Guild Wars 2

I’m a new player and I’ve gotten my char up to 33 and recently found that when I went into a lower lvl area, it drops my level to match the area. Surprise !

Thats great though because all areas are an adventure then.
I was told that my armor needed to be upgraded and that would help.
Someone mentioned that I should get Zerg Armour.
What is Zerg Armour and where can I get it.

Thanks for being such a helpful community for us new players.
I Love This Game !

Hello SelDurin and wellcome to Tyria.

Zerg armor is probably a misspelled Zerk (short for Berserker) armor that has the power, precision and critical damage statistics on it. While it is one of the most efficient at mob-killing, I wouldn’t suggest going for it primarily as it leaves you defenseless since it has no defensive statistics (vitality, toughness). Not only that, but since low level items have only one or two stats you won’t ever find a piece named “Berserker”.

So in short if you are having troubles with mobs, pay a visit to some heart vendors (the NPCs with a heart symbol on the map will sell you things after you complete their quest) and get up to your level blue or green gear. For stats, try to go for a medium amount of power, precision vitality and toughness. You might also want to buy the gear off the Trading Post if you have some silvers to spare.

Keep in mind though that while equipment helps, your playstyle is the key factor to success (or demise :P). Stay away if you are using a ranged weapon, use good leveling skills, dodge big attacks, don’t over-aggro…

Also, that’s what she said!

All excellent advice, Wolfheart!

Don’t worry about getting a particular type of armor until you’re high level, possibly even max level. You’re still figuring out what skills and stats you like best, at level 33, so there’s no need to worry about getting a particular gear set that you’re going to outgrow in a few levels.

Better equipment helps, and just learning how to dodge, pick off individuals from groups, how to play your class, etc. makes a huge difference in PvE. Have fun with it!

At this point, the only thing that really matters is the level requirement on your weapons and armor. Always replace your equipment before you outgrow it by 5 levels, as a rule of thumb. (You can do this by crafting, or by completing hearts (and visiting the heart-merchants) in level-appropriate areas.)

At lower levels, your bonuses from traits and base armor value on your armor far outweigh the value of the stat bonuses. (And don’t worry about traits; you get a free refund of all trait points with both the level 40 traitbook and the level 60 traitbook.) And after that, traits are cheap to retrain – 3s50c at level 80.

You will only receive relevant bonuses to your stats on equipment from about level 65 onwards, and even that is quite early. Just steadily keep on upgrading your gear until you are past level 75. Only at that point should you start considering what kind of stats you would like to have on your equipment.

(This only applies to PvE. If you want to try WvW, you should always make sure to have upgraded your gear as much as possible, and you will still be at a disadvantage until you reach level 80 and actually have some kind of build.)

Don’t buy anything at LVL 33…..just look at any Green item that drops and if it’s better than what you have on …. use it.

Salvage all other Blue & Green items (for the luck consumables). This strategy will change as you approach LVL 80, but is solid for leveling up. If you choose to craft, this is a good source of materials and if you DON’T craft, selling materials on the Trading Post is solid income. If you craft, you MAY be able to craft a few items you can use, but this is tough to do with a single character (unless you are willing to spend money on materials…not suggested during level up).

Buying gear before you reach LVL 80 is a waste of funds (not needed and you will soon out level it). You may check at karma vendors (renowned hearts you complete) out in the Open World for Jewelry as that will NEVER drop from enemies.

May consider buying RARE (YELLOW) weapons at LVL 40 & 60 from cultural weapon vendors (for karma) in main cities, but keep in mind you cannot salvage these items (but you can transmute them to keep the “look” on better weapons you later find).

If you find yourself with a equipment that is 15 levels below your current level, consider buying a GREEN item off the Trading Post (BLUE item would save you a bit of coin, but not much). Read up on putting in buy orders on the TP (NEVER buy for the offered sale price unless the difference to the highest buy order is very close).

Save money and Karma…..you will thank me when you reach 80 and NEED those resources to actually “gear up”.

TIP: Do Daily Achievements EVERY day (if possible) and save the Laurels til you reach 80. If you do those, you will collect Laurels and almost surely get Monthly Achievements (check this when the end of the month approaches to make sure you complete them). You will soon start getting Achievement chests that hold lots of good stuff you can use in all areas of the game.

If you can craft your armor and weapons. Weapons are more important during leveling than armor (I’ve leveled toons whose armor was 20 lvls and more lower than my toon since I’m cheap and just use what I pick up along the way). Also, crafting will level your toon some more (pick crafts you can use, unless you have alternative toon that can craft it).

Go into WvW. Find the karma vendor in your borderland’s Citadel and buy Invader armour.

It only costs karma, not gold and it’s the best defensive armour you can get. Choose the grade (fine, master, rare) carefully.