Armor, ascending and upgrades Oh My - Guild Wars Forums

mappam · Jan 18, 2011, 06:55 PM // 18:55

There are a few things I still don't understand - some very basic

Not in any order:

1) Armor - is there an advantage to have a "matching set"? Or can you mix-n-match for a different look?
1a) What level(s) can you get some of the more 'special' armor? I can find pictures of the different armor and I can find info on Where To Get it but no idea what level a character needs to be to venture into these areas.
1b) Upgrading armor - I still don't really understand the runes, transcribtion etc to make better stats on your armor/weapons. Can you only get these from salvaging or rune dealer?

2) All kinds of info on Ascending - but I can't find a How-To. What level is my character when this is possible? I have one character that really needs a different 2nd profession and need to "Ascend" first (from what I understand). Have I missed the right wiki or info??

3) Henchies - is there a rule-of-thumb on How-To pick the best ones for different professions/quests/missions? Same thing with Hero's?

4) Are there any Walkthrough's for the different areas - for returning or new players? Something that is really basic?

Thanks I am so sorry to ask so many questions BUT I am afraid I will burn-out on this game before I understand what I am doing - OR get so frustrated I just quit.

Yes I have read the wiki's and have them in my Favorites!

Shoot! I put this into the wrong forum! I thought I was in Question/Answers - So sorry!

*lemming* · Jan 18, 2011, 07:20 PM // 19:20

1. no
1a. By normal progression, around level 20 in Prophecies and slightly earlier in the other chapters.
1b. Runes and Insignias, used to upgrade armor, are obtainable through salvaging or the rune trader. Inscriptions, used to upgrade weapons, are obtainable only through salvaging (and trading).

2. It's something you'll come across as you progress through the storyline.

3. Not really. Melee henchmen and heroes suffer from poor AI, though. It's usually best to avoid them.

4. Both wikis have comprehensive walkthroughs.

Dzjudz · Jan 18, 2011, 07:34 PM // 19:34

For henchies:

In a party of 8 you usually want 2 prot/healing characters. There are usually two monk henchmen available and those should be taken. In Factions you can sometimes choose a restoration ritualist henchmen instead of one of these. Of course, your heroes can replace these if you want. And I'd stay away from most melee henchmen, like lemming said.

Roen · Jan 18, 2011, 07:35 PM // 19:35

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1) Armor - is there an advantage to have a "matching set"? Or can you mix-n-match for a different look?

No advantage. Mix-n-match, dye, etc. to get unique combinations and cool looking armor. Read up on Armor Level or Armor Rating on the wiki. Each piece only protects hits on that area. So for instance, if you have a chest armor with 70 AL and leg armor with 40 AL you only have 40 armor on your legs and if a hit lands there it'll do more damage. It's best to have the same (max) armor level across all pieces but having different types of armor (elite luxon chest, elite kurzick legs, etc.) doesn't matter. Elite armors only offer cooler looks, not better protection vs. standard max armor.

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1a) What level(s) can you get some of the more 'special' armor? I can find pictures of the different armor and I can find info on Where To Get it but no idea what level a character needs to be to venture into these areas.

Generally speaking, if you do the primary quests and missions and follow the story line, by the time you get into an area, you should be high enough level to be there. So, once you're there, get the best armor available (armor level-wise, not coolest looking)

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1b) Upgrading armor - I still don't really understand the runes, transcribtion etc to make better stats on your armor/weapons. Can you only get these from salvaging or rune dealer?

Available from salvages, rune traders, other players, etc. Open party and look for traders selling runes and insignias. Read wiki articles on runes and insignias. Join a guild and ask mates for help with runes and insignias.

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2) All kinds of info on Ascending - but I can't find a How-To. What level is my character when this is possible? I have one character that really needs a different 2nd profession and need to "Ascend" first (from what I understand). Have I missed the right wiki or info??

Again, by the time you get to the area just through normal story progression, you should be high enough level to ascend. You can theoretically have someone run you in Prophecies and be ascended at a low level. But it's best to just play the game (press "L" and do the primary quests and all co-operative missions) and level up via the natural progression of the story.

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3) Henchies - is there a rule-of-thumb on How-To pick the best ones for different professions/quests/missions? Same thing with Hero's?

Melee AI (warriors, dervs, sins) sucks. Ranged classes and caster classes FTW. But casters are squishier so try to keep them off the front line. Learn about flagging heroes and henchies to place them and spread them out to protect against Area of Effect (AoE) damage.

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4) Are there any Walkthrough's for the different areas - for returning or new players? Something that is really basic?

I think you'll find lots of info on the guild wars wiki site on how to play as any given class. There are also articles on every primary quest and mission, best tactics and walkthroughs including how to acheive bonus for each mission, etc.

I'll say it one more time: Join a guild. It's called *Guild* Wars. Guild mates are quite helpful. Post in the forums here on GwG that you are looking for a guild (there is a specific forum for it) and read the posts in the forum where guilds are looking for players. Chat w/ some folks and find a guild. Have fun.

Cool Name · Jan 18, 2011, 07:40 PM // 19:40

1) Only matching (and elite) armor sets can be added to your Hall of Monuments (if you decide you want some rewards in GW2).

Laraja · Jan 18, 2011, 07:44 PM // 19:44

What compaigns do you have? That would help us give you more direct answers for ascension.

When I first started playing, I didn't understand anything about armor, runes etc... but I just kept going and figured it out along the way. You will to, so be patient and don't give up. You'll get it, trust me. And Wiki has terrific walkthroughs and all missions and quests. It also has detailed analysis on each henchmen such as what spells they have at what level and their pros and cons. Just type in the henchman's name in the wiki search.

People here say don't use henchmen, but there are times when you don't have a choice. I have my Legendary Vanquisher and Legendary Guardian titles (which probably means nothing to you at this point, but to make it simple I've basically beaten all the games in HM) and I did *most* of that with heros and henchmen. So they're better than nothing.

Do you have heros? They're customizable henchmen. You can get them in Nightfall and EotN. It's worth it.

Good luck and don't give up!

Spiritz · Jan 18, 2011, 07:52 PM // 19:52

Before Hom - armor was mixed according to the individuals owns likes and a lot of times players mixed 2 or 3 diff armors to have a different look as 3000 identical sins in same armor doesnt make you look cool ( example ) and on guru you will see requests for chrs with mixed armor sets still - maybe in screenshot section not sure..
I think everything else has been covered by others - also joining a guild is a mixed experiance but only because each guild is different in how they treat new players - some wont touch a newbie because they find them annoying with questions and offer nothing at the time back to the guild ( experiance in areas etc ) but other guilds will welcome a newbie because they see potential in a new player who in time will be of help.

**cosyfiep** · Jan 18, 2011, 07:57 PM // 19:57

basically for armor if you can get there you can have the armor (with the exception of eye armor which require a level 5 in their particular faction to talk to the armor crafter). Max armor is 60 armor rating for casters and then goes up from there for the different melee ones. There is almost no benefit from having a 'set' of armor (HoM is it), so mix and match as you please.

henchmen, thats a tough one, everyone has an idea of what they think is best --FOR THEM, which may or may not work for you. Though on the whole, I would usually take a hero monk as my first choice, from there it really depends on which chapter, what you are doing and such.

ascending...in prophecies is probably the hardest and most complicated...in factions and nightfall its just a quest/mission and you are done....(factions you need to complete napuli quarter mission and nightfall Hunted! quest)...and this stuff is only necessary if you want to do some of the elite areas.

Captain Bulldozer · Jan 18, 2011, 08:35 PM // 20:35

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