Can’t wait to trade items in Last Epoch? Dreading the mere thought of it? Good news! Last Epoch has an innovative solution for both types of players in the form of its faction system. Your choice between theMerchant’s GuildorCircle of Fortunealters the way you obtain loot.
TheMerchant’s Guildunlocks the in-game trading system, while theCircle of Fortuneis there for players who wish to stick to their guns and farm in solitude. Both factions have pros and cons, and this guide aims to help you choose the best Last Epoch faction for you.
Should you choose the Circle of Fortune or Merchant’s Guild in Last Epoch?
The Faction you choose inLastEpochentirely depends on your preferences and play style. It’s essentially the choice between unlockingin-game trading(Merchant’s Guild) or aloot-targeting system(Circle of Fortune).
As a solo player and loot hoarder, I chose the Circle of Fortune, and so far, I’m happy with my choice. Although there have been times when I’ve been itching to sell a juicy weapon I can’t use, the bonus to loot drops and the loot-targeting system is well worth the sacrifice.
After throwing on aloot filter, the treasure goblin in me is delightfully satisfied as Ismite enemies with my javelinand reap the rewards. Howyoulike to earn loot may be entirely different, so let’s check out the pros and cons of both factions.
Circle of Fortune
The Circle of Fortune is an Item Faction aimed atplayers with no interest in tradingor those who enjoyloot farming. Aligning with the Circle of Fortune gives you access to theObservatory, wherePropheciescan be obtained that increase the drop rate of specific items.
Players can also purchaseLensesfrom the Observatory to enhance Prophecies and make target farming even more specific. No need to splash all your gold when you can find the item you need yourself, right?
Lastly, the Circle of Fortune also has perks unlocked through Ranks (more on that later) thatincrease the amount and quality of loot that drops from enemies. Just keep in mind that these items can’t be traded if you decide to switch Factions.
Merchant’s Guild
The Merchant’s Guild is an Item Faction for players interested inpurchasing and selling gear with others. Aligning with The Merchant’s Guild gives players access to the Bazaar, which serves as a typical ARPGauction house.
Need a specific item for your build? Found an item that’d fetch a pretty penny for another class? The Merchant’s Guild’s got you. Your only limitation is your current Rank — which determines what items you can sell — and being unable to trade items obtained while aligned with Circle of Fortune.
How to join a Faction in Last Epoch
DuringChapter Nineof Last Epoch’s campaign, the dashing Zerrick will offer theMerchants and Fortune Tellersside quest. As soon as you have this quest, you may choose a faction immediately following his dialogue or press Y to pick later.
Can you change Item Factions?
You can change your Last Epoch faction at any time by pressingYand clickingLeave Faction. You willlose any current Favorsandcan’t use items obtained while in your current Faction, but there’s otherwise no penalty for switching.
Sticking to one Faction is the ideal choice, as gaining the max rank takes a considerable amount of time. That being said, feel free to try both Factions when you first unlock the option if you’re still unsure.
Item Factions Ranks, Favors, and Vendors
Once you’ve chosen an Item Faction in Last Epoch, you’ll begin to earnFavorsby killing monsters and completing quests. This currency is used to purchase goods from your Faction Vendor and increases yourRankas they are spent.
Ranksunlock perks in Item Factions, such as unlocking a loot buff or the ability to buy and sell a new item type. Merchant’s Guild items also gain Faction Rank Requirements, which, as the name suggests, requires a specific rank to use.
Faction Ranks areaccount-wideand shared between characters in the samegame mode. The Merchant’s Guild’s auction house also works the same way, with regular players using a different economy toHardcoreplayers, for example.
If you’re hungry for more loot, check out our guide onWeaver’s Will and Legendary Potentialto learn about Last Epoch’s best gear.
Thomas Cunliffe
Thomas has been a writer in the games industry since 2021 and considers himself a connoisseur of all things Nintendo, Blizzard, and Marvel. Since amassing 152,000+ followers on a Facebook page about Diddy Kong with a backward hat, Thomas has become a trusted voice in the gaming community across publications such as PC Invasion, AOTF, and Gfinity.
His greatest achievements include catching every Pokémon, completing (almost) every quest in World of Warcraft, and naming his dog ‘Mass Effect 3.’
Thomas is extraordinarily passionate about the video game industry and its community. He enjoys writing about a wide variety topics, including popular games like Destiny 2, Fortnite, and WoW, as well as the latest Indie titles.
