Crafting B-grade crystals in Lineage 2 is one of the most profitable yet complex production chains in the game. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just starting to explore the economic possibilities, understanding the nuances between server stages can mean the differnce between profit and loss.
Understanding Server Stages: The Foundation of Crystal Production
Every Lineage 2 server operates in one of two distinct stages that fundamentally change how you approach B-grade crystal crafting. When a server first launches, it begins in what's known as the no-castle stage. This period continues until major castles are captured by clans, at which point the server transitions into the castle stage.
This distinction isn't just semantic—it completely alters your production methodology and resource requirements.
The No-Castle Stage: Working with Limited Resources
During the no-castle stage, crafters face additional challenges because certain critical items simply aren't available yet. The most significant bottleneck? The absence of Dull Weapon Crafting Stamps, which can only be obtained from castle shops once territories are claimed.
Without access to these stamps, you'll need to rely on an alternative resource: Stones of Purity. These can only be acquired through spoiling or as drops from specific monsters—there's no manor production available for them, making them a precious commodity in early server economy.
Here's how the process works during this stage:
Start by purchasing C-grade weapons, specifically the Sword of Delusion variants. You'll need to aquire both C-grade and D-grade crystals first, as these are prerequisites for the entire production chain. Many crafters try to skip buying crystals from other players to maximize profit margins, since those sellers naturally add their own markup to cover production costs.
Once you have your materials, head to Aden Town where you'll begin the jewelng process. You'll need to convert your weapons to Tallum weapons using Stones of Purity. The Tallum variant is specifically required because it's compatible with the subsequent steps that don't use the Dull crafting system.
Next comes an unavoidable detour to the Blacksmith of Mammon. This NPC interaction is absolutely essential for B-grade crystal production—there's simply no way around it during the no-castle stage. The Blacksmith will exchange your processed C-grade weapons into higher-tier variants that can eventually be crystallized into B-grade materials.
The Castle Stage: Streamlined Production
Once castles are captured and the server enters the castle stage, the entire process becomes more efficient. The key difference is access to Dull Weapon Crafting Stamps through castle shops.
With these stamps in hand, you can jewel Sword of Delusion weapons directly, bypassing the need for Stones of Purity entirely. This eliminates the trip to the Blacksmith of Mammon for B-grade crystal production, simplifying your workflow considerably.
The streamlined process looks like this: two C-grade weapons combine to create one B-grade weapon, which you then crystallize using a level 52 Crystallization skill. This produces B-grade crystals as a standalone item that has its own market value.
The Crystallization Process and Market Dynamics
Regardless of which server stage you're in, the final steps remain consistent. Once you've produced your B-grade weapons through either method, you'll need a level 52 character with Crystallization skills to break them down.
The crystallization yields B-grade crystals, which serve as the base material for crafting the three most in-demand consumables in the game: Soulshots, Spiritshots, and Blessed Spiritshots. Each type requires its own specific recipe, which you'll need to obtain separately.
It's worth noting that B-grade crystals themselves are highly tradeable. Many players prefer to craft their own shots to save money, creating a robust market for raw crystal sales. Understanding this market dynamic is crucial—sometimes selling crystals directly is more profitable than processing them into shots, depending on current server prices.
C-grade and B-grade materials remain the highest-demand items throughout most of a server's lifecycle. This consistent demand makes crystal production one of the most reliable income streams for dedicated crafters who understand the systems.
Resource Management and Profit Optimization
The key to maximizing profits lies in controlling as much of the production chain as possible. Every time you purchase pre-made materials from another player, you're paying their markup on top of base production costs. Serious crafters invest time in farming or spoiling their own base materials, particularly during the no-castle stage when Stones of Purity are difficult to aquire.
Consider the complete resource chain: raw materials → C-grade weapons → processed weapons → B-grade weapons → B-grade crystals → finished consumables. Each step represents an opportunity for markup, but also a potential bottleneck in your production flow.
Smart crafters maintain stockpiles of critical materials, monitor market prices constantly, and adjust their production focus based on what's most profitable at any given moment. Sometimes that means selling crystals, other times it means crafting shots—flexibility is essential.
Advanced Considerations
As you become more experienced with B-grade production, you'll start noticing subtle patterns in server economy. The transition from no-castle to castle stage often creates temporary market disruptions as production methods shift. Crafters who anticipate these changes and stockpile appropriate materials can capitalize on price fluctuations.
Additionally, forming relationships with reliable suppliers for base materials can give you competitive advantages. Whether that's joining a clan with dedicated spoilers or establishing trade agreements with farmers, securing stable resource flows at good prices separates succesful crafters from struggling ones.
The level 52 requirement for crystallization means you'll either need to level a character specifically for crafting or partner with someone who can handle that step. Many crafting operations involve multiple characters or even multiple players specializing in different stages of production.
Understanding these mechanics deeply transforms crystal crafting from a simple money-making method into a sophisticated economic operation. The servers that thrive economically usually have dedicated crafters who've mastered these systems and keep consumable supplies flowing to the broader player base.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to optimize your existing operation, remember that knowledge and preparation are your most valuable resources in Lineage 2's complex crafting economy.
