How Much Soul Ash Does It Cost to Upgrade a Legendary? A Comprehensive Guide

The twisting corridors of Torghast, Tower of the Damned present a formidable challenge, but the rewards are worth the effort. Among the most coveted prizes is the ability to craft and upgrade legendary items. These powerful pieces of gear can significantly boost your character’s performance, but acquiring and upgrading them requires a substantial investment of Soul Ash. So, the burning question: how much Soul Ash does it actually cost to upgrade a legendary?

The answer depends entirely on the target item level of the legendary you’re upgrading. Each rank requires a different amount of Soul Ash, and the costs increase significantly as you progress. Here’s a breakdown of the upgrade costs:

• Rank 1 (Item Level 190) to Rank 2 (Item Level 210): 1250 Soul Ash
• Rank 2 (Item Level 210) to Rank 3 (Item Level 225): 2000 Soul Ash
• Rank 3 (Item Level 225) to Rank 4 (Item Level 235): 3200 Soul Ash
• Rank 4 (Item Level 235) to Rank 5 (Item Level 249): 5150 Soul Ash
• Rank 5 (Item Level 249) to Rank 6 (Item Level 262): 5150 Soul Ash
• Rank 6 (Item Level 262) to Rank 7 (Item Level 291): 6000 Soul Ash

Therefore, upgrading a legendary from its initial Rank 1 to the maximum Rank 7 will cost a grand total of 22,750 Soul Ash. This assumes you’re crafting a new base legendary and upgrading it through all ranks. If you create a higher-rank base legendary, you’ll avoid the Soul Ash costs of the ranks you skipped.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Legendary Upgrades

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of upgrading legendaries in World of Warcraft.

Collecting Soul Ash

1. How do I obtain Soul Ash?

   Soul Ash is primarily obtained by completing Torghast wings. Each wing awards a certain amount of Soul Ash based on the layer completed. Higher layers grant more Soul Ash. Keep an eye out for special events that increase Soul Ash rewards, such as the Twisting Corridors.

2. Is there a weekly cap on Soul Ash collection?

   No, there isn’t a strict weekly cap. However, each Torghast wing can only be completed once per week for Soul Ash rewards. Once you’ve cleared both wings at the highest layer you can manage, you’ll need to wait for the weekly reset. The amount awarded per wing also varies.

3. Are there any other sources of Soul Ash besides Torghast?

   Initially, Torghast was the only source. As the expansion progressed, some quests and other activities were added that reward small amounts of Soul Ash, but Torghast remains the most efficient method. Always check your Covenant campaign and any special events for potential Soul Ash rewards.

Legendary Crafting and Item Levels

4. Can I craft a legendary at a higher rank directly?

   Yes! In later patches, the Runecarver unlocked the ability to craft base legendaries at higher ranks, assuming you had the necessary Soul Cinders and Cosmic Flux. This allows you to bypass the Soul Ash cost of lower ranks and immediately obtain a more powerful legendary.

5. What are Soul Cinders and Cosmic Flux, and how do they relate to legendary upgrades?

   Soul Cinders were introduced later in the expansion and were required, in addition to Soul Ash, for crafting Ranks 5 and 6 legendaries. Cosmic Flux, introduced in patch 9.2, was necessary for crafting Rank 7 legendaries. You obtained them from various sources, including endgame activities.

6. What happens if I already have a Rank 4 legendary and want to upgrade it to Rank 7?

   You’ll only need to pay the Soul Cinders and Cosmic Flux cost, alongside any crafting materials, to have the Runecarver upgrade your gear. You only pay for the ranks you skip.

The Runecarver and Crafting Materials

7. Where is the Runecarver located, and what does he do?

   The Runecarver resides in Torghast, Tower of the Damned. He is the NPC responsible for crafting and upgrading your legendary items. You bring him the appropriate base item, memory of a legendary power, and the required Soul Ash, Soul Cinders, and Cosmic Flux (depending on the target rank).

8. What are the “base items” required for legendary crafting?

   Base items are crafted by Blacksmiths, Leatherworkers, Tailors, and Jewelcrafters. These profession-crafted items determine the slot and item level of your legendary. The higher the rank you want to craft, the higher the item level and the rarer the materials required for the base item.

9. Where do I get the “memory of a legendary power”?

   Memories of legendary powers drop from various sources, including dungeons, raids, world bosses, and quests. Each class and specialization has access to multiple legendary powers, each offering different bonuses and effects. These memories are consumed when crafting the legendary. They are one-time use items.

Understanding Item Levels and Power

10. How much of a power increase do I get with each legendary rank upgrade?

    The power increase varies depending on the legendary effect and your class/spec, but generally, each rank upgrade provides a significant boost to your character’s stats and the effectiveness of your legendary power. The higher the rank, the more impactful the upgrade.

11. Is it always worth upgrading my legendary to the highest rank?

    Generally, yes. The benefits of upgrading to higher ranks, particularly Rank 7, are substantial. However, consider the cost and the time investment required. If you’re close to obtaining a replacement item from a raid or Mythic+ dungeon that’s a significant upgrade, you might prioritize that instead.

12. If I replace my legendary with a better item, can I re-craft it later?

    Yes. Once you’ve learned a legendary power, you can recraft it on a new base item at any time, assuming you have the required materials. The Runecarver retains the knowledge of all your unlocked legendary powers.

Optimizing Legendary Crafting

13. What is the most efficient way to farm Soul Ash?

    Focus on clearing the highest layers of Torghast that you can reliably complete. Higher layers award more Soul Ash per run. Partnering with a group can make the process faster and easier. Also, watch for weeks with affixes that make Torghast more manageable.

14. Should I save my Soul Ash or craft a lower-rank legendary first?

    This depends on your current gear and the availability of base items. If you can afford to wait and save up enough Soul Ash to craft a higher-rank legendary directly, that’s often the most efficient approach. However, a lower-rank legendary is still a significant power boost if you need it immediately. Consider your short-term and long-term goals.

Games Learning Society and Game Mechanics

15. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and strategy?

    The Games Learning Society, found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, is a valuable resource for understanding game design, mechanics, and strategies. Exploring the site can help you better understand not just how to play, but why games are designed the way they are. Understanding these core concepts can lead to a deeper appreciation and mastery of various game systems and tactics.

In conclusion, upgrading your legendary item in World of Warcraft requires a substantial commitment of Soul Ash, Soul Cinders, and Cosmic Flux. By understanding the costs involved and optimizing your farming strategies, you can efficiently acquire these materials and maximize the power of your legendary gear. This guide should provide you with the knowledge needed to navigate the complex world of legendary crafting and ensure your character is equipped with the best possible gear. Remember to consider the Games Learning Society when looking to broaden your game knowledge.