Path of Exile 2 charms explained

Modified Dec 07, 2024 03:10 IST

Path of Exile 2 Charms — Charms are a powerful addition to your equipment loadout in Path of Exile 2 - here's what they do (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

Charms are back in Path of Exile 2, though they function just a bit differently than they did before. Originally added to the game in Path of Exile: Affliction, this powerful bit of jewelry has come back to the game as a way to further enhance your character. It also brings a bit of extra use to one of your pieces of equipment, belts, by allowing you to slot them in that gear.

While you’ll likely pick one or two of these up during the early moments of Path of Exile 2, you will have to wait for the really good gems. Who doesn’t want to add a little elemental resistance to their kit? Once Early Access begins, you can begin stocking these.

What do Charms do in Path of Exile 2?

Charms in Path of Exile 2 take on the role of Potions from the late game of PoE 1. You wanted a potion slot that would give you a buff versus particular elements/ailments to help keep you alive in the late-game moments, but that functionality has essentially been changed — sort of.

Charms can bail you out in a tight spot - if you have the charges for them (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

Now, you have charms to give you a bit of breathing room against particular ailments. Each Charm has a set of charges connected to it, as well as an elemental resistance. When you’re struck with that elemental damage type — say, you’re Frozen by Cold damage, for example — if you have enough charges, the Charm will activate, set you free, and go on cooldown.

You regain charges by using a Well in a base, as you would for your Potions, as well as killing enemies out in the wild. Some charms can even recharge on their own if they have the right passives. Others can do useful things like heal you a little bit of life when they trigger.

You’ll unlock Charms during Act 1 while going through the main story quests. You slot these into your belt, which, at the start, only has room for one Charm in Path of Exile 2. As the game progresses, you’ll unlock more slots, which will allow you to have a nice variety of charms all going at once.

Charms come in a wide variety of flavors, but they all serve at least one purpose (Image via Grinding Gaer Games)

Charms are incredibly useful in Path of Exile 2, as having the right one equipped at the right time can save your hide. Elemental Resistance is incredibly important in games like PoE 2, so having the right defense for the task can be a game changer. Even in the early game, when you’re fighting bosses like Beira of the Rotten Pack, her icy attacks can spell disaster if you aren’t prepared.

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Edited by Adarsh J Kumar