Path of Exile Respec Guide - How to Refund Skill Points
That's where respec mechanics come in. Unlike many ARPGs, Path of Exile does not allow you to completely reset your passive tree at will. Instead, it has a layered system involving refund points, Path of exile currency items, and specific quests that let you rework parts-or all-of your build. In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about refunding skill points and respeccing your character effectively in Path of Exile.
Understanding the Passive Skill Tree
Before diving into refund mechanics, it's worth revisiting how the passive skill tree works.
Each character starts at a specific location on the tree, depending on their chosen class.
As you level up, you earn passive skill points to invest into nodes that grant stats, damage boosts, defenses, keystones, and more.
With over 1,300 nodes, the tree is massive, and making mistakes is easy.
Because of this scale, respec options exist, but they're deliberately limited to prevent constant flipping between builds.
Method 1: Using Refund Points
The simplest way to undo a mistake is by spending refund points.
How to Get Refund Points
Refund points can be earned in two main ways:
Quest Rewards
Throughout the campaign, several quests reward you with refund points instead of skill points.
Across all 10 acts, you can earn a total of 20-24 refund points.
Examples:
A Fixture of Fate (Act 3, from Siosa) grants 2 refund points.
Fallen from Grace (Act 6) grants 2 refund points.
Orbs of Regret
This is the primary currency for refunding points.
Each Orb of Regret grants 1 refund point.
They drop from monsters, chests, and can be traded with other players.
How to Use Refund Points
Open your passive skill tree.
Right-click a refund point (or Orb of Regret in your inventory).
Click the node you want to remove.
Once refunded, that point becomes unallocated and can be re-spent elsewhere.
Important Rule:
You can only refund nodes that don't disconnect the tree. For example, if removing a node would cut off access to other nodes, you must first refund the "outer" points.
Method 2: Using Orbs of Regret
If you run out of quest-given refund points, Orbs of Regret are your best friend.
They are common currency items and can usually be purchased cheaply from other players.
Vendors also sell them indirectly: trading certain items to NPCs can yield Orbs of Regret.
Because full respecs can cost dozens or even hundreds of refund points, stocking up on these orbs is essential if you want to pivot your build mid-league.
Method 3: Ascendancy Respecs
Your Ascendancy class is chosen after completing the Labyrinth, and it provides powerful specialization options. What if you pick the wrong Ascendancy or just want to try a different path?
Respeccing Ascendancy Points
To refund an Ascendancy passive, you need five refund points per node.
This makes Ascendancy respecs expensive, but still possible with enough Orbs of Regret. You can also buy POE orbs to get more.
Changing Ascendancy Class
If you want to switch to a different Ascendancy within the same base class (e.g., from Necromancer to Elementalist for the Witch), you must:
Completely refund all Ascendancy nodes.
Re-run the Eternal Labyrinth to choose a new Ascendancy.
This process can be costly but is still far cheaper than making a brand-new character from scratch.
Method 4: Bandit Respecs
In Act 2, players must choose whether to help one of the bandit leaders (Oak, Alira, or Kraityn) or kill them all. Each choice grants different permanent bonuses.
But what if you regret your choice later?
How to Respec Bandits
You must collect 20 Orbs of Regret and 1 Onyx Amulet.
Give them to Eramir in Act 2.
He will let you change your bandit choice.
This is one of the more expensive respec mechanics but is worth it if your bandit choice no longer fits your build.
Can You Completely Respec in Path of Exile?
The short answer: yes, but it's costly.
There is no single button that instantly resets your entire tree. Instead, you must refund each point individually using refund points or Orbs of Regret.
For small adjustments (5-10 points), this system is fine. For large changes, such as switching from melee to spellcaster, it can cost 80+ Orbs of Regret-a steep price.
Because of this, most players simply create a new character if they want a drastically different build. That's part of the design philosophy of PoE: each character is a unique journey.
Tips for Efficient Respecs
If you need to respec, here are some strategies to minimize the cost:
Plan Ahead with Path of Building
Use the community tool Path of Building to test builds before committing points.
This prevents costly mistakes in-game.
Target Only What's Necessary
You don't always need a full respec. Sometimes refunding 5-10 points is enough to fix your build.
Save Your Orbs of Regret
Don't waste them early. Even if you think you won't need them, stash them-they'll be valuable later.
Trade for Cheap Orbs
On the trade market, Orbs of Regret are usually inexpensive. Stockpile them when prices are low.
Focus on Keystones First
If you picked the wrong keystone passive, prioritize refunding that over minor nodes. Keystones have the biggest impact on builds.
When to Respec vs. When to Reroll
One of the toughest decisions in PoE is whether to respec or simply start a new character.
Respec If:
You only need to fix a handful of points.
Your build is strong but needs refinement.
You want to try a different Ascendancy in the same base class.
Reroll If:
You want to completely change playstyle (e.g., melee to spellcaster).
Your starting class no longer fits your intended build.
The refund cost exceeds 100 Orbs of Regret.
In many cases, rerolling is faster-and more fun-than grinding for dozens of Orbs.
Final Thoughts
Respeccing in Path of Exile is intentionally limited. Unlike other ARPGs where you can freely swap builds, PoE wants your decisions to matter. That doesn't mean you're stuck forever with mistakes, though. With refund points, Orbs of Regret, Ascendancy respecs, and bandit resets, you can tweak and refine your character until it feels just right.
The key is knowing when to invest in a respec and when to start fresh. Both are valid paths in the world of Wraeclast. Whether you're min-maxing a high-end build or just fixing a few missteps, this system rewards planning, resource management, and careful decision-making.
In the end, Path of Exile isn't about perfection-it's about the journey. Respecs are simply one more tool to help you shape that journey into the build you've always envisioned.