Vaal Arc

32 souls is really too many... Hard to use because of that in my opinion...

And considering it rises to 64 on Merciless, it's fucking useless.

Vaal Arc being at the top of the Vaal list, I think this is as good as any to express my concern.

Many Vaal gems suffer from a contradictory issue with the type of bonus they have. That is, the requirement of killing a vast majority of monsters to gain access to a massive AoE spell.
Oh hey, I can use this amazing AoE clearing ability now AFTER I cleared all the monsters I could have used it on...

I feel all AoE bonuses should be adjusted to compliment the "soul collecting" nature of Vaal Gems.

Take Vaal Molten Shell for example:
Molten Shell offers a no-dmg threshold, for insane amounts of damage that can be used to destroy a boss. It is easy to use and makes a player actually feel like they are blessed(corrupted?) by Vaal's power and it is wonderful!

Vaal Gems should, to an extent proportional to their cost (charge requirements), feel overpowered.
Right now, with the exception of Vaal Molten Shell, Vaal gems feel lackluster and lack cost effectiveness.

Example: If Vaal Arc had a "Can chain back to previously hit targets" mod - That would make it perfect, even if you nerfed the additional chains down from 40.

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Example: If Vaal Arc had a "Can chain back to previously hit targets" mod - That would make it perfect, even if you nerfed the additional chains down from 40.

Nothing stopping it from chaining back to previous targets..

I think the biggest downside to Vaal Arc, is Ele Reflect, since it Chains 40 times, it could potentially instagib yourself. Unlike Vaal Ice Nova, which I believe behaves similarly to Shrines, in that it makes the mob itself cast the Ice Nova when hit, making you in the clear vs Reflect..

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Sheriff_K wrote:

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Example: If Vaal Arc had a "Can chain back to previously hit targets" mod - That would make it perfect, even if you nerfed the additional chains down from 40.

Nothing stopping it from chaining back to previous targets..

I think the biggest downside to Vaal Arc, is Ele Reflect, since it Chains 40 times, it could potentially instagib yourself. Unlike Vaal Ice Nova, which I believe behaves similarly to Shrines, in that it makes the mob itself cast the Ice Nova when hit, making you in the clear vs Reflect..

Ah, okay. Thanks for informing me.
I suppose I'll chalk that up to returning arcs being difficult to discern amongst all the flashy particles.

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Sheriff_K wrote:

I think the biggest downside to Vaal Arc, is Ele Reflect, since it Chains 40 times, it could potentially instagib yourself. Unlike Vaal Ice Nova, which I believe behaves similarly to Shrines, in that it makes the mob itself cast the Ice Nova when hit, making you in the clear vs Reflect..

But life leech would help though right? least that how I dealt with flameblast and EL-reflect.

very unlikely since lifeleech only provides an extended life regeneration. and i am pretty certain that you cannot counter the reflect with life on hit.