Lost Ark Vambraces unlock at item level 1,750, with your first Epic pair awarded for clearing Gate 2 of the Belgardin Shadow Raid. They sit in a separate equipment slot, add Attack Power and Defense and can be improved through Honing, Special Honing and Limit Breaks.
Getting your first pair is only the beginning. Vambraces follow their own Honing stages, with mandatory Limit Breaks as you progress. The material needed changes at the final break, so it’s worth looking ahead before spending Belgardin rewards.
How to unlock Lost Ark Vambraces and get the first pair
Reaching item level 1,750 opens the slot on that character, but the equipment itself comes from the first Gate 2 clear. These are separate steps. If you’re gearing an alt, it must reach the required level and earn its own pair.
- Raise the character you want to equip to item level 1750.
- Complete After the Resonance Stops in Cadarum Islands to unlock Belgardin access.
- Enter the Belgardin Shadow Raid and clear Gate 2 for the first time.
- Receive the Epic Vambraces first-clear reward, which is available on any difficulty.
- Equip them in the character’s dedicated Vambraces slot.
Normal Belgardin starts at 1750, Hard at 1770 and Nightmare at 1780. Any difficulty can award the first-clear Epic piece from Gate 2. Our Belgardin raid guide covers the story quest, entry menus and weekly restrictions.
What do Vambraces add to your character?
Vambraces provide Attack Power and Defense in a separate slot. Unlike regular weapons or armour, they don’t have their own item level or quality stat. You’re improving their contribution to your character rather than raising an item-level number on the Vambraces themselves.
Equipping Lost Ark Vambraces gives no Ark Passive points. Their upgrade path supplements your existing equipment and Ark Passive progression rather than replacing either.
How to hone Lost Ark Vambraces
Regular Honing uses Destiny Crystallized Destruction Stone, Destiny Crystallized Guardian Stone, Great Destiny Leapstone and Superior Abidos Fusion Material. Lava’s Breath and Glacier’s Breath can be added as supplementary materials.
Stage-specific success rates and Artisan’s Energy apply. Special Honing requires Special Honing: Transference Leapstone. Metallurgy and Tailoring books cannot be used on Vambraces, even where they work on weapons or armour. Check the Honing screen for the cost and success chance at your current stage.
Lost Ark Vambraces Limit Break stages and grades
At Stages 10, 15 and 20, Honing stops until you perform a Limit Break. Each break raises the Vambraces grade and unlocks the next stages. The table shows which material is allowed at each milestone.
| Limit Break stage | New Vambraces grade | Supported material |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Epic to Legendary | Spectral Shade or Deathly Hand |
| 15 | Legendary to Relic | Spectral Shade or Deathly Hand |
| 20 | Relic to Ancient | Deathly Hand |
Vambraces can eventually reach Ancient Stage 25. Stages 10 and 15 accept Spectral Shade or Deathly Hand, with one Hand substituting for two Shades and Shade consumed first. At Stage 20, Deathly Hand is mandatory. That’s why Hard or Nightmare rewards matter even if you’ve used Normal materials until then. Our material farming guide explains the two sources.
Where to farm materials for Lost Ark Vambraces
Normal Belgardin awards Spectral Shade; Hard and Nightmare award Deathly Hand. Check the Gate Info rewards before choosing your difficulty, and use the Vambraces Honing window to confirm the amount required for your next break.
You can also use Belgardin materials at the Shadow Raid Workshop for Specter’s Honing Material Chest, Specter’s Honing Auxiliary Material Chest and Soaring Stone Engraving Setting Kit. Check each recipe before crafting if you’re saving for a Limit Break. The resulting items and components are character-bound. Belgardin Conquest has separate event rewards.
Can you trade Vambraces or send them to alts?
You can’t trade Vambraces to another character. Each alt needs its own item level 1,750 slot unlock and Belgardin reward. Plan your upgrade materials around the character you’re building rather than assuming the first pair can be transferred.
Official update notes: Lost Ark Arbiter of Death, Vambraces and Limit Break changes.
