Complete Guide: Comparing All 5 Timeless Jewel Types
Understanding the differences between timeless jewel types is crucial for optimizing your Path of Exile builds. This comprehensive guide breaks down each type's strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.
Introduction
Timeless jewels represent one of Path of Exile's most complex and powerful itemization systems. With five distinct types, each offering unique transformation patterns and thematic effects, choosing the right timeless jewel can make or break your build.
This guide will help you understand each jewel type's mechanics, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and determine which one best fits your character's needs.
Detailed Type Breakdown
Lethal Pride
Karui • Strength Focus
Transforms passives into strength-based bonuses and Karui-themed effects
Strengths
- •High strength bonuses for life and melee damage
- •Intimidate on hit effects
- •Double damage chances
- •Life recovery bonuses
Limitations
- •Limited utility for caster builds
- •Focused mainly on strength stacking
- •Less defensive options
Best For
Melee builds, life-based characters, strength stackers
Popular Seeds
Brutal Restraint
Maraketh • Dexterity Focus
Provides dexterity-based bonuses and Maraketh speed/evasion effects
Strengths
- •Wind Dancer (action speed)
- •Spell suppression bonuses
- •Onslaught effects
- •Movement and attack speed
Limitations
- •Less raw damage than other types
- •Requires specific positioning
- •Limited life bonuses
Best For
Speed builds, spell suppression, bow characters, evasion builds
Popular Seeds
Militant Faith
Templar • Devotion Focus
Unique devotion system with Templar-themed transformations
Strengths
- •Unique devotion mechanic
- •Inner Conviction (no critical strikes)
- •Dominus devotion effects
- •Spell and elemental bonuses
Limitations
- •Complex devotion system
- •May disable critical strikes
- •Requires specific build planning
Best For
Elemental builds, non-crit spell casters, unique build archetypes
Popular Seeds
Elegant Hubris
Eternal Empire • Intelligence Focus
Intelligence-based bonuses and Eternal Empire luxury effects
Strengths
- •High intelligence bonuses
- •Energy shield improvements
- •Spell damage and critical multipliers
- •Mana and energy shield recovery
Limitations
- •Limited physical damage bonuses
- •Less life-based options
- •Focused on energy shield builds
Best For
Energy shield builds, spell casters, intelligence stackers
Popular Seeds
Glorious Vanity
Vaal • Corruption Focus
Vaal-themed transformations with corruption and soul mechanics
Strengths
- •Unique Vaal-themed bonuses
- •Soul-based mechanics
- •Corruption synergies
- •Powerful but risky effects
Limitations
- •Most unpredictable transformations
- •Can have negative effects
- •Hardest to optimize
Best For
Vaal skill builds, experimental builds, experienced players
Popular Seeds
Quick Comparison
| Jewel Type | Primary Stat | Build Synergy | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
Lethal Pride | Strength | Melee builds | Low |
Brutal Restraint | Dexterity | Speed builds | Low |
Militant Faith | Devotion | Elemental builds | Medium |
Elegant Hubris | Intelligence | Energy shield builds | Low |
Glorious Vanity | Corruption | Vaal skill builds | High |
Choosing the Right Jewel
The best timeless jewel for your build depends on your character's primary attributes, damage scaling methods, and defensive requirements. Consider these factors:
- • Attribute Focus: Match the jewel's primary stat to your build's needs
- • Build Archetype: Melee, caster, hybrid, or specialized builds have different optimal choices
- • Socket Position: Consider which passives will be transformed in your chosen location
- • Seed Testing: Always test multiple seeds to find the best transformations