Augmentations and Item Customization

Customize your gear in EverQuest using augmentations. This guide helps you imbue equipment with stats and resistances for your perfect playstyle.

As you delve deeper into the world of EverQuest, you'll discover that merely finding powerful items isn't always enough. True mastery comes from customizing your gear to perfectly suit your playstyle and overcome specific challenges. Augmentations are the key to unlocking this potential, allowing you to imbue your equipment with additional stats, resistances, and even unique effects.

Understanding Augmentations

Augmentations are special items that can be "slotted" into compatible pieces of equipment. Not all items can be augmented, and those that can will have one or more "aug slots" indicated in their item description. These slots often have specific types (e.g., Type 7, Type 8, Type 5), which dictate what kind of augmentation can be placed within them.

• Type 7 Augmentations: These are often found on raid-tier gear and provide significant stat boosts, often focusing on primary stats like Strength, Dexterity, or Wisdom, along with HP/Mana/Endurance.
• Type 8 Augmentations: Commonly found on group and raid gear, these typically offer a mix of stats, resistances, and sometimes even minor proc effects.
• Type 5 Augmentations: These are generally more specialized, often providing specific resistances (Fire, Cold, Magic, etc.) or utility effects. They are frequently found in older content or as quest rewards.
• Other Types: Less common types exist, often tied to specific expansions or mechanics, so always check the item description carefully.

Acquiring Augmentations

Augmentations can be obtained through several methods:

Quest Rewards

Many quest lines, especially those involving progression or faction, will reward you with powerful augmentations. Keep an eye out for quests that offer "Focus Effects" or "Stat Boosts" as rewards. For example, completing the "Aiding the Ak'Anon Engineers" quest line in Ak'Anon can yield some early-game utility augs.

Drops from Named Monsters

The most common source of high-end augmentations is from named creatures and raid bosses. These often drop "prismatic" or "glowing" augs that offer substantial improvements. For instance, the "Gem of the Sky" (Type 7) can drop from various named encounters in the Plane of Sky, offering excellent HP and mana. In more recent expansions, raid bosses like those found in the Plane of Time or Omens of War zones are prime sources for top-tier augments.

Tradeskills

Certain tradeskills, particularly Jewelcrafting and Tinkering, can produce augmentations. While often not as powerful as raid drops, tradeskilled augs can be a reliable way to fill empty slots, especially for newer characters or those focusing on specific resistances. For example, skilled Jewelcrafters can craft various "Gemstone of Protection" augs that provide elemental resistances.

Faction Vendors

Some factions offer augmentations as rewards for reaching certain reputation levels. These are often purchased with specialized currency or faction tokens. A good example is the "Mark of the High Council" augs available from the Council of the High Elves in Felwithe once you've achieved sufficient faction.

Merchants

Basic augmentations, often providing minor stat boosts or resistances, can sometimes be purchased from general merchants in major cities like the Bazaar or Plane of Knowledge. These are typically placeholders until you find better options.

Sloting Augmentations

Once you have an augmentation and a compatible item, the process of slotting it is straightforward:

1. Open Your Inventory: Press 'I' to bring up your inventory window.
2. Right-Click the Item: Right-click the piece of equipment you wish to augment. This will open a sub-window displaying the item's details and its available augmentation slots.
3. Drag and Drop: Drag the desired augmentation from your inventory into an empty, compatible slot in the item's sub-window.
4. Confirm: A confirmation prompt will appear. Click "Yes" to permanently slot the augmentation. Be aware that once an augmentation is slotted, it is generally permanent unless you use a specific item to remove it.

Removing Augmentations (Augmentation Distillers)

Sometimes you'll acquire a better augmentation or wish to reuse a valuable aug on a different piece of gear. This requires an "Augmentation Distiller."

Acquiring Distillers

• General Merchants: Basic Augmentation Distillers can often be purchased from general merchants in the Plane of Knowledge or the Bazaar. These are typically for lower-tier augs.
• Specialized Vendors: More powerful distillers, capable of removing higher-tier or No-Drop augmentations, might be sold by specific vendors in expansion zones or through faction merchants.
• Tradeskills: Alchemists can sometimes craft Augmentation Distillers, especially for specific types of augs.
• Drops: Rarely, certain named monsters or raid bosses may drop Augmentation Distillers.

Using a Distiller

1. Open Inventory: Ensure both the item with the augmentation and the Augmentation Distiller are in your inventory.
2. Right-Click Distiller: Right-click the Augmentation Distiller. This will open a small window.
3. Target Item: Drag the item containing the augmentation you wish to remove into the distiller's window.
4. Select Augmentation: If the item has multiple augs, a list will appear. Select the specific augmentation you want to remove.
5. Confirm: Confirm your choice. The augmentation will be returned to your inventory, and the distiller will be consumed.

Important Note: Some powerful augmentations are "No-Destroy" or "No-Remove" and cannot be taken out of an item once slotted, even with a distiller. Always read the augmentation's description carefully before slotting it!

Strategic Customization Tips

• Prioritize Gaps: Early on, focus on filling empty slots with any available augmentation to gain an immediate boost.
• Target Resistances: If you're struggling in a specific zone or against certain spell-casting enemies, prioritize augmentations that provide the relevant elemental or magic resistance.
• Balance Stats: Don't just stack one stat. Consider your class's needs – a warrior might prioritize HP and AC, while a wizard focuses on Intelligence and Mana.
• Focus Effects: Some augmentations provide "Focus Effects" that enhance your spells or abilities (e.g., increased spell damage, reduced mana cost, improved healing). These are incredibly valuable and should be sought out for your primary abilities.
• Upgrade Incrementally: You don't need the best augs immediately. Replace lower-tier augmentations as you acquire stronger ones through progression.
• Check All Slots: Remember that different item slots (weapons, armor, jewelry) can have different augmentation types. Don't overlook any potential customization!

Mastering augmentations is a continuous process in EverQuest. By actively seeking out and strategically applying these powerful enhancements, you can significantly improve your character's capabilities and conquer even the most daunting challenges Norrath has to offer.