PoE 2 Spirit Guide for Auras, Minions, Gear, and Build Planning

Use this hub to understand Spirit, calculate reservation budgets, compare aura and minion setups, and decide whether Spirit gear is worth the item-slot tradeoff.

Open Spirit Planner Read Calculator Guide

Understand the mechanic

Spirit is the budget for persistent effects, so the first job is knowing which parts of the build reserve it.

Calculate the budget

Enter base Spirit, flat Spirit from gear, and increased Spirit before judging whether a setup fits.

Prioritize reservations

Enable required minions, auras, buffs, or meta gems first, then test optional effects with the remaining Spirit.

Review gear tradeoffs

A Spirit item matters most when it unlocks a useful reservation without breaking damage, defenses, or resistances.

Patch Review

Last reviewed 2026-05-20 · Launch baseline

Path of Exile 2 mechanics can change after balance patches. Treat this page as a planning aid and recheck important values in game after major updates.

Spirit reservation workflowAura and persistent-effect planningMinion Spirit budgetingGear affix tradeoffsTroubleshooting checks

What Spirit Planning Solves

Spirit planning answers one practical question: can this build run the persistent effects it depends on? Auras, permanent minions, buffs, and trigger-style setups can all compete for the same reservation budget.

The safest workflow is to plan from the required effects outward. Calculate the Spirit pool, enable build-defining reservations first, then compare optional effects against the remaining budget. When the plan fails, use the calculator to decide whether the fix should be more Spirit, fewer reservations, or a different gear tradeoff.

Spirit Topic Path

Tool, hub, and supporting guides

Spirit PlannerCalculate total Spirit, reservation usage, and remaining budget.Spirit Guide HubStart here for the full Spirit topic path and supporting guides.Spirit Calculator GuideUse the calculator workflow before changing gear or reservations.Aura ReservationCompare aura packages against a limited Spirit budget.Minion Spirit CostsPlan permanent minions before optional auras and buffs.Spirit Gear AffixesCompare flat Spirit, increased Spirit, and item-slot tradeoffs.Build ChecklistReview the setup before spending currency or sharing a build.Spirit Not WorkingTroubleshoot disabled skills, overreservation, and missing setup steps.

Mini Tool

Quick reservation check

Spirit Reservation Checklist

Enter a total Spirit value, then toggle persistent effects to see whether the setup stays within budget before opening the full planner.

Total Spirit

0 / 100 Spirit reserved

100 Spirit remaining

This checklist is for quick planning. Use the full Spirit Planner when you need base Spirit, gear modifiers, share links, and detailed reservation math.

Spirit Topic Index

Follow the section that matches the problem you are solving: learning the mechanic, planning reservation packages, building around minions, or fixing a setup that stopped working.

Start here

Use these pages when you need to understand what Spirit is and how the planner models it.

What Is Spirit in Path of Exile 2?Spirit is the build budget behind persistent effects in PoE2. This guide explains the mechanic in plain language before you start planning a setup.PoE2 Spirit Calculator: How to Plan Your Reservation BudgetA calculator workflow for turning base Spirit, gear modifiers, and reservation choices into a practical build budget.PoE2 Spirit Build Planning ChecklistA practical checklist for catching Spirit mistakes before they become expensive gear or build changes.PoE2 Permanent Spirit Bonuses and Breakpoint PlanningPermanent Spirit gains are strongest when they unlock a real breakpoint: another aura, minion, buff, or supported setup that improves the build.

Reservation and auras

Plan reserved Spirit, remaining Spirit, aura packages, and persistent-effect tradeoffs.

PoE2 Spirit Reservation GuideSpirit reservation is the budget check that decides whether your persistent effects can stay active together.PoE2 Aura Reservation Calculator GuideAura planning works best when every reservation competes for a clear job: damage, defense, recovery, or minion support.Best Spirit Skills and Persistent Effects to Plan Around in PoE2The best Spirit skill is the one that solves a real build problem. Compare effects by job, not only by cost.PoE2 Spirit Support Gems and Reservation PlanningSupport gems can change whether a Spirit package still fits. Test supported effects as part of the reservation plan, not as an afterthought.

Minion builds

Work out core minion reservations before adding optional auras or buffs.

PoE2 Spirit Minions Guide: Planning Permanent Minion SetupsA minion Spirit plan should start with the minions that define the build, then spend the remaining budget on the effect that solves the next problem.PoE2 Spirit for Minion BuildsMinion builds need a clear Spirit priority list because permanent minions and auras can compete for the same reservation budget.PoE2 Minion Spirit Costs: Planning Permanent Minion SetupsMinion builds can spend Spirit quickly. This guide shows how to reserve the core package first and judge every extra effect against it.Best Aura Planning Tips for PoE2 Minion BuildsMinion builds tend to feel Spirit pressure early. These planning tips help you choose what deserves reservation space first.

Gear and fixes

Compare Spirit gear upgrades and troubleshoot setups that fail the budget check.

PoE2 Spirit Gear Affixes: How to Compare UpgradesSpirit rolls are valuable only when they help the build fit the reservations it actually needs without weakening core stats.How to Get Spirit in Path of Exile 2More Spirit only matters when it unlocks a reservation package your build actually needs. Start with the source, then test the breakpoint.PoE2 Permanent Spirit Bonuses and Breakpoint PlanningPermanent Spirit gains are strongest when they unlock a real breakpoint: another aura, minion, buff, or supported setup that improves the build.Why Your Spirit Skill Is Not Working in PoE2If a Spirit skill will not stay active, start with reservation math, then check requirements, supports, and recent build changes.

Spirit Guide FAQ

What should I read first if I am new to Spirit?

Start with the Spirit basics guide, then use the Spirit calculator guide to turn the mechanic into a build budget.

Where should minion builds start?

Minion builds should reserve build-defining minions first, then compare optional auras or buffs with the remaining Spirit.

How do I know if a Spirit item is worth using?

A Spirit item is most useful when it unlocks a reservation package that improves the build more than the stats lost on that item slot.

Core Spirit Guides

Follow these guides in order if you are building around auras, permanent minions, or any setup that needs a stable reservation package.

All guides

Spirit Basics

5 min read