Item socket
Sockets are an mechanism on equipment into which active skill gems and support skill gems with a matching colour can be placed. Individual sockets can be linked to each other which is required for support skill gems to provide benefits to any linked active skill gem.
Colours
Each socket has one of 4 colours:
- red, associated with Strength
- blue, associated with Intelligence
- green, associated with Dexterity
- white
Skill gems have to be placed into a socket with the corresponding colour with the exception of white gems and sockets, which can be placed into a socket of any colour or take a gem of any colour respectively.
The random choice of colour for sockets is weighted based upon the magnitude of the relevant attributes (strength, dexterity, intelligence) required to use the item. For example, a low strength requirement (low base-level) pure strength armour item has a higher probability of rolling off-color sockets than a high strength requirement (high base-level) pure strength armour.
White sockets can be obtained though Corruption by using a 
Vaal OrbVaal OrbStack Size: 20Corrupts an item, modifying it unpredictablyRight click this item then left click an item to corrupt it. Corrupted items cannot be modified again.
at a 25% chance[1].
The colour of sockets can be changed by 
Chromatic OrbChromatic OrbStack Size: 20Reforges the colour of sockets on an itemRight click this item then left click a socketed item to apply it.
reforging or by using the crafting bench provided by Voirci.
Number of sockets
The number of possible sockets on equipment is based on the item level as well as the type of the equipment being used.
The number of sockets can be changed by 
Jeweller's OrbJeweller's OrbStack Size: 20Reforges the number of sockets on an itemRight click this item then left click a socketed item to apply it. The item's quality increases the chances of obtaining more sockets.
reforging or by using the crafting bench provided by Voirci.
Maximum number of sockets by equipment type
- Belts, Amulets, Rings and Quivers do not contain sockets with the exception of
Unset RingsUnset RingRequires Level 5Has 1 Socket
and 
Black Maw TalismansBlack Maw TalismanTalisman Tier: 1Has 1 SocketCorruptedThe First Ones stalk with us
upon this lifelong hunt,
and cast their contempt
upon those that would make us their prey.
- The Wolven King
- One Handed Weapons and Shields have up to 3 sockets
- Boots, Helmets and Gloves have up to 4 sockets
- Body Armours and Two Handed Weapons have up to 6 sockets
Item level
| Number of sockets | Minimum item level | First vendor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Normal, Act 1 |
| 2 | 1 | Normal, Act 1 |
| 3 | 2 | Normal, Act 1 |
| 4 | 25 | Normal, Act 3 |
| 5 | 35 | Normal, Act 4 |
| 6 | 50 | Cruel, Act 3 |
The item level item is generally applicable, but note that there are a few cases where the restriction does not apply:
- Starting weapons; they are item level 1 with three sockets (always three different colours).
Tabula RasaTabula Rasa
Simple RobeMovement Speed: -3%Item has no level requirement and Energy Shield (Hidden)
Item has 6 White Sockets and is fully linked (Hidden)
always has 6 linked white sockets.- Items from strongboxes with Template:SMW query mod affix
- Vorici can master craft sockets regardless of the item's item level.
Links
Sockets can be linked to other sockets in the same item. In order to provide their benefits support skill gems have to be placed in sockets linked to other sockets containing active skill gems.
Multiple support skill gems of the same type can only be applied once to an active skill gem, however it is possible to apply a single support skill gem to multiple active skill gems at once. If multiple skill gems of the same type are used in the same link, the highest level support is used.
For example, the two skills Module Error: Too many skills found with q_where = skill.active_skill_name="Fireball". Please choose only one of the following ids:
MonsterFireball - Deals (10-1810) to (15-2808) Fire Damage, Base radius is 0.9 metres (page)
MonsterFireballContactPos - Deals (10-1810) to (15-2808) Fire Damage, Base radius is 0.9 metres (page) and Module Error: Too many skills found with q_where = skill.active_skill_name="Freezing Pulse". Please choose only one of the following ids:
MonsterFreezingPulseWhirlwind - Deals (4-736) to (6-1105) Cold Damage, Projectiles Pierce all Targets (page)
WbFreezingPulse - Deals (5-639) to (8-958) Cold Damage, Projectiles Pierce all Targets, (0-60)% increased Cast Speed, (10-40)% increased Projectile Speed (page) may be linked with the support skill Module Error: No skills found with q_where = skill.active_skill_name="Elemental Proliferation" in a three linked item, or Module Error: Too many skills found with q_where = skill.active_skill_name="Freezing Pulse". Please choose only one of the following ids:
MonsterFreezingPulseWhirlwind - Deals (4-736) to (6-1105) Cold Damage, Projectiles Pierce all Targets (page)
WbFreezingPulse - Deals (5-639) to (8-958) Cold Damage, Projectiles Pierce all Targets, (0-60)% increased Cast Speed, (10-40)% increased Projectile Speed (page) may be replaced by Module Error: No skills found with q_where = skill.active_skill_name="Chance to Ignite" to enhance the Module Error: Too many skills found with q_where = skill.active_skill_name="Fireball". Please choose only one of the following ids:
MonsterFireball - Deals (10-1810) to (15-2808) Fire Damage, Base radius is 0.9 metres (page)
MonsterFireballContactPos - Deals (10-1810) to (15-2808) Fire Damage, Base radius is 0.9 metres (page) even more. However linking two instances of Module Error: No skills found with q_where = skill.active_skill_name="Elemental Proliferation" will only provide the bonus of the highest level one.
The number of links can be reforged using an 
Orb of FusingOrb of FusingStack Size: 20Reforges the links between sockets on an itemRight click this item then left click a socketed item to apply it. The item's quality increases the chances of obtaining more links.
or with Vorici's crafting bench.
Order
Generally the order in which skill gems are linked only holds importance for Trigger gems and for rounding the mana cost. The order used is:
| 1 | ⇒ | 2 |
| ⇓ | ||
| 4 | ⇐ | 3 |
| ⇓ | ||
| 5 | ⇒ | 6 |
Deveoper Information
This section contains development information and is intended for developers and not regular end users.
Relevant information about the sockets can be found in the "Sockets" section of .ot files (based on which files the item in question inherits).
The format used for sockets is
<number of sockets>:<item level requirement>:<spawn weighting>
The socket colours are commonly represented as:
| Colour | Letter Code | Numerical ID |
|---|---|---|
| red | R | 1 |
| green | G | 2 |
| blue | B | 3 |
| white | W |
See also
- active skill gem
- support skill gem
- Vorici, Master Assassin#Crafting
- Jeweller's Orb
- Chromatic Orb
- Orb of Fusing
References
- ↑ chris_wilson (July 16, 2015). "Chris Wilson on chances of corrupting White Sockets". Path of Exile Subreddit. Retrieved July 16, 2015.