Remnant 2: Top 8 Must-Avoid Purchases from Merchants

Highlights

In Remnant 2, purchasing Antidotes may not be a wise investment due to the infrequent occurrence and brief duration of the Corroded effect. Instead of relying on Antidotes during battles, it is more beneficial to allocate time to attack bosses.

The Dark Fluid Concoction is not worth purchasing multiple times as its buffs are unnecessary and occupy valuable active slots that could be utilized for more advantageous items.

Ethereal Orbs are superfluous as players can evade the Overloaded burst due to the status ailment by performing dodge rolls. Although it does offer Shock Resistance against certain bosses, investing Scrap in it is not worthwhile.

Scrap in Remnant 2 is now a highly valuable resource compared to its predecessor, Remnant: From the Ashes. In the previous game, players could easily collect Scrap by breaking various objects and continuously resetting until they amassed a significant amount. However, in Remnant 2, the developers at Gunfire Games have made it considerably harder to acquire Scrap through farming. Consequently, players must exercise caution and be more mindful of their Scrap expenditures, especially in the early stages of the game. With this in mind, let's discuss what items players should refrain from purchasing as they could prove to be costly mistakes from Merchants.

8 Antidote: Curative

Players will gradually collect a variety of Consumables through random drops or Chests in Remnant 2, including Bandages, Oilskin Balm, and Ammo Boxes. Although Antidotes are less commonly found as random drops, players can save their currency by not purchasing them from Dr. Norah in Ward 13.

In reality, only a limited number of enemies/bosses in Remnant 2 can inflict the Corroded effect (as there is no swampy Corsus map in this game). The Corroded Ailment itself only lasts for approximately 10 seconds. Therefore, while the Antidote's Acid Resistance effect is worth noting, it would be more effective to spend the time and animation used to use the Antidote on actually attacking the boss to end the fight more quickly.

7 Dark Fluid: Concoction

There are numerous Concoctions that players will come across in the various Realms of Remnant 2. Although Mud Tooth is a common seller of these items (as he can learn how to make any Concoctions the player possesses by talking to him), some can only be found in specific locations.

One example is Dark Fluid, a Concoction that players initially obtain from the Drzyr Replicator on N'Erud. However, it is not worth purchasing multiple times to teach Mud Tooth the recipe. While it provides a useful evade cost reduction, the buff to evade distance and combat slide is unnecessary. Moreover, it occupies a valuable 'active' slot that would be better utilized by items like Mudtooth's Tonic or Sanguine Vapor.

6 Ethereal Orb: Curative

Ethereal Orbs are equally as unnecessary as Antidote, if not more so.

After encountering the 'Overloaded' Status Ailment a few times, players can easily evade the second burst of electricity, rendering the use of Ethereal Orbs unnecessary. Mastering the dodge roll to avoid the Overloaded burst eliminates any need for Ethereal Orbs. While the Shock Resistance provided by the orbs can be useful against certain bosses, it may not justify the expenditure of valuable Scrap.

5 Purified Salve: Curative

The following Consumable falls under the category of 'items rendered useless by the effect of a Ring'. Surprisingly, this category includes more than one item. Essentially, once players acquire a specific Ring known as the Hex Ward Ring, there is no reason to use this Curative when they can simply equip the Ring before the one significant battle where Curse is a concern, namely the fight against the Red Prince.

If anything, it would be more convenient to create one of these items at Nimue's Merchant shop (along with other items) and then return to Ward 13 to talk to Dr. Norah, who will then begin stocking it as well. However, it is still not advisable to purchase the Salve from Dr. Norah, as it remains virtually worthless.

4 Rocket Fuel: Consumable

Most Remnant 2 players are not aware of a Consumable called Rocket Fuel. It is rarely found in the diverse worlds of Remnant 2, with only glimpses seen during loading screens when the game displays item descriptions. While the Fire Rate increase may seem appealing, the Melee Attack Speed effect is limited in its usefulness. The duration of the buff is too short to last through a single boss fight phase. Therefore, using it mid-fight for a minor buff poses more risk than the potential benefit it provides.

3 Worn Admiral's Ring: Ring

Up next is an item that stands out from the usual Consumables, Concoctions, or Curatives - the Worn Admiral's Ring. Fans of Remnant: From the Ashes will surely be familiar with this Ring. It gained popularity among overconfident Soulslike enthusiasts who purchased it from Reggie during their initial playthrough, hoping to boost their abilities. However, they quickly realized the downside as it made them vulnerable to being one-shotted by basic enemies.

Let's face it, Remnant 2 is even more challenging than its predecessor. Even on Nightmare and Apocalypse difficulties, basic enemies have the potential to eliminate players with a single strike. Spending valuable Scrap on a Ring that only "godlike gamers" and speedrunners can effectively utilize doesn't seem like the wisest decision.

2 Bloodmoon Altar's Sanguine Fluid: Concoction

Compared to the rest of the list, Sanguine Fluid is a highly recommended Concoction. However, it is advised not to spend Scrap on obtaining it from the Bloodmoon Altar in Yaesha. Instead, players should acquire it from Mud Tooth, whom they can find after progressing through the Imperial Gardens map in Yaesha and solving the puzzle leading to the Crossbow. Inside a chest on the other side of the room with the Crossbow, players will find a Sanguine Vapor. They should keep this Vapor in the Traveler's inventory and then speak to Mud Tooth. Mud Tooth will offer the Concoction, eliminating the need to obtain it from the Bloodmoon Altar.

1 Timeworn Unguent: Curative

For numerous reasons, it's advisable for players to avoid wasting Scrap on both the Purified Salve and the Timeworn Unguent. These items are rendered useless by the effect of certain Rings called Curatives. Interestingly, players can find the Timeworn Unguent, also known as the Dryzr Replicator, in the same location where they can purchase the Suppression Ward Ring. It would be wiser for players to acquire the Suppression Ward Ring instead and use it only when they anticipate a genuine concern for Suppression. Moreover, since Suppression seems to be inflicted exclusively in N'Erud, even the purchase of the Suppression Ward Ring may be unnecessary.

Remnant 2 is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.