Best upgrades? - Guild Wars Forums

Ryuuhei · Dec 29, 2008, 08:26 PM // 20:26

Hi, im abit new actually and havent understand the upgrades yet, and which are best, but apparently u can enchant one item with Rune and Insignia, and from the Rune trader, highest armor enchant is +15 armor, and Rune 50 health, so is that the best enchants? or theres any higher?

That was for assassin btw.

snaek · Dec 29, 2008, 08:38 PM // 20:38

all insignias have the same stats
so its jus a matter of which one to use
generally +hp is better than +armor
(+energy is in most cases unnecessary...tho some builds may benefit from it)

if u decide to wear a +armor insignia
use it on ur chest or legs
since those pieces have the highest % chance to get hit
(in other words, the +armor bonus is not global, such as the bonus u find on ur shield)

runes have a minor, major, and superior versions

major and superior attribute runes have -35 and -75 hp penalties
so its generally recommended to wear minor, unless the situation requires u to have the +1/+2 attrib point
(shadow form farming for sins)

major and superior vigor runes have no penalties
therefore u want the best one available to u

recommended gearin is:
survivor insignias all around

minor dagger mastery rune
minor critical strikes rune
superior rune of vigor
runes of vitae/clarity/restoration -or- minor deadly/shadow if needed for build

edit: oh and its important to note that while some insignias/runes may be more rare than others
the rune trader npc will have -every- single rune in stock (most of the time)
theres no need to wait until u reach the "last area of the game for better sellers" like other games
everything is available to u generaly very early on in the game (assuming u can afford it)

Ryuuhei · Dec 29, 2008, 08:52 PM // 20:52

so there can drop a rune which gives +3 dagger , and not -75 health right? , more like +15 health, and still +3 dagger mastery

Ryuuhei · Dec 29, 2008, 08:53 PM // 20:53

so there can drop a rune which gives +3 dagger , and not -75 health right? , more like +15 health, and still +3 dagger mastery

and still, whats the highest armor from insiginia u can get?

lol lagged post.

I was thinking to put Rune( 50 health) cost 20k each, on each item, and +15 armor from Insignia.

50health/+15 armor on each item, except the armor cuz i need the rune that adds +3 Dagger Mastery there , but if i get that from Rune trader, then it -75 hp, so does it drop any in the game from enemies, that still gives +3 , but not -75 hp?

snaek · Dec 29, 2008, 08:57 PM // 20:57

no a superior dagger mastery +3 will always have -75 hp

jus look at the rune trader
no matter which one u go to
thats all the runes in the whole entire game

Ryuuhei · Dec 29, 2008, 09:01 PM // 21:01

okay, and about the Insignia, +15 armor cost 950g in Rune Trader, is there any higher then +15 armor? is there, 25 ? or 30?

snaek · Dec 29, 2008, 09:04 PM // 21:04

wut u see at the rune trader is all that is available...

*Darcy* · Dec 29, 2008, 09:11 PM // 21:11

Here is a link to the wiki pages for insignia and runes

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Insignia

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Rune

And a page with links to all upgrades except Inscriptions
http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Upgrade_component

xarchitect · Dec 29, 2008, 09:17 PM // 21:17

You won't get the benefit of the Major Vigor rune on multiple pieces of armor. Look for the term "non-stacking" on runes. That means even if you put a +3 Dagger Mastery on all 5 pieces, you will only get the benefit of 1. You will still get the lost health. Similarly, putting 5 vigors will only get you the benefit of the first one.

Generally, a good default for beginner armor is survivor insignias on all 5 pieces. For an assassin, a dagger mastery rune (probably minor) on your headpiece (you will eventually want different headpieces to swap, so put the dagger mastery on a headpiece). Put a vigor rune (best you can afford) on one piece. The three remaining pieces can be done with runes of vitae (these will stack, so you get the benefit of having more than one in your set), crit strikes, clarity.

For the armor itself, your max level will be 70 armor and you will have that available when you reach Kaineng City. I wouldn't worry too much about fully equipping your armor before you get the max set.

Amantis · Dec 29, 2008, 09:21 PM // 21:21

LOL if you spend money on 5 sup vigors. Thats all.

KZaske · Dec 29, 2008, 09:32 PM // 21:32

When I first started playing Guild Wars there was a site dedicated to Rangers (the site is now long gone). Yeah I know you are an Assassin. Several members of the site did a study; health mods vs armor mods, which is better. The answer turned out to depend a lot on what you are doing. If you are in PvP (at the time the types of damage (such as holy damage) that were being used by most groups ignore armor) they found that the +30 Health mod was better than a +5 armor bonus. If however you play PvE; a +5 Armor bonus was almost twice as effective as a +30 health bonus in keeping a ranger alive.
I am not sure, but it makes sense that the same would be true for any other class. While the study was done back in 2005, I do not think they have reworked the game enough to invalidate the study.

Ryuuhei · Dec 29, 2008, 09:33 PM // 21:33

ok i see, so the best i can do for my assa is this

Helm - +15 armor/50 health
Armor - +15 armor/3 dagger mastery
Pants - +15 armor/+30 health
Boots - +15 armor/+10 health
Gloves - +15 armor/+10 health

Correct?

(on the end set of Factions ofcourse, thats the only i play, so Kurzick Elite)

Codin The Great · Dec 29, 2008, 10:05 PM // 22:05

http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Inscription
http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Rune

maybe this will help.

edit:didnt see that darcy had same thing. :P

Ryuuhei · Dec 29, 2008, 10:10 PM // 22:10

ok, so except the 30 hp, since its the same as 50, i mean same type of item,then i put 10 there instead, cuz they can be stacked.

So i replace 10 health instead of 30 there, thats the best i can do right? agree?

wait a sec, theres Vigor Health +30 Health +41 Health +50, and more then 1 wont stack, so will it work this way?

Helm - +15 armor/50 health
Armor - +15 armor/3 dagger mastery
Pants - +15 armor/+41 health
Boots - +15 armor/+30 health
Gloves - +15 armor/+10 health

? it must work judging from what it says on the sites?

BrettM · Dec 29, 2008, 10:38 PM // 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryuuhei

ok, so except the 30 hp, since its the same as 50, i mean same type of item,then i put 10 there instead, cuz they can be stacked.

So i replace 10 health instead of 30 there, thats the best i can do right? agree?

Helm - +15 armor/50 health
Armor - +15 armor/3 dagger mastery
Pants - +15 armor/+10 health
Boots - +15 armor/+10 health
Gloves - +15 armor/+10 health

1. Do not put any rune on the headgear except one that matches the built-in attribute. A piece of headgear will have an automatic +1 boost to one of your attributes. So, if you buy Dagger Mastery headgear, put a Dagger Mastery rune on it.

2. A Superior (+3) Dagger Mastery rune is not a good idea for a beginning player because of the health reduction. Start with a Minor (+1) Dagger Mastery rune. Later on you can upgrade it if it seems like a good idea. You may find that you can get along just fine with the minor rune.

3. All classes should have a minor rune of their primary attribute somewhere on their armor. For an assassin, you should have a Minor Critical Strikes rune in addition to the Dagger Mastery rune.

Everyone has their own way of doing this, but my pattern is to put the primary-attribute rune on the chest piece, the best vigor rune I can afford on the pants, and vitae on the boots and gloves. For some professions I use attunement instead of vitae, or one of each (one on the gloves and the other on the boots).

4. Be careful when choosing +armor insignias, since they are all conditional,. Don't just automatically assume the biggest number is the best. I assume by +15 Armor you mean the Nightstalkers insignia, which only increases your armor while you are attacking. I have not played an assassin character, so I'm not prepared to say whether this is or isn't a good choice, but you do need to be aware of the condition and consider whether it is likely to be met more often than not.

Ryuuhei · Dec 29, 2008, 10:56 PM // 22:56

about this Vigor Health +30 Health +41 Health +50 it dosent work to stack them, but they only mean two 50's for example, u can still use 1 30, and 1 41, and 1 50, right? on ur set, if that works then best would be:

Helm - +15 armor/3 dagger mastery
Armor - +15 armor/+50 health
Pants - +15 armor/+41 health
Boots - +15 armor/+30 health
Gloves - +15 armor/+10 health

Tombguard321 · Dec 29, 2008, 11:13 PM // 23:13

Short answer would be no, the Vigor runes 30, 41 and +50 will not stack with each other you can only use one on your armour set usually you would add the highest.

For example

Helm - +15 armor/+3 dagger mastery
Armor - +15 armor/+50 health
Pants - +15 armor/+ 41 health
Boots - +15 armor/+ 30 health
Gloves - +15 armor/+10 health

Total bonus health 60,as the +30 and +41 will not stack with each other

best setup base on opinion

Helm -Survivor +5 health/+1 dagger
Armour-Survivor +15 health/+50 Vigor
Pants-Survivor +10/Vitae +10
Boots-Survivor +5 Health/+1 Critical
Gloves- Survivor +5 Heath/rune Clarity

Bonus Health =100 health

Which would be a better setup imho, which i think the others were trying to explain this.

Ryuuhei · Dec 29, 2008, 11:19 PM // 23:19

k thanks =))

xarchitect · Dec 29, 2008, 11:23 PM // 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tombguard321

Helm -Survivor +5 health/+1 dagger
Armour-Survivor +15 health/+50 Vigor
Pants-Survivor +10/Vitae +10
Boots-Survivor +5 Health/+1 Critical
Gloves- Survivor +5 Heath/rune Clarity

This nicely sums up the advice given to you by everyone posting above.

Ryuuhei · Dec 29, 2008, 11:40 PM // 23:40

Well, my Enchant build will be:

Helm - +15 armor/ +3 dagger mastery
Armor - +15 armor/ +50 health
Pants - +15 armor/ +10 health
Boots - +15 armor/ +10 health
Gloves- +15 armor/ +10 health

Total: 75 Armor/ 5 Health

Thanks for info all.

Dec 29, 2008, 08:26 PM // 20:26	#1
Ryuuhei Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2008	Best upgrades? Hi, im abit new actually and havent understand the upgrades yet, and which are best, but apparently u can enchant one item with Rune and Insignia, and from the Rune trader, highest armor enchant is +15 armor, and Rune 50 health, so is that the best enchants? or theres any higher? That was for assassin btw.

Dec 29, 2008, 08:38 PM // 20:38	#2
snaek Forge Runner Join Date: Mar 2006 Profession: N/	all insignias have the same stats so its jus a matter of which one to use generally +hp is better than +armor (+energy is in most cases unnecessary...tho some builds may benefit from it) if u decide to wear a +armor insignia use it on ur chest or legs since those pieces have the highest % chance to get hit (in other words, the +armor bonus is not global, such as the bonus u find on ur shield) runes have a minor, major, and superior versions major and superior attribute runes have -35 and -75 hp penalties so its generally recommended to wear minor, unless the situation requires u to have the +1/+2 attrib point (shadow form farming for sins) major and superior vigor runes have no penalties therefore u want the best one available to u recommended gearin is: survivor insignias all around minor dagger mastery rune minor critical strikes rune superior rune of vigor runes of vitae/clarity/restoration -or- minor deadly/shadow if needed for build edit: oh and its important to note that while some insignias/runes may be more rare than others the rune trader npc will have -every- single rune in stock (most of the time) theres no need to wait until u reach the "last area of the game for better sellers" like other games everything is available to u generaly very early on in the game (assuming u can afford it) Last edited by snaek; Dec 29, 2008 at 08:43 PM // 20:43..

Dec 29, 2008, 08:53 PM // 20:53	#4
Ryuuhei Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2008	so there can drop a rune which gives +3 dagger , and not -75 health right? , more like +15 health, and still +3 dagger mastery and still, whats the highest armor from insiginia u can get? lol lagged post. I was thinking to put Rune( 50 health) cost 20k each, on each item, and +15 armor from Insignia. 50health/+15 armor on each item, except the armor cuz i need the rune that adds +3 Dagger Mastery there , but if i get that from Rune trader, then it -75 hp, so does it drop any in the game from enemies, that still gives +3 , but not -75 hp? Last edited by Ryuuhei; Dec 29, 2008 at 08:59 PM // 20:59..

Dec 29, 2008, 09:11 PM // 21:11	#8
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	Here is a link to the wiki pages for insignia and runes http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Insignia http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Rune And a page with links to all upgrades except Inscriptions http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Upgrade_component __________________ That's me, the old stick-in-the-mud non-fun moderator. (and non-understanding, also)

Dec 29, 2008, 09:33 PM // 21:33	#12
Ryuuhei Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2008	ok i see, so the best i can do for my assa is this Helm - +15 armor/50 health Armor - +15 armor/3 dagger mastery Pants - +15 armor/+30 health Boots - +15 armor/+10 health Gloves - +15 armor/+10 health Correct? (on the end set of Factions ofcourse, thats the only i play, so Kurzick Elite) Last edited by Ryuuhei; Dec 29, 2008 at 09:40 PM // 21:40..

Dec 29, 2008, 08:52 PM // 20:52	#3
Ryuuhei Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2008	so there can drop a rune which gives +3 dagger , and not -75 health right? , more like +15 health, and still +3 dagger mastery

Dec 29, 2008, 08:57 PM // 20:57	#5
snaek Forge Runner Join Date: Mar 2006 Profession: N/	no a superior dagger mastery +3 will always have -75 hp jus look at the rune trader no matter which one u go to thats all the runes in the whole entire game

Dec 29, 2008, 09:01 PM // 21:01	#6
Ryuuhei Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2008	okay, and about the Insignia, +15 armor cost 950g in Rune Trader, is there any higher then +15 armor? is there, 25 ? or 30?

Dec 29, 2008, 09:04 PM // 21:04	#7
snaek Forge Runner Join Date: Mar 2006 Profession: N/	wut u see at the rune trader is all that is available...

Dec 29, 2008, 09:17 PM // 21:17	#9
xarchitect Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Mar 2006 Profession: E/	You won't get the benefit of the Major Vigor rune on multiple pieces of armor. Look for the term "non-stacking" on runes. That means even if you put a +3 Dagger Mastery on all 5 pieces, you will only get the benefit of 1. You will still get the lost health. Similarly, putting 5 vigors will only get you the benefit of the first one. Generally, a good default for beginner armor is survivor insignias on all 5 pieces. For an assassin, a dagger mastery rune (probably minor) on your headpiece (you will eventually want different headpieces to swap, so put the dagger mastery on a headpiece). Put a vigor rune (best you can afford) on one piece. The three remaining pieces can be done with runes of vitae (these will stack, so you get the benefit of having more than one in your set), crit strikes, clarity. For the armor itself, your max level will be 70 armor and you will have that available when you reach Kaineng City. I wouldn't worry too much about fully equipping your armor before you get the max set.

Dec 29, 2008, 09:21 PM // 21:21	#10
Amantis Academy Page Join Date: Mar 2007 Guild: The Mursaat Guardians Profession: Me/	LOL if you spend money on 5 sup vigors. Thats all.

Dec 29, 2008, 09:32 PM // 21:32	#11
KZaske Jungle Guide Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boise Idaho Guild: Druids Of Old (DOO) Profession: R/Mo	When I first started playing Guild Wars there was a site dedicated to Rangers (the site is now long gone). Yeah I know you are an Assassin. Several members of the site did a study; health mods vs armor mods, which is better. The answer turned out to depend a lot on what you are doing. If you are in PvP (at the time the types of damage (such as holy damage) that were being used by most groups ignore armor) they found that the +30 Health mod was better than a +5 armor bonus. If however you play PvE; a +5 Armor bonus was almost twice as effective as a +30 health bonus in keeping a ranger alive. I am not sure, but it makes sense that the same would be true for any other class. While the study was done back in 2005, I do not think they have reworked the game enough to invalidate the study.

Dec 29, 2008, 10:05 PM // 22:05	#13
Codin The Great Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: You will never know!!!! Guild: Guardians of Hades [GoH] Profession: W/E	http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Inscription http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Rune maybe this will help. edit:didnt see that darcy had same thing. :P

Dec 29, 2008, 10:10 PM // 22:10	#14
Ryuuhei Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2008	ok, so except the 30 hp, since its the same as 50, i mean same type of item,then i put 10 there instead, cuz they can be stacked. So i replace 10 health instead of 30 there, thats the best i can do right? agree? wait a sec, theres Vigor Health +30 Health +41 Health +50, and more then 1 wont stack, so will it work this way? Helm - +15 armor/50 health Armor - +15 armor/3 dagger mastery Pants - +15 armor/+41 health Boots - +15 armor/+30 health Gloves - +15 armor/+10 health ? it must work judging from what it says on the sites? Last edited by Ryuuhei; Dec 29, 2008 at 10:44 PM // 22:44..

Dec 29, 2008, 10:56 PM // 22:56	#16
Ryuuhei Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2008	about this Vigor Health +30 Health +41 Health +50 it dosent work to stack them, but they only mean two 50's for example, u can still use 1 30, and 1 41, and 1 50, right? on ur set, if that works then best would be: Helm - +15 armor/3 dagger mastery Armor - +15 armor/+50 health Pants - +15 armor/+41 health Boots - +15 armor/+30 health Gloves - +15 armor/+10 health

Dec 29, 2008, 11:13 PM // 23:13	#17
Tombguard321 Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scotland Guild: Guildless Profession: W/E	Short answer would be no, the Vigor runes 30, 41 and +50 will not stack with each other you can only use one on your armour set usually you would add the highest. For example Helm - +15 armor/+3 dagger mastery Armor - +15 armor/+50 health Pants - +15 armor/+ 41 health Boots - +15 armor/+ 30 health Gloves - +15 armor/+10 health Total bonus health 60,as the +30 and +41 will not stack with each other best setup base on opinion Helm -Survivor +5 health/+1 dagger Armour-Survivor +15 health/+50 Vigor Pants-Survivor +10/Vitae +10 Boots-Survivor +5 Health/+1 Critical Gloves- Survivor +5 Heath/rune Clarity Bonus Health =100 health Which would be a better setup imho, which i think the others were trying to explain this. Last edited by Tombguard321; Dec 29, 2008 at 11:15 PM // 23:15.. Reason: mistyped

Dec 29, 2008, 11:19 PM // 23:19	#18
Ryuuhei Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2008	k thanks =))

Dec 29, 2008, 11:40 PM // 23:40	#20
Ryuuhei Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2008	Well, my Enchant build will be: Helm - +15 armor/ +3 dagger mastery Armor - +15 armor/ +50 health Pants - +15 armor/ +10 health Boots - +15 armor/ +10 health Gloves- +15 armor/ +10 health Total: 75 Armor/ 5 Health Thanks for info all.