Can You Upgrade an Item to Legendary in New World? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is yes, you can upgrade certain items to Legendary in New World, but it’s not as straightforward as it might seem. The process involves specific requirements, materials, and a clear understanding of the game’s mechanics. This article will break down how to achieve this powerful upgrade and answer common questions you might have along the way.
Understanding the Legendary Upgrade Process
In New World, not all gear can be upgraded to Legendary status. Typically, the items that are eligible for this upgrade are those that are already at a high Gear Score (GS). Specifically, they must be at least GS 590. This system was implemented after a significant expansion that altered how gear progression functions, making upgrading more challenging but also more rewarding.
Umbral Shards and the Path to Legendary
The primary resource for upgrading gear to legendary is Umbral Shards. These shards are a rare and valuable currency earned through challenging endgame content. They are essential for pushing your gear beyond the 590 Gear Score threshold. Without Umbral Shards, it’s impossible to elevate your 590+ gear into its Legendary form.
The Legendary Perk Unlock
The real allure of upgrading an item to Legendary is not just about increasing its Gear Score. The upgrade also unlocks the final perk on the item. This perk is often a significant boost to the item’s power, making it highly sought after. It’s this potent final perk, combined with the increased stats that truly transform a piece of gear into a powerful Legendary item.
The Role of Dark Matter
While Umbral Shards are the primary resource for GS upgrades, another material called Dark Matter plays a role in upgrading certain gear after the expansion. This system, however, doesn’t directly transform gear into Legendary, but rather allows for a different method of improvement that is separate from the Umbral Shard system.
How to Achieve Legendary Status
To upgrade an item to Legendary, you need to first ensure it’s at least Gear Score 590. Then, you must accumulate a significant amount of Umbral Shards by participating in endgame activities. Once you have the necessary amount, you can utilize the game’s upgrade system to push your gear’s Gear Score past 600, resulting in the unlocking of the final perk and the transition to Legendary status.
This process isn’t just about clicking a button; it’s about committing to the game’s more challenging content, thereby making the legendary gear feel well-earned. You’ll need to participate in:
- Mutated Expeditions: These are the primary source of Umbral Shards. The higher the difficulty of the mutation, the more shards you are awarded.
- Crafting: Crafting gear at Gear Score 600 also can yield Umbral Shards, though not as consistently as Expeditions.
- Gypsum Casts: Opening Gypsum Casts can provide shards, especially if your expertise in that slot is already at 600 or higher.
The Cost of Upgrading
Upgrading a piece of gear from 624 to 625 alone costs 2500 Umbral Shards. This gives you a clear idea of the resources required to fully upgrade your gear. It’s crucial to strategize how to best gather Umbral Shards, as the cost can quickly become daunting if you’re trying to upgrade multiple pieces of gear simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about gear upgrading in New World, along with detailed answers.
1. Can any item become Legendary?
No, not all items can become Legendary. Typically, only items that are Gear Score 590 and above and meet the specific upgrade criteria can be upgraded to Legendary.
2. What is the role of Dark Matter in upgrading gear?
Dark Matter is used to upgrade specific gear in the post-expansion system, but it does not directly convert gear into Legendary. It offers a different method of improvement for particular items.
3. How do I obtain Umbral Shards?
Umbral Shards are primarily obtained by:
- Completing Mutated Expeditions.
- Crafting Gear Score 600 items.
- Opening Gypsum Casts (if the expertise for that particular slot is at level 600 or above).
4. How many shards does it take to reach 625 Gear Score?
Upgrading a single piece of gear from 624 to 625 alone costs 2500 shards. The cost escalates at higher gear scores.
5. Can Legendary Weapons be upgraded further?
Yes, some Legendary weapons can be upgraded to Masterwork status. This is done by inspecting the weapon, hovering over the Tier slot, and selecting the next upgrade tier.
6. What happens if I disassemble an item after upgrading?
If you disassemble an upgraded item, you will lose the upgrades. Be cautious when dismantling items you have invested resources into. You won’t recover the resources spent on upgrades.
7. What is the best gear setup in New World?
The optimal armor setup depends on your playstyle. Some commonly accepted setups include:
- Light: Medium Chest, rest Light.
- Medium: Heavy Chest, Light Legs, 1x Heavy and 2x Medium among the remaining slots.
- Round Shield: Heavy Chest, Medium Legs, 1x Medium/2x Light among remaining slots.
- Kite Shield: Heavy Chest, rest Light.
8. What gear is best for leveling in New World?
The Hatchet and Bow combination has proven to be a fast leveling strategy, thanks to their movement speed buffs and general sustainability.
9. What is the level cap in New World?
The maximum character level in New World is 60.
10. Can I upgrade an iconic weapon to Legendary?
While not the same as the Legendary upgrade in New World, other games such as Cyberpunk 2077 have iconic weapons that can be upgraded to keep them relevant. These upgraded weapons are powerful and can become the cornerstones of your arsenal.
11. Are exotic weapons better than legendary?
Exotic weapons often have unique perks and stats that make them powerful, but the specific benefit depends on the game. In some games, Legendary items have similar max attack ratings but other different advantages.
12. Can I equip multiple exotic weapons?
In most games, including Destiny and The Division, you can only equip one exotic weapon and one exotic piece of armor at a time.
13. How do Weapon Masteries work in New World?
New World does not have a class system; you can master every weapon in the game. Using a weapon in combat increases its mastery experience.
14. How can I see which items can be upgraded to Legendary?
Items that are eligible for the Legendary upgrade will have the upgrade path available in their details once the player has unlocked the ability to upgrade gear using Umbral Shards. This will be after the player reaches the required gear score and completes the required content.
15. How does the gear upgrade system change the game?
The gear upgrade system provides a long-term gear progression path. By engaging in challenging endgame content, players are able to incrementally improve their gear, eventually turning powerful items into even more formidable ones.
Conclusion
Upgrading an item to Legendary in New World is a significant achievement. It requires dedicated effort in endgame activities, a solid understanding of the game mechanics, and a strong commitment to improving your character’s power. It’s a challenging yet rewarding process that sets apart the most powerful players in the game. This guide should give you the necessary information to pursue this goal. Good luck, and happy upgrading!