Orbs of Scouring

OK, I'm a few weeks into playing now and these confuse me.

Maybe I'm just dense, but I really don't understand the point of this item. Why on earth would I want to take a rare item and convert it to a base item? I'm assuming the thought is that I'd convert it to a base item and then use another orb to make it magic or rare again. If the rare item is terrible why wouldn't I just sell it for the handful of shards versus throwing more orbs at it?

Probably you already made that item +20% quality and with a nice amount of linked socket...do you really want to sell a 5- or 6-linked after the Alchemy Orb "failed"? I dont ;)

Alchemy + Scouring is a cheaper way to reroll rare item than chaos orb. However both are still largely unreliable. Or you can use it the craft the item back from scratch (alteration->reagal->exalted). Furthermore scouring can be used to de-lvl gem. The last uses of scouring is to convert to regret. Ratio of 2:1 in vendor is not bad at all

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SwineFu wrote:

If the rare item is terrible why wouldn't I just sell it for the handful of shards versus throwing more orbs at it?

Because it has linked slots.

Because you want to spam alterations until you get two good mods.

Also because it's cheaper to use Armour scraps and blacksmith whetstones on it.

I was confused about the orbs of scouring as well and found this thread through a forum search. I would like some clarification though... If I use an orb of scouring on a rare or magic item will its quality and socket colors and links be left in tact? Thanks in advance for the answer.

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urgatorbait wrote:

I was confused about the orbs of scouring as well and found this thread through a forum search. I would like some clarification though... If I use an orb of scouring on a rare or magic item will its quality and socket colors and links be left in tact? Thanks in advance for the answer.

Yes. The socket layout and quality stay the same as before.

Another use for Orbs of Scouring is when you have a magic item with crappy mods but great sockets. You can scour it, then use an Orb of Alchemy.

Thank you very much for your reply. I've been saving up all of the currency I find until I reach closer to max level for beta. At that time I plan to try and "craft" the best items I can.

I use it to buy Orb of Regret.

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DeyvsonMC wrote:

I use it to buy Orb of Regret.

And you had to necro a 10 months old thread just to say that?

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Amonchakad wrote:

And you had to necro a 10 months old thread just to say that?

I'm sure there are plenty of people new from the open beta that are also confused about what the scouring orb does/how it can/could be useful.

So I say there's no harm done in bringing this thread back :P