Vaal skill
Vaal skills are granted by Vaal skill gems, a special type of corrupt skill gem that can be used to unleash powerful abilities fueled by the souls of slain enemies.
Vaal skill gems can be looted from corrupted areas, certain strongboxes, and bosses of corrupted maps. It is also possible to create a Vaal skill gem by using a Vaal OrbVaal 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. on a corresponding normal skill gem (e.g. using a Vaal Orb on Spectral ThrowSpectral ThrowAttack, Projectile
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (5-8) Mana
Attack Speed: 110% of base
Attack Damage: (80-125)% of base
Effectiveness of Added Damage: (80-125)%
Projectile Speed: 1000Throws a spectral copy of your melee weapon. It flies out and then returns to you, in a spinning attack that damages enemies in its path.
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Projectiles that have Pierced deal (0.5-10)% more DamagePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. has a chance of turning it into Vaal Spectral ThrowVaal Spectral ThrowAttack, Projectile, Vaal
Level: (1-20)
Souls Per Use: 15
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Soul Gain Prevention: 4 sec
Attack Speed: 110% of base
Attack Damage: (70-110)% of base
Effectiveness of Added Damage: (70-110)%Throws several spectral copies of your melee weapon. They fly out and then return to you, in a spinning attack that damages enemies in their path.Fires 8 Projectiles in each of two mirrored spirals
Can't be Evaded
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Projectiles that have Pierced deal (0.5-10)% more DamageCorruptedPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.).
Mechanics
To use a Vaal skill, its gem must first be charged by collecting souls. Each slain enemy provides one soul, assigned randomly to one of the character's equipped Vaal skill gems. Souls will never be assigned to Vaal skill gems in the character's secondary weapon set. Collected souls cannot be transferred between zone instances; instead, each instance maintains its own soul counter for each gem. In other words, entering a new instance will start a new counter for each gem, but returning to a previously visited instance will restore each counter to its previous value.
Once a Vaal skill gem collects a sufficient number of souls, it is charged with one use. The number of souls per use depends on the skill and increase as the character progresses in the story. Some Vaal skill gems can store enough souls for more than one use. Once a gem's maximum soul capacity is reached, it can collect no additional souls until they are spent by using the skill.
The story has the following effects on the soul cost of the vaal skill:
- Completion of Act 5 increases the cost to 150% of the base value
- Completion of Act 10 increases the cost to 200% of the base value
Please note that once the cost increase has been applied it will apply to all game areas, including the areas of previous acts.
Because a Gemcutter's PrismGemcutter's PrismStack Size: 20Improves the quality of a gemRight click this item then left click a gem to apply it. The maximum quality is 20%. can't be used on corrupted gems, getting quality on vaal gems is substantially harder than it is on a regular gem. Vaal gems must either drop with quality or a normal gem already with quality must have a Vaal OrbVaal 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. used on it and be turned into a corrupted Vaal gem.
Vaal skills themselves can not be activated by trigger gems, they can trigger other gems however.
Any effects that modify the original skill, such as Helmet Enchantments and Threshold jewels, will also affect the Vaal version of the skill as well.
List of Vaal skill gems
Sorted By Attribute
Vaal Skills have requirements based on each of the three main attributes, and can be easily identified by the attribute colour.
List of active skill gems granting vaal skills
The skill Gluttony of Elements, which is obtained by equipping Blood of CorruptionBlood of Corruption
Amber AmuletRequires Level 5+(20-30) to StrengthGrants Level 10 Gluttony of Elements Skill
Adds 19 to 43 Chaos Damage to Attacks
-(10-5)% to all Elemental Resistances
+(17-29)% to Chaos ResistanceCorruptedIn my dream, a voice spoke to me. It said:
'My reach knows no bounds.
All that is pure is destined to rot.
All that lives is destined to serve.'
- Doryani, Queen's Thaumaturgist, also counts as a Vaal skill.
Unique items
The following unique items affect the player's Vaal skills:
Item | Base Item | Stats | ||
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Atziri's ReignAtziri's Reign Crimson JewelLimited to: 1(15-20)% increased Vaal Skill Effect Duration Vaal Skills have (15-20)% chance to regain consumed Souls when usedCorruptedAtziri went to great lengths to ensure her immortality, but nothing is eternal.Place into an allocated Jewel Socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket. | Crimson Jewel | (15-20)% increased Vaal Skill Effect Duration Vaal Skills have (15-20)% chance to regain consumed Souls when usedCorrupted | ||
Chill of CorruptionChill of Corruption Viridian JewelLimited to: 150% chance to gain an additional Vaal Soul per Enemy ShatteredCorruptedEven a millennium later, Atziri's presence casts a shroud over Wraeclast.Place into an allocated Jewel Socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket. | Viridian Jewel | 50% chance to gain an additional Vaal Soul per Enemy ShatteredCorrupted | ||
Flesh and SpiritFlesh and Spirit Ironscale GauntletsArmour: (50-81) Evasion: (50-81)Requires Level 15(6-9)% increased Attack Speed (80-120)% increased Armour and Evasion Regenerate (3-4) Life per second Recover 20% of Life on Rampage Kills grant an additional Vaal Soul if you have Rampaged Recently RampageWhat is greed but trading a mountain of death for a sliver of life? | Ironscale Gauntlets | (6-9)% increased Attack Speed (80-120)% increased Armour and Evasion Regenerate (3-4) Life per second Recover 20% of Life on Rampage Kills grant an additional Vaal Soul if you have Rampaged Recently Rampage | ||
Soul CatcherSoul Catcher Quartz FlaskLasts 6.00 Seconds Consumes 30 of 60 Charges on use Phasing +10% chance to Suppress Spell DamageRequires Level 27Cannot gain Mana during effect (60-80)% increased Critical Strike Chance with Vaal Skills during effect (60-80)% increased Damage with Vaal Skills during effect Vaal Skills used during effect have 10% reduced Soul Gain Prevention DurationFreedom is for the privileged, even in death. This item can be transformed on the Altar of Sacrifice along with Vial of the GhostRight click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters. | Quartz Flask | Cannot gain Mana during effect (60-80)% increased Critical Strike Chance with Vaal Skills during effect (60-80)% increased Damage with Vaal Skills during effect Vaal Skills used during effect have 10% reduced Soul Gain Prevention Duration | ||
Soul RipperSoul Ripper Quartz FlaskLasts 6.00 Seconds Consumes 30 of (20-150) Charges on use Phasing +10% chance to Suppress Spell DamageRequires Level 27+(-40-90) to Maximum Charges Loses all Charges when you enter a new area Consumes Maximum Charges to use Gain Vaal Souls equal to Charges Consumed when used"What care have I for their pain? They're already dead." - Atalui, Vaal PriestessRight click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters. | Quartz Flask | +(-40-90) to Maximum Charges Loses all Charges when you enter a new area Consumes Maximum Charges to use Gain Vaal Souls equal to Charges Consumed when used | ||
Vaal CaressVaal Caress Bronzescale GauntletsArmour: (110-148) Evasion: (110-148)Requires Level 27, 22 Str, 22 Dex+5 to Level of Socketed Vaal Gems -5 to Level of Socketed Non-Vaal Gems (120-140)% increased Armour and Evasion +(50-70) to maximum Life +40% to Cold Resistance You gain Onslaught for 20 seconds on using a Vaal Skill"The gems are strangely human at times. They simply love to be held." - Doryani, First Seer to the Queen | Bronzescale Gauntlets | +5 to Level of Socketed Vaal Gems -5 to Level of Socketed Non-Vaal Gems (120-140)% increased Armour and Evasion +(50-70) to maximum Life +40% to Cold Resistance You gain Onslaught for 20 seconds on using a Vaal Skill | ||
Sacrificial HeartSacrificial Heart Paua AmuletRequires Level 32(20-30)% increased Mana Regeneration RateAdds (22-27) to (34-38) Fire Damage Adds (20-23) to (31-35) Cold Damage Adds (1-3) to (47-52) Lightning Damage Gain up to maximum Power Charges when you use a Vaal Skill Gain 10 Life per Enemy Hit if you have used a Vaal Skill Recently 10% increased Movement Speed if you have used a Vaal Skill RecentlyThe seed of life, saved and savoured. This item can be transformed on the Altar of Sacrifice along with Vial of Sacrifice | Paua Amulet | (20-30)% increased Mana Regeneration RateAdds (22-27) to (34-38) Fire Damage Adds (20-23) to (31-35) Cold Damage Adds (1-3) to (47-52) Lightning Damage Gain up to maximum Power Charges when you use a Vaal Skill Gain 10 Life per Enemy Hit if you have used a Vaal Skill Recently 10% increased Movement Speed if you have used a Vaal Skill Recently | ||
Triumvirate AuthorityTriumvirate Authority Unset RingRequires Level 64Has 1 Socket+2 to Level of Socketed Vaal Gems <Three random Socketed Vaal Skill modifiers>The priest that carried Yaomac's sigil was granted one boon by each serpentine head. | Unset Ring | Has 1 Socket+2 to Level of Socketed Vaal Gems
| ||
Triumvirate AuthorityTriumvirate Authority Unset RingRequires Level 64Has 1 Socket+2 to Level of Socketed Vaal Gems <Four random Socketed Vaal Skill modifiers>The priest that carried Yaomac's sigil was granted one boon by each serpentine head. | Unset Ring | Has 1 Socket+2 to Level of Socketed Vaal Gems
| ||
Yaomac's AccordYaomac's Accord Vaal SceptreSceptre Physical Damage: 37-70 Critical Strike Chance: 6.00% Attacks per Second: 1.40 Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 64, 113 Str, 113 Int32% increased Elemental Damage(80-120)% increased Damage with Vaal Skills (8-6)% reduced Soul Gain Prevention Duration Gain an Endurance Charge, Frenzy Charge, and Power Charge when you use a Vaal Skill Shepherd of SoulsTheir three serpentine heads found unity in balance. | Vaal Sceptre | 32% increased Elemental Damage(80-120)% increased Damage with Vaal Skills (8-6)% reduced Soul Gain Prevention Duration Gain an Endurance Charge, Frenzy Charge, and Power Charge when you use a Vaal Skill Shepherd of Souls | ||
AllureAllure Vaal ClawClaw Physical Damage: (92.4-112.7) to (222.6-266.8) Critical Strike Chance: 6.50% Attacks per Second: (1.40-1.46) Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 66, 95 Dex, 131 Int2% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life(110-130)% increased Physical Damage Adds (15-20) to (30-40) Physical Damage (8-12)% increased Attack Speed 15% increased Movement Speed while Phasing You gain Phasing for 10 seconds on using a Vaal SkillWhat drives us to kill, to carve and to shred? What drives us to drink the seething souls of the dead? What drives us to love and to hold, but still go amiss? What drives us to leave this world for the Abyss? | Vaal Claw | 2% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life(110-130)% increased Physical Damage Adds (15-20) to (30-40) Physical Damage (8-12)% increased Attack Speed 15% increased Movement Speed while Phasing You gain Phasing for 10 seconds on using a Vaal Skill | ||
Zerphi's HeartZerphi's Heart Paua AmuletRequires Level 70(20-30)% increased Mana Regeneration RateAdds (48-53) to (58-60) Chaos Damage Items and Gems have 50% increased Attribute Requirements Chaos Damage can Ignite, Chill and Shock Gain Soul Eater for 20 seconds when you use a Vaal SkillWe are incapable of change without sacrifice, for we are both the iron and the forge. | Paua Amulet | (20-30)% increased Mana Regeneration RateAdds (48-53) to (58-60) Chaos Damage Items and Gems have 50% increased Attribute Requirements Chaos Damage can Ignite, Chill and Shock Gain Soul Eater for 20 seconds when you use a Vaal Skill | ||
Atziri's SplendourAtziri's Splendour Sacrificial GarbArmour: (987-1209) Evasion: (329-378) Energy Shield: (411-502) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 75, 66 Str, 66 Dex, 66 Int+1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(200-220)% increased Armour and Energy Shield +(70-80) to maximum Energy Shield +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed"When you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal | Sacrificial Garb | +1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(200-220)% increased Armour and Energy Shield +(70-80) to maximum Energy Shield +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed | ||
Atziri's SplendourAtziri's Splendour Sacrificial GarbArmour: (1579-1965) Evasion: (329-378) Energy Shield: (67-77) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 75, 66 Str, 66 Dex, 66 Int+1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(380-420)% increased Armour +(90-100) to maximum Life +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed"When you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal | Sacrificial Garb | +1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(380-420)% increased Armour +(90-100) to maximum Life +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed | ||
Atziri's SplendourAtziri's Splendour Sacrificial GarbArmour: (987-1209) Evasion: (329-378) Energy Shield: (201-246) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 75, 66 Str, 66 Dex, 66 Int+1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(200-220)% increased Armour and Energy Shield +(90-100) to maximum Life +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed"When you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal | Sacrificial Garb | +1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(200-220)% increased Armour and Energy Shield +(90-100) to maximum Life +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed | ||
Atziri's SplendourAtziri's Splendour Sacrificial GarbArmour: (1217-1663) Evasion: (1217-1663) Energy Shield: (247-338) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 75, 66 Str, 66 Dex, 66 Int+1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(270-340)% increased Armour, Evasion and Energy Shield +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed"When you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal | Sacrificial Garb | +1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(270-340)% increased Armour, Evasion and Energy Shield +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed | ||
Atziri's SplendourAtziri's Splendour Sacrificial GarbArmour: (987-1209) Evasion: (987-1209) Energy Shield: (67-77) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 75, 66 Str, 66 Dex, 66 Int+1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(200-220)% increased Armour and Evasion +(90-100) to maximum Life +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed"When you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal | Sacrificial Garb | +1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(200-220)% increased Armour and Evasion +(90-100) to maximum Life +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed | ||
Atziri's SplendourAtziri's Splendour Sacrificial GarbArmour: (329-378) Evasion: (329-378) Energy Shield: (506-628) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 75, 66 Str, 66 Dex, 66 Int+1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems+(70-80) to maximum Energy Shield (270-300)% increased Energy Shield +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed"When you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal | Sacrificial Garb | +1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems+(70-80) to maximum Energy Shield (270-300)% increased Energy Shield +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed | ||
Atziri's SplendourAtziri's Splendour Sacrificial GarbArmour: (329-378) Evasion: (987-1209) Energy Shield: (411-502) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 75, 66 Str, 66 Dex, 66 Int+1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(200-220)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield +(70-80) to maximum Energy Shield +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed"When you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal | Sacrificial Garb | +1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(200-220)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield +(70-80) to maximum Energy Shield +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed | ||
Atziri's SplendourAtziri's Splendour Sacrificial GarbArmour: (329-378) Evasion: (1579-1965) Energy Shield: (67-77) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 75, 66 Str, 66 Dex, 66 Int+1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(380-420)% increased Evasion Rating +(90-100) to maximum Life +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed"When you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal | Sacrificial Garb | +1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(380-420)% increased Evasion Rating +(90-100) to maximum Life +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed | ||
Atziri's SplendourAtziri's Splendour Sacrificial GarbArmour: (329-378) Evasion: (987-1209) Energy Shield: (201-246) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 75, 66 Str, 66 Dex, 66 Int+1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(200-220)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield +(90-100) to maximum Life +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed"When you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Atziri, Queen of the Vaal | Sacrificial Garb | +1 to Level of all Vaal Skill Gems(200-220)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield +(90-100) to maximum Life +(20-24)% to all Elemental Resistances Gain 100 Life per Enemy Killed Gain 100 Mana per Enemy Killed |
Achievements
The following achievements are related to Vaal skill gems:
Name | Description |
---|---|
Virtue Corruption |
Corrupt a skill gem into a Vaal skill gem. |
Vaal Gemling |
Have a Vaal Skill Gem reach level 20. |
Lore
The Vaal civilization may have existed thousands of years ago, but it had its own form of Skill Gems. Brutally powerful and fueled by the sacrifice of foes, these gems are the ultimate version of many contemporary Path of Exile skills. Vaal Skill Gems charge up as you kill enemies and can be unleashed for a devastating effect.
Version history
Version | Changes |
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3.0.0 |
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1.2.1 |
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