[[File:Corrupted_area_official.jpg|thumb|300px|A Vaal side area]]
[[File:Corrupted_area_official.jpg|thumb|300px|A Vaal side area]]
A '''corrupted vaal side area''', or known as '''Vaal side area''' or '''corrupted area''' is a randomly-generated side area indicated by a glowing, beating heart and swirling ribbons of blood. Every corrupted area contains a boss, guarding a [[Vaal Vessel]] that drops [[Vaal Skill Gem]]s, [[Vaal Fragment]]s, and [[corrupted]] equipment. One Vaal skill gem is guaranteed to drop. Near the vessel there is a [[Vaal Letter]] or [[Research Journal]], which provides Vaal-related lore.
A '''Vaal side area''' is a randomly-generated optional area indicated by a glowing, beating heart and swirling ribbons of blood. Every corrupted area contains a boss, guarding a [[Vaal Vessel]] that drops [[Vaal Skill Gem]]s, [[Vaal Fragment]]s, and [[corrupted]] equipment. At least one Vaal skill gem is guaranteed to drop. Near the vessel, there is a [[Vaal Letter]] or [[Research Journal]], which provides Vaal-related lore.
Corrupted areas have [[modifiers]], similar to end-game [[map]]s, which substantially increase their difficulty. Since corrupted items cannot be modified, the modifiers cannot be rerolled. Corrupted areas found in act zones spawn have 1 to 2 affixes (magic), while corrupted areas found in maps spawn with 4 to 6 affixes (rare).
Vaal side areas have their own exclusive set of [[modifiers]], similar to end-game [[map]]s, which substantially increase their difficulty. Vaal side areas found in act zones have 1 to 2 affixes (magic), while Vaal side areas found in maps spawn with 4 to 6 affixes (rare). They also have an implicit modifier that adds a number of packs of Corrupted [[Vaal]] monsters. Vaal side areas have the {{c|corrupted|Corrupted}} modifier by default making them uncraftable, but the {{psl|Lucid Dreams}} Atlas keystone passive causes them to spawn uncorrupted in the player's maps, allowing them to be modified with regular crafting currency. Entering a Vaal side area will automatically cause it to become corrupted.
Due to the small size of corrupted areas, league mechanics are generally disabled from spawning in corrupted areas during [[challenge leagues]]. [[Masters]], more corrupted areas and [[Trials of Ascendancy]] also cannot spawn in corrupted areas. Notable exceptions which CAN spawn in them include [[Strongbox]]es, [[Shrine]]s, [[Rogue exile]]s and [[Tormented Spirit]]s. Many of the corrupted area bosses were also formerly [[Invasion boss]]es.
A variation known as an '''Alluring Vaal side area''' can be accessed in maps. Alluring areas have different implicit modifiers: {{ml|UpgradedVaalSideArea}}. They can only spawn if the player allocates [[For Love of the Queen]] Atlas Notable, or uses a special [[Map Device]] craft. If an Alluring Vaal side area is chanced or corrupted to the [[Endless Nightmare]] unique side area, the implicit modifiers inherent to Alluring areas are retained. If a portal to another Nightmare area spawns at the end, this new area will not be Alluring.
A [[Map fragment#Vaal fragments|Vaal fragment]] can be used in the [[Map Device]] to generate a random Vaal side area.
Due to the small size of the area, most league mechanics are generally disabled from spawning during [[challenge leagues]]. [[Masters]], Vaal side areas, and [[Trials of Ascendancy]] also cannot spawn in Vaal side areas. Notable exceptions which CAN spawn inside include [[Strongbox]]es, [[Shrine]]s, [[Rogue exile]]s and [[Tormented Spirit]]s. Many of the Vaal side area bosses were also formerly [[Invasion boss]]es.
== List of Corrupted Areas ==
A [[Map fragment#Vaal fragments|Vaal fragment]] or [[Mortal Fragment]] can be used in the [[Map Device]] to generate a random Vaal side area of a fixed area level. Vaal side areas that appear in maps or acts will have the same area level of their parent zone. When a portal to another [[Endless Nightmare]] appears in Endless Nightmare, both will have the same area level.
Corrupted areas in act zones spawn based on the zone it spawned in. Corrupted areas found in maps are chosen randomly.
Vaal side areas do not spawn in [[Ruthless mode]].
== List of Vaal side areas ==
Vaal side areas in act zones spawn based on the zone it spawned in. Areas found in maps are chosen randomly.
|[[The Cavern of Wrath]], [[The Cavern of Anger (Act 1)]], [[The Coast (Act 6)]], [[The Tidal Island (Act 6)]], [[The Karui Fortress]], [[The Cavern of Anger (Act 6)]]
|[[The Cavern of Wrath]], [[The Cavern of Anger (Act 1)]], [[The Coast (Act 6)]], [[The Tidal Island (Act 6)]], [[The Karui Fortress]], [[The Cavern of Anger (Act 6)]]
|Floor
|Floor
|[[Mother of the Hive]]<br/>([[Spitter]])
|[[Mother of the Hive]]<br/>([[Sand spitter (monster type)|Sand spitter]])
|Has "Allies Cannot Die", spawns lots of [[Spitters]]
|Has "Allies Cannot Die", spawns lots of sand spitters
|“Atziri promises us eternal life. The only...”
|“Atziri promises us eternal life. The only...”
|-
|-
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|}
|}
== Links between areas ==
==List of unique Vaal side areas==
{{Update|section|This section should either be removed entirely or updated and formatted in a way that can be read as text|talk=Links between areas section}}
Unique Vaal side areas can be obtained by {{il|Orb of Chance|chancing}} a {{c|normal|normal}} Vaal side area (approximately 400 attempts on average<ref>n=50/20512, published in [[Prohibited Library (community)]] - [https://discord.com/channels/991073626721763429/991092200957952152/1245818684929343590 Link] to Discord forum thread</ref>) or by {{il|Vaal Orb|vaaling}} an uncorrupted area (approximately 4-10%<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/pathofexile/comments/19exrxn/comment/kjlmfn3/</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/pathofexile/comments/19exrxn/comment/kk8optl/</ref>) with {{psl|Lucid Dreams}} allocated. {{il|Omen of Fortune}}, {{il|Ancient Orb}}, and {{il|Tainted Mythic Orb}} do ''not'' work as a Vaal side area is not an item.
<gallery>
* [[Endless Nightmare]]
File:Corrupted area link act1.png|Act 1
* [[Grand Dreams]]
File:Corrupted area link act2.png|Act 2
* [[Bane of Chaos]]
File:Corrupted area link act3.png|Act 3
</gallery>
==List of vaal side area modifiers==
The areas are weighted differently in frequency, with Endless Nightmare > Grand Dreams > Bane of Chaos.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/pathofexile/comments/19exrxn/comment/kjg8v5u/</ref>. A sample of 50 chance/scour gave an estimated distribution of 60%/35%/5%<ref>Published in [[Prohibited Library (community)]] - [https://discord.com/channels/991073626721763429/991092200957952152/1245818684929343590 Link] to Discord forum thread</ref>.
==List of Vaal side area modifiers==
{{main|List of vaal side area modifiers}}
{{main|List of vaal side area modifiers}}
==Related Atlas passive skills==
{{Query base passive skills
|q_where=
passive_skills.ID LIKE "%Atlas%" AND
passive_skills.ID LIKE "%Vaal%" AND
passive_skills.ID NOT LIKE "%mastery%"
}}
==Version history==
==Version history==
{{Version history table header}}
{{Version history table header}}
{{Version history table row|3.24.0|
* Map subareas no longer have +1 to Area Level.
}}
{{Version history table row|3.22.0|
* When adding the new [[Lucid Dreams]] Keystone Atlas Passive, we also took time to review Vaal Side Areas in Maps and the modifiers present on them.
* All modifiers, except one, no longer grant additional packs of Corrupted Vaal Monsters. This has been moved to be an Implicit modifier instead.
* Modifiers with upsides no longer have Increased Item Quantity or Item Corruption Chance, unless that is the only thing they do.
* Modifiers with downsides no longer have variable Item Corruption Chance. This is now a fixed value relative to the perceived difficulty of the modifier.
* Vaal Side Areas can no longer roll regular [[Map modifiers]].
* Modifiers that add extra Monsters are now [[Suffix]]es.
* The Explicit Item Corruption Chance modifier has been removed.
* The values provided by modifiers have also been rebalanced.
* Added some new modifiers, including one that causes [[Vaal Vessel]]s to contain an additional Level 21 Corrupted Gem.
* We've also added 3 new Unique Vaal Side Areas. Happy hunting!
}}
{{Version history table row|3.16.0|
{{Version history table row|3.16.0|
* Fixed a client crash that could occur when entering [[Vaal side area|Vaal Side Areas]].
* Fixed a client crash that could occur when entering [[Vaal side area|Vaal Side Areas]].
Latest revision as of 23:09, 31 May 2024
A Vaal side area is a randomly-generated optional area indicated by a glowing, beating heart and swirling ribbons of blood. Every corrupted area contains a boss, guarding a Vaal Vessel that drops Vaal Skill Gems, Vaal Fragments, and corrupted equipment. At least one Vaal skill gem is guaranteed to drop. Near the vessel, there is a Vaal Letter or Research Journal, which provides Vaal-related lore.
Vaal side areas have their own exclusive set of modifiers, similar to end-game maps, which substantially increase their difficulty. Vaal side areas found in act zones have 1 to 2 affixes (magic), while Vaal side areas found in maps spawn with 4 to 6 affixes (rare). They also have an implicit modifier that adds a number of packs of Corrupted Vaal monsters. Vaal side areas have the Corrupted modifier by default making them uncraftable, but the Lucid Dreams Atlas keystone passive causes them to spawn uncorrupted in the player's maps, allowing them to be modified with regular crafting currency. Entering a Vaal side area will automatically cause it to become corrupted.
A variation known as an Alluring Vaal side area can be accessed in maps. Alluring areas have different implicit modifiers: Vaal Vessel contains Mortal Fragments, 60% more Monster Damage, Monsters in Area are at least MagicUpgradedVaalSideArea Intrinsic Vaal Vessel contains Mortal Fragments 60% more Monster Damage Monsters in Area are at least Magic. They can only spawn if the player allocates For Love of the Queen Atlas Notable, or uses a special Map Device craft. If an Alluring Vaal side area is chanced or corrupted to the Endless Nightmare unique side area, the implicit modifiers inherent to Alluring areas are retained. If a portal to another Nightmare area spawns at the end, this new area will not be Alluring.
A Vaal fragment or Mortal Fragment can be used in the Map Device to generate a random Vaal side area of a fixed area level. Vaal side areas that appear in maps or acts will have the same area level of their parent zone. When a portal to another Endless Nightmare appears in Endless Nightmare, both will have the same area level.
“I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh...”
List of unique Vaal side areas
Unique Vaal side areas can be obtained by chancingOrb of ChanceStack Size: 20Upgrades a normal item to a random rarityRight click this item then left click a normal item to apply it. a normal Vaal side area (approximately 400 attempts on average[1]) or by vaalingVaal OrbStack Size: 20Corrupts an item, modifying it unpredictablyRight click this item then left click an item to corrupt it. Corrupted items cannot be modified again. an uncorrupted area (approximately 4-10%[2][3]) with Lucid Dreams allocated. Omen of FortuneOmen of FortuneWill be Consumed when you use an Orb of Chance on an item which can become Unique to ensure it does soEach player can only consume one Omen in each combat area., Ancient OrbAncient OrbStack Size: 20Reforges a unique equipment as another of the same item classRight click this item then left click a unique item to apply it., and Tainted Mythic OrbTainted Mythic OrbStack Size: 20Unpredictably either upgrades a corrupted item to unique rarity or destroys itRight click this item then left click a corrupted item to apply it. Cannot apply to Maps. do not work as a Vaal side area is not an item.
The areas are weighted differently in frequency, with Endless Nightmare > Grand Dreams > Bane of Chaos.[4]. A sample of 50 chance/scour gave an estimated distribution of 60%/35%/5%[5].
Unique Bosses in Vaal Side Areas in your Maps have 100% more Life Unique Bosses in Vaal Side Areas in your Maps deal 30% more Damage Vaal Side Areas in your Maps have 20% chance for Rewards from Vaal Vessels to be Duplicated [1]
When adding the new Lucid Dreams Keystone Atlas Passive, we also took time to review Vaal Side Areas in Maps and the modifiers present on them.
All modifiers, except one, no longer grant additional packs of Corrupted Vaal Monsters. This has been moved to be an Implicit modifier instead.
Modifiers with upsides no longer have Increased Item Quantity or Item Corruption Chance, unless that is the only thing they do.
Modifiers with downsides no longer have variable Item Corruption Chance. This is now a fixed value relative to the perceived difficulty of the modifier.
Vaal Side Areas can no longer roll regular Map modifiers.
Modifiers that add extra Monsters are now Suffixes.
The Explicit Item Corruption Chance modifier has been removed.
The values provided by modifiers have also been rebalanced.
Added some new modifiers, including one that causes Vaal Vessels to contain an additional Level 21 Corrupted Gem.
We've also added 3 new Unique Vaal Side Areas. Happy hunting!
Vaal Side Areas found in maps and those created by placing individual Vaal fragments in the map device now count as map areas for the purposes of map drops and other mechanics which interact with map areas.
They now generate as 'rare' areas, meaning they will always have 4 to 6 modifiers on their area.
Vaal Side Areas opened via placing an individual fragment in the map device are now 1 level higher across the board.
The values on the area modifiers are now similar to those found on maps of a similar level.
Added many new mods that can appear on Vaal side areas, including several that can influence the items and rewards found in those areas.
Elemental and Physical Damage Reflection modifiers can no longer appear for these areas.
Increased the number of monsters found in all map-level Vaal side areas.
Monsters normally found in Incursion encounters will now also be found in Vaal side areas.
Side area bosses now have Life pools similar to other unique monsters found in maps.