It is expensive, very expensive..., if you buy from the gunsmith that is. Ascendant Shards also say they drop from “challenging activities” though. It’s my guess that Bungie is returning to the roots of D1 where in order to “get” the best gear you were forced into the most “challenging activities” (aka raids). Bottom line: Don’t be foolish enough to waste your resources on purchasing a masterwork upgrade. Bungie has made it abundantly clear, they want masterworks to be only available to end-gamers. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, just stating what I see as the obvious.