The Lost Ark honing system changed significantly in 2026. Gear honing was removed from the early progression path through lower-tier Ancient Brelshaza gear. Regular honing now starts with upper-tier Ancient Akkan gear at Stage 0 and Item Level 1525.
The official 2026 progression system revamp removed obsolete honing materials, moved regular honing to Akkan gear at Item Level 1525, and reduced Akkan and Tier 4 honing costs.
This Lost Ark Honing Guide 2026 covers the current gear path, required materials, Gold costs, success rates, Artisan’s Energy, Advanced Honing, and upgrade priorities.
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How Honing Works in 2026
Honing raises the Item Level and base stats of an eligible weapon or armor piece. Each stage has a material cost, currency cost, and success rate.
Before the first attempt, you fill the item’s Honing EXP with Shards. Each attempt then consumes Stones, Leapstones, Fusion Materials, Silver, and Gold where applicable.
A successful attempt raises the item by one honing stage. A failed attempt leaves the stage unchanged but increases the success bonus and Artisan’s Energy.
Gear Transfer moves progression into a newer equipment set. The transfer preview shows the resulting Item Level and which values carry over. Check it before confirming, especially when the current item has stored Artisan’s Energy.
Current Gear and Item Level Progression
The current route skips the repeated honing stages found in older Tier 1, Tier 2, and early Tier 3 guides.
| Gear stage | Starting point | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Akkan Gear | Item Level 1525 | Current starting point for regular honing |
| Tier 4 Relic Gear | Item Level 1640 after transfer | Entry into Tier 4 materials and systems |
| Destined Hellfire Gear | Tier 4 endgame | Progression through regular and Advanced Honing |
| Destined Tremor Gear | Item Level 1730+ | Upper Tier 4 progression through level 25 |
Akkan Gear
Akkan gear covers the remaining Tier 3 route. Honing levels 1 through 19 no longer require a breakthrough Gold payment. Material and Silver requirements were reduced at the same stages.
Players progress toward Item Level 1620, complete the required North Kurzan content, and transfer into Tier 4 Relic gear.
Tier 4 Gear
Tier 4 introduces a new set of Shards, Stones, Leapstones, Fusion Materials, and honing support items.
Regular Tier 4 honing stages 1 through 18 received a 20% reduction to their breakthrough Gold cost in the 2026 progression update. Advanced Honing progress and gear quality transfer from Tier 3 into Tier 4, but regular Honing EXP, Artisan’s Energy, and failure bonuses do not.
Destined Tremor Gear
Destined Tremor is the current upper Tier 4 gear path. Crafting requires Item Level 1730 or above, and each new piece needs a matching Destined Hellfire item with Advanced Honing Level 40 for Gear Transfer.
Destined Tremor gear can reach honing level 20 through the standard process. Levels 21 through 25 become available after completing a one-time Breakthrough for that piece.
Honing Materials Explained
Material names differ between Akkan, regular Tier 4, and upper Tier 4 gear, but each group serves the same core function.
| Material type | Function |
|---|---|
| Shards | Fill the item’s Honing EXP |
| Destruction Stones | Required for weapon attempts |
| Guardian Stones | Required for armor attempts |
| Leapstones | Used during each eligible attempt |
| Fusion Materials | Required for regular and Advanced Honing stages |
| Metallurgy and Tailoring Books | Raise the success rate for matching gear |
| Rate Boosters | Add success chance to one attempt |
| Special Honing Materials | Provide a separate attempt under their listed rules |
Standard Tier 4 gear uses Destiny Shards, Destiny Destruction or Guardian Stones, Destiny Leapstones, and Abidos Fusion Materials.
Upper Tier 4 gear uses Destiny Crystallized Stones, Great Leapstones of Destiny, and Superior Abidos Fusion Materials. Lava’s Breath supports weapons, while Glacier’s Breath supports armor.
Use bound materials before tradable versions. Keep selection chests unopened until you know whether the weapon, armor, Shards, or Leapstones are limiting the next upgrade.
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Gold and Silver Costs
Silver is spent when filling Honing EXP and completing attempts. Gold applies to eligible breakthrough costs and may be needed for missing Fusion Materials, Leapstones, books, or rate boosters.
The 2026 cost changes include:
- Akkan levels 1-19: 100% lower breakthrough Gold cost
- Akkan levels 1-19: 60% lower breakthrough material cost
- Akkan levels 1-19: 90% lower breakthrough Silver cost
- Tier 4 levels 1-18: 20% lower breakthrough Gold cost
These reductions apply to the direct honing process. They do not supply materials that are missing from your inventory.
Calculate the amount needed for a chosen Item Level before opening chests or purchasing materials. This keeps resources assigned to a defined target rather than spread across unfinished pieces.
When stored materials and progression rewards do not cover Fusion Materials, Leapstones, books, or rate boosters, Lost Ark Gold for honing is available through Auction House delivery without account login details.
Honing Success Rate
Every regular honing stage has a base success rate. The percentage falls at later stages, raising the expected cost of each successful upgrade.
Honing books and rate boosters increase the chance for one eligible attempt. Their value depends on the base rate, the price of a failed attempt, and the amount of Artisan’s Energy already stored.
Using every available booster is rarely efficient. A cheap armor attempt may be worth completing at its base rate. A low-rate weapon attempt with expensive materials can justify additional support.
Active Express events may apply higher success rates, material discounts, and reduced currency costs. Check the event window before honing since support applies only to eligible characters and Item Level ranges.
Artisan’s Energy
Artisan’s Energy protects a gear piece from an unlimited sequence of failures. Each failed regular honing attempt adds energy to that item and stage. Once it reaches 100%, the next attempt succeeds.
The stored value belongs to the individual equipment piece. It cannot be moved to another weapon or armor item.
Artisan’s Energy does not transfer during major gear changes such as Tier 3 to Tier 4 or Destined Hellfire to Destined Tremor. Honing EXP and the accumulated failure bonus are lost under the same transfer rules. Gear quality and eligible Advanced Honing progress remain.
Check the bar before transferring. Finishing a stage that is close to 100% may cost less than abandoning the accumulated progress.
Advanced Honing
Advanced Honing is a separate Item Level system for eligible gear. It does not replace regular honing at every stage.
A piece needs Tempering before Advanced Honing becomes available. Each attempt adds a fixed amount of Advanced Honing EXP, with a chance for a Great Success.
Attempts fill Ancestor’s Grace orbs. After six orbs, the next attempt activates an extra effect. Depending on the result, it may grant a larger EXP increase or remove the material cost from the following attempt.
Advanced Honing currently reaches level 40:
- Levels 1-20: Original Echidna progression range
- Levels 21-30: Requires Item Level 1680 and Advanced Honing Level 20
- Levels 31-40: Requires Item Level 1700 and Advanced Honing Level 30
Levels 30 and 40 grant extra basic-effect bonuses. Advanced Honing Level 40 is required when transferring a matching Destined Hellfire piece into Destined Tremor gear.
Compare the full cost of Advanced Honing with regular honing from your current stage. Event support, tempering materials, stored resources, and the target Item Level can change which route costs less.
When to Hone Weapons and Armor
A balanced set is usually the least expensive route to a new Item Level requirement. Armor attempts cost fewer weapon materials, so raising low armor pieces can move the average Item Level more efficiently.
Damage dealers gain more offensive value from weapon honing, but pushing the weapon far ahead of the set can delay access to the next activity. Support characters often gain more from reaching the entry threshold with balanced gear.
Use this order:
- Set the Item Level required for the next raid, transfer, or activity.
- Raise pieces that are below the rest of the set.
- Keep enough resources for all six items.
- Push the weapon further only when the damage gain serves a current goal.
- Stop at the target rather than honing without a defined reward.
The correct priority depends on whether you need entry access, damage, survivability, or preparation for a gear transfer.
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When to Buy Materials
Purchase materials after checking bound inventory, unopened selection chests, event rewards, and pending weekly sources.
Buy the exact shortage for the next planned stage. Purchasing a full future supply can leave unused resources after an early success, event reward, or cost adjustment.
A purchase is easier to justify when it unlocks a raid, allows a gear transfer, completes an Express milestone, or removes one clear material bottleneck.
Avoid opening every chest before deciding which pieces to hone. Selection chests preserve flexibility between weapon and armor materials.
How to Reduce Honing Costs
- Choose one Item Level target. Calculate the required stages across the full equipment set.
- Activate eligible event support. Apply an Express event before spending materials on its designated character.
- Use bound stock first. Spend bound materials before opening tradable chests.
- Check Stronghold research. Confirm that the available success-rate or Honing EXP bonus applies to the current gear tier.
- Compare regular and Advanced Honing. Include tempering, Gold, Silver, Shards, Stones, Leapstones, Fusion Materials, and support items in both totals.
- Save books for expensive stages. Check their eligible range and expiration date before the final attempts.
Common Honing Mistakes
Following an Outdated Tier 3 Route
Older guides may recommend repeated honing through equipment that no longer supports the system. In 2026, regular honing starts with Akkan gear at Item Level 1525.
Pushing the Weapon Too Far Ahead
A high weapon stage may increase damage but leave the average Item Level below the next entry requirement. Fund the remaining armor pieces before committing the full budget.
Transferring With High Artisan’s Energy
Major Gear Transfers can remove stored Artisan’s Energy and failure bonuses. Check whether finishing the current stage offers better value.
Opening Every Material Chest Early
Once a selection chest is opened, its contents may become tied to one material type. Keep flexible chests closed until the shortage is clear.
Honing Without Event Support
An eligible Express event can change success rates and costs. Selecting the character after spending resources means the earlier attempts receive no discount.
Mixing Regular and Advanced Honing Without a Cost Check
Switching systems without calculating both routes can increase the total cost. Compare them from the character’s current stage rather than relying on a universal order.
Prepare for the Next Item Level
Choose the next raid, activity, gear transfer, or event milestone before committing resources. Calculate all six pieces, apply current support, and decide where regular honing or Advanced Honing fits.
Players preparing for another progression stage can review the available Lost Ark services for related options.