Non Crafted Ascended Armor

[ChampionMasquerade.5283]

I was never able to get into crafting since the grind was a bit too much for me. Is there any better ways of getting Ascended Armor?

[Meow Ren.5382]

If you are doing the Strike Missions regularly, you can trade in the colored Shards for boxes of Ascended armor and weapons with Crystalographer Smoxxi:

 

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Crystallographer_Smoxxi#Ascended_Armor

 

Otherwise there are some achievements and other sources (some RNG) listed on the wiki:

 

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Ascended_armor

[ChampionMasquerade.5283]

> @"Meow Ren.5382" said:

> If you are doing the Strike Missions regularly, you can trade in the colored Shards for boxes of Ascended armor and weapons with Crystalographer Smoxxi:

>

> https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Crystallographer_Smoxxi#Ascended_Armor

>

> Otherwise there are some achievements and other sources (some RNG) listed on the wiki:

>

> https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Ascended_armor

 

Would it be bad if I said I’m not familiar with Strike Missions?

[Meow Ren.5382]

There is also a wiki page for Strike Missions:

 

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Strike_Mission

 

If you're in a guild, check if anyone is running them and see if they're willing to let you come along. LFG has listings for Strikes and while some will specifically request people experienced with them, some do not. And usually if they're not specifically looking for certain roles for the run, folks sometimes don't mind questions. Better questions than going in blind and dying :)

[ChampionMasquerade.5283]

So they’re kind of like an easier version of raids? Am I wrong to assume that they are similar in structure to dungeons? Or are they more like a boss gauntlet?

[Randulf.7614]

> @"ChampionMasquerade.5283" said:

> So they’re kind of like an easier version of raids? Am I wrong to assume that they are similar in structure to dungeons? Or are they more like a boss gauntlet?

 

Not exactly - They are usually a one boss instance.

Each boss is a different difficulty so if you hypothetically do them in order (and they are all individual), you'd see a difficulty curve that starts from utter cake walk, to close to some raid bosses

 

The exception being Forging Steel which is more like a dungeon with a story and trash mobs leading up to the boss. The Shiverpeaks Pass one also has a small (skippable) jumping puzzle prior to the boss, but otherwise it's just the boss. The other 4 are self contained boss fights with mechanics to learn

 

Strikes have public access and private squad access

 

I wouldn't say they are the quickest way to get ascended for a player new to them though

[Randulf.7614]

You mention Ascneded Armour, but in case you want any ascended, you have options

 

Always start with accessories/jewellry. They are very easy to get from laurels, guild commendations, wvw

 

Weapons can be gained from collections, fractals and certain bosses (rare).

 

Armour has virtually no gain from exotic, but has slightly less options. Fractals, wvw, strikes are all viable - which is quicker depends on your preference