In the intricate economy of Guild Wars 2, the transition from first-generation to second-generation legendary weapons marked a fundamental shift in crafting mechanics. Central to this evolution is the Amalgamated Gemstone, a critical crafting material that has become the primary bottleneck for players attempting to craft weapons such as the Klobjarne Geirr. Unlike its predecessors which relied heavily on specific Tier 6 mats and Gift of Fortune, the new generation of legendaries introduces a new currency of value: the Amalgamated Gemstone. Understanding the precise quantity required, the various methods of acquisition, and the economic implications is essential for any player planning a legendary weapon journey. This analysis delves into the exact numbers, the crafting recipes, and the strategic considerations surrounding these gemstones, providing a comprehensive guide for enthusiasts and collectors.
The core question regarding the Amalgamated Gemstone is not merely about acquisition, but about the precise numerical requirement for a specific legendary weapon. For the legendary spear Klobjarne Geirr, the crafting process demands a specific quantity of these gemstones. The synthesis of this weapon requires a total of 5 Amalgamated Gemstones to complete the final upgrade stage. This requirement is part of a larger collection known as the "Klobjarne Geirr Gifts." While 5 gemstones may seem like a modest number compared to the hundreds of other materials required for the precursor, the difficulty lies entirely in the scarcity and acquisition methods of the Amalgamated Gemstone itself. The gemstone acts as a gatekeeper for the final step, effectively controlling the pace at which a player can complete their legendary weapon.
The Economic Weight of the Amalgamated Gemstone
To understand the value and the "cost" of obtaining these 5 gemstones, one must examine the market dynamics and the crafting costs associated with them. The Amalgamated Gemstone is an exotic rarity crafting material used specifically in the Mystic Forge. Its value is derived from its finite supply and the high cost of the ingredients required to craft it. Unlike the Tier 6 mats of the first generation legendaries, which could be farmed in-game over time, the Amalgamated Gemstone relies on materials that often have a more limited market or require specific in-game activities to obtain.
The crafting of a single Amalgamated Gemstone via the Mystic Forge is a probabilistic process. The standard recipe involves combining a Pile of Crystalline Dust with three stacks of crests, orbs, or doubloons. The output is not guaranteed; the recipe yields one Amalgamated Gemstone with a rare chance of producing more. Historical data suggests that up to 5 gemstones can be produced from a single attempt, but the base probability is low. The alternative is purchasing them on the Trading Post, though the market price can fluctuate significantly. A whole stack of these gemstones has been observed to cost around 300 gold, but this price is subject to market volatility. The high cost is often attributed to the fact that the gemstones are not merely a collection item but are integral to the "Healing of the Tree" (HoT) precursor upgrade to a legendary weapon.
The disparity between the cost of old legendaries and new legendaries is stark. First-generation legendaries required 250 of each Tier 6 mat. In contrast, second-generation legendaries like Klobjarne Geirr require 200 of each Tier 6 mat, plus additional stacks of Tier 5 mats, and critically, the Amalgamated Gemstones. The total cost for new legendaries, when calculated with the Amalgamated Gemstone prices, can be 500 to 2,000 gold more expensive than the most expensive first-generation legendaries. For example, the crafting cost for the Nevermore legendary weapon, if crafted and bought from the Trading Post materials, is approximately 2,700 gold, while Bifrost is around 1,600 gold. The Amalgamated Gemstones represent a significant portion of this budget.
Acquisition Methods: Crafting vs. Farming
Obtaining Amalgamated Gemstones requires a strategic approach, balancing time investment against gold expenditure. There are two primary pathways: direct crafting via the Mystic Forge and farming through specific in-game activities.
The Mystic Forge Recipe
The most common method for players who have the necessary materials is to craft the gemstones in the Mystic Forge. The recipe is versatile, allowing for the use of three stacks of any combination of the following: - Three stacks of 3 crests - Three stacks of 3 orbs - Three stacks of 3 doubloons
The input is a Pile of Crystalline Dust plus the three stacks mentioned above. The output is probabilistic. The base yield is one Amalgamated Gemstone, but there is a rare chance (approximately 2-4% in mystic forging contexts) of receiving more, with up to 5 confirmed in some cases. However, the primary crafting method for a guaranteed result involves a bulk recipe. The bulk recipe utilizes 5 Globs of Ectoplasm and 3 stacks of 25 crests, orbs, or doubloons to produce 10 Amalgamated Gemstones. This bulk method is generally more cost-effective than the single recipe. The bulk recipe rewards 10 gemstones for 75 items (25 per stack x 3), yielding 0.13 gemstones per upgrade. The single recipe rewards 1 gemstone for 9 items, yielding 0.11 gemstones per upgrade. Therefore, the bulk recipe offers a better efficiency rate.
Farming and Event Rewards
While crafting is the primary method, Amalgamated Gemstones can also be obtained through various in-game activities, making them accessible to players who prefer farming over spending gold. The gemstones are contained in "Hero's Choice Chests" from a wide array of maps and events. These maps include: - Amnytas - Auric Basin - Citadel of Zakiros - Convergence - Crystal Oasis - Domain of Vabbi - Dragon's End - Dragon's Stand - Echovald Wilds - Elon Riverlands - Gyala Delve - Inner Nayos - New Kaineng City - Seitung Province - Skywatch Archipelago - Tangled Depths - The Desolation - Verdant Brink
Completing specific events in these maps awards a Hero's Choice Chest, from which the player can select an Amalgamated Gemstone as one of the rewards. Additionally, supply boxes such as the Crystal Bloom Supply Box, Deldrimor Supply Box, Ebon Vanguard Supply Box, and Exalted Supply Box have a chance to drop Amalgamated Gemstones.
For the specific case of the Klobjarne Geirr spear, players must also acquire 12 Amalgamated Rift Essences. These are obtained by completing Convergences and Rifts, specifically the Mount Balrior Convergence or the Shattered Lands Rifts. The crafting of the legendary spear also requires 38 Mystic Clovers. While these are distinct from the Amalgamated Gemstones, they are part of the same ecosystem of materials required for the weapon's creation.
Comparative Analysis: Old vs. New Legendary Costs
The shift to second-generation legendaries introduced a new economic model. The old generation of legendaries relied heavily on Tier 6 materials, which were often obtainable through general gameplay, laurels, and Mystic Forge clovers. The new generation, however, introduced the Amalgamated Gemstone as a primary gatekeeper, creating a situation where the cost of the gemstones alone could bankrupt a player who relies solely on the Trading Post prices.
The cost difference is significant. The old legendaries required 250 of each Tier 6 mat. The new legendaries require 200 of each Tier 6 mat, plus additional Tier 5 mats, and the Amalgamated Gemstones. The total gold cost for new legendaries is estimated to be 500 to 2,000 gold higher than the old ones, depending on market prices. For instance, the Nevermore costs approximately 2,700 gold to craft using Trading Post prices, while Bifrost is around 1,600 gold. The Amalgamated Gemstones represent a substantial portion of this increase.
The problem, as noted by the community, is that the Amalgamated Gemstone market is highly volatile and the item has a finite market. The reliance on a single item for the final upgrade step has been criticized as a "needless gold sink." The lack of multiple acquisition methods exacerbates the issue. While Hero's Choice Chests provide a free alternative, the rate of drop is slow, and the specific maps required to farm them are often difficult to access for casual players.
Strategic Planning for Klobjarne Geirr
For the specific goal of crafting the Klobjarne Geirr, the requirement is fixed at 5 Amalgamated Gemstones. To achieve this, a player must decide between the bulk crafting route or the farming route.
Bulk Crafting Strategy The most efficient method is to craft 10 Amalgamated Gemstones using the bulk recipe (5 Globs of Ectoplasm + 3 stacks of 25 crests/orbs/doubloons). This yields 10 gemstones, providing a surplus of 5 over the required amount. This surplus can be sold on the Trading Post or saved for future legendaries. The efficiency of this method is superior because it yields 0.13 gemstones per upgrade material, compared to 0.11 for the single recipe.
Farming Strategy For players unwilling to spend gold on materials, farming the Hero's Choice Chests is the only free alternative. This requires completing the specific map events listed previously. The rate of farming will depend on the player's level, build efficiency, and the specific event completion times. However, this method is time-consuming and may not be feasible for players looking for a quick legendary.
The Role of Homesteading and Shards
Another critical component in the crafting of Klobjarne Geirr involves the Adept Handiworker Crafting (Homesteading) mastery. This mastery is necessary to purchase specific items from NPCs, such as the Shards of Homestead. These shards can also be purchased on the Trading Post directly. The recommendation for players is to purchase these shards rather than waiting for weekly limits to save gold, as the time cost of farming may outweigh the monetary savings.
The crafting of the spear also requires 12 Amalgamated Rift Essences. These can be obtained by doing Rifts and Convergences. The Mount Balrior Convergence is a primary source, and the general Rift Hunting and Convergences Guide provides a detailed routine for efficient farming. These essences are distinct from the Amalgamated Gemstones but are part of the same material set required for the legendary.
Addressing the Community Concerns
The community has raised valid concerns regarding the design of the Amalgamated Gemstone. The primary complaint is that the gemstones are not a collection in the traditional sense but are part of the "Healing of the Tree" precursor to legendary upgrade. The finite nature of the market and the high cost have led to calls for a fix. Suggestions include decreasing the required amount to 100 or 150 per legendary (though the current requirement is only 5 per weapon, suggesting the issue might be the cost per unit rather than the total quantity) or changing the recipe from 9 items to 6 or 3 items per gemstone.
The sentiment expressed by players who have completed legendaries like Nevermore is one of financial strain. One player reported being "completely broke" after completing Nevermore, with less than 1 gold remaining. This highlights the economic barrier posed by the Amalgamated Gemstones. The cost is spread out, but the dependency on a finite market item makes the overall process feel like a "needless gold sink."
Conclusion
The Amalgamated Gemstone represents a pivotal shift in the economy of Guild Wars 2, serving as the primary material for the final upgrade of second-generation legendary weapons like the Klobjarne Geirr. While only 5 gemstones are strictly required for the spear, the difficulty lies in their acquisition. The bulk crafting recipe offers the most efficient path, yielding 10 gemstones for a relatively low input of Ectoplasm and upgrade materials. However, the high market price and the finite nature of the item have created a significant economic barrier for many players.
For those seeking the Klobjarne Geirr, the path is clear: gather 5 Amalgamated Gemstones, either by crafting in the Mystic Forge or by farming Hero's Choice Chests. The choice between spending gold or spending time defines the player's journey. The community's feedback suggests that the current system is overly expensive and may require adjustments to make legendaries more accessible. Until such changes are implemented, the Amalgamated Gemstone remains a formidable hurdle in the quest for the ultimate spear. The strategic use of the bulk recipe and the efficient farming of convergence events offers the most viable paths forward for dedicated players.