Unlike most RPGs and MMOs, you cannot retrieve armor (armor is the only instance of this) from fallen creatures. The only way to acquire an armor set is to collect the necessary crafting items and followed by paying a crafter (NPC) to create an armor piece for you. Interestingly enough, craftable items can be had at any level but their cost and effectiveness increase as the character’s level increases (an armor set bought at level 1 is much cheaper and a lot less effective than the same one bought at level 20). Each different armor set has a varied appearance and subtle to not so subtle statistical changes. They are all meant to be effective, but for different situations. Craftable materials can be found from the corpses of enemy creatures or you may want to salvage unnecessary items as they produce a certain quantity of craftable materials.

Skryer has an update collection of guides and strategies to craft anything and everything in Guild Wars.

All other items can be acquired through the semi-typical way of creature item drops. Although, items are not ‘free-for-all’ grabs, they are assigned to players and can only be picked up by the specified. After 30 seconds, any player may claim a dropped item as it is deemed to have been unwanted by the assigned player.

Available items:

• Heargear – Warrior: Helmets, Ranger: Mask, Mesmer: Mask (ala Zorro), Elementalist: Tiara, Monk: Scalp Designs, Necromancer: Facial Scars. Each piece of equipment has statistical advantages.
• Armor – For Upper Body, Lower Body, Arms, Hands and Feet.
• Weapons – Swords, Hammers, Axes, Staves, Bows and Wands
• Shields – Can be used by any profession, but are more effective when used by a warrior.
• Dye – Allows the dying of armor and weapons (can mix colors together)
• Crafting Materials – Used to craft equipment
• Portable Salvage Item – Allows the salvaging of materials.

Although certain dyes are relatively hard to find as they are considered as ‘rare dye’, most can be found relatively easily within the wilderness or at a dye vendor (player driven, sells whatever it has bought from other players. Stock varies on supply). Armor and certain other items can be bought from the crafter. Many other items can be purchased from the local armourer.