This guide answers some of the most important and basic questions a new Anthem player might have – what is the Vanity Store, why does the game need one, what can you find in it, how to purchase the currency and how important the store is to the game’s success.
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WHAT IS THE ANTHEM VANITY STORE
Anthem’s customization systems are very deep. You can change separately the outfit, style and looks of your Javelin exosuit, while retaining the specific combat build that fits your playstyle and current needs.
The in-game Vanity Store has an answer for all of your needs when it comes to the visual appearance of your various suits. In it you will be able to purchase both individual items as well as full Javelin armor sets.
CURENCIES
The store allows you to buy items with either in-game Coins or with Shards. Below I have a bit more info on the two currencies:
Coins – this is Anthem’s native in-game currency. Everything you do earns you Coin. You can spend it to purchase better equipment for your Javelins or get that latest sleek armor set from the store.
Shards – this is the equivalent of the real-life money currency in Anthem. You can purchase Shards in packs from Origin directly. You can earn small amounts of Shards by completing Challenges and the Weekly Path to Glory.
The prices of Shards Packs currently are:
500 Shards Pack = €4.99 (€1 = 100 Shards)
1050 Shards Pack = €9.99 (€1 = 105 Shards)
2200 Shards Pack = €19.99 (€1 = 110 Shards)
4600 Shards Pack = €39.99 (€1 = 115 Shards)
If your local store shows the pricing in USD, it would be the exact same prices, but with the different currency. To purchase Shards, press the “Get Shards” button in the bottom right corner of your screen, while in the Store. If you are on PC, this will open the Origin client’s overlay and load the page with the available Shards Packs.
Each item offered in the Store will have a tier of rarity attached to it – just like with the Gear pieces.
HOW TO ACCESS THE VANITY STORE
The store can be accessed from Fort Tarsis as well as from the Launch Bay. Below are two screenshots showing the exact location in both areas.
Vanity Store Location in Fort TarsisVanity Store Location in the Launch Bay
WHAT CAN YOU BUY FROM THE VANITY STORE
The store offers various items on weekly basis. Of course, it’s too early after Anthem’s launch to tell if and how much the store will change with the coming updates. For now the choice is quite limiting. Prices are in the expected ranges and are quite fair.
The store has three tabs at the top – Featured, Crafting and Rewards.
FEATURED TAB
In the Featured tab you can purchase the bread and butter of the vanity store – javelin armor sets, banners, paint jobs and materials, emotes, vinyls and more. Here you can use either Coins or Shards. The choice is yours.
The Featured tab can also be accessed directly from the pause menu (press ESC on PC).
No matter what you do, it’s important to look cool while doing it! Check out the Complete Anthem Armor Sets Catalog here on VULKK.com and pick the best pack for your javelin’s style!
CRAFTING TAB (REGULATOR STORE)
In March 2020 BioWare introduced an improved Regulator Store to include Javelin Legendary Gear and Weapons in addition to the crafting materials Sayrna is offering to the Freelancers in Fort Tarsis.
The Crafting Tab (aka the Regulator Store) offers you a chance to purchase Crafting materials and Javelin Gear and Weapons for a modest price. Important to note here is that in this section you can only use Coins. BioWare promised before the game’s launch that Anthem will never feature power-boosting items in the store and you will not be able to purchase power with real life money. They stay true to that promise.
The tab can also be accessed through the Regulator Store in Fort Taris. Hint: If this or any other store is not available for you yet, simply keep leveling and do your achievements. One by one several new shops will open up as you progress through the game.
REWARDS TAB
The rewards tab gives you a chance to claim your rewards. Here you can get the pre-order bonuses as well as all other perks related to the version of the game that you purchased. In the future other rewards will be added here as well.
WHY ANTHEM HAS AN IN-GAME STORE
Anthem is a full-retail game that costs $60 (for the Standard edition). Why does such a game have an in-game store with microtransactions?
The MTX controversy in video games and more specifically in EA’s games, has been raging for a long time now. Ever since the incredibly bold and unfair decision to integrate microtransactions in Star Wars Battlefront 2‘s core progression system, EA has been under pressure by the community.
Anthem does not have any paid DLCs or expansions planned. For now. The Devs stated multiple times that their goal is to support the game for years to come. The recently released post-launch Roadmap was just the beginning. The studio’s only income for this game will be from initial purchases and the in-game vanity store.
I’ve already said it, but let me remind you – Anthem’s store does not and will not offer items that boost your performance in combat. The only things you can purchase for real money are cosmetics.
The prices of the items shortly after launch feel within the expected range, but are kind of on the top edge. Just on the border of getting expensive. Based on what Shards Packs you purchase, their value will be slightly different, but for simplicity let’s accept that $1 is equal to 100 Shards.
The items that are available at the time of publishing this guide in the store are:
Two Full Armor Packs (Epic Quality) = €8.50 each
Fabric skin, Metal Skin (Epic) and Graphic (Uncommon) = €3.50 each
Javelin Emore (Epic) = €4.00
I wont judge the prices. They may be too high for one person, but quite cheap for another. It’s up to you all to determine if and what you would be willing to buy from the Vanity Store in Anthem.
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ANTHEM Beginners Guides
Are you new to Anthem? Here you will find all the basics to help you get started! This Beginners Guides Collection is always up to date with the latest changes from BioWare!
Alex "Vulkk" is the founder and editor-in-chief of VULKK.com. His deep passion for video games and love for all things Star Wars shine through the news and comprehensive guides featured on the site.
