Path of Exile 2: Can You Remove Runes?
Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games, Path of Exile 2 (POE2)
In Path of Exile 2, runes play a key role in customizing your character’s abilities. However, one major difference from the first game is that once a rune is socketed into an item, it cannot be removed or replaced. This means that every rune placement is permanent, making your choices much more significant than in the original Path of Exile.
If you’re wondering whether there’s a way to remove or swap runes, here’s everything you need to know.
Are Runes Permanent in Path of Exile 2?
Yes, once you socket a rune into a piece of gear, it is locked in permanently. Unlike skill gems in Path of Exile 1, which could be freely swapped in and out of gear, runes in Path of Exile 2 become a fixed part of your item as soon as they are inserted.
This means you need to be careful when socketing runes because you cannot remove or change them later. If you make a mistake, the only way to get different rune slots is by finding or crafting new gear.
Why Can't You Remove Runes?
The decision to make runes permanent is a major shift from Path of Exile 1, and it appears to be designed to encourage long-term planning and build commitment. Some possible reasons for this system include:
Encouraging “Strategic” Decisions – Since you can’t freely swap runes, players need to think carefully about their setup rather than constantly switching abilities.
Increasing Item Value – Gear with the perfect rune setup will be more valuable, especially in trade leagues.
Making Builds More Defined – The inability to remove runes means that every player’s choices feel more impactful, reinforcing their character’s identity.
While this may feel restrictive at first, it adds a new layer of decision-making that rewards careful planning.
How to Handle Rune Placement in Path of Exile 2
Since runes cannot be removed, it’s important to take extra precautions when choosing where to socket them. Here are some tips to avoid mistakes:
1. Plan Your Build Before Socketing Runes
Look at your available runes and decide how they fit into your overall build.
Consider how your chosen runes will work together with your skills, passives, and equipment.
2. Use Temporary Gear to Test Runes
If you’re unsure about a rune setup, try testing runes on lower-quality gear before committing them to high-end items.
Once you’re satisfied, you can use the same runes on your final gear.
3. Look for Better Gear Instead of Trying to Remove Runes
Since runes are permanent, upgrading to a new item is the only way to change your rune setup.
When finding new gear, make sure it has the right socket types before committing runes to it.
4. Be Mindful of Rune Types and Links
Some runes work best when linked together, so always check if the item has the correct number of linked sockets before inserting a rune.
Is There Any Way to Undo a Rune Socketing Mistake?
As of now, there is no way to remove or extract a rune once it has been placed. The only option is to replace the entire item with a new one that has open rune sockets.
This makes crafting and item hunting even more important in Path of Exile 2, as finding the right base item before inserting runes will prevent wasted resources.
Final Thoughts
Unlike Path of Exile 1, where skill gems could be swapped freely, Path of Exile 2 locks runes into gear permanently. This means that every rune placement must be carefully considered, as there is no way to remove or replace them once socketed.
If you make a mistake, the only solution is to find or craft a new item and start over. While this system might feel restrictive at first, it encourages thoughtful planning, build commitment, and careful item selection, making every decision in Path of Exile 2 more impactful.
Before socketing any rune, double-check your gear and make sure it aligns with your build, because once it’s in, there’s no turning back.
More Path of Exile 2 (POE2)
