In Last Epoch, the abundance of loot is staggering, with enemies dropping numerous items across the diverse regions of the map. As you progress through the tutorial, your inventory will quickly swell with loot, making it crucial to understand the various options available for managing the items you acquire.
You have several choices regarding what to do with the loot you collect. You can opt to sell it at an Armorer’s Shop, which can be found in all major settlements throughout Last Epoch.
Alternatively, you can equip the items on your character or simply drop them on the ground. However, there’s a hidden fourth option that many players overlook: salvaging the item to obtain valuable crafting materials and affixes. Below, we’ll delve into how you can salvage your items in Last Epoch.
Salvaging Items in Last Epoch
Unlike some other ARPGs, Last Epoch doesn’t offer a distinct option to salvage items directly from your inventory. Instead, you’ll need to visit the Forge, indicated by an anvil icon on your map, or simply press “F.” The Forge serves as the sole location for salvaging gear in Last Epoch.
Once at the Forge, you can insert any piece of loot from your inventory into the large gear slot on the left side of the screen. It’s important to exercise caution here and only select items you wish to salvage. While you can also place other items in the slot to modify them or enhance their forging potential, it’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the salvaging process beforehand.
With your item placed in the gear slot, select the “Use a Modifier Item” option located near the bottom of the screen. Here, you’ll need to use a Rune of Shattering, the exclusive means of salvaging items in Last Epoch. It’s essential to note that no other Rune grants you the ability to salvage an item. The Rune of Shattering, identifiable by its firebird icon, can be acquired like any other piece of loot in the game.
Once you’ve equipped your item and the Rune of Shattering in the Forge, press the prominent red “Shatter” box at the bottom of the screen. This action will deconstruct the item, returning all of its Affix Shards and Glyphs to your inventory.
To prevent your inventory from becoming cluttered, consider placing all of your crafting items in the Forge by utilizing the “Transfer Materials” box located on the right side of the inventory screen.
It’s important to understand that once an item has been shattered, it can no longer be used in Last Epoch. Typically, only common and rare items can be salvaged, with Legendary or Unique items being exceptions. The salvage system primarily serves to acquire shards and glyphs for crafting purposes, which is a distinct feature within Last Epoch.
