Vaal orbs wont be valuable at all

It really depends on how good the best effects are, as well as how common. White sockets are a lateral. They don't improve the item but make it more flexible. +1 skill level on a gem is almost a must have, but one try per level 20 gem puts it out of range for most players. We'll see how much level 21 gems trade for... I think that's the main effect that will set the value of the vaal orbs.

Their home lies with Ambush lock boxes and maps. They will be valuable

I also think they are being introduced to combat inflation, but I don't see many people using them on anything with more then 4 sockets because you get stuck with those socket colors

the problem is that they also lock socket colors

so even on leveling gear you wont be able to use the gear on another char unless he uses the exact same skill combination

Just thought that they might be insane for crafting new FFA level 40 and 60 PvP Gear.

A white socket would be priceless, I imagine.

"

Amiag wrote:

so even on leveling gear you wont be able to use the gear on another char unless he uses the exact same skill combination

skill gem colour combination.

I think they will have some value. The idea would be to use them on level 1 skill gems. The problem is you will then not be able to GCP them.

"

Amiag wrote:

the problem is that they also lock socket colors

so even on leveling gear you wont be able to use the gear on another char unless he uses the exact same skill combination

Just means you need more shit stuffed into your stash for every possible characters needs. Buy more stash tabs. Now. do it

"

reboticon wrote:

I think they will have some value. The idea would be to use them on level 1 skill gems. The problem is you will then not be able to GCP them.

Aren't there some gems which don't benefit much, if at all from quality?

"

reboticon wrote:

I think they will have some value. The idea would be to use them on level 1 skill gems. The problem is you will then not be able to GCP them.

+1 to gem level is only to the current gem level, not the cap. So if you turn a level 1 gem into a level 2, the cap will still be 20. You need to corrupt a level 20 in order to get a chance of a 21.

Though corrupting level 1s would be a cheap way of getting 3% quality on gems you don't feel the need to get to 20%. Plus if the price of GCPs skyrockets and vaal orbs end up as 'worthless' as people say, then it probably wouldn't be too wasteful to turn a bunch those 3% gems into a GCP at the vendor. Once you're done with them of course.

Suppose you find a rare Paua amulet, you identify it and it has 6 great mods, yet it still has that sucky mana regeneration. If a cheap orb could change that implicit mod into something useful, it is well worth losing the item over.

Take a 20/20 Ethereal knives gem. Making it 21/20 makes it FAR better, and is well worth it losing one or two 20/20 EK gems over.

Especially gems, which are fully replaceable, will be a happy recipient for Vaal orbs. Don't underestimate the willingness of the uber-rich to get the best.