In Last Epoch, players must eventually choose between two trade-focused factions: the Circle of Fortune or the Merchants Guild. Each offers unique advantages, but if you’re interested in player-to-player trade, the Merchants Guild is the obvious choice. Joining this faction grants access to the Bazaar, where items can be bought and sold using Last Epoch gold and a special resource called favor. This guide breaks down how the Merchants Guild works, its progression system, and strategies for making serious gold.

 

How to Join the Merchants Guild

 

You’ll unlock factions in Chapter 9 of the campaign, specifically in Melka’s Upper District during the Divine Era. Speak to Zerich, the NPC who introduces you to faction choices. Once you accept, you’ll be directed to the Bazaar.

 

Inside the Bazaar, talk to the NPC nicknamed the “loot lizard,” and confirm your choice. After this, you’re officially a member of the Merchants Guild and can begin trading.

 

Merchants Guild Ranks

 

Progressing through the Merchants Guild is tied to ranks. There are 12 in total, each unlocking new categories of items that can be bought from vendors.

 

Rank 1 – Sell basic items

 

Rank 2 – Buy set items

 

Rank 3 – Buy specific uniques

 

Rank 4 – Buy idols

 

Rank 5 – Buy exalted weapons & off-hands

 

Rank 6 – Buy exalted armor

 

Rank 7 – Buy unique weapons & off-hands

 

Rank 8 – Buy all exalted items

 

Rank 9 – Buy all uniques (major milestone)

 

Rank 10 – Buy legendary weapons & off-hands

 

Rank 11 – Buy legendary armor

 

Rank 12 – Buy all legendary items

 

Essentially, the higher your rank, the broader the pool of items you can trade for.

 

Favor: The Guild’s Currency

 

Favor is the lifeblood of the Merchants Guild. Every item in the Bazaar has two costs:

 

Gold – The seller’s listed price.

 

Favor – A faction resource you spend when purchasing.

 

Favor prevents abuse of the economy. For example, an exalted body armor might cost 2,200 favor, a set armor piece 480 favor, and a legendary chest 15,000 favor. Without enough favor, you can’t make the purchase, even if you have the gold.

 

This system also blocks market manipulation and flipping: once you buy an item, it’s yours permanently—you cannot resell it.

 

How to Earn and Spend Favor

 

You earn favor primarily by:

 

Killing enemies – Rare enemies drop more.

 

Listing items for sale – Every listing consumes favor, which counts toward your progression.

 

Purchasing items – Spending favor directly advances your rank.

 

While enemy kills grant some favor, spending favor is the fastest way to progress. This is why so many Bazaar listings are filled with free uniques—players use them as a method to burn favor and push their guild rank higher.

 

Leveling the Merchants Guild Quickly

 

Many new players feel frustrated when progress slows at mid-ranks. The key is to stop relying solely on farming enemies. Instead:

 

List bulk items – Even worthless uniques help rank you up when posted.

 

Buy common gear – Set items, idols, or cheap uniques are excellent ways to spend favor and push the bar.

 

Play consistently – Regular play maxes out favor naturally (up to 999,999).

 

With this approach, you’ll reach the higher ranks much faster than grinding enemies alone.

 

Making Gold in the Merchants Guild

 

One of the biggest questions players ask is: How do I get rich in the Merchants Guild? The short answer is knowledge—understanding the economy, the meta, and which items are in high demand.

 

1. Watch the Meta

 

When a skill or build becomes popular, its supporting items skyrocket in value. For example, idols granting health plus elemental resistances, or helmets with +4 to Summon Wolf, are worth millions of cheap Last Epoch gold when wolf- or squirrel-based builds dominate the meta.

 

2. Farm Rare Drops

 

Boss-specific loot like Apathy’s Maw (from Shade of Orobyss) or Nilus’ Amulet can sell for massive profits, especially if rolled with multiple Legendary Potential (LP).

 

3. Target High-Value Categories

 

Idols – Especially rare combinations such as health + resistances.

 

T7 affix items – Build-enabling affixes, like Summon Wolf or Summon Wraith.

 

Weaver’s Will gear – Future patches will add even more value here.

 

4 LP uniques – Instantly worth huge amounts due to rarity.

 

4. Timing Matters

 

Selling at the right time can make all the difference. Early in a cycle, when players are scrambling for meta builds, prices are inflated. Later on, the same item might be cheap and abundant.

 

Using the Bazaar Effectively

 

The Bazaar’s search function can be overwhelming at first, but learning its filters is essential:

 

Search by item type (e.g., armor, weapon, idol).

 

Filter by rarity (unique, exalted, legendary).

 

Narrow by affixes and roll tiers.

 

Switch views between list and roll ranges—list view shows prices, while range view helps you spot strong rolls quickly.

 

With practice, you’ll be able to refine searches to pinpoint valuable items quickly.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The Merchants Guild is Last Epoch’s gateway to trade, wealth, and a player-driven economy. By mastering favor management, progressing through ranks, and understanding which items hold the most value, you can transform the Bazaar into both a resource for your builds and a gold mine for profit.

 

Remember:

 

Spend favor to rank up quickly.

 

Don’t ignore idols and rare affixes—they’re sleeper profit makers.

 

Follow the meta, and sell what’s hot.

 

Play smart, and the Merchants Guild won’t just be a trading hub—it’ll be your path to legendary wealth.