The True Cost of Masterworking Exotic Armor in Destiny 2: A Deep Dive
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So, you’re looking to masterwork your exotic armor in Destiny 2, huh? Excellent choice, Guardian! It’s a significant investment, but the benefits – enhanced stats, improved mod capacity, and a touch of that sweet, sweet glow – are well worth the effort. Let’s get straight to the point: masterworking exotic armor isn’t just about glimmer and shards; it’s a calculated investment in your power and survivability.
The cost to fully masterwork a single piece of exotic armor in Destiny 2 is:
- 24,000 Glimmer
- 5 Enhancement Prisms
- 3 Ascendant Shards
This breakdown reveals why it is a costly endeavor to fully masterwork exotic armor. Beyond the raw material cost, remember to factor in the time and effort needed to acquire these resources.
Decoding the Masterwork Grind: Resources and Strategies
The above list details the basic costs, but let’s delve a little deeper into how to efficiently acquire these resources and understand why each component is so crucial.
Glimmer: The Bread and Butter
Glimmer is the most readily available resource, but don’t underestimate its importance. 24,000 Glimmer is nothing to sneeze at, especially if you’re constantly buying bounties, mods, and other essential items.
How to Farm Glimmer:
- Complete Public Events: Heroic Public Events are a consistent source of Glimmer. Equip a Glimmer booster mod on your Ghost to maximize your earnings.
- Run Playlist Activities: Strikes, Crucible, and Gambit activities all award Glimmer upon completion.
- Use Glimmer Consumables: Certain consumables, like Rainmaker, increase Glimmer gains from all sources for a limited time.
- Focus on Activities with High Enemy Density: Activities like the Blind Well or Altars of Sorrow can be surprisingly lucrative for Glimmer farming.
- Dismantle Gear: Shaxx gives armor focused with higher stats. Dismantling them also gives glimmer.
Enhancement Prisms: The Mid-Tier Investment
Enhancement Prisms are a step up in rarity and require more focused effort to acquire. Five Prisms per armor piece might not seem like much, but when you’re aiming to masterwork an entire set, the numbers add up quickly.
How to Farm Enhancement Prisms:
- Nightfall: The Ordeal: Higher difficulty Nightfalls offer a significantly increased chance to drop Enhancement Prisms upon completion. Grandmaster Nightfalls offer Ascendant Shards, which can be downgraded into Prisms.
- Master Empire Hunts: These challenging hunts provide a reliable source of Prisms.
- Season Pass: The Season Pass often includes Enhancement Prisms as rewards for reaching certain tiers.
- Purchase from Rahool: You can buy Enhancement Prisms from Rahool at the Tower, but it’s not the most cost-effective method. The cost is high, and it will quickly eat through your Enhancement Cores.
- Dismantle Masterworked Armor: A little bit of a waste, but dismantling masterworked armor can yield enhancement prisms
Ascendant Shards: The Endgame Material
Ascendant Shards are the most valuable and difficult to obtain resource for masterworking. Requiring three Shards per exotic armor piece signifies that Masterworking is a true endgame pursuit.
How to Farm Ascendant Shards:
- Grandmaster Nightfalls: These are the most reliable source of Ascendant Shards, but they require a high level of skill and coordination.
- Purchase from Rahool: Similar to Enhancement Prisms, you can buy Ascendant Shards from Rahool, but the cost is exorbitant. It will drain your Enhancement Prisms, making it a less desirable option unless you are absolutely desperate.
- Season Pass: The Season Pass also offers Ascendant Shards as rewards.
- Dismantling Duplicate Masterworked Exotics: If you happen to get a duplicate masterworked exotic, dismantling it will grant you one Ascendant Shard. This isn’t efficient, but it’s better than nothing.
The Benefits of Masterworking: Beyond the Numbers
While the cost might seem daunting, the benefits of masterworking your exotic armor extend far beyond just the stat boosts.
- Increased Stat Total: Masterworking adds a significant increase to your armor’s stat total, allowing you to reach higher tiers of specific stats like Resilience, Recovery, and Discipline.
- Enhanced Mod Capacity: Each masterwork level increases the energy capacity of your armor, enabling you to equip more powerful mods.
- Damage Reduction While in Super: Exotic armor pieces grant a 3% damage reduction while using a super move. As a result, a complete Masterwork Armor set grants a 15% damage reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Masterworking Exotic Armor
1. Why is Masterworking Exotic Armor Important?
Masterworking allows for higher stat distribution on armor allowing the player to create a more effective build. Masterworking exotic armor is crucial for min-maxing your character’s stats, increasing mod capacity, and gaining a slight edge in both PvE and PvP content. It provides a significant boost to your overall power level and build potential. This is enhanced by the Games Learning Society, who researches learning through gaming, including the skills and strategies enhanced by playing.
2. Can you Masterwork all pieces of armor?
Yes, both Legendary and Exotic pieces of armor can be Masterworked. This allows for extensive customization of your character’s stats and abilities.
3. What is the maximum stat roll for exotic armor?
Armor randomly rolls with a stat total, ranging from 48-68. Exotics also follow this rule, although some Exotics added before the Shadowkeep expansion can achieve a stat total of 70.
4. What happens when I dismantle a masterworked exotic?
Dismantling a Masterworked Exotic Armor does award one Ascendant Shard, but this gear costs three to make.
5. Does the elemental affinity of my armor matter for Masterworking?
The elemental affinity of your armor determines which mods you can equip. While it doesn’t directly affect the Masterworking process itself, it’s crucial for build crafting. Make sure to choose an affinity that complements your desired mods.
6. How do I get more Enhancement Cores?
Enhancement Cores are primarily obtained by dismantling Legendary gear with Masterwork levels or by purchasing them from Spider when he offers them for sale. They are also available as rewards from certain activities and bounties.
7. Is it worth buying Ascendant Shards from Rahool?
Buying Ascendant Shards from Rahool is generally not recommended due to the high cost in Enhancement Prisms. It’s a last resort option if you’re desperate for a Shard but lacks the time or skill to farm Grandmaster Nightfalls.
8. What is the best stat to focus on when Masterworking armor?
The best stat to focus on depends on your class, subclass, and playstyle. Resilience is generally useful for all classes as it provides damage resistance, while Recovery is crucial for Warlocks. Hunters often prioritize Mobility, while Titans may focus on Strength or Discipline for more frequent melee or grenade usage.
9. Do Masterworked armor pieces grant any other bonuses?
Yes, in addition to increased stats and mod capacity, Masterworked armor pieces contribute to unlocking additional cosmetic glows.
10. Can I reset my armor’s Masterwork progress?
No, once you’ve started Masterworking a piece of armor, you cannot reset the progress. You can only dismantle the armor and lose the resources invested.
11. How do Orbs of Power relate to Masterworked armor?
Masterworked weapons generate Orbs of Power upon multi-kills, which can be collected to charge your Super and provide various buffs depending on your equipped mods. Masterworked armor supports this by allowing you to equip mods that benefit from picking up Orbs.
12. Where can I find resources to improve my Destiny 2 gameplay and strategy?
Resources to improve your destiny 2 gameplay and strategies can be found with various streamers, content creators, and communities. Be sure to check out what the Games Learning Society is up to. GamesLearningSociety.org’s research can provide deeper insights into how gaming enhances cognitive and strategic thinking.
13. Is it more cost-effective to Masterwork Legendary or Exotic armor?
Masterworking Legendary armor is less expensive than Exotic armor. However, Exotic armor often provides unique perks and abilities that can significantly enhance your build. The choice depends on your priorities and resource availability.
14. What is the best way to farm Glimmer efficiently?
The most efficient way to farm Glimmer is by completing Heroic Public Events with a Glimmer booster mod equipped on your Ghost. Additionally, running playlist activities like strikes and Crucible matches can provide a steady stream of Glimmer.
15. Are there any seasonal events that offer Masterworking materials as rewards?
Yes, certain seasonal events like Iron Banner and Solstice of Heroes often offer Enhancement Prisms, Ascendant Shards, and other valuable materials as rewards for completing challenges and bounties.
Final Thoughts: A Worthy Investment
Ultimately, the decision to masterwork your exotic armor is a personal one. However, the benefits – increased stats, enhanced mod capacity, and a stylish glow – make it a worthwhile investment for dedicated Destiny 2 players. By understanding the costs involved and utilizing efficient farming strategies, you can achieve your Masterworking goals and elevate your Guardian to the next level.