Diablo 2: Resurrected Quest Guide: How to Complete Tools of the Trade
Understanding the Context of the Quest
Before diving into the specifics of the quest itself, it's important to understand a bit about the context within Diablo 2: Resurrected. "Tools of the Trade" is a side quest in Act V, which is the final act of the game's story and introduces players to the cold, snow-covered landscapes of Harrogath, the stronghold of the Barbarians. The quest involves helping Charsi, the town's blacksmith, recover important materials that were lost during the chaos of the Baal invasion. These materials are crucial for Charsi to continue her work of crafting weapons and other items essential for the survival of Harrogath's people.
Charsi is one of the more prominent NPCs in Act V, offering players a chance to craft high-level gear after the completion of the quest. So, beyond just helping her out, you also unlock a valuable function at her forge, which becomes increasingly useful as you progress through the game. The quest is relatively simple, but it introduces players to several areas in Act V and requires a mix of exploration, combat, and a bit of luck to gather the needed materials.
Starting the Quest: Talking to Charsi
To begin the "Tools of the Trade" quest, you first need to complete the main storyline of Act V, which includes several critical quests. Once you've completed the story-related quests and are well into Act V, head to Harrogath, the town where Charsi resides. You'll find her in the town square, where she's usually hard at work, crafting weapons and armor for the barbarians of the stronghold.
When you speak to her after completing the main Act V quests, she will explain that her forge materials were lost during the chaos of the invasion. These materials are needed for her to continue crafting powerful items, and she'll ask you to retrieve three key items: The Hammer of the Ancients, The Hammer of Charsi, and The Tome of Ancient Lore.
Once you accept the quest, Charsi will provide you with the details, and you'll be tasked with finding these three essential D2R Items. These materials are scattered across different areas of Act V, so your journey to collect them will take you to a few of the most challenging and interesting locations in the game.
The Three Materials: Hammer of the Ancients, Hammer of Charsi, and Tome of Ancient Lore
The three items that you need to collect are scattered across various areas of Act V, and each one presents its own set of challenges. Some are found in more straightforward areas, while others may require you to clear difficult dungeons filled with powerful enemies.
The Hammer of the Ancients is the first material you'll need to find. It is located in The Ancient's Way, an area that is accessible after completing the Rescue Anya quest in Act V. The Ancient's Way is located in the Frigid Highlands, a frozen zone filled with dangerous enemies. Once you enter The Ancient's Way, you'll have to make your way through a series of areas and defeat various enemies, including the powerful Ancient's Minions. These minions can be quite formidable, so it's important to be prepared with high resistances and plenty of healing potions. The Hammer of the Ancients is typically found in the Ancient's Tomb, which is located deep within the area. Be ready for tough fights, as you'll have to clear out several enemies before retrieving the hammer.
The second material, the Hammer of Charsi, is located in The Pit, a dungeon within The Barracks area of Act V. The Barracks area can be accessed after you've completed the Rescue Anya quest, and The Pit is a relatively straightforward dungeon compared to the Ancient's Way. Inside The Pit, you'll face demon-like enemies, including warriors and sorcerers, all of whom can deal substantial damage if left unchecked. The Hammer of Charsi can be found in the deeper chambers of The Pit, and while the dungeon itself isn't as difficult as the Ancient's Way, the enemies can still overwhelm you if you're not careful. It's worth noting that some Diablo 2 Resurrected Items in The Pit, including the Hammer of Charsi, can be random drops, so if you don't find it right away, consider running the area again until it appears.
The final material, the Tome of Ancient Lore, is found in the Worldstone Keep, the area that leads to the final confrontation with Baal. The Worldstone Keep is one of the toughest zones in Act V, filled with powerful enemies and numerous traps that can easily overwhelm an unprepared player. To reach the Worldstone Keep, you must pass through the Worldstone Chamber, a long and perilous dungeon. The Tome of Ancient Lore is hidden somewhere in the Worldstone Keep and can be dropped by various enemies or found in chests throughout the area. However, the Worldstone Keep is a challenging area, so be sure to bring plenty of healing and mana potions, as well as gear that increases your Poison and Cold resistances, since the area is home to several poison and cold-based attacks. The enemies here are particularly vicious, and clearing them can be a lengthy task, so patience is key when looking for the Tome of Ancient Lore.
Returning to Charsi
Once you have collected all three materials-the Hammer of the Ancients, the Hammer of Charsi, and the Tome of Ancient Lore-it's time to return to Harrogath and speak to Charsi. She will be overjoyed that you've managed to recover the items and will reward you handsomely for your efforts.
Upon completing the quest, Charsi will offer you a crafted item tailored to your character's needs. These crafted items are highly useful, especially as you near the end of Act V and prepare to face Baal. The reward varies depending on your character's class and build, but they are generally powerful, often providing substantial boosts to your attributes, resistances, or overall damage output.
Completing this quest not only rewards you with a useful item but also unlocks Charsi's ability to craft other high-level gear at her forge, a valuable asset for the rest of your journey.
The Reward and Aftermath
Once you have received your crafted item from Charsi, the Tools of the Trade quest is officially complete. The item that Charsi gives you will be a powerful piece of equipment that can help you deal with the more challenging foes that lie ahead, particularly Baal, the final boss of the game. Moreover, the ability to craft other gear from Charsi's forge adds an extra layer of customization to your gear, allowing you to tailor your equipment to your specific needs.
In the grander context of Diablo 2: Resurrected, completing this quest adds an important layer to the storyline, helping you build a stronger connection with Charsi and further immersing you in the lore of Harrogath and Sanctuary.
Conclusion
The "Tools of the Trade" quest is a straightforward but rewarding side quest in Diablo 2: Resurrected. While it doesn't feature the same intensity or complexity as some of the game's primary quests, it offers important rewards and introduces players to crucial crafting systems that will help in the later stages of the game. By collecting the Hammer of the Ancients, Hammer of Charsi, and Tome of Ancient Lore, you help Charsi continue her important work as the blacksmith of Harrogath, all while unlocking powerful crafting abilities that will benefit you as you progress.
Though the journey to find the materials can be long and filled with danger, the reward is well worth it. Whether you're in search of powerful gear or a deeper understanding of the game's lore, completing this quest is an essential part of your journey in Diablo 2: Resurrected.