General Discussion - Is anyone actually using Vaal Gems? - Forum

Forum ate my post, first time that's happened to me in a while tl;dr Vaal Detonate Dead has amazing impact in the right circumstances. However, those circumstances are uncommon enough that I will probably drop it in favor of a utility spell that I will get more use out of. Its value has actually increased somewhat in higher difficulties due to 2 factors: 1) Percent damage vs. my other skills scaling slowly relative to mob health 2) Increased mob density almost guarantees I will be able to use it at least once per map. 1-2 times per map is still very low though.	Posted by Nobake#4740 on Apr 9, 2014, 1:39:28 AM Quote this Post
" Qetuth wrote: Tried several of these (note, none of the cheap souls for 3 charges ones) in a few different builds and they were great for levelling through normal/cruel. Several of them I can see the potential of with the right supports and synergy with build, and I like that it becomes another option for the gear that doesn't hold your main skills, as an alternative to triggers or utility spells. I had great fun at times using Vaal fireball when surrounded by a dangerous pack, or vaal cold snap to slow everything down for various fire-caster purposes, or vaal arc to just kill everything in a given enclosed space. Once I hit merciless, it all went out the window. Demand for your 8 skill slots and for supports on your utilities goes up, demand on performance of main attack is higher, and the soul cost is so high that you cant even rely on it as a panic button because it's almost always uncharged. I ditched each of them during early merciless as I realised I just wasn't using them and probably wouldn't again - it became not even worth the effort to check if they were charged. Great post. They're just too stingy to be worth sacrificing gem slots for. Maybe a few would be viable with CoDT or cast on crit or something? Last edited by Daimoth#2107 on Apr 9, 2014, 1:52:50 AM	Posted by Daimoth#2107 on Apr 9, 2014, 1:47:33 AM Quote this Post
I don't use it often, but when clearing maps on my summoner for some extra boost I do use the summon skeletons. They aren't super, but at times they can help make an annoying elite / boss go down a little easier.	Posted by Rhata#5758 on Apr 9, 2014, 2:54:14 AM Quote this Post
I use Vaal Summon Skeletons.. seldomly, but I do.. it´s a great thing if you are suddenly attacked by a rogue exile or sth. Use Skill.. and mobs are VERY distracted... :) "Ta-Ta, not-a-cockroach"	Posted by cyranorick#4213 on Apr 9, 2014, 3:11:08 AM Quote this Post
" cyranorick wrote: I use Vaal Summon Skeletons.. seldomly, but I do.. it´s a great thing if you are suddenly attacked by a rogue exile or sth. Use Skill.. and mobs are VERY distracted... :) I do the same even in 77 maps, they aren´t too strong to kill many mobs but they are perfect to protect you. IGN: Fenix_de_fogo_e_gelo, Periguetescion, Ravvengar or Powerangger My shop: http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/379503	Posted by mtulio_2000#3649 on Apr 9, 2014, 12:29:01 PM Quote this Post
" Steve_Smith wrote: I was using Vaal Rain of Arrows but the damage was lacking a lot so I stopped using it. i find the pinning effect to be very valuable, much more than the damage. and BTW, on an unrelated note, vaal cyclone with an RF build ? HILARIOUS.	Posted by plasticeyes#2789 on Apr 10, 2014, 6:14:18 PM Quote this Post
As a solo summoner i found "Val summon skeletons" very useful and life_saver in some situations ,val gems meant to be used in case of emergencies or to finish up a tough boss or a pack of mobs that you barely can defeat.SO yes being hard to recharge is logic for this type of gems that not meant to be used as frequent as other gems/abilities imho.	Posted by TNT_the_GREAT#5355 on Apr 10, 2014, 6:36:21 PM Quote this Post
" Timcago wrote: Is anyone actually using Vaal Gems? Of course! I use them to balance out my table legs so it doesn't wobble. I used to use a bit of folded newspaper but the orbs are just the right size. Oh, and they taste great dunked in tequila. POE Serenity Prayer: GGG, grant me the serenity to accept the RNG I cannot change, the courage to challenge any unbalanced content, and the wisdom to avoid the forums. Mad: "Oh, it's simple and if you insist... I just think you're a dick. That's all." QFT: 4TRY4C&4NO	Posted by Phaeded#4782 on Apr 10, 2014, 7:05:51 PM Quote this Post
Not sure why people don't use these gems. Vaal skeletons, vaal cyclone, and the like are so useful.	Posted by jebroni#0936 on Apr 10, 2014, 11:50:20 PM Quote this Post
used one while leveling, now dont, no slots. Don't even pick up. alt art shop view-thread/1195695 t.me/jstqw for contact	Posted by jstq#1440 on Apr 11, 2014, 1:05:07 AM Quote this Post