Mastering Guild Wars 2: A Guide to Crafting Your First Legendary Weapon
Guild Wars 2 (GW2) has long captivated players with its intricate combat mechanics, expansive world, and a gear progression system that keeps you coming back for more. But nothing screams dedication and mastery quite like obtaining a legendary weapon. Legendary weapons aren’t just visually stunning; they also offer unmatched versatility and status. Having crafted a few myself, I can confidently say that this journey is one of the most satisfying milestones in the game, and it all begins with a spark of curiosity, followed by a lot of planning.
In this post, I’ll share my own experiences with crafting a legendary weapon in GW2. We’ll delve into the detailed steps involved, what to expect along the way, and some tips I’ve picked up from hours of farming and trading. Buckle up, because this journey is not for the faint-hearted, but the end reward is more than worth it.
Why Legendary Weapons Are Worth the Grind
Before diving into the how, it’s essential to understand the why. Legendary weapons in GW2 are more than just flashy items—they provide the highest level of flexibility for end-game content. They allow you to change your weapon stats on the fly, which can be a game-changer for players who engage in multiple game modes (PvE, PvP, WvW). Imagine being able to switch from a power-focused build to a condition damage build without needing to craft or purchase new gear.
Personally, the ability to adjust my stats was a significant motivator. It freed me from being locked into a specific build and gave me the flexibility to adapt to whatever content I was tackling that day, be it fractals, raids, or open-world boss fights. The sense of accomplishment that came with wielding a legendary weapon also made it all the more worth the effort.
The Journey Begins: What You Need to Know
Crafting your first legendary weapon isn’t something you wake up one day and decide to do. It requires a lot of preparation, research, and patience. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need to complete your legendary weapon:
- Gift of Mastery
- Gift of Fortune
- Gift of the Legendary Weapon (specific to the weapon)
- Precursor Weapon
Each of these components involves multiple steps, each with its own set of challenges and time sinks. Let’s break them down.
Gift of Mastery: Explore and Conquer
The first major component of your legendary journey is the Gift of Mastery. To craft this, you’ll need to complete several significant tasks:
- Map Completion: Complete world map exploration (yes, all of Tyria). This part was surprisingly fun for me. Although it was time-consuming, it allowed me to revisit zones I hadn’t explored in years. It’s also worth noting that completing maps rewards you with valuable loot, which can help fund other parts of your legendary grind.
- Gift of Exploration: Completing world map zones awards you map-specific rewards, and once you complete every map in the game, you receive the Gift of Exploration.
- Bloodstone Shard: This can be purchased from Miyani near the Mystic Forge for 200 Spirit Shards. I was a bit short on Spirit Shards, so I had to spend some time farming daily log-in rewards and doing a few PvP matches to stock up.
The best advice I can give here is to enjoy the ride. World completion might seem like a grind at first, but it offers a deep dive into the game’s rich lore and stunning environments, which is what GW2 is all about.
Gift of Fortune: The Gold Sink
Next, let’s talk about the Gift of Fortune—the most resource-intensive part of your legendary weapon. You’ll need a Mystic Clover, which in turn requires 250 Mystic Coins, Obsidian Shards, T6 Materials, and other items. Farming for this can be daunting, but it’s manageable with a plan.
I remember being overwhelmed by the amount of gold needed, but breaking the task into smaller daily goals helped. Running daily fractals, participating in the trading post, and completing dungeon paths were part of my routine to build up funds.
Tips:
- Fractals of the Mists: Daily fractal runs are a goldmine. Not only do they reward you with gold, but you also earn Fractal Encryptions, which can be sold for more profit or opened for valuable crafting materials.
- Trading Post: Keep an eye on material prices, and sell off excess resources when the prices peak. Buying and selling on the Trading Post can be a nice supplement to your gold income if done right.
- Obsidian Shards: These are earned by completing events in the Silverwastes and other Heart of Thorns zones. My advice: take advantage of metas and farm these while you can.
Gift of the Legendary Weapon: Personalized Crafting
This part of the process will depend on the weapon you’re crafting. Each legendary weapon requires its unique gift, known as the Gift of the Legendary Weapon. For example, if you’re crafting Sunrise, you’ll need a Gift of Sunrise.
For me, I decided to craft Eternity—the legendary greatsword that combines both Sunrise and Twilight into one. As an elementalist main, having an aesthetically stunning sword that also shifts between day and night felt like the perfect fit. Crafting both weapons was no easy feat, but the visual effect was well worth the effort. Make sure to research the specific items and materials needed for your chosen legendary weapon before starting.
The Precursor: Luck or Grind?
Ah, the Precursor—the bane of many players’ existence. It’s the legendary weapon’s base and can either be obtained through a lucky drop, purchased off the Trading Post for a hefty sum, or crafted through the Legendary Journey collection introduced in Heart of Thorns.
I remember grinding my precursor through the collection system. The scavenger-hunt-style missions were actually pretty fun, though they were time-consuming. You can also try your luck at the Mystic Forge, but the chances are low, and you could end up sinking more gold than you bargained for.
The Final Steps: Assembling Your Masterpiece
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary components, it’s time to visit the Mystic Forge. Combining the Precursor, Gift of Mastery, Gift of Fortune, and Gift of the Legendary Weapon will give you your legendary weapon.
The moment I finally assembled my legendary in the Mystic Forge was unforgettable. There’s something magical about watching all your hard work come together in such a tangible way. The sense of accomplishment, combined with the awe-inspiring visual effects of a legendary weapon, makes the entire process feel incredibly rewarding.
Conclusion: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. Crafting a legendary weapon in Guild Wars 2 is a journey that tests your patience, resource management, and dedication. The grind can be long and, at times, frustrating, but the feeling of wielding a legendary weapon is unmatched.
As someone who has gone through the process, I recommend breaking the tasks into smaller, manageable goals and enjoying the journey along the way. Once you’re holding your legendary weapon, you’ll understand why so many players consider this to be one of the game’s ultimate achievements.
Whether you’re in it for the stats, the prestige, or the stunning visual effects, legendary weapons in GW2 are well worth the effort. Happy crafting!
