Obsidian Shards have two uses in the game:
They can be acquired by using karma in the Temple of Balthazar, when it’s not contested, and more recently ArenaNet added a way to get them in the Fractals of the Mist, being sold by the Fracal relics merchant. Both those ways are not random – you know exactly how much karma and how many relics you need for a single shard.
Why, then, when we see the items available for sale in exchange for the achievement-based laurels, AGAIN there are Obsidian Shards for sale? See the image here.
Obsidian Shards are not that relevant to the game. Three reliable ways to get them is a waste. Instead, ArenaNet should use this kind of system to remove some of the annoying RNG the game has. The perfect thing to make available through those laurels would be globs of ectoplasm. They are required for all crafting disciplines other than cooking, they are required for a lot of Mystic Forge recipes, and they are also required for Legendaries. More importantly, the only way to get them is through RNG – salvaging rare or exotic high level items, which may give a few ectos, or simply give nothing at all.
Considering how RNG is simply bad for the game, this new system of laurels would be a great way to reduce some of it. With proper balancing, it could be used as a source of ectoplasm and other items currently available only through RNG, unlike the Obsidian Shards.
(edited by Erasculio.2914)
Why is this an issue for you?
Besides that, are you really sure that is an actual screenshot of the final content? I’d rather take it as as draft that the final version of it.
Why is this an issue for you?
It’s written in the OP. I suggest reading it.
Besides that, are you really sure that is an actual screenshot of the final content? I’d rather take it as as draft that the final version of it.
Even if it’s only a draft, it’s worth voicing it now so ArenaNet can change the system before it’s implemented.
I read it, you still have yet to show how this is an issue.
Even if it’s only a draft, it’s worth voicing it now so ArenaNet can change the system before it’s implemented.
Well, point taken, but I took it as a very rough concept outline, instead of “Obsidian Shards” there could be anything, even “Wasabi Peanuts”.
Having the Obsidian Shards available through Laurels was the right decision because it helps smaller servers who do NOT have reliable access to Balthazar like Ferg.
Think beyond yourself. It never hurts to have more options.
Well seeing that ectos atm are needed for EVERYTHING EVER i would much like to see more ways to get them than just ‘salvage all the yellows’
Almost no one needs obsi shards
I agree that they should include ectos and other RNG things in the purchasable items. However, since they can have as many items buy able thru laurels as they want, I see no reason to not have obsidian shards too. More options is always good.
I also Agree t6 mats, Ectos anything that people are ruining the TP with should also be considered these Trading post inflaters need to go asap..
I just wanna say, I’m glad they’re adding more options to the game to work towards legendary weapons. I’d like to see more options for the other items you need insane amount of, like T6 rare crafting mats (I’m looking at you, totems!) and lodestones and things. As it is, all the mobs that drop these items with any sort of regularity are already farmed to death! And to make it worse, the value of these items just makes it all that much easier for rich players to screw over the market for all the other players that aren’t super-rich!
This makes me feel that obsidian shards need more uses. Obsidian armor anyone? May as well bring that back :p With better looks anyway. Stack o’ shards + stack o’ ectos stack o’ t6 casting/panel + eldritch scroll. Bam, rich person armor.
Or maybe some obsidian weapons normal people like me can afford, that’d be nice too :P
I’ll also point out that even if that list is the final list….there’s a scroll bar on the side. I’m quite sure there’s plenty of things you’ll be able to buy with laurels.
No.
Having more options for expensive content like the Obsidian Shards is a good thing, not a bad thing.
What you’ve expressed (a desire to see other things in the shop) can still be accomplished while leaving the Obsidian Shards in this shop. So I really don’t see your reasoning for removing it.
It has been said thst there are 100~ items available through the laurel system. Shards being available is mot a bad thing. It adds an extra way to get them for people that need them.
Not affiliated with ArenaNet or NCSOFT. No support is provided.
All assets, page layout, visual style belong to ArenaNet and are used solely to replicate the original design and preserve the original look and feel.
Contact /u/e-scrape-artist on reddit if you encounter a bug.
