What is the purple orb for?

[Kelson]

It's increasing a count, but I don't know what it is. Thank you!

[zemzero]

There are two. One looks like a purple crystal ball sitting on a gold ring (Essence) and the other looks like a glowing purple plasma ball (Caps). They are both used to buy levels for your soda and relics. There is a tab you need to click on in order to use the caps instead of gold to level up. Caps can also be used to buy the wizard, gladiator, etc.

I think every 1.5 billion gold will give you 1 cap. Essence comes from mobs that have purple pixels all around them...actually, the game explains all this to you

[Kelson]

Thank you :) I have the crystal ball but the game hasn't mentioned it yet. I appreciate your explanation.

[zemzero]

Ah, it's been awhile since I started a new game. Maybe it will explain it soon. I think the enemies with the purple pixels around them can also have their essence stolen with the use of a thief. There is also an upgrade, the gnomes, that help you get more essence in general.

You will get caps a lot later in the game.

[dakuisha]

@zemzero

Any monster with a purple outline around them will drop essence on death (and an extra essence if you use a thief's steal skill).

Several items (and a relic) allow you to increase the chance of a "purple" monster spawning. At 100% you will be guarenteed a purple monster on every floor. Increasing it above that is possible but you can't have more than one purple monsters on any floor its pointless to increase above 100%.

[chimaera.]

I believe the item you are reffering to is Essence. Essence is used to upgrade relics. If you are on D2 currently, you should have two. The Soda Junkie Relic and one that looks like a bottle of soda. These each grant their respected attribute bonuses. You'll learn about them soon likely.

[Other]

Actually Essence find over 100% has a use - every 25% over that adds one to the essence the purple mob drops. For example, at 200% Essence Find, the purple mob will drop 5 essence on death (and you can steal 5 as well), in both cases +1 if it is a boss.

[Handoiron]

Originally posted by Other:

Actually Essence find over 100% has a use - every 25% over that adds one to the essence the purple mob drops. For example, at 200% Essence Find, the purple mob will drop 5 essence on death (and you can steal 5 as well), in both cases +1 if it is a boss.

No, it in fact does not add essence drops over 100%.

This myth has been proven incorrect and driven into the ground many times.

Check out this steam forum thread for information on the various effects of essence find.