Path of Exile: Skill Refund & Character Respec Guide
Luckily, Path of Exile allows players to refund skill points and respec their characters, providing flexibility to experiment and evolve builds. This guide will walk you through all the ways to refund skill points, respec your character, and maximize the potential of your build.
Why Would You Want to Respec in Path of Exile?
Path of Exile's Passive Skill Tree is famously huge, with over 1,300 passive skills spanning multiple clusters that provide stats, defenses, damage bonuses, utility, and more. Skill gems and their supports add another layer of complexity.
Mistakes happen: you may have:
Accidentally spent points in the wrong cluster
Realized your build needs a key defensive node
Decided to switch playstyle (from melee to caster, for example)
Wanted to try out a new skill or mechanic after an update or expansion
Crafted a different weapon or gear that synergizes with another skill path
Because of this, the game offers several methods to refund points and respec your character, though each comes with its own restrictions and costs. So you need Path of exile currency.
How to Refund Passive Skill Points
1. Using Passive Skill Refund Points
The most straightforward way to respec passive skills is through Passive Skill Refund Points. These are special points you earn that allow you to remove a previously allocated passive skill point from the tree.
How to obtain Passive Skill Refund Points:
Leveling up: You gain one passive skill refund point every time your character levels up, starting at level 12.
Bandit Quests: Completing the "Help Yeena" or "Help Oak" bandit quest rewards you with additional refund points.
Pantheon Favor and other rewards: Occasionally, some content or league mechanics may grant refund points.
Buying from vendors: In some league mechanics or special events, you might get options to buy refund points.
How to use Passive Skill Refund Points:
Open your Passive Skill Tree (default key: P).
Hover over the passive node you want to remove.
If you have available refund points, right-click the node to remove it.
This will refund the passive point and consume one refund point.
Limitations:
Refund points are limited; you cannot refund every node you want without spending some currency or using other methods.
Some points connected to class start nodes cannot be refunded.
2. Using Orbs of Regret
Orbs of Regret are currency items that grant one Passive Skill Refund Point when used.
These orbs can be found as random drops from monsters, bosses, or loot chests.
You can also buy POE orbs or trade them with other players in the in-game trade market.
They allow you to refund passive points without needing to level up.
Using Orbs of Regret:
Simply right-click the Orb of Regret in your inventory while your character panel is open.
Then, left-click the passive node you wish to refund.
3. Using "Regal Orbs" and "Regret Orbs" for Refund (Rare cases)
Regal Orbs and other currency do not grant refund points directly, but Orbs of Regret are the main currency for passive refunding.
Sometimes in leagues, special items or currencies may grant refunds, but these are league-specific.
How to Refund Skill Gems and Active Skills
Unlike passive skills, active skills are determined by the gems socketed in your gear, which you can swap at any time.
You can remove or swap gems at any time without penalty, allowing you to effectively "respec" your active skills.
Just right-click a socketed gem to remove it, and then place another gem.
No currency or points are needed.
This flexibility means you don't need to "refund" active skill points-just adjust your gems and supports as needed.
How to Respec Ascendancy Points
Ascendancy classes are advanced subclasses that give powerful nodes to specialize your character. They use Ascendancy Points gained in the Labyrinth.
Respeccing Ascendancy Points
Ascendancy points are normally permanent once allocated.
However, you can respec them by using "Labyrinth Trials" or via using an item called "Labyrinth Token" (available during certain events).
More importantly, Path of Exile 3.0 and onward introduced the option to reset Ascendancy points using the Eternal Labyrinth or specific vendors.
Alternatively, in leagues or expansions, you may gain Ascendancy respec items or options.
Note: Respeccing Ascendancy is limited and often costly, so plan carefully.
How to Completely Respec Your Character
There is no direct, one-click "full respec" option for both passive points and Ascendancy points together, but you can approximate a full respec by:
Using a large number of Orbs of Regret to refund passive skill points.
Resetting Ascendancy points if you have access to that option.
Swapping skill gems freely.
Reassigning your bandit quest rewards (which grant small passive bonuses) by talking to the bandit NPC again.
This process is time-consuming and/or costly, but it lets you effectively rebuild your character.
Tips to Efficiently Respec in Path of Exile
1. Plan Ahead with Tools
Use online tools like Path of Building to plan your passive skill tree before spending points.
This saves you from needing to refund points later.
2. Use Refund Points Sparingly
Don't waste your refund points on minor mistakes.
Save them for important cluster nodes or key keystones.
3. Farm Orbs of Regret
Orbs of Regret can be farmed or purchased through trading.
If you want to respec a lot, build a strategy to collect these orbs early.
4. Consider New Builds in New Characters
Sometimes, it may be easier to create a new character if your current build is too far off.
Final Thoughts
Respeccing your character in Path of Exile is a powerful tool to adapt and optimize your gameplay experience. While passive skill points require investment and strategic use of refund points or Orbs of Regret, active skills can be changed freely by swapping skill gems.
Ascendancy respec is more limited but still possible. Always plan carefully, save refund resources, and use external tools to design your build ahead of time to minimize costly mistakes.
Experimentation is at the heart of Path of Exile's appeal, and knowing how to refund and respec is key to mastering your character and enjoying all the depth this incredible game offers.