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Quick Facts
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- Quality · Jewellery · Crafting
QUICK ANSWER
Quick answer
Quality from catalysts is separate from crafting-quality and scales the item's native implicit, not a random roll.
Using a different catalyst type swaps which implicit is boosted; using the same type adds more quality toward the 20% cap.
A jewellery piece whose implicit (e.g. +resistances, +attributes) you want scaled higher.
Confirm which implicit the catalyst boosts by hovering the item - the quality line names the category.
Wasting catalysts on an item whose implicit you will replace (e.g. via an Essence or a new base).
QUICK FACTS
Quick facts
- Targets
- Rings, amulets, belts
- Quality boosts the item's implicit modifier.
- Types
- 8 catalyst types
- Each scales a different implicit category.
- Cap
- 20% quality
- Each application adds 5%; same type stacks, different type swaps.
- Source
- Drops, vendors, exchange
- Common currency drop across the campaign and endgame.
ITEM FAMILY
The eight catalysts
Each catalyst adds quality that scales one implicit category on the jewellery it is used on. Hover the target item to see exactly which implicit the quality affects before you commit.
Resistances
Abrasive Catalyst
Elemental resistancesBoosts the implicit that grants elemental resistances (fire/cold/lightning). Best on rings and amulets that already grant resistances.
Attributes
Turbulent Catalyst
Strength / Dexterity / IntelligenceBoosts attribute implicits. Strong on amulets that grant +attributes or mixed stat lines.
Vitality
Intrinsic Catalyst
Life / Energy ShieldBoosts life and energy-shield implicits. A default choice for defensive jewellery.
Defences
Fundamental Catalyst
Armour / Evasion / ESBoosts armour, evasion and energy-shield implicits.
Gems
Imbued Catalyst
Socketed gem levelBoosts the level of socketed skill and support gems. Valuable on amulets that hold a key skill gem.
Charges
Violet Catalyst
Endurance / Frenzy / PowerBoosts charge-related implicits (e.g. charge generation or maximum charges).
Flasks
Dense Catalyst
Flask effect / chargesBoosts flask-effect and flask-charge implicits on belts and jewellery.
All-round
Prismatic Catalyst
All attributesBoosts a broad all-attributes implicit. Use when you want generic stat scaling.
VALID TARGET MATRIX
What you can catalyse
Catalysts only work on jewellery. They scale the item's existing implicit - they do not add a new modifier.
| Target | Ring | Amulet | Belt | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adds catalyst quality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Scales the implicit |
| Boosts implicit | Yes | Yes | Yes | By catalyst type |
| Works on weapons / armour | No | No | No | Not jewellery |
ACQUISITION
How to get Catalysts
Catalysts are a common currency drop and are widely available.
Monster drops
Drop from normal and magic monsters throughout the campaign and endgame.
Vendor recipes
Some NPC vendors sell catalysts or accept lower-tier currency in trade.
Currency Exchange
Trade excess currency for the specific catalyst type you need.
Reforging Bench combine
Combine three of one type to produce a higher-tier result (see crafting).
USE FLOW
How to apply a Catalyst
Hover the item
Mouse over your ring/amulet/belt; the implicit line shows which category quality currently boosts.
Pick the catalyst
Choose the catalyst type matching the implicit you want scaled.
Right-click apply
Right-click the catalyst then click the jewellery. Quality rises by 5%.
Repeat to cap
Keep applying the same type up to 20% total quality.
PRE-USE CHECKLIST
Pre-use checklist
| Done | Check | Why it matters | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implicit is final Make sure the item's implicit will not be changed by an Essence, annul, or new base. | Catalyst quality only scales the current implicit. | Finish other crafts before catalysing. | |
| Right catalyst type Hover to confirm which implicit the quality boosts. | Wrong type wastes the catalyst on an unwanted implicit. | Match the catalyst to your target implicit. | |
| Quality not already maxed Check the current quality percentage. | Applying past 20% is wasted. | Stop at the 20% cap. |
OUTCOME ANALYSIS
Outcomes by jewellery need
| Scenario | Benefit | Risk | Audience | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resistance ring | Abrasive Catalyst scales resist implicits | Low | Any build | Low Default for resistance jewellery |
| Attribute amulet | Turbulent / Prismatic scale attribute implicits | Low | Stacking builds | Low Use on stat-heavy amulets |
| Defensive belt | Fundamental / Intrinsic scale defences or life | Low | Tanky builds | Low Good on life/armour belts |
| Skill-gem amulet | Imbued scales socketed gem level | Low | Socketed-keystone setups | Medium High value when a key gem is socketed |
CRAFTING
Combining and rerolling
At the Reforging Bench you can combine three catalysts of the same type into a single higher-tier catalyst. The higher tier grants the same implicit boost but is more efficient per apply (reaching the 20% cap in fewer uses).
If you have applied the wrong catalyst type, the quality currently boosts an unwanted implicit. Because catalyst quality is tied to the last catalyst type used, applying a different type swaps the boosted category - but it does not refund the quality already invested. Plan the catalyst type before you start, or accept the swap and rebuild quality from there.
Catalyst quality and crafting-quality are independent. A jewellery item can carry both: crafting-quality from a quality currency and catalyst-quality from catalysts, each scaling different things (crafted mods vs the implicit).
- Combine 3 same-type catalysts -> 1 higher-tier catalyst at the Reforging Bench.
- Same-type apply = +5% quality toward the 20% cap.
- Different-type apply = swaps the boosted implicit category.
- Catalyst quality and crafting quality stack independently.
BUILD USAGE
Which builds catalyse what
Catalysts are a finishing touch. Apply them after the base implicit and other crafts are settled, so the scaled implicit is the one you keep.
Bow / attribute stackers
Turbulent or Prismatic Catalyst on the amulet to push attribute implicits.
Tanky life builds
Intrinsic Catalyst on rings/belts for more life implicit.
Gem-socket amulets
Imbued Catalyst when a key skill or support gem is socketed in the amulet.
Flask-reliant builds
Dense Catalyst on belts for flask effect and charges.
COMMUNITY EVIDENCE
Community evidence
I used an Abrasive Catalyst on a ring that had no resistance implicit - did I waste it?
A player catalysed an item whose implicit did not match the catalyst category.
Catalyst quality scales the implicit that matches the catalyst category. If the item has no such implicit, the quality has nothing to boost and is effectively wasted.
Only catalyse items whose implicit matches the catalyst type.
Can I go past 20% catalyst quality?
Players asked whether quality keeps climbing.
Catalyst quality caps at 20%. Further applications of the same type are wasted; a different type would swap the boosted implicit instead of adding more.
Stop at 20% catalyst quality.
PROBLEMS & DIRECT ANSWERS
Problems and direct answers
Quality did nothing visible
Direct answer: The catalyst type did not match any implicit on the item, so there was no matching modifier to scale.
- Hover the item and read which implicit the quality line names before applying.
Wrong implicit got boosted
Direct answer: You used a different catalyst type than intended; the boosted category swapped.
- Re-apply the correct type; note the prior quality is not refunded.
Quality stuck at 20%
Direct answer: You hit the catalyst-quality cap. Further same-type applies do nothing.
- Stop catalysing; the implicit is at its scaled maximum.
PATCH HISTORY
Patch history
Catalysts introduced as the jewellery quality currency, scaling a specific implicit by catalyst type up to 20%.
Catalysts remain the jewellery-quality currency; the eight-type system and 20% cap are current.
SOURCES & VERIFICATION
Sources and verification
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