Guild Wars 2

Quick question, is the game designed so that we are supposed to use the trading post to buy additional Fine Crafting Materials (totems, claws etc) for insignias and inscriptions rather than finding enough from drops by simply leveling?

It seems like I’m outleveling the zones that provide the Fine Crafting mats I will need to push my characters to the next Crafting level. But I do have three alts as well and their crafting could be competing for those mats.

But if we’re supposed to do a combination of collect them and buy them off the trading post then I guess it’s working for me.

I believe you will not be able to get all the Fine materials needed for one character’s gear purely from one character’s playthrough. I have 5 characters, and after playing through the starter zones on each, I had only about 50% of the Fine materials I would have needed to craft weapons/armor for them all. However, I’ve since been completing all the starter zones on each character and I’ve exceeded the amount needed by two or three times. (However, my level is also way in excess of the starter zones.)

The sad part is, there is not really a point to crafting those fine mats any way. It is usually cheaper (a few copper to a couple silver) to buy the Sigils in the market and use them. Then to buy the materials to craft the sigils you need.

Check it out, look at what it takes to make a Sigil compared to what it costs just to buy one. The craft system is pretty bent and is very upside down…sad really.

Oh and as a word of warning, all the crafted items are ugly. If you find a piece of gear you like the look of, keep it. You get transmutation items like candy so taking something you make and making it look good is easy that way.

SyberSmoke.1358:

Oh and as a word of warning, all the crafted items are ugly.

Aesthetics is really subjective, but I do agree with you as far as crafted weapons are concerned. Crafted ARMOR, on the other hand… Some sets look absolutely stunning.

SyberSmoke.1358:

Check it out, look at what it takes to make a Sigil compared to what it costs just to buy one. The craft system is pretty bent and is very upside down…sad really.

Thanks for the advice, I’ll check out the TP!

I have to agree with Zaxares, I like some of the crafted armors better than the drops, particularly the light/Tailor armor.

My favourites are the Embroidered and Feathered sets for my Human female Mesmer. I also like the Noble set for my Norn female Ranger.

The Draconic Heavy armor set looks awesome on most characters too. (Not so great on Charr, but the helm looks really nice.)

Short answer: Yes. Sell the ones you don’t need buy the ones you do.

Long answer: Do what they said and buy the insignia/inscription since people sell them below cost for some reason.

I can relate OP. I have taken 3 characters through the starting areas and have got enough (well, almost enough) just to get one crafting to 75. I had to actually farm a few Tiny Scales and killed tons of Drakes to get them. Problem is, they’ve made it so that you can’t do much of that. I was getting 1 scale about every 3 or 4 drakes, but then it dropped to 1 in 15-20 soon after that.

Cheers.