How Long Does It Take to Get Legendary Armor?
The pursuit of legendary armor in any game is a significant undertaking, and Guild Wars 2 (GW2) is no exception. The time investment varies dramatically depending on the game mode you choose to obtain it from, with PvE (Raids), PvP, and WvW all offering unique pathways. However, a broad answer is that obtaining a full set of legendary armor can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, primarily due to time-gated components and material requirements.
The fastest route generally requires a consistent, organized approach to Raids, which allows for rapid acquisition of Legendary Insights, but it still relies on weekly caps. Casual players will find the process more extended but achievable over time. To be precise, you’re looking at a minimum of 6 weeks to complete one set via raiding, if you’re consistently clearing weekly raids. For PvP, it’s approximately 24 weeks due to the seasonal structure, and WvW, the most passive, takes around 20 weeks, but this can be sped up through active play.
Let’s break this down by game mode:
Legendary Armor Acquisition by Game Mode
- Raids (PvE): This method focuses on earning Legendary Insights from completing raid encounters. You can get a maximum of 31 Legendary Insights per week – 15 from Heart of Thorns raids, 10 from Path of Fire raids, and 5 from End of Dragons Challenge Mote strikes (including season 1’s Old Lion’s Court). A total of 150 Legendary Insights are required for one set of armor. Therefore, without completing the Cantha Strikes, the first armor set will take a minimum of 6 weeks, and subsequent sets take 12 weeks each. This assumes you’re maximizing your weekly Insight gains.
- PvP: This path is primarily governed by PvP League Tickets, which are the time-gated aspect for legendary armor. You need a total of 300 tickets, and you can earn a maximum of 100 per season. With ranked conquest seasons lasting 2 months, it will take roughly 24 weeks or about 6 months to get enough tickets for one set of armor.
- World vs. World (WvW): The WvW method is considered the most relaxed way to acquire legendary armor. It’s largely a passive process that doesn’t require the same level of personal skill or high-intensity gameplay as Raids or PvP. This process is time-gated, taking approximately 20 weeks. However, active participation in WvW objectives can significantly speed up this timeframe.
Factors Influencing Acquisition Time
Several factors can influence the time it takes to acquire legendary armor:
- Weekly Caps: All methods have weekly limits on the materials or tokens you can earn, which prevents players from rushing the process. These time gates encourage regular engagement with the game.
- Activity Level: Consistent, focused play will always lead to faster progress. Regularly clearing raids, actively participating in PvP or WvW will significantly reduce your overall time commitment.
- Resource Availability: Gathering the required crafting materials can also be a factor, though many of these can be purchased if you have enough gold. Some crafting materials may require time-gated resources.
- Skill Level: While not as important for WvW, your skill level will impact how quickly you can complete raids and succeed in PvP matches, which in turn, affect the speed of progress on your chosen method.
- Number of Sets: Once you’ve acquired the first set, the time taken to complete subsequent sets may vary depending on the method. Raids will still have the same weekly time-gate, but the material costs won’t require as much initial investment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the legendary armor acquisition process in Guild Wars 2:
1. Is Legendary Armor Better Than Ascended Armor?
Technically, no. Both legendary and ascended armor share the same stat values, meaning you won’t see any stat increase by having legendary armor. The key difference is that legendary armor offers stat-swapping capabilities, allowing you to change the stats on the armor at any time. It also boasts a unique appearance and an account-wide wardrobe unlock. Ascended armor is a tier below, and requires a specific build.
2. What Is the Easiest Legendary to Obtain?
While time-consuming, the legendary amulet is generally considered the easiest legendary item to obtain for PvE players. It involves following the story and participating in metas. WvW legendary armor is the most relaxed due to its mostly passive nature. However, neither is ‘fast’ – they are all grinds.
3. How Do You Get Raid Legendary Armor?
To get raid legendary armor, you need to complete the Forsaken Thicket raid wings and collect tokens. These tokens can be exchanged for the precursor armor set, “Raid Legendary Armor.” Then, gather the necessary crafting materials and use the Mystic Forge to upgrade the precursors into the final legendary armor set.
4. What Are Legendary Insights?
Legendary Insights are items acquired from completing raid encounters. They’re used to purchase gifts for legendary armor and the legendary ring Coalescence from raid vendors. They are a critical currency for obtaining legendary armor via Raids.
5. Can You Improve Armor Past Legendary?
No, there is no armor status past legendary. Once you reach legendary, you cannot enhance the stats further. However, there are some stat-boosting enhancements, such as infusions, that can be applied to any gear.
6. Where Do I Find Burnisher Kengo?
Burnisher Kengo is an Exalted found at the pylon located in the Northwatch Descent. You may need to interact with them for certain collection achievements, mainly related to the precursor of a legendary weapon.
7. How Do You Get Envoy Armor?
Envoy Armor I: Experimental Armor is unlocked when you open your first raid boss coffer. Envoy Armor II: Refined Armor is unlocked after completing Envoy Armor I. These achievements not only unlock legendary armor but also reward inexpensive, stat-selectable ascended armor.
8. What are the best stats for PvP armor?
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer for PvP, some of the most widely used traits are: Impenetrable (reduces damage from critical hits), Well-Fitted (improves mobility and resource management), and Invigorating (increased resource recovery).
9. Can you buy ascended armor?
Yes, you can purchase ascended armor using Grandmaster Marks, which are available from various vendors such as BLING-9009, the Ascended Armor League Vendor, or the Skirmish Supervisor. You can also craft these marks for easier access.
10. What is the highest level I can be in GW2?
The level cap in Guild Wars 2 is 80. Your power will be scaled down in lower-level areas to maintain the challenge, so lower levels will always be engaging even with a maxed level character.
11. What is the maximum Agony Resistance (AR) in GW2?
The maximum amount of agony resistance (AR) required for Fractals of the Mists at scale 100 is 150. Players can have a maximum of 18 infusion slots, though a full setup with two sets of weapons will need 20 infusions.
12. What is the strongest class in GW2?
Class strengths in GW2 are dependent on the game mode and patch updates. However, the most commonly listed top DPS classes usually include Thief, Ranger, and Revenant.
13. Is legendary armor account-bound?
Yes. Once acquired, legendary armor can be used by any character on your account, making it a fantastic long-term investment for all your characters. This also applies to the wardrobe unlock, which lets you use the appearance on all of your characters, no matter what gear they have.
14. How do I start my legendary armor journey?
To begin your legendary armor journey, decide which game mode suits your playstyle: raids, PvP, or WvW. Then, start engaging in content in that mode to collect the necessary currencies, or complete the requirements needed for the armor set.
15. Can I speed up WvW legendary armor progression?
Yes. While WvW legendary armor is gained passively over time, you can significantly increase your progress by actively participating in WvW objectives such as capturing towers, keeps, and completing world events. This can shorten the 20-week time gate.
Conclusion
Acquiring legendary armor in Guild Wars 2 is a substantial undertaking but a rewarding experience. The time it takes varies significantly depending on your chosen method, ranging from a few weeks for organized raiding to several months for the more passive WvW approach. However, the journey is engaging, and the end result—a set of stat-swappable, account-bound, and visually unique armor—is well worth the effort for any serious GW2 player.