Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.2.1: All New Socketable Gems and Items Explained

Path of Exile 2 is heating up again with Patch 0.2.1, and this time, Grinding Gear Games is making major waves in the endgame. One of the biggest additions coming with this update is the brand-new wave of socketable items. These aren't your run-of-the-mill support gems—we're talking powerful endgame socketables like Runes, Soul Cores, and Talismans. In this guide, we break down every new socketable item coming in Patch 0.2.1, how to get them, and why you should care.

If you're looking to push your build to the next level, or just want to farm smarter instead of harder, you're going to want to understand how these new socketables work. And for players who want a head start, buying cheap PoE 2 currency from SSEGold can help you experiment with the new systems right away.

What Are Socketable Items in PoE 2 Patch 0.2.1?

Patch 0.2.1 introduces 43 new socketable items designed to give players more ways to customize their gear and enhance their build power. These socketables fall into three categories:

• 22 New Runes

• 14 Soul Cores

• 7 Talismans

These items drop from specific endgame activities and cannot be crafted or upgraded through standard means, meaning they are intended as rare and impactful chase items.

New Runes: Build-Defining World Drops

The 22 new Runes are world drops you can find while grinding through high-tier maps or endgame encounters. Unlike the typical skill or support gems, these Runes are socketed directly into gear and offer powerful, often build-defining bonuses.

Notable Runes:

• Hedgewitch Assandra's Rune of Wisdom: Grants +1 to the level of all spell skills when socketed into a wand or staff. Perfect for spellcasters who need that extra level break point.

• Farrul's Rune of the Chase: Grants 5% increased movement speed when socketed into boots. Ideal for speedrunners and clear-speed builds.

• The Greatwolf's Rune of Willpower: When placed in body armor, causes 10% of damage to be taken from mana before life. This is a game-changer for mana-based tank builds.

These runes will likely have low drop rates, making them high-value targets for trading or self-farming. If you don’t want to gamble with RNG, grabbing PoE 2 items from SSEGold can save you time and get you straight into the action.

Soul Cores: Ultimatum-Based Enhancers

Soul Cores are a new type of socketable item obtained through the Trial of Chaos mechanic, specifically from Endgame Ultimatum encounters. These socketables enhance gear with unique modifiers, often tied to Chaos damage or utility.

Notable Soul Cores:

• Tacati’s Soul Core of Affliction: Reduces enemy Chaos Resistance by 8% when cursed. Perfect for Chaos Lich or any Chaos-based caster builds.

• Soul Core of Ritual Harmony: Increases area of effect for Ritual skills by 15%. Fantastic for Ritualist players or those focusing on pack-clearing.

Soul Cores are clearly meant for endgame players who are comfortable farming Trial of Chaos mechanics. These socketables cater to players who want to push min-maxing even further.

Talismans: Azmerian Spirit Drops

The third category of socketables is Talismans, dropped exclusively from Azmerian Spirit-possessed enemies. These socketables are more niche, offering either offensive or defensive buffs depending on where they are slotted.

Notable Talismans:

• Talisman of Truldana: Socketed into martial weapons, this item reduces poison duration by 25% and allows enemies to be affected by an additional poison. It's perfect for Bleed or Poison Huntress builds.

• Talisman of Ulnatal: When slotted into helmets, grants 100% increased duration for Elemental Ailments you inflict. Burn, Freeze, Shock players are going to love this one.

These Talismans are especially attractive because they drop from Spirit enemies, which can now appear during the campaign and in the endgame. Make sure to spec your Atlas passives or farming routes accordingly.

Why These Socketables Matter

The socketable system in PoE 2 Patch 0.2.1 isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a serious overhaul of how you approach gearing. Here's why:

• Massive Power Creep: Many of these socketables grant bonuses that could previously only be obtained through multiple item mods or ascendancy bonuses.

• Endgame Build Variety: These items cater to niche builds and underused mechanics, like Mana-tanking or hybrid ailment stacking.

• Trading Economy: With socketables dropping in limited scenarios and having powerful effects, expect a robust trade market for these items.

If you plan on staying competitive or clearing Uber content efficiently, you’ll want to start collecting socketables as soon as possible.

How To Farm New Socketables Efficiently

Farming these items will take targeted strategies:

• For Runes: Focus on high-tier mapping, Delirium, and Ritual content where rare drops are plentiful.

• For Soul Cores: Farm Endgame Ultimatum inside the Trial of Chaos. Bring high DPS and mobility builds to survive the escalating difficulty.

• For Talismans: Target Spirit-possessed enemies. Use Sextants, Scarabs, and Atlas passives to increase spawn rates.

If you're not looking to waste days grinding for a single drop, you can always buy PoE 2 currency and socketable items directly from trusted shops like SSEGold. It's a solid way to save time and get straight into optimizing your build.

Final Thoughts

Patch 0.2.1 is a massive win for PoE 2 players who love min-maxing and build crafting. The 43 new socketable items are going to redefine how players approach their gear and builds. With new Runes, Soul Cores, and Talismans dropping from endgame content, there's never been a better time to theorycraft or experiment with alternative setups.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, focus your farming efforts on the right mechanics, or grab the socketables you need by trading or purchasing. Don’t forget, SSEGold offers cheap PoE 2 currency and items so you can get right into the build experimentation without dealing with the grind.

Start prepping your builds—0.2.1 is shaping up to be one of the most impactful patches yet for Path of Exile 2.