Chettlebell Explains It All Vol. 5: What to Avoid on the ZEN market?

Good day! Tristopher Chettlebell, Neverwinter’s preeminent historian at your service. In my capacity as an expert in all things Neverwinter, I’ve agreed to author a series of articles detailing various situations in Neverwinter that adventurers regularly have trouble understanding. It’s a big job, but nevertheless, I must persevere.

Avoid at all cost!

In every bazaar there always seems to be that one guy trying to bait you into buying some sort of magic beans. The Neverwinter ZEN market is no different and the following items fall into that category. Here’s a short guide about what you want to avoid buying. If you leave the market with one of these, you’ve done something dreadfully wrong!

Refinement Gemstones

The refining pack on the market is no classic rip-off, but still sells way above its value. The items are almost guaranteed to be found cheaper on the Tarmalune Trade House unless Tymora blesses you with a good portion of luck. On top of that, you can get all the included items by exploring the dungeons alongside the Sword Coast anyway.

Adventurer Packs

The Adventurer Packs fall into the same category. They’re not epically bad, but only help you in limited areas for a limited time. That’s why their price tag feels a little steep and you are better off investing your hard-earned money into something that’S a little more persistent.

Almost all Companions

I know pets are cute and all, but most do not really help you on your everyday adventures. There are some notable exception that are listed here, but unless you know what you’re doing, the recommendation is to stay away.

Event Currency

Some events offer shortcuts to their rewards with currency packs on the ZEN Market. Unfortunately those are often overpriced. This is especially true for older events that haven’t received a substantial update for quite some time. Before buying the currency, make absolutely sure the rewards are worth it and not available for pennies on the Auction House for example.

Stone of Health

Magic is appealing. And getting healed in dangerous situation without the help of your local Cleric sounds awesome. In reality however you won’t use the Stones very often. On top of that, they’re vastly overpriced and handed out for free during different festivities over the year.

Profession Boosts

Now we are getting into questionable territory. Some craftsmen are offering their services for ridiculous prices. I mean, I get it. The profession market is tough, and many are unemployed right now. And leaving your Workshop for a day and coming back knowing that a new profession is all set up is indeed nice. But going through the process with your own Artisans isn’t too much of a struggle. It’s not worth it.

Call-to-Arms Companion Packs

Do we see a pattern with packs? Because here’s the next one that’s not worth it. Adventurers are regularly called to one of the many battlefields throughout the Sword Coast. To “help” them in their task, clever merchants sell corresponding packs with companions and gear. Unfortunately, the included pets are all-too-common and the gear from a time predating the struggle with the Cults of Elemental Evil. It might still be a nice bauble for a stay-at-home spouse, but can no longer help an enterprising adventurer with their epic challenges.

Outdated Campaign Items

Do you remember Black Ice? Me neither, and that’s precisely the point. Icewind Dale support groups are steadily growing because the Ten-Towners and Arcane Brotherhood realize how ill-advised their fight over the now-useless resource is. The production of Hammerstone Runeforge Kits to harvest Black Ice has also been stopped by the Dwarves, but their remaining stock is still being sold. Unless Caer Konig revitalizes the market for Black Ice in some way, a fancy mining pick simply doesn’t belong on your shopping list.

The same is equally true for the Master’s Trowel or Cloaked Ascendancy Portal Stones for example. All of those items were once major convenience boosts, but are now merely memorabilia.


I hope today’s lesson helped explain where to not spend your hard-won money. Until next time, I must continue my research.

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3 thoughts on “Chettlebell Explains It All Vol. 5: What to Avoid on the ZEN market?

  • February 13, 2017 at 11:29 am
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    Why the hell don’t they make the campaign unlocks account wide?? So much money left on the table. Just make it so that as long as 1 character on the account has completed the campaign, the account unlock is available to purchase to complete the campaign for every character after and every new character.

  • February 13, 2017 at 11:32 am
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    Also they need to be like 2/3 or 1/2 the price. Cryptic, wtf.

    • February 14, 2017 at 3:17 am
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      They can keep the price if it would be account wide unlock. I see myself paying 15k zen to avoid stupid campaigns on all toons.

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