What are the real uses for Karma at 80?

Ok, so I have been saving my jugs of Karma and was very stingy spending Karma as I levelled, generally only picking up a couple of items I really liked the skins for.  I have a bunch and I'm wondering what I should use it for as I don't want to waste it, but I don't want to not use it either!

What do you feel are the are the uses for Karma in the end game?

I know I can purchase Karma Armour from the Temples.  Costs 42,000 a piece.

I know Karma can be used for picking up random blue/green armour&weapon skins from karma vendors across the world.  Costs "not much".

I know (believe?) Karma can be used to make parts for legendary weapons.  Costs "a whole bunch"

I can use it to buy various cooking supplies I think right?  Or did they remove them?

Can I still use Karma to buy Salvage Kits? Oricalchum Picks/Axes/Sickles?

Are Racial/Order specific armours/weapons bought with Karma?

Am I missing anything?  What do you think is the best use?  Are any of the uses a waste in your opinion?

If I'm not planning to put the work in to get a Legendary does that change your answer?

Thanks for the advice!

There is karma food. Different heart vendors on different maps sell food that cannot be gotten elsewhere. These foods are account bound. There are some karma picks at retain vendors. Racial weapons are purchased with karma, racial armor is gold. If you are not going for a legendary, it really depends on what you need. If you can get the stats your want, use it for armor. If you are a chef, it makes sense to by food ingredients. If you want to racial weapon skin, then spend karma. I think the only level 80 breathers are purchased with karma, though I could be mistaken.

Hey Pete, The main purpose of Karma for me is obtaining a Legendary (yes, LOTS...like 500K+, although that has been reduced nicely with the addition of Fractal tokens). You can use it to purchase certain cooking materials only obtainable from certain vendors. And yes, you can use it for certain weapon/armor skins. I really can't think of any other use for it offhand, considering anything you buy with it is soul- or account-bound and cannot be salvaged or sold. You may be able to put items purchased with Karma in the Mystic Forge, but I am not sure on that. I have a bunch of Karma, as I never use it (and am saving for my Legendary). I suggest checking out the Karma Wiki page, and deciding what you'd like to save for.

All 3 of my 80s have a karma set of armor (or mostly karma). It's basically free and comes already with some decent runes. The daily/monthly achievement jugs help a lot. There's also the underwater head armor which is all karma-bought (except the pvp one, of course). Get lvl 80 version in Cursed Shores from Explorer Gavbeorn Serpentslayer (Gavebeorn waypoint).

A very excellent question, and well worded. I'd like to know people's thoughts as well. I have bought karma 80 armour for my first 80 (ranger) and saved enough to get a second set for my warrior when she gets to the temples. It's nice and easy to get karma for me, rather than gold or tokens. I haven't looked into legendaries at all yet, though as they're not special in stats - only looks - I probably won't bother for how much effort they need. Account bound karma tools and food might be interesting to look into, though ^_^

I just used karma to buy two sets of exotic armor.

I have yet to actually use my Karma for anything. I already got exotics for my 80 (from TP) and have no plans on creating a legendary weapon. Looks like I will have to check out the karma food (assuming there's any good food for level 80s) and the underwater helms.

» Edited on: 2012-12-14 07:33:45

Actually for a legendary you need about 1 000 000 Karma. Takes lots and lots of events to get that much.

Yeah 1 Million Karma, if you don't buy any Obsidian Shards from Fractal runs. Now that you can buy them with what, 15 or 25 tokens, it makes it a lot easier.