The 1.1 Sacrifice of the Vaal expansion on 3/5/14 brought Queen Atziri, Vaal Side Areas, Corruption and Vaal Orbs which are still one of the best ways to improve your items. The Corruption system adheres to the risk & reward principle at the core of Path of Exile loot system. You have the possibility to greatly improve your item, offset by the chance to destroy it.
General Concept
The concept is rather simple: you use a Vaal Orb on an item you want to corrupt, which produces a random effect on it with no possibility of going back.
In most cases, corrupted items cannot be modified further by normal currencies, meaning you can't apply any crafting currency to them. A corrupted item has the red Corrupted tag at the bottom of its modifiers list to notify the player.
One exception to that rule, is that you can still change sockets and links using your crafting bench at the cost of additional Vaal Orbs on top of the usual Orbs of Fusing. This is usually referred to as Vorici Linking/Coloring as a remnant of the old Master system, when getting the master Vorici to level 8 was the only way to access these crafting recipes.
Outcomes
Corruption works differently for Items, Gems, Jewels, Maps, Strongboxes and Flasks.
Items
Corrupting an Item has several different outcomes weighted equally.
- Adds a random implicit modifier
- Turns 1 or more sockets into white sockets
- Bricks the item into a random rare item
- Nothing happens
Some items have a fifth outcome which upgrades the item to another one:
- Tear of Purity can upgrade to Blood of Corruption
- Voll's Vision can upgrade to Malachai's Vision
Note that 6-Links are way more common from "Bricked" Corrupted items. This is because bricking an item ignores the weight when it comes to define the number of Sockets and Links, meaning there is a 1/36 chance to get a 6-Link on any brick (that can have 6 sockets).
Gems
Corrupting a Gem has several different outcomes weighted equally:
- Adds or removes a level to the gem with a maximum of level 21
- Adds or removes up to 10% quality to the gem with a maximum of 23% quality
- Transforms the gem into its Vaal skill version
- Nothing happens
Getting your Skill Gems to level 21 is one of the first endgame optimizations you can do since it is usually equivalent to ~10% damage. It is a common farming strategy to fill the sockets in your weapon swap with gems to level up, in order to corrupt them hoping for +1 level or just to sell them max level uncorrupted to people that will corrupt them. Usual big money targets are Enlighten Support, Empower Support and Awakened Gems.
Jewels
Corrupting a Jewel has several different outcomes weighted equally.
- Adds a random implicit modifier
- Transforms the jewel into a random unique vaal jewel
- Reroll the item with random modifiers
- Nothing happens
Maps
Corrupting a Map has several different outcomes weighted equally:
- Adds an Implicit modifier
- Reroll the map with 4-6 modifiers and a chance to increase its tier
- Reroll the map with 8 modifiers
- Nothing happens
Corrupting Maps is required to get T11+ Atlas Bonus Objectives (Red Maps). Later on, corrupting maps is one the best way to juice up Maps since it can give Maps with massive quantity and monster pack size for little investment. Unfortunately this can brick the map by giving it modifiers your build cannot handle, but this is on average considered worth the risk. Finally, corrupting any Tier 15 Map also has a chance to turn the Map into a Tier 16 Vaal Temple Map.
Strongboxes
Strongboxes can be corrupted by the player using a Vaal Orb or through various Atlas effects. Corrupted Strongboxes drop all their content as if a Vaal Orb was applied on it.
Flasks
Flasks can be corrupted with a Vaal Orb. This randomly modifies the Quality, raising or lowering it by up to 10%. Corrupt your flasks to obtain up to 30% quality, increasing their duration.
Special Corruptions
In addition to Vaal Orbs, there are also ways to double corrupt either items or gems which were introduced in Incursion League.
Locus of Corruption
This Incursion room found in the Temple of Atzoatl contains a device called Altar of Corruption allowing the player to risk everything by performing a special corruption with exclusive outcomes on an item of his choice:
- Destroys the item *poof*
- Turns all sockets into white sockets
- Grants 2 random corrupted implicit modifiers
- Transforms the item into a random influenced rare
Note that using the Altar on a non-unique Sacrificial Garb (which drops from Atziri) replaces the 2 implicits outcome by the chance to upgrade it to a Shadowstitch.
Doryani's Institute
This Incursion room found in the Temple of Atzoatl contains a device called Lapidary Lens that allows the players to double corrupt a gem. The device corrupts the gem twice successively, with exactly the same options mentioned above. So it's possible to upgrade the level while downgrading the quality at the same time, for example. This also gives you the option to obtain a 21/23 gem or a 21 Vaal gem… eventually.
Special Cases
Special Items
Some items have a specific way to interact with Corruption and Vaal Orbs.
- Hands of the High Templar is a pair of Gloves dropping from Sirus, Awakener of Worlds. These Gloves can be modified while Corrupted and can have up to 5 implicit modifiers.
- Doryani's Delusion is a pair of Boots with many variants found in Doryani's Machinarium that have a special corruption outcome turning the Purity skill granted into its Impurity vaal skill variant.
- Star of Wraeclast is an Amulet inherently corrupted that can be obtained through a vendor recipe by selling a unique Ruby Ring, any Onyx Amulet and a level 20 Corrupted Lightning Warp.
- Glimpse of Chaos is a Helmet dropping from the Ultimatum Trialmaster (currently unobtainable). It can be modified while Corrupted and has special unique corruption outcomes, such as removing one mod of the item, bricking it into an influenced Yellow Helmet, transforming it into another Unique Helmet or add an exclusive implicit modifier:
- Nearby Enemies are Blinded
- Nearby Enemies are Crushed
- Nearby Enemies have Malediction
- +1 to Minimum Endurance, Frenzy and Power Charges
- +2 to Level of Socketed Gems
- (10-15)% increased Effect of your Curses
- (10-15)% increased effect of Non-Curse Auras from your Skills
- Socketed Skill Gems get a 80% Cost & Reservation Multiplier
- (5-7)% increased Quantity of Items found
- (15-25)% increased Area of Effect
- (15-25)% increased Skill Effect Duration
- (8–12)% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate
- Skills fire an additional Projectile
Some items are Corrupted by default, the main reason being so that players cannot craft or divine their affixes, forcing them to find what they want by farming or trading:
- Legacy Leaguestones (Mystery Leaguestone)
- Talismans
- Heist Trinkets
- Breach Rings
- Skin of the Lords
- Split Personality
- String of Servitude
- Synthesised Maps
It is also possible to use a special trick with Gilded Fossils. This Fossil adds an Item sells for much more to vendors implicit modifier to the item, which is added to the other item implicit modifiers. The trick here is that corrupting an item with several implicits only replaces one random implicit and leave the others untouched, allowing you to potentially keep the base implicit of the item.
Beastcrafting
Using Craicic Vassal in Beastcrafting allows you to Corrupt an item while granting it 30% quality. There is no risk of losing or bricking the item using this recipe.
Implicit Modifiers
The main reason to corrupt an item is to look for an implicit modifier improving your build. There are dozens of them accessible depending on the ilevel or the item slot:
Select Item Slot
- Item Level 1
- (8–10)% increased Attack Speed
- (20–24)% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills
- Two between those options :
(4–6)% increased Dexterity
(4–6)% increased Intelligence
(4–6)% increased Strength - (4–5)% Chance to Block Attack Damage
- (4–5)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
- (8–10)% increased Movement Speed
- +(14–16)% to all Elemental Resistances
- Item Level 45
- Anger has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Determination has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Discipline has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Grace has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Hatred has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Malevolence has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Pride has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Wrath has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Zealotry has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Item Level 50
- 0.5% of Cold Damage Leeched as Life
- 0.5% of Fire Damage Leeched as Life
- 0.5% of Lightning Damage Leeched as Life
- Item Level 56
- Grants Level 21 Clarity Skill
- Grants Level 23 Malevolence Skill
- Grants Level 23 Purity of Fire Skill
- Grants Level 23 Purity of Ice Skill
- Grants Level 23 Purity of Lightning Skill
- Grants Level 21 Purity of Elements Skill
- Item Level 60
- You can apply an additional Curse
- (20–30)% increased Rarity of Items found
- Item Level 80
- +1% to all maximum Resistances
- Item Level 84
- (3–5)% increased Quantity of Items found
- (3–5)% increased Quantity of Items found
- Item Level 1
- (8–10)% increased Area of Effect
- (35–40)% increased Critical Strike Chance during any Flask Effect
- Two between those options :
(4–6)% increased Dexterity
(4–6)% increased Intelligence
(4–6)% increased Strength - (8–10)% increased maximum Energy Shield
- (6–8)% increased maximum Life
- (12–15)% increased Skill Effect Duration
- +(14–16)% to all Elemental Resistances
- Item Level 45
- Anger has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Determination has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Discipline has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Grace has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Hatred has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Malevolence has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Pride has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Wrath has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Zealotry has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Item Level 60
- +(20–25)% to Critical Strike Multiplier during any Flask Effect
- (8–12)% increased Attack Speed during any Flask Effect
- (8–12)% increased Cast Speed during any Flask Effect
- (8–12)% increased Movement Speed during any Flask Effect
- (20–30)% increased Rarity of Items found
- Item Level 84
- (3–5)% increased Quantity of Items found
- (3–5)% increased Quantity of Items found
- Item Level 1
- (3–5)% additional Physical Damage Reduction while stationary
- +1 to Level of Socketed Gems
- (4–6)% increased maximum Energy Shield
- (4–6)% increased maximum Life
- (40–50)% increased Damage
- Item Level 20
- +2 to Level of Socketed AoE Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Aura Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Curse Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Duration Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Projectile Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Trap or Mine Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Warcry Gems
- You take 50% reduced Extra Damage from Critical Strikes
- Item Level 45
- (4–6)% reduced Chaos Damage taken
- (4–6)% reduced Cold Damage taken
- (4–6)% reduced Fire Damage taken
- (4–6)% reduced Lightning Damage taken
- Item Level 80
- +1% to all maximum Resistances
- Item Level 1
- +(35–60) Armour while stationary
- +(35–60) to Global Evasion Rating while moving
- +(6–9)% chance to Suppress Spell Damage
- +1 to Level of Socketed Gems
- (8–10)% increased Movement Speed
- (4–6)% increased maximum Energy Shield
- (4–6)% increased maximum Life
- Item Level 20
- +2 to Level of Socketed AoE Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Aura Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Curse Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Duration Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Projectile Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Trap or Mine Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Warcry Gems
- Item Level 31
- +(61–138) Armour while stationary
- +(61–138) to Global Evasion Rating while moving
- Item Level 56
- Grants Level 21 Haste Skill
- Item Level 60
- +1 to Maximum Endurance Charges
- +(6–10)% chance to Suppress Spell Damage while moving
- Regenerate 100 Life per second while moving
- Item Level 75
- +(139–322) Armour while stationary
- +(139–322) to Global Evasion Rating while moving
- Item Level 1
- +(8–10)% increased Attack Speed
- +(8–10)% increased Cast Speed
- +1 to Level of Socketed Gems
- (4–6)% increased maximum Energy Shield
- (4–6)% increased maximum Life
- Item Level 20
- +2 to Level of Socketed AoE Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Aura Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Curse Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Duration Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Projectile Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Trap or Mine Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Warcry Gems
- Item Level 30
- Curse Enemies with Despair on Hit, with (40–48)% increased Effect
- Curse Enemies with Elemental Weakness on Hit, with (40–48)% increased Effect
- Curse Enemies with Enfeeble on Hit, with (40–48)% increased Effect
- Curse Enemies with Temporal Chains on Hit, with (40–48)% increased Effect
- Curse Enemies with Vulnerability on Hit, with (40–48)% increased Effect
- Item Level 60
- Attacks have +(0.5–0.8)% to Critical Strike Chance
- +(0.5–0.8)% to Spell Critical Strike Chance
- +1 to Maximum Frenzy Charges
- Item Level 1
- Cannot be Blinded
- Regenerate (1.6–2)% of Life per second
- +2 to Level of Socketed Cold Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Fire Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Lightning Gems
- Socketed Skill Gems get a 90% Cost & Reservation Multiplier
- (4–6)% increased maximum Energy Shield
- (4–6)% increased maximum Life
- Item Level 20
- +2 to Level of Socketed AoE Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Aura Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Curse Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Duration Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Projectile Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Trap or Mine Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Warcry Gems
- Item Level 40
- (30–40)% increased Burning Damage
- (25–30)% increased Effect of Cold Ailments
- (25–30)% increased Effect of Shock
- Item Level 50
- 0.5% of Cold Damage Leeched as Life
- 0.5% of Fire Damage Leeched as Life
- 0.5% of Lightning Damage Leeched as Life
- Item Level 60
- +1 to Maximum Power Charges
- Item Level 1
- (5–7)% increased Effect of Non-Damaging Ailments
- (4–5)% increased Area of Effect
- (8–10)% increased Global Critical Strike Chance
- (4–5)% increased Damage
- Minions deal (4–5)% increased Damage
- 2% increased Reservation Efficiency of Skills
- Damage Penetrates 1% Fire Resistance
- Damage Penetrates 1% Cold Resistance
- Damage Penetrates 1% Lightning Resistance
- Damage Penetrates 1% Elemental Resistances
- Overwhelm 2% Physical Damage Reduction
- (20–25)% chance to Avoid being Ignited
- (20–25)% chance to Avoid being Shocked
- (20–25)% chance to Avoid being Poisoned
- (20–25)% chance to Avoid being Chilled
(20–25)% chance to Avoid being Frozen - (20–25)% chance to Avoid Bleeding
- (20–25)% chance to Avoid being Stunned
- Item Level 33
- Corrupted Blood cannot be inflicted on you
- Item Level 40
- You cannot be Hindered
- You cannot be Maimed
- Item Level 60
- You cannot be Cursed with Silence
- Item Level 1
- Gain (8–12)% of Physical Damage as Extra Cold Damage
- Gain (8–12)% of Physical Damage as Extra Fire Damage
- Gain (8–12)% of Physical Damage as Extra Lightning Damage
- (8–11) to (18–21) Added Cold Damage with Bow Attacks
- (11–14) to (21–25) Added Fire Damage with Bow Attacks
- (1–3) to (38–39) Added Lightning Damage with Bow Attacks
- (3–4) to (6–10) Added Physical Damage with Bow Attacks
- Point Blank
- Item Level 31
- (20–25) to (38–45) Added Cold Damage with Bow Attack
- (24–31) to (46–55) Added Fire Damage with Bow Attacks
- (3–7) to (81–85) Added Lightning Damage with Bow Attacks
- (5–7) to (10–14) Added Physical Damage with Bow Attacks
- Item Level 40
- Projectiles deal (20–25)% increased Damage for each time they have Chained
- Projectiles deal (8–10)% increased Damage for each Enemy Pierced
- Item Level 50
- 0.5% of Cold Damage Leeched as Life
- 0.5% of Fire Damage Leeched as Life
- 0.5% of Lightning Damage Leeched as Life
- Item Level 75
- (29–35) to (55–62) Added Cold Damage with Bow Attacks
- (29–39) to (59–69) Added Fire Damage with Bow Attacks
- (3–8) to (101–106) Added Lightning Damage with Bow Attacks
- (9–12) to (16–19) Added Physical Damage with Bow Attacks
- +(8–12)% chance to Suppress Spell Damage
- Bow Attacks fire an additional Arrow
- Item Level 80
- Arrows Chain +1 times
- Item Level 81
- (23–29) to (37–43) Added Chaos Damage with Bow Attacks
- Item Level 1
- Adds (3–4) to (7–8) Cold Damage to Spells and Attacks
- Adds (3–5) to (7–8) Fire Damage to Spells and Attacks
- Adds 1 to (14–15) Lightning Damage to Spells and Attacks
- (8–10)% increased Attack Speed
- (8–10)% increased Cast Speed
- (15–25)% increased Global Physical Damage
- Two between those options :
(4–6)% increased Dexterity
(4–6)% increased Intelligence
(4–6)% increased Strength - +(14–16)% to all Elemental Resistances
- Item Level 31
- Adds (6–9) to (13–16) Cold Damage to Spells and Attacks
- Adds (7–10) to (15–18) Fire Damage to Spells and Attacks
- Adds (1–2) to (27–28) Lightning Damage to Spells and Attacks
- Item Level 40
- Cannot be Ignited
- Cannot be Poisoned
- +(4–6) Mana gained for each Enemy hit by your Attacks
- Item Level 45
- Anger has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Determination has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Discipline has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Grace has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Hatred has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Malevolence has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Pride has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Wrath has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Zealotry has (15–20)% increased Aura Effect
- Grants Level 21 Wrath Skill
- Item Level 56
- Grants Level 21 Anger Skill
- Grants Level 23 Conductivity Skill
- Grants Level 23 Despair Skill
- Grants Level 23 Flammability Skill
- Grants Level 23 Frostbite Skill
- Grants Level 21 Hatred Skill
- Grants Level 21 Pride Skill
- Grants Level 23 Zealotry Skill
- Item Level 60
- Bleeding cannot be inflicted on you
- (20–30)% increased Rarity of Items found
- Item Level 81
- Adds (12–16) to (24–28) Cold Damage to Spells and Attacks
- Item Level 82
- Adds (13–18) to (28–33) Fire Damage to Spells and Attacks
- Item Level 83
- Adds (1–5) to (50–52) Lightning Damage to Spells and Attacks
- Item Level 84
- (3–5)% increased Quantity of Items found
- (3–5)% increased Quantity of Items found
- Item Level 1
- +1 to Level of Socketed Gems
- +(4–5)% Chance to Block
- (4–5)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
- (4–6)% increased maximum Life
- (4–6)% increased maximum Energy Shield
- Item Level 20
- +2 to Level of Socketed AoE Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Aura Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Curse Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Duration Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Projectile Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Trap or Mine Gems
- +2 to Level of Socketed Warcry Gems
- (4–6)% reduced Area Damage taken from Hits
- (4–6)% reduced Damage taken from Projectiles
- You take (20–30)% reduced Extra Damage from Critical Strikes
- Item Level 56
- Grants Level 23 Determination Skill
- Grants Level 23 Discipline Skill
- Grants Level 23 Grace Skill
- Item Level 60
- +1% to maximum Chance to Block Attack Damage
- (6–8)% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as Cold Damage
- (6–8)% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as Fire Damage
- (6–8)% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as Lightning Damage
- (6–8)% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as Chaos Damage
- Item Level 1
- (9–11)% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Kill
- (5–7)% chance to gain a Power Charge on Critical Strike
- +(8–10)% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
- +(25–30)% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier
- (5–7)% increased Attack Speed
- (14–18)% increased Critical Strike Chance
- Adds (6–8) to (13–15) Cold Damage
- Adds (8–10) to (15–18) Fire Damage
- Adds (1–2) to (27–28) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 31
- Adds (14–18) to (27–32) Cold Damage
- Adds (17–22) to (33–39) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–5) to (58–61) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 84
- Adds (17–23) to (24–40) Cold Damage
- Adds (21–28) to (40–48) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–6) to (72–76) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 1
- (9–11)% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Kill
- (5–7)% chance to gain a Power Charge on Critical Strike
- (10–15)% chance to gain Unholy Might for 3 seconds on Kill
- +(25–30)% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier
- (5–7)% increased Attack Speed
- (14–18)% increased Critical Strike Chance
- (50–60)% increased Damage over Time
- (50–60)% increased Spell Damage
- Adds (6–8) to (13–15) Cold Damage
- Adds (8–10) to (15–18) Fire Damage
- Adds (1–2) to (27–28) Lightning Damage
- Adds (1–2) to (3–5) Chaos Damage
- Item Level 31
- Adds (14–18) to (27–32) Cold Damage
- Adds (17–22) to (33–39) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–5) to (58–61) Lightning Damage
- Adds (6–8) to (11–13) Chaos Damage
- Item Level 84
- Adds (17–23) to (24–40) Cold Damage
- Adds (21–28) to (40–48) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–6) to (72–76) Lightning Damage
- Adds (8–11) to (19–23) Chaos Damage
- Item Level 1
- (5–7)% chance to gain a Power Charge on Critical Strike
- (5–7)% chance to gain an Endurance Charge when you Stun an Enemy
- (12–15)% increased Cast Speed
- (3–5)% increased Attack Speed
- (14–18)% increased Critical Strike Chance
- (15–20)% increased Area of Effect
- Adds (6–8) to (13–15) Cold Damage
- Adds (8–10) to (15–18) Fire Damage
- Adds (1–2) to (27–28) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 31
- Adds (14–18) to (27–32) Cold Damage
- Adds (17–22) to (33–39) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–5) to (58–61) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 84
- Adds (17–23) to (24–40) Cold Damage
- Adds (21–28) to (40–48) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–6) to (72–76) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 1
- (9–11)% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Kill
- (5–7)% chance to gain a Power Charge on Critical Strike
- (10–15)% chance to gain Unholy Might for 3 seconds on Kill
- +(25–30)% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier
- (5–7)% increased Attack Speed
- (14–18)% increased Critical Strike Chance
- (50–60)% increased Damage over Time
- (50–60)% increased Spell Damage
- Adds (6–8) to (13–15) Cold Damage
- Adds (8–10) to (15–18) Fire Damage
- Adds (1–2) to (27–28) Lightning Damage
- Adds (1–2) to (3–5) Chaos Damage
- Item Level 31
- Adds (14–18) to (27–32) Cold Damage
- Adds (17–22) to (33–39) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–5) to (58–61) Lightning Damage
- Adds (6–8) to (11–13) Chaos Damage
- Item Level 84
- Adds (17–23) to (24–40) Cold Damage
- Adds (21–28) to (40–48) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–6) to (72–76) Lightning Damage
- Adds (8–11) to (19–23) Chaos Damage
- Item Level 1
- (5–7)% chance to gain a Power Charge on Critical Strike
- (10–15)% chance to gain Unholy Might for 3 seconds on Kill
- Damage Penetrates (8–10)% Elemental Resistances
- (3–5)% increased Attack Speed
- (14–18)% increased Critical Strike Chance
- (15–20)% increased Area of Effect
- Adds (6–8) to (13–15) Cold Damage
- Adds (8–10) to (15–18) Fire Damage
- Adds (1–2) to (27–28) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 31
- Adds (14–18) to (27–32) Cold Damage
- Adds (17–22) to (33–39) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–5) to (58–61) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 84
- Adds (17–23) to (24–40) Cold Damage
- Adds (21–28) to (40–48) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–6) to (72–76) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 1
- (15–20)% increased Area of Effect
- (10–15)% increased Physical Damage
- Adds 1 to 2 Physical Damage
- (10–15)% chance to gain Onslaught for 4 seconds on Kill
- Melee Hits have (10–15)% chance to Fortify
- Item Level 1 (Axes Only)
- 20% chance to cause Bleeding on Hit
(30–40)% increased Attack Damage against Bleeding Enemies
- 20% chance to cause Bleeding on Hit
- Item Level 1 (Maces Only)
- (5–7)% chance to gain an Endurance Charge when you Stun an Enemy
- Item Level 31
- Adds (3–4) to (5–7) Physical Damage
- Item Level 40 (Swords Only)
- Resolute Technique
- Item Level 70
- (5–7)% increased Attack Speed
- Item Level 84
- Adds (5–7) to (10–12) Physical Damage
- Item Level 85
- (16–20)% increased Physical Damage
- Item Level 1
- Skills fire an additional Projectile
- Damage Penetrates (8–10)% Elemental Resistances
- Gain a Frenzy Charge after Spending a total of 200 Mana
- (5–7)% increased Attack Speed
- (10–15)% chance to gain Onslaught for 4 seconds on Kill
- (14–18)% increased Critical Strike Chance
- Item Level 40
- Resolute Technique
- Item Level 1
- (9–11)% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Kill
- Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Blind
- Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Faster Projectiles
- Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 10 Onslaught
- (3–5)% increased Attack Speed
- (14–18)% increased Critical Strike Chance
- (10–15)% increased Physical Damage
- Adds (9–13) to (20–23) Cold Damage
- Adds (12–17) to (23–27) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–3) to (35–39) Lightning Damage
- Adds 1 to (2–3) Physical Damage
- Item Level 31
- Adds (22–27) to (36–44) Cold Damage
- Adds (27–31) to (39–50) Fire Damage
- Adds (3–7) to (73–84) Lightning Damage
- Adds (4–5) to (6–8) Physical Damage
- Item Level 75
- Bow Attacks fire an additional Arrow
- Item Level 84
- Adds (26–32) to (45–55) Cold Damage
- Adds (31–39) to (52–61) Fire Damage
- Adds (5–9) to (103–107) Lightning Damage
- Adds (8–9) to (11–13) Physical Damage
- Item Level 85
- (16–20)% increased Physical Damage
- Item Level 1
- (5–7)% chance to gain an Endurance Charge when you Stun an Enemy
- (5–7)% chance to gain a Power Charge on Critical Strike
- (25–30)% increased Area of Effect
- (12–15)% increased Cast Speed
- (14–18)% increased Critical Strike Chance
- Adds (9–13) to (20–23) Cold Damage
- Adds (12–17) to (23–27) Fire Damage
- Adds (2–3) to (35–39) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 31
- Adds (22–27) to (36–44) Cold Damage
- Adds (27–31) to (39–50) Fire Damage
- Adds (3–7) to (73–84) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 70
- (5–7)% increased Attack Speed
- Item Level 84
- Adds (26–32) to (45–55) Cold Damage
- Adds (31–39) to (52–61) Fire Damage
- Adds (5–9) to (103–107) Lightning Damage
- Item Level 1
- (25–30)% increased Area of Effect
- (10–15)% increased Physical Damage
- Adds 1 to (2–3) Physical Damage
- Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Additional Accuracy
- Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 10 Fortify
- Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 10 Onslaught
- Item Level 31
- Adds (4–5) to (6–8) Physical Damage
- Item Level 40
- Resolute Technique
- Item Level 70
- (5–7)% increased Attack Speed
- Item Level 84
- Adds (8–9) to (11–13) Physical Damage
- Item Level 85
- (16–20)% increased Physical Damage
- Item Level 1
- 20% chance to cause Bleeding on Hit
(30–40)% increased Attack Damage against Bleeding Enemies - (25–30)% increased Area of Effect
- (10–15)% increased Physical Damage
- Adds 1 to (2–3) Physical Damage
- Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Lifetap
- Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 10 Fortify
- Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Life Gain on Hit
- Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 10 Onslaught
- Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Inspiration
- +(1–2) to Weapon Range
- 20% chance to cause Bleeding on Hit
- Item Level 31
- Adds (4–5) to (6–8) Physical Damage
- Item Level 70
- (5–7)% increased Attack Speed
- Item Level 84
- Adds (8–9) to (11–13) Physical Damage
- Item Level 85
- (16–20)% increased Physical Damage
- Item Level 1
- (5–7)% chance to gain an Endurance Charge when you Stun an Enemy
- (25–30)% increased Area of Effect
- (10–15)% increased Physical Damage
- Adds 1 to (2–3) Physical Damage
- Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Inspiration
- Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 10 Fortify
- Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 10 Onslaught
- Item Level 31
- Adds (4–5) to (6–8) Physical Damage
- Item Level 70
- (5–7)% increased Attack Speed
- Item Level 84
- Adds (8–9) to (11–13) Physical Damage
- Item Level 85
- (16–20)% increased Physical Damage
- Item Level 1
- You can catch Corrupted Fish
- (10–20)% increased Cast Speed
- (5–10)% increased Quantity of Fish Caught
- (5–10)% increased Rarity of Fish Caught
Tainted Currency
Tainted Currencies allow you to modify corrupted items in specific ways. Remember, you cannot use Tainted Currencies unless the item is corrupted!
- Tainted Armourer's Scrap sets the Quality of a Corrupted Armour piece to a random number from 0% to 29%.
- Tainted Blacksmith's Whetstone sets the Quality of a Corrupted Weapon to a random number from 0% to 29%.
- Tainted Catalyst sets a random Quality on a Corrupted Ring, Amulet, or Belt.
- Tainted Chaos Orb unpredictably changes a Corrupted Rare item.
- Tainted Chromatic Orb randomizes socket colors while ignoring the item's attributes.
- Tainted Divine Teardrop raises or lowers the tier of modifiers on the item.
- Tainted Exalted Orb adds or removes a modifier on the item.
- Tainted Jeweller's Orb adds or removed a socket, up to the maximum.
- Tainted Mythic Orb has a small chance to upgrade your item to a Unique, otherwise the item is destroyed.
- Tainted Oil allows you to anoint Corrupted items.
- Tainted Orb of Fusing adds or removes a link, up to the maximum.
Summary
Corruption is a very old, yet extremely vast and complex mechanic of Path of Exile. After all these years it is still the very last step that can make a character's gear shine or even be considered a true "Best in Slot" item. It is also very interesting to look for specific Corruptions on some cheap Unique Items to enhance them. All in all, Corruption is arguably the perfect balance of Risk and Reward!
Credits
Written by Chewingnom.
Maintained by: Tenkiei.
Reviewed by Raxxanterax.