Farming eberron shards

[Exiledtyrant]

how is this done and around what level? I really need to get to crafting flexible shards at 150 crafting skill as soon as I can but I have only ran across 1 eberron shard while leveling. I read the wiki stating something about seals of the twelve but I've not sure when these come into play.

[DanteEnFuego]

Purified shards for crafting? Earn plat, buy tomes, trade tomes in for shards at Crafting House vendor. Win.

Or...

Cut neighbor's grass for $20. Buy TP. Win...

[cru121]

I really need to get to crafting flexible shards at 150 crafting skill as soon as I can

No. This is not a realistic goal for a new player. You will need multiple characters (or lives) going from 1 to 20 collecting essences and deconstructing most loot. Hitting level 30 is a realistic goal.

That said, to farm cannith crafting essences, you simply need to run quests with many chests. And then take all your random loot and deconstruct it.

[CheeseMilk]

You'd be better off selling the small and medium eberron dragonshards on the AH or to people in /trade, then using the plat to buy +1 and +2 tomes, and trading the tomes for Purified Dragonshards. You get 4 for a +1 and 9 for a +2.

Tomes might seem a bit expensive at the moment, but I'm guessing that's just a supply/demand thing, given the number of people making the new Iconic characters and wanting them tomed up. Prices should go back down in a couple of weeks.

[Philibusta]

I wouldn't even worry about it if I were you.

Cannith Crafting was a good idea gone bad from the get-go. It turned the AH into a ghost town.

And now, with the new loot, you can find better stuff than you can craft anyway.

[Exiledtyrant]

I actually need cannith crafting for specific gear prefixes and suffixes under twilight, acid/fire lore, and different spell powers. There are also +6s I wish to fill in unavailable locations. Loot gen and AH is great when it works out but some of these spots most people would trash the gear on. I already have arcane and elemental up to 40 each but soon I'll be in the Ebberon shard area and it looks like it will take a lot to get to 150. it's not something I can skip for my build to work out.

is plat farming for tomes really the best option? are seals of the 12 to hard to come by otherwise? I am actually getting plenty of essence now that I have hit the 5-7+ deconstruction grade items. I also ransack every dungeon I visit. I want to get a gear set up as tight at 15 and 20 or almost as tight as my gear set up at 10 and the only way I can do that is partially through cannith crafting flexibles. I have the time to do it and I probably won't be getting 20+ content any time soon. Any help addressing how to get myself to 150 crafting in elemental and arcane would be appreciated.

[droid327]

My crafter is only around L100 or so, so maybe I dont realize something....do you NEED eberron shards, just to grind? There are no recipes that are essence-only you can grind on? Or do Shards of Potential using Crude Vials?

Just seems a little weird that you'd have to amass enough eberron shards to grind up multiple crafting levels, not just make specific end products you want to use.

Lastly...yeah, like everyone else has been insinuating, I'm a little confused why you would need flexible shards so badly. Its a horrible, horrible grind for something that's ultimately replaced by good lootgen or named items. You cant craft things like Deadly, Speed, Vitality, etc. - and those are all pretty much must-haves. You cant craft weapons to compare with endgame loot. Augments provide much of the functionality that crafting did. Combine those factors with special effects from certain named items, and you're hard pressed to find a slot for a Crafted item.

[Exiledtyrant]

they can't replace spell lore items for 8 or so slots that I can choose to fit them in, they can't do 20% spell failure reduction or give me the option of skipping a blue slot, and I am going to need certain mods that aren't usually lootgened on things that usually have wizardy etc on them. Spell power may be worked around with dual red slots but it would be nice to have the option to match them without relying on slots. Also I'm going to want to stack a chunk of dodge and I don't want to have to rely on random pieces having the % I want. About half my gear will probably lootgened and it won't matter the other half is going to need mods that don't usually spawn or only spawn as often as an augment and even half as much if I want both prefix and suffix.

from what I've seen all shards past 70 need ebberon and crude vials only get me to around 39% of whatever the next tier is then i need to do actual recipes.

[FestusHood]

they can't replace spell lore items for 8 or so slots that I can choose to fit them in, they can't do 20% spell failure reduction or give me the option of skipping a blue slot, and I am going to need certain mods that aren't usually lootgened on things that usually have wizardy etc on them. Spell power may be worked around with dual red slots but it would be nice to have the option to match them without relying on slots. Also I'm going to want to stack a chunk of dodge and I don't want to have to rely on random pieces having the % I want. About half my gear will probably lootgened and it won't matter the other half is going to need mods that don't usually spawn or only spawn as often as an augment and even half as much if I want both prefix and suffix.

from what I've seen all shards past 70 need ebberon and crude vials only get me to around 39% of whatever the next tier is then i need to do actual recipes.

No, actually very few recipes actually require eberron shards. And you don't ever use those to grind levels. Only to make something you actually want to use.

If you are only up to level 40, and think you are getting enough essences now, you are in for a rude awakening. I have been actively leveling my crafting for over a year. I deconstruct every single piece of loot i get. I have also spent millions, yes millions of plat buying essences. I am only up to level 128.

It is about right to say that all the essences which you have used to get to level 40 , would be about enough to raise you one or two levels once you get above level 100. Eberron shards will not be the shortage. Greater essences will be.

I remember the lower levels. When i would get maybe 50 of each greater essences together, i would go and actively grind through a bunch of levels. Now, i wait until i have 500 of each greater essence, and i actively grind through a few levels.

[droid327]

they can't replace spell lore items for 8 or so slots that I can choose to fit them in, they can't do 20% spell failure reduction or give me the option of skipping a blue slot, and I am going to need certain mods that aren't usually lootgened on things that usually have wizardy etc on them. Spell power may be worked around with dual red slots but it would be nice to have the option to match them without relying on slots. Also I'm going to want to stack a chunk of dodge and I don't want to have to rely on random pieces having the % I want. About half my gear will probably lootgened and it won't matter the other half is going to need mods that don't usually spawn or only spawn as often as an augment and even half as much if I want both prefix and suffix.

from what I've seen all shards past 70 need ebberon and crude vials only get me to around 39% of whatever the next tier is then i need to do actual recipes.

I was never doubting they could, just whether there was any reason they'd actually HAVE to...I'm just curious what build you're trying to prop up with such unorthodox gear; most players dont have any issues that they need crafting to address, and Lord knows this game is full of min-maxers who would grind crafting to L500 if it meant getting +1 to their DCs...

-What lore are you trying to fit that you cant find anywhere else? Most elements have options for items that have Spellpower+Lore built together, usually with other useful mods and sockets too.
-What build are you trying that you need that much ASF? Why are you even wearing armor on an arcane, when they cant get enough AC to matter in Epic anyway?
-Dodge doesnt stack anymore, only the highest Dodge applies, and crafted Dodge (AFAIK) still has the old values, half of what the new values are. And even then, I think lootgen will still drop with higher Dodge than crafting provides even if the values are updated (so 2% Dodge shard -> 4%)

Dont get me wrong, I love crafting and I wish it was more viable, I just am reticent to give you advice on grinding crafting, only to discover after the fact that its not really making that big a difference, or you've already found something better in the meantime...

As for your original question - Eberron shards - like I said, I'm at L100 and I've never used any Eberron shards for grinding. You're looking at both the Bound and Unbound terminals, I'm assuming? There's plenty of recipes at both that dont require any non-Essence components at all.

[visibleman]

I don't believe that purified Dragonshards actually drop (I may be wrong, if the do they are rarer than tomes).

You need to trade various things to the vendor in the AH. As has been said upthread, tomes are the best choice eg, that +2 tome you get from your 20th Shroud when you already have +2 on every stat by then...

Look for cheap +1 tomes on the Ah. Unless you are on Argo, in which case I have already bought them all

[Exiledtyrant]

I was never doubting they could, just whether there was any reason they'd actually HAVE to...I'm just curious what build you're trying to prop up with such unorthodox gear; most players dont have any issues that they need crafting to address, and Lord knows this game is full of min-maxers who would grind crafting to L500 if it meant getting +1 to their DCs...

-What lore are you trying to fit that you cant find anywhere else? Most elements have options for items that have Spellpower+Lore built together, usually with other useful mods and sockets too.
-What build are you trying that you need that much ASF? Why are you even wearing armor on an arcane, when they cant get enough AC to matter in Epic anyway?
-Dodge doesnt stack anymore, only the highest Dodge applies, and crafted Dodge (AFAIK) still has the old values, half of what the new values are. And even then, I think lootgen will still drop with higher Dodge than crafting provides even if the values are updated (so 2% Dodge shard -> 4%)

Dont get me wrong, I love crafting and I wish it was more viable, I just am reticent to give you advice on grinding crafting, only to discover after the fact that its not really making that big a difference, or you've already found something better in the meantime...

As for your original question - Eberron shards - like I said, I'm at L100 and I've never used any Eberron shards for grinding. You're looking at both the Bound and Unbound terminals, I'm assuming? There's plenty of recipes at both that dont require any non-Essence components at all.

I can't use the spell lore items then usualy gen them becuase they are staves while I will be using Falchion/mauls/ or morning stars and they need pure dps stats. I need a more flexible piece such as a trinket or a ring and I will need a fire lore and an acid lore. Random lore peices are usually very hard to find outside weapons or trashed otherwise because they fill a very small niches surrounding my melee sorcerer build.

ASF is for an experiment with leather armor and scale mail later along the lines. I will already have 25 Physical reduction while in earth form and 8-16 from an aug. My bab will be my caster level while in tenser's transformation allowing me to benefit from the full physical reduction granted by an armor proficiency. Possibly allowing my to mimic the physical damage reduction a fighter would have in full plate with a tower shield while wearing nothing but medium armor. Otherwise leather would mimic around the same results with no shield. leather and scale mail also have higher Base armor to work of and a possibly 2-4 extra AC from using a dex enhancement. possibly more in even more in another build.

I have been able to maintain 43-50% miss chance on my AC by improving my ac by around 2-4 points a level from level 1-10. This pace will ultimately slow around 15 but I plan on tinkering with leather twilight armor to keep the ball park around 40% atleas until 18 or so. It is my hope maintain 35-40% miss chance at level 20 but I am not sure on proper epic AC values. I can manage around 49 ac 20 with proper +8 protection/natural armor gear etc. With twilight armor and a few concession I should be able to push that to 55-60. I also have 50% concealment through displacement.

Dodge does stack I just tested it by spending 2k of my own plat and equipping a +2% belt and a +1% bracer. I read 3% dodge. honestly I can't see how people would hit 25% cap if it didn't stack. My aim is around 15-20%.

I have a very detailed post little further back on my melee sorc break down if you want to read it it discusses the break down much more in depth. I have gone over 23 builds on paper and about 3 in practice while I'm leveling. even the latest break down I've posted has seen some modifications. I am currently looking to make a more drastic change for two weapon fighting with Coronation morning stars later. I have a heavy outline to redo before I get the build up and settled on.

I am very grateful for your help. After seeing all the ebberon shards I was under the impression that they were needed to hit 150. I will look at unbound and see it I can just farm regular essence then to push my self over.

[droid327]

I have been able to maintain 43-50% miss chance on my AC by improving my ac by around 2-4 points a level from level 1-10. This pace will ultimately slow around 15 but I plan on tinkering with leather twilight armor to keep the ball park around 40% atleas until 18 or so. It is my hope maintain 35-40% miss chance at level 20 but I am not sure on proper epic AC values. I can manage around 49 ac 20 with proper +8 protection/natural armor gear etc. With twilight armor and a few concession I should be able to push that to 55-60. I also have 50% concealment through displacement.

Thats your problem. 1-10 is easy to work with. But its not a linear progression to 20, you wont be able to maintain your AC - even with Medium armor with ASF. The reason being is that your character panel shows you a monster's to-hit at your level, but as you get towards endgame and especially Epic, monsters will have CRs much higher than the level of the quest you're in, meaning your actual benefit from AC will be much less than what your Character panel tells you.

PRR, yes, that works fine, but as a melee Sorc (and I've played one to 20), most of your physical defense is going to be from Dodge, Incorp, and Concealment. Also, most of what kills you will be non-physical damage, anyway - especially since you dont have Evasion.

Also, apparently you're not WF - that kinda sucks

Dodge does stack I just tested it by spending 2k of my own plat and equipping a +2% belt and a +1% bracer. I read 3% dodge. honestly I can't see how people would hit 25% cap if it didn't stack. My aim is around 15-20%.

Nope, at least it shouldnt, not since U19 hit. From the patch notes:

Dodge bonuses:
Dodge bonuses have been doubled in value.
Items that had +1% dodge now have +2% dodge.
Items that had +2% dodge now have +4% dodge.
Items that had +3% dodge now have +6% dodge.
Items that had +4% dodge now have +8% dodge.
Dodge bonuses of different numerical values no longer stack.

So if its showing it stacking still, then its just a display bug...

You hit cap by stacking enhancements alongside Dodge gear, and by Feats (Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack for 7% total). Theres lots of permanent and temporary boosts to Dodge in the new enhancement system. None for pure Sorcs, though, I'm afraid.

Ironically, one of the best ways to get Dodge is the Feat: Mobility crafted shard, which gives you 2% Dodge that stacks with everything (unless you actually take the Mobility feat).

[Jingwei]

it's only around crafting level 130 or higher that you choices in shards to craft for xp really starts to hit the wall. You shouldn't need purified shards to grind crafting. Purified shards are a very rare chest drop, but I've gotten the vast majority of mine through grinding up +2 favor tomes and +1 tomes.

Crafted mobility shard probably still gives a stacking dodge bonus.

And as for crafting shards that are considerably better in their flexible version:
flexible alacrity
flexible good luck
flexible deathblock
flexible dusk
flexible electrical/fire absorption

are all things I can think of using while leveling various lives.

But I'm not sure I'd recommend grinding crafting levels for new people. The new random loot is generally better, and it will cost millions of plat to grind up to 100+ crafting levels, unless you can convince your guild to give you essences, or similar.

[EllisDee37]

For new players, the useful crafting level to aim for is high-30s in all schools. This lets you craft the basic +4 holy of bane dr breakers, plus a few other odds and ends.

For a melee sorc I would recommend cannith challenge gear. Cloak of Flames (fire lore), Rock Boots (acid lore), Frozen Tunic (ice lore), Bracers of Wind (electric lore) and Blasting Chime (sonic lore) will cover most of your lore needs while also providing plenty of augment slots in the tier 3 epic versions to slot all your off-slot stat bonuses.

In addition to lore they also provide 90 spellpower in each lore's element.

[FestusHood]

For new players, the useful crafting level to aim for is high-30s in all schools. This lets you craft the basic +4 holy of bane dr breakers, plus a few other odds and ends.

For a melee sorc I would recommend cannith challenge gear. Cloak of Flames (fire lore), Rock Boots (acid lore), Frozen Tunic (ice lore), Bracers of Wind (electric lore) and Blasting Chime (sonic lore) will cover most of your lore needs while also providing plenty of augment slots in the tier 3 epic versions to slot all your off-slot stat bonuses.

In addition to lore they also provide 90 spellpower in each lore's element.

I was just gonna suggest this. I'm running a Neo-Tukaw build for my first legend tr, and the rock boots are an absolute necessity. I really like the cloak of flames, too, but with this danged new lootgen, i've found i had to phase it out to fit in the new deadly and accuracy stuff. On a regular arcane, you wouldn't need to worry about this, but gearing a melee arcane is really tight.

I understand where the op is coming from, since in my mind they have fairly borked lores. One advantage of this is that low level lores are almost as good as high level lores. This means that you can stick one on an item that only has one or two points of potential remaining as a kicker. Say you are using a crafted +6 con ring, with ml 9, but now you are level 13. You could throw a low level lore effect on there to take up the extra 2 points of potential which isn't enough to hold any really good effects.

Even though a low level lore effect isn't optimal, you can still be satisfied that even the lowest level ones are still at least twice as good as greater arcane lore (spell lore).

To get back to your point, yes, i consider cannith caster gear to be pretty close to optimal for leveling.

[jalont]

I don't believe that purified Dragonshards actually drop (I may be wrong, if the do they are rarer than tomes).

You need to trade various things to the vendor in the AH. As has been said upthread, tomes are the best choice eg, that +2 tome you get from your 20th Shroud when you already have +2 on every stat by then...

Look for cheap +1 tomes on the Ah. Unless you are on Argo, in which case I have already bought them all

I can confirm that they drop and they seem to drop about the same rate as mediums do. It's also interesting that someone wants to farm them... because everytime I get one, I think "Oh god, not this stupid things again."