User:1Maven/Empyreal Farming

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I have found that Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragments are the most difficult component of a Vision Crystal.pngVision Crystal and Lesser Vision Crystal.pngLesser Vision Crystal to obtain. One of these is required to craft each Ascended-Weapon or Ascended-Armor. 500 each of Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragment , Dragonite Ore.pngDragonite Ore and Pile of Bloodstone Dust.pngPile of Bloodstone Dust are required to make one Vision Crystal. One Lesser Vision Crystal is required to craft each piece of Ascended-Armor (except for chest-pieces). 200 each of Empyreal Fragment, Dragonite Ore and Bloodstone Dust are required to make one Lesser Vision Crystal.

NOTE: As of the addition of Ember Bay, chopping the petrified wood stumps will yield Empyreal fragments in far greater quantity than chest farming, but not as good as silverwaste shovel farming. You get 1-3 fragments, per chop (normally 3 chops per stump but you can get more). You can farm about 100 per day this way in less than an hour. Only those really desperate to maximize fragments need to resort to chest farming.

Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragments may be found in Fractals, Dungeons, WvW, and Jumping Puzzles. However, if you have difficulty with any of these or just want to supplement there are many Open World Chests.

Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragments may also be farmed by using low-level tools in high-level areas while having the Recycler Empyreal Fragments (effect).png Recycler: Empyreal Fragments effect active.

Recent Changes[edit]

For those who like to check back for changes, here is a list:

Strategies[edit]

I am able to consistently solo every chest below with every profession, but it may take a little practice or a partner your first few times.

Some chests are more difficult because of heavy guard. In most cases, what works for me is running past all mobs (hostile NPCs) that (mostly) will not hold aggro until reaching the chest. Mobs in the immediate vicinity of the chest must be killed before opening the chest. If hit, it will interrupt your opening the chest and you will need to begin again. Stability helps with mobs that knockdown or otherwise interrupt your attacks. Instead of fighting your way back out, save time by porting to a Waypoint near the next chest.

Some chests are guarded by powerful Champions that are impossible to kill solo. Sometimes the champion wanders away from the chest, giving you an opening. If the champion does not wander or you are impatient then you may still open those chests by using skills unique to your class.

If none of the above strategies works for you consistently then party with one or more other players. Being in a party makes everything easier and is more social.

It is a LOT of porting, but IMHO worth the cost. You should average 3 Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragments per chest. This is about 30 Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragments if you do just 10 chests (of over 20 listed below) for one character. However, this process may be REPEATED BY EACH LEVEL-80 CHARACTER IN YOUR ACCOUNT ONCE A DAY! Remember, you must be level-80 to obtain Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragments. If you have 2 level-80 characters in your account each perform the entire sequence, that's over 100 Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragments per day just from Open World Chests!

Locations[edit]

Here are the Open World Chests that I find easiest to access, in the order I usually use. Each gives 2-4 Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragments (average 3). They are organized into tables (below):

  • Waypoint Link may be copied-and-pasted into the game chat area to facilitate rapid map travel.
  • Level, shown as #↓# is your effective level followed by the surrounding mobs level. When your actual level is higher then the area you are in, it is dynamically reduced.
  • Nickname is a shorthand reference to a chest used by some chatting to others, example: "Let's do Wolf's chest next." However, using a Waypoint Link in chat may be more useful.

If you know of more easily-accessible Open World Chests then you are encouraged to add them. However, please do NOT add Jumping Puzzles, Mini-Dungeons or chests that only spawn after specific events. Include the appropriate Waypoint Link codes. If you have an issue or question then post it on the Discussion page.

Southern Run[edit]

Always read the notes at the link provided for most chests (under Area) for clues on how to find and/or solo. I often start from Divinity's Reach.

Nearest-WP
Waypoint-Link
Area Level Nickname Description
Queensdale (1-17)
Ojon's
Beggar's Burrow 11↓9 Begger's at WP, do about-face if not facing lake then go directly to the entrance. Read the Notes.
Crossing
Altar Brook Vale 9↓8 Wolf's NNE into the cave. Run past the wolves that will (mostly) not hold aggro. However, you will need to fight a Veteran Wolf and a few of her pups guarding the chest against the back wall.
Vale
Altar's Windings 11↓9 Harpy's SW up the hill towards the Vista. Turn right, taking the middle trail, inside the harpy-nest, guarded by a Veteran Harpy Matriarch.
Tunwatch
Cliffwatch Camp POI 15↓14 Cliffwatch South from Waypoint. The chest is inside the largest tent, guarded by a Veteran Tamini Chieftain, just north of the Cliffwatch Camp Point of Interest.
Swamplost
Demongrub Pits 16↓15 Demongrub Go NE of Righteous Hoofmoot POI, entering Demongrub Pits. The chest is due east of Kiterin against the far east side of the 1st major cavern. Harder due to distance and guard by Veteran Cave Spider and a few smaller spiders. 2 more chests are deeper within the Demongrub Pits (jumping puzzle).
Brisban Wildlands (15-25)
Hillstead
Skrittsburgh Center 21↓21 Skritt King's NW through Hillstead (Gate Open.png) Gate (if open). Two chests on either side of the Skritt King's throne.
Kessex Hills (15-25)
Gap
Goff's Bandits POI 20↓19 Gap Go North from WP into Earthlord's Gap. Chest in back behind door that opens after killing two Veteran Cave Trolls.
Alternate Starting Point: Asura Gate to Southsun Cove near Postern Ward Waypoint in Lion's Arch
Southsun Cove (80)
Pearl Islet
Pearl Islet 80↓80 Pearl Near the mast of the ship on the eastern-tip of Pearl Islet. May be guarded by an Elite Reef Skelk that has an Ambush (skill) attack that may one-shot you if allowed to attack first. Also, the nearby Under New Management jumping puzzle is pretty easy.
Sparkfly Fen (55-65)
Fort Cadence
Shattered Keep 58↓55 Shattered Go north into Shattered Keep that contains both a Splendid Chest and a Chest that are not hard to reach. See notes.
Saltflood
Saltflood Mire 57↓56 Ooze's Go NW over bridge. Make right towards Vista. Go past. Chest behind Veteran Ooze. See notes.
Aleem's
Aleem's Penance 64↓63 Aleen's Chest at Ruined Vallah POI. See notes.
Dryground
Diresight Caverns 63↓63 Diresight NE from WP into Diresight Caverns. See notes.
Mount Maelstrom (60-70)
Avernan
Avernan Volatile 66↓65 Avernan NW from WP. Kill 2 Trolls then Veteran. Chest in cave behind Veteran.

Central Run[edit]

Always read the notes at the link provided for most chests (under Area) for clues on how to find and/or solo. I often start from Lion's Arch.


Nearest-WP
Waypoint-Link
Area Level Nickname Description
Gendarran Fields (25-35)
Brigantine
Wiley's Cove POI Wiley's From WP in Newbeach Bluffs, swim underwater past the right side of the shipwreck. Enter the cave and surface. Avoid combat by staying far left. You can open the chest from outside the 3rd tent.
Lionbridge
The Lawen Ponds Ketsurak's Chest inside the cave in the Southeast corner of the swamp. More difficult because it's guarded by Ketsurak. However, a Ranger's pet, Necromancer's minion or Mesmer's illusions can distract while you open the chest. (Ketsurak also wanders--you can sneak in behind him without drawing aggro if you time it right.)
Harathi Hinterlands (35-45)
Nightguard
Nightguard Beach Nightguard From Nightguard Waypoint, head north-east through the underwater exit. The Chest is under a shipwreck to your right, guarded by a Veteran River Drake.
Demetra
Martyr's Tomb POI Martyr's Go a bit west then north from the Martyr's Tomb POI through the archway. The chest is behind the open crypt..
Barricade
Hangman's Saddle Hangman's To get the Chest access the Vista on top of the camp wall and continue following the path. The Chest is in a small cave guarded by a Veteran Modniir Sage and several Harathi.

.

Junction Camp
Cloven Hoof Pass POI Cloven 1st of 3 Chests is NW of WP. All 3 chests in the Cloven Hoof Pass area are more difficult when the waypoint is contested during the pre-events for Defeat Ulgoth the Modniir and his minions
Junction Camp
Northpasture Camp POI Northpasture 2nd of 3 Chests near the Junction Camp Waypoint. There's a short, no-achievement jumping puzzle that begins west of the Northpasture Camp Point-Of-Interest up the path going southwest. Jump from rock-to-rock then run to the end of the 1st ledge where you'll see a 2nd set of rocks to jump leading to a second ledge. The Chest is inside a tent on the second ledge.
Junction Camp
Southforge Camp POI Southforge 3rd of 3 Chests near the Junction Camp Waypoint. The Chest is south of the Southforge Camp Point-Of-Interest in a tent.
Junction Camp
Blackhold Mine Camp POI Blackhold The chest, which may be guarded by a Champion Modniir High Sage, Veteran Harathi Commander and other enemies, is located at the bottom of the mine down a staircase that leads to a small underground lake More difficult due to distance from WP and heavy Harathi guard, but there are usually other players around to help.
Recovery
Watchlin Armory POI Watchlin From the WP go SE or from the Thunder Rock POI follow the road north then turn east into the Harathi camp. Once in the camp, turn left and enter cave. Chest at the back of the cave. More difficult because of distance from Waypoint and heavy Harathi guard which may knock you down multiple times without Stability.
Grey Gritta
Ourobore Caves Ourobore More difficult because of distance WP and heavy guard by several Veteran Skritt. To get the Splendid Chest, head north from Grey Gritta's Waypoint into Ourobore Caves. Always going uphill, bear slightly-left a short distance then slightly-right a short distance then left again in almost a complete circle until you see several Veteran Skritt guarding the Splendid Chest.

Northern Run[edit]

Always read the notes at the link provided for most chests (under Area) for clues on how to find and/or solo. I often start from Hoelbrak.

Nearest-WP
Waypoint-Link
Area Level Nickname Description
Wayfarer Foothills (1-15)
Outcast's
Alpenzure Cave POI 6↓4 Outcast's Go South past Svanir into Outcast's Cleft cave. The Chest is located at the back of the cave. This may be soloed with an AOE attack, by running past the Sons of Svanir to the Chest then killing the Sons of Svanir surrounding the Chest.
Grawlenfjord
Kresdor Kenning 5↓4 Joten's To get the Chest, go North-North-East from Grawlenfjord Waypoint, up the hill, past the camp, you should see a cave full of Jotun. At the back of the cave is a platform with the Chest. This may be soloed by running past the Jotun and jumping onto the platform with the chest in the back behind the chest, where the Jotun usually do not hold aggro.
Lostvyrm
Wurmhowl Spikes 13↓12 Svanir's Valley Either go east from Halvaunt Waypoint or south-west from Lostvyrm Cave Waypoint. A bit north of the Vista is a group of Sons of Svanir surrounding the Chest
Snowden Drifts (15-30)
Highpass Haven
King Jalis's Refuge King Jalis's Refuge (Jumping Puzzle) at the end of the puzzle, guarded by a veteran treasure looter.
Isenfell
Darkhoof Heights Darkhoof Above and to the right of the Modniir encampment, guarded by a Champion Snow Troll and a horde of other Trolls. Accessible from the rear of the Troll encampment, avoiding most of the Troll pests.
Lornar's Pass (25-40)
Durmand Priory
Durmand Priory 35↓29 Posternus Caverns Enter the cavern from either the Durmand Priory or the Cavern waypoint. Go through the large ice cavern, avoiding the bats and ice wurms. Keep to the left at each branch. The chest is guarded by a Champion Snow Troll and 2-3 other Trolls. Difficult to solo due to the fast repop of wandering trolls.
Frostgorge Sound (70-80)
Earthshake
Trionic Lattice Troll's From the merchant, Rojan the Penitent go south. Look over the ledge to your left until you see the Chest that may be guarded by a Champion Snow Troll. If guarded then just wait for the Zerg that cycles through every 5-15 minutes to help you. Part of the Frostgorge Sound Champion Train
Fireheart Rise (60-70)
Apostate
Apostate Wastes Harpy's Chest is in the south-west corner (west of the words Apostate Wastes on the map) guarded by Harpies and one Veteran Harpy Matriarch.
Apostate
Vexa's Lab Spider's Eastern corner of the spider cove that is due-east of God's Skull POI. On the border with Apostate Wastes (outside the mini-dungeon). Look for paths leading up the cliff to find it. Guarded by a Veteran Canyon Spider
Pig Iron
Pig Iron Mine Pig Iron Go SW around the right-side of Pig Iron Island. Go to the top of the wooden-staircase. Chest may be absent after event is over.
Breaktooth's
Rebel's Seclusion Rebel's From WP go north-east to enter the zone. Two chests are in here. First chest is guarded by normal mobs, second is at the end and guarded by a veteran.

Eastern Run[edit]

Always read the notes at the link provided for most chests (under Area) for clues on how to find and/or solo. I often start from the Black Citadel.

Nearest-WP
Waypoint-Link
Area Level Nickname Description
Diessa Plateau (15-20)
Redreave
Reaper's Corridor Reaper's The chest is next to the tree at the top of the plateau directly underneath the word "Corridor" on the map. It's guarded by a Veteran Rock Dog.
Iron Marches (50-60)
Bloodfin
Bloodfin Lake Bloodfin A Chest can be found behind the waterfall, at the end of the inlet, northeast of the lake. It's guarded by a Veteran Cave Troll.
Old Piken
Echoslab Arches Echolab See notes to reach Vista. NW from Vista. Guarded by Veteran Flame Legion Lava Shaman. More difficult because of distance from Waypoint and heavy guard.
Plains of Ashford (1-15)
Feritas
Facula Castrum 8↓6 Facula Go N from WP then see notes.
Ascalonian
Toppled Wall 12↓10 Toppled N then W from WP. See notes.
Ascalon City
Human's Lament 15↓14 Lament E from WP then see notes. More difficult because of distance from Waypoint and heavy guard.
Irondock
Windrock Maze 15↓14 Windrock SW from WP then see notes. More difficult because of distance from Waypoint and heavy guard.
Blazeridge Steppes (50-60)
Tumok's
Drake Hollow POI 43↓42 Separatist's in Tumok's Last Stand, near the POI, between the three tents, guarded by Separatists including one Veteran Separatist Stormcaller. Easiest via Tumok's Waypoint north through the underground tunnel. Close to two waypoints, but difficult because of heavy guard.

Orr Chests[edit]

There are additional open world chests located in Orr, but they're more difficult because the mobs are all High-Level (70-80). The advantage is high-level materials [1]. Recommended solo only for Level-80 players with Exotic or better equipment or in groups. Always read the notes at the link provided for most chests for clues on how to find and/or solo. The chests in Orr include the following locations:

Dry Top & Silverwastes[edit]

There are several chests in both Dry Top and Silverwastes. None of these are as yet included here because of their relative difficulty due to distance from waypoints, level-80 heavy guard or both. In addition ,there are special chests that are unique to each area, which do not contain Empyreal Fragments.

Unconfirmed Chests[edit]

There are several chests that may not have clear access directions or that I have not confirmed or may be better described as mini-dungeons or jumping-puzzles. If you locate one of these, please move it to the appropriate section above.

Excess[edit]

Suppose you have way more Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragments than you need. Or perhaps, too many of one of the other two components of a Vision Crystal.pngVision Crystal, Dragonite Ore.pngDragonite Ore and Pile of Bloodstone Dust.pngPile of Bloodstone Dust. Never destroy these items when multiples of 50-each can be converted using a unique item to produce a reward.

The easiest conversion is refining. 100-to-1 is a fantastic compression ratio. However, if you have excessive refined product (remember, vision crystals require the same amount of each) then there is a special item that will convert each one.

Material Refined (100:1) Item (50) Produces Obtained
Pile of Bloodstone Dust.pngPile of Bloodstone Dust Bloodstone Brick.pngBloodstone Brick Mawdrey II.pngMawdrey II Gift from Mawdrey II.pngGift from Mawdrey II with Mawdrey
Dragonite Ore.pngDragonite Ore Dragonite Ingot.pngDragonite Ingot Princess.pngPrincess Gift from Mawdrey II.pngGunk-Covered Pellets Lion's Arch Exterminator
Empyreal Fragment.pngEmpyreal Fragment Empyreal Star.pngEmpyreal Star Star of Gratitude.pngStar of Gratitude Generosity's Reward.pngGenerosity's Reward Orphan's Generous Gift

Additional References[edit]

Here are other references that may prove useful:

Obsidian Shards[edit]

One final note, if you are having trouble obtaining this essential item for Ascended gear. The best place IMHO to get OBSIDIAN SHARDS is the Karma Merchant, Tactician Deathstrider in the Temple of Balthazar when it is uncontested (rarely) for 2100 Karma each. The most likely time is when the server is busiest. If you do guild missions, you can also purchace them from the vendor in your guild hall at a rate of 5 shards per 1 guild commendation. Rarely there are bags available with 10 shards per 1 guild commendation. You can buy 3 'items' per day (5 shards per item =15 shards, and an additional 30 shards if that bag is available).

See Also[edit]

[[Category:Ascended crafting materials|Empyreal Farming]]