When exploring the rich world of The Elder Scrolls Online, players often focus on well-known currencies like Tel Var Stones or ESO gold coins. However, one lesser-known yet surprisingly lucrative currency is Imperial Fragments. If you've ventured into the Imperial City or its sprawling sewers, chances are you've collected these fragments without realizing their true potential. CharlieEcho101x's guide will help you understand what Imperial Fragments are, how to use them effectively, and why they can be an excellent source of ESO gold or crafting resources.
What Are Imperial Fragments?
Imperial Fragments are a currency exclusive to the Imperial City and its sewers. They drop from killing and looting various Daedric mobs in the zone—essentially anything that moves and isn't another player. While Tel Var Stones are the primary currency for this area, Imperial Fragments serve as a secondary yet highly useful resource.
The Imperial City itself is a unique zone in ESO, offering both small-scale PvP and PvE opportunities. You'll encounter plenty of mobs to farm fragments while engaging in activities like hunting cunning scamps or completing loops through the sewers. If you haven't ventured into this DLC zone yet, good news: the Imperial City DLC is now free in the Crown Store, making it accessible to all players as part of the base game.
Where Can You Spend Imperial Fragments?
Imperial Fragments can be used in several ways, but their most valuable application is tied to crafting materials and gear. Here's a breakdown of where you can spend them:
1. Trophy Vaults
Both group dungeons in the Imperial City—Imperial City Prison and White-Gold Tower—contain trophy vaults where you can use fragments to access gear set pieces. These include shoulder pieces for monster sets that drop from the dungeons. If you're looking to optimize your character's build, this is one way to put your fragments to good use.
2. Ethereal Trophy Vault (Alchemy Supplies)
One of the best ways to spend Imperial Fragments is at the Ethereal Trophy Vault in the Arena District. If you are a member of the Ebonheart Pact, accessing the vault is more convenient, as you can exit your base quite close to it. Additionally, the sewer access for returning to your home base is nearby. However, this doesn't mean that members of the Aldmeri Dominion or the Daggerfall Covenant cannot reach the vault; it simply requires a bit more walking and navigation.
Here, you can exchange 20 fragments for one alchemy reagent bag. These bags contain random alchemy ingredients, some of which can sell for thousands of gold on Guild Traders.
While buying one bag at a time may feel tedious (you'll need to click "buy" and "open" repeatedly), the rewards are absolutely worth it. The reagents inside are tradable, even though the fragments themselves are not. This makes them an excellent way to stock up on alchemy supplies for crafting potions and poisons or to earn gold by selling high-value reagents like Dragon Rheum, Dragon's Bile, or Dragon's Blood.
Maximizing Your Fragment Usage: Tips and Strategies
To make the most out of your Imperial Fragments, it's recommended to save up a decent amount, such as 2,000 fragments, before heading to the Ethereal Trophy Vault. This method allows for a more efficient and rewarding experience when opening reagent bags.
Here's a step-by-step approach:
1. Farm Fragments Passively: Don't go out of your way to farm fragments exclusively. Instead, focus on farming Tel Var Stones or completing other activities in the Imperial City and sewers. Fragments will accumulate naturally as you loot mobs along the way.
2. Visit the Ethereal Trophy Vault: Once you've saved up enough fragments, head to the Arena District's Ethereal Trophy Vault. If you're part of the Ebonheart Pact, accessing this vault is especially convenient due to its proximity to your base. Other alliances may have a slightly longer journey, but can still access it.
3. Open Reagent Bags: Purchase alchemy reagent bags one at a time and open them immediately. While this process may be repetitive, it's worth it for the valuable reagents inside.
4. Sell High-Value Reagents: Check Guild Traders in major cities for current prices on sought-after alchemy ingredients. Some reagents sell within seconds of listing them, making this an excellent method for quick gold.
Why Farm Imperial Fragments?
While farming fragments alone might not be worth your time, their passive accumulation makes them an excellent bonus currency during other activities in the Imperial City. The conversion rate—20 fragments per reagent bag—is highly favorable, especially considering the potential gold you can earn from selling rare alchemy ingredients.
For example, a trip to the Ethereal Trophy Vault with 2,000 fragments could earn you over 100,000 gold by selling premium reagents obtained from the bags. This process is simple yet effective for anyone looking to refill their alchemy stash or boost their in-game wealth.
Additional Tips for Efficient Farming
- Combine Tel Var Farming: While farming Tel Var Stones in the sewers or Imperial City, you'll naturally collect Imperial Fragments without any extra effort.
- Use Tel Var for Alchemy Satchels: Tel Var Stones can also be exchanged for alchemy satchels at your home base's Tel Var General Merchant. This provides another option for acquiring crafting materials.
Conclusion
Imperial Fragments may not be as well-known as Tel Var Stones, but their value should not be underestimated. Whether you're looking to enhance your crafting capabilities or earn extra gold, these fragments offer a fantastic opportunity for passive income while exploring one of ESO's most dynamic zones.
So next time you venture into the Imperial City or its sewers, keep an eye on your fragment count and start planning your visit to the Ethereal Trophy Vault. With a little patience and strategy, you'll be turning these often-overlooked items into significant rewards.
If you found this guide helpful and want more insights into ESO's mechanics without feeling overwhelmed, be sure to subscribe to CharlieEcho101x's channel for future updates.
