Revision 1

Overview

Abyss Cores (also called Abyss Gears) are special items that can be socketed into your equipment to grant bonus stats and effects. They work like gems in other RPGs: you slot them into open sockets on your weapons and armor to gain benefits like increased attack power, elemental resistance, or improved critical hit chance.

Before you can equip any Abyss Cores, you need to unlock the feature through the story and then visit a specific type of NPC. This guide walks through the entire process.

Step 1: Unlock the Witch of Wisdom Questline

Abyss Core services become available after completing Chapter 5 of the main story. Specifically, after the Demenissian Delegation quest and the boss fight against Kearush, a white crow appears on your shoulder carrying a letter. This letter starts the first Witch of Wisdom quest called "The Hermit Witch," which introduces you to Elowen.

Step 2: Visit a Witch

Witches are special NPCs scattered across Pywel who handle all Abyss Core functions. The first witch you meet is Elowen, located in The Witchwoods west of the Hernand Highlands. After meeting her, additional witches become available in other regions.

When you interact with a witch, you will see three service options:

• Create Socket: Adds an empty socket to a piece of equipment so an Abyss Core can be inserted.

• Embed Abyss Core: Places an Abyss Core into an existing empty socket on your gear.

• Extract Abyss Core: Removes a socketed Abyss Core so you can reuse it elsewhere.

Step 3: Create Sockets

Before you can embed an Abyss Core, the target equipment piece needs at least one open socket. Select "Create Socket" from the witch's menu to add sockets. Each additional socket on the same item costs progressively more silver:

• 1st socket: 5 Silver

• 2nd socket: 10 Silver

• 3rd socket: 20 Silver

• 4th socket: 30 Silver

• 5th socket: 40 Silver

The maximum number of sockets depends on the equipment type. Two-handed weapons can hold up to 5 sockets, one-handed weapons up to 3, body armor up to 3, and head, glove, and boot pieces hold 1 to 2 each.

Step 4: Embed an Abyss Core

With at least one empty socket on your gear, select "Embed Abyss Core" from the witch's menu. Choose the equipment piece, then choose which Abyss Core to insert from your inventory. The core is installed immediately and the bonus takes effect right away. Embedding and extracting cores is free; only creating sockets costs silver.

Equipment Restrictions

Not all gear types support Abyss Cores. Cloaks, rings, earrings, and necklaces cannot have sockets created on them. Only weapons, body armor, headgear, gloves, footwear, and off-hand items (shields) are eligible.

Tips

• Extracting a core is free, so do not hesitate to move cores around as you find better equipment.

• Prioritize creating sockets on weapons and body armor first, because these have the highest socket capacity.

• Match your Abyss Cores to your playstyle. Stack attack cores on your weapon if you prioritize offense, or defense cores on armor for survivability.

• You can buy and craft additional Abyss Cores from witches and at crafting stations throughout Pywel.