Understanding Item Sockets

I will go over the basics of item socketing in Dota 2.

Introduction

This guide will go over the basics of item socketing in Dota 2.

Sockets allow you add stat tracking, autographs, different effects and more to your favorite items.

• Three Spirits Update

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Gem Types

Gems can be obtained several ways. They come pre-attached to certain items and sets, real-life Dota 2 events and through treasure chests. They can also be purchased and sold through the Steam Community Market.

Image	Name	Description	Fits In
	Inscribed Gem	Adding this type of gem to an item will enable that item to track stats, it also changes the item to the Inscribed quality. There are multiple different stat tracking gems, some of which are specific to certain heroes.	General Slot
	Kinetic Gem	Adding this type of gem to an item will modify or add one or more new animations to the hero equipping the item. Kinetic gems are hero-specific, meaning if you extract a Kinetic gem from a Juggernaut item, it can only be placed in another Juggernaut item.	General Slot
	Spectator Gem	Adding this type of gem to an item will enable that item to track games viewed for a league or team.	General Slot
	Ascendant Gem	The Ascendant Orb, Gem of Taegeuk, and Bloodstones are now considered Ascendant Gems. The item they are added to changes to the Ascendant quality, and displays the record it held previously such as beta invites.	General Slot
	Autograph Rune	Adding this type of gem to an item changes it to the Autographed quality. It will display who the item is autographed by.	General Slot
	Mastery Gem	This type of gem will customize the graphical effect of one or more hero abilities. They are hero-specific, meaning if you extract a Mastery gem from a Keeper of the Light item, it can only be placed in another Keeper of the Light item.	General Slot
	Foulfell Shard	This type of gem is event specific. During Frostivus 2013 it would track kills on Doom, Queen of Pain, Lion, Undying, Shadow Fiend and Shadow Demon. Adding this type of gem to an item changes it to the Corrupted quality.	Ethereal Slot
	Ethereal Gem	This type of gem will add a new Ethereal particle effect to the item it is socketed in. Ethereal particles are the unusual effects that are earned by unboxing Treasure Chests. These can only be placed in an item with an existing ethereal socket such as an unusual courier.	Ethereal Slot
	Prismatic Gem	This type of gem will change the color of the particle effect on the item it is socketed in. These can only be placed in an item with an existing prismatic socket such as an unusual courier and certain arcana quality items.	Prismatic Slot

Socketing

You can socket an item by right clicking on its thumbnail within your armory and selecting Socketing.



On the socketing page you'll be able to see which gems are already socketed into the item. Items can have up to five sockets at one time. All unusual items will start off with a Prismatic and Ethereal socket, these hold their particle effects and colors. These types of sockets only exist on unusual couriers and certain arcana items, there is no way to create one at this time.




To add a general socket you'll need a Artificer's Chisel. You can craft one or purchase one from the Dota 2 store.



To use an Artificer's Chisel on an item you can right click on it within your armory or click on the Add Socket button located on the socketing window. Each chisel has five uses.



At the bottom of the socketing screen you'll see a list of your gems. To add a gem drag it into the empty socket and select Apply. If you replace a gem in an existing socket the gem you replaced will be destroyed, to safely remove it you'll need an Artificer's Hammer.


Once you've clicked Apply you'll need to confirm the selection.



Once applied the item will be socketed with your gem choices. Certain gems will adjust the quality of the item as well, such as Autographs and Ascendant Orbs. Some item qualities will override this, for example Unusual.

Artificers Hammer

Artificer's Hammers are used to release gems from items which are already socketed. The standard variant has five charges to it, and can be crafted or purchased from the Dota 2 store.

To use an Artificer's Hammer right click on the item within your armory and select Recover Gems. Once selected navigate through your inventory for the item you want to retrieve the gems from.




Once selected you'll recieve a prompt asking if you're sure you want to recover the gems from the item. Once confirmed all gems socketed in the selected item will be into your inventory. Standard Artificer's Hammers come with five uses.




Using an Unusual Artificer's Hammer will release gems from an unusual item. However when used the item will be destroyed in the process. The Unusual Artificer's Hammer can be used the same way as the standard one, and can be crafted or purchased from the Dota 2 store.



Once confirmed all gems socketed in the selected item will be placed into your inventory and the item will be destroyed.



Destroying an unusual item with an Unusual Artificer's Hammer will grant you an Ethereal and Prismatic gem. These types of gem can replace gems socketed in existing unusual items, and items with empty Prismatic or Ethereal slots.

Closing Notes

If you have any questions or comments regarding this guide please feel free to leave a comment below.



You can also check out all of my other Steam Guides here.


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[canto't bihon]

I would like to ask what gem was used for the burning animation for invokers cape of dark artistry?

[Standin.ErZa-ScaRl3t]

corrupted items with Foulfell Shard comes with General Slots, not Ethereal Slot......

[惡毒.sḯnMAtE]

Hello sir can i extract dota 2 bundle with inscribed gem without equipping it?

[Sieg]

Hello sir, I got 2 questions:

1. How to add an ethereal/prismatic slot to common item?
2. Can I took out a Foulfell Shard from a Corrupted Quality item? Because I got an idea, which is: extract a FF shard from my Corrupted Quality item so I can insert my Ethereal Gem into it. (Is that possible?)

[HyperGlory]

sir can you add gem/rune to empty socket of an item without using Artificers Hammer?

[214435981]

sir i cant socket items no on dota2

[76561198149643919]

sir i cant remove gems now in dota 2 source 2 .. pls tell me how to remove gems?

[awoow]

What if I puta FOULFELL SHARD on one of my INSCRIBED items, what would the tag be? Still INSCRIBED or CORRUPTED?

[SQUEESPLEEn&SPOON^]

Can i put BLACK GEM ON MY GREEVIL?

[GM CORP ©]

how can i remove the autograph rune on my item?