So, you’ve been grinding Janthir Wilds. You’ve seen the gear. You’ve probably stared at the vendor window in Lowland Shore or Janthir Syntri wondering if the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed are worth the literal mountain of materials required to craft them. It’s a valid question. Honestly, the barrier to entry for legendary armor in Guild Wars 2 has always been high, but the Janthir expansion shifted the goalposts in a way that feels different from the Raid-heavy days of Heart of Thorns or the open-world slog of Secrets of the Obscured.
Let’s be real.
Most people see "legendary armor" and think about the stat-swapping. They think about never having to buy an exotic or ascended piece ever again. But with the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed, which serves as the cornerstone for the Tier 2 Obsidian armor upgrades and the specific visual flair of the Janthir cycle, the conversation is really about prestige and "The Glow." If you aren't familiar with the specific naming conventions ArenaNet uses, the "Avowed" sets are essentially the pinnacle of the current open-world legendary track.
It’s expensive. Like, "why did I spend my gold on this instead of a Griffin skin" expensive.
The Reality of Crafting Eyes of the Obscured Avowed
You need more than just luck. You need a plan. When you look at the recipe for the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed, you’re looking at a massive sink for Fine and Rare crafting materials. We are talking about T6 trophies—Powerful Blood, Potent Venom Sacs, Elaborate Totems. These aren't just drops; they are the literal currency of the high-end trading post. If you've been selling your materials to fund your gambling habit at the Mystic Forge, you’re going to have a bad time here.
The process is tedious.
First, you have to deal with the base Obsidian armor. If you haven't finished your Tier 1 set from Secrets of the Obscured (SotO), the Eyes are essentially a locked door. You can't just skip to the shiny Janthir version. You have to pay your dues in Amnytas and Skywatch Archipelago first. Once you have that foundation, the "Avowed" upgrade path opens up, requiring specific mastery tracks within the Janthir Wilds expansion.
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Why do people do it?
Because the visual effects are objectively some of the most intricate ArenaNet has ever designed. We aren't just talking about a texture swap. We are talking about particle effects that react to combat states. When you draw your weapon, the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed—and the rest of the set—undergo a transformation. It’s that "Legendary Morph" that players have been craving since the original Envoy armor from raids.
Why the Obscured Avowed Set Hits Differently
I’ve talked to players who have been playing since 2012. The consensus is weirdly split. On one hand, the "Open World Legendary" path is seen as "easy mode" by the hardcore raiders. On the other hand, the sheer volume of map meta-events you have to complete is staggering.
You need Essence.
Tons of it.
Essence of Despair, Essence of Greed, Essence of Triumph. You’ll be farming Rifts until your eyes bleed. If you aren't using a "train" (a large group of players following a Commander tag), you’re doing it wrong. Efficiency is the only way to survive the grind for the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed without burning out and quitting the game for six months.
The Economy of the Avowed
Let's look at the numbers, though keep in mind the Trading Post fluctuates faster than a Mesmer’s illusions. To get the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed, you are looking at a total gold value that often exceeds 400-600 gold per piece if you buy everything outright. That’s just for the upgrade components. If you're starting from scratch? You’re looking at thousands.
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- Mystic Clovers: You need 15 per piece. If you aren't doing your weekly raids, strikes, or PvP/WvW reward tracks, these will eat your soul.
- Amalgamated Kryptis Essence: This is the bottleneck. It’s crafted from the smaller essences you get from Rifts. You need a lot. Like, "I should have started this months ago" a lot.
- Lesser Vision Crystals: Simple, but a massive drain on Spirit Shards if you aren't careful.
The irony of the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed is that while they are technically "open world" gear, the level of dedication required actually exceeds what some players put into casual raiding. You can’t just "get lucky" with a drop. There is no boss that will suddenly hand you the Eyes. You build them. Brick by expensive brick.
The Visual Evolution
When you equip the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed, the most noticeable thing is the void-like energy. It ties into the narrative of the Kryptis and the lingering shadows of the Janthir region. Unlike the heavy, metallic look of the Raid armor, this set feels more... ethereal. It’s organic. It’s creepy.
It fits the "Obscured" theme perfectly.
I’ve seen some players complain that the glow is too much. In a meta where "infusion stacking" makes players look like literal suns, the Avowed armor offers a slightly more sophisticated way to be obnoxious. The detail on the headpiece—the "Eyes" themselves—is particularly sharp. They have a certain depth to the texture that older sets lack. It actually looks like there is a gaze coming from within the helm, rather than just two glowing dots painted on a 3D model.
Is It Better Than Raid Armor?
Statistically? No. A legendary is a legendary. The stats are identical. The utility of swapping runes for free is the same. The difference is purely aesthetic and psychological.
If you have the Envoy armor from Raids, you might feel like the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed are redundant. And you'd be right, mostly. But GW2 is the "Fashion Wars." Having one set of legendary armor isn't the goal. Having every set is. Plus, the Obsidian/Avowed line allows players who suffer from social anxiety or simply don't have the 2-hour blocks required for raiding to finally join the legendary club.
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That accessibility matters.
Even if the grind is mind-numbing, the fact that you can progress toward your Eyes of the Obscured Avowed while listening to a podcast and flipping camps in North Janthir is a huge win for the casual-core player base. You aren't beholden to a schedule. You are beholden to your own patience.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't start buying materials before you have the achievements. Seriously. ArenaNet loves to gate these things behind collections. You might spend 500 gold on T6 mats only to realize you haven't completed the specific "Janthir Wilds Mastery" required to even see the vendor tab for the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed.
Check your achievements. Search for "Avowed" in your hero panel.
Another tip: don't craft the Amalgamated Kryptis Essence one by one. Use the Mystic Forge recipes to bulk craft. It saves time, though not necessarily gold. And for the love of Kormir, do your daily convergences. Convergences are the "big" rift events that give you massive amounts of essence compared to the tiny tier 1 rifts you find in the open world. One Convergence a day keeps the burnout away.
The Verdict on the Obscured Avowed
The Eyes of the Obscured Avowed represent a shift in Guild Wars 2's philosophy. The game is leaning harder into long-term, solo-friendly goals that look just as good as group-content rewards. It’s a grind, sure. It’s expensive, absolutely. But it’s a definitive marker of your time spent in the Janthir era.
If you like the "void-touched" aesthetic, there is nothing else in the game that matches this set. If you just want the stats, stick to the basic Obsidian armor and save yourself the headache of the Tier 2 upgrade. But we both know you want the glow.
Everyone wants the glow.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit Your Essence: Open your material storage. See how much Essence of Despair you actually have. You’re going to need thousands, so start there.
- Complete the Janthir Story: You cannot access the necessary masteries or vendors without finishing the primary Janthir Wilds narrative arc.
- Set a Convergence Schedule: Try to hit at least one Convergence every day. This is the most efficient way to get the high-tier essence needed for the Eyes of the Obscured Avowed.
- Save Your T6 Mats: Stop selling your Powerful Blood and Gossamer Bolts. You'll need them for the Gifts of Condensed Might and Magic.
- Use a Progress Tracker: Sites like GW2Efficiency are lifesavers. Input your API key and search for the Avowed set. It will tell you exactly how many gold pieces you are away from your goal. It's usually depressing, but it's better to know.