In Path of Exile 2, Vaal Orbs play a pivotal role in the advanced crafting system, enabling players to create some of the most potent items in the game that are otherwise unattainable. However, the use of Vaal Orbs comes with its share of risks and rewards, making it a high-stakes endeavor that can lead to a range of outcomes, including potential item destruction.
Using a Vaal Orb is akin to a gamble: while you might achieve a remarkable upgrade, you could just as easily suffer catastrophic failure. The unpredictability stems from the numerous possible effects that can occur when a Vaal Orb is applied to an item, and only a select few of those results are favorable. Here’s an overview of the various outcomes associated with Vaal Orb usage in Path of Exile 2.
Updated April 11, 2025, by Hamza Haq: Recent changes in Patch 0.2.0 have introduced a novel application method for Vaal Orbs, enabling players to corrupt Essences. This article reflects that important update.
Comprehensive Guide to Vaal Orb Outcomes in Path of Exile 2
Upon using a Vaal Orb, players can expect one of four distinct outcomes:
- No effect occurs.
- A corrupted modifier is added.
- Existing modifiers are rerolled.
- A socket is added.
Importantly, each use of a Vaal Orb produces only one of these outcomes, meaning no combination of two or more results will happen simultaneously.
1. No Effect
When a Vaal Orb is used, one potential outcome is that the item remains unchanged, aside from acquiring a corrupted tag. In this case, the item retains all its original modifiers and stats, but due to the corruption status, further modifications using any currency, including additional Vaal Orbs, become impossible.
2. Adds a Corrupted Modifier
Another possible outcome is that Vaal Orbs can introduce a new affix from a selected pool of corrupted modifiers. Even if an item is already at its maximum number of affixes, this feature allows for critical enhancements, depending on the quality of the new modifier. It is important to note that a newly added corrupted modifier will appear as an implicit modifier above the existing ones. Notably, Vaaling is the sole method to acquire Jewels featuring five modifiers in Path of Exile 2.
3. Rerolls Modifiers
In a similar vein to Divine Orbs, Vaal Orbs can reroll one or more of an item’s modifiers, but with greater flexibility. Unlike Divine Orbs, which operate within preset modifier limits, Vaal Orbs can adjust modifiers beyond the established maximums or minimums. This enables unique opportunities such as enhancing a Temporalis to have more than -4 seconds of cooldown—a feat unattainable through Divine Orbs.
4. Adds a Socket
One of the most coveted outcomes is the ability to add a single socket to an item. This feature is the only way to create three-socket weapons or armor pieces that typically allow for only two sockets. Even unique items like the Morior Invictus Grand Regalia, which boast four sockets, can be corrupted to possess five sockets through this method. However, it’s essential to note that this outcome is only applicable to items that already permit sockets—amulets, rings, belts, and flasks cannot acquire sockets.
Effects of Vaal Orb Use on Skill Gems in Path of Exile 2
When Vaal Orbs are applied to Skill Gems and Spirit Gems, they trigger a unique set of six possible outcomes:
- The gem gains a level.
- The gem loses a level.
- A support gem slot is added.
- A support gem slot is removed.
- Quality between 2-10% is lost.
- Quality between 2-10% is gained.
The main appeal of using a Vaal Orb on Skill Gems lies in the pursuit of achieving a 5-link or 6-link arrangement without resorting to a Greater or Perfect Jeweler’s Orb, or to upgrade to a Level 21 Gem. Although corrupted Skill and Spirit Gems can continue to level up, adding quality becomes impossible thereafter.
Implications of Vaal Orb Usage on Essences in Path of Exile 2
Players may be amazed to find that Vaal Orbs can also be utilized on trapped Essence monsters before they are freed, leading to various beneficial outcomes:
- Increased essence quantities.
- Rerolled essences into different types.
- Upgraded Essences to Greater Essences, or transitioned a Greater Essence into a Corrupted Essence.
It’s noteworthy that applying a Vaal Orb to a Greater Essence is the only method for obtaining Corrupted Essences, which include Essence of Hysteria, Essence of Delirium, Essence of Insanity, and Essence of Horror—each bringing unique effects unavailable elsewhere. The Efficient farming of Greater and Corrupted Essences can also be achieved within the unique Silent Cave map.
The Function of Omen of Corruption in Path of Exile 2
The Omen of Corruption, obtained through Rituals, exclusively modifies the Vaal Orb effect: it eliminates the chance of a no-effect outcome. As a result, this Omen enhances the likelihood of either beneficial or adverse effects, making it a prudent choice for players aiming to optimize their item results. However, due to their cost in currency, players should strategically employ these omens on items with the potential to yield high rewards.
Crucial Steps Before Applying a Vaal Orb in Path of Exile 2
A fundamental lesson players often learn—and sometimes forget—is that the use of a Vaal Orb should always occur as the final step in the crafting process. Once a Vaal Orb is applied, further modifications using other currencies become impossible. To ensure successful enhancement of valuable items, consider the following prerequisite actions:
- Employ Exalted Orbs to unlock all potential affixes.
- Utilize Artificer’s Orbs to add Sockets.
- Maximize Quality to +20% (or +50% for Breach Rings).
- Apply Anoints to Amulets using Distilled Emotions.
You may also consider using Chaos Orbs, Divine Orbs, or Orb of Annulment to modify your items before Vaal Orb application, as corrupted items cannot be altered afterward in any manner.
There are only two exceptions to this guideline:
- A corrupted Skill Gem or Spirit Gem can still level up afterward.
- Socketed Runes or Soul Cores can be swapped for other types of Runes or Soul Cores.