Are trade sharks buying up popular runes to exploit players?

Donutdude · May 6, 2026 at 1:52 PM

Hello folks,

Noticed recently that several runes & insignias are now missing from the Rune Traders. Examples are Major Vigor runes and Prodigy insignia. The Major Vigor rune bothers me a lot as I never, ever saw the point of going for the Superior, given the massive jump in price vs the meager HP increase.

I very much doubt there are enough players building heroes/characters for all of these to sell out. So, is this the work of scalpers exploiting the vendor system for profit?

Would be interested to know your thoughts.

Cheers.

YOLO · May 6, 2026 at 2:14 PM

🐋

GreenthumbLegacy · May 6, 2026 at 3:05 PM

I attribute it to many MANY people gearing up Althea and filling out their Mesway heros.

Gregory · May 6, 2026 at 3:49 PM Official Post

I doubt it. If new people are coming to the game/more people are playing on alts, more than likely what is happening is what Green mentioned above. Mercs need runes on every character you're on + a new mesmer hero.

Marcus Ferret · May 6, 2026 at 4:55 PM

If you're struggling to find them or if the price is too steep, a week solo-farming Jaya Bluffs should net you quite a few. I still have 5 Major Vigors and half a dozen Prodigy's in storage, and those are ones I kept from 2 weeks farming runes and feathers.

GreenthumbLegacy · May 6, 2026 at 5:04 PM

Quote from Marcus Ferret

If you're struggling to find them or if the price is too steep, a week solo-farming Jaya Bluffs should net you quite a few. I still have 5 Major Vigors and half a dozen Prodigy's in storage, and those are ones I kept from 2 weeks farming runes and feathers.

What build are you using to farm Sensali?

Gregory · May 6, 2026 at 5:09 PM Official Post

A simple SoS build can farm them easy, with explosive growth and boon of creation.

Marcus Ferret · May 6, 2026 at 5:16 PM

Quote from GreenthumbLegacy

Quote from Marcus Ferret

If you're struggling to find them or if the price is too steep, a week solo-farming Jaya Bluffs should net you quite a few. I still have 5 Major Vigors and half a dozen Prodigy's in storage, and those are ones I kept from 2 weeks farming runes and feathers.

What build are you using to farm Sensali?

Warrior/Monk Drunken Master Build ~ Goes much faster and easier with cons... And NM of course unless you like a lot of pain

You can see the drop rates on the thread... I'll probably be headed back there now that Anniversary event is coming to an end and Shaman's is selling for 12k per piece at the trader...

Build template

GreenthumbLegacy · May 6, 2026 at 6:52 PM

Quote from Marcus Ferret

Quote from GreenthumbLegacy

What build are you using to farm Sensali?

Warrior/Monk Drunken Master Build ~ Goes much faster and easier with cons... And NM of course unless you like a lot of pain
You can see the drop rates on the thread... I'll probably be headed back there now that Anniversary event is coming to an end and Shaman's is selling for 12k per piece at the trader...
Build template

Thanks! I'm always looking for alternatives to break the monotony

Marcus Ferret · May 7, 2026 at 12:24 AM

Quote from GreenthumbLegacy

Quote from Marcus Ferret

Warrior/Monk Drunken Master Build ~ Goes much faster and easier with cons... And NM of course unless you like a lot of pain
You can see the drop rates on the thread... I'll probably be headed back there now that Anniversary event is coming to an end and Shaman's is selling for 12k per piece at the trader...
Build template

Thanks! I'm always looking for alternatives to break the monotony

Good luck and have fun! Should be fine if you just gather the Sensali up nicely and focus on the Darks first... A couple of runs normally nets me at least 1 or 2 Prodigy/Shaman, sometimes both. Major Vigor is less common.

Haisho · May 7, 2026 at 11:16 PM

Honestly have gotten tons of prodigy runes and more in pre. It’s pretty easy to get armor drops from charr there, and it’s a little therapeutic

Marcus Ferret · May 8, 2026 at 7:46 AM

Drop pool seems to have been altered with the recent patches... Did 4 runs yesterday and only picked up 1 Shaman's and a Minor Vigor. Also more purple armor drops than before from the yetis. Thankfully, most of the runes and insignias have gone up a little in price so it covers the cost. Good sign as well for the gaming population since higher prices means more players buying runes/insignias for their characters or for their heroes.

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