From Maps to Jewels: What Corruptable Is—and When to Use Vaal Orbs

[Jerry]

In Path of Exile 2, corruption is a powerful but unpredictable crafting mechanic that can dramatically alter your gear, jewels, maps, and more. Understanding what items are corruptible and when to use Vaal Orbs is essential for players looking to maximize their crafting potential while managing risk.

What Can Be Corrupted?

Most equipment and socketable items can be corrupted, including weapons, armor, helmets, gloves, boots, and jewels. Additionally, maps and skill gems are also eligible for corruption. Corrupting an item permanently locks it from further crafting modifications, so the process is irreversible. However, socketable items like runes, soul cores, and talismans can still be placed or swapped in corrupted items’ sockets, preserving some flexibility.

Jewels, in particular, are popular targets for corruption because Vaal Orbs can add powerful implicit modifiers that significantly boost their utility. Maps can also be corrupted, sometimes granting enhanced modifiers or additional challenges, which can increase their rewards but also their difficulty.

How to Corrupt Items

There are two main ways to corrupt items in Path of Exile 2:

Using Vaal Orbs: These orbs are a special currency that can be found starting around Act III or traded with other players. Right-click the Vaal Orb and then left-click the item you want to corrupt. This instantly corrupts the item with a random effect.

Using Altars of Corruption: Found in specific locations like the Vaal Ruins (Act II) or Jiquani’s Sanctum (Act III), these altars allow you to corrupt items without consuming a Vaal Orb. Altars typically offer limited uses per character but are useful early on or when orbs are scarce.

When to Use Vaal Orbs

Because corruption is a gamble with potentially game-changing rewards or devastating losses, timing is crucial:

Fully Crafted Items: Always corrupt items after you’ve completed all other crafting steps. Since corruption locks the item, any missed upgrades or affixes cannot be added later.

Duplicates or Replaceable Gear: Experiment on items you can afford to lose or replace. This minimizes the risk of ruining valuable gear.

Jewels and Skill Gems: These often benefit significantly from corruption, gaining powerful implicit mods or extra gem levels/support slots. Corrupting skill gems at high levels can yield exceptional results.

Unique Items: Corruption can add extra implicit mods or socket changes that enhance unique items beyond their base power, making them highly desirable.

Maps: Corrupting maps can increase their difficulty and rewards, ideal for players seeking greater challenge and loot.

Risks and Rewards

Corruption outcomes are random and can include adding extra modifiers, changing socket colors to white (allowing any gem color), rerolling all affixes (which can ruin the item), or even destroying the item’s unique properties. Because of this unpredictability, corruption is best viewed as a high-risk, high-reward step in crafting.

Many players prepare for this by stocking up on Vaal Orbs in bulk. Those who lack the time to farm often buy poe 2 currency to streamline the process and fund corruption attempts. With more players engaging in high-volume crafting, poe 2 currency for sale listings remain active and competitive in the trade economy.

Corruption via Vaal Orbs or Altars is a versatile mechanic applicable to a wide range of items from maps to jewels. The best practice is to use it strategically on fully optimized or expendable gear, with an understanding of the risks involved. When done correctly, corruption can unlock some of the most powerful and unique enhancements in Path of Exile 2, making it a key tool for ambitious crafters.