Vaal orb is only good?

So, before I risk it all...am I reading this right?

vaal orbs can now only add an effect, or do nothing. It can no longer change it entirely/brick my item?

It's the final step of crafting on an item that is already powerful, you probably don't have anything worth using it on. Better to save and trade it to other players for actual useful upgrades (if it is even worth anything).

IIR its less punishing than it is in PoE as it can only reroll up to half the modifiers instead of fully bricking it.

edit: thanks for adding the answer