Which gear rarity should I aim for?
Equipment Tiers & First Goal
Start with exotic gear suited to your build. For power builds, compare inexpensive named sets on the Trading Post. Keep any suitable ascended pieces you already own.
Gear rarities at a glance
Item name colors indicate eight rarities, from Junk to Legendary. Junk items are vendor trash. Level, rarity, and stats affect gear even while leveling, but you do not need an expensive set in advance.
| Rarity | Color | Stat comparison | Infusion slots | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junk | Gray | - | None | Junk to sell to an NPC vendor |
| Basic | White | Depends on level and stat combination | None | Early vendor purchases and quest rewards |
| Fine | Blue | Depends on level and stat combination | None | Enemy drops and chests |
| Masterwork | Green | Depends on level and stat combination | None | Drops, crafting, and the Trading Post |
| Rare | Yellow | Depends on level and stat combination | None | Dungeons, drops, and the Trading Post |
| Exotic | Orange | Starting point for level 80 gear | None | Available on the Trading Post; your first goal at level 80 |
| Ascended | Pink | Highest stats for equivalent equipment | Yes; amulets use an enrichment slot | Higher stats than exotics; holds Agony Resistance infusions |
| Legendary | Purple | Same stats as equivalent ascended gear | Yes; amulets use an enrichment slot | Ascended stats, free stat changes, and account-wide sharing |
Enemy drops, story rewards, and karma gear from completed renown hearts are usually enough. If low-level equipment is holding you back, first compare current-level Trading Post items priced at 10 silver or less. Check the level, stats, and weapon type against your build, and mix inexpensive purchases with reward gear until level 80.
Gear goals after level 80
A full exotic set
Choose level 80 stats suited to your build, then fill empty slots and replace inadequate pieces with exotics. Berserker gear for power builds is easy to find on the Trading Post. Different builds need different stats.
- Get six armor pieces and the weapon sets your build uses
- Check whether your currencies can buy ascended trinkets; use exotics for any gaps
Ascended gear
Ascended gear has slightly higher stats than exotics and slots for Agony Resistance infusions. Agony starts at fractal scale 20 in Tier 1. Prepare gear with infusion slots, such as rings, and enough Agony Resistance before then. Amulets have an enrichment slot instead.
- Start with trinkets: consider laurels for an amulet, and compare your map, fractal, and guild currencies for rings and accessories
- Get weapons and armor through the Wizard's Vault, crafting, or content rewards
Legendary gear
Legendary gear has exactly the same stats as ascended gear. Its benefits include flexible stat selection and convenient equipment sharing.
- Change stats freely out of combat at no cost
- Remove and replace runes or sigils at no cost
- Share through the Armory with level 80 characters that can equip the item
- Change skins without Transmutation Charges
The Level-80 Boost gives you a Celestial exotic set. You can keep it for an open-world build designed for those stats. With limited gold, you do not need to buy the same rarity again automatically. For a group build, compare its required stats and replace pieces as needed.
What should I do now?
Follow this order when you reach level 80.
- Choose your build and stats: Berserker is a starting point for power builds. Follow your condition build's equipment guide; Carrion is an inexpensive temporary option.
- Get armor and weapons: For power armor, compare Zhed's for light, Nika's for medium, and Devona's for heavy armor.
- Check your trinkets: Use laurels or map currencies for ascended pieces if you can. Otherwise, use inexpensive exotics for now.
- Add runes, sigils, and a relic: Follow your build's effects. Eagle runes and Air or Accuracy sigils are possible budget alternatives for power builds.
The next guide covers Trading Post searches, named gear sets, and trinket acquisition routes step by step.