Ascended vs. Exotic Gear in Guild Wars 2: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The Straight Answer: How Much Better is Ascended Gear?
At the core of Guild Wars 2’s gear progression lies a crucial question: How much better is ascended gear than exotic? The straightforward answer is that ascended gear offers approximately a 5% increase in base stats over exotic gear. Additionally, ascended gear provides infusion slots, allowing for an extra 1-2% boost in stats (or other bonuses like agony resistance) depending on the type of infusion. Overall, in a practical sense, this translates to a roughly 10% increase in DPS compared to exotic gear, as shown by in-game benchmarks. This increased damage comes from both the higher base stats and the elevated weapon damage provided by ascended weapons. While these numbers may appear small, they represent the highest achievable stat cap for all attribute combinations in the game, making ascended gear the undisputed best-in-slot (BiS) endgame equipment. This difference may appear minimal on paper, but it can be critical for pushing the boundaries of performance in challenging endgame content.
Delving Deeper: The Nuances of Ascended Gear
The advantage of ascended gear isn’t solely about the numerical increase in stats. It’s the combination of higher base attributes and the crucial infusion slots that truly set it apart. Infusions are a key mechanic for advanced content, specifically Fractals of the Mists, where agony resistance (AR) is essential for survival. Without sufficient AR, players will suffer crippling debuffs and damage over time. Ascended gear provides a means to obtain this vital stat, making it absolutely necessary for progression in Fractals and other similar demanding game modes.
Furthermore, the increase in weapon damage on ascended weapons significantly contributes to a noticeable difference in player performance. Though exotic gear can be relatively easy to obtain and provides a perfectly viable base for most content, the incremental gains from ascended equipment allow players to maximize their character’s potential.
Cost vs. Benefit: Is the Upgrade Worth Your Time and Gold?
The question of whether the stat increase and infusion benefits of ascended gear are worth the effort and cost is common. It’s true that ascended gear is significantly more expensive than exotic gear. Crafting a full ascended set can cost anywhere from 200 to 400 gold and involves a time-gated crafting process (up to 36 days for light/medium or 25 days for heavy armor) due to the required materials and crafting limitations. This investment is considerable, meaning players should evaluate their personal goals within the game.
For players looking to tackle challenging endgame content such as high-tier Fractals, raids, and competitive PvP, the answer is a resounding yes. The boost in stats, the crucial agony resistance infusions, and the slight increase in weapon damage all add up to a significant performance upgrade. However, for players who primarily engage in open-world content or casual gameplay, the difference may not feel as impactful. In these situations, exotic gear remains highly functional. It’s worth noting that once invested, ascended gear is also reusable, allowing for stat swapping as builds evolve, further justifying the initial cost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the maximum agony resistance (AR) needed?
The maximum AR required for Fractals of the Mists at scale 100 is 150. However, note that a character can have a maximum of 18 infusion slots (20 if they use two weapon sets).
2. Can I change the stats on my ascended armor?
Yes, ascended weapons and armor can have their stats changed by using an Exotic insignia (armor) or inscription (weapon) with the desired stats in the Mystic Forge.
3. How do you salvage ascended gear?
Ascended gear can be salvaged with an Ascended Salvage Tool or Ascended Salvage Kit. Salvaging ascended equipment is guaranteed to return upgrades such as runes, sigils, and infusions.
4. Are Ascended Salvage Kits worth it?
It depends. Generally, buying Ascended Salvage Kits is not cost-effective for common salvages. However, they can be worthwhile when used to salvage pre-infused rings, especially when aiming to obtain Stabilizing Matrices.
5. Can you get ascended armor from fractals?
Yes, Daily Fractal chests have a small chance of rewarding an ascended armor chest. Additionally, raid bosses also have a chance to drop unique armor boxes.
6. What is the best way to obtain Viper ascended armor?
Aside from crafting, random drops in endgame content (PvP, WvW, and Instanced PvE) are a way to get ascended armor. The most practical method is to play until you get a random drop, then stat-swap it to what you need. Raids and Icebrood Saga Strikes also offer reliable ways to obtain ascended armor.
7. What ascended gear should I get first?
If you are crafting ascended equipment, it’s recommended to get your weapons first, then armor. For armor, the order of priority is generally chest, legs, head, and lastly shoulders, gloves, and boots.
8. Is legendary gear better than ascended gear in terms of stats?
No, both legendary and ascended gear have similar base stats. The primary difference lies in the quality of life features of legendary gear, such as stat swapping at will and unique appearances.
9. Is Epic Gear better than Legendary Gear?
No, Epic Gear is not available in Guild Wars 2. The question here stems from another game with similar naming conventions. In Guild Wars 2, legendary gear is considered the best, but its stats are equal to ascended.
10. How long does it take to craft a complete ascended set?
Crafting a complete set of ascended armor can take a minimum of 36 days for light and medium armor or 25 days for heavy armor. A significant portion of this time is dedicated to crafting the necessary insignias.
11. What is the highest DPS class in GW2?
The highest DPS class can shift due to balancing updates, but currently, Thief is often ranked as one of the top contenders. Other strong DPS classes include Ranger and Revenant.
12. What’s an easy legendary to craft?
The legendary amulet is known to be comparatively easier to obtain in PvE since it requires playing the story and engaging in meta events, although it may take several weeks or even months to complete.
13. How does XP scaling work in GW2?
Experience gained is modified by the difference between your character level and the content’s level. Lower-level content provides a significantly reduced experience reward.
14. Is there a level boost in GW2?
Yes, purchasing any Guild Wars 2 expansion grants a Level-80 Boost item, and additional boosts can be purchased in the Gem Store.
15. Can you sell legendary gear?
Yes, you can sell legendary gear. However, these items are primarily desired for their unique abilities and appearance, not for their resale value.
Conclusion: Weighing the Investment
Ultimately, the decision to invest in ascended gear depends heavily on your personal goals within Guild Wars 2. If you aspire to conquer the toughest challenges in the game, then ascended gear is an essential upgrade. The increased stats, the ability to add agony resistance, and the enhanced weapon damage provide a noticeable advantage in high-tier content. However, for casual or less demanding gameplay, exotic gear remains a perfectly viable option. The cost and time investment required to obtain ascended gear are significant, so players should carefully consider whether the benefits align with their playstyle.