GUILDWARSINSIDER

As you make your way through the first zones, you’ll undoubtedly complete a myriad of hearts, which will earn you karma points. Each heart you complete will unlock an NPC vendor who will sell you items for the karma points.

While the earlier zones aren’t necessarily going to have powerful items for your build, or sigils to add to a weapon you acquire later, these early karma vendors can be a source of cheap items for later transmutation, and there are more than a few interesting items being offered.

I’ve rounded up my 3 favorite Karma items in each of the five starting areas. 

One quick note before we start. I’ve included a series of charts that I’ve made, detailing what each of the Karma Vendors in the zone are offering. There are no statistical details (with this being level 1-15, statistics were not my main focus), but I hope you might find some use for these in your records.  I intend to keep them for when, as an eager Cook, I need to start making rounds for specific ingredients. 

 UPDATE v 2.0: As requested, I thought I’d make my chart more accessible. The New Chart can be found here. Thanks to CPH Cider for sprucing up the info and making it look pretty (Gods I love color-coding…)!  Use this record as you see fit!

Queensdale:

1. Eda’s Apple Pie Recipe:  Even though it costs a relatively steep 189 Karma, this recipe is worth grabbing in Shaemoor Fields for aspiring cooks. You’re able to buy apples for three karma apiece from the same vendor. You’ll want to stock up. 
2. Centaur Axe: A great weapon skin for those seeking a brutal-looking axe.  Costs 105 karma from Laborer Cardy. Great option if you’re looking for a weapon that’ll set you apart.
3. Rare Ascalonian Coin: Become a Tyrian Numismatist!  Being an amateur coin collector myself, I was pleased to see this. I’m making sure to reserve a slot in bank for this. Hoarders of the Internet, UNITE!

Wayfarer Foothills:

1. Recipe: Bjorn’s  Celery Snack :  A must-have for anyone interested in Cooking.  As Washed mentioned in his Cooking 1-75 guide, this recipe is a great way to level cooking because of its low material cost. Something to keep in mind for the crafters out there.
2. Potion of Wolf Transformation: At 672 karma, this is hardly a cheap investment, but who wouldn’t want to TRANSFORM INTO A WOLF? I’d say that if you had a particular fondness for Canis Lupus, this is a must-have.
3. The Spirit Offerings:  The Bear, Snow Leopard, Raven and Wolf Offerings are particularly good sources of buffs in the early game.  At only 21 karma a piece, these can be a good little burst if you are finding yourself suffering from a lacking skill.

Plains of Ashford:

1. The Legion Shields: Actually three items, these shield fit together too well to take up three slots. The Iron Legion Shield, Blood Legion shield and Ash Legion Shield are a superb addition to any proud Charr of any legion.  They will net you  35, 70, and 119 Karma Points respectively. Perfect for Transmuting a Shield’s skin to something a little more Charred.
2. Ash Legion Spy Kit:  Any item that allows you to become invisible is worth considering. This item allows you to be invisible for 10 seconds. While that might not sound like long, it’ll feel like an eternity to Thieves focusing on Stealth builds, where the normal stealth skills only last about 3 seconds.  For Thieves, I’d say this is a MUST buy, and for everyone else, it’d be a great use of your karma.
3. Gargoyle Fossil: Upon seeing this item, the Lore junkie in me practically jumped for joy. The Gargoyles, who were present in Ascalon in Guild Wars 1, are said to have mysteriously disappeared without a trace in 1185 AE. Seems they may have left behind a bit of evidence…

Caledon Forest:

1. Hemlocked Sword: A great-looking sword skin available from Tover in the Roottangles for a measly 98 Karma. That’s a steal in my book for such a good skin.
2. Recipe: Enchanted Rock Pendant: I haven’t seen many Jeweler recipes floating around for sale, so this one caught my eye.  It’s only 56 Karma, and it’s sold by Warden Brulains on the Ridge overlooking Morgan’s Spiral. So swing by to complete the jumping puzzle, and make sure to pick this up if you plan to level a Jeweler.
3. Fisher Shield: Another cool skin for your use.  I happen to really like the primitive, almost tribal look of this shield,  and it isn’t so expensive that it couldn’t be easily bought for a quick transmutation.

Metrica Province:

1.  Inquest Golem Arm:  Not exactly effective, but frankly, I’m not sure I care. Who doesn’t want to run around Tyria, beating random woodland creatures to death with a golem arm? It is always kind of nice to have an environmental weapon of two in your bags, if just for a little bit of variety.

2. The Weapons: Not so much a specific item, but a point to raise. While I’m not a huge fan of  the look of the Asura weapons (even if I do love Asuran architecture), the Karma vendors in this zone are going to be an excellent source of items for weapon skins if you are into the ever-so-slightly sci-fi aesthetic.  

3. SCRAP-BOT Alchemic Regression Dual-Utility Inter-Nodal Operator: Okay, it is only an Accessory that’ll give you +3 Power.  But, as a amateur item hoarder and lore fanatic, I’d like to note something. Look at that name. Absorb the pure, concentrated Asuran character found in that name.  This is the kind of thing I’ll be paying attention to, and most likely hoarding…

General Advice on using Karma:

Finally, I’d like to offer a couple of general tips on using your hard-earned karma points. While the weapons, armor and accessories are going to be of great use to you, there are some other things to keep in mind. 

Food in Bulk: If you are at all interested in pursuing the cooking profession (which I certainly am!) karma vendors in these zones can be a great source of some of the ingredients you will need.  Some vendors even offer some food items I’ve not seen elsewhere (at least yet), such as chili peppers, cumin and bananas.

Gathering Tools and Salvage Kits:  If you don’t mind waiting a bit, or simply want to save your copper for other purchases, your first few karma vendors can be a good way to acquire a stack of salvage kits. Though they are certainly more spread out, karma vendors can be a way to get your hands on the gathering tools as well. 
 

Community Built Guides:

For additional levels and information, please swing by our Guild Wars 2 Karma Vendor Guide and Tutorial on the GW2 Community Guides Forum.