When a str based build needs extra int/dex for a gem, is it better to.....

1) Tap into some int/dex nodes in the passive skill tree to hit the requirements?
2) Get rings/amulets with +all attributes
3) Look for int/dex on other items, and sacrifice some strength


Building an earthquake build, loving it, but increased AoE, Enfeeble etc need more int - and faster attacks needs more dex!

Cheers!

It's generally worth taking +30 attribute nodes if (and only if) you go right past them. It's also worth checking your pathing in general, not only to see if you could change routes to pick up a +30 or two, but also to see whether you can repath through off-stat nodes instead of stats you have tons of already without losing any points. Comes up surprisingly often.

Other than that, how you get attributes on gear really depends on what the attributes you need are and what other gear requirements you have. In your case my first goal would probably be to master-craft int or dex onto whatever random rare items I was wearing that had an open suffix. If that easy solution is not available to you, then it becomes a matter of figuring out what pieces of gear are least crucial to you for whatever reason, and replacing them with pieces with attributes on them. I'd have to see your character to go into the specifics of that.

As a side note, if you ever need extra strength for a build don't forget about belts. Belts can only roll strength (uniques notwithstanding), but they can get a ton of it. Using something like this can make life a lot easier for a caster.

you could use the unique amulet Astramentis, can give up to +115 to all stats

You really need to make an assessment based upon your build, its current progress and as always with PoE, you will sacrifice one thing to attain another.

Generally for me, those +30 nodes are usually well placed to get me through a tough spot and you can always respec them later when you upgrade your gear. Another bonus of these is you won't be gear-locking your character. You upgrade a Dex gem and before you know it, you struggle to upgrade that crappy amulet because you need the Dex roll on it and it will cost you a fortune to upgrade.

Master Craft is always a good option, particularly if you have a piece of gear with an open slot that can't be used for anything else useful. Usually pretty cheap and again can be respeced later if needed, or just upgrade.

During the leveling process I'll randomly hoard average quality gear in case it comes in handy for just this situation. As you level up and start saving for the chaos recipe, eventually you'll find yourself with either an excess of rings or amulets. Take the higher level ones (iLvl 75 plus) and ID them. You'll mostly end up with crap but occasionally you'll have found a real pearler to keep:

Also you could try using this

you can also get jewels like: http://poe.trade/search/orenumomotemin

I try to need as little on my gear as possible, unless it's unlikely I will ever upgrade that piece.

If you get to the point where you need to upgrade your gear, it's incredibly frustrating to have your options limited so severely by requiring X amount of a stat as well.

+30 dex/int nodes and the Versatility node next to Marauder's starting area are my usual earlygame go-to nodes, maybe a strength converted to dex or int jewel if I need a lot of some stat. In endgame I try to get everything I need from gear, usually with a solid amulet and a few other bonuses from items. If you're spending a passive point for stats after level 70 or so, your build is suboptimal.

I am of the opinion that if you're grabbing +30 nodes then you're doing something wrong. It's a temporary fix for when you are waiting on a gear piece or need more levels to complete your optimized tree. The exact reason I'm trying to craft:



For my RT 2 hander.