You can refund skills in Path of Exile 2 using Orbs of Regret or by respeccing your passive tree through the game's built-in systems

Path of Exile 2 gives you two main ways to take back skill points you've assigned. The first is Orbs of Regret, which are tradeable items that refund one passive skill point each when you use them. The second is the Passive Tree Respec system, which lets you reset your entire passive tree for a cost in Orbs of Regret or through quest rewards. Both methods work in the same way: you spend a resource, and your points return to your pool to spend elsewhere.

Which method you choose depends on whether you want to change a few skills or rebuild your entire character. Most players use Orbs of Regret for small adjustments and save the full respec for major overhauls.

Key Takeaways

  • Orbs of Regret are the primary currency for refunding individual skill points, and you can find them as drops or trade for them with other players.
  • Using an Orb of Regret removes one passive skill point from your tree and returns it to your pool, letting you spend it elsewhere immediately.
  • Quest rewards in Act 1 and Act 2 give you free Orbs of Regret, so you can make early adjustments without spending currency.
  • The Passive Tree Respec option in your character menu lets you reset all points at once, though the cost scales with your character level.
  • You cannot refund active skill gems or support gems — only passive tree points can be reset.

Using Orbs of Regret for individual skill refunds

An Orb of Regret removes one passive skill point from your tree and puts it back into your pool. You then spend that point on a different passive or save it for later. To use one, open your passive tree, right-click the Orb of Regret in your inventory, and click on the skill point you want to refund. The point disappears from the tree and you can immediately reassign it.

Orbs of Regret drop from monsters throughout the game, but they are not common. Most players find a handful while leveling. If you need more, you can trade for them using other currency items — the trade board in your hideout or third-party trade sites show current prices. Early in the game, a single Orb of Regret typically costs a few common currency shards or scrolls.

You get free Orbs of Regret from quest rewards in Act 1 and Act 2, so you can make your first few adjustments without spending anything. This is useful if you realize early that a passive path is not working for your build.

Resetting your entire passive tree at once

If you want to rebuild your character from scratch, use the Passive Tree Respec option. Open your character menu, find the Passive Tree tab, and look for the Respec button. Clicking it refunds all your passive skill points at once and returns them to your pool.

The cost of a full respec depends on your character level. At low levels (below 30), the cost is minimal — often just a few Orbs of Regret or a small amount of currency. At higher levels, the cost rises significantly. A level 80 character might need 50 or more Orbs of Regret for a full respec, making it expensive if you do not have the currency saved.

Some quest rewards also grant free full respecs, particularly in the early acts. Check your quest log to see if you have any unclaimed rewards that include a respec point.

Where to find Orbs of Regret

Orbs of Regret come from three sources: monster drops, quest rewards, and trading. Monster drops are random and uncommon, so do not rely on them alone. Quest rewards in Act 1 and Act 2 give you may provide Orbs of Regret — complete the quests listed in your quest log and claim the rewards from the NPC who gave you the quest.

Trading is the most reliable way to get Orbs of Regret if you need them quickly. Use the in-game trade board (accessed from your hideout) or external trade sites to search for sellers. You will need currency to trade — common options include Chromatic Orbs, Alteration Orbs, or Transmutation Orbs, depending on current market prices.

Some players farm specific content that drops more currency, then trade that currency for Orbs of Regret. This is a longer-term strategy and not necessary for casual play.

What you cannot refund in Path of Exile 2

Orbs of Regret only refund passive skill tree points. You cannot use them to refund active skill gems (the spells and attacks you use in combat) or support gems (the gems that modify your active skills). If you want to change your active skills, you simply unslot the gem from your item and slot a different one — no cost, no refund needed.

If you realize a gem is not working for your build, you can swap it out instantly. This is different from passive skills, which require currency to change. Keep this in mind when planning your character: passive tree choices are permanent until you spend currency to change them, but gem choices are free to experiment with.

Refunding skills at different character levels

Early in the game (Acts 1 and 2), you receive free Orbs of Regret from quests, so you can respec without spending currency. Use these to fix mistakes or test different passive paths. Once you reach the endgame, Orbs of Regret become a tradeable resource, and you need to decide whether the cost is worth the change.

At low levels, a single Orb of Regret is cheap and easy to find. At high levels, they become more expensive because other players are also buying them. If you are unsure about a passive choice, it is often better to commit to it and save your currency for other upgrades like new gear or maps.

Some players plan their entire passive tree before leveling so they do not need to respec at all. Others respec frequently as they learn what works. Both approaches are valid — it depends on how much currency you have and how much you want to experiment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refund a single passive skill point without refunding the whole tree?

Yes. Use an Orb of Regret to refund one point at a time. Open your passive tree, right-click the Orb of Regret in your inventory, and click the skill point you want to remove. You can refund as many or as few points as you want, one at a time, as long as you have Orbs of Regret.

How much does a full passive tree respec cost?

The cost scales with your character level. Low-level characters (below 30) pay very little — sometimes just a few Orbs of Regret. High-level characters (level 80+) can pay 50 or more Orbs of Regret. Check the Respec button in your character menu to see the exact cost for your character.

Do I lose my skill points if I do not refund them?

No. Skill points stay assigned to your passive tree until you refund them. They do not expire or disappear. You can keep them as long as you want and refund them whenever you decide to change your build.

Can I refund active skill gems?

No. Active skill gems and support gems cannot be refunded with Orbs of Regret. You can unslot them from your items and slot different gems for free. Only passive tree points require currency to change.

Where do I find the Passive Tree Respec button?

Open your character menu, click the Passive Tree tab, and look for the Respec button. It shows the cost in Orbs of Regret or free respec points if you have any from quests. Click it to refund all your passive points at once.