Does Gem Order Matter in Path of Exile?
Path of Exile is a complex action role-playing game with a vast array of systems and mechanics. One aspect of the game that has sparked debate and curiosity is the order in which you place gems. In this article, we will explore the answer to the question: Does gem order matter in Path of Exile?
Gem Order Overview
In Path of Exile, gems are an essential part of the gameplay experience. Gems are attached to the game’s items, such as jewelry and weapons, to provide a variety of passive and active effects. Each gem has a specific position on an item, indicated by its color (white, yellow, green, blue, and red).
What Does the Official Documentation Say?
The official documentation for Path of Exile provides some insight into how gem order works. According to the official wiki, the order of gems on an item matters in a few specific cases:
Main Hand ≠ Off-Hand
• Main Hand gems trigger before Off-Hand gems when there’s no Link.
• If there is a Link, the triggered gems will execute in order of their distance from the center of the Link, with the main hand gems triggering first, then off-hand gems in order from closest to farthest from the center.**
This means that the order of gems on an item can have a significant impact on how they interact with each other. For example, a gem on the main hand may trigger first, allowing it to execute its effect before an off-hand gem.
Hierarchy of Gem Triggering
• Gem 1 → Gem 2 →… → Gem 6**
The official wiki also describes a hierarchy for gem triggering, where gem 1 is the primary gem and gem 6 is the secondary gem. This means that the game will evaluate the effects of gem 1 before considering the effects of gem 2, and so on.
Edge Cases: Cast when Damage Taken and Hierophant
Two specific gems, Cast when Damage Taken and Hierophant, have unique behavior when it comes to gem order.
• Cast when Damage Taken triggers the top-right spell first.**
This means that if you have multiple supported gems in the top-right position on an item, the top-right gem will trigger first.
• Hierophant bonus is given to the socketed gem, regardless of gem order.**
This means that even if you have multiple gems in the same socket, the Hierophant bonus will still apply to the gem that’s actually being used.
Conclusion: Does Gem Order Matter in Path of Exile?
In conclusion, the order of gems on an item in Path of Exile can have a significant impact on gameplay. The official documentation suggests that main hand gems trigger before off-hand gems when there’s no link, and the hierarchy of gem triggering plays a crucial role in how gems interact with each other. Additionally, specific gems like Cast when Damage Taken and Hierophant have unique behavior.
Takeaway Points
• Gem order can affect gem triggering and hierarchy.
• Main hand gems trigger before off-hand gems when there’s no link.
• The order of gems on an item can change the behavior of specific gems like Cast when Damage Taken and Hierophant.
• Gem 1 → Gem 2 →… → Gem 6 is the hierarchy for gem triggering.
Keep in mind that gem order is just one aspect of Path of Exile’s complexity, and there’s still much to learn and experiment with in the game.