Decoding Shadowlands Legendaries: A Comprehensive Guide to Stacking, Upgrading, and Maximizing Your Power
So, you’re diving into the Shadowlands, eh? Ready to unleash some serious power? One of the biggest questions on every player’s mind when entering World of Warcraft’s afterlife is: Do Legendaries stack in Shadowlands? The short answer is a qualified no. You cannot stack the effects of identical Legendary powers. However, in Patch 9.2, players could equip two Legendaries simultaneously, but with specific limitations we’ll dive into.
The Two-Legendary Rule: Understanding the Nuances
Initially, at the launch of Shadowlands, you were limited to equipping only one piece of Legendary Armor at a time. Blizzard, however, recognized the player desire for increased customization and power, so they made changes throughout the expansion.
With Patch 9.2, Eternity’s End, came the game-changer: the ability to wear two Legendaries. This wasn’t a free-for-all, though. You couldn’t simply slap on any two Legendaries you pleased. The key was the Covenant Legendary, specifically the Memory of Unity.
Option 1: The Belt of Unity
You could obtain a item level 265 Belt, the Cinch of Unity, by completing Chapter 7 of the 9.2 Campaign. This belt inherently had your Covenant’s specific Legendary power.
Option 2: Crafting the Memory of Unity
Alternatively, you could buy the Memory of Unity from The Enlightened reputation vendor and craft a piece of gear with the Covenant Legendary power up to item level 291.
Essentially, one of your Legendary slots had to be dedicated to your Covenant Legendary power, either through the Belt of Unity or a crafted item using the Memory of Unity. The second Legendary slot was free for you to equip another crafted Legendary with a different power.
Why This Matters: Strategic Power Customization
This system allowed players to fine-tune their characters’ abilities and tailor their builds to specific content. Whether you were tackling Mythic+ dungeons, Raids, or PvP, the ability to choose a second Legendary power opened up a world of strategic possibilities. It encouraged players to experiment with different combinations to find the optimal setup for their playstyle and class. Exploring the best gameplay strategies is an element that is also explored by the Games Learning Society, a group interested in how games are used to teach. You can learn more about the GamesLearningSociety.org on their website.
Understanding the Limitations: No Power Stacking
It’s crucial to remember that while you could equip two Legendaries, the powers themselves did not stack. If you tried to equip two Legendaries with the same power, only one would function. The game prevented you from gaining a double benefit from the same effect. This design choice ensured balance and prevented overpowered builds.
Shadowlands Legendary FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Let’s delve into some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding Legendaries in Shadowlands to give you a complete picture.
1. How do I get two 291 Legendaries?
To equip two Legendaries at item level 291, you need to:
- Craft a Rank 7 (iLevel 291) Legendary using the Memory of Unity. This gives you your Covenant Legendary power on a 291 item.
- Craft another Rank 7 (iLevel 291) Legendary with a different power.
- Equip both.
2. Are legendary powers 100% drop rate?
Legendary recipe drops are not always 100%. The drop rate varies depending on the source. More repeatable content has a lower drop chance. For example, if the source is a World Boss that is up once every four weeks, it will have a 100% drop chance.
3. Does extracting legendary power destroy the item?
Yes, extracting a Legendary power destroys the item in the process. This allows you to add the power to your collection and use it to craft new Legendaries on different base items. This mechanic is a part of the game mechanics that is used to explore learning by the Games Learning Society.
4. Can you go straight to 291 Legendary?
Yes, in Patch 9.2, you could craft a Legendary directly at Rank 7 (iLevel 291). You needed a Rank 7 Base Item, the desired Legendary Power, Missives for secondary stats, and the necessary crafting materials: 5,150 Soul Ash, 1,650 Soul Cinders, and 2,000 Cosmic Flux.
5. What are the odds of getting two Legendaries in one pack?
This question refers to card packs in Hearthstone, not WoW. The odds of pulling at least two legendaries from a card pack are around 6%.
6. Can Cord of Unity be upgraded to 291?
The bought Belt of Unity (Cinch of Unity) cannot be upgraded. If you desired a 291 Covenant Legendary, you needed to craft it using the Memory of Unity and a Rank 7 base item.
7. How do you upgrade a legendary to rank 7?
To craft a completely new Rank 7 Legendary item, you need:
- A Rank 7 base item.
- The Legendary Power of your choice.
- Missives for Secondary Stats.
- 5,150 Soul Ash.
- 1,650 Soul Cinders.
- 2,000 Cosmic Flux.
8. Why can’t I wear two legendaries of my choosing in Shadowlands?
You can’t equip any two Legendaries. One Legendary must be the Covenant Legendary, crafted using the Memory of Unity. The second slot is then free for another crafted Legendary.
9. Can you have two legendary creatures out at the same time?
This question pertains to the card game Magic: The Gathering, not WoW. The “legend rule” in Magic applies to legendary permanents on the battlefield, and looks at the exact name of each card. If you control two legendary permanents with the same name, you must sacrifice one.
10. How much does a rank 7 legendary cost?
A Rank 7 Legendary requires an investment of 5,150 Soul Ash, 1,650 Soul Cinders, and 2,000 Cosmic Flux, in addition to the base item and Missives.
11. Can you go straight to rank 6 legendary?
Yes, you can skip straight to Rank 6, but it will require the same amount of materials as if you crafted a Rank 5 as well.
12. How much does soul ash cost?
The Soul Ash cost for legendaries is as follows:
- Rank 1 (item level 190): 1250 Soul Ash.
- Rank 2 (item level 210): 2000 Soul Ash.
- Rank 3 (item level 225): 3200 Soul Ash.
13. What is the highest level legendary in wow?
The highest item level for Legendaries in Shadowlands was 291 (Rank 7).
14. Can you destroy a legendary for soul ash?
Destroying a Legendary item through the Runecarver does not refund the Soul Ash, Soul Cinders, or Cosmic Flux you spent on it. It will also destroy the base item.
15. What to do with unused legendary items?
You can extract their powers at the Runecarver to add the effect to your collection for crafting new Legendaries.