If you’re new to Ashes of Creation or even just leveling up, understanding gear can be confusing. Items are not just about raw stats; how you use them in practice matters a lot. One piece that often comes up in discussions is the Anchor of the Shattered Will, a rare off-hand item. Here’s a breakdown based on what most players experience in-game.



What is the Anchor of the Shattered Will?



The Anchor of the Shattered Will is a rare off-hand item with a Radiant grade, which means it’s one of the higher-quality items you’ll see at lower to mid levels. Off-hand gear is usually used to boost your main combat stats, especially for melee classes, although casters may use some off-hand items for specific bonuses if they have a weapon in the main hand.



In general, players pick up this item not because it’s flashy, but because of its solid combination of stats:



Phys Power: 1071 – 1143



Strength: 91 – 97



Phys Crit Chance: 207 – 221



Phys Speed: 129 – 138



Phys Accuracy: 181 – 193



Required Level: 20



Item Level: 26



Durability: 36



This means the item is mainly beneficial for physical DPS characters, like warriors, rangers, and similar classes. Most players find it particularly helpful in the early-to-mid game because it gives a noticeable bump to damage output without requiring complicated crafting or rare materials.



How does it perform in practice?



Stats on paper are one thing, but how an item performs depends heavily on how players use it. For the Anchor of the Shattered Will, here’s what usually happens:



Damage Boost: The high Phys Power and Strength make it a reliable source of extra damage for melee builds. Players typically notice a clear increase in damage against early mobs and world bosses in the 20–30 level range.



Critical Hits: The Phys Crit Chance bonus is significant. In general, most players rely on criticals to shorten fights, and this item helps make that more consistent.



Attack Speed and Accuracy: Phys Speed and Phys Accuracy aren’t game-breaking at this stage, but they help maintain smooth combat. Many players who use this item report fewer missed attacks and a slightly faster rhythm in fights, which matters more in group content than solo leveling.



Durability and Maintenance: With a max durability of 36, this item lasts a decent amount of time for early content, though most players will repair it frequently if they’re in constant combat. Durability drops aren’t usually game-breaking but shouldn’t be ignored if you’re planning long farming sessions.



Who should equip it?



In general, off-hand items like the Anchor of the Shattered Will are not universal. Here’s a breakdown:



Best fit: Melee DPS characters who rely on physical damage. Warriors, dual-wield rogues, or similar classes will get the most immediate benefit.



Not ideal: Magic-based classes usually won’t see much improvement, as the item doesn’t boost spell power or magical stats. Some hybrid builds might consider it if they want minor physical stats as a secondary bonus.



Level considerations: Most players start using this around level 20, since that’s the requirement. By the time you hit level 40+, it’s often replaced with higher-grade gear from dungeons or crafted sets.



How to get it in-game



Most players find rare off-hand items in elite world mobs, dungeons, and occasional quest rewards. Drop rates are typically low, so it’s not guaranteed on first attempts.



In practice, players often balance farming, dungeons, and quest chains to acquire these items efficiently. For example, running a few elite dungeon groups while completing quests tends to yield better results than grinding random mobs alone.



Also, some players use services for faster resource access. For instance, there’s instant Ashes of Creation gold delivery from U4N, which some players use to buy items from other players in-game. While this doesn’t replace actual gameplay, it can speed up getting materials or gear upgrades without relying purely on RNG drops.



Practical tips for using the item



Pair with compatible weapons: Most players equip the Anchor of the Shattered Will with a high-Phys Power main hand weapon to maximize overall DPS. Avoid mixing it with low-attack weapons unless you’re just leveling casually.



Focus on early PvE content: While rare off-hand items can be useful in PvP, the stats on this particular item are mostly advantageous in PvE, especially during early dungeon runs and elite mob hunts.



Watch your durability: Repairs are cheap at lower levels, but ignoring durability can reduce your damage output unexpectedly. Players usually check their gear before longer dungeon or world mob sessions.



Combine with buffs: Temporary buffs from potions, party auras, or consumables enhance this item’s performance. Most players find that a small boost in Phys Power or Crit Chance can make fights noticeably smoother.



Common questions from players



Q: Is this item worth holding onto for late-game?

A: In general, no. By level 40+, players usually upgrade to higher-grade Radiant or Legendary gear. However, it can serve as a placeholder while leveling or for specific early-game dungeon runs.



Q: Can casters benefit from it at all?

A: Usually not. The bonuses are strictly physical in nature. Only hybrid builds with some melee reliance might find minor use.



Q: Should I invest in upgrading or reforging this item?

A: Most players don’t. Because it’s replaced relatively quickly, investing heavily in enhancements is not cost-effective. Focus on using it as-is until you find your next upgrade.



Q: How does it compare to other rare off-hands?

A: In practice, it’s solid but not exceptional. Its main advantage is balanced stats for early physical DPS. Some off-hands might offer higher crit or speed, but with trade-offs in power or accuracy. Players usually pick based on their current build rather than chasing absolute max stats.



The Anchor of the Shattered Will is a practical, early-to-mid game rare off-hand in Ashes of Creation. For physical DPS characters, it provides solid boosts to damage, crit chance, speed, and accuracy. Most players use it mainly for leveling or early dungeon content and replace it as they gain access to higher-grade or specialized gear. In general, its strength lies in its balanced stats and ease of use rather than any late-game power.