Alfa Pages :: Topic review - Uncut vs Cut Support Gems: What You Need to Know

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Uncut Support Gems and Cut (or finished) Support Gems are two stages of the same item type in Path of Exile 2, each serving distinct roles in your character’s skill customization and progression.

Uncut Support Gems are the raw form you find throughout the game—dropped by monsters, bosses, or rewarded from quests. These gems are not immediately usable; instead, they act as a kind of blueprint or template that you must “cut” or engrave into a specific Support Gem using the Gemcutting interface. This process allows you to choose which Support Gem to create based on the active Skill Gems you have and the options unlocked by the Uncut Support Gem’s tier. Higher-tier Uncut Support Gems unlock more powerful and diverse Support Gems.

The key feature of Uncut Support Gems is their flexibility. When you use an Uncut Support Gem, you can select from a list of compatible Support Gems that enhance your active skills in various ways—such as increasing damage, duration, cast speed, or adding special effects. This system replaces the older method where you found fully formed Support Gems in the wild, giving you more control over your build and progression.

Cut Support Gems, on the other hand, are the finished products after engraving. Once cut, they become usable Support Gems that you can place into your skill setup to modify your active Skill Gems. These Support Gems do not level up like Skill Gems but have attribute requirements (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence) and provide static bonuses that improve your skills’ effectiveness. You can equip multiple Support Gems per skill (up to five), but only one copy of each unique Support Gem is allowed per character.

Another important distinction is that Support Gems only work with compatible Skill Gems. For example, a Support Gem that increases skill duration can only be linked to skills that have a duration component. The Gemcutting interface helps by filtering recommended Support Gems, but you can also view all compatible options by toggling the filter.

In terms of gameplay impact, Uncut Support Gems represent potential and choice, while Cut Support Gems represent the concrete enhancements actively shaping your build. Managing Uncut Support Gems wisely—cutting those that best fit your build and playstyle—allows you to tailor your skills efficiently. Meanwhile, using Cut Support Gems strategically maximizes your damage output, utility, and survivability.

The difference between Uncut and Cut Support Gems is:

Uncut Support Gems are raw, unrefined gems that must be engraved to become usable Support Gems. They offer flexibility and unlock new support options as you progress.

Cut Support Gems are the finalized gems that modify your active skills and can be equipped in your skill setup. They have fixed effects and attribute requirements but do not level up.

Understanding this distinction helps you manage your gem inventory effectively, ensuring you unlock and apply the best Support Gems to enhance your skills throughout your Path of Exile 2 journey.