The Mana Forges were introduced during Ancient Powers although keys were not widely available until the following patch, Risks and Rewards. Keys can be obtained by hunting Pristine Mana Shards and turning in 10 per key up to five times a week (25 per key thereafter) or as a reward from a number of quests (see below). Other than the chests in the Faction Strongholds, the Mana Forge chests are the only location where the new Tier 7 Loot can be obtained. The chests vary in the probability of what they will contain. All chests can produce any item, but a weapon chest will contain mostly weapons most of the time, research/mage chests will contain mostly VIII spell components, armor will contain mostly armor, and the equipment chests will contain a mix of mostly armor and weapons. Advanced chests will contain more jewelry and clothing items.
- Arcanum Mana-smith tells you, "Welcome to the Mana Forge!"
- Arcanum Mana-smith tells you, "This wonderful place is one of three locations where the Arcanum is putting the wonders of the Ley Lines to work for the betterment of all Dereth."
- Arcanum Mana-smith tells you, "If you wish to partake of the works of the Mana Forges, there is something you must do."
Each Mana Forge has an Arcanum Quota Officer (gives Mana Forge Key for 10 Pristine Mana Shards (up to five timers per week), an Arcanum Mana-smith (gives Mana Forge Key for 25 Pristine Mana Shards, and an Arcanum Broker who will buy unwanted loot from the chests. Given that mana shards are givable/tradable, it's unclear what purpose the turn in limit serves in pragmatic terms. Previously the quest keys opened all non-shard chests and Pristine Mana Shard keys only open the shard chests, however in Seeds of Corruption these restrictions were lifted and now both keys will open any of the chests. During the Shifting Tactics the loot profiles of the chests were significantly improved, making 400 high stat and 420 weapons more common, all item sets an equal chance of occuring, and less artwork (dinnerware).
Locations
Mana Forge Chests
- Mana Forge Advanced Equipment Chest
- Mana Forge Armor Chest
- Mana Forge Magic Chest
- Mana Forge Mixed Equipment Chest
- Mana Forge Weapon Chest
- Shard Mana Forge Equipment Chest
How to Obtain Keys
- Quests - Complete certain quests to obtain Mana Forge Keys with various numbers of uses.
- Pristine Mana Shards - Hunt creatures in certain high level areas and complete certain quests to obtain Pristine Mana Shards. Turn in 10 shards to the Arcanum Quota Officer for a Mana Forge Key. There is a limit of 5 keys per week from the Quota officer. For additional keys, you may turn in 25 shards to the Arcanum Mana-smith for a Mana Forge Key.
- Adventurer's Tokens - complete certain quests and tasks to obtain Adventurer's Tokens. Turn in 10 tokens to Rand, Game Hunter in Holtburg for a Mana Forge Key.
- Alternative Currency Tokens - Purchase special tokens from the alternative currency vendors. Turn a token in to the Arcanum Mana-smith for a Mana Forge Key.
- Hero Tokens - Collect Hero Tokens from Live Events or purchase from other players. Use the Hero Tokens at Pevilo ibn Djimin in Awric to purchase Boxed Mana Forge Keys.
Quests with Key Rewards
Quest | Key | Timer |
---|---|---|
Aerbax's Citadel | (4 Use) Fortified Mana Forge Key | 29 days |
Aerbax's Prodigal Harbinger | (2 Use) Braced Mana Forge Key | 13 days |
Aerbax's Prodigal Human | (1 Use) Mana Forge Key | 13 days |
Aerbax's Prodigal Olthoi | (2 Use) Braced Mana Forge Key | 13 days |
Aerbax's Prodigal Shadow | (2 Use) Braced Mana Forge Key | 13 days |
Apostate Citadel | (1 Use) Mana Forge Key | 28 days |
Asheron's Savior | (4 Use) Fortified Mana Forge Key | 27 days |
Blight Lord Lair (Quest) | (1 Use) Mana Forge Key | 29 days |
Clutch of Kings | (1 Use) Mana Forge Key | 21 days |
Corrupted Pyre Oak | (1 Use) Mana Forge Key | ?? Days (2 Weeks) |
Summoning of T'thuun | (3 Use) Strengthened Mana Forge Key | 29 days |
Delving into Claude's Mind | (1 Use) Mana Forge Key | 13 days |
Guardian of the Deru Trees of Marae Lassel | (2 Use) Braced Mana Forge Key | 27 days |
Lady Mhoire | (1 Use) Mana Forge Key | ?? Days (2 Weeks) |
Lord Mhoire | (1 Use) Mana Forge Key | ?? Days (2 Weeks) |
Quests with Pristine Mana Shard Rewards
Quest | Timer | Notes |
---|---|---|
Black Coral Golem Kill Task | 3 days | Must have access to one of the Black Markets. |
Blighted Coral Golem Kill Task | 3 days | Must have access to one of the Black Markets. |
Carenzi Race Track/Monster Fights | N/A | Grand Casino Chest can contain Pristine Mana Shards. |
Weeding of the Deru Tree | 3 days | Must have access to Freebooter Black Market. |
Quests with Adventurer Token Rewards
Quest | Timer | Notes |
---|---|---|
Bound Wisp (Quest) | ?? (Less than 23 Hours) | Bound Wisp will not exchange tokens for keys. |
Monthly Game Hunter | 24 Hours | Each kill task is on a unique timer. |
Alternative Currency Items
Each item may be turned in to an Arcanum Mana-smith for a Mana Forge Key. There is a 2 week timer for each item.
- Ancient Emblem of Mhoire - 10 Ancient Mhoire Coins.
- Colosseum Medallion of Honor - 10 Colosseum Coins.
- Olthoi Veteran's Medal - 10 Small Olthoi Venom Sacs.
Retired Ways to Obtain Keys
- Hidden Presents
- T'Thuun's Marauders Kill Tasks