In Dauntless, Aethersparks are a valuable currency used primarily for reviving gear and upgrading your weapons and armor through the reforging process. If you’re aiming to enhance your loadout and become more powerful during Behemoth hunts, understanding how to get Aethersparks efficiently is essential. Many new players overlook this resource, but experienced Slayers know how critical it becomes in the late game. Whether you’re chasing max level reforges or simply looking to increase your Slayer progression, knowing how to farm Aethersparks can make a significant difference in your gameplay experience.
What Are Aethersparks?
The Role of Aethersparks in Dauntless
Aethersparks are primarily used in the reforge system, allowing players to reset a weapon’s level after it reaches level 20. This reset grants additional passive bonuses, helping you become stronger over time. Every reforge consumes Aethersparks, so gathering them becomes a regular part of high-level play. Without enough Aethersparks, you won’t be able to maximize your gear’s potential.
Why Aethersparks Are Important
While you can focus on leveling up through normal hunts, reforging offers one of the few permanent progression systems in Dauntless. Accumulating Aethersparks quickly allows for more frequent reforges, unlocking bonuses that increase power, versatility, and effectiveness during tougher encounters.
How to Get Aethersparks
Earn Aethersparks Through Escalation
One of the most consistent ways to get Aethersparks in Dauntless is by playing Escalation modes. These challenging, multi-round hunts pit you against waves of Behemoths with increasing difficulty. At the end of each Escalation run, you earn experience points and rewards, including Aethersparks.
- Choose any Escalation: Shock, Blaze, Terra, Frost, or Umbral
- Complete the full run, including the final boss
- Earn XP and Aethersparks depending on your performance
Higher-tier Escalation content provides greater rewards, especially when you’re playing on higher difficulty levels like Heroic or Heroic+.
Max Out Weapon Experience
To earn Aethersparks, you must first level a weapon to 20. After reaching this cap, future XP you earn on that weapon no longer increases the level but instead converts into Aethersparks. This process rewards you for continuing to play with your favorite weapons even after they’re fully leveled.
Reforging for Aethersparks
Once your weapon hits level 20, go to the Reforge station at Ramsgate. Reforging resets the weapon’s level to 1 but grants permanent bonuses and Aethersparks in return. The more often you reforge, the stronger your character becomes, especially in long-term progression. You’ll need Aethersparks to initiate the reforge, so this becomes a cycle: play to gain XP, level up, earn Aethersparks, then reforge.
Additional Ways to Earn Aethersparks
Patrol Keys and Chests
Using Patrol Keys to unlock Vault Chests can sometimes reward you with Aethersparks. While this is not the most reliable method, it’s still worth noting as a supplementary source. Make sure to complete daily and weekly challenges to earn more Patrol Keys.
Seasonal Events and Limited-Time Modes
Occasionally, special events or limited-time hunts in Dauntless offer Aethersparks as rewards. Keep an eye out for in-game announcements or seasonal content where these resources are given out more freely. These events usually offer bonus rewards for completing certain objectives or hunting specific Behemoths.
Hunt Pass Rewards
In some seasons, the Hunt Pass includes Aethersparks as part of the premium or free track. If you’re progressing through the Hunt Pass already, it’s a bonus way to stock up on this currency without changing your hunting habits. Make sure to check the reward track and claim your Aethersparks when available.
Best Strategies for Farming Aethersparks
Focus on One Weapon Type
Instead of spreading your experience across multiple weapons, pick one and stick with it until you’ve reforged it multiple times. This approach allows you to accumulate more Aethersparks faster and take advantage of reforging bonuses, including elemental damage boosts and core skill upgrades.
Group Up for Escalations
Escalations can be run solo or with a party, but grouping with friends or other players often results in faster and more efficient runs. With good coordination, you can clear multiple Escalation tiers quickly, earning more XP and Aethersparks per hour. Use matchmaking or form a squad to farm efficiently.
Use XP Boosts When Available
XP boosts can come from Hunt Pass perks, consumables, or time-limited bonuses. When you’re using these boosts, you level up faster, meaning you’ll reach level 20 sooner and start converting XP into Aethersparks earlier. Always activate boosts before Escalation runs or high-XP hunts to maximize rewards.
Hunt High-Level Behemoths
The stronger the Behemoth, the more XP you earn. Focus on 10+ threat-level Behemoths to speed up the leveling process and earn more Aethersparks once your weapon hits max level. Heroic Behemoths offer especially high returns for advanced players.
Managing and Spending Aethersparks
Reforge Wisely
While it’s tempting to reforge frequently, try to build up enough Aethersparks so you can do it when you’re ready to return to grinding that weapon’s level. Consider whether you want to max out all weapons or focus on a single favorite first, depending on your gameplay goals.
Save for Future Updates
Dauntless updates regularly introduce new gear systems, balance patches, and weapon overhauls. If you anticipate using Aethersparks in future reforging mechanics, it may be wise to keep a stockpile instead of spending them all at once. This gives you flexibility as the game evolves.
Prioritize Key Weapon Types
If you’re playing a specific build say, a high DPS build with Chain Blades or a tanky setup with the War Pike focus your Aethersparks on reforging that weapon type. This lets you optimize your playstyle and get more effectiveness in hunts without needing to grind every weapon equally.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Escalation Mode
Many players avoid Escalation due to its difficulty, but skipping it means missing out on one of the most efficient methods for gaining Aethersparks. Even if you’re new to Escalation, it’s worth learning and gradually progressing for long-term benefits.
Wasting XP on Low-Level Weapons
XP earned from Behemoth hunts is only valuable if it’s pushing you toward Aethersparks. Don’t continue using a weapon already at level 20 without reforging first any XP gained beyond max level will be wasted unless you’re in the reforging phase.
Overlooking Event Opportunities
Time-limited events often provide extra rewards like Aethersparks, but they can go unnoticed if you’re only focused on standard hunts. Check your quest log and event notifications frequently to take advantage of temporary boosts and quests.
Learning how to get Aethersparks in Dauntless is crucial for any Slayer looking to push their gear to the next level. From focusing on Escalation runs and maximizing XP gain to leveraging seasonal events and boosts, there are multiple ways to build your supply of this valuable resource. Aethersparks not only enable reforging but also mark your journey through high-level content. Stay consistent, prioritize smart farming strategies, and you’ll soon have a steady flow of Aethersparks to power up your favorite weapons and dominate Behemoths across the Shattered Isles.