1. The Shadow Gear Market is Inactive
Currently, Shadow Gear is essential for almost every build, especially from mid-game onward. Even in earlier high-difficulty areas like Niflheim 2, Amicitia, and Rudus, having Penetration Shadow Gear is a huge advantage. From Episode 19 onward, it becomes almost mandatory. However, new players struggle to acquire Shadow Gear, which can make progression feel frustrating and discouraging.
2. Shadow Gear is Extremely Difficult to Obtain
The process of crafting Blue-Tier Shadow Gear requires multiple items refined to +7 or higher, making it highly RNG-dependent. Additionally, Shadow Gear components are often farmed in areas where having at least Penetration Shadow Gear is already expected, creating a catch-22 situation. This bottleneck stands in contrast to other gear progression paths that offer more accessible alternatives.
3. Using Refinement Tickets for Low-Tier Shadow Gear Won't Harm the Economy
The market for Shadow Gear is already stagnant, so allowing refinement tickets to be used on low-tier Shadow Gear wouldn’t crash it. Instead, it would give newer players a more reasonable path to obtaining their first sets. Refinement tickets themselves are time-consuming to farm, requiring players to refine and break Illusion dungeon equipment. This change could make Illusion dungeons more relevant and potentially increase participation in boss hunting.
4. Encouraging Experimentation and Market Diversity
Making it slightly easier to refine Shadow Gear would encourage more players to experiment with different Shadow Gear setups and enchants, leading to a more dynamic and diverse market.
