Mastering the Craft: My Journey to Obtaining a Legendary Weapon in Guild Wars 2
As a professional gamer and avid Guild Wars 2 (GW2) enthusiast, one of the most rewarding milestones in my experience with the game has been crafting my first legendary weapon. Legendary weapons in Guild Wars 2 are the epitome of prestige and power, offering not only remarkable stats but also stunning visual effects that make your character stand out in the game’s vast world of Tyria. But these weapons are not just handed out; they require a significant commitment of time, effort, and in-game resources. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the steps to crafting a legendary weapon in Guild Wars 2 and share my personal journey, with tips on how you can streamline the process and avoid some common pitfalls.
Why Legendary Weapons Matter
Legendary weapons in Guild Wars 2 aren’t just another upgrade—they are a status symbol. When you wield a legendary weapon, you can customize its stats at any time, meaning you don’t need to craft different weapons for different builds. This flexibility is invaluable for anyone who enjoys experimenting with various playstyles. Plus, legendary weapons have unique animations and visual effects that are often jaw-dropping, making them highly coveted among players.
For me, as someone who loves optimizing my character’s build and performance in both PvE and PvP, the idea of having a versatile weapon that could adapt to any situation was a game-changer. The process of acquiring one, though? That was an adventure all its own.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Legendary
Guild Wars 2 offers a wide range of legendary weapons, each with its own distinctive look and feel. Whether it’s the fiery greatsword Eternity or the ethereal Twilight, your first step should be choosing a weapon that resonates with you, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality. For me, it was The Dreamer, a legendary short bow with whimsical, dream-like visuals, fitting for my playstyle as a ranged damage dealer.
Before committing to a specific legendary, I spent some time testing various weapon types in-game to see what felt the most natural. Since I spent a lot of my time in World vs. World (WvW) and fractals, I knew I needed something with range and mobility. That’s how I landed on The Dreamer—its fantastical appearance was just an added bonus.
Step 2: Crafting the Precursor
The precursor is essentially the base version of your legendary weapon. Crafting or acquiring a precursor is one of the first major hurdles. There are a few ways to get your hands on one: through the in-game auction house (Trading Post), drops, or crafting it through a specialized collection process. The Trading Post option is the quickest but also the most expensive, costing upwards of several hundred gold depending on the weapon.
I went the long route and crafted my precursor using the collections system. This involved completing various objectives that highlighted different aspects of GW2’s vast content. From map completion to defeating specific world bosses, the precursor crafting journey was challenging but ultimately fulfilling. The satisfaction of crafting The Lover, The Dreamer‘s precursor, was my first taste of the legendary grind and an experience I won’t forget.
Step 3: Collecting Materials – The Grind Begins
Once you have your precursor, the real grind begins. Legendary weapons require a wide variety of rare materials, including Gift of Mastery, Gift of Fortune, and a unique weapon-specific gift. These materials require you to participate in almost every aspect of the game.
- Gift of Mastery: This requires map completion, which means exploring and fully completing every map in Tyria. As someone who enjoys exploring, I didn’t mind this part. In fact, it allowed me to appreciate the game’s breathtaking landscapes and hidden lore even more. However, it was time-consuming. Every vista, waypoint, heart, and point of interest had to be found. The trick is to not rush it—enjoy the journey!
- Gift of Fortune: The next major requirement is earning a Gift of Fortune, which primarily involves farming crafting materials and Spirit Shards. For this, I took to running dungeons and fractals regularly. I also made good use of the Mystic Forge to combine materials I already had into something useful. Gold farming was crucial here too, but once you get into a rhythm of doing daily fractals and events, it becomes manageable.
- Unique Weapon Gift: Each legendary weapon has a unique gift tied to its theme. For The Dreamer, I had to gather materials to create a gift that reflected its whimsical nature—rainbows, unicorns, and sparkling items from various events. It felt like a scavenger hunt in the world of Tyria, and this part was actually a lot of fun.
Step 4: Gold Farming and the Economy
One unavoidable reality of crafting a legendary weapon is the amount of gold needed. You will need to farm, trade, and invest wisely. While some players might find this part tedious, I actually enjoyed participating in the game’s economy. I found success in flipping items on the Trading Post and farming meta-events like Dragon’s Stand. With patience, you can accumulate enough gold without having to resort to spending real money.
Gold farming taught me a lot about the game’s economy, and I got into the habit of monitoring item prices. Some materials spike in value during certain events, so timing your purchases or farming runs can save a lot of gold. For example, I would wait for weekend events like the Festival of the Four Winds to farm certain valuable items that could later be sold at a profit.
Step 5: The Final Craft – A Moment of Glory
After months of work, I finally gathered all the materials needed. The final crafting moment is, hands down, one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had in the game. The Mystic Forge shimmered, and suddenly, The Dreamer appeared in my inventory. Holding that bow for the first time was an incredibly satisfying moment. The long grind was worth it.
Lessons Learned and Tips for Aspiring Legendary Hunters
- Patience is Key: Crafting a legendary weapon is not something that happens overnight. It’s a long-term project, and you have to embrace the journey.
- Plan Your Resources: Before diving in, plan out how you’ll gather the necessary materials. If you’re going for multiple legendaries, be strategic about which materials overlap.
- Join a Guild: Having a supportive guild can make a huge difference. Not only can guild members help you with group events, but they can also offer valuable advice and encouragement when the grind feels overwhelming.
- Enjoy the Process: Instead of rushing to the end, try to enjoy every step of the journey. Explore the maps, engage in the events, and appreciate the beauty of Tyria.
In conclusion, crafting a legendary weapon in Guild Wars 2 is a monumental achievement, one that offers both gameplay advantages and personal satisfaction. If you’re willing to put in the effort, the rewards are well worth it. For me, The Dreamer isn’t just a weapon—it’s a testament to perseverance, strategy, and my love for the game. So, if you’re thinking about taking on the challenge of crafting a legendary weapon, I say go for it. It’s a journey you won’t forget.
