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Corrupted area official

A Vaal side area

A Vaal side area or corrupted area is a randomly-generated side area indicated by a glowing, beating heart and swirling ribbons of blood. Every corrupted area contains a boss, guarding a Vaal Vessel that drops Vaal Skill Gems, Vaal Fragments, and corrupted equipment. One Vaal skill gem is guaranteed to drop. Near the vessel there is a Vaal Letter or Research Journal, which provides Vaal-related lore. The Prophecy inventory iconHidden Vaal PathwaysHidden Vaal PathwaysAncient foes open new paths to the land they left barren.You will enter a hidden Vaal area that contains powerful enemies.Right-click to add this prophecy to your character.Prophecy inventory icon prophecy will guarantee a corrupted area be spawned.

Corrupted areas have modifiers, similar to end-game maps, which substantially increase their difficulty. Since corrupted items cannot be modified, the modifiers cannot be rerolled. Corrupted areas found in act zones spawn have 1 to 2 affixes (magic), while corrupted areas found in maps spawn with 4 to 6 affixes (rare).

Due to the small size of corrupted areas, league mechanics are generally disabled from spawning in corrupted areas during challenge leagues. Masters, more corrupted areas and Trials of Ascendancy also cannot spawn in corrupted areas. Notable exceptions which CAN spawn in them include Silver Coins, Strongboxes, Shrines, Rogue exiles and Tormented Spirits. Many of the corrupted area bosses were also formerly Invasion bosses.

A Vaal fragment can be used in the Map Device to generate a random Vaal side area.

List of Corrupted Areas[ | ]

Corrupted areas in act zones spawn based on the zone it spawned in. Corrupted areas found in maps are chosen randomly.

Name Locations found in Entrance Type Boss Name Boss Abilities No Stone Unturned Text
Abandoned Dam The Dried Lake Wall Quetzerxi
(Dust Scrabbler)
Lightning cloud, 5-7 projectile stream of lightning in a nova "Atziri is my love and my life. I give..."
Ancient Catacomb The Dried Lake Floor Commander of Flesh
(Pale Blackguard)
Spawns zombies, Blood Rage, Wild Strike "Queen Atziri forfeited her sovereignty the day..."
Arcane Chambers The Lunaris Temple Level 1 (Act 3), The Lunaris Temple Level 2 (Act 3) Wall Beheader Ataguchu
(based off Q'ura from Apex of Sacrifice)
Corrupting Blood, Cyclone, Cleave "What did I say? What did I do? I flattered..."
Blind Alley The Quay, The Grain Gate Wall M'gaska, the Living Pyre
(Totem)
Casts Flameblast, Spawns Summon Raging Spirit Totems "Atziri is my love and my life. I give..."
Clouded Ledge The Ridge Wall Simi, the Nature Touched
(Chieftain)
Allies do Additional Lightning/Fire/Cold Damage, Soul Eater, Summons spectre Apes "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Clouded Ridge Map Device Konu, Maker of Wind
(Goatman)
Quick, Fast Attacks, Leap Slam with Fire Explosion, Life Leech “A ring. Plated, not even solid silver. That’s...”
Concealed Caldarium The Bath House Wall Cava, Artist of Pain
(Whipping Miscreation)
Lightning Storm, 360° Lightning Strike, Vulnerability on Hit "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Concealed Cavity The Coast (Act 6), The Tidal Island (Act 6) Floor, Wall The All-seeing Eye
(Watcher)
Charge up laser, Casts Arc, Casts Spark, Casts Conductivity “Atziri promises us eternal life. The only...”
Covered-up Hollow The Den (Act 2), The Fellshrine Ruins (Act 2), The Den (Act 7), The Fellshrine Ruins (Act 7), The Sarn Ramparts Floor Cintiq, the Inescapable
(Spider)
Faster Attacks, Flicker Strike, Ethereal Knives “There was no escape for me. Should our Queen...”
Cremated Archives The Torched Courts (Act 5), The Torched Courts (Act 10) Wall Exartze, the Woven Stone
(Twisted Effigy)
Beacon, Glacial Cascade “I am Templar Thaumaturgist Davaro, ...”
Deathly Chambers The Ossuary (Act 5), The Ossuary (Act 10) Wall Harbinger of Disorder
(Prayer Guard)
Vaal Spark, burning ground, fire mortar “I have been plagued by a sickness as of late. ...”
Desolate Isle The Boiling Lake Coast (little dock) Wiraqucha, Ancient Guardian
(Snake)
Smoke Mine and summons many Spectres of himself “I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh...”
Desolate Track The Ascent, The Descent Wall Quetzerxi
(Dust Scrabbler)
Lightning cloud, 5-7 projectile stream of lightning in a nova “For seven years I advised. For seven...”
Disused Furnace The Crematorium Wall Curator Miem
(Undying Incinerator)
Firestorm that follows you “I should have drawn the last breath from him. Yet...”
Dusty Bluff Map Device,The Oasis Quetzerxi
(Dust Scrabbler)
Lightning cloud, 5-7 projectile stream of lightning in a nova "For seven years I advised. For seven..."
Entombed Alcove The Crypt Level 1, The Crypt Level 2 Sarcophagus marked by blood Shrapnelbearer
(Vaal Construct)
Far Shot, Chaos Ice Nova (Applies Chaos Degen) "Atziri is my love and my life. I give..."
Entombed Chamber The Catacombs Sarcophagus marked by blood Ossecati, Boneshaper
(Colossal Bonestalker)
Infernal Blow, Summon Vaal Skeletons “Queen Atziri forfeited her sovereignty the day...”
Evacuated Quarter The Grand Promenade, Bone Crypt Map Wall Curator Miem
(Undying Incinerator)
Firestorm that follows you "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Flooded Complex The Causeway Wall M'gaska, the Living Pyre
(Totem)
Casts Flameblast, Spawns Summon Raging Spirit Totems "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Forbidden Archives The Templar Courts Wall Exartze, the Woven Stone
(Twisted Effigy)
Beacon, Glacial Cascade “I am Templar Thaumaturgist Davaro, ...”
Forbidden Chamber The Vaal Ruins, The Caverns, The Ancient Pyramid, The Vaal City Wall Haviri, Vaal Metalsmith
(Vaal Fallen)
3 Totems (either Ethereal Knives, Flame Totem, Firestorm, Freezing Pulse, Shock Nova, Storm Call) “For seven years I advised. For seven...”
Forbidden Shrine The Temple of Decay Level 1, The Temple of Decay Level 2 Wall Shrapnelbearer
(Vaal Construct)
Far Shot, Chaos Ice Nova (Applies Chaos Degen) "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Forgotten Conduit The Aqueduct, The Blood Aqueduct, Laboratory Map Sewer Opening Torrent of Fear
(Maelström)
Summons Elementals, Multiple Projectiles "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Forgotten Gulch The Foothills Spans ledge Curator Miem
(Undying Incinerator)
Firestorm that follows you "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Forgotten Oubliette The Lower Prison (Act 6), Shavronne's Tower Floor Coniraya, Shadow of Malice
(Spectral Bowman)
Rain of Arrows that shocks ground on landing “Atziri promises us eternal life. The only...”
Haunted Mineshaft The Mines Level 1, The Mines Level 2, The Crystal Veins, The Tunnel Floor Calxipher
(Voll's Fallen)
Flame Totem, Magma Orb with Chain, Flame Dash “I should have drawn the last breath from him. Yet...”
Hidden Patch The Old Fields, The Crossroads (Act 2), The Broken Bridge (Act 2), The Broken Bridge (Act 7), The Crossroads (Act 7), The Ashen Fields, The Imperial Fields Wall Thornrunner
(Spine Serpent)
Proximity Shield, Lesser Multiple Projectiles, Puncture, Spike Firestorm “I should have drawn the last breath from him. Yet...”
Inner Grounds The Imperial Gardens Wall Inti of the Blood Moon
(Avian Retch)
Soul Eater, Quick, Spawns miniature Avian Retches “A ring. Plated, not even solid silver. That’s...”
Moonlit Chambers The Lunaris Temple Level 1 (Act 8), The Lunaris Temple Level 2 (Act 8) Wall Beheader Ataguchu
(based off Q'ura from Apex of Sacrifice)
Corrupting Blood, Cyclone, Cleave "What did I say? What did I do? I flattered..."
Mystical Clearing The Riverways Wall Simi, the Nature Touched
(Chieftain)
Allies do Additional Lightning/Fire/Cold Damage, Soul Eater, Summons spectre Apes “I was to wither away in darkness. My queen...”
Narrow Ravine The Western Forest (Act 2), The Wetlands (Act 2), The Western Forest (Act 6), The Wetlands (Act 6) Wall Kamaq, Soilmaker
(Devourer)
Lightning Balls, Faster Attacks, Far Shot, Resists Elemental Damage, Resists Chaos “I am but a crude reflection of our Queen...”
Neglected Cellar The Marketplace, The Battlefront, The Ebony Barracks, The Hedge Maze, The Grain Gate, The Imperial Fields, The Lunaris Concourse, The Solaris Concourse Floor Rima, Deep Temptress
(Siren's Daughter)
Throws multiple Freezing Pulse and Ice Nova traps, Ice Storm, Slows Enemies "Our queen has demanded we look into the gems..."
Quarantined Quarters The Slums Wall The Sunburst Queen
(Carrion Queen)
Extra Projectiles, 360° Fireball, Single Massive Fireball shot, Added Fire Damage “I was to wither away in darkness. My queen...”
Radiant Pools The Mud Flats (Act 6), The Karui Fortress Perquil the Lucky
(Cannibal)
Lightning Spectral Throw, Longer duration Storm Call markers. "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Reclaimed Barracks The Control Blocks Wall Huitepa the Blind
(Undying)
Sunder, Lightning ball 360º Totem "The artefacts which High Templar Dominus returned..."
Remote Gulch Prisoner's Gate (Act 1), The Ship Graveyard, The Coast (Act 6), Prisoner's Gate (Act 6), The Beacon Wall Sheaq, Maker of Floods
(Goatman Shaman)
Casts Fireball with Greater Multiple Projectiles and Fork), Casts Spark "What did I say? What did I do? I flattered..."
Restricted Collection The Reliquary (Act 5), The Reliquary (Act 10) Floor Iorphia, Dream Eater
(Wraith)
Essence Drain, Essence Drain Nova “My beautiful Queen is all I see. She dwells...”
Restricted Gallery The Library, The Archives, The High Gardens Floor (Sceptre of God Stairs) Ch'aska, Maker of Rain
(based off A'alai from Apex of Sacrifice)
Rain of Arrows, Pierce "What did I say? What did I do? I flattered..."
Sacred Chambers The Solaris Temple Level 1 (Act 3), The Solaris Temple Level 2 (Act 3), The Solaris Temple Level 1 (Act 8), The Solaris Temple Level 2 (Act 8) Wall (stairs) Shadow of Vengeance
(Unique Animated Guardian)
Animate Weapon type minions, Spectral Throw “I am but a crude reflection of our Queen...”
Sealed Basement Oriath Square, The Ruined Square, The Ravaged Square, The Canals, The Feeding Trough Wall Guraq, Daylight's Blade
(Heretical Guardian)
Lesser Multiple Projectiles Spectral Throw, Flame Totem "I am Templar Thaumaturgist Davaro, ..."
Sealed Corridors The Sceptre of God, The Upper Sceptre of God Wall Wiraq, the Impaler
(based off Y'ara'az from Apex of Sacrifice)
Dual Strike, Extra fire damage, Berserker “For seven years I advised. For seven...”
Sealed Repository The Crypt (Act 7) Wall Inti of the Blood Moon
(Avian Retch)
Soul Eater, Quick, Spawns miniature Avian Retches "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Secluded Canal Oriath Square, The Ruined Square, The Ravaged Square, The Canals, The Feeding Trough Wall Xuatl, Cutting Wind
(Blackguard)
Ice Spear, Split Arrow, Barrage “The artefacts which High Templar Dominus returned...”
Secluded Copse The Northern Forest (Act 2), The Weaver's Chambers, The Dread Thicket (Act 2), The Riverways (Act 6), The Beacon, The Northern Forest (Act 7), The Dread Thicket (Act 7) Wall Kutec, Vaal Fleshsmith
(Vaal Fallen)
Casts Desecrate, Flesh Offering, Raise Zombie, Detonate Dead and Punishment "Our queen has demanded we look into the gems..."
Secret Laboratory The Chamber of Sins Level 1 (Act 2), The Chamber of Sins Level 2 (Act 2), The Chamber of Sins Level 1 (Act 7), The Chamber of Sins Level 2 (Act 7), Wall Atziri's Pride
(Miscreation)
Casts Arctic Armour, Unrighteous Fire, Lightning Warp “There was no escape for me. Should our Queen...”
Shifting Sands The Vastiri Desert, The Oasis Wall Wiraq, the Impaler
(based off Y'ara'az from Apex of Sacrifice)
Dual Strike, Extra fire damage, Berserker "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Side Chapel The Cathedral Rooftop (Act 5), The Cathedral Rooftop (Act 10) Wall Daluatti, Stoneraiser
(Vendigo)
Cleave, Flicker Strike, Spawns stationary Blade Vortex,spawns patches of spiking ground that inflicts Corrupted Blood “My beautiful Queen is all I see. She dwells...”
Stagnant Canal The Docks, The Harbour Bridge Coast (little dock) Wiraqucha, Ancient Guardian
(Snake)
Smoke Mine and summons many Spectres of himself “There was no escape for me. Should our Queen...”
Strange Sinkhole The Cavern of Wrath, The Cavern of Anger (Act 1), The Coast (Act 6), The Tidal Island (Act 6), The Karui Fortress, The Cavern of Anger (Act 6) Floor Mother of the Hive
(Spitter)
Has "Allies Cannot Die", spawns lots of Spitters “Atziri promises us eternal life. The only...”
Sunken Shingle The Ship Graveyard, The Mud Flats (Act 6), The Beacon, The Brine King's Reef Coast (little dock) Perquil the Lucky
(Cannibal)
Lightning Spectral Throw, Longer duration Storm Call markers. "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Twisted Inquisitorium The Chamber of Innocence, The Desecrated Chambers Wall Anacuacotli, Death's Worship
(Blessed Sister)
Summon Raging Spirit, dark Fireball nova “I have been plagued by a sickness as of late. ...”
Walled-off Ducts The Sewers, The Toxic Conduits, Doedre's Cesspool Wall Cava, Artist of Pain
(Whipping Miscreation)
Lightning Storm, 360° Lightning Strike, Vulnerability on Hit “I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh...”
Isolated Sound “For seven years I advised. For seven...”
Frozen Springs
Suffocating Fissure M'gaska, the Living Pyre “I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh...”

Links between areas[ | ]

List of vaal side area modifiers[ | ]

Version history[ | ]

Version Changes
3.11.0
  • Fixed a bug where one of the new Vaal Side Areas didn't actually look like a Vaal Side Area when you went inside.
3.10.0
  • Vaal Side Areas found in maps and those created by placing individual Vaal fragments in the map device now count as map areas for the purposes of map drops and other mechanics which interact with map areas.
  • They now generate as 'rare' areas, meaning they will always have 4 to 6 modifiers on their area.
  • Vaal Side Areas opened via placing an individual fragment in the map device are now 1 level higher across the board.
  • The values on the area modifiers are now similar to those found on maps of a similar level.
  • Added many new mods that can appear on Vaal side areas, including several that can influence the items and rewards found in those areas.
  • Elemental and Physical Damage Reflection modifiers can no longer appear for these areas.
  • Increased the number of monsters found in all map-level Vaal side areas.
  • Monsters normally found in Incursion encounters will now also be found in Vaal side areas.
  • Side area bosses now have Life pools similar to other unique monsters found in maps.
3.9.0
  • Maps now have a 10% chance to contain a Vaal Side Area.
1.1.0
  • Introduced to the game.
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