Sockets and Radius Mechanics
Intermediate Level•10 minute read•Updated December 2024
Socket positioning is crucial for timeless jewel effectiveness. Learn where to place your jewels and understand how radius mechanics determine which passives are transformed.
Socket Locations Overview
There are 7 timeless jewel sockets positioned strategically around the passive skill tree. Each socket is located near a different character's starting area, influencing which passives fall within the transformation radius.
Universal Access
All characters can reach any timeless jewel socket, regardless of their starting class. Socket choice should be based on your build's needs, not your character class.
Socket Details and Optimization
Templar Socket
Upper center of passive tree
Best For
Strength buildsLife-based charactersMelee buildsElemental damage
Key Passives in Radius
- Devotion cluster
- Elemental damage nodes
- Life and mana nodes
Witch Socket
Upper left of passive tree
Best For
Intelligence buildsEnergy shield buildsSpell castersCritical strikes
Key Passives in Radius
- Spell damage clusters
- Energy shield nodes
- Critical strike nodes
Shadow Socket
Upper right of passive tree
Best For
Dexterity buildsCritical buildsSpell castersEvasion builds
Key Passives in Radius
- Critical strike clusters
- Spell damage nodes
- Evasion nodes
Ranger Socket
Right side of passive tree
Best For
Dexterity buildsBow buildsSpell suppressionSpeed builds
Key Passives in Radius
- Bow damage clusters
- Attack speed nodes
- Spell suppression nodes
Duelist Socket
Lower right of passive tree
Best For
Melee buildsTwo-handed weaponsLife buildsFortify builds
Key Passives in Radius
- Melee damage clusters
- Two-handed nodes
- Life and armor nodes
Marauder Socket
Lower center of passive tree
Best For
Strength buildsLife buildsMelee buildsEndurance charges
Key Passives in Radius
- Melee physical damage
- Life nodes
- Endurance charge nodes
Scion Socket
Center of passive tree
Best For
Hybrid buildsMulti-attribute buildsFlexible positioning
Key Passives in Radius
- Ascendancy connections
- Multi-attribute nodes
- Travel nodes
Understanding Radius Mechanics
How Radius Works
The radius determines which passive skills are affected by the timeless jewel's transformations. Only allocated (taken) passives within the radius are transformed.
- •Large Radius: Most sockets have a large radius affecting many passives
- •Medium Radius: Scion socket has a smaller radius but central positioning
- •Allocation Required: Only passives you've spent points on are transformed
Radius Planning Strategy
Before Jeweling
- • Plan your passive tree around the jewel socket
- • Identify which passives will be in radius
- • Consider which passives you're willing to lose
- • Test different seed numbers for optimal results
After Jeweling
- • Verify all transformations match expectations
- • Allocate newly valuable passives in radius
- • Respec out of passives with bad transformations
- • Consider additional jewel sockets if beneficial
Socket Selection Strategy
Step-by-Step Socket Selection
- Identify your build's core attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or hybrid
- Map your passive tree pathing: See which sockets you naturally pass near
- Evaluate socket synergy: Choose sockets where the radius covers valuable passives
- Test multiple options: Use our calculator to compare different socket placements
- Consider travel cost: Factor in passive points needed to reach the socket
- Plan for multiple jewels: Some builds benefit from 2-3 timeless jewels
Common Socket Placement Mistakes
❌ What NOT to Do
- • Don't choose sockets based on character class alone
- • Don't ignore travel point costs to reach the socket
- • Don't socket before planning which passives you want transformed
- • Don't assume all passives in radius will be beneficial
✅ Best Practices
- • Test multiple sockets with your planned passive tree
- • Use Path of Building to simulate jewel effects
- • Research popular seeds for your chosen socket
- • Plan respec points for optimizing around transformations