Can You Get Ascended Weapons From Fractals in Guild Wars 2? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely can get ascended weapons from fractals in Guild Wars 2. This endgame content is a significant source for obtaining powerful ascended gear, including weapons, offering a crucial path for character progression, particularly for those aiming for high-tier fractal runs or other challenging content. While the acquisition isn’t guaranteed with every fractal run, the chance of receiving ascended weapon chests, combined with other methods available within the fractal ecosystem, makes it a worthwhile pursuit for dedicated players.
Understanding Ascended Weapons
Ascended weapons are the second-highest tier of equipment in Guild Wars 2, surpassed only by legendary weapons. They offer 5% more stats than exotic weapons and, crucially, feature an infusion slot. This slot allows you to equip Agony Infusions, which are necessary to survive higher-level Fractals, making ascended weapons vital for endgame fractal content. Beyond stats, ascended weapons also have slightly higher base damage and are a long-term goal for any dedicated player.
How to Obtain Ascended Weapons from Fractals
Ascended weapons drop from a few sources in Fractals:
Daily Fractal Chests
The most common way to get ascended weapons is from daily fractal chests. These chests are awarded for completing daily fractal achievements. Each tier (T1, T2, T3, T4) offers its own chest, with the higher tiers having a greater chance of dropping an Ascended weapon or armor chest. T4 Fractals are the most effective for acquiring ascended gear from daily chests.
Fractal Chest Rewards
Apart from the daily chests, there is a smaller chance of Ascended weapon and armor chests dropping from chests awarded for completing the actual individual fractals. This means that even if you’ve done your daily fractals, there’s a possibility of further ascended loot during your normal runs.
Ascended Weapon Chests
You will not receive ascended weapons directly; instead, you’ll typically find Ascended Weapon Chests. These chests allow you to select the exact weapon type you need (e.g., sword, greatsword, rifle), as well as the stats you desire. This stat-selectable nature is one of the many reasons that makes ascended gear so desirable.
Drop Rates and Probability
It’s important to note that the drop rate for ascended weapons from fractals is not guaranteed and relies on chance. The approximate drop rate is around 9% for some sort of ascended weapon or armor from a single T4 fractal daily chest. This rate drops to around half that amount in T3 fractals. T2 and T1 offer significantly lower chances. While it may seem low, with consistent daily runs, you’ll see a steady supply of ascended gear.
Other Methods of Getting Ascended Weapons
While fractals are a good source for ascended gear, here are a few other ways of acquiring Ascended weapons:
Raid Bosses
Certain Raid bosses have a chance to drop unique ascended weapon boxes. These boxes are specific to the boss defeated. Each boss can drop a single unique weapon per week.
Strike Missions
Similar to raids, Strike Missions and their Challenge Mode versions have a chance to drop specific ascended weapons.
World Bosses
A few unique ascended boxes have a rare chance to drop from boss chests in certain world boss encounters such as Tequatl’s Hoard from defeating Tequatl the Sunless and Pile of Regurgitated Armor from defeating any of the three Great Jungle Wurm heads in Triple Trouble.
Are Ascended Weapons Worth It?
Absolutely. While exotic gear is sufficient for most content, ascended weapons are crucial for high-level fractals due to the infusion slots for Agony Resistance (AR). Moreover, the 5% stat increase and slightly higher base damage provide a noticeable edge in combat. If you plan on engaging in difficult content like Fractals, Raids, and World versus World (WvW), ascended weapons are a valuable long-term goal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ascended Weapons and Fractals
1. What is the main difference between ascended and exotic weapons?
Ascended weapons have 5% more stats, a slightly higher base damage, and, crucially, an infusion slot compared to exotic weapons. This infusion slot allows you to add Agony Resistance (AR), necessary for higher-level fractal content.
2. Do ascended weapons come as a direct drop from fractals?
No, Ascended weapons typically come in the form of Ascended Weapon Chests. These chests allow you to select the specific weapon type and stats you need.
3. Can I get ascended weapons from any tier of fractals?
While technically possible from any tier, the drop rate is significantly higher in higher tiers. T4 fractals offer the best chance, while T1 and T2 have very low drop rates.
4. How many fractal relics do I get per day?
You earn approximately 594 Fractal Relics, 21 Pristine Fractal Relics, 3 Integrated Fractal Matrices, and 6 Fractal Research Pages per day doing all your daily fractals.
5. How many Pristine Fractal Relics can I get daily?
The main source of Pristine Fractal Relics is the reward chests from completing the Daily Fractals achievements. Completing all the daily fractals and the recommended fractal will reward you with 15 pristine fractal relics. An additional 8 can be gained from challenge mode fractals.
6. How much more damage do ascended weapons do compared to exotics?
The DPS increase from ascended weapons is around 10%, considering the extra stats and the slightly increased weapon damage. The Agony Resistance granted by infusions is also important for survival in high-tier fractals.
7. Can I salvage ascended weapons?
Yes, you can salvage ascended weapons using Ascended Salvage Tools or Ascended Salvage Kits. You will get salvage materials such as runes, sigils and infusions.
8. What is Agony Resistance (AR)?
Agony Resistance is a stat needed to reduce damage in higher-level fractals. You obtain it by adding Agony Infusions to the infusion slots in ascended gear.
9. How much Agony Resistance is required for fractal scale 100?
The maximum amount of agony resistance required for Fractals of the Mists at scale 100 is 150.
10. Are ascended weapons stat selectable?
Yes, ascended weapons from chests allow you to select the exact weapon type and stats you want.
11. Can ascended weapons be upgraded further?
Yes, ascended weapons can be upgraded with infusions in the infusion slot. Infused ascended weapons can also be further attuned.
12. Besides fractals, what other activities drop ascended weapons?
Other activities include raid bosses, strike missions, world bosses and rift hunting events.
13. Is ascended gear necessary for all content in Guild Wars 2?
Ascended gear is necessary for high-level fractals. Exotic gear will suffice for most other content.
14. How important are infusions for ascended weapons?
Infusions, and the Agony Resistance they provide, are absolutely necessary to progress in higher-level fractals.
15. How often should I do fractals to get ascended weapons?
You should aim to do at least your daily fractals every day. The consistency will increase your chances of getting the desired ascended weapons.