Path of Exile 2 introduces a new layer of character customization with the Rune system—socketable items that can dramatically alter your gear stats. Whether you're chasing the perfect DPS roll or optimizing survivability, Runes, Soul Cores, and Talismans are crucial to min-maxing your build. This guide breaks down how Runes work in Path of Exile 2, how to socket them, and what each one does.

What Are Runes in Path of Exile 2?

Runes in PoE 2 are socketable items that fit into specific gear slots—Weapons, Armor, or Wands/Staffs. Each Rune grants unique bonuses, and the effects vary based on the item type you socket them into.

There are three Rune rarities:

• Lesser Runes

• Normal Runes

• Greater Runes

Higher-tier Runes offer stronger bonuses, making them ideal for endgame optimization. You’ll also find Soul Cores and Talismans, which function similarly but with a twist—often offering more specialized or powerful effects.

How To Socket Runes in Path of Exile 2

Before using a Rune, your gear must have a socket.

Ways to Add Sockets:

• Artificer’s Orb: Used to add sockets. Crafted using 10 Artificer’s Shards.

• Vaal Orb: Corrupts gear, potentially adding more sockets—but with risk of negative modifiers.

Once inserted, Runes, Soul Cores, and Talismans cannot be removed, but they can be overwritten. Be cautious when socketing valuable gear.

Lesser Runes: Early Game Enhancements

Lesser Runes are common and great for early progression. Here are a few notable examples:

• Lesser Iron Rune

  • Weapon: +15% Physical Damage

  • Armor: +15% to Armor, Evasion, and Energy Shield

  • Wand/Staff: +20% Spell Damage

• Lesser Rebirth Rune

  • Weapon: Gain 10 Life per kill

  • Armor: +0.25% Life regen/sec

• Lesser Storm Rune

  • Weapon: Adds 1–10 Lightning Damage

  • Armor: +10% Lightning Resistance

These are especially useful when leveling through Acts I–III or while experimenting with new builds.

Normal Runes: Core Midgame Power

Normal Runes offer a solid power spike and become available mid-campaign.

• Iron Rune

  • Weapon: +20% Physical Damage

  • Wand/Staff: +25% Spell Damage

• Vision Rune

  • Weapon: +80 Accuracy

  • Wand/Staff: +20% Spell Crit

• Stone Rune

  • Weapon: +25% Stun Buildup

  • Armor: +40 Stun Threshold

If you're fine-tuning bossing potential or tankiness, this is where you'll find significant build-defining utility.

Greater Runes: Endgame Optimization

These are rare drops but offer the best numerical value and unique effects.

• Greater Iron Rune

  • Weapon: +25% Physical Damage

  • Wand/Staff: +30% Spell Damage

• Greater Rune of Leadership

  • Weapon: Minions gain +10% Physical as Lightning

  • Armor: Minions take 10% Physical as Lightning (defensive synergy!)

• Greater Storm Rune

  • Weapon: Adds 1–30 Lightning Damage

  • Wand/Staff: Gain +12% of Damage as Lightning

For endgame mapping and bossing, Greater Runes are what separate decent gear from perfect gear.

Soul Cores: High-Risk, High-Reward Socketables

Found in Trials of Chaos, Soul Cores are essentially legendary Runes with unique effects. Use them on gear you plan to keep long-term.

Notable Soul Cores:

• Soul Core of Citaqualotl

  • Weapon: +30% Elemental Damage with Attacks

  • Armor: +5% All Elemental Resistances

• Soul Core of Puhuarte

  • Weapon: +30% chance to Ignite

  • Armor: +1% to Max Fire Resistance

• Soul Core of Jiquani

  • Weapon: Recover 2% Life on Kill

  • Armor: +2% Max Life

These are excellent for glass cannon elemental builds or survivability-focused tanks.

Talismans: Dawn of the Hunt Exclusives

Talismans drop from Azmerian Wisp challenges during Dawn of the Hunt content. Like Runes, they’re gear-specific but more restrictive—each Talisman only works with one item type.

They’re ideal for min-maxing a single item, like your endgame chest or best-in-slot weapon.

Best Ways to Farm Runes in Path of Exile 2

• Campaign Progression: Drops from monsters and bosses

• Endgame Trials (like Trials of Chaos): Best source for Soul Cores

• Azmerian Challenges: Source for Talismans

• Vendors: Occasionally sell socketed gear or Artificer Shards

If you’re lacking specific Runes, check trading communities or consider using crafting materials to salvage socketable items.

Final Tips: Making the Most of Socketables

• Plan Your Gear: Runes can’t be removed, so use low-tier gear to test.

• Save Greater Runes & Soul Cores: Only use them on gear you know is endgame-worthy.

• Stack Synergies: Mix Talismans, Soul Cores, and Runes for build-specific synergy (e.g. stacking Fire bonuses or mana regen).

Need Help Fast-Tracking Your Build?

If you're looking to push through the campaign or dominate endgame maps quickly, you can buy PoE 2 currency from trusted sources like SSEGold to afford rare gear and socketables.

Conclusion

Runes in Path of Exile 2 open up new dimensions for customizing your build. From basic stat boosts to game-changing Soul Core effects, the socketable system is a key part of the game’s depth. Master it, and you'll be able to tailor your character like never before.