Vaal Molten ShellVaal, Spell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Guard
Level: (1-20)
Cooldown Time: 0.50 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Souls Per Use: 50
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Soul Gain Prevention: 0 sec
Cast Time: InstantApplies a buff that raises your armour, and takes some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. Each second, the skill deals reflected damage to surrounding enemies based on the damage taken by the buff in that second. When the buff is removed, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken by the buff. You cannot have the buff at the same time as any other Guard skill.Per 1% Quality:1Superior1% increased Skill Effect DurationBase duration is 9 seconds
Buff grants +(25-429) to Armour
(30-35)% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield
Buff can take Damage equal to 30% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 30000
Reflects (300-9000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage each second,
or when Buff expires or is depleted
Buff grants (20-29)% more Armour
Modifiers to Skill Effect Duration also apply to this Skill's Soul Gain Prevention
CorruptedPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.Acquisition
Area level: 4Vendor Offer
1x Scroll FragmentMetadata
Item class: Active Skill Gems
Metadata ID: Metadata/Items/Gems/SkillGemVaalMoltenShell
Vaal Molten Shell is a vaal spell that creates a shell around the user that grants extra armour and absorbs incoming hits, absorbing more damage with increased armour. Each second or when expiring, the shell deals fire damage around it based on how much damage it has absorbed.
Skill functions and interactions[ | ]
- Duration: Skill duration modifiers will increase the duration of Vaal Molten Shell.
- Critical Strike Chance: Since Vaal Molten Shell deals reflected damage, its damage cannot critically strike.
- Damage reflection: Vaal Molten Shell doesn't trigger on reflected damage.[1]
- Molten Shell: Casting Molten ShellMolten ShellSpell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Guard
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (8-12) Mana
Cooldown Time: 4.00 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Soul Gain Prevention: 0 sec
Cast Time: Instant
Radius: 15Applies a buff that adds to your armour, and can take some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. When the buff expires or is depleted, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken from the buff. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent1% increased Skill Effect DurationBuff can take additional Damage equal to 0.25% of your ArmourReflected Damage Penetrates 1% of Enemy Fire ResistanceBase duration is 3 seconds
Buff grants +(50-858) to Armour
75% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield
Buff can take Damage equal to 10% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 5000
Reflects (100-3000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage when Buff expires or is depleted
This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effectPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. while Vaal Molten Shell is active will terminate the Vaal Molten Shell buff and replace it for the cast Molten Shell. This will happen both ways (when Vaal Molten Shell is cast while Molten Shell is active). This makes it unfavorable to use both skills in conjunction with one another.[2] - Order of Operations: Guard skills happen after all other mitigation when receiving damage, so your character always takes 65-70% of damage directly to their base resources (ward, energy shield, life, mana). To reach the damage cap of a level 20 gem, the character would need to heal (.65/.35*30000=) 55714 points of the affected resource(s) over the buff's duration.
All Guard skills[ | ]
Below are the 5 skill gems with the Guard gem tag:
Skill gem | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Arcane CloakArcane CloakSpell, Duration, Guard, Lightning, Arcane Level: (1-20) Cooldown Time: 4.00 sec Can Store 1 Use(s) Cast Time: InstantRequires Level 16Spends a portion of your mana to grant a buff that takes some of the damage from hits for you until depleted. The buff grants added lightning damage based on the amount of mana spent by this skill. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent1% increased Skill Effect Duration0.25% of Damage taken Recouped as Mana0.5% increased Buff EffectBase duration is 3 seconds 75% of Damage from Hits is taken from Buff before your Life or Energy Shield Buff can take Damage equal to Mana Spent by this Skill's effect Spends (45-64)% of current Mana Buff grants Added Lightning Damage equal to (10-14)% of Mana Spent by this Skill's effect This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effectPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. | N/A | N/A | 16 | |
Immortal CallImmortal CallSpell, Duration, Guard Level: (1-20) Cost: (21-36) Mana Cooldown Time: 3.00 sec Can Store 1 Use(s) Soul Gain Prevention: 0 sec Cast Time: InstantRequires Level 34Take less Physical and Elemental Damage for a short time. Consumes up to 5 Endurance Charges to lengthen the buff and further lessen Physical Damage taken. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent1% increased Skill Effect Duration1% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate-0.1% less Physical Damage taken per Endurance Charge removed 0.1% less Elemental Damage taken per Endurance Charge removedBase duration is 1 seconds (25-34)% less Elemental Damage taken (25-35)% less Physical Damage taken 15% less Physical Damage taken per Endurance Charge removed 20% increased Buff Duration per Endurance Charge removed This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effectPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. | N/A | N/A | 34 | |
Molten ShellMolten ShellSpell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Guard Level: (1-20) Cost: (8-12) Mana Cooldown Time: 4.00 sec Can Store 1 Use(s) Soul Gain Prevention: 0 sec Cast Time: Instant Radius: 15Applies a buff that adds to your armour, and can take some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. When the buff expires or is depleted, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken from the buff. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent1% increased Skill Effect DurationBuff can take additional Damage equal to 0.25% of your ArmourReflected Damage Penetrates 1% of Enemy Fire ResistanceBase duration is 3 seconds Buff grants +(50-858) to Armour 75% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield Buff can take Damage equal to 10% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 5000 Reflects (100-3000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage when Buff expires or is depleted This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effectPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. | N/A | N/A | 1 | |
SteelskinSteelskinSpell, Duration, Guard Level: (1-20) Cost: (4-16) Mana Cooldown Time: 3.00 sec Can Store 1 Use(s) Cast Time: InstantApplies a buff which can take some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent0.5% increased Cooldown Recovery RateSteelskin Buff can take 0.5% increased amount of DamageBuff grants +1% to all ResistancesBase duration is 1.5 seconds 70% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before Life or Energy Shield Buff can take (54-2209) Damage This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effectPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. | N/A | N/A | 1 | |
Vaal Molten ShellVaal Molten ShellVaal, Spell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Guard Level: (1-20) Cooldown Time: 0.50 sec Can Store 1 Use(s) Souls Per Use: 50 Can Store 1 Use(s) Soul Gain Prevention: 0 sec Cast Time: InstantApplies a buff that raises your armour, and takes some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. Each second, the skill deals reflected damage to surrounding enemies based on the damage taken by the buff in that second. When the buff is removed, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken by the buff. You cannot have the buff at the same time as any other Guard skill.Per 1% Quality:1Superior1% increased Skill Effect DurationBase duration is 9 seconds Buff grants +(25-429) to Armour (30-35)% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield Buff can take Damage equal to 30% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 30000 Reflects (300-9000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage each second, or when Buff expires or is depleted Buff grants (20-29)% more Armour Modifiers to Skill Effect Duration also apply to this Skill's Soul Gain Prevention CorruptedPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. | N/A | N/A | 1 |
Strategy[ | ]
Unlike its non-Vaal counterpart, Vaal Molten Shell will persist for the full duration, regardless of how many times an explosion is triggered. This unique property offers potentially vastly more utility than Molten Shell at the cost of less availability. Because of this, it is recommended that Vaal Molten Shell be saved for an occasion in which it will offer the greatest benefit, such as during an encounter with a unique monster or even a troublesome rare.
Due to the nature of Vaal Molten Shell, it has synergy with support gems that utilize the potentially frequent explosions, such as stun or life leech; however, the rather steep soul cost of Vaal Molten Shell gates the strength of the gem. In addition, while the armour offered during Vaal Molten Shell's duration is first-rate, it may cause conflicts with Cast when Damage Taken SupportCast when Damage Taken SupportSupport, Spell, Trigger
Icon: !
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 250%
Cooldown Time: 0.25 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)Requires Level 38Each supported spell skill will track damage you take, and be triggered when the total damage taken reaches a threshold. Cannot support skills used by totems, traps, or mines. Vaal skills, channelling skills, and skills with a reservation cannot be triggered.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3DivergentSupported Skills deal 0.5% increased DamageSupported Skills have 1% increased Skill Effect DurationSupported Skills require 1% reduced amount of Damage taken to TriggerTrigger Supported Spells when you take a total of (528-3272) Damage
Supported Skills deal (-70-6)% more Damage
This Gem can only Support Skill Gems requiring Level (38-70) or lower
You cannot Cast Supported Triggerable Spells directlyThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Active Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket..
Items which deal damage to you will also trigger the explosion:
- Scold's BridleScold's Bridle
Mind CageQuality: +20%
Energy Shield: 82Requires Level 65, 138 Int(80-100)% increased Spell Damage
15% reduced Cast Speed
+(30-60) to maximum Mana
Your Skills deal you 400% of Mana Spent on Skill Mana Costs as Physical Damage"The sharper the pain, the sharper the mind.
A curious paradox."
- Shavronne of Umbra when using any skill - Eye of Innocence when igniting an enemy
Gem level progression[ | ]
Level | Armour | Damage Reflection | Exp. | Total Exp. | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 | 16 | N/A | 300% | 0 | 0 |
2 | 6 | 20 | N/A | 390% | 841 | 841 |
3 | 9 | 27 | N/A | 540% | 3099 | 3940 |
4 | 12 | 33 | N/A | 750% | 7433 | 11373 |
5 | 16 | 41 | N/A | 990% | 22895 | 34268 |
6 | 20 | 50 | N/A | 1260% | 49725 | 83993 |
7 | 24 | 58 | N/A | 1590% | 95714 | 179707 |
8 | 28 | 67 | N/A | 1950% | 169595 | 349302 |
9 | 32 | 75 | N/A | 2340% | 283759 | 633061 |
10 | 36 | 83 | N/A | 2760% | 453996 | 1087057 |
11 | 40 | 92 | N/A | 3240% | 703128 | 1790185 |
12 | 44 | 100 | N/A | 3750% | 1061223 | 2851408 |
13 | 48 | 109 | N/A | 4290% | 2065870 | 4917278 |
14 | 52 | 117 | N/A | 4860% | 2507110 | 7424388 |
15 | 55 | 123 | N/A | 5460% | 2573731 | 9998119 |
16 | 58 | 130 | N/A | 6120% | 7611351 | 17609470 |
17 | 61 | 136 | N/A | 6780% | 13437908 | 31047378 |
18 | 64 | 142 | N/A | 7500% | 25052147 | 56099525 |
19 | 67 | 148 | N/A | 8220% | 43869436 | 99968961 |
20 | 70 | 155 | N/A | 9000% | 242081178 | 342050139 |
21 | 72 | 159 | N/A | 9810% | N/A | N/A |
22 | 74 | N/A | N/A | 10650% | N/A | N/A |
23 | 76 | N/A | N/A | 11490% | N/A | N/A |
24 | 78 | N/A | N/A | 12390% | N/A | N/A |
25 | 80 | N/A | N/A | 13320% | N/A | N/A |
26 | 82 | N/A | N/A | 14280% | N/A | N/A |
27 | 84 | N/A | N/A | 15270% | N/A | N/A |
28 | 86 | N/A | N/A | 16290% | N/A | N/A |
29 | 88 | N/A | N/A | 17310% | N/A | N/A |
30 | 90 | N/A | N/A | 18390% | N/A | N/A |
31 | 91 | N/A | N/A | 19500% | N/A | N/A |
32 | 92 | N/A | N/A | 20640% | N/A | N/A |
33 | 93 | N/A | N/A | 21780% | N/A | N/A |
34 | 94 | N/A | N/A | 22980% | N/A | N/A |
35 | 95 | N/A | N/A | 24180% | N/A | N/A |
36 | 96 | N/A | N/A | 25440% | N/A | N/A |
37 | 97 | N/A | N/A | 26700% | N/A | N/A |
38 | 98 | N/A | N/A | 28020% | N/A | N/A |
39 | 99 | N/A | N/A | 29340% | N/A | N/A |
40 | 100 | N/A | N/A | 30690% | N/A | N/A |
Item acquisition
Upgrade paths
This item can be acquired through the following upgrade paths or vendor recipes:
Amount | Ingredient | General Notes | Type |
---|---|---|---|
9 | Volatile PowerVolatile Power9Superior Vaal Gem Quality: +20% CorruptedUnlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it. | random corrupted superior Vaal gem with 20% quality | Automatic |
1 | Gemcutter's IncubatorGemcutter's IncubatorAdds an incubated Quality Gem item to an equippable item Item drops after killing # monstersQuality GemRight click this item then left click an item to apply it. The Incubated item drops after killing a specific number of monsters. | random superior gem | Automatic |
6 | The FoxThe Fox6Level 20 Gem"Masters of wit, strength and cunning. To survive the harsh winters, you must be like the fox." - Ezomyte Proverb | random level 20 gem | Automatic |
13 | The CataclysmThe Cataclysm13Level 21 Spell Gem CorruptedThe mighty warriors traded in blows, the nimble archers in arrows, yet it was the brazen thaumaturgists who would bring catastrophe to all. | random corrupted level 21 Spell gem | Automatic |
3 | Gemcutter's PromiseGemcutter's Promise3Superior Gem Quality: +20%"I swore to use my position to help the people. What good is power when it just accumulates on the already-powerful?" - Erasmus, Imperial Gemcutter | random superior gem with 20% quality | Automatic |
1 | The VoidThe Void1Reach into the Void and claim your prize. | random divination card set exchange | Automatic |
Video demonstration[ | ]
Alternate skill effects
Vaal Molten Shell has the following alternate skill effects:
Item | Effect(s) |
---|---|
Invisible Buff EffectInvisible Buff EffectSkill Gem EffectRemoves the visual effects on the player from arctic armour, tempest shield, blood rage, molten shell, phase run, petrified blood, any aura, any blasphemied curse, or any herald gem. | Removes the visual effects on the player from arctic armour, tempest shield, blood rage, molten shell, phase run, petrified blood, any aura, any blasphemied curse, or any herald gem. |
Stygian Molten Shell EffectStygian Molten Shell EffectSkill Gem EffectYour Molten Shell becomes a Stygian Molten Shell Effect. | Your Molten Shell becomes a Stygian Molten Shell Effect. |
Viper Molten Shell EffectViper Molten Shell EffectSkill Gem EffectYour Molten Shell becomes a Viper Molten Shell Effect. | Your Molten Shell becomes a Viper Molten Shell Effect. |
Version history[ | ]
Version | Changes |
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3.11.0 |
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3.7.0 |
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3.4.0 |
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2.6.0 |
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2.4.0 |
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2.3.2 |
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2.3.0 |
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2.2.0 |
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2.1.0 |
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1.1.0d |
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1.1.0b |
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1.1.0 |
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References[ | ]
- ↑ Mark_GGG (May 31, 2016). "New unique sword "Hiltless" Coming in prophecy.". Official Path of Exile Reddit. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
- ↑ Mark_GGG (March 25, 2014). "Vaal Molten Sheel Overwritten By Molten Shell". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved January 6, 2016.