What to Do With Old Exotic Gear in Guild Wars 2? A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’ve been adventuring in Tyria, racking up those hard-earned levels, and your inventory is now overflowing with exotic gear – but what do you do with it all? It’s a common question for both new and veteran players alike. Exotic gear, while not the absolute pinnacle (that honor goes to Ascended and Legendary items), holds significant value and can be repurposed in a variety of ways. In short, the answer is: salvage, Mystic Forge, or keep for alternate builds. Let’s delve deeper into each option and explore the best use cases for your old exotic equipment.
Understanding Exotic Gear
Before we jump into the “what to do,” let’s briefly review what makes exotic gear special. Exotic items are a step above Rare gear, typically boasting higher stats and unique stat combinations. They’re a crucial stepping stone in gearing up for higher-level content such as fractals, raids, and challenging open-world metas. Exotics can drop from various sources: world bosses, completing events, crafting, and purchased from vendors. However, the key here is that you’ll often find yourself with multiple copies of the same exotic or items you simply don’t need. This is where understanding your options becomes essential.
Salvaging: The Most Common Option
For most of your old exotic gear, salvaging is the most practical and efficient route. Using a Master’s Salvage Kit (or any kit of equal or higher quality) will break down your exotic item into various crafting materials. Here’s what you can typically expect:
Salvage Results:
- Globs of Ectoplasm: These are the most valuable salvage, needed for crafting Ascended and Legendary gear.
- Globs of Dark Matter: Another critical crafting material for Ascended gear.
- Essence of Luck: Used to increase your Magic Find, enhancing your chances for better drops.
- Various Rare Crafting Materials: These include materials used for crafting mid-tier items, which can be sold or used in other projects.
When to Salvage: This is your go-to option if you do not intend to use the exotic piece for an alternate build. Especially when focusing on Ascended or Legendary crafting.
Using Master’s Kits
- It’s best to use Master’s Salvage Kits (or higher tier kits) because they offer the best chance to produce Globs of Ectoplasm which are incredibly useful.
- Black Lion Salvage Kits are great if you have them because they have the highest chance of getting Globs of Ectoplasm, but should be used more sparingly.
The Mystic Forge: A Gamble Worth Considering
The Mystic Forge in Lion’s Arch offers a way to try your luck. By placing four exotic items of the same type (e.g., four exotic helmets or four exotic swords) into the forge, you can create a new item.
Potential Outcomes:
- Another Exotic Item: There’s a chance you’ll get a different exotic item, potentially one that is more valuable or suitable for one of your other characters.
- Precursor Weapon: This is the jackpot! While the odds are low, the Mystic Forge is one of the primary methods for obtaining a Precursor weapon, which is needed to craft a Legendary weapon.
When to Use the Mystic Forge: If you have a large surplus of exotic gear, especially weapons, and aren’t as focused on materials you get from salvaging. If you’re hunting for a Precursor, the Mystic Forge is a necessary investment. Remember that it’s a gamble, though. Don’t use the Mystic Forge with the intention of a guaranteed return on your exotic gear.
Keeping for Alternate Builds
Don’t forget that exotic gear, while not always ideal for your main setup, could be perfect for an alternate build for your character or even another character. Guild Wars 2’s build system allows for a huge degree of flexibility.
When to Keep Items:
- Specific Stat Combinations: If you have an exotic with a particular stat combination you might need in the future for another build or class, it’s worthwhile to keep it.
- Experimentation: Holding on to diverse gear is great when experimenting with different builds and playstyles, allowing you to swap gear on the fly.
- New Characters: When leveling a new character, your old exotics can provide a useful boost compared to lower-level gear.
When to Hold On: This is highly dependent on your playing style, the alts you have, and your future goals. Make an assessment before you decide to throw it away and remember that you can always access the exotic through the Collections.
Soulbound Exotic Gear
It’s crucial to address Soulbound exotic gear. Soulbound items cannot be traded, sold on the Trading Post, or sent to other players. Once an item is Soulbound to a character, it can only be used by that character. The good news is, you can put soulbound items in your vault for later use.
What to Do with Soulbound Exotics:
- Salvage: The most practical method to gain valuable materials.
- Mystic Forge: Perfect for trying your luck and possibly netting a Precursor.
- Keep for That Character: If it’s a useful build, keep it on the character.
- Vault: Store the items for later, if you do not need them at this time.
No Other Options: You cannot trade, sell, or transfer Soulbound gear to other characters, so always consider that when you are considering your plan of action with these items.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with old exotic gear in Guild Wars 2 is a frequent part of the game. Understanding your options and their implications will help you maximize their value. Salvaging for resources remains the most common and useful approach. If you’re feeling lucky, the Mystic Forge offers an opportunity for greater rewards. And don’t forget that keeping items for alternative builds can save you time and resources in the long run. By using the information above, you’ll make the most of your exotic finds while advancing your journey in Tyria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I sell my old exotic gear on the Trading Post?
No, most exotic gear that you obtain will be Soulbound, meaning you cannot sell them on the Trading Post. Only non-Soulbound exotic items can be sold on the Trading Post.
2. Is it better to salvage or Mystic Forge old exotic gear?
It depends on your goals. Salvaging provides guaranteed crafting materials like Globs of Ectoplasm and Globs of Dark Matter. The Mystic Forge offers a chance at Precursor weapons but is a gamble.
3. What salvage kits should I use on exotic items?
Use Master’s Salvage Kits or higher tier kits. They have the highest chance of producing Globs of Ectoplasm. Black Lion Salvage Kits are also great if you have them, but should be used sparingly due to their cost.
4. Can I upgrade my old exotic gear?
No, you cannot upgrade existing exotic gear. You can obtain new, more suitable exotic gear or upgrade to Ascended or Legendary gear.
5. Can I use soulbound gear in the Mystic Forge?
Yes, Soulbound exotic gear can be used in the Mystic Forge just like any other exotic gear.
6. What are Globs of Ectoplasm used for?
Globs of Ectoplasm are a crucial crafting material, primarily used for crafting Ascended and Legendary gear.
7. How do I get more Globs of Ectoplasm?
You can get Globs of Ectoplasm by salvaging exotic gear using Master’s Salvage Kits or higher-tier kits.
8. Can I send my soulbound gear to my other characters?
No, once an item is Soulbound to a character, it cannot be transferred to another character. However, you can put soulbound items in your vault for later use.
9. What if I need an exotic that I already salvaged?
Most exotic gear you’ve acquired is added to your collection. You can create copies of exotic items in your collections for a small fee.
10. Should I always salvage duplicate exotic items?
If you are not planning on using it for another character, then salvaging is probably the best route to take.
11. Can I use exotic gear for Raids?
Yes, you can use exotic gear for raids. While Ascended is recommended, exotics are a good starting point for raids, as stats are similar.
12. Is Exotic gear better than Ascended?
No, Ascended gear has higher stats. However, exotic can often have the perfect stat combination for your desired build.
13. Can I equip more than one Exotic weapon or more than one Exotic armor piece?
No, you can equip a maximum of one exotic weapon and one exotic armor piece.
14. Can you disenchant someone else’s soulbound items?
No, you cannot disenchant another player’s soulbound gear. An enchanter must possess the item to disenchant it.
15. Is it worth it to come back to Guild Wars 2?
Absolutely! Guild Wars 2 offers a wealth of content, with active communities, and is always welcoming to new and returning players.