Ascended Gear in Guild Wars 2: How Important Is It, Really?

Ascended gear in Guild Wars 2 sits at an interesting crossroads. It’s not strictly required to enjoy the vast majority of the game’s content, but it offers a noticeable stat boost and access to infusion slots, making it the best-in-slot (BiS) equipment for players looking to optimize their characters. Whether it’s important depends entirely on your individual goals and playstyle. Casual players may find that exotic gear provides sufficient power, while hardcore raiders and competitive PvP enthusiasts will likely consider ascended gear essential for maximizing their performance. Let’s delve into the nuances of ascended gear and see how it fits into the overall Guild Wars 2 experience.

Ascended Gear: The Devil’s in the Details

Ascended gear represents the tier above exotic gear in Guild Wars 2’s equipment progression. It’s characterized by a slightly higher stat budget and the crucial ability to slot infusions. Infusions add additional stats or Agony Resistance (AR), necessary for surviving high-level Fractals. This is the core difference: while the raw stat difference between exotic and ascended is relatively small, the cumulative effect of infusions and weapon strength is where ascended shines.

• Stat Increase: Ascended gear offers approximately 5% more stats than its exotic counterpart. While this might seem insignificant on paper, it adds up across multiple gear pieces.
• Infusion Slots: This is arguably the most important aspect. Infusion slots on ascended gear allow you to further customize your stats and, more importantly, gain the Agony Resistance required for higher-tier Fractals.
• Weapon Strength: Ascended weapons have a higher base weapon strength than exotic weapons, translating to increased damage.
• Cosmetics: While not a performance factor, ascended gear often boasts unique and visually appealing skins.

The acquisition of ascended gear is deliberately designed to be more challenging than obtaining exotic gear. It involves crafting (using time-gated materials), acquiring it from specific game modes like Fractals and Raids, or buying it through various vendors. This higher barrier to entry is intentional, creating a sense of progression and accomplishment for those who pursue it.

Where Ascended Gear Matters Most

The importance of ascended gear varies depending on the game mode you primarily engage with:

• Raids: Ascended gear, especially weapons, is highly recommended for raiding. The increased damage and survivability provided by the stats and infusions can make a significant difference in completing challenging encounters.
• Fractals: Ascended gear is essential for progressing to higher-tier Fractals. Agony Resistance, obtainable through infusions on ascended gear, is required to mitigate the damaging effects of Agony in these instances.
• Competitive PvP/WvW: While skill plays a crucial role, the stat advantage provided by ascended gear can be noticeable in PvP and WvW, particularly in prolonged engagements. The slight edge it offers can be the difference between victory and defeat.
• Open World PvE: Ascended gear is not required for enjoying open-world content. Exotic gear is perfectly sufficient for completing story missions, events, and exploring the world.
• Dungeons: Like open-world PvE, dungeons can be completed comfortably with exotic gear.

Ascended vs. Legendary: A Quality of Life Choice

It’s crucial to distinguish between ascended and legendary gear. While both offer similar stat values, legendary gear provides unparalleled convenience and quality of life. Legendary gear allows you to freely swap stats at any time, making it adaptable to different builds and situations. This eliminates the need to maintain multiple sets of ascended gear for different roles. However, legendary gear does not inherently offer better stats than ascended. It’s about the flexibility, not the raw power. Ascended equipment may be required for certain collections and achievements.

The Exotic Option: Is It Enough?

Exotic gear is a perfectly viable option for a large portion of Guild Wars 2’s content. It’s significantly cheaper and easier to acquire than ascended gear, making it an excellent choice for new players or those who prioritize other aspects of the game.

However, exotic gear lacks infusion slots, limiting your ability to optimize your stats and progress through higher-tier Fractals. Also, exotic weapons don’t have the same base weapon strength as ascended weapons. While you can certainly complete most content with exotic gear, you’ll likely find yourself at a disadvantage in challenging encounters that require optimized builds and survivability.

Making the Decision: Is Ascended Gear Worth the Investment?

Ultimately, the decision to pursue ascended gear depends on your personal goals and commitment to Guild Wars 2. If you’re a casual player who primarily enjoys open-world content, exotic gear is perfectly adequate. However, if you aspire to tackle the most challenging content, optimize your performance in competitive modes, or simply want the best possible gear for your character, ascended gear is a worthwhile investment.

Consider your budget, time commitment, and the game modes you enjoy most when making your decision. Ascended gear offers a tangible advantage, but it comes at a cost. Weigh the pros and cons carefully to determine if it aligns with your individual goals. The effort needed to acquire ascended armor could take a while, and the process of creating a legendary armor set could take even longer.

Understanding the mechanics of Guild Wars 2’s gear progression is crucial for making informed decisions about your character’s development. Whether you choose to embrace the challenge of acquiring ascended gear or stick with the more accessible exotic options, the most important thing is to enjoy the game and play the way that suits you best. Remember to always consider the potential benefits and limitations of each gear tier before making your decision. For further insights into game mechanics and player experiences, resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org provide valuable perspectives on the intersection of gaming and learning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ascended Gear in Guild Wars 2

1. What is the fastest way to get ascended gear in Guild Wars 2?

There’s no single “fastest” way, as it depends on your resources and preferred playstyle. However, crafting is often considered a reliable method, especially for weapons. Fractals can drop ascended chests, and Raids offer a targeted way to acquire specific pieces. Consider your budget for WvW Skirmish reward tracks, as you can work towards an ascended armor set that way as well.

2. Can I stat-swap ascended gear?

Yes! You can change the stats on ascended gear using the Mystic Forge. You’ll need an exotic inscription/insignia with the desired stats, along with a glob of ectoplasm and an ascended shard of glory. The process will destroy any existing rune, sigil, or infusion on the gear.

3. Are ascended trinkets worth the effort?

Absolutely. Ascended trinkets offer significant stat boosts and, more importantly, infusion slots. They are often the first ascended pieces players acquire due to their relatively easier accessibility through Living World maps and other content.

4. How much Agony Resistance (AR) do I need for Fractals?

The required AR scales with the Fractal level. You’ll need at least 150 AR to survive the highest-tier Fractals (Tier 4). However, a good starting point is around 75 AR, which will allow you to comfortably do Tier 2 Fractals.

5. Can I salvage ascended gear for valuable materials?

Yes, you can salvage ascended gear using an Ascended Salvage Kit or Ascended Salvage Tool. This guarantees a return of the upgrade components (rune, sigil, or infusion) and a chance at valuable materials like ascended materials.

6. Is ascended armor better than exotic armor in terms of defense?

Ascended armor has slightly higher armor values than exotic armor, but the primary benefit comes from the increased stats and infusion slots, which can boost your overall survivability.

7. What are infusions, and how do they work?

Infusions are upgrades that can be slotted into ascended gear to provide additional stats or Agony Resistance. There are different types of infusions, each offering specific benefits. They can be acquired through various game modes and crafted.

8. Can I buy ascended gear from the Trading Post?

No, you cannot directly buy ascended gear from the Trading Post. It’s account-bound on acquire. However, you can buy the materials needed to craft ascended gear from the Trading Post.

9. How does ascended gear affect my character’s power in World vs. World (WvW)?

Ascended gear provides a stat advantage in WvW, but it’s not the only factor that determines success. Skill, teamwork, and build optimization are also crucial. The stats of the armor will allow for an increase in critical damage.

10. What is the difference between ascended and masterwork gear?

Masterwork gear is significantly weaker than ascended gear in terms of stats and does not offer infusion slots. It’s an early-game gear tier that’s quickly surpassed by rare and exotic gear.

11. How long does it take to craft a full set of ascended armor?

Crafting a full set of ascended armor can take several weeks due to time-gated materials. It requires daily crafting of specific components, which can limit your progress.

12. Are there any ascended items that are easier to obtain than others?

Ascended trinkets are often considered easier to obtain, as they can be acquired through Living World maps, Fractals, and other content. Ascended weapons are also a good starting point, as they provide a significant damage boost.

13. Does ascended gear have different tiers or levels within the ascended tier?

No, all ascended gear within a specific type (e.g., armor, weapon, trinket) has the same base stats. The only difference comes from the specific stat combination you choose and the infusions you slot.

14. Can I use ascended gear on any character level?

No, ascended gear requires level 80 to equip. It’s endgame gear designed for maximum-level characters.

15. Is it worth upgrading to ascended gear if I only play occasionally?

If you only play occasionally and primarily focus on open-world content, upgrading to ascended gear may not be necessary. Exotic gear is perfectly sufficient for enjoying the majority of the game. However, if you find yourself struggling with challenging content or want to optimize your character, ascended gear can provide a noticeable boost.