity and restriction. By tearing down the barrier on duplicate Supports, Path of Exile 2 takes a confident step toward player freedom and builds creativity.

Final Thoughts

Patch 0.3.0 of Path of Exile 2-The Third Edict-brings one of the most impactful systemic changes the series has ever seen. Allowing duplicate Support Gems across multiple Skills may sound like a small rule tweak, but in practice, it's a massive buff to every build archetype in the game.

When combined with guaranteed Jeweller's Orb drops, tiered Support progression, and the brand-new Lineage Supports, this update is set to redefine how Exiles approach the game.

Whether you're a casual player looking to breeze through the campaign or a hardcore theorycrafter preparing for the next big League start, one thing is clear: the Support Gem overhaul in 0.3 is the best news Path of Exile 2 players could ask for.