Can You Double Corrupt a Corrupted Gem? Unlocking the Secrets of Path of Exile’s Gem Corruption
The short and direct answer is no, you cannot double corrupt a gem that is already corrupted. Once a gem has undergone corruption through a Vaal Orb or the Lapidary Lens in the Temple of Atzoatl, it cannot be subjected to another corruption process. The mechanics of Path of Exile do not allow for stacking corruptions on a single item, whether it is a gem, an armor piece, or any other gear. This limitation is designed to prevent overly powerful and potentially game-breaking combinations of affixes. However, there are intricacies and nuances within the game regarding corruption, and this article aims to clarify these details through a series of frequently asked questions.
Understanding Gem Corruption in Path of Exile
Before we delve deeper into the specifics of why double corruption isn’t possible, let’s recap what it means for a gem to be corrupted. When you corrupt a gem, you are essentially rolling a dice with various outcomes. These outcomes can have both beneficial and detrimental effects, adding an element of risk and reward to the process. The potential results of a single gem corruption include:
- No change: The gem remains exactly as it was before the corruption attempt.
- Level Change: The gem’s level can either increase by one level (if it is level 20 it becomes level 21), or decrease by one level.
- Quality Change: The gem’s quality will change to a random value.
- Vaal Gem Change: The gem can transform into its corresponding Vaal version (e.g., Spectral Throw becomes Vaal Spectral Throw).
Once a gem is corrupted, it is flagged as such. This status comes with a significant restriction: you can no longer use currency items on the gem, including Gemcutter’s Prisms or experience boosting currency like the level boosting divine orb, it will only change the item’s explicit modifier. This prevents players from attempting to further enhance the gem through traditional methods.
The Double Corruption Mechanism
The Lapidary Lens in Doryani’s Institute is a unique device that offers a chance to corrupt a gem twice in quick succession. This provides players with two separate rolls of the corruption dice, greatly increasing the odds of a more significant outcome. However, even with the Lapidary Lens, you can not double corrupt an already corrupted gem but you can corrupt an uncorrupted gem two times. This is a crucial distinction. The device simply runs the process twice on the same gem, it doesn’t allow for a second corruption on a previously corrupted gem. You are essentially using the device as if you had used two Vaal Orbs, but in a single process.
Why the Limitation on Double Corruption?
The core reason behind not allowing double corruption of already corrupted items comes down to game balance. If players could repeatedly corrupt gems, they could manipulate and potentially optimize stats to such an extreme degree that it would fundamentally break the established gameplay loop. The intention of corruption, especially double corruption through the Lapidary Lens, is to add an element of risk, not to act as a guaranteed way to push for power levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about gem corruption to further clarify the rules and mechanics within Path of Exile:
1. Can you level up a corrupted gem?
Yes, corrupted gems can still level up. The corruption does not hinder a gem’s ability to gain experience. The main restriction is that you cannot use currency items like Gemcutter’s Prisms on them.
2. Are corrupted gems stronger than uncorrupted gems?
Not necessarily. Corruption can introduce both positive and negative outcomes. While some corrupted gems can become stronger due to modifiers like +1 level, the risks involved make it a gamble. A negative corruption outcome could even weaken a gem.
3. Can you put quality on corrupted gems?
No, you cannot add quality to corrupted gems through any currency item like Gemcutter’s Prisms. Once a gem is corrupted, it is no longer modifiable using traditional currency methods. You need to get the quality before you corrupt.
4. Can you change socket colors on corrupted items?
Yes, the only way to change sockets and socket colors of corrupted items is to use Vorici’s Crafting Bench at the player’s hideout.
5. What does a Vaal Orb do?
A Vaal Orb is a currency item that corrupts an item, modifying it in one of the following ways: rerolls all modifiers, change the item’s rarity, adds an implicit modifier, changes the implicit modifiers on the item, or changes sockets and socket colours.
6. Can you get a 21/20 gem via the double corruption?
Yes, the double corruption allows a gem to level up by two levels if you get it on both attempts. If your gem is level 20 and you get the level +1 twice you will end up with a level 22 gem. But you cannot get a gem with quality higher than 20%.
7. How does the Lapidary Lens work?
The Lapidary Lens in Doryani’s Institute corrupts a skill gem twice in quick succession, giving two chances to change the gem. But only an uncorrupted gem.
8. Can you get a Vaal Gem from corruption?
Yes, a corruption roll can change a normal skill gem into its Vaal variant.
9. Can an awakened gem get double corrupted?
Yes, Awakened Gems can be double corrupted if it is not corrupted already. This process is the same as corrupting regular skill gems and support gems.
10. What happens if a gem has multiple levels of corruption?
A gem can only have one level of corruption, it will either become corrupted or remain uncorrupted. The double corruption device simply corrupts an uncorrupted gem twice.
11. Why is it beneficial to have a 20/20 gem?
A level 20 gem with 20% quality gives the highest possible base damage and effectiveness for any skill, offering a significant power boost to most builds.
12. How can you get a 20% quality gem?
You can raise a gem to 20% quality using Gemcutter’s Prisms or selling the gem with a Gemcutter’s Prism to a vendor.
13. Can you use a Divine Orb on a corrupted gem?
No, you cannot use a Divine Orb on a corrupted gem. All the common currency items won’t work on a corrupted item. Only the Vorici Crafting bench for sockets.
14. Is double corrupting always beneficial?
No, double corrupting is a gamble. While it can result in extremely powerful gems, it can also result in unwanted effects. There is also the possibility of the gem remaining unchanged.
15. How do I know if a gem is corrupted?
Corrupted items will have the Corrupted tag on them. Corrupted gems cannot be sold to NPC vendors, and cannot have currency items used on them.
Conclusion
In summary, while you cannot directly double corrupt a gem that’s already corrupted, understanding the mechanics behind corruption, especially double corruption via the Lapidary Lens, is crucial for optimizing your gem setup in Path of Exile. The element of risk and reward associated with corruption adds depth to the game and offers a unique opportunity to further customize and enhance your build. Always keep in mind that corruption is a gamble, and careful planning and consideration are essential before subjecting any precious gems to this process. Remember, the key is to corrupt uncorrupted gems for a chance at those desirable double corruption outcomes.