Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.4.0: All New Support Gems and Major Reworks Explained

Path of Exile 2 is getting one of its biggest skill updates yet with the Last of the Druids patch, arriving December 12. Patch 0.4.0 introduces over 35 new Support Gems, several new Lineage Supports, and a wide range of balance changes designed to enhance early-league build creativity.

This article breaks down the most exciting new Support Gems, explains how they impact gameplay, and compiles all Support Gem reworks coming with patch 0.4.0.

The Most Exciting New Support Gems in Patch 0.4.0

GGG has confirmed more than 35 new Supports in this patch, though not all were revealed publicly before release. Below are the most interesting new additions shown during the livestream or mentioned directly in the patch notes.

1. Accelerated Growth

A theme-heavy support that creates sudden, explosive plant growth. It's especially strong with nature-, rain-, or ground-based skill setups, making it a natural match for the new Druid archetypes.

2. Tectonic Slam Support

A major melee upgrade. This Support adds cascading slam effects to your melee attacks, which works extremely well with Bear Form, slam builds, and Rage-focused melee styles.

3. Fan the Flames

A powerful Support for ignite builds. It spreads fire damage between ignited enemies, effectively multiplying clear speed for fire-based casters and elemental DoT builds.

4. Advancing Storm

This gem fundamentally changes storm-type spells by giving them forward momentum. Skills that once remained stationary now push through packs, making it easier to line up large hits or reposition safely.

5. Echoing Cry

This Support repeats your Warcries after a delay, greatly improving consistency and output for Warcry builds, melee charge mechanics, and Druid ritual setups.

6. Grounding Shocks

A major boost for lightning builds. Shocked enemies periodically pulse lightning arcs like a living Tesla coil, dramatically increasing potential AoE.

7. Spell Totem (Meta Gem)

One of the biggest additions. Spell Totem allows any linked spell to be cast by totems, but requires Charge management-a natural fit for Druids and hybrid totem casters. Early-league players may want to buy POE2 Items or craft gear that accelerates Charge generation.

GGG also teased additional Supports during the stream, including new breath-themed gems, Warcry interactions, enhanced storm movement tools, and Mark-based synergies.

How These New Supports Change Build Diversity

PoE2's Support Gem system is more focused than PoE1, meaning each new gem can significantly reshape a build's identity. With over 35 new Supports coming in one patch, the build implications are substantial.

1. Transform-Focused Druid Buffs

New nature, growth, storm, and breath supports boost shapeshifting classes, particularly Werebear and Werewolf builds.

2. Stronger Rage and Warcry Scaling

Supports like Echoing Cry and new Rage interactions create explosive burst windows for melee and spellcaster hybrids.

3. Improved Ignite and Poison Archetypes

With gems like Fan the Flames and various poison-based Lineage improvements, DoT builds get a major consistency boost.

4. Storm Mobility and Coverage Upgrades

Advancing Storm and new chain mechanics help storm casters transition from stationary channeling to mobile spellcasting.

5. Totem, Minion, and Hybrid Enhancements

Spell Totem and improved Lineage supports expand viable summoners. Anyone planning a Path of Exile 2 league start may want to accumulate Path of Exile 2 Currency early.

Even without the full gem list in preview, patch 0.4.0 brings enough new tools to completely reshape early-league meta experimentation.

Full Support Gem Changes in Patch 0.4.0

Here is the complete collection of Support Gem reworks and system updates directly from the official patch notes:

Gem Attribute Shifts

·Crescendo I-III, Perpetual Charge, Gambleshot → now Intelligence Supports

·Mark for Death, Brambleslam → now Strength Supports

Disabled or Removed Gems

·Font of Rage Support (removed)

·Ricochet III Support (removed)

Renamed Gems

·Inevitable Critical → Inexorable Critical I

·Piety's Mercy → Dominus' Grasp

Lineage Support Adjustments

World-drop Lineage gems are now rarer, with major adjustments to their effects. Highlights include:

·Atalui's Bloodletting: Up to 40% extra Physical per Life cost

·Xoph's Pyre / Esh's Radiance / Tul's Stillness: Adds 40% of damage as Extra Chaos

·Uruk's Smelting: Stronger armor-breaking exposure

·Arakaali's Lust + Tacati's Ire: Major poison scaling buffs

·Zarokh's Refrain: Supported Spells Echo 3 times with larger AoE

·Kurgal's Leash: Massive improvements to Unholy Might uptime for minions

Projectile, Chain, and Nova Updates

·Nova Projectiles fully reworked

·Nova Projectiles II added

·Chain I-III redesigned for consistency

·Dominus' Grasp now grants 100% more Chains

Minion and Totem Improvements

·Techrod's Revenge improves death timers and minion speed

·Tawhoa's Tending boosts Totem Life and explosion damage

Warcry, Rage, and Melee Changes

·Warcry Supports treated as spending Rage

·Upheaval & Branching Fissure are now usable at range

·Impact Shockwave now creates real aftershocks and supports Wind attacks

Final Thoughts

Patch 0.4.0 is one of the most significant Support Gem updates Path of Exile 2 has received so far. With more than 35 brand-new Supports, major Lineage adjustments, and several reworks to core systems like chaining and nova mechanics, the Last of the Druids update dramatically expands build options for launch week.