The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Legendary Weapons in Guild Wars 2: A Professional Gamer’s Experience

Guide

When it comes to Guild Wars 2, few things evoke a sense of accomplishment like wielding a legendary weapon. These weapons not only boast stunning visual effects but also come with some of the best stats in the game. As a professional gamer, I’ve dedicated countless hours to the pursuit of these mythical items, and in this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about crafting legendary weapons in Guild Wars 2, sharing some of my personal experiences along the way.

What Are Legendary Weapons?

Legendary weapons in Guild Wars 2 are the pinnacle of gear. They are powerful, visually stunning, and offer flexibility by allowing you to change their stats at any time without needing to craft or find a new weapon. Each legendary weapon is unique, featuring its own set of effects, animations, and skins that make them a symbol of prestige.

But, let me tell you, crafting one of these weapons is no small feat. It requires time, dedication, and a lot of resources. The first time I crafted a legendary weapon, it felt like a monumental achievement. It’s more than just an item – it’s a testament to your perseverance and expertise in the game.

Getting Started: Choose Your Legendary Weapon

The first step in your journey is choosing which legendary weapon you want to craft. There are three generations of legendary weapons in Guild Wars 2, each with its own set of requirements:

  • Generation 1: The original legendary weapons, available since the game’s launch.
  • Generation 2: Introduced with the Heart of Thorns expansion, these weapons have more complex crafting steps but offer enhanced designs and effects.
  • Generation 3: Released with the End of Dragons expansion, these weapons incorporate themes from the expansion’s content.

Each generation of weapons has its own appeal, but personally, I found the Generation 2 weapons to be the most rewarding to craft, both in terms of aesthetics and challenge. For example, when I set my sights on crafting Astralaria, a beautiful axe with celestial-themed effects, I knew I was in for a serious grind – but it was a grind that was worth every second.

The Components: What You’ll Need

To craft a legendary weapon, you’ll need several key components:

  1. Gift of Mastery: This requires map completion across all major areas of Tyria. When I was working on this gift, I found myself rediscovering areas of the game I hadn’t visited in years. Completing the world map is no small task, but it’s an essential part of the process.
  2. Gift of the Legendary Weapon: Each weapon has its own specific gift that requires rare materials. For Astralaria, I had to gather an array of astronomical materials and complete a series of collections that had me chasing after the stars, quite literally. It was one of the more intricate collections I’ve done in the game, and the lore behind it made the grind a lot more interesting.
  3. Gift of Fortune: This component involves a lot of gold and crafting materials. You’ll need to craft a Mystic Clover, which can be frustrating due to its reliance on RNG (random number generator). I remember when I was crafting my first Mystic Clover – the nerves that hit when the game’s RNG determined whether I’d get the necessary materials or not were intense.
  4. Precursor Weapon: A precursor is the base weapon needed to craft your legendary. You can either craft it through the Mystic Forge or obtain it through the Legendary Journey collections. I was lucky enough to get my precursor weapon, The Mechanism, by playing through the associated collection. It was satisfying to have the precursor in hand after all the hard work.

My Personal Journey: Crafting Astralaria

As I mentioned earlier, I chose to craft Astralaria, the celestial-themed axe, as my first legendary weapon. The entire process took me several months, but the experience was unforgettable.

One of the most memorable parts of crafting Astralaria was completing the weapon’s collection. I had to track down specific items scattered across the map, including observing the constellations in the night sky. There was a moment when I was standing on a cliff in Draconis Mons, watching the night sky for a starry event, and it reminded me just how immersive Guild Wars 2 can be.

The final stages of the crafting process were a bit nerve-wracking. As I worked on my Gift of Fortune, I had to dump a lot of my gold into the Mystic Forge for a chance to get Mystic Clovers. Thankfully, the RNG gods smiled on me, and I didn’t have to spend too much gold before I had what I needed.

When I finally combined all the materials to craft Astralaria, the satisfaction was unlike anything I’d felt before in the game. The weapon’s celestial effects – with stars orbiting the blade and constellations appearing when I swing – made all the effort worthwhile.

Tips for Aspiring Legendary Crafters

Now that I’ve gone through the legendary crafting process a few times, here are some tips for anyone looking to start their journey:

  1. Plan Ahead: Crafting a legendary weapon isn’t something you can do on a whim. Start gathering materials early, even before you choose your weapon. Stockpile gold, crafting materials, and karma to make the process smoother down the road.
  2. Use the Trading Post Smartly: Some materials, like T6 crafting materials, can be expensive. Keep an eye on the market and buy these materials when prices drop. Conversely, if you have excess materials, selling them at the right time can give you a nice boost to your gold reserves.
  3. Don’t Rush: Crafting a legendary weapon is meant to be a long-term goal. There will be times when it feels like a grind, but don’t let it burn you out. Take breaks, explore other aspects of the game, and come back refreshed.
  4. Join a Guild or Community: Having a group of people to share your journey with can make the process a lot more enjoyable. My guildmates were a huge help in giving me advice, donating materials, and keeping me motivated when I felt stuck.

The Endgame: Is Crafting a Legendary Weapon Worth It?

Absolutely. Crafting a legendary weapon is one of the most rewarding experiences in Guild Wars 2. It requires time, effort, and dedication, but the sense of achievement you’ll feel when you finally equip that weapon is unparalleled.

For me, crafting Astralaria was more than just getting a cool weapon – it was a personal journey that deepened my connection to the game. The satisfaction of wielding a legendary weapon that you’ve put months of work into is hard to describe, but trust me, it’s worth every second.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newer player, crafting a legendary weapon is an experience that every serious Guild Wars 2 player should aim for. Happy crafting, and may your journey to legend be filled with excitement and success!

About Kukuh Putra