An example of a bow with three linked sockets; two of which are occupied by skill gems.
Sockets are a mechanism on equipment into which active 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 four 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 through corruption by using a 
Vaal OrbVaal OrbStack Size: 10Corrupts an item, modifying it unpredictablyRight click this item then left click an item to corrupt it. Corrupted items cannot be modified again.
Shift click to unstack.
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.
Shift click to unstack.
reforging or by using the crafting bench provided by Vorici.
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.
Shift click to unstack.
reforging or by using the crafting bench provided by Vorici.
Maximum number of sockets by equipment type
- Belts, amulets, rings and quivers do not have sockets
- One-handed weapons and shields can have up to 3 sockets
- Boots, helmets and gloves can have up to 4 sockets
- Body armours and Two-handed weapons can have up to 6 sockets
Some items have exceptions to these rules.
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 RobeQuality: +20%
Movement 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 Fireball and Freezing Pulse 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 Freezing Pulse may be replaced by Module Error: No skills found with q_where = skill.active_skill_name="Chance to Ignite" to enhance the Fireball 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.
Shift click to unstack.
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 for sockets used is:
| 1 | ⇒ | 2 |
| ⇓ | ||
| 4 | ⇐ | 3 |
| ⇓ | ||
| 5 | ⇒ | 6 |
If multiple trigger gems are socketed in several equipped items the order will be:
- Main hand ⇒ Amulet ⇒ Helm ⇒ Off hand ⇒ Body armour ⇒ Gloves ⇒ Boots
Items with non-standard interactions
Base items
- Unset RingsUnset RingRequires Level 5Has 1 Socket have 1 socket instead of none.
- 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 have 1 socket instead of none. - Gnarled BranchGnarled BranchStaff
Physical Damage: 9-19
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.30
Weapon Range: 13+18% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff can only have up to 3 sockets, despite being a two-handed weapon. - Fishing RodFishing RodFishing Rod
Physical Damage: 7-13
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.20
Weapon Range: 13 can only have up to 4 sockets, despite being a two-handed weapon.
Unique items
- The Goddess UnleashedThe Goddess Unleashed
Eternal SwordOne Handed Sword
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (52.8-56.4) to (121.2-160.8)
Critical Strike Chance: (7.20%-8.30%)
Attacks per Second: 1.50
Weapon Range: 11Requires Level 52, 104 Str, 122 Dex+475 to Accuracy RatingUses both hand slots
Item has 6 Sockets and is fully linked (Hidden)
Adds (3-6) to (33-66) Physical Damage
(44-66)% increased Critical Strike Chance
33% increased Ignite Duration on Enemies
Gain (66-99)% of Sword Physical Damage as Extra Fire Damage
Gain Her Blessing for 3 seconds when you Ignite an Enemy
33% chance to Blind nearby Enemies when gaining Her Blessing
Cannot be Frozen, Chilled or Ignited with Her Blessing
20% increased Attack and Movement Speed with Her BlessingAs a maiden I was bound; as a crone was I scorned
Promised power rarely found, delivered fury fairly thorned.
Not enough?...Fine. Now I am become both and another
To take your hand and cradle your talents, not smother
The consummate flames. So hush, dear, say not a word.
Bequeathed, betrayed...beloved. At last, I am the third. always has 6 linked sockets. It is the only one-handed weapon that can have more than three sockets. - Kaom's HeartKaom's Heart
Glorious PlateQuality: +20%
Armour: 931Requires Level 68, 191 StrHas no Sockets
(20-40)% increased Fire Damage
+500 to maximum LifeThe warrior who
fears will fall. and Kaom's RootsKaom's Roots
Titan GreavesQuality: +20%
Armour: 289Requires Level 68, 120 StrHas no Sockets
Cannot be Knocked Back
+(150-200) to maximum Life
Action Speed cannot be modified to below base value
Unwavering StanceDon't flinch. It's a waste of good hitting time. do not have any sockets. - Malachai's ArtificeMalachai's Artifice
Unset RingRequires Level 5Has 1 SocketSocketed Gems have Elemental Equilibrium
-20% to all Elemental Resistances
+(75-100)% to Fire Resistance when Socketed with a Red Gem
+(75-100)% to Cold Resistance when Socketed with a Green Gem
+(75-100)% to Lightning Resistance when Socketed with a Blue Gem
All Sockets are WhiteWhen the wind blows,
Know which way to bend
and watch the others break. always has a white socket and grants stats based on the colour of the gem socketed into the item. - Prismatic EclipsePrismatic Eclipse
Twilight BladeOne Handed Sword
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (108-120) to (188.4-199.2)
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.30
Weapon Range: 11Requires Level 53, 91 Str, 91 Dex40% increased Global Accuracy Rating+8% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
Adds (60-70) to (71-80) Physical Damage
25% increased Global Physical Damage with Weapons per Red Socket
12% increased Global Attack Speed per Green Socket
0.4% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Mana per Blue Socket
+2 to Melee Strike Range per White Socket"A raging Solaris seared and contorted the orb's surface.
A despairing Lunaris filled the scars with her tears.
Yet Viridi remained, trapped within, forever more."
- Azmerian Creation Myth and ScaevaScaeva
GladiusOne Handed Sword
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (154.8-175.2) to (243.6-278.4)
Critical Strike Chance: (5.75%-6.25%)
Attacks per Second: 1.30
Weapon Range: 11Requires Level 60, 113 Str, 113 Dex40% increased Global Accuracy RatingAdds (75-92) to (125-154) Physical Damage
(15-25)% increased Critical Strike Chance
0.3% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life per Red Socket
+10% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier per Green Socket
0.3% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Mana per Blue Socket
8% increased Global Defences per White Socket
(60-80)% increased Global Critical Strike Chance when in Main Hand
+8% Chance to Block Attack Damage when in Off HandEven from the back rows,
the whistling steel was mesmerising.
They watched the dance in the arena dust, silent as the dead.
A spell only broken by the spilling of blood. grant stats based on the colour of the sockets in the item. - Tabula RasaTabula Rasa
Simple RobeQuality: +20%
Movement Speed: -3%Item has no level requirement and Energy Shield (Hidden)
Item has 6 White Sockets and is fully linked (Hidden) always has 6 white linked sockets.
Unique items from races
All Descent: Champions unique items have three white, linked sockets (except for 
Slivers of ProvidenceSlivers of Providence
Serrated Arrow QuiverAdds 1 to 4 Physical Damage to Bow Attacks+10% to all Elemental Resistances
50% increased Duration of Elemental Ailments on Enemies
10% chance to Freeze, Shock and Ignite
Gain 25% of Weapon Physical Damage as Extra Damage of a random ElementInto darkness, horror, madness...
So goes the descent.
and 
Chains of TimeChains of Time
Rustic Sash(12-24)% increased Global Physical Damage10% increased Elemental Damage
30% increased Life Recovery from Flasks
30% increased Mana Recovery from Flasks
30% reduced Flask Effect DurationInto darkness, horror, madness...
So goes the descent.
).
Related divination cards
There are divination cards that grant items with a high number of sockets and links.
Lua error in Module:Cargo at line 896: bad argument #1 to 'gsub' (string expected, got nil).
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 |
References
- ↑ chris_wilson (July 16, 2015). "Chris Wilson on chances of corrupting White Sockets". Path of Exile Subreddit. Retrieved July 16, 2015.