Vortex Gaming

The trend of relic engraving books in the marketplace is unusual.

Since September 25th, most engraving books have risen sharply in price over about 2 days. Looking at the prices of the 'Big 5' engravings - Adrenaline, Grudge, Keen Blunt Weapon, Cursed Doll, and Raid Captain - each has seen a price increase of over 9%. Adrenaline, boasting the highest price, rose 11% from an average transaction price of 170,000 gold over 2 weeks to an average transaction price of 190,000 gold on September 27, 2024. Keen Blunt Weapon, at 98,000 gold based on the same criteria, rose 24% to 120,000 gold.

Cursed Doll, famous for being in the 90,000 gold range, rose from an average transaction price of 91,000 gold to 104,000 gold, also recording an all-time high. The prices of major relic engravings have thus increased significantly.

Price increases have occurred similarly in lower-tier relic engravings. Looking at some of the major engravings below 100,000 gold, Stable State engraving books rose 23% from an average transaction price of 23,000 gold over 14 days to an average transaction price of 29,000 gold on September 27, 2024. In the same criteria, Quick Prep rose 38% from 29,000 gold to 40,000 gold. As the prices are relatively cheaper compared to the top-tier engravings, the price increase is also larger.

What is the reason for the price increase mainly in relic engraving books? It is highly likely to be the new raid 'Kazeros Act 2: Requiem of the Floating Nightmare'. In fact, the market prices of Destruction Stones (4T Stone of Destiny) and Leapstones (4T Leapstone of Destiny), which are considered overall growth indicators for Lost Ark adventurers, do not show a significant price increase trend. On the other hand, the market price of the 4T top-tier gem 'Level 10 Blaze' gem has slightly increased from an average transaction price of 2.3 million gold to 2.5 million gold.

The price increase in relic engraving books is interpreted as top-tier adventurers challenging Abrelshud feeling a lack of stats and upgrading their stats through relic engraving books or gems.

Kazeros Act 2: Abrelshud, released on September 25th, is a new boss that is considered much more difficult than Kazeros Act 1: Egir due to its tremendous health of 700 billion reflecting Transcendence, powerful 140-bar patterns, and the existence of a 0-bar desperation mechanic. The raid team 'Lost Ark Sarangdan', which succeeded in the first clear race, succeeded in clearing it in 12 hours, but Captain Jack, the raid leader, also said on the broadcast that 'it seems difficult with public party specs'.

As the price is fluctuating greatly, it is not a good situation to buy relic engraving books right now in many ways. Above all, the required stats are likely to decrease due to the existence of the new battle item 'Flame Magic Scroll' added from the second week. Unless you are in a hurry to clear the first week, it seems better to wait for the market price to stabilize.

Considering other stat upgrade methods is also a good idea. Relic engraving books increase damage by 0.75% per 5 books, and if you read all 20, the damage increases by 3% compared to legendary engravings. If you acquire 20 'Stable State' books, which are considered cost-effective engravings, the increased damage is 14%>17%, and it costs 580,000 gold based on the average market price on the 27th. It is a means that does not need to be considered at a low stat level. If you have not finished all stat upgrades, it is better to invest in other tasks such as armor/weapon honing, upper-tier accessory work, or purchasing level 8 Blaze gems.

Lost Ark InvenChoi Min-ho Reporter
2024-09-27