The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Legendary Weapons in Guild Wars 2: My Journey and Tips for Success
As a professional gamer and content creator, I’ve had the privilege of diving deep into many games, but few have captivated me like Guild Wars 2 (GW2). One of the most rewarding, yet daunting tasks in the game is crafting a legendary weapon. These iconic weapons aren’t just powerful; they’re a true testament to dedication, perseverance, and a bit of strategy. In this post, I’m going to share my personal journey crafting legendary weapons in GW2 and offer some tips and insights for players looking to begin their own legendary quest.
What Are Legendary Weapons in Guild Wars 2?
Before we dive into the process, let’s cover the basics. Legendary weapons in Guild Wars 2 are high-tier, visually stunning weapons with unique effects. They offer the flexibility of stat-swapping, meaning you can change their stats at will, making them highly versatile. On top of that, they boast some of the most beautiful designs in the game, from the radiant Sunrise greatsword to the fiery Incinerator dagger.
For me, the draw to legendary weapons wasn’t just their stats—it was the journey to create something so grand. When I first set my sights on crafting my own legendary weapon, I knew it would be an uphill battle, but I had no idea just how satisfying the process would be.
The Start of My Legendary Journey
I remember the first time I decided to craft a legendary weapon. At that point, I was just starting to understand the scope of the endgame content. I had been playing Guild Wars 2 casually for a while, but the allure of a legendary weapon pushed me to dive deeper into the game’s economy, crafting, and world events.
My journey began with research. I scoured the internet, watched countless YouTube tutorials, and read every guide I could find. I quickly realized that crafting a legendary wasn’t a simple task—it required time, gold, and a strategic approach.
Here are the main components needed to craft a legendary weapon:
- Gift of Mastery – This is the toughest part of the process and requires a lot of world completion.
- Gift of Fortune – You’ll need to craft this by collecting materials like mystic clovers, t6 materials, and globs of ectoplasm.
- Precursor Weapon – This is the base weapon that your legendary will be crafted upon. You can either buy it or craft it through the Mystic Forge.
- Gift of the Legendary Weapon – Each legendary weapon requires a specific gift, which usually involves crafting and materials from specific game activities.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your First Legendary
1. World Completion and the Gift of Mastery
The first significant hurdle I faced was world completion. This means completing all the zones in the base game. I’d always been someone who enjoyed exploring in games, but even for me, this was a monumental task. Every zone needed to be completed, including cities, jumping puzzles, and those pesky underwater hearts. But it was worth it.
One tip I’d offer here is to take your time. Don’t rush world completion just to get your legendary; enjoy the process. I found myself discovering parts of the game I had never really noticed before, and I ended up with more achievements and materials than I expected.
2. Precursor: The Foundation of Your Legendary
When it comes to the precursor weapon, there are several ways to obtain one. Some players try their luck at the Mystic Forge, throwing in rare weapons in the hope of getting the precursor they need. Others choose to buy it from the trading post, but this can be incredibly expensive. I opted for a different route: crafting it.
In Guild Wars 2’s Heart of Thorns expansion, the developers introduced the precursor crafting system. This system allowed me to craft my precursor through a series of collections and achievements. This was my preferred method because it felt like I was working towards my weapon, rather than relying on RNG or shelling out tons of gold. It was also a lot of fun to complete the various collection achievements, and by the time I had my precursor, I felt a real sense of accomplishment.
3. Crafting the Gift of Fortune
Once I had my precursor weapon, the next major step was crafting the Gift of Fortune. This is one of the most expensive parts of the process, requiring Mystic Clovers, which can be crafted in the Mystic Forge, but again, this involves a lot of materials like Globs of Ectoplasm, Tier 6 crafting materials, and more. To say this part of the process is a grind would be an understatement.
A personal tip here: don’t be afraid to spend some time farming, whether it’s for materials or gold. Running fractals and participating in world boss events helped me gather materials and gold much faster. Don’t forget to check out Trading Post prices daily to find any opportunities to save money when purchasing materials.
4. Creating the Gift of the Legendary Weapon
The final part of crafting a legendary weapon is creating its specific gift. For example, if you’re crafting The Dreamer (a bow that shoots rainbow unicorns), you’ll need to create the Gift of the Dreamer, which requires specific items that can be obtained through various means like dungeons or crafting. I found that this step added a nice variety to the process, as I had to engage with different parts of the game that I wouldn’t have otherwise explored.
The Moment of Triumph
After months of farming, crafting, and completing world events, I finally held my legendary weapon in my hands. I crafted Twilight, a stunning greatsword that shifts between day and night. It was a surreal moment, and I vividly remember equipping it for the first time and marveling at its beauty.
Crafting a legendary weapon is more than just grinding; it’s a journey that pushes you to experience every aspect of Guild Wars 2. Whether you’re a veteran player or someone just starting to delve into the game’s endgame content, the feeling of accomplishment when you finally complete your legendary weapon is second to none.
Tips for New Players
If you’re new to Guild Wars 2 and feeling overwhelmed by the legendary weapon crafting process, here are a few tips based on my experience:
- Take it slow: Legendary weapons are meant to be long-term goals. Don’t rush the process.
- Set smaller goals: Break down the components you need and focus on one at a time. It’s less overwhelming this way.
- Enjoy the journey: The process will introduce you to many facets of the game, from fractals to PvP to crafting. Enjoy it!
- Leverage the community: Join a guild or ask for advice from other players. The GW2 community is incredibly helpful.
Conclusion
Crafting a legendary weapon in Guild Wars 2 is no small feat. It requires patience, perseverance, and a lot of dedication. But trust me, the journey is just as rewarding as the destination. Whether you’re crafting your first legendary or your tenth, every step of the process feels like an adventure.
For me, the experience was unforgettable, and I hope this guide helps you on your own journey to crafting a legendary weapon. Good luck, and may your path to glory be legendary!
