Guild Wars 2

So if I have eight level 80 characters, and would like to get them all in ascended backpacks at some point. I don’t want to do a ton of Fractals, but have enough mists stuff to make at least a couple using those recipes. I also have the recipes for the Dwayna/Grenth ones and the blades ones. I’m just curious, of the various methods of making a pack that are out there, which in general are the most cost effective?

Its hard to argue cost effectiveness as all of them require account bound mats as well, and the tradeable ingredients vary in value.
Shadow of Grenth/Light of Dwayna certainly is the most expensive one right now in tradeable mats and you need a vision crystal each.
The new one doesnt need much mats that are tradeable, if you craft it with leatherworker but you will need a vision crystal and 925 blade shards, which might be limited to this and maybe the next patch.

Books and Quivers only require 24 skillpoints and 1 glob of essence, which is easier to get than a vision crystal and the 50 ectos and 250 t6 mats only set you back a little more than 100g right now, so those might be your best shot.

Go for Yakkingtons Tale/Quiver of a Thousand Arrows, if you want to choose your stats.

Man, I wish there were cheaper options. 100g is not a “just” thing for me when considering I still need 5-6 backpacks. I really wish that 100g was something I could just throw around on a whim.

Fractal backpieces are probably the best ways to get them. It helps if you enjoy fractals as it still takes a decent amount of relics.

Yeah, that’s the problem, the fractals are the “best” way to get way too many things in this game, but I really can’t stand running fractals more than once or twice. Too much time doing the same activity on the same character.

Ohoni.6057:

Man, I wish there were cheaper options. 100g is not a “just” thing for me when considering I still need 5-6 backpacks. I really wish that 100g was something I could just throw around on a whim.

Ascended is probably not ideal for you then, just go with a single exotic spinal blade pack and pass it around as needed. I think I payed 60g for my quiver/books back when they were cheaper to make, at today’s prices the stat increase is not worth it especially with all stat choices available in exotic spider packs.

Ascended Backpacks will most likely always be expensive. The new Blade backpiece is the cheapest piece (timewise). Goldwise, obviously the fractal pieces are free, but it’s much easier to grind 60g than 1850 fractal relics.

However, the question of “why bother” arises. If you dislike fractals, there is no reason for ascended backpieces (unless you really like the look of one of them). Ascended gear is needed really only for high level fractals- the percent change in stats you get between exotic and ascended is definitely not worth 100+ gold (but the infusion slot and the agony resist slot are worth that money)

I feel your pain, Ohoni. I crafted 5 Ascended backpieces (using the Yakkington/Thousand Arrow recipes) for my 5 characters recently. Set me back about 400 gold, mostly tied up in purchasing the 1250 Vicious Claws. >.< (Prices for those have gone up by 33% too, so double ouch if you’re joining the race now.)

Still, that’s way cheaper than going the Dwayna/Grenth backpiece route. I haven’t done a price comparison, but the Spinal Blades backpack may be easier in the sense that all of the ingredients are spread out over various types, so you don’t need to buy whole stacks as with the Yakkington/Quiver recipes.

Solo.9027:

Ascended is probably not ideal for you then, just go with a single exotic spinal blade pack and pass it around as needed.

Does the spinal blade pack become soulbound if you continue upgrading to Ascended?

And is the stat change for the spinal pack only a one-time thing when you upgrade it, or can you change stats around when you pass between characters?

Unless you are in love with particular back item look, there is really a reason to bother with.

Solo.9027:

Solo.9027:

Ascended is probably not ideal for you then, just go with a single exotic spinal blade pack and pass it around as needed.

Does the spinal blade pack become soulbound if you continue upgrading to Ascended?

And is the stat change for the spinal pack only a one-time thing when you upgrade it, or can you change stats around when you pass between characters?

It will be account bound once you equip it.

silvermember.8941:

Unless you are in love with particular back item look, there is really a reason to bother with.

Solo.9027:

Solo.9027:

Ascended is probably not ideal for you then, just go with a single exotic spinal blade pack and pass it around as needed.

Does the spinal blade pack become soulbound if you continue upgrading to Ascended?

And is the stat change for the spinal pack only a one-time thing when you upgrade it, or can you change stats around when you pass between characters?

It will be account bound once you equip it.

This changed since todays patch, advanced spinal blades(exotic) are now soul bound… :/

If you upgrade the Exotic version to Ascended, does it become account bound again?