How to Extract Upgrades in Guild Wars 2: A Comprehensive Guide

The world of Tyria is filled with powerful gear, and equally powerful upgrades that enhance their capabilities. But what happens when you want to swap those upgrades or reuse them on different equipment? That’s where the art of upgrade extraction comes in. This guide will detail everything you need to know about removing upgrades in Guild Wars 2 (GW2), ensuring you don’t waste valuable resources.

The Core of Upgrade Extraction

The primary method for extracting upgrades such as runes, sigils, and infusions from your gear in GW2 is by using an Upgrade Extractor or an Endless Upgrade Extractor. These items are consumed on use but can be purchased from vendors or the gem store.

When you use an Upgrade Extractor, you simply double-click the item. A window will appear, allowing you to select the piece of equipment from which you want to remove upgrades. Once you confirm, all upgrades including runes, sigils, and infusions, will be extracted and placed in your inventory. Crucially, neither the gear nor the upgrades are destroyed in this process.

Upgrade Extractor vs. Endless Upgrade Extractor

The Upgrade Extractor is a consumable item, meaning it disappears after a single use. The Endless Upgrade Extractor, on the other hand, is an item that can be used indefinitely, offering a long-term solution for upgrade extraction.

Other Methods for Sigil Extraction

While the Upgrade Extractor and Endless Upgrade Extractor are the most common methods for removing sigils, there is an alternative option specifically for weapons: the Black Lion Salvage Kit. This kit, when used on a weapon, will also extract and return the sigil intact, along with other salvage materials. However, any other type of salvage kit will only yield Lucent Motes, not the sigil.

Infusion Extraction

Infusions can also be extracted separately using an Infusion Extraction Device, although the Upgrade Extractor will also extract them. Infusion Extraction Devices are specifically designed to remove infusions and enrichments from any gear that has slots for these enhancements. These devices can be bought from vendors inside the Fractals of the Mists. This allows you to target specific slots if you are not trying to remove everything from the item.

Glyphs and Tools

Glyphs, which are used in harvesting tools, operate differently from other upgrades. You can swap glyphs in and out freely without using an upgrade extractor. When applying a new glyph, the old one is automatically placed in your inventory. Additionally, you can remove a glyph by right-clicking the tool and selecting “Remove Upgrade.” (This does not destroy the glyph).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding upgrade extraction, to help clarify the intricacies of the process:

1. What items can be extracted with an Upgrade Extractor?

An Upgrade Extractor can remove all runes, sigils, and infusions from any piece of equipment with upgrade slots, including weapons, armor, and trinkets with infused slots.

2. Can I extract enrichments using an Upgrade Extractor?

Yes, an Upgrade Extractor will also remove enrichments along with other upgrades. You can also use an Infusion Extraction Device to specifically target enrichments and infusions on an amulet.

3. Will I lose my gear when I extract upgrades?

No, the gear itself is not destroyed. Using an Upgrade Extractor or the Endless Upgrade Extractor will only remove the upgrades, leaving the item intact.

4. Can I reuse the extracted upgrades?

Absolutely! Once extracted, runes, sigils, and infusions can be reused on other equipment with appropriate slots.

5. Where can I get an Upgrade Extractor?

Upgrade Extractors can be purchased from merchants in various cities, or from the Gem Store using gems. The Endless Upgrade Extractor is exclusively available from the Gem Store.

6. Where do I buy the Infusion Extraction Device?

Infusion Extraction Devices can be purchased from vendors inside the Fractals of the Mists.

7. How does the Black Lion Salvage Kit help with sigil extraction?

Using a Black Lion Salvage Kit on a weapon will extract the sigil, returning it intact, along with salvageable materials. Other salvage kits, however, will not return the sigil.

8. How do Glyphs differ in terms of extraction?

Glyphs used in harvesting tools are freely swappable. The old glyph goes into your inventory when a new one is applied. You can also remove a glyph by right-clicking and selecting “Remove Upgrade” on the tool.

9. What happens if I use a normal salvage kit on ascended equipment?

Using a regular salvage kit on ascended equipment will not return runes, sigils, or infusions. Instead, you will only receive Lucent Motes. Only the Ascended Salvage Kit or Ascended Salvage Tool guarantees the return of upgrades from Ascended items.

10. How do I extract upgrades from ascended gear?

You can extract upgrades from ascended gear using an Upgrade Extractor, Endless Upgrade Extractor, or by salvaging the weapon using the Black Lion Salvage Kit to specifically recover the sigil. Ascended Salvage Kits will also work on gear and give all upgrades.

11. Can I extract runes from ascended armor?

Yes, runes can be extracted from ascended armor using an Upgrade Extractor or Endless Upgrade Extractor.

12. What are the primary uses for Infusion Extraction?

The Infusion Extraction Device is primarily used for removing infusions and enrichments specifically from gear that has slots for them, like trinkets and amulets.

13. How many legendary sigils can I have in my legendary armory?

A maximum of 8 legendary sigils can be added to an account’s Legendary Armory, sufficient for all land and aquatic weapon sets.

14. What is the difference between an infusion and enrichment?

Infusions and enrichments are both types of upgrades. Infusions are primarily used on armor, weapons, and trinkets for added stats and cosmetic effects. Enrichments are specific to amulet slots and provide bonuses related to experience gain and luck.

15. If I’m farming gold, is extracting gear a viable option?

While extracting and reselling runes, sigils, and infusions can provide some income, there are more efficient gold-making methods such as fractals, raids, and meta events. Extracted items are still a useful way to augment an income stream.

By understanding how upgrade extraction works, you can make the most of your hard-earned gear and upgrades in Guild Wars 2, ensuring that you are well-equipped for any challenge that comes your way.