Mastering Guild Wars 2 Legendary Weapons: A Guide from a Professional Gamer’s Perspective

Guide

When I first started my journey in Guild Wars 2 (GW2), the allure of legendary weapons was undeniable. These shimmering, awe-inspiring items represent not only the pinnacle of GW2 craftsmanship but also the dedication, effort, and adventure that goes into acquiring one. As a long-time GW2 player and professional gamer, I’ve had the chance to craft and wield several legendary weapons. In this blog, I’m going to walk you through what it takes to obtain a legendary weapon, why they’re worth the effort, and share some personal insights to make your journey smoother.

What Are Legendary Weapons?

For the uninitiated, legendary weapons in Guild Wars 2 are the most prestigious weapons you can obtain. These items are not just visually stunning but come with several key advantages:

  1. Stat Swapping: You can freely swap stats to fit any build.
  2. Unique Visual Effects: Legendary weapons often have extravagant visual effects, from flaming swords to glowing bows.
  3. Bragging Rights: Let’s be honest, nothing says “I’ve made it” in GW2 quite like wielding a legendary weapon.

The Road to Crafting a Legendary Weapon

Acquiring a legendary weapon is no small feat. It requires dedication, time, and a fair amount of in-game currency. But trust me, the reward is well worth the grind. Here’s the general process:

Step 1: Precursor Weapon

The first part of your journey begins with obtaining the precursor weapon. There are a few ways to do this:

  • Crafting: In Heart of Thorns, the precursor crafting system was introduced. This method allows you to craft a precursor in a series of collections. It’s a long process but can feel more rewarding.
  • Drop: If you’re lucky, precursors can drop in the world or from Black Lion Chests, but the odds are extremely low.
  • Trading Post: The most straightforward option is buying the precursor from the Trading Post. However, this will cost a hefty amount of gold, sometimes upward of 1,000g depending on the market.

My Experience:

When I crafted my first legendary weapon, the precursor was the most daunting part. I wasn’t keen on spending tons of gold, so I opted to craft the precursor through the collection process. It was tedious, requiring a variety of tasks like map completion and material farming, but each step felt like progress, and the sense of accomplishment at the end was incredible.

Step 2: Gift of Mastery

The Gift of Mastery is another key component in crafting a legendary weapon. To create this, you’ll need:

  • Gift of Exploration: Complete the map for every explorable zone in the core Tyria map. This is where my love for GW2’s world-building came into play. Finishing each zone wasn’t just a task but a mini-adventure. From scaling mountains to discovering hidden caves, every corner of Tyria is rich with lore and beauty.
  • 250 Obsidian Shards: These can be earned through fractals, PvP, or bought with Karma. I spent many hours running fractals with guildmates, which, despite the grind, made the experience more fun.
  • Bloodstone Shard: Purchased from a vendor in Lion’s Arch for 200 Spirit Shards.

Step 3: Gift of Fortune

The Gift of Fortune is a bit more about farming and crafting. You’ll need to gather materials for a Mystic Clover, Gifts of Might, and Gifts of Magic. This step heavily relies on having a good amount of gold and materials stocked up, as you’ll need hundreds of T6 materials.

Step 4: The Weapon-Specific Gift

Each legendary weapon requires a specific gift related to its type. For example, if you’re crafting Twilight, you’ll need a Gift of Darkness. This usually involves a combination of materials that are related to the weapon’s theme. This part, while material-heavy, always felt thematic. When I crafted my legendary staff, Bifrost, gathering rainbow materials felt like a journey of its own, from hunting rare flowers to absorbing magical essences across Tyria.

Tips to Make the Journey Easier

Having gone through the process a few times, I’ve learned a few tricks to streamline the legendary weapon grind:

  1. Join a Guild: Being part of an active guild can make a world of difference. Whether you’re running fractals, doing meta events, or simply sharing resources, a good guild will help you get there faster. In my case, my guild was invaluable during the map completion phase. We’d team up and knock out multiple maps in one session.
  2. Take Advantage of Events: GW2 frequently has events and festivals that offer increased rewards. Take advantage of these events to farm materials or gold. The Dragon Bash and Festival of the Four Winds are particularly lucrative for those looking to stock up on resources for their legendary grind.
  3. Don’t Rush: Crafting a legendary weapon is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s easy to get burned out if you’re constantly focused on the grind. Mix in other activities like PvP, WvW, or exploring new content to keep the game fresh. Personally, I found that alternating between legendary farming and raiding helped keep my motivation up.
  4. Use the Trading Post: While it’s tempting to farm everything, the Trading Post can be your best friend when you need to save time. If you have extra gold, consider buying some of the materials rather than farming them endlessly. I learned this lesson the hard way when I spent hours farming T6 materials only to realize I could’ve bought them for a fraction of the effort.

Why Legendary Weapons Are Worth the Grind

At first glance, the legendary weapon journey might seem overwhelming, but there are a few reasons why it’s worth the time and effort:

  1. Versatility: One of the best features of legendary weapons is the ability to change stats on the fly. This means no more having to craft or buy new gear for different builds. This alone has saved me countless hours (and gold) when switching from a power-based build to a condition-based one.
  2. Aesthetic Appeal: GW2 is a game that prides itself on stunning visuals, and legendary weapons are the cream of the crop. The pride and joy I felt when I equipped my first legendary weapon, Sunrise, and saw its radiant glow was unparalleled. It’s a reminder of all the hard work I put in and a status symbol within the community.
  3. Long-Term Investment: Legendary weapons are account-bound, meaning you can use them across all characters. This makes them a long-term investment. Even years down the line, that legendary weapon will still hold value and serve you well.

Final Thoughts

Crafting a legendary weapon in Guild Wars 2 is no small task, but it’s one of the most rewarding experiences in the game. Each step of the process is a journey in itself, filled with challenges, exploration, and teamwork. As a professional gamer, my advice is to embrace the grind and enjoy the process. It’s not just about the end result but the adventures along the way.

So, whether you’re just starting your legendary journey or you’re in the thick of it, remember: patience, perseverance, and a little help from your friends will get you there. Good luck, and may your legendary weapon shine brightly in the world of Tyria!

About Kukuh Putra