PoE Vaal Pact Keystone 3.25 – Path of Exile

PoE Vaal Pact Keystone

  • The Vaal Pact Keystone Passive Skill no longer provides any of its current stats. It now provides "Life Leech from Melee Damage is Instant", and "Cannot Recover Life other than from Leech".

The rework to Vaal Pact significantly changes Mahuxotl’s Machination. Was this a targeted nerf or oversight?

Neither. The shield is designed to be a collection of all the Vaal-themed keystone passives on one item. If one of the keystones changes then the shield’s function will naturally change in turn, and we don’t have any concerns with that as long as the item can still function.

How will the new Vaal Pact work with Slayer leech?

There are two different things that could be referred to as "Slayer leech".

  • "Life Leech effects are not removed when Unreserved Life is Filled" from Brutal Fervour does not interact with Vaal Pact at all. Vaal Pact causes all leech instances to be applied immediately regardless of how much life you have, so that will still happen if you have Brutal Fervour.
  • The Overkill Damage leech from Endless Hunger is assigned to the damage that killed the monster, so with Vaal Pact allocated it will be instant from melee kills and normal leech from other kills. It is worth noting that the overkill leech is a separate instance of leech from the hit’s leech, which can be quite advantageous even with Vaal Pact. However, none of the "while Leeching" stats on Endless Hunger function with instant leech.

AI Guides

In the latest Path of Exile update, the Vaal Pact Keystone Passive Skill has undergone a significant rework. This change fundamentally alters how life leech functions for characters utilizing this keystone. Here’s an in-depth look at what the new Vaal Pact offers, its implications for various builds, and answers to common questions regarding its interactions with other game mechanics.

New Functionality of Vaal Pact

The reworked Vaal Pact Keystone now provides the following benefits:

  1. Life Leech from Melee Damage is Instant: This means that any life leeched through melee damage is applied immediately, providing instant recovery.
  2. Cannot Recover Life Other than from Leech: All other forms of life recovery, such as life regeneration or life gain on hit, are disabled.

These changes make Vaal Pact a powerful tool for melee builds that rely heavily on life leech for survivability.

Implications for Builds

The rework of Vaal Pact has significant implications for various builds, particularly those that previously relied on its instant life leech capabilities.

  1. Melee Builds:

    • Enhanced Survivability: The instant life leech from melee damage makes it an excellent choice for melee characters who are frequently in close combat and need rapid life recovery.
    • Leech Focus: Builds that can generate high amounts of melee damage will benefit the most from this keystone, as it ensures continuous and immediate life recovery.

  2. Limitations:

    • No Other Life Recovery: The inability to recover life through other means requires players to carefully manage their leech and ensure they are constantly engaging enemies to sustain their health.
    • Not Ideal for Non-Melee Builds: Since the keystone specifically enhances melee life leech, non-melee builds will not benefit from it and might need to look for alternative life recovery mechanisms.

Impact on Mahuxotl’s Machination

The rework significantly impacts Mahuxotl’s Machination, a unique shield that combines all the Vaal-themed keystone passives. Some players might wonder if this change was a targeted nerf or an oversight. The answer is neither.

  • Natural Evolution: The shield is designed to incorporate all Vaal-themed keystones, so any changes to these keystones will naturally alter the shield’s function. As long as the item remains functional, these changes are part of its intended design evolution.

Interactions with Slayer Leech

Vaal Pact’s rework also affects how it interacts with the Slayer’s leech mechanics. Here’s a breakdown of the interaction:

  1. Brutal Fervour:

    • The "Life Leech effects are not removed when Unreserved Life is Filled" stat from Brutal Fervour does not interact with Vaal Pact. Vaal Pact causes all leech instances to apply immediately, regardless of life reserves, so this aspect remains unchanged with Brutal Fervour.

  2. Endless Hunger:

    • Overkill Damage Leech: The overkill damage leech from Endless Hunger is tied to the damage that kills the monster. With Vaal Pact, this leech is instant for melee kills but remains normal for other kills.
    • Separate Leech Instances: The overkill leech is a separate instance from the hit’s leech, which can be advantageous even with Vaal Pact. However, "while Leeching" stats from Endless Hunger do not function with instant leech.

Conclusion

The rework of the Vaal Pact Keystone in Path of Exile provides a fresh perspective on life leech mechanics, particularly benefiting melee builds that rely on rapid life recovery. By understanding the new functionality and how it interacts with other game mechanics, players can effectively incorporate Vaal Pact into their builds for optimal survivability. As always, careful build planning and adaptation to these changes will ensure you can make the most out of this powerful keystone in your Path of Exile adventures.

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