The Splendent Ruby unlocks Essence Extraction upgrades in Aion 2, but its location depends on your faction. Here’s where to find it.
Essence Extraction in Aion 2 caps out at Novice level 50 until players track down a Splendent Ruby, an account-bound item tied to a specific quest. According to VGC, the Splendent Ruby won’t spawn or appear in the world until you’ve actually unlocked that quest, so there’s no way to stumble onto one early.
How to unlock the Splendent Ruby quest
At Novice Level 50 in Essence Extraction, Aion 2 automatically grants the quest “[Upgrade] Essence Extraction Specialty Skill,” according to Gamerant. Find a Splendent Ruby and show it to your local Essence Extraction expert to rank up to Professional Essence Extractor.
The catch is that the leveling maps differ between the Elyos and Asmodian factions, which means the Ruby deposits you need to farm are in completely different locations depending on which side you’re playing.
Finding the Splendent Ruby in Verteron (Elyos)
Elyos players should head to the Verteron Fortress Ruins, located southeast of the Dawn Legion Base, which is the starting location for the region, according to Gamerant. Ruby deposits spawn along the outer edges of the Fortress Ruins’ boundary wall.
Gamerant notes this is a relatively high-level area, and some of the Ruby nodes sit right in the middle of hostile mobs. Players can avoid unnecessary fights by using the Fly skill to approach nodes and staying out of enemy aggro range while extracting.
Keep extracting essence from the Ruby deposits using the normal extraction method, and you’ll eventually pull a Splendent Ruby (Bound) instead of a regular one. Once you have it, take it back to Korius to turn in the quest.
Finding the Splendent Ruby in Altgard (Asmodian)
Asmodian players have two spots to check. According to VGC, Ruby nodes spawn on the cliffs and rocks just north of the Quai Campsite.
Gamerant also highlights Calderan Canyon near the Mire Campsite, south of Safe Haven (the Asmodian starting base). Ruby deposits grow on the craggy mountainside next to a crashed ship, with three Rubies at the Calderan Canyon map marker along the riverbanks and many more scattered through the area.
The same rule applies: keep extracting from Ruby nodes until you automatically pull the Splendent Ruby (Bound), then return it to your quest giver to complete the upgrade.
Find Ruby nodes faster with these tips
Before heading out, unlock the ability to mark gems on the minimap in the Essence Extraction Skill menu, according to VGC. This makes Ruby nodes far easier to spot from a distance.
Aion 2’s world map is shared across all players on the server, according to Gamerant. If another player extracts a Ruby deposit before you, the node will respawn within minutes, so farming a cluster of deposits is still efficient.
What’s next after upgrade
Turn in the Splendent Ruby to the local expert (Korius for Elyos) to complete the quest and rank up to Professional Essence Extractor. This raises the level cap on the skill, and players can continue the same gathering loop toward the next milestone.
For more on Aion 2’s progression systems, see our guide on the Aion 2 Ascension Gauge.
