Guild Wars 2

Can we get an official response on whether it’s intended that the highest tier exotic crafted back items are only level 78? (Thus restricting the kind of upgrades you can put on them.)

How much more official than a blogpost do you need it?

I quote:

“These items are intended for the up-and-coming heroes of Tyria. As such, they extend up to an exotic level of rarity, but they are all exclusively under level 80. You may find that early explorations of Tyria are easier the second, third, or twenty-third time around with some of this gear.”

They have better stats that other backpacks of the same level, the exotic lvl 78 version has better stats than an exotic lvl 80 backpack. You can also choose your stats.
They are OP for a lvl 78 item and you can use them for 2 levels until you get an ascended back.

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/crafting-backpacks-new-leveling-items-and-more/

Labjax.2465:

Can we get an official response on whether it’s intended that the highest tier exotic crafted back items are only level 78? (Thus restricting the kind of upgrades you can put on them.)

I actually think there’s some use to an L78 item, but agree with your sentiment. There’s another way to resolve it: change the minimum gear level requirement to 60 or 70 for the various items you can slot in. After all, exotic Superior Runes and Sigils only require L60, so why not make it L78 for exquisite jewels?

Illconceived Was Na.9781:

Labjax.2465:

Can we get an official response on whether it’s intended that the highest tier exotic crafted back items are only level 78? (Thus restricting the kind of upgrades you can put on them.)

I actually think there’s some use to an L78 item, but agree with your sentiment. There’s another way to resolve it: change the minimum gear level requirement to 60 or 70 for the various items you can slot in. After all, exotic Superior Runes and Sigils only require L60, so why not make it L78 for exquisite jewels?

I just leave this here:

Electro.4173:

As I posted earlier in the thread, it doesn’t even matter that they’re level 78, because they have higher base stats than a normal level 80 exotic and can still take a level 65 rare upgrade.

Which actually makes them BETTER than a level 80 exotic back item with an exotic jewel, not worse. Slightly, anyway.

Here’s the comparison numbers.

~ Level 80 Exotic Cultivated Vine , Berserker stats
+22 Power
+16 Precision
+16 Ferocity
~ Level 80 Exquisite Ruby Jewel
+25 Power
+15 Precision
+15 Ferocity
~ Total
+47 Power
+31 Precision
+31 Ferocity

~ Level 78 crafted backpiece, Berserker stats
+32 Power
+18 Precision
+18 Ferocity
~ Level 65 Embellished Ruby Jewel
+21 Power
+13 Precision
+13 Ferocity
~ Total
+53 Power
+31 Precision
+31 Ferocity

And that’s not even considering the extra infusion slot.

Wanze.8410:

How much more official than a blogpost do you need it?

I quote:

“These items are intended for the up-and-coming heroes of Tyria. As such, they extend up to an exotic level of rarity, but they are all exclusively under level 80. You may find that early explorations of Tyria are easier the second, third, or twenty-third time around with some of this gear.”

They have better stats that other backpacks of the same level, the exotic lvl 78 version has better stats than an exotic lvl 80 backpack. You can also choose your stats.
They are OP for a lvl 78 item and you can use them for 2 levels until you get an ascended back.

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/crafting-backpacks-new-leveling-items-and-more/

There’s no need to get snarky about it. I probably even read the post but forgot about it. It just seems like a weird design choice.

If they are better than normal level 80 exotics with lower upgrades, then it would seem they’re a confused piece of work in terms of stats and level. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with them being stronger – in fact, I think it’s a cool way to do it, considering that you have to make each stage of the backpack to reach the strongest one.

I just think they could be more clear about their intentions through the design alone. I shouldn’t have to read a blog post to understand the item level choice.

Illconceived Was Na.9781:

I actually think there’s some use to an L78 item, but agree with your sentiment. There’s another way to resolve it: change the minimum gear level requirement to 60 or 70 for the various items you can slot in. After all, exotic Superior Runes and Sigils only require L60, so why not make it L78 for exquisite jewels?

Interesting point. Even the orbs require L80 and they are only rare. It doesn’t seem quite consistent, does it?