Path of Exile 2 introduces several new systems that expand on the deep customization the franchise is known for. Among the most exciting additions is the Rune system, which offers a fresh layer of build complexity and strategic experimentation. Unlike skill gems and passive trees that have long defined PoE's identity, Runes function in a POE 2 Currency unique way that enhances both utility and combat options.

This article explains what Runes are, how they work in Path of Exile 2, and how players can best utilize them to power up their builds.

What Are Runes in Path of Exile 2?
Runes are a new type of skill-enhancing or effect-altering component in PoE 2. While they might sound like just another form of support gem, they function quite differently. Instead of linking directly into your skill gem sockets, Runes are part of a separate system—they can be slotted into gear or embedded into a "Rune grid" (similar in concept to Path of Exile 1’s Labyrinth enchantments or Cluster Jewels, but more interactive).

They are designed to augment skills, add passive effects, or modify the battlefield in real time. Some Runes are trigger-based, while others are castable, and they synergize with your equipped skills in powerful and sometimes unpredictable ways.

Types of Runes
There are several types of Runes in Path of Exile 2, each serving different purposes:

1. Combat Runes
These Runes directly enhance offensive or defensive capabilities. Examples include:

Rune of Blades: Summons spinning blades that rotate around your character.

Rune of Frost: Creates a freezing pulse when a spell is cast nearby.

2. Trigger Runes
Trigger Runes activate based on certain conditions:

On kill

On block

On skill use

On low life

Example: A Rune of Vengeance might trigger a blast of fire when you take a critical strike.

3. Environmental Runes
These place totems, traps, or field effects on the battlefield:

Rune of Stoneguard: Erects a stone wall that blocks enemies for a short duration.

Rune of Rejuvenation: Creates an aura area that heals you and allies standing inside it.

How to Use Runes
Runes are inserted into a separate Rune Slot Interface, not unlike how gems are socketed into gear. Some high-end equipment may even feature Rune-dedicated sockets, or modify the effects of Runes placed within them. Think of this as a hybrid between gem linking and item enchantment.

The interface allows:

Equipping multiple Runes at once

Linking Runes to certain skills or conditions

Combining passive Runes with active ones for advanced effects

Runes do not replace the skill gem system but rather enhance it, especially for players who want to tailor their builds beyond DPS output and into utility, survivability, or crowd control.

Rune Progression and Crafting
Just like gems, Runes can level up with use or XP gain. As they level, their effects become more potent. There is also a Rune crafting system where players can:

Upgrade basic Runes into advanced variants

Combine low-tier Runes into specialized ones

Infuse Runes with elemental or chaos attributes

This opens up a meta-crafting layer where certain Runes can become cornerstones of a unique build—like turning a Rune of Thorns into a bleed-spreading debuff field.

Build Synergy and Meta Impact
In the hands of creative players, Runes offer incredible build customization. For example:

A melee build might equip a Rune of Shrapnel, causing spikes to explode from enemies on hit.

A summoner could use Rune of Echoes to periodically duplicate minion spells.

A tanky build might run Rune of Stoneform, giving bonus armor when stationary.

Because of this flexibility, Runes are expected to become meta-defining tools for build creators and endgame players. The best players will learn to synergize skill gems, support gems, passive nodes, and Runes to achieve devastating or unkillable combinations.

Conclusion
Runes are an exciting and robust addition to Path of Exile 2, enhancing player agency in new and meaningful ways. Whether you want to cheap POE 2 Currency add utility to your build, increase your survivability, or trigger battlefield effects in combat, Runes open the door to creativity and complexity. As PoE 2 continues to evolve, mastering the Rune system will become an essential part of high-level gameplay.

Explore, experiment, and empower your exile—the right Rune at the right time can change everything.