HomeGuidesPath Of Exile 2

Everything you need to know about the Path of Exile 2 Passive Skill TreeHere’s a full explanation of the Passive Skill Tree

Here’s a full explanation of the Passive Skill Tree

Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Grinding Gear Games

Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Grinding Gear Games

The Passive Skill Tree for the Ranger in Path of Exile 2.

The good news about this Passive Skill Tree is that it’s much more intimidating upon first glance than it is in actuality. No node on the skill tree is useless, and you can respec your nodes at will as long as you’ve got a bit of gold to spare. If you’re still intimidated, read on - in this guide we’ll providea full explanation of the Passive Skill Tree in Path of Exile 2and give you some handy tips that’ll help whether you’re a newbie or an ARPG veteran.

To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

Path of Exile 2 Passive Skill Tree: Everything you need to know

In Path of Exile 2, all classes share the same giant Passive Skill Tree, which is filled with various nodes. You gain a Passive Skill Tree point every time you level up, and you can exchange a point for a node to strengthen your character. The nodes do everything from offering boosts to the game’s key Attributes to powering up summonable minions.

For in-depth explanations of the various aspects of the Passive Skill Tree, click on one of the following:

Passive Skill Tree Attribute locations

While all of Path of Exile 2’s classes share the Passive Skill Tree, their starting routes are pre-determined, as each section of the tree roughly corresponds with one of the game’s three Attributes - Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. While the classes are start in different places, it’s theoretically doable for a single class to take every single node on the tree, or for an Intelligence-specialising Sorceress to make her way down to the Strength section and become melee-focused. Anything is possible!

Use this handy screenshot to figure out the location of nodes corresponding to the game’s three Attributes. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Grinding Gear Games

The Passive Skill Tree of Path of Exile 2, with connection between the various sections of the tree and the game’s Attributes highlighted.

Passive Skill Tree node types

Here’s an example of all of the different nodes on the Passive Skill Tree, highlighted for your convenience. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Grinding Gear Games

All of the node types highlighted on the Path of Exile 2 Passive Skill Tree - Attribute nodes, Minor nodes, Major nodes, and a Keystone node.

Nodes on the Passive Skill Tree encompass the following types:

Passive Skill Tree weapon specialisation

In Path of Exile 2,your chosen skills on the Passive Skill Tree are linked with your weapon specialisation, which refers to whatever weapon you’ve currently got equipped. This system grants you an excellent degree of flexibility. You can have one set of Strength-based nodes active for a sword, for instance, and an entirely different set of Dexterity-based nodes active for a bow that you keep for backup just in case a little range is necessary.

Here you can see a gold path between nodes representing skills assigned to weapon 1, while a green path denotes skills assigned to weapon 2. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Grinding Gear Games

Different weapon specialisation skills on the Passive Skill Tree of Path of Exile 2 - a gold path between nodes denotes skills assigned to weapon 1, while a green path denotes skills assigned to weapon 2.

How to respec the Passive Skill Tree

You aren’t locked into your skills in Path of Exile 2. Once you’ve progressed past a certain point in Act I and saved the Hooded One - the cryptic figure nailed to a tree in the game’s introduction - you’ll be able to visit him in town and select theRefund Passivesoption.

This mysterious fellow serves as your respec option. But it’ll cost ya. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Grinding Gear Games

Talking with the Hooded One in Path of Exile 2, and preparing to Refund Passives.

The cost of refunding passives changes depending on how far into the Passive Skill Tree you’ve progressed, but be prepared to pay at least 247 gold per node in the early game. This might seem a bit pricey at first, but it’s a small amount to pay for the ability to completely respec your character if need be.

That concludes our look at everything you need to know about Path of Exile 2’s Passive Skill Tree. If you need more assistance, check out our guide onwhat to do first in Path of Exile 2, ourclass tier list, our guide tocrafting, and our rundown of characterAttributes.