Bradygames Gw2 Digital Strategy Guide en

BRADYGAMES
E-GUIDE
WWW.BRADYGAMES.COM
©2012 DK/BradyGAMES®, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.........................................................................................................2
A New Dawn for Tyria ...................................................................................................................2
How to Use This Guide..................................................................................................................4
Glossary.........................................................................................................................................8
Regions and Races.................................................................................................................. 12
The History of Guild Wars ................................................................................................... 16
Multiplayer Online Game Basics...................................................................................... 34
2. Character Creation................................................................................. 50
3. Game Mechanics: How to Play Guild Wars 2..... 60
4. First Experiences .........................................................................................122
5. Professions ...........................................................................................................136
Elementalist ............................................................................................................................142
Engineer ...................................................................................................................................164
Guardian..................................................................................................................................178
Mesmer ....................................................................................................................................195
Necromancer .........................................................................................................................210
Ranger.......................................................................................................................................226
Thief...........................................................................................................................................244
Warrior .....................................................................................................................................260
6. Crafting......................................................................................................................278
7. Bestiary: The Monsters of Tyria...........................................286
8. Player vs. Player Warfare ................................................................304
9. The World of Guild Wars 2.........................................................322
Ascalon.....................................................................................................................................324
Black Citadel .....................................................................................................................324
Plains of Ashford .............................................................................................................327
Diessa Plateau ..................................................................................................................343
Fields of Ruin.....................................................................................................................356
Blazeridge Steppes..........................................................................................................357
Iron Marches.....................................................................................................................358
Fireheart Rise ....................................................................................................................359
Kryta..............................................................................................................................360
Divinity’s Reach ...............................................................................................................360
Queensdale .......................................................................................................................364
Kessex Hills ........................................................................................................................377
Gendarran Fields.............................................................................................................390
Harathi Hinterlands .......................................................................................................391
The City of Lion’s Arch ..............................................................................................392
Shiverpeak Mountains..............................................................................................396
Hoelbrak.............................................................................................................................396
Wayfarer Foothills ..........................................................................................................400
Snowden Drifts ................................................................................................................414
Lornar’s Pass......................................................................................................................424
Dredgehaunt Cliffs .........................................................................................................433
Frostgorge Sound............................................................................................................434
Tarnished Coast ..........................................................................................................435
Rata Sum ............................................................................................................................435
The Grove...........................................................................................................................440
Metrica Province .............................................................................................................443
Caledon Forest .................................................................................................................457
Brisban Wildlands...........................................................................................................473
Steamspur Mountains ..............................................................................................485
Bloodtide Coast...............................................................................................................485
Sparkfly Fen.......................................................................................................................486
Timberline Falls ...............................................................................................................487
Mount Maelstrom ..........................................................................................................488
Ruins of Orr .................................................................................................................489
Straits of Devastation....................................................................................................489
Malchor’s Leap .................................................................................................................490
Cursed Shore ....................................................................................................................491
10. The Dungeons of Guild Wars 2 .........................................492

Please visit www.bradygames.com/GW2updates for a downloadable
list of crafting recipes and other updates as they become available.
11. arenanet interviews............................................................................506
12. appendix: crafting recipes........................................................511
2
A New Dawn
for Tyria
Tyria hasn’t seen many easy times, and some of its darkest days
are yet upon it. Those who have followed the saga of Guild Wars
know of the Searing, the heroics of Destiny’s Edge, and of their
downfall and separation, as well. The rise of the Elder Dragons
and their tyranny over the world has begun, but it stands to
grow much worse if the free races of the land cannot come
together to oppose this vile threat.
The humans, norn, asura, charr, and sylvari are the greatest
hopes for Tyria to remain free and stand defiant against the
dragons. They need all of the soldiers, adventurers, and scholars
they can find. Are you willing to join their ranks? Will you fight
against the spirits of the past? Can you stand against corrupted
and twisted monsters? Would you brave the risen Continent of
Orr, where only the undead stir?
Well, good! Then let us aid you. Tyria is a massive place to

explore, and we give you every possible advantage while
you learn your way around it. We have maps of the regions,
explanations for hundreds of events around the world, and tips
describing how to beat them. If you wish to master your chosen
profession, we’ll tell you about its skills and attributes, and how
to play them against monsters or in player-vs.-player battles.
Craftsmen of all types: do not despair! We have introductions to

your skills, and we explain how to level them without wasting time
or materials. Whether you plan to craft for yourself or for a guild, or
trade with others, these tips can get you up to speed in no time.
If you’re new to Guild Wars and want to find out about the
history of the world and its people, we’ve compiled the lore and
legends that were introduced in the first game and developed in
the novels afterward. You can start Guild Wars 2 as if you’d been
there all along, watching as the events unfolded.
There’s something for everyone in this book. We want to show

you how awesome this world has become. Join us in exploring it!
3
4
How to Use
This Guide
This book is large enough that you might get lost when you first page through it. Before we start, let’s describe the various chapters so you can see where to go when you want
to find something specific.
A New Dawn 1. Introductory Chapter

for Tyria Page 2
Tyria hasn’t seen many easy times, and some of its darkest days
are yet upon it. Those who have followed the saga of Guild Wars
know of the Searing, the heroics of Destiny’s Edge, and of their
downfall and separation, as well. The rise of the Elder Dragons
and their tyranny over the world has begun, but it stands to
Our first chapter is mostly for those new to Guild Wars and to massive online games
grow much worse if the free races of the land cannot come
together to oppose this vile threat.
The humans, norn, asura, charr, and sylvari are the greatest
hopes for Tyria to remain free and stand defiant against the
in general. After this introduction, we talk about general terminology for this game,
dragons. They need all of the soldiers, adventurers, and scholars
they can find. Are you willing to join their ranks? Will you fight
against the spirits of the past? Can you stand against corrupted
and twisted monsters? Would you brave the risen Continent of
Orr, where only the undead stir?
Well, good! Then let us aid you. Tyria is a massive place to

explore, and we give you every possible advantage while
you learn your way around it. We have maps of the regions,
the world and its playable races, and then the history of Guild Wars. At the end of the
explanations for hundreds of events around the world, and tips
chapter, we discuss common online features and gaming etiquette. If online gaming
describing how to beat them. If you wish to master your chosen
profession, we’ll tell you about its skills and attributes, and how
to play them against monsters or in player-vs.-player battles.
Craftsmen of all types: do not despair! We have introductions to
is unfamiliar to you, this is a very important section of the guide. If you’ve played
your skills, and we explain how to level them without wasting time
or materials. Whether you plan to craft for yourself or for a guild, or
trade with others, these tips can get you up to speed in no time.
If you’re new to Guild Wars and want to find out about the
through several online games before, you might want to skip to the history section,
history of the world and its people, we’ve compiled the lore and
legends that were introduced in the first game and developed in
the novels afterward. You can start Guild Wars 2 as if you’d been
there all along, watching as the events unfolded.
read that, and then move on to the next chapter.

There’s something for everyone in this book. We want to show
you how awesome this world has become. Join us in exploring it!
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Character 2. Character Creation

Creation
Your first step in exploring the beautiful and exciting lands of Guild Wars 2 is to create a character. This chapter will walk you
through the process. It will also give you an idea of just how many options for self-expression and variety are available to you
Page 50
in this system!
Starting the Process

After you have logged on, you’ll find yourself in the character screen. There are a number of empty boxes at the bottom of
The next chapter goes over the character-creation process. This section tells you more
the screen, along with three buttons (Play, Create, and Delete). When you’re ready to make your character, click on an empty
gray box and select “Create.”
about race-specific skills and starting locations. We also explain the ramifications
of the choices you select during character creation—and how they influence your
personal story for the rest of your leveling experience.
I REGRET NOTHING!
There are 10 character creation screens, and you can return and change
things at any point during the process until you actually finalize your
character. All you have to do is hit the “Back” button at the bottom of
the screen to rewind through your selections and review your decisions.
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3. The Mechanics of Guild Wars 2

How to Play Page 60
Guild Wars 2
In the third chapter we start to discuss specifics about the game’s internal systems.
Learn how to move, dodge, fight, gain levels, explore, and trade with others. This is a
very intricate chapter, and anyone who is new to the game should read it thoroughly.
It’s a primer for how to play Guild Wars 2!
THE CHAT PANEL

This chapter covers the fundamental game system of Guild Wars 2. We help you understand character control, the game’s economy, equipment Take a look at your screen. A huge amount of information is available in various windows and secondary screens. The lower left is the default location for
upgrades, leveling, fighting, and so forth. Even if you’re familiar with existing online games (or the original Guild Wars), this is still a great place to learn text. You can see what NPCs are saying, listen to other characters, and so forth.
this game’s specifics.
You can also add new windows to the chat panel by selecting “+” or “New Tab.” These new tabs can be renamed to reflect their function at any point, and
The Interface
you can cycle through them easily. Make a window for Combat information if you want to review damage done (and received). This is useful for people
who are vigorously testing their characters and want to find out what’s working and what isn’t.
Before we delve into anything complex, let’s discuss the game’s interface. After you create a character, you gain access to the game’s features and options. The wheel on the window’s left side opens a set of options. You can adjust the filter for language there. Set it to none if you’re not easily offended, or set it
Though there is a brief tutorial adventure for each character, this doesn’t last long, and you’re then thrown into the open world of Tyria. to maximum if you have kids playing or just want to keep things in the PG range.
Change text size if you have trouble reading text in the window.
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5
First
Experiences
Once you’ve created a character, the game places you into a short instanced area. This
begins your character’s personal story while introducing you to some of Guild Wars 2’s
concepts and enemies. We’ll quickly walk you through these to help get things going.
Professions
Professions define your weapon and skill choices for a character. Though Guild Wars 2 allows ample leeway in what you can accomplish within a given profession, it’s still
essential to find what works best for you as a player. This chapter explains the strengths and limitations of every profession in the game. We discuss their armor choices,
Attribute Choices
weapons, skills, and general playstyles. Even if you know the original Guild Wars like the back of your hand, this is an important chapter to examine. Many professions have Professions influence your character’s attributes in many ways, including trait availability, synergy between skills
changed since their first iterations, and you might be surprised at what they can do now! and attributes, and so forth. It’s important to know that no attributes are profession-dependent. This isn’t a game
Asura
where you can say, “Don’t raise X attribute; my class doesn’t use that at all.” All classes use all of their attributes.
Introduction
Whether you go for health, survivability, damage output, or critical hits for burst damage, your character will
benefit from everything.
Attribute Effect Used For

The asuran people have been driven to the surface
of Tyria. There isn’t time or reason to lament this fact. EXPLOSIVE INTELLECT Before we look at each profession individually, let’s talk about their universal aspects. Every profession has an armor
Power Raises damage output Higher sustained damage
Precision Raises critical hit rate Getting more procs (e.g. critical hits)
It’s better to find solutions! Your people have been Your hero stands in an open pavilion, near another asura. Talk to your type: light, medium, or heavy. Each profession has at least one special skill that’s linked with the function keys. Keys
Toughness Reduces incoming damage Survive normal incoming damage
busy at work creating new golems and machines to buddy there (Robb) and see what’s going on. Right-click on nearby NPCs to F1 through F4 are dedicated to these, so your profession might have as many as four additional skills that are not
help with living on the surface. It’s gone well for the hear what they have to say. After hearing about the golems, you’re asked to Vitality Increases your health Survive condition damage
slotted or determined by your weapons.
most part, yet there are occasional slips. Today, there find the Peacemakers (as if they’d know what to do). Healing Improves the amount healed by healing skills Maintaining health during challenging fights
has been such an accident, and mad golems are Not all skills are dictated by profession. Naturally, racial skills are determined by the race of your character. They’re
suddenly running amok. Someone has to stop them, independent of your profession, so norn get the same skills whether they’re warriors, thieves, or whatever you’d like What’s more, you won’t necessarily choose the same style of attributes as someone else who’s playing the same
and at least you’re carrying a weapon. to play. We’ll examine the pros and cons of racial skills soon. profession. One warrior can maximize damage output by getting as much power and precision as possible. Another
might make a survivable character with toughness and vitality. You can mix three or even all four attributes, or
stack as much as possible on a single type.
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4. First Experiences 5. Professions

Page 122 Page 136
Each race has a tutorial area that lets you get into the game without putting you There are eight classes of characters in Guild Wars 2. These are called professions,
in any real danger. It’s a way to introduce the world without throwing everything and they determine your character’s allowable weapons and armor, his or her skills,
at you at once. We take you through all five of the starting areas to give context to and much about how you’ll play your hero. This chapter explores every weapon and
the events that you experience in each. slot skill for every profession, their attributes, and how to play your character against
monsters or other players. Look up the professions that interest you, or read through
all of them if you have the time.
The Monsters
of Tyria
It always helps to know what you’re getting into,
especially in battle. This chapter is all about the
monsters of Guild Wars 2. Individual creatures vary in
terms of their level, skill, and sometimes profession.
However, there are similarities within most groups
of monsters that let you anticipate their locations,
methods of attack, and possible treasures. Read this
chapter to learn how and where to hunt!
Crafters
and Their
Fine Goods
Crafting is a good way to expand the independence of your character or your guild. The skills you learn make it easier to transform “worthless” items into
usable equipment. Even if you aren’t turned on by the idea of making goods for yourself, you might be interested in what others do. Read through this
chapter to learn about the eight crafting disciplines and to find out whether you’d like to become a crafter.
If not, you can still learn what items are needed by crafters. This helps when selling things on the Trading Post or if you’re supporting guild crafters by mailing
them items or leaving items in the guild bank. You’ll also get an idea of what each craft can do, making it easier to approach other people when you want
something made.
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6. Crafting 7. Bestiary
Page 278 Page 286
The crafting chapter is for people who like to make their own equipment. In This is an especially fun chapter. We talk
Guild Wars 2, everyone can harvest the ingredients needed for crafting. So, the only about the major groups of enemies, their
people who need to pursue the actual crafting skills are those who plan to do the strengths and weaknesses, and what
work. Read this chapter to learn which crafts are right for you and how to progress treasure you get from defeating the creatures. Anyone hunting for specific item types
within these trades. should go here to see what to hunt and where to find their quarry.
6
INTRODUCTION
H O W TO U S E T H I S G U I D E
This chapter contains information
about the many regions available for
exploration and adventure within
Tyria. The earlier zones, with content
for levels 1-25, are covered in great
depth. This is done to help new
players learn the ropes by leading
them through the first section of
the game.
Later areas are described in far less

detail because there isn’t room to
have an entire walkthrough for the
entire game of Guild Wars 2! That
would take up more space than the
entire book, and there are plenty of
other subjects we want to cover.
This chapter is organized by major

regions. We talk about all of the
regions within Ascalon (charr lands),
Kryta (human), The Shiverpeaks
(norn), the Tarnished Coast (sylvari
and asura), Steamspur Mountains,
and Orr.
The World of
Player vs. Guild Wars 2
Player Warfare
Guild Wars 2 provides challenges to a variety of players. Dungeon delvers, PvE guilds, and soloists are happy to wander around the world, fighting monsters and saving the day. SUBJECT TO CHANGE JUMPING PUZZLES
But what about the players who want to test each other and find out who is the best? That’s what PvP is for, and there are several ways to go about it.
Part of a multiplayer online game’s appeal is that it can evolve. Content can be added or changed over time; indeed, players expect this to happen. This presents a unique set of For the explorer in each of us, jumping puzzles are located throughout the world. You don’t often find them on the beaten paths. Instead, they’re hidden here and there,
This chapter takes you through the major battles found in WvW (when servers compete against each other) and then it covers the smaller and more controlled matches for challenges to a strategy guide. How can a guide provide adequate coverage when some of its information may become outdated due to game updates—sometimes as early as behind tiny nooks and on top of hills and cliffs that are easily missed. It takes patience and skill to navigate these tricky areas, but inquisitive adventurers will love the challenge!
more organized PvP. its initial release? We created this guide with these challenges in mind.
To search as thoroughly as possible, don’t simply aim for points of interest, renown tasks, and waypoints. Walk along the edges of maps, explore caves, and especially poke your
Our goal is to cover enough areas and events to help you become very comfortable with the game and level your character from 1-25 (and a little beyond). Providing 100% head into any breaks in tree lines and mountains. Also, see if you can bounce your way up into areas that otherwise seem inaccessible. Not all of these are off limits, after all!
completion is not our intent, nor is this possible with an ever-evolving game environment. You can expect some locations, such as waypoints, renown hearts, skill challenges, and
others to shift, thus contradicting some of the map markings on these pages. Nevertheless, this guide’s event and map coverage will take you well past the point of establishing
304 305 You can find some nifty events and places to wander if you put in the effort—have fun!
322 confidence in your gameplay and being ready to continue your adventures at will. 323
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8. Player vs. Player (PvP) 9. The World

Page 304 Page 322
Much of this guide is devoted to the environments of Tyria and its various hazards. Here we start to guide you through Tyria’s overland regions. We talk about level ranges,
The PvP chapter focuses on fighting between players, whether in smaller matches or harvesting locations, monsters, and events for as much of the world as we can fit into
in the large-scale World-versus-World battles (sometimes called WvWvW, WvW, or one book. Think of this as a walkthrough for the cities and regions, helping you find and
World PvP). When you’re ready to take your fight to the masses, go here and learn master all of the available content. If you feel overwhelmed by the size of Guild Wars
how to prepare your character for the greatest challenge in the game. 2, this is a perfect chapter for you. Pick the region where your character begins, turn to
that section of the chapter, and let us guide you through the leveling process.
The Dungeons
of Guild Wars 2
The best test of a good PvE group is to take the players into a dungeon. Guild Wars 2 has a solid selection of dungeons, and each
one has multiple variations to keep the runs exciting and fresh. This chapter gives you a heads up for the tactics and preparation
that go into a successful dungeon assault!
Where to
Find Dungeons
Dungeons are marked on your regional maps once
you’ve uncovered their entrances. A door icon shows
up to let you know that “This is a dungeon!” Go there
and look for NPCs outside the entrance. Talk to them
to learn more about the dungeon and its backstory.
You could meet additional players this way, as people
might be hanging around to form groups.
All dungeons have their own collectible items. These

let you assemble suits of special armor and a set of
new weapons. These cool outfits are fun to collect
even if your character has outleveled the content
of the dungeon. You can always transmute the new
items and combine them with higher-level gear.
Some special dungeons aren’t available all the time. These mini-dungeons sometimes appear as a result of people’s actions in an area.
You might be working on a world event and suddenly find there is a portal to somewhere new.
DUNGEON NAME LEVEL LOCATION

RANGE
Ascalonian Catacombs 30+ Plains of Ashford (NE Side, Ascalonian Catacombs Waypoint)
Caudecus’s Manor 40+ Queensdale (NE Side, Beetletun Waypoint)
Twilight Arbor 50+ Caledon Forest (NW Side, Twilight Arbor Waypoint)
Sorrow’s Embrace 60+ Dredgehaunt Cliffs (SW Side, Sorrow’s Waypoint)
Citadel of Flame 70+ Fireheart Rise (NE Side, Flame Citadel Waypoint)
Honor of the Waves 76+ Frostgorge Sound (N, Honor of the Waves Waypoint)
Crucible of Eternity 78+ Mount Maelstrom (NE, Crucible of Eternity Waypoint)
Ruins of Arah 80 Cursed Shore (S Side, Arah Waypoint)
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10. Dungeons
Page 492
Dungeons are some of the most challenging areas in the game. Player versus Player
(PvP) tests your ability to fight other players. Dungeons are where you go to prove
your Player-versus-Environment (PvE) mettle, meaning you face the meanest
monsters and the toughest events. You should have a group of five people before you
enter one of these. Consult this chapter to find out where the dungeons are located
and to gain some tips for defeating them!
7
Glossary
A Bleed
A condition that causes the affected target to lose
Combat Pet
A creature controlled by a player that assists during
Add a constant amount of health over time. Bleed is a combat. These can come from your utility skills or as a
An extra monster that has joined an existing battle. stackable debuff. result of being a ranger or necromancer.
Alt Blind Combo

A character on your account other than your main A condition that causes affected targets to miss their Short for “combination.” This is an interaction between
character. A secondary character. next attack. skills, resulting in added damage or other effects.
Combos are determined by combo fields and combo
AoE Boon finishers. The fields set up the opportunity for the
Area of Effect. Often used to talk about abilities that One of various positive status effects associated with finishers. When a skill with a finisher interacts with a
damage enemies in groups. skill use or attacks. Boons include Aegis, Fury, Might, field, the attack takes on a property of the field.
Protection, Regeneration, Rejuvenation, Retaliation,
AE Stability, Swiftness, and Vigor. For negative effects, Condition
Area Effect (see AoE). see Condition; see Positioning Effect for effects One of various negative status effects associated with
related to movement. skill use or attacks. Conditions include Blind, Burning,
Aegis
Chilled, Confusion, Cripple, Daze, Fear, Immobilize,
A boon exclusive to guardians. The next attack by the Buff Poison, Stun, Vulnerability, and Weakness. For positive
affected target is blocked. A beneficial effect put on a player or monster. effects, see Boon; see Positioning Effect for effects
(See Boon). related to movement.
AFK
Away From Keyboard. Used to show that players aren’t Burning Confusion
at their computers. A condition that causes the affected target to lose a A condition that deals damage to the affected target every
constant amount of health over time (due to being on time a skill is activated. Confusion is a stackable debuff.
Aggro
fire). Burning is a stackable debuff for duration, but not
A monster’s aggressive attention. “That Ooze is aggroing
for damage delivered. Cripple
on you. Look out!”
A condition that causes the affected target to move
Aggro Radius C 50% slower and have a visible limp. Dodging speed is
affected as well, though you can still use this mechanic.
The radius around monsters that determines their
Caster
aggression. You will be attacked if you step within their
A character or monster that uses magic-based skills, Critical Hit
aggro radius.
often at range. An attack that deals 50% (or more) bonus damage.
AH The chance of scoring a critical hit is based on your
CC
Auction House (see Trading Post). character’s precision, skills, and active boons.
Crowd Control. The use of skills designed to
Asura Gate
A purple-hued gateway that connects major areas of
temporarily incapacitate or slow down an enemy.
Cripple, stun, and knockback are all examples of this.
D
Daze
the world. These are often found in capital cities, such
Champion A condition that interrupts and keeps the affected
as Lion’s Arch.
An extremely tough monster. Champions should be target from using skills.
approached cautiously and preferably fought only by a
Attribute
group; they are tougher than Veterans (see Veteran). DD
A modifier that affects a character’s performance
Direct Damage. This is a skill that inflicts all of its
in combat. Four attributes are shared across all
Channel damage in one hit rather than spreading its damage
professions: Power, Precision, Toughness, and Vitality.
Term for skills that require several seconds of focus over time.
Power and Precision modify offense; Toughness and
to complete. Your character usually has to stand still
Vitality affect your character’s survival.
during this time, but some skills allow movement even Debuff
while channeling. A negative effect placed on a target that makes it less
B powerful. (See Condition.)
Cheese
Bank
To exploit an imbalance in the game. Defense
A place of storage found in each major city in the
A measure of a person’s armor quality. Raise this to
game. All of these are connected, and the items Chilled/Frozen improve your character’s resistance to damage.
you place in the bank are available to each of your A condition that causes the affected target to move
characters. Some player guilds will also have a guild 66% slower and become unable to dodge. Skills also DMG
bank for additional storage. take 66% longer to recharge. Damage. Also listed as DPS at times, even though that
technically means Damage Per Second.
8
INTRODUCTION
Dodge
F Guild
G LO S S A RY
A sudden burst of movement (in any direction). This An organization of players established to support each
is used to avoid enemy attacks. It uses endurance and Fear other in PvP, exploration, fighting, or just for kicks.
cannot be spammed, so timing is critical. A condition that causes the affected target to run
directly away from the caster, often for a very GW2
DOT short duration. Guild Wars 2.
Damage Over Time. This often refers to an effect that
“ticks” frequently, applying damage each time there is a FTL
For The Lose, or For The Loss. An Internet or sports
H
tick. Example: Bleed.
Healing Skill
term that implies that a strategy, concept, or
Downed All characters have the ability to heal themselves
action is weak.
In Guild Wars 2, your character doesn’t automatically and potentially others, as well. Characters start with
die at zero health. Instead, you drop to the ground and FTW one default Healing Skill. Up to three others can be
can fight for survival. This state is called the downed For The Win. This means that something is powerful purchased and selected through the Skill menu. These
state. Rallying is when you defeat an enemy and get or useful. skills are bound to key “6” on your keyboard.
back on your feet.
Fury Heart
DPS A boon that causes more of the affected target’s A local event or mission; see Task. Hearts that are open
Damage Per Second. This concept allows one to attacks to score critical hits. signify tasks that can still be completed. Solid Hearts
evaluate weapons and skills of different speeds. It’s are ones you have already done. These are also called
also used as a generic term for damage output. “Need G Renown Hearts.
more DPS,” means that we need to concentrate more
Gem HP
damage on this target.
A form of currency purchased with real money or via Hit Points or Health. This is a measure of a character’s
Duration gold in the Gem Store. You use gems to upgrade your survivability. It is affected by vitality.
The amount of time it takes for an effect to wear off. Guild Wars 2 account or to purchase a number of
Dye
temporary boons. I
Colors that are used to personalize the look of your Gem Store Iconic
armor/character. Many of these are available by default, The place where you make gem purchases. Look on the Extremely important racial NPCs that are critical to the
and more can be found as you explore the world. top portion of your screen to find the icon for this store. Guild Wars 2 story. Example: Logan Thackeray.
E GG Immobilize
Good Game. Most often used after a PvP engagement A condition that hinders affected targets, making them
Elite Skill to thank other players for contributing, or when unable to dodge or move.
The tenth skill slot on each character’s bar. someone is about to log off.
Incoming (INC)
This is gained at level 30 and often involves
Griefer This means an attack is imminent.
very powerful abilities.
A person who purposely tries to annoy or anger
Instance
Endurance other players.
A copy of an area available only to a specific individual
An indicator of a character’s energy. It is used to dodge
Grinding or group. The world is not instanced. Dungeons, home
incoming attacks by double-tapping in a given direction
To repeat any activity to achieve a conclusion through areas, and personal quest events have many copies;
(or using the Dodge key while pressing in any direction).
sheer effort. “I’ll keep fighting these centaurs to grind these are instances.
Event out this level.”
Something that is occurring in the local area. Completing
Ground-targeted
K
these repeatable missions is worth experience, gold, and
Skill effects may target areas instead of monsters. These Karma
karma. They can be completed multiple times. See also
effects are said to be ground-targeted. They normally A tangible reward for your good works in the world.
Group Event and World Event.
create a circle on the ground that you can move You gain karma primarily by completing repeatable
Experience (XP/EXP) around until you click a second time; the second click events.
A stat that rises from exploration, killing monsters, triggers the actual skill effect.
Kiting
crafting, and completing tasks. The accrual of
Group A style of combat in which players stay out of combat
experience increases a character’s level and grants him
A team of up to five characters that join together to range from their enemies, usually by running away from
or her access to traits and stronger attributes.
take on a dungeon or a particularly tricky event. them while simultaneously causing damage to them.
Group Event Knockback

An event that is much higher in difficulty, often A positioning effect that pushes targets back and
requiring several cooperating players to complete. interrupts them.
9
Knockdown MMORPG Poison
A positioning effect that forces affected targets to the Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. A condition that causes the affected target to lose
ground. This interrupts the targets and causes them to health over time. Poisoned characters receive less
be unable to move or use skills for a short duration. MOB health from healing effects.
An old programming acronym of “Mobile Object
L Block.” Mobs are computer-controlled characters

(usually monsters)
Positioning Effect
An effect caused by an attack or skill use that changes
Launch/Blowup in the game. the affected target’s location. These effects include
A positioning effect that interrupts affected targets and knockback, knockdown, launch, leap, pull, retreat,
whips them into the air. MOG and teleport.
Massive Online Game.
Leap Power
A positioning effect where the user moves rapidly
forward over a short distance.
N An offensive attribute that quantifies your character’s
raw damage output. The higher your power, the more
Nerf
damage you can inflict.
LFG To downgrade, to be made softer, or to make less
Looking For Group. effective. “X has been nerfed because it was way Precision
overpowered.” An offensive attribute that affects your critical hit rate.
LFM
The higher your precision, the greater your chance of
Looking For More. This implies that an existing group Newbie
performing a critical attack.
has open slots and wants to get more people before A new player.
starting a dungeon run or difficult event. Proc
Newb/Noob
An effect that randomly triggers from time to time.
Log Short for newbie, but more often used as a pejorative.
An example of a proc is a rune that grants a weapon a
When you log off/disconnect from the game.
chance to heal its user when it critically hits a target.
NP
LOL No Problem.
Profession
Laughing Out Loud. An Internet term expressing
What your character specializes in (his or her class).
humor. NPC
The eight professions include: guardians, warriors,
Non-Player Character. An in-game person who
engineers, rangers, thieves, elementalists, mesmers,
LOS is controlled by the server, such as a task giver or
and necromancers.
Line of Sight. Often used as a warning. “Break LOS” someone who assists during your personal story.
means you should get your character behind cover to
Protection
avoid a target’s attention or attacks. P A boon that increases the defense of the affected
Pat target. The affected target then takes less damage from
LOS Pull
A patrolling monster. This may be exclaimed as a incoming attacks.
To hit a monster at range and then run behind cover so
the monster has to come all the way to you. It’s a way warning that said creature is coming your way. “PAT!”
PST
to start an encounter in the place where you feel safest.
PBAoE Please Send Tell. This indicates that the person wants to
Point Blank Area of Effect attack. An AoE that targets hear back regarding a certain sale or issue.
Loot
To take the treasure from a chest or to get the items the area around your character in a 360-degree circle.
Pull (action)
from a slain monster.
PC The act of heading out, getting attention from a
Player Character. This is you, or the real people you monster, and bringing the fight back to a group.
Merchant
A computer-controlled character that sells some type interact with in-game.
Pull (effect)
of equipment or items. Merchants are often willing
Personal Story A positioning effect, caused by some skills, that
to give your character money for items you no longer
A series of quests that are given to your character shortens the distance between users and their targets.
want. Karma merchants sell special rewards for karma
throughout the leveling process. The choices you make
instead of gold. Puller
and the background of your character determine the
A character that goes out and gets monsters for the
M progression of this chronicle, so it’s a highly personal
sequence. You can bring allies into your story, but it’s
party, controlling the way a battle is initiated.
Might always up to you (no one can simply wander in). PvE
A stacking boon that increases the damage of the Player vs. Environment. Combat between players and
affected target’s attacks. Might raises power. Pet
computer-controlled opponents.
A creature controlled by a player, such as a moa, skale,
MMO and so on. Some professions get combative pets, and PvP
Massive Multiplayer Online. everyone can collect mini pets. Player vs. Player. Combat between players.
MMOG
Massive Multiplayer Online Game.
10
INTRODUCTION
R T V
G LO S S A RY
Rally Task Vendor Trash
Killing an enemy (or being aided) while you’re downed, A local mission. Tasks are shown by hearts on your map. An item that only a merchant would buy. These icons
and then getting back on your feet. Tasks are given by specific individuals in the world, and are shown in grey.
finishing a task yields experience and money. You can
Regeneration complete each task only once with a given character. Veteran
A boon that causes the affected target to heal A tougher monster. Any fight with a Veteran is harder
over time. Teleport than normal. While most are soloable, a partner or a
A position effect where the user of a skill instantly group makes things much safer.
Res/Rez/Revive moves from one location to another.
The act of reviving a character. “I need a rez. I’m dead.” Vigor
Toughness A boon that increases endurance regeneration.
Respawn A defensive attribute that quantifies your ability to
When monsters (or NPCs) reappear after being dead withstand damage. The higher your toughness, the Vitality
for a short time. greater your armor. Toughness is particularly effective at A defensive attribute that quantifies your character’s
eliminating damage from numerous small hits. maximum health. The higher your vitality, the greater
Respec your hit points.
The act of resetting and redistributing your trait points. Trading Post
This is done by talking with your profession trainer and A place where players buy and sell items. Vulnerability
paying the associated fee. A stackable condition that causes the affected target to
Trainer take more damage from attacks.
Retreat An NPC that allows players to alter their trait selections.
A positioning effect where the user of a skill rolls or
jumps directly backward. Trait
W
An ability, chosen by the player, that provides passive, Waypoint (or WP)
RP/RPing ongoing effects. Traits can boost a character’s attributes, Waypoint. A magical means of instantaneous travel
Role Play. To interact with the game and players as improve the effects of skills, or reduce the effects of throughout the world.
though you are your character. conditions.
Weakness
S Trait Book A condition that reduces damage from non-critical hits

by 50%. This also slows endurance regeneration.
These books unlock the various tiers of traits. Your
Skill
profession’s trainer sells these books for a moderate
An ability used by your character. Skills are determined Weapon Skill
amount of gold.
according to the weapon(s) you use, as well as your A skill associated with the weapon(s) you currently
character’s profession and race. Trait Line wield. Skill slots 1-5 are determined by weapon choice.
The set of traits along a specific path.
Stack (Items) World Event
A number of identical items placed in a single inventory Twink A region-wide event. World Events require certain listed
slot to conserve space. Not every item can be stacked. A low-level character possessing the absolute best gear, conditions to be completed as the event proceeds. These
often through guild assistance or money/equipment constitute opportunities for everyone in the entire zone
Stack (Effects) to work together to achieve a common goal.
sent down by a higher-level character played by the
To apply boons or conditions multiple times on
same person.
the same target to achieve a cumulative effect. For WTB
example, stacking Might raises power each time a TY Want to Buy. Shorthand for saying that someone is
new Might effect is placed on the character. Not all Thank You. looking to purchase something, often listing his or her
boons and conditions are stackable. Also, the effects of intentions afterward.
stacking max out at 25 applications in a given instance.
U WTS
Stun Über (or Uber) Want to Sell. Shorthand for saying that someone
A condition that interrupts, immobilizes, and German slang for “super.” This is a common gamer term has something to sell, often listing his or her
incapacitates the affected target for a short duration. for something that is impressive. goods afterward.
Swiftness
A boon that increases the affected target’s
Utility Skills
Skills that you choose, purchase, and equip. These
Y
movement speed. depend on your character’s profession and race. They YW
are bound to keys “7,” “8,” and “9” on your keyboard. You’re Welcome.
11
Regions and Races
The world of Tyria is a rich and exciting place. It’s separated into several major regions: Kryta, Ascalon, the Tainted Coast, and Orr. The regions are bound by the natural barriers
of the Steamspur and Shiverpeak Mountains. To the south lies the Sea of Sorrows, with the city of Lion’s Arch occupying its northern shore. The shoreline of the far west, along
the Strait of Malchor, is known as the Tarnished Coast. The far east ends at the Blazeridge Mountains and what lies beyond is only mystery.
The Regions
Lion’s Arch
Lion’s Arch, once the capital of Kryta, is now a power in
its own right. This multiracial city is a primary gathering
point for traders, explorers, and adventurers. From here,
the Lionguard battle myriad threats facing Tyria, and their
forces can be found wherever tranquility and stability are
threatened.
12
Kryta The Tarnished Coast
The green and fertile lands of Kryta offer the perfect location to settle All of the peninsula is a vast and verdant jungle, but while the wastes have
down, grow a few crops, and raise a family. From Divinity’s Reach, the new completely dried and are uninhabitable, the Tarnished Coast has maintained its
Krytan capital, the Seraph military works tirelessly to try and defend those wildland of tropical trees. It is here that the asura and sylvari races have made their
traveling through Queensdale, Kessex Hills, Gendarran Fields, and Harathi homes (from their capitals of Rata Sum and the Grove, respectively). Metrica Province
Hinterlands. It’s a region worth fighting for, and it’s the last chance for many and Caledon Forest collectively pour into the Brisban Wildlands, and later into more
humans to live a life of peace. Whether the centaurs will give them that cultivated territory.
chance is still uncertain.
13
Shiverpeak Mountains Steamspur Mountains
The northern and southern Shiverpeaks cut through the lands of Kryta and Ascalon. The Steamspur Mountains mark a natural barrier between Ascalon (to
These rugged and foreboding mountains are the domain of the norn. From their the east) and Orr (to the south, across the sea). The high elevations of
capital of Hoelbrak in the (slightly gentler) Wayfarer Foothills, the norn have claimed Timberline Falls and Mount Maelstrom soon give way to the swamps of
and now protect the regions of Snowden Drifts, Lornar’s Pass, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, and Bloodtide Coast and Sparkfly Fen. These mountains may offer salvation:
Frostgorge Sound. They’re threatened by the mole-like dredge, the mighty jotun, and they provide a natural barrier against the undead making their way inland,
from internal strife because of the Sons of Svanir. through the marshes.
Ascalon Orr
Ascalon is the domain of the charr. Their capital of the Black Citadel sternly rises over The sunken land of Orr has returned from the watery depths, and with it, the
the Plains of Ashford, proclaiming the might of the Legions. Ascalon is a land that populace of the destroyed land. The Orrian undead now plod inexorably along the
has long known war, and the regions of Diessa Plateau, the Fields of Ruin, Blazeridge Cursed Shore, past Malchor’s Leap, and through the Straits of Devastation. Much of
Steppes, Iron Marches, and Fireheart Rise have been marked by scorched vegetation the region is coastal, with large expanses of water punctuated by islands and shore-
and dry savannahs. It is a tough land but a strong one. How fitting for the dauntless lined hills. There are few bastions of safety, with only a few forts trying to stem the
charr. They fight against Ascalonian ghosts, human separatists, and members of the tide of living dead. Even the large expanse of sea isn’t safe; undead wildlife and the
renegade Flame Legion. risen Orrian navy patrol the ocean. Dark times indeed.
14
INTRODUCTION
Races
Humans Asura
Humans were once the dominant race in Small, wide-eyed, and quick, it might be tempting for
Tyria, but now they hold only one region the uninformed to think of the asura as whimsical or
as their own. As such, Kryta is a land of saccharinely cute. Nothing could be further from the
refugees and survivors; it has a diverse truth. A closer look demonstrates how the asura have
populace, composed of people from been marked by their subterranean origins. Their small
all over the world. Humans have a large stature and fast movements allow them to traverse
variety of skin, hair, and eye colors, with a tunnels, and their wide eyes let them see in the dark.
wide range of heights and body shapes. Any lingering doubts about “adorableness” can be
As a culture, humans tend to be spiritual, dispelled by the asuran smile: they possess a mouth with
and they look to their gods for guidance abundant, small, shark-like teeth. And while the asuran
and morality. Their faith has bolstered temperament does value some level of lightheartedness,
them in dark times, and although the gods may be silent now, that hasn’t stopped humans from standing firm against behind it all is the keen calculation of a researcher. These
evil. They possess abundant determination, cleverness, and courage. This will serve them well in the trials to come.
REGIONS AND R ACE S

tiny geniuses have supreme confidence in their intellect
and the use of applied intelligence. They are not shy or
Norn modest about their skills, and the path of the world has
no choice but to be shaped by their will.
Norn are built in proportions similar to humans, but they stand larger and stronger. These 9-foot-tall people can withstand
great hardship and cold temperatures. As a culture, the norn prize skill, personal achievement, and prowess in hunting
and battle; success is the greatest measure of worth. Still, the norn are a tolerant group. When the hardest test is survival, it
doesn’t help to get hung up on trivialities. When they aren’t focusing on individual accomplishments, norn spend their time
warming up with their companions around a good fire, drinking beer, and telling stories of renown.
Sylvari
The sylvari are a race of humanoid plants. Slightly
shorter and more “willowy” than humans, the sylvari
have a fey cast to their features, with pointed ears and
tilted eyes. Instead of hair, they have leaves or petals;
some of them even have bark-like skin. Sylvari come
from large seed pods on the Pale Tree. The first 12
sylvari emerged about 25 years ago, with more arriving
as the years went on. They are a young race in Tyria,
and they are still trying to find their way in the world.
Although a bit naïve, sylvari culture prizes the search
for knowledge and an individual’s quest to find a well-
Charr developed morality. Through it all, they look toward

friendship and joy. In a dangerous and dark world, they
Fierce, strong, and cunning, the cat-like charr offer light and a happy spirit.
are made for war. Standing slightly taller
than humans, the charr usually settle into a
hunched posture, but they will drop to all
fours while running. They have tails and short
fur, in a variety of colors and patterns (like
those of tigers, leopards, lions, and cheetahs).
Their elongated muzzle hides sharp, long,
canine teeth. While charr do have retractable
claws, they prefer to fight with weapons.
With their ferocity and intelligence dedicated
to battle, the charr may find it more challenging to adapt to peace.
15
The History
of GUILD WARS
The origins of the world of Tyria are lost in time and shrouded in myth. They are also colored by cultural perceptions, bias, and mysticism. But if
we can’t have facts, at least we can have stories! This section of our book is about the time before Guild Wars 2, from the formation of the world
to the events that took place in the original Guild Wars and its expansions.
Cosmology and Geography

The Mists constitute the fabric of time and space. Within the Mists are worlds, each with their own realities and histories, floating as islands in the
ether. Some worlds are enormous, such as the Underworld, the home of the dead; others are simply residences for powerful spirits or deities. At
the center of the Mists is the Rift, and within the Rift is the Hall of Heroes, the final resting place of powerful and virtuous souls.
Tyria is only one world among many in the Mists. It is a very large world, but history has only chronicled events that have taken place on three
major continents; these continents are Tyria (named for the world), Cantha, and Elona.
For a long time, only events on the continent of Tyria were known to historians (the primary storyline of Guild Wars: Prophecies takes place there).
Through the subsequent Guild Wars expansions, people began to learn about events in other parts of the world. Tyrian history and human
culture are both heavily represented in this, but the other races have many of their own stories and legends to add.
The Creation of the World

Tyria is said to be over 11,000 years old, but its primordial history is still mostly shrouded in mystery. The earliest lifeforms on Tyria were the Elder
Dragons, who spent much of their time in hibernation, and the Giganticus Lupicus, a race of giants that are now extinct.
There is a 7,000-year gap in the timeline of the world, for unknown reasons. The ancient Tome of the Rubicon mentions several races: the dwarves, the
mursaat, and the seers. It also states that the mursaat and the seers warred with each other, but the reason why and the resolution of the conflict are
unrecorded. Of course, the Tome of Rubicon is a dwarven book, and its prophecies and histories are far more concerned with dwarven matters.
At some point in prehistory, beings of enormous power, knowledge, and magic walked and lived upon the land. In the religion of the humans,
they are called the Old Gods, or the True Gods:
> Dwayna, Goddess of Life and Air (Leader of the Pantheon)

> Balthazar, God of Fire and War
> Lyssa, Twin Goddess of Beauty and Illusions
> Melandru, Goddess of Nature and Earth
> Abaddon, God of Secrets and Water
> Grenth, God of Death and Ice
The earliest scriptures tell of another God of Death, Dhuum, but he was overthrown by Grenth for being unjust. Dhuum was imprisoned in the
Underworld. Abaddon, as well, may have had a predecessor, but that is a matter of debate by the priesthood.
In the tales, the gods created the world, shaping the lands, forming the plants and animals, and breathing life into the various races. Others say
that the gods were caretakers of Tyria, and that they brought other spirits to the world.
Tyria flourished under the protection and care of the gods. To aid them and serve as caretakers, the gods had servants—a race of serpentine
creatures, now called the Forgotten. The Forgotten were meant to shepherd, teach, and care for the growing world, as well as for the other beings
that were to come.
It wasn’t long before Tyria was home to many: the charr, tengu, minotaur, dwarves, centaur, and others. Finally, another race came to Tyria, and
they brought with them a desire for domination. They were humans.
16
17
The Power of Magic
Humans quickly spread and began to conquer all the lands they encountered. They had a thirst for knowledge and technology, combined with overwhelming ambition. They saw
the world as something to be mastered, and they changed the world to accommodate their desires.
It wasn’t long before human cities dominated the landscape. From these centers of power, humanity attempted to tame the world to suit their desires. The cities were bastions of
learning and culture, with libraries, schools, and trading opportunities, but they were also military outposts. Not content with conquering their own lands, humans began moving
into the lands of other races. They clearcut jungles, preyed upon other creatures, and invaded the domains of the other races. This was when the humans drove the charr from their
homeland, the region of Ascalon.
The Forgotten, charged with upholding the balance of Tyria, were completely ousted. Loath to fight a bloody battle against the humans, and realizing the simple peace of the old times
would never return, they withdrew to a remote region, the Crystal Desert. Over time, all knowledge of them faded, and they became part of history and half-remembered stories.
But even with their servants gone, the gods continued their work with the world. They crafted a marvelous gift, which Abaddon brought forth and gave equally to all the races of
the world: the power of magic. It was meant to aid in the struggle of existence, to help provide shelter and healing in a difficult world, and to provide a form of stability.
Instead, magic was almost immediately used as a weapon.
Tyria was consumed by war and devastation. The magical races tore at themselves and each other. Warlords rose to subjugate territories and the less fortunate, and nations
embroiled themselves in a race for dominion. For some, it was a chance to settle old grudges, and the humans found themselves heavily outmatched by the enemies they’d made.
So great was the destruction caused by the newfound power of magic that some races faced extinction.
Eventually, the remaining human cities united under one ruler, King Doric. In desperation, Doric traveled to the holy city of Arah, on the Orrian Peninsula, where the gods made their home.
Begging an audience with the gods, Doric pleaded with them to take back their gift, to reclaim magic as their own. Without this, Tyria would never know peace and tranquility again.
The gods granted his request. They took back magic from the races and crafted it into a gigantic stone. The stone was then broken into five parts. Four parts corresponded to the
schools of magic (Preservation, Destruction, Aggression, and Denial), and the last part was a keystone. Without the keystone, the other four parts could never again be reassembled.
Magic would remain in the world, but it would never be entirely under the control of a single entity.
Because King Doric had made the plea, he and his descendants were charged with protecting the stones. They were then sealed with a drop of Doric’s blood (and hence known as
the Bloodstones) and hurled into a volcano off the shore of the kingdom of Kryta.
These actions had far-reaching consequences.

Abaddon, the God of Secrets, broke with his
companions. The gift of magic was one close
to his heart, and he had a deep belief that it
should be available to all. This philosophical
split, and the separation of magic from the races,
led him to argue with his fellow gods. These
arguments turned into threats, and then open
violence. Abaddon attacked the others, and the
ensuing battle between Abaddon, his followers,
and the other gods was world altering. Finally,
Abaddon was cast down, and the land where he
fell became blighted and twisted, forming the
Desolation. The other gods then bound Abaddon
and cast him into the Realm of Torment.
Because of this war, the gods left Tyria. This was

called the Exodus of the Gods, and it marks a
formative event in the history of Tyria. The races
were now on their own.
18
INTRODUCTION
T H E H I S TO RY O F G U I L D WA R S
Human History
The Rise of the Human Nations: Kryta, Ascalon, and Orr
The next 100 years were a time of peace and prosperity, especially for the various human nations. Three powerful countries emerged: Kryta, Ascalon, and Orr. Each of these
nations was home to its own dynasties, politics, and cultures, but no single country was seen as dominant.
Instead, this was a time of invention and trade. Connections and opportunities led to the creation of guilds. At first, these were economic organizations, a means for merchants
to meet, disseminate goods, and set prices. However, the guilds grew beyond the bounds of mere trade. Soon there were guilds geared toward warfare, religion, magical ability,
and even social concerns—in short, any purpose that would bring together a group of people.
Because the guilds fostered communication as well as economic prosperity, they transcended borders. For instance, a guild that held sway in Kryta might also have chapters
in Orr and Ascalon. They also began to dominate the political arena. A king or council might make a law, but it was the military guilds that were responsible for enforcing the
proclamation. In essence, guilds began to hold the real power of human society.
The Guild Wars

Change came in the form of an enormous natural disaster. The volcano off the Krytan coast, which had been used to contain the Bloodstones, erupted. The stones were
scattered throughout the land, and the magic they contained seeped into whatever they touched.
Once humanity realized what had occurred, and the potential inherent in the Bloodstones, they attempted to possess them. However, because so much power was held by the guilds, they
used their influence over the human nations to vie for control. It became an enormous game of power, prestige, and guile, with countless guilds each struggling to claim the Bloodstones.
This period of strife and warfare was called the Guild Wars.
The Guild Wars lasted for decades. It was not comprised of any single campaign; instead, it encompassed a long-term struggle between a number of distinct factions. Over time,
with no clear victor, the quest for dominance embroiled all the human nations. Ascalon, Orr, and Kryta declared war on each other, which caused constant fighting, manipulation,
and the deaths of many.
The Guild Wars came to an abrupt and brutal end by the emergence of an even greater threat. The charr invaded the human kingdoms, and they brought with them such brutality
and ferocity that all the other conflicts paled in comparison. The charr military was a force the human lands were not prepared for; they were used to human tactics and human
sentiments. The charr were another force entirely. They looked at the human countries, weakened by war and infighting, and saw lands ripe for conquering and subjugation.
19
The Charr Invasion and Its Aftermath
(Events of Guild Wars: Prophecies)
The Fall of Ascalon
Ascalon was the ancestral seat of the charr and a primary focus of the charr military force. The humans took shelter behind the Great Northern
Wall as a barrier against their foes, but the charr shamans of the Flame Legion had powerful magics at their disposal. Using the Cauldron of
Cataclysm and the power of the Titans (powerful spirits worshipped as gods), the shaman Jaw Smokeskin unleashed a devastation known as the
Searing. Burning crystals of flame fell from the skies, igniting all that they came in contact with. The spell was as powerful as a natural calamity; it
changed the very land itself, creating craters and fissures in the ground and even making the rivers flow with tar and lava. Countless lives were lost.
In the Ascalon capital city of Rin, the royal family tried to give strength and resolve to the people. However, there was a deep divide over how
this should be accomplished. While King Adelbern believed that the humans should concentrate on rebuilding the city, his son, Prince Rurik,
vehemently disagreed, feeling that the humans should strike back at the charr and take the offensive.
Against his father’s wishes, Rurik led a small force to the remnants of the Great Northern Wall. There he witnessed the sheer numbers of charr
amassed to take the human lands. It was obvious to Rurik the wall would soon fall; he then ordered a retreat of the human defenders. Before
he left, however, Rurik found an unexpected artifact during a rescue mission: the mouthpiece of the legendary warhorn Stormcaller. He then
undertook a quest to restore Stormcaller, convinced it was the only thing to save his people. This quest was ultimately successful.
With Stormcaller complete, Rurik attempted to return to the capital, but his arrival found the city in flames. The charr legions were successful; they
were in the process of burning and razing the city. Prince Rurik let loose the magic of Stormcaller. At the sounding of the horn, the skies clouded over.
Soon, a gentle rain pattered forth. The fires of the burning city were put out, and the remaining citizens were able to flee from the charr.
With Rin fallen, the Ascalonians faced a difficult decision. The neighboring nation of Kryta had extended an offer of aid; they were willing to allow
the entrance of Ascalonian refugees and provide additional support to the military effort. Prince Rurik was heavily in favor of this course; he knew
what the charr were capable of and how hopeless it would be to fight the charr without this aid. However, the Guild Wars had eroded any trust
between the human nations. King Adelbern refused to accept the offer. He outright forbade the Ascalonians to leave the country. Finally, after
Prince Rurik vehemently argued against this, Adelbern cast him out, banishing his son (and his followers).
With nothing to stop the charr advance, the legions began to move on to the territories of Orr and Kryta.
The Sinking of Orr

The Orrian military had been tested in the battles of the Guild Wars, and the inhabitants of the city-state were confident they could defend
themselves against the charr.
They had no idea what would befall them.
The charr forces overwhelmed the defenders and marched to the holy city of Arah, where the gods had once walked Tyria. The Orrians scattered
and died before the legions. But Orr was an old land, a powerful land—and a land of secrets. The king’s personal advisor, a man versed in the
mystical arts, crept into a warded vault deep in the catacombs of Arah. There, he unrolled the Lost Scrolls and uttered a spell that would be the
doom of all in Orr.
An enormous explosion rocked the continent, and the lands of Orr shuddered and collapsed. Arah, and all the country around it, began to sink.
Where there was once a countryside of invading armies, scattered villages, and fertile woodlands, there was now only an expanse of sea and water.
Few humans or charr lived through the event. It was known as the Cataclysm.
The Path of the Exiled

With no hope of relief from Orr, Prince Rurik looked to Kryta. However, the journey from Ascalon to Kryta was a difficult and dangerous crossing,
with the foreboding Shiverpeak Mountains between them. Rurik, now an outcast, was joined by a number of supporters; he resolved to lead
them over the mountains, where they could find sanctuary.
As the group traversed the mountains, they found themselves caught in another conflict. The Shiverpeaks were the domain of the dwarves, and
they themselves were embroiled in a civil war. The Deldrimor dwarves were friendly to the refugees, but the opposing faction, the dwarves of the
Stone Summit, believed in the innate superiority of dwarves over all other races. The Stone Summit made it a mission to destroy the Ascalonians
as they moved through the harsh Shiverpeaks. It was only through the actions of Prince Rurik and his most trusted allies that the refugees were
able to survive. It was not without cost; Rurik sacrificed himself at the Frost Gate, and the Ascalonians were left to face their future without the
bravery of their prince.
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INTRODUCTION
21
Arrival at Kryta: A Dangerous Homecoming
Kryta offered a chance for many Ascalonians to find a new home and a new life, but it was not the bastion of security the refugees believed it to be. The country had its own
problems: it was beset by undead led by a horrific figure known only as the Lich Lord.
However, the Ascalonian survivors were hardy and stalwart folk. After crossing the Shiverpeaks, they were inured to hardship. Faced with an undead attack, they repelled them,
smashing the foul creatures. Because of their courage, the White Mantle, which was the governing body of Kryta, offered them the rights to settle north of Lion’s Arch, the capital.
For many refugees, this was the end to their story, an opportunity for them to resume a simple life. However, Prince Rurik’s loyal followers were not content. When they were
given an opportunity to assist the White Mantle, they gladly accepted. During one of the missions, these loyalists saved the leader of the White Mantle, Confessor Dorian. They
also helped him to acquire a powerful artifact, the Scepter of Orr, stymieing the undead that were also attempting to obtain it.
As a reward for their service to the White Mantle, these Ascalonians were given the honor of being admitted to the order. They were also given a responsibility: to administer
the Test of the Chosen to the people along Divinity Coast. The Test of the Chosen was an annual event organized by the White Mantle in which a magical object, the Eye of
Janthir, was taken to villages on the Summer Solstice. The Eye had the ability to distinguish the Chosen from the rest of the populace. The Chosen were then taken from their
homes and escorted to a White Mantle stronghold, the Temple of the Unseen. There they would learn under the Grand Masters.
However, in the course of following their duties, the new Ascalonian members found out their Chosen had been kidnapped. The culprits appeared to be a rebel group: the
Shining Blade. The group was asked to find out where the Chosen had been taken, retrieve them, and destroy the Shining Blade abductors.
Between the White Mantle and the Shining Blade

The Ascalonians tracked down the Chosen and confronted the Shining Blade, but in doing so they learned a strange truth: the Shining Blade was attempting to save the
Chosen from the White Mantle. The group found evidence that the White Mantle murdered the Chosen, as a sacrifice to their masters (known as The Unseen Ones). The
group was marked as traitors by the White Mantle, and the Order went to great lengths to both discredit and eliminate them. The White Mantle enlisted a spy from within the
Shining Blade and used the information gained from their informant to get the upper hand in the struggle.
Evennia, the leader of the Shining Blade, knew it was only a matter time before the conflict would worsen. She sought a fortified location from where her forces could fight
against the White Mantle. After much thought, she asked the Ascalonians to help her take a settlement called the Henge of Denravi. From this base, the Shining Blade was
able to form new allies, principally a man known as Vizier Khilbron. However, Khilbron would only commit to the cause if he were given a powerful magical talisman, one
encountered by the Ascalonians before: the Scepter of Orr.
The group was successful in gaining the Scepter of Orr. In the course of this mission, they found out about the White Mantle spy. They were able to meet with Vizier Khilbron
and give him the scepter, but the meeting was known to the White Mantle. During the rendezvous, Evennia was captured, the Shining Blade was scattered, and the Ascalonians
left to find their own path of action. Under the advice of Khilbron, they traveled to the Crystal Desert, a wasteland. It was Khilbron’s wish that the group attempt the Rite
of Ascension, a means to gain the attention and blessings of the gods. According to Khilbron, it was only through that power the group could succeed in overthrowing the
mastery of the Unseen Ones.
22
INTRODUCTION
The Quest for Ascension

In the Crystal Desert, the group completed many deeds of great renown. They found the Vision Crystal, an artifact meant to gather the gaze of the gods. They helped their
guide, a spirit named Turai Ossa, assume the Throne of Pellentia. This also gained them access to the Temple of Ascension. At the Thirsty River, they defeated waves of creatures
known as the Forgotten, which helped them prove their worthiness to Ascend. Finally, they faced a test where they confronted their own doppelgangers. This let them enter
the Dragon’s Lair, the final step toward their goal.
Perhaps not surprisingly, Dragon’s Lair was the abode of a dragon named Glint. She was not only a powerful magical creature but also a prophet. Her visions were recorded in
the Flameseeker Prophecies, and Glint was willing to share her knowledge with the group. Through her, they learned the identity of the treacherous informant (a man named
Markis) and the true identity of the Unseen One. A long time ago, before humanity appeared, there was a race strong in the magical arts, known as the mursaat. The Unseen
Ones were all that remained of them.
Glint counseled the party to travel to the southern Shiverpeak Mountains, where they could rescue captured members of Shining Blade and perhaps reveal more information.
Return to the Shiverpeak Mountains

Fortunately, the party had allies in the Shiverpeaks. The Deldrimor dwarves, led by King Jalis Ironhammer, offered assistance to the group. The first goal was to rescue the leader
of the Shining Blade, Evennia. This was accomplished in short order. It was during this mission the group learned of a horrifying ability possessed by the mursaat: Spectral
Agony. It was capable of killing nearly everything in its path, and the group was helpless against it.
To combat this, the dwarves suggested that the group seek out a creature known only as the Seer. This mysterious being lived deep in the mountains, and it was said to be one
of the last of a line of an ancient people. After meeting with the Seer, the group learned the Seer’s people were once at war with the mursaat. The Seer’s people had perfected
a way to combat the mursaat’s power of Spectral Agony, through a process called Infusion. Despite this, the Seer’s people lost the war with the mursaat, and they eventually
dwindled over time, leaving nothing but ruins. The Seer taught the seekers how to Infuse their armor, finally giving them a way to destroy the mursaat.
Now protected, the group attacked the Iron Mines of Moladune, a mursaat stronghold. There, they killed Markis, avenging the comrades they lost due to his treachery. They
were met with terrible news upon their return: the Deldrimor capital of Thunderhead Keep had fallen to the Stone Summit dwarves. To make matters worse, the White Mantle
forces and mursaat were amassing to assault the city. Together with King Ironhammer, the group was successful in driving off the invading dwarves and, in a devastating blow,
they killed Confessor Dorian, leader of the White Mantle.
With the city of Thunderhead Keep now significantly safer, the group earned a chance to rest and recover. Unfortunately, this was not to be; Vizier Khilbron arrived, and he
brought with him a means to strike back at the mursaat. An island chain known as the Ring of Fire, south of the Tarnished Coast, held the key.
Secrets and Treachery Revealed

The Ring of Fire islands comprised the resting place of one of the Bloodstones. At the center of the islands was an enormous volcano, called Abaddon’s Mouth. The volcano
was the access point to the Door of Komalie, where a weapon against the mursaat could be found.
The group was able to fight through the mursaat to finally unseal the Door of Komalie. It was at that moment they made a terrifying discovery: they had been betrayed. Vizier
Khilbron was no helpful benefactor. He had been responsible for a number of horrific acts in the past. In his early days, he was an advisor to King Reza of Orr. However, with
the charr invasion, and under the influence of a demon sent by the fallen god Abaddon, Khilbron unleashed the dark magics that sunk Orr. The Cataclysm that followed
killed thousands, including Vizier, but it had not destroyed him. Instead, he was transformed into an Undead Lich, and his evil continued. As the Lich Lord, he led armies of the
undead into Kryta, but his plans extended far beyond.
Behind the door was a threat to all existence: the Titans. Using the Scepter of Orr, Khilbron was able to control the Titans, and he led them forth to conquer Tyria.
The End of the Threat of the Titans

The Lich Lord’s advance was stopped at Hell’s Precipice. After a climactic battle, the group was finally able to kill the Lich Lord. Without his guidance, however, the Titans were
free to do whatever they wanted, and they wanted to destroy all of civilization.
This information helped shed some light on earlier events. It seemed the charr had come into contact with the Titans some time ago. The charr shamans were worshipping the
Titans as gods, and the Titans’ influence had encouraged the charr to attack the humans of Ascalon.
With Glint’s help, the group was able to mobilize and defend several important locations: the dwarven town of Droknar’s Forge, their homeland of Ascalon City, the Shining
Blade stronghold of the Henge of Denravi, and finally the Krytan capital of Lion’s Arch.
With the knowledge gained from their encounters with the Titans, as well as Glint’s advice, the group determined the location of the Titans’ high command. In Ascalon, deep
within lands claimed by the charr, was the Titan Source. From there, three mighty Titan Lords and representatives of the charr military sent forth orders. The only chance to free
Tyria was for a small group to travel there and eliminate the Titan Lords.
This pivotal battle had the desired effect. The Titan Lords were defeated. The charr were thrown into disarray. Civilization was saved, and many attempted to return to a
peaceful existence.
23
The Mysterious Lands of Cantha (Events of Guild Wars: Factions)
Cantha is an old land, and one that has been occupied by humans from their first days on Tyria. In fact, the northern coastline of Cantha is the earliest known location of
human settlements. Cantha could be called humanity’s birthplace—at least until more evidence comes to light. While Cantha has its own rich and well-developed history, it
has also been gripped with periods of isolation.
Cantha has mostly been ruled by a single empire, called the Empire of the Dragon (or, alternatively, the Empire of Cantha). A direct descendant of the empire’s founder still rules
the continent today.
The Jade Wind

The Jade Wind was a formative event in Canthan history. It occurred when one of the emperor’s most honored bodyguards, Shiro Tagachi, assassinated his master, the 26th
emperor of Cantha, Angsiyan. Shiro was a formidable warrior in his own right, but he also performed a number of dark rituals in preparation for his actions.
Shiro did not live long after committing the murder. Three of the emperor’s guard, the Luxon spearmaster Archemorus, the Kurzick Saint Viktor, and the assassin Vizu, attacked
him. In a climactic battle, Archemorus and Viktor were able to wrestle Shiro’s swords from him and, turning them against their wielder, nearly slice him in two. In Shiro’s final
moments, he called upon dark powers and sucked out the fallen emperor’s very soul. Tagachi’s death cry released the foulest of magic, a horrific wail that rose like a gale over
the land. This Jade Wind spread from the temple, turning the sea into solid jade and petrifying everything it touched (trees, animals, and people) within Echovald Forest.
The newly crowned monarch, Emperor Hanjai, Angsiyan’s son, took the throne. The next summer, he instituted the Dragon Festival. It was meant to commemorate those who
had lost their lives in the Jade Wind, unite all denizens of the empire, and celebrate the establishment of a community on Shing Jea Island. It also symbolized the survival of the
Empire of the Cantha in the face of calamity.
A Mysterious Plague and the Return of an Ancient Evil

One hundred years after the Jade Wind, events occurred that revealed Shiro Tagachi’s evil was not fully destroyed. The Heroes of Tyria joined forces with Emperor Kisu, his half-
brother Master Togo, and Togo’s former student, Brother Mhenlo.
The journey began with the appearance of a horrible plague, which turned the victims of the disease into violent creatures, called the Afflicted. After researching the disease, the group
found evidence of Shiro Tagachi, a man long dead. However, beings from the afterlife, called envoys, told them that Shiro was turned into a spirit. The envoys’ task, as penance for crimes
committed in life, was to guide the souls of the dead. Instead, Shiro was corrupting the spirits, merging them with magical constructs (the Shiro’ken), and building an army.
The group attempted to destroy Shiro, but they were unsuccessful. They needed allies. Emperor Kisu was easy to convince; the Oracle of the Mists, Suun, also contributed
valuable knowledge. After several negotiations, they convinced the Canthan vassal states of Luxon and Kurzick to join them. The dragon Kuunavang taught them valuable skills
and agreed to fight alongside them.
Finally, the group ascertained Shiro’s final goal. He was trying to return to life, and he only needed one more thing: to spill the blood of a member of the imperial bloodline.
Togo, Mhenlo, and the Heroes wasted no time in returning to the palace, but they only arrived at the last second. Battling their way through the Shiro’ken, the group reached
the Imperial Sanctum to find Shiro standing over Emperor Kisu, about to give the final strike. Master Togo, in a desperate act, rushed to his half-brother, taking the blow. The
emperor was saved, but Togo sacrificed himself—and Shiro, with his quest now complete, had achieved his goal. The betrayer left to complete his spell, leaving the survivors
behind to mourn a great man.
In an attempt to avenge his teacher, Mhenlo rushed into the Imperial Sanctum to confront Shiro, and the group followed him. They found Shiro Tagachi fully restored, a deadly
and formidable assassin—but, once again, a mortal one. A terrible battle ensued, but the party was able to bring down Shiro. As Shiro lay dying, the Oracle Suun appeared,
using his power to encase Shiro’s body in solid jade. The envoys also arrived, seeking Shiro’s soul. The last remnants of Shiro Tagachi were consigned to a special place in the
Underworld, where his spirit was imprisoned and forced to answer for his many crimes.
Elona: Land of Secrets (Events of Guild Wars: Nightfall)

Humans appeared in the lands of Elona at roughly the same time as they did in Tyria. They found a land rich in natural resources; warm winds created a temperate climate,
and the savannahs and forests were home to a variety of wildlife. Rivers flowed into the interior, bringing with them the potential for rich farmland, trade, and plentiful fishing.
The glory of Elona soon gave it a notable title: the Land of the Golden Sun.
The Primeval and Margonite Dynasties

It was on the island of Istan, the largest of the island masses on the west of Elona, that the first notable human civilization was founded. From the city of Fahranur, the Primeval
Kings conquered their island and moved on, spreading their culture to the mainland, through the present-day lands of Kourna and Vabbi, and even moving as far as Tyria (into
the Crystal Desert region) and Kryta. In fact, Kryta was originally an Elonian colony during the time of the Primeval Dynasty. However, the Krytans rebelled and seceded from
the union, gaining their independence.
24
INTRODUCTION
As the Primeval Empire spread, it came into contact with another civilization, that of the Margonites. The Margonites were a seafaring people, and their homeland was
somewhere in the Unending Ocean. They were worshippers of Abaddon, the God of Secrets. Though they sometimes created settlements, they lived more on their ships than
on the coastlines. For some time, the Primeval Kings ruled the lands of Elona and the Margonites held the entirety of the Unending Ocean.
The face of Elona, however, was drastically changed by the creation of the Bloodstones. The Margonites, as followers of Abaddon, rose with their master to challenge the other
gods. They lost. They were imprisoned with Abaddon in the Realm of Torment, and their exposure to the god corrupted them into demons. The destruction of the Margonites,
and the obliteration of all traces of their existence, have led some scholars to question whether the Margonites were ever really a separate people or if they came into being
when Abaddon created them (beginning with the first Margonite, Lord Jadoth).
The Forging of a Great Alliance

In contrast, the end of the Primeval Dynasty came not through war, but by sickness. The Scarab Plague swept through Elona, infecting and killing a huge swath of the
population. The Royal House was totally wiped out, and the island of Istan itself was abandoned. The only remnants of the Primeval Empire were scattered monuments, ruins,
and ancient mausoleums. The Tomb of the Primeval Kings, where the royal family had been buried for eons, was left as a grim testament to what remained. In years to come, it
would be a place of great significance, where mortal adventurers could travel into the Mists and prove themselves. But that is a story for another time.
This fall of the Primeval Dynasty left a power vacuum that many tried to fill. Eventually (after the rise and fall of the Great Dynasty and the subsequent Pretender Wars), three
allied provinces emerged, which still exist in the present day: Kourna, Istan, and Vabbi. Calling for an end to the bloodshed, they dedicated themselves to rebuilding and healing
their populace.
The Scourge of Vabbi and the Founding of the Order of Whispers

The next challenge to the people of Elona came during an invasion from the Desolation. From his Bone Palace in the Desolation, the necromancer Palawa Joko employed dark
rituals to bring forth an army. His forces swept into the northern province of Vabbi, butchering and consuming all before them. This act earned Palawa Joko the cursed title of “The
Scourge of Vabbi.” The Scourge’s power was so overwhelming that he was able to conquer most of Elona, subjugating the provinces. He was finally defeated when a great Kournan
general, Turai Ossa, challenged him to single combat during the Battle of Jahai. The necromancer was defeated, but he was so powerful that many feared his reach would extend
beyond death. Instead, he was sealed beneath the sands, and Turai Ossa’s elite bodyguards were tasked as wardens; they would later be known as the Order of Whispers.
Turai Ossa himself became the king of all Elona. However, obsessed with the gods, he eventually gave up the crown. He was last seen leading a pilgrimage into the Crystal
Desert. Some say his spirit resides there still.
25
The Ascension of a God
Kormir was the spearmarshal of the Order of Sunspears, and she was one of the most dedicated of them all. The Order of Sunspears was charged with protecting all of the
united provinces; their duties included fighting off the pirate Corsairs, investigating crimes, and maintaining the defense of Elona. Kormir and her group were based in Istan,
where an excavation of the First City, Fahranur, was ongoing. When an archeological crew was killed, it was up to Kormir and her group to uncover what happened. The
mystery deepened when all they could discover were undead creatures and prophecies related to the “Coming of Nightfall.”
Things became more dangerous when the Elonians were betrayed by those meant to protect them. Warmarshal Varesh Ossa, a descendant of Turai Ossa, was just as obsessed
with the gods as her forebear, but her ways took a darker turn. She was influenced by her mentor, General Kahyet—who happened to be an ardent worshipper of Abaddon.
Varesh and Kahyet were systematically weakening the bonds of allegiance among the provinces, first by allying with the Corsair pirates and then by leading the Kournan military
against Istan. It was Varesh’s ultimate goal to release Abaddon from his prison, and she didn’t care if that meant sacrificing her homeland.
The final stage of Varesh’s ritual took place at the Mouth of Torment in the Desolation—the very place where the gods struck down Abaddon. During their journey there, Kormir was
separated from her group; the same disruption unleashed Palawa Joko, another ancient (albeit lesser) evil, back into the world. Unfortunately, Palawa Joko was probably the only being that
could give the group directions on how to cross the Desolation, and they were forced to make a deal with him: his freedom and aid in reclaiming power in exchange for directions for safe
passage. With those conditions in place, the group helped Palawa Joko reclaim his Bone Palace. In return, he taught them how to ride great wurms and make their way through the Desolation.
The group arrived as Varesh was finishing her rites. Even though they were able to defeat her, they could not escape the results of the ritual. They were pulled through a dark vortex into the
Realm of Torment, into the domain of a dark and powerful god. However, they also found an unexpected friend: Kormir. She’d learned that anyone who came into contact with Abaddon
or his minions would be pulled into the Realm of Torment, if it were allowed to remain open. The group had to find a way to close the portal, and that meant defeating the God of Secrets.
Mere mortals could not hope to accomplish such a thing without aid from the other gods. The group fought its way to the Temple of the Six Gods, defeating several
noteworthy foes from the past that allied themselves with Abaddon, including the Lich Lord and Shiro Tagachi. Once the group arrived at the Temple of the Six Gods, Kormir
pleaded with the gods to offer their assistance. And they answered.
The gods gave Kormir a gift. They said it was one that only a mortal could use. The gods chose not to fight Abaddon directly, and said that the Heroes had all that was
necessary within them. With that, the gods departed, leaving Kormir and her supporters to defeat a deity.
Confused but determined, Kormir and the party traveled to Abaddon’s Gate. There, they fought a titanic battle against the god. Though weakened by imprisonment, Abaddon
was still a powerful force to be reckoned with, and he did not go easily into the Mists. When Abaddon was finally destroyed, his mystical energies threatened to destroy the
entire realm. As the power began to engulf the world, Kormir realized what the gods’ gift was meant to do.
Throwing herself into the void, Kormir sacrificed herself for Tyria. In doing so, she left behind her mortal body and assumed the power of a deity. When all was done, Kormir
had become the sixth god: Goddess of Truth, Knowledge, and Secrets. Abaddon was usurped!
Elona was battered but not defeated, and its people had been safeguarded. Kormir dedicated herself to continuing the duties she once had as part of the Order of the
Sunspears: to defend the innocent and uphold the values of truth, knowledge, and clarity. Now she did that for the whole world.
Return to Tyria (Events of Guild Wars: Eye of the North)

History is a continuous stream, and events in Tyria did not cease simply because momentous happenings occurred in Cantha and Elona. It didn’t take long before worship of
Kormir had spread to the human lands of the Tyrian continent. And they needed any relief that their renewed faith in their gods could bring.
Stirrings Within the Earth

A series of earthquakes heralded the beginning of a new threat. Within their subterranean tunnels, the asura took notice. Their researchers determined that something was
deeply wrong. While some were assigned to explore the matter further, the asuran government decided on a safer, more conservative approach. They moved the asuran
populace to the surface, to the new city of Rata Sum. They brought with them technology never before seen on Tyria: the ability to travel quickly between distant areas. These
were known as the Asura Gates, and they revolutionized movement within and between the countries of the world.
In the dwarven realms, the Deldrimor dwarves also felt the earthquakes. To some, these movements in the earth were a sign of ancient prophecies coming to fruition. Their
stories tell of the patron deity, the Great Dwarf. In the ancient days, the Great Dwarf used his strength and power to create all the other dwarves; he also forged great weapons
and armor for them. With these items, the Great Dwarf battled against the Great Destroyer. To defeat this foe, he stole its name and sealed it within the Tome of Rubicon.
When he left Tyria, the Great Dwarf traveled into the Rift, where he now resides in the Great Forge. No living dwarf had ever seen the Great Dwarf, but they still believed in his
existence. And some believed in the Great Destroyer, as well.
Civil War in Kryta and the Rule of Queen Salma

Lion’s Arch, the capital of the nation of Kryta, was still held by the remnants of the White Mantle. When the charr invaded, the ruling house, led by King Jadon, fled the city, and
the White Mantle assumed control. The king left behind an illegitimate daughter; the child he had with a priestess of the Temple of Ages. Her name was Salma, and she had a
strong claim to the throne of Kryta. She was the former betrothed of Prince Rurik of Ascalon, until he met his courageous end.
26
INTRODUCTION
The Shining Blade discovered Salma’s existence and rallied to her cause. With their efforts, Salma, Evennia, and the forces of the Shining Blade took Lion’s Arch and overthrew
the White Mantle. Queen Salma was crowned to the applause (and relief) of the Krytan people.
Ascalon’s Last Stand

In Ascalon, King Adelbern still ruled over what was left of the human nation. He called upon Ebonhawke, the last free city of Ascalon, to answer his warbanner. The Ebon
Vanguard answered by sending a force to assist the king. Renamed the Ascalon Vanguard, they were assigned to the Shiverpeaks. They took the fight to the charr homeland, to
the Shiverpeak Mountains, and then beyond.
A Gathering of Allies
In the Shiverpeaks, the dwarf Ogden Stonehealer and the asuran Vekk were constructing an Asura Gate through the underground depths. They were forced to flee through
it by a destroyer attack. (Destroyers were something only spoken of in legend and were said to be the heralds and minions of the Great Destroyer itself.) The unlikely pair of
heroes arrived at Boreal Station in the Shiverpeaks, where they encountered Jora, a norn, and later Gwen, a member of the Vanguard. Gwen was stationed at the Eye of the
North, a tower fortification overlooking the snowy peaks. This team would make a huge impact on the world if they could learn to work together.
All of the members of the gathering were concerned with their own conflicts. The asura were the easiest to aid; they simply wanted to maintain the safety of their new territory.
Once that was taken care of, they joined the effort.
Jora was on an important hunt. She’d lost her reputation as a warrior and could no longer “become the bear.” Jora and her brother, Svanir, were hunting along the Drakkar Lake,
but something had corrupted Svanir. He’d heard a calling, which led him to join with a dark presence. Time would reveal the presence was that of the Elder Dragon Jormag,
who was waking from his hibernation. The event transformed Svanir into a monstrous nornbear. Jora was seriously injured during this event, and it cut her off from the spiritual
energies of her people. The Heroes helped Jora find her brother, and, when he could not be healed, they killed him. The event renewed Jora’s spiritual bond, but Svanir’s story
became a disturbing foreshadowing of things to come.
With Gwen’s assistance, the group made their way through the Shiverpeaks and into the charr lands. It was there that the humans had their first glimpse of hope in their war
against the charr: the legions weren’t united any more. The Fire Legion, led by the shamans, had been a decisive force driving the war effort. They worshipped the Titans as gods,
but with the defeat of the Titans, the other charr rebelled against them. If the charr were in the midst of a civil uprising, that could open several possibilities. The party rescued
many captive members of the Ascalon Vanguard and regrouped at the Shiverpeaks.
The Last Battle Against the Great Destroyer

With the Great Destroyer awakening, the dwarves were faced with a battle against their ancient foe. Using a powerful artifact, King Jalis Ironhammer performed a ritual. At the
end of his rite, the majority of the dwarves were transformed into stone through the power of the Great Dwarf. Now stronger than before, the dwarves made their way into the
darkness to battle the Great Destroyer.
They were aided in their effort by norn warriors, asuran mages and golems, and the Ebon Vanguard. Although the Great Destroyer had powerful abilities and could summon
lesser destroyers, it was eventually defeated. This loss signaled the end of the destroyer threat. Ogden, was left to carry on the final legacy of his people.
27
28
INTRODUCTION
Between Then and Now (Events Leading Up to Guild Wars 2)
Contact Lost Between Tyria and the Other Continents
The people of Tyria were now on their own. In Cantha, the new emperor, Usoka, had finally unified his continent into the Empire of the Dragon. His armies conquered the
vassal states of Kurzick and Luxon, making his power absolute. These efforts were supported by the Ministry of Purity, which was originally established by Reiko Murakami to
combat the Afflicted. Emperor Usoka had begun to purge the lands of rebels, the sick, and any non-humans; it wasn’t long before his embassies started to follow isolationist
policies. There was currently no diplomatic contact with Cantha.
In Elona, things were even more dire. Palawa Joko, now freed from his captivity and in control of an undead army, had captured most of the continent. Vabbi, Istan, and Kourna
had fallen. The last stories out of Elona were ones of horror and terror. Few knew what transpired there.
The Last Stand of Ascalon and the Foefire

King Adelbern’s reign had come to an end. Faced with the destruction of his line, the defeat of his people, and the fall of Ascalon City, Adelbern resolved to take the charr
with him in defeat. In the last battle for Ascalon City, Adelbern used the power held in his ancient sword, Magdaer, a relic left from the time of Arah. With his sword aloft,
standing on the highest tower in the city, King Adelbern let loose a gout of flame. A white, burning heat swept the streets, immolating Ascalonian and charr alike. But only the
Ascalonians arose as ghosts to continue the battle.
The spirits of the dead drove the charr from the city, forcing them to abandon the area.
However, even the Foefire could not stop the charr forever. The legion regrouped and fought their way through the spirits of the dead. The fortress of the Black Citadel now
stood on the ruins of the Ascalonian capital of Rin. Outside, charr warbands held the territory from the ghosts, which they could disperse but not fully defeat.
The Founding of Durmand Priory

Many records from the past were destroyed by the horrible events of recent times. The Foefire, Searing, and Cataclysm were all tragic in their loss of life, but there were some
who mourned the loss of books, records, and knowledge, as well. A group of monks and scholars came together to protect knowledge and lore during these hard times. They
located and protected the monastery of Durmand Priory; it held a wealth of material from the past. These scholars named their organization after the building that gave them
something to fight for.
The scholars of Durmand Priory were some of the most knowledgable and dedicated in the world. Their most practical contribution was the creation of the New Krytan
alphabet, which soon spread through the known world. This language allowed communication between all countries, cultures, and races.
Because of its philosophies and ideals, the Durmand Priory was one of the first organizations to accept members from all races.
The End of the Flame Legion

The legions of the charr were divided into four distinct groups: the Iron Legion (engineers), the Blood Legion (warriors), the Ash Legion (scouts and assassins), and the Flame
Legion (the shamans and spiritualists). However, the Flame Legion assumed power over the others when they discovered the Titans.
With the defeat of the Titans, the Flame Legion went into disarray. The rest of the legions took their chance to move against the Flame Legion. Led by Kalla Scorchrazor, the
charr revolted. They were successful in the final battle, eventually casting out the Flame Legion (now renamed as the pejorative “Gold Legion” for their weakness). After this,
charr females were liberated and were allowed to serve in the legions once more. It also marked an end to charr invasions. With the Flame Legion no longer in charge, there was
an opportunity for the charr and humans to have lasting peace.
Primordus Awakens
In the Depths of Tyria, the Elder Dragon Primordus had been slumbering. The stirrings of his sleep sent forth the earthquakes that rocked the continent, and the time of rest
had come to an end.
While he had not yet emerged from underground, the signs of Primordus’ awakening were apparent. The stone dwarves were gone; they had moved deeper into the depths to
fight the Elder Dragon. The surface was suddenly home to races that once only inhabited tunnels. The skritt, fleeing from the minions of Primordus, were trying to survive the
best they could. The dredge, now wholly free from dwarven slavery, could find no safety deep underground. Their autonomous collective tried to find shelter in its own way, by
holding territory in the mountains.
29
The Deceit of Jormag Kralkatorrik’s Birthing
The Elder Ice Dragon Jormag was responsible for more subtle attacks on the world. Once mistaken for a mountain in the charr homelands, Kralkatorrik emerged from the
His corruption infected Svanir, a champion of the norn people. Devotees now rubble when this mountain exploded. The dragon flew over Blazeridge Steppes, and its
espoused the lies and treachery of the Elder Dragon. The Sons of Svanir were a group passage left behind a devastated swath of land known as the Dragonbrand. Crystalline
of norn who worshipped the Elder Dragon, and they brought their voice to the formations and corrupted creatures now patrol the area, and the charr are attempting
Hoelbrak, hoping to gain additional support. to keep them in check. They are joined by the Vigil, a multiracial military organization
dedicated to defend those in need, fight against the darkness, and offer help to all.
It was the awakening of Jormag that forced the norn from their ancestral reaches and
into the Shiverpeak Mountains. They took some of the former territory held by the No one knows where the Elder Dragon flew or where it now makes its abode.
dwarves and were attempting to carve a new place for themselves. Hardy and resilient,
the norn were also a surprisingly tolerant people. They were willing to lend their aid
against the Elder Dragons, but some were undecided about what should be done.
The Order of Whispers
Once based in Elona, the Order of Whispers has spread out from that continent.
Their agents were the first to discover that the Elder Dragons were awakening, but
Zhaitan, Master of the Orrian Horde they believed their information would be discounted. Instead, they began to gather
Far below the ancient city of Orr, the Elder Dragon Zhaitan once slept. Insidiously, its members from all the peoples of the world and educate them about the danger.
power and energies infested the wreckage of the once-great nation. When Zhaitan
awoke, Orr did as well. The undead dragon rose and brought with him the city of Orr, Today, the Order of Whispers is a multiracial group that works against the forces of
pulling itself from the ocean floor. The dead came with it! Now the Orrian undead darkness wherever they are encountered. They prefer the way of the stealthy and subtle
were seeping into the lands to the north, infecting all with decay and sickness. over direct combat, but they are fully capable of defending themselves if the need arises.
The agents of the Order of Whispers may have a reputation as sneaks, assassins, or spies,
The undead armada, a navy composed of former Orrian ships, holds the coast. They but they also are fervently dedicated to standing against evil in all its forms.
have blockaded the Tyrian continent. The Elder Dragon itself is found in what remains
of the holy city of Arah, deep within the Orrian Peninsula.
The Deep Sea Dragon

Very little is known about this Elder Dragon. It resided deep underwater, probably
somewhere in the Unending Ocean. Its awakening wreaked havoc on the undersea
races of the quaggan and krait, but its influence on land has been minimal. Still, there
is no way this Elder Dragon intends good for anyone.
30
INTRODUCTION
The People of Tyria Respond to the New Threat
The Tentative Yet Relentless Spread of the Asura
With the earthquakes and direct devastation caused by the Elder Dragon Primordus, the asura abandoned the underground. They moved to the Tarnished Coast
of the Maguuma Jungle, where they constructed the enormous floating city of Rata Sum. This is where the majority of the asuran populace lives, although asuran
researchers can be found throughout the world.
Although the asura prize neutrality, they have cautiously allowed other races access to the Asura Gates, permitting unprecedented travel across regions. The
knowledge of how to construct and manipulate gate energies is a zealously guarded asuran secret.
In recent years, the asura have had some disturbing internal problems. There is a major philosophical split between influential members of the primary asuran
laboratories (krewes). This has led to the rise of the Inquest, a meta-krewe that believes the entire world is a machine that can (and should) be run. The Inquest defy
many traditional asuran ethics. Led by a former student of Snaff (a founding member of Destiny’s Edge), the Inquest won’t allow its members to leave. They may be
the cause of the first asuran civil war.
Divinity’s Reach
Soon after the awakening of Zhaitan, Lion’s Arch and much of the human lands were flooded. Torn by warfare, and desperate for civilization, the survivors of many
engagements ended up in the Krytan province of Shaemoor. There they founded Divinity’s Reach, a city that would be home to refugees from all the human
civilizations. Everyone could have a chance to start again.
Currently, Divinity’s Reach is ruled by the young Queen Jennah, a direct descendant of Queen Salma and (significantly farther back) King Doric. She is supported by
the senators of the city and by her loyal Seraph, headed by Commander Logan Thackery, a former member of Destiny’s Edge. The city has its work cut out for it. They
face problems of internal corruption and hostile attacks by bandits and centaur, and there is still the overwhelming threat of the Elder Dragons.
Lion’s Arch
Zhaitan’s rising flooded the city but did not destroy it. After much of the populace fled, Corsairs moved into the ruins. As the ruins dried, the Krytans wanted their
territory back. They fought the Corsairs and drove the pirates out, reclaiming the old capital.
As a central location, Lion’s Arch exists now as a nexus of travel and home to all the races. The city holds a number of Asura Gates, connecting it with all the various
capitals of Tyria, and it stands as a beacon against the Elder Dragons’ evil. The Lionguard helps to patrol the roads and give stability to the region, and there are many
who owe their lives to this military organization.
The Emergence of the Sylvari

The roots of the sylvari go deep, but they’re still considered a new race in Tyria. Many years ago, a human Shining Blade soldier named Ronan found a fist-sized seed in
a cave. When he returned home from his battles, he found his home on the Tarnished Coast had been destroyed by the mursaat. At that point, he planted the seed
on his family’s graves and vowed never to fight again. He was later joined by a centaur named Ventari, someone who had seen the devastation of war and its effects
on his people. The two formed a friendship based on mutual respect and shared pacifistic ideals. The two nurtured the seed Ronan planted, and it grew into a pale
sapling and then a tree.
Ronan and Ventari’s views soon attracted a number of followers who formed a Sanctuary of Peace at the foot of the Pale Tree. As time moved on, Ronan passed
away; Ventari followed him, but before he died, the centaur carved all the accrued wisdom of his life into a tablet, which was placed at the foot of the Pale Tree.
More than 100 years later, the Pale Tree flowered and then formed golden fruit. When the fruit opened, the first sylvari emerged. The 12 firstborn of the sylvari
found Ventari’s Tablet, and, impressed by the knowledge imparted by it, chose to revere Ventari and Ronan and their teachings. The firstborn taught the sylvari who
followed them about Ronan’s bravery and Ventari’s wisdom, with the goal of following these ideals and morality.
All sylvari are connected to each other through the Dream, a spiritual bond. However, there are those among the sylvari who have a shadow over their heart. They
have rejected the teachings of Ventari, seeing them as a shackle holding their people back. These sylvari are trying to corrupt the Pale Tree. Under their influence, the
Dream would become a Nightmare. Sylvari who follow this way of thinking are known as members of the Nightmare Court.
31
32
INTRODUCTION
Destiny’s Edge
Destiny’s Edge was an adventuring guild famous for its deeds throughout Tyria. They were dedicated to stopping the Elder Dragons
and their minions, and they achieved unprecedented success in many of their battles, even confronting two of the dragons face to face.
However, their last battle, against the Elder Dragon Kralkatorrik, went badly. One of the members, Logan Thackery, left right before the
confrontation, weakening the group significantly. Perhaps as a result of this, another member died in the fight. Destiny’s Edge disbanded
soon afterward.
The following were the known members of Destiny’s Edge:
Eir Stegalkin is a norn ranger who lives with her wolf Garm. Eir was once the leader of Destiny’s Edge and is still well known for this. A
visionary, tactician, explorer, and sometimes artist, Eir has returned to her norn people in Hoelbrak. While the norn respect her abilities,
Eir seems to have lost a great deal of her vibrancy and momentum after the defeat of Destiny’s Edge. There are now some who doubt
her abilities.
Logan Thackery is a human guardian and the current Commander of the Seraph at Divinity’s Reach. Logan is the son of the Heroes
Gwen (of the Ebon Vanguard) and Lieutenant Keiran Thackery. He once had an older brother, Dylan. When Dylan died, Logan accepted
his brother’s swords and the ideals of being a Hero. As a young man, Logan became enthralled by Queen Jennah and made a pledge to
serve her. She shared his feelings but felt compelled by duty.
Together, they shared a magical bond, which allowed Logan to know if Queen Jennah were ever in danger so he could come to her. This
bond was the downfall of Destiny’s Edge. Just as the group was about to fight Kralkatorrik, Jennah summoned Logan to defend her in
Ebonhawke from the dragon’s minions. He came to his Queen’s defense and saved her, but at a cost. One of Destiny’s Edge, the asuran
Snaff, was killed, and the Elder Dragon was victorious. There are those in Destiny’s Edge who hold Logan indirectly responsible for
Snaff ’s death, and these are feelings that Logan shares. However, loyalty (and love) for his Queen is his first concern. He currently holds a
position as her personal champion in Divinity’s Reach.
Caithe is a sylvari thief and is one of the firstborn. As a member of Destiny’s Edge, Caithe was adept at helping the group find its way
through the shadows, and many of the sylvari characterize her as being drawn to and understanding the darker ways of the world.
This has followed in her personal affairs. Caithe was once a lover of Faolain, the Grand Duchess (and current leader) of the Nightmare
Court. When Caithe left her, unable to support Faolain’s descent into despair, Faolain didn’t take it well. She continues to haunt Caithe,
attempting to draw her into the Nightmare. Caithe, however, has a strong will and believes in her own ideals. As such, she remains
resolved in the fight against the Elder Dragons, and her wish is the restoration of Destiny’s Edge and the continuation of their work.
Rytlock Brimstone is a charr warrior. Rytlock is a member of the Blood Legion and is one of the best-regarded charr of the Black
Citadel, where he holds the position of Tribune. He wields the artifact sword Sohothin, once the sword of Prince Rurik and twin to
the blade Magdaer, which was used by King Adelbern to cause the Foefire. Once a close friend of Logan Thackery, the two are now
estranged due to the events of the final battle against the Elder Dragon. Lately, some charr have attempted to diminish Rytlock’s
accomplishments, calling him “strange” and citing his former friendship with a human. This has only fueled Rytlock’s temper, but he has
tried (somewhat) to focus it against the myriad enemies the world faces.
Snaff was an asuran golemancer. Snaff was a highly regarded magical theorist and inventor before he encountered Destiny’s Edge, but
the group helped him develop and hone his talents even more. Snaff specialized in the creation of enormous combat golems, but
many of his smaller inventions focused on using telepathic control instead of machinery. In the final battle against Kralkatorrik, Snaff
grappled with the mind of the Elder Dragon directly; he was even able to successfully control it for a time. However, the minions of
the Elder Dragon attacked him, and, because he was poorly defended, they succeeded in killing him. Destiny’s Edge dissolved soon
afterward. Snaff is regarded as a major hero, and the asura dedicated a memorial laboratory to him. This is the highest honor that the
asura bestow on anyone.
Zojja is an asuran elementalist and golemancer, and she’s also a former apprentice of Snaff. Zojja remains devoted to his memory and
ideals. She followed Snaff into Destiny’s Edge, regarding him as a genius. He felt the same way about her (which is a distinct rarity, as
most asura never admit to having intellectual equals). When Snaff died, she attended his cremation and returned his ashes to the
asuran capital of Rata Sum. She is now a member of the College of Synergistics, where she helps guide young asuran inventors. Her
snarky attitude and vivacious nature have won her both admirers and detractors, and while she has adjusted to her current position,
there is a part of her that longs for the time she spent with Snaff and Destiny’s Edge.
33
Multiplayer
Online
Game Basics
Suppose that you’re not only new to Guild Wars 2 but new to massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) in general. Well, this is the section for you! Here, we’ll talk about
common concepts in all MMOs, how they relate to Guild Wars 2, and how you interact with an online environment like this one.
Compared with
Single-Player Games
MMOs are a completely different experience than general single-player games. Most single-player games
have well-defined boundaries; as you play them, you are guided through a storyline with a set beginning
and end, and you don’t socially interact with other people. Your character’s progression is determined
solely by decisions you make (through skills/levels), but the characters themselves are defined through a
static pool of traits. With the exception of the occasional gameplay patch, the characters (and the world
they inhabit) don’t change in terms of gameplay or effectiveness.
34
MMOs aren’t like that. First, because they are fully online,
they are dynamic. What you experience in terms of gameplay,
character progression, and social interactions can change
depending on what server you join, who you meet, and what
you determine to be important.
Try this example. In a single-player game, the end of the game is the
end of the plotline. However, in an MMO, you have a lot of input
regarding what you consider the “end” of the game. Is it when you
hit the events in the highest-level regions? How about when you
discover all the crafting recipes? Or, is it when your gear is the best
it can be? What about once you’ve completed every single task
available or discovered every single exploration point? The answer
depends on what you want, and you don’t have to pick only one!
Make up new ones as you go.
35
A Story All Your Own Your Place in the World
Many people’s enjoyment of a game depends greatly on how they relate to
the story. They look for a vibrant world with well-developed characters and
imaginative plotlines. It’s even better when they get to contribute to the
environment they inhabit.
Many MMOs have been criticized for not having a story or plotline that relates to a
player, that the player in an MMO doesn’t have an effect on the world. This isn’t the
case with Guild Wars 2.
In addition, we mentioned that Guild Wars 2 is very dynamic, right? Things

happen in the world when you aren’t there, and it changes according to what
you do (or don’t do). You may find a fort filled with hostile centaurs that attack
you the moment you get close. The defenders of the area are all gone or dead,
and you have to decide to help or just move on. If you help, you can fight the
centaurs back, revive the guards, and restore the fort. Soon afterward, you might
see a merchant show up. The next person to arrive will find a well-defended
bastion in the wilderness, complete with protection and opportunities to buy,
sell, and repair. How’s that for having an effect on the world?
All players have their own personal story. This story depends on choices you make,
from your character’s creation to decisions other characters ask you to make. What
you decide changes what missions become available to you and how the story
progresses. Your race, character background, affiliations, and morality all play a major
role in the epic quest that unfolds.
36
INTRODUCTION
Developing Your Character Participating

in Events
M U LT I P L AY E R O N L I N E G A M E B A S I C S
For many MMOs, characters gain experience by
completing quests. These are activities offered by
non-player characters (NPCs) that players accept
and perform. They include killing a set number of
monsters (kill quests), picking up items from the
ground (groundspawns) or from bodies (gathering
quests), or protecting an NPC or group of NPCs
Character progression is a defining trait of MMOs. Because what is important varies from player to player, there are from enemies as they move through the wilderness
numerous paths to power. Here, we’ll take a look at the various ways characters can progress, from rising in level to (escort quests).
gaining equipment to crafting and beyond.
Guild Wars 2 handles these activities differently.
Remember, this is a chapter on MMO basics. We’re only going to cover these topics in a general manner. For more As you enter a region and move around, you’ll
information, and especially how they relate to Guild Wars 2, read our chapter How to Play Guild Wars 2. encounter events, which encompass just about
anything that’s going on in the area. New events
Leveling Characters occur regularly, and they’re heralded by a message

across your screen. In addition, if you look on your
The most rudimentary minimap, there are icons indicating event locations.
means of character
progression is leveling. As
you play your character,
you gain experience,
which raises your
character’s level. Higher
levels increase your
character’s stats, and
hence effectiveness.
There are many ways A standard event in Guild Wars 2 would be to

to gain experience. go over to, say, a dam and drive out harpies. The
Killing monsters is the most obvious way, but there are more. Exploring the world itself, completing your personal harpies have a concentration of force over the dam,
story events, finishing renown tasks, and participating in dungeon runs are all ways to acquire experience. You can and they have strong morale. As you kill the harpies,
even gain experience by crafting, and by harvesting the ingredients for crafting. The most effective way to gain their morale decreases, and once enough of them
experience in Guild Wars 2 is to do a number of these things during a play session. have been defeated, the rest of the flock scatters
and runs. You get experience from killing the
monsters and from completing the event!
RENOWN TASKS AND NPCs
For an easy way to tell where you should explore, look at the renown hearts while you
walk through each region. Highlight these hearts on your map to see their level; even at
range, this lets you know if you’re in a place with monsters that are appropriate for your
character to fight. Let the hearts be your guide to the world! Complete the tasks that
NPCs associated with renown hearts give to earn experience, gold, and sometimes gain
access to special vendors!
37
Events that require gathering materials from the ground or bodies are easier to
complete than the typical MMO model. Instead of having to find an NPC and
have them ask you to do something, you have more control over how much you
want to help and where you go. First, the NPC is clearly marked on your minimap
(by an asterisk), and most of the time you don’t even have to talk to them to
start participating. As you move around or defeat foes, you pick up the materials.
Once you feel like you’ve gotten enough, then you talk to the NPC and drop off
the stuff. The event meter tells you how much you contributed and how close
the event is to completion. You can choose to stay and complete the event or
go on your merry way; you will always get some reward for your trouble, but the
more you help, the better the reward.
Escorts are marked by shield symbols on the minimap. Generally, you talk to the NPC
and offer to help them by protecting them (and/or their group or beast of burden) as they go between locations. This gives you an opportunity to see more of the world and
can lead you to new and interesting locations (with new and interesting events in them).
COME ONE, COME ALL

Events in Guild Wars 2 are open to everyone. All it takes to join the event is simply to be in the
area. Killing one enemy (or even just hitting several as you run by) can help to complete the
event and gain you a little bit of a reward. Even if the event fails, you’ll get something. And this
works for escorts and gathering events as well. If you’re in the area, all you have to do is walk for
a few feet and help protect a caravan; if you have a gathering item, all you need to do is pass one
to the NPC for it to help. There is no reason not to chip in on an event!
Conversely, there’s no penalty for not doing the event. You won’t miss out on subsequent
follow-up events or a vital piece of rare equipment. You simply won’t get the rewards (money,
experience, or karma) associated with the event’s completion.
Getting Better Equipment

Gaining more powerful or higher-level equipment is a huge focus of character progression in MMOs, and Guild Wars 2 has a number of ways for you to get nice stuff.
THE EQUIPMENT RAINBOW
The color of an item gives a quick indication of how powerful it is. The rarer
the quality of an item, the stronger it is. Exceptional items (such as those of
exotic or rare quality) have higher stats and more powerful sigils; common items
have lower stats and minor or no sigils. Sigils are added benefits you gain by
equipping the particular item to which the sigil is attached.
The easiest way to find weapons and armor is as

loot from killing monsters. If an enemy’s body is
glowing, there’s loot for you to pick up. If you’re
in a party and you see a glowing corpse, that
loot is for you and only for you, and no one else
in the group will ever see what you’ve acquired.
Monsters drop a wide variety of items, and you
can usually keep yourself moderately equipped
with what you find.
38
INTRODUCTION
There are periods when you haven’t found something

you need in quite a long time or you want something Fighting Monsters
special. In general, it’s more prudent to keep your
weapon up to date than your armor; after all, if you kill
something quickly, you won’t have to worry about it
hitting you! Still, if you’re running around with the same
gloves you had at level 5 and now you’re at level 30, it’s
time for a change.
At the Trading Post, you can find anything that

other players feel is worth putting up for auction.
These include weapons, armor, and runes, as well
as containers (bags, packs, etc.), dyes, and crafting
components. Trading Posts are found in every major
city, and in major settled areas around the world.
Another way to gain equipment is through crafting.

Crafting is a means of making your own equipment by
combining the raw materials (like thread, cloth, metal)
at a specific location (such as a forge or loom). Crafting
can be very addicting and satisfying, but it does require
a time, money, and material commitment. If you want If you’re playing an MMO, you’re going to be fighting a lot of monsters. That’s the way it is! But there are all sorts
to know more about crafting, see the Crafters and Their of ways to fight those monsters, and how you accomplish these engagements depends on your playstyle, the
Fine Goods chapter. profession of your character, and what monsters you’re fighting.
Getting a Monster’s Attention

In a simple battle,
getting a monster’s
attention is pretty easy.
Basically, you hit it
with something. Your
autoattack (number
“1” on the keyboard)
You can also buy equipment directly from vendors. hits the creature with
Vendors are found in all the capital cities and an attack or spell. After
scattered throughout the world. In fact, sometimes starting your autoattack,
they even appear after you have successfully let the blows rain down
reclaimed an area in an event. Most armorsmiths and until the target falls.
weaponsmiths sell gear at 5-level intervals (you gain
access to new gear at levels 5, 10, 15, and so on). Thus,
the majority of vendor equipment can fill out any
gaps in your character’s gear that you haven’t been WHAT’S IN A MONSTER’S NAME?
able to satisfy in other ways or if you simply don’t feel
like going back to the Trading Post. The color of the name above enemies or characters gives you a quick assessment of how
aggressive they are. Here’s the breakdown.
You accrue karma while completing various renown
tasks and events. You can spend this resource
> GREEN: Friendly NPCs or characters.
to purchase higher quality equipment. Look for
> BLUE: Other player characters.
karma vendors as you explore. Sometimes these are
unlocked by completing renown tasks and talking to > LIGHT BLUE: Player characters in your party.
the NPC around which the task centered (they’re still > GREY: Wildlife that won’t be worth
experience.
marked with a heart on your map). See if they have
anything fun to purchase. > YELLOW: Neutral creatures that only attack
when provoked.
> RED: Hostile targets that will attack on sight.
> GOLD: Other players in the same guild.
39
The majority of enemies you’ll encounter have a standard level of power. They can
hurt your character but shouldn’t be able to overwhelm you without help from their
allies, siege equipment, or more powerful units. Some enemies are listed as veterans or
champions. These are stronger and more powerful than others in the area. Veterans
have greater health and more brutal attacks, and champions are even worse!
While you can take down veterans on your own (with some luck and skill), don’t
attempt to bring down a champion. Look around for other people to help! What you
can’t do by yourself may be easily accomplished with the aid of others.
Using advanced tactics, you can often kill enemies that would destroy you in a
standup fight. These techniques are more efficient, and if you handle combat well
you won’t have to worry about waiting around for your health to come back; instead,
you’ll be out there spreading healthy anarchy.
Stand and Fight
All right, so you’ve walked up to your monster and hit it with an attack. What attack
do you want? Every attack is a bit different, and what you decide could influence
the course of the fight. Take your time and look over your skills as you get them.
Experiment with them and see which ones work best together and which ones you
like (or don’t). In many MMOs, you don’t have to move around very much during
combat. In Guild Wars 2, moving your character to avoid attacks is an important way
to survive. The more you play, the more you learn to avoid damage through careful
movement and positioning your character. Skills and armor help you in every fight,
but quick thinking, dodging, and tactics take you to the next level!
40
INTRODUCTION
Pulling Kiting
There are times when
the monster you want
is surrounded by other
enemies, and if you
wander too close, you
know that you’ll be
overwhelmed by their
numbers. Or, maybe you
don’t feel like wandering
over that ledge for one monster, or you want to use some abilities that require a lot
of room and distance. What do you do? You pull the monster back to the area where
you want to fight it.
Kiting is a combat technique that lets you kill enemies over time. You control the
position of your foes, and prevent them from closing to use their best attacks. You
AGGRO want to keep the enemy at a distance while still doing full damage to it.
Getting a monster’s attention is also known as getting aggro. This Pick a ranged ability, preferably one that also slows or impedes your target’s
is a more advanced game concept and is explained throughout movement with Cripple or Frozen effects. You fire with that first, and when the
the guide. For a general idea, consider that your enemies target beelines toward you, run to the side and keep moving. The enemy keeps trying
to reach you to attack, but you stay out of its range because you’re moving faster
sometimes have multiple targets to attack. Will they go after you,
than it is. You still attack as you move, but have a positional attack ready when the
your guardian buddy, or someone else?
monster reaches you. Using skills that cause conditions such as Poison or Burning are
particularly effective, as they inflict damage even after the initial attack ends. Knock
To decide this, enemies quickly think about which target is the enemy back, Immobilize it, or do something to get away from it again and resume
closest to them, which one is inflicting the most damage, and the kiting. If you want to exploit this style of fighting to its fullest, find items, sigils,
whether any opponents are trying to revive allies. If you want and traits that help your character get more and more condition damage!
monsters’ attention, move into close range and hit them hard.
If the target completely catches up with you, dodge to the side to avoid whatever
To avoid aggro, let others get the first hit, keep yourself at range, attack is coming your way. Come out of the roll and keep moving, using your best
and back away when something starts to run toward you. Give attacks to slow the monster again and get back to long range.
your allies a chance to lure the monster’s attention back onto
themselves—or to kill the beast, slow it down, or otherwise delay Area-of-Effect Attacks: Killing
the enemy’s attack.
Monsters en Masse
Pulling consists of using an ability at range and having the monster come to you. This
is a staple for ranged attack users, and all professions have abilities to pull.
This technique is particularly effective in dungeons, which have large numbers of nasty,
high-damage enemies. One person picks a target, goes out, hits the target, and runs back to
the group. The target follows, and the group then falls upon it and takes it down, giving the
group much more safety than if they had all gone into a room filled with brutal foes.
Line of Sight Tricks

Pulling enemies that have
ranged attacks can be
tricky. After all, why would We’ve talked about how to fight one monster at a time, but suppose you want to fight
they come over to your many of them. This is where you use area-of-effect (AoE) attacks. AoEs are abilities with
group when they can sit a ground-targeted radius or a blast that centers around your character or the target.
still and shoot arrows into Anything within that radius gets hit by the skill’s effect. Some AoEs are damaging
your head? Try this: attack enough that they outright kill anything in the circle, but they can also merely injure a
the enemy or get him to large number of foes or put damaging conditions (status effects) on them.
aggro on you, and then
hurry behind cover. As soon as you break line of sight, the enemy is forced to stop attacking. Have a few characters work together with AoEs to burn down entire groups of
He needs a new angle to get line of sight back. So, the creature moves forward. When the enemies in short order.
monster gets to your hiding spot, jump out and beat it down. 41
Interacting with Other Players
The most fundamental distinction between single-player games and MMOs is the multiplayer component: you’re playing the game with other people! For some, this is the sole reason they
picked up the game in the first place: all their friends are playing it. For others, the addition of a social component adds flavor, volatility, and an opportunity to interact with the game in a
different way. There are also people who aren’t really that engaged with the social aspect; there are other reasons they like MMOs, and they prefer to play on their own.
BENEFITS OF SOLOING VS. GROUPS

This list is by no means exhaustive, but it does give an idea of why people choose
the playstyle they do.
Soloing
> You alone decide your course of action.
> You can change your mind whenever you want.
> You can complete tasks, events, and other goals at your own pace.
> It can be a relaxing and quiet time.
Grouping
> You can take on events, enemies, and dungeons that would be impossible to
complete on your own.
> You gain the protection of a group.
> You can talk, roleplay, and interact with other people.
> There is an increase in useful loot drops because you are killing more things faster.
> It adds a level of excitement and strategy to a play session.
> Guild groups contribute toward the progression/special abilities of their guild.
42
INTRODUCTION
Making Friends A NOTE ABOUT ETIQUETTE

Etiquette in any MMO can be boiled down to one simple rule:
treat other people as you’d like to be treated. You’ll rarely
upset people by treating them respectfully. If you’re friendly,
most people will respond in kind.
Because you interact with so many people, MMOs offer a great opportunity to make
friends. People from all over the world, from all ages and all walks of life, have come
together to play the same game. This means you have an instant ice breaker: you have
the common experience of playing Guild Wars 2. You could meet your best friend Here are some general guidelines that can help in your
for life or your prospective spouse. Or you could find great companions for regular
interactions with other people.
dungeon runs, or simply a helpful acquaintance who helps you finish a one-time
event. You never know. > If you need help with something, ask someone openly and
deferentially.
We’ll talk more about ways to converse with fellow adventurers in the Game > Say “please” and “thank you.”
Mechanics chapter, just a bit farther into this book. For now, look at your text
> Apologies go a long way toward smoothing ruffled feelings.
window on the lower-left side of the screen. That’s where you can read messages
> If you’ve finished a good event/dungeon run, let people
from guild members, players in your current region, or people who are trying to know you appreciated their time and work.
message you from afar. In return, you can type messages to others using commands
> Ask before you put someone on your friends list or before
like “/say Hi” (which would deliver your greeting to nearby heroes). you offer a guild invitation.
> Be responsible for your own progression (e.g., don’t beg
strangers for cash or items).
> Keep your public interactions friendly but to the point (e.g.,
don’t clog up chat channels with useless or rude comments).
> Your thoughts on politics, religion, and racial or gender
dynamics are private.
> If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
43
THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL
You may end up meeting individuals who are simply offensive, for whatever reason. And
maybe they also can’t take a hint (or even a direct order) to stop their behavior. You are
under no obligation to group with them or respond to such people. Most of the time, the
best course of action is to try to step back, not take it personally, and ignore it. Proceed with
your game and leave them to their own mess.
For truly nasty behavior, you can report them to a Guild Wars 2 representative.
Watch Your Language

People of all ages and all walks of life are playing this game with you. Therefore, it’s a
good rule of thumb in your interactions with other people to watch your language.
The obvious part of this is not to use foul language in general speech in chat channels
or in group. There is a filter (in your Options menu) that edits language. It edits out the
majority of bad words and keeps them from being posted. However, if you’re worried
about being offensive in a public forum, it’s the best course of action to be practical
and not use terms that might upset people (or introduce younger players to terms that
aren’t relevant to their gaming experience).
This includes negative language relating to racial descriptions and sexual orientation.
Using those terms simply isn’t cool. Using these words can alienate you from mature
groups, leading to lost opportunities for fun, better loot, and greater experience.
44
INTRODUCTION
Interacting with you don’t get any reward, experience, or loot. The coward gets to prosper at your
expense, and you did all the real work. It gets even worse if this wasn’t an accident
Others in the World and the person keeps doing it repeatedly.
A second consequence of the tapping system is that certain rare or important
enemies were the focus of negative competitions between players. Some quests
would only give credit if you killed a special creature. Because these rare monsters
would only appear in special locations or after a long interval had passed, there would
either be queues of polite groups waiting to attack them or a rush of constant area-
of-effect attacks by multiple groups within an area, with each group vying for who
got to be the one to tap the enemy.
As you move around the world of Tyria, you’ll meet tons of people on a completely
casual, random basis. You’ll see them running around cities, completing all sorts of
events, and exploring the wonderful places this world has to offer.
In many ways, Guild Wars 2 has made it exceptionally easy to interact with people
in ways that tangibly benefit you without forcing you to do anything. In addition,
the game excels at not limiting resources, so people don’t feel as possessive or selfish
about going after what they want or need. We’ll explore this below in greater detail.
Guild Wars 2 avoids the entire quagmire. Everyone who deals a non-trivial amount
Group Loot of damage to a target gets credit for the kill. You have a chance to loot, score
experience when the creature dies, and contribute toward any events in the area.
You can effectively act as a group with strangers even if you’re only passing each
other during a few fights. It’s that intuitive. Cooperation has no downsides, and
competition has no teeth.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO HELP

Even though
the game allows
(and even
encourages)
you to help
other people in
Most games show what everyone in the party is looting. This causes occasional drama their battles, it’s
because someone will beg for, or outright demand, an item. The system in Guild Wars possible that
2 keeps things private by making all loot personal. You won’t have to deal with “loot players will take
ninjas” or other treasure issues while grouping with strangers. offense with you
“butting in” on their action. They might not understand how the
system works, or they might be enjoying the challenge of one-on-
No Tapping: Everyone Gets Credit one combat. The wise course is to apologize, move on, and put
Most MMOs have an some space between you and them.
attack system where a
And if you see players that look like they’re in trouble, help out!
given monster is linked
You won’t be taking anything from them, and you might have just
with a specific player or
saved their lives. Most players appreciate the assistance, even if
group after they attack
they aren’t in as much trouble as it appeared.
it. This is called “tapping”
a monster. When a
monster is tapped, any
loot and experience
gained after the monster has been killed belongs to that player/group. This has led
to the following situation: someone hits a monster, tapping it, and then runs off. The
monster follows him and bumps into you. You defend yourself, killing the enemy, but
45
All Your Resources Belong to Us
In the sense that monsters can’t be claimed by one person, all of the resources in the world work the same way. If you see an ore vein, a fruitful sapling, or a tasty herb patch,
harvest it! In fact, everyone can (and should) do the same thing. Resources in the world are available to everyone. When the resource disappears from your game, it will still be
there in the world for someone else. So, you won’t be taking it away from anyone.
To harvest these items, make sure your character has the proper tools. For a small amount of money, you can secure tools for foraging, logging, and mining. Merchants in town
sell these, and you use them each time you harvest items from a node. Eventually, your items wear out and you have to purchase more of the tools.
The expense of keeping your tools up to date isn’t a major hardship. The profit from selling harvested items, or the money you save by grabbing them yourself instead of using
the trading post, is often quite substantial. Be sure to harvest when you can, for free experience, future profit, or to help crafters (and yourself) make better items.
IT’S THERE TO BE HARVESTED

Every time you harvest a resource, be it wood,
metal, vegetables, whatever, you get a small bit
of experience in addition to the harvested items.
This means that a whole party can gather around
the harvesting point and gain benefits!
46
INTRODUCTION
47
Death and Aiding the Fallen
A world filled with adventure, by necessity, is also a place of great danger. Monsters are extremely tough if you aren’t careful, and some creatures are so powerful that
even the best players are likely to go down fighting them.
Do not fear this! The game does not punish you excessively when your character falls. Reaching zero health puts your character into a downed state. You can’t access
many skills in this position, but you can still fight and attempt to heal yourself a little. Should you regain decent health or kill one of your enemies, your character
rallies and resumes the engagement. Underwater, you can also choose to swim for the surface to try and heal and rally.
Take too long to rally, and your downed character will be defeated. This is still not the end. You just have to teleport to a waypoint of your choice and resume
exploring. Some of your equipment is damaged in the process, but the monetary hit from repairing isn’t meant to cripple you. It’s just a light penalty. Feel free to
take risks and have fun out there.
Guild Wars 2 also rewards people for bringing back the dead! Every time you revive someone (by interacting with his or her body) you gain a reward. Players are
worth experience, many NPCs are worth credit toward local tasks, and so forth.
THOSE ZANY
DEAD PEOPLE
If you look on your minimap, you can
see the location of downed characters.
There’s a circle icon with a small skull.
The color denotes who’s died:
Blue: A slain player
White: A dead NPC
The Concept of Griefing

By rewarding beneficial activities and limiting negative ones, Guild Wars 2 has created a system that discourages griefing. What is griefing, you might ask. Griefing is
deliberately annoying or upsetting other players. Griefing is a true nuisance in most MMOs, mostly because griefers don’t care about completing in-game goals. Mostly,
they’re in it for attention.
By opening up the battle system and by individually assigning loot and resources, Guild Wars 2 keeps most griefing activities to a minimum. No one can steal your loot or your
monster. Everyone gets access to all harvesting points. These things make for a much better gaming experience.
48
INTRODUCTION
Travel and Exploration
Getting around the world is important if you want to explore, find new challenges, and
meet new allies. Guild Wars 2 provides a few ways to do this, and some of them might be
totally new to you. Walking around is easy enough. You just put one foot in front of the
other and see where the road takes you.
But as you travel, you’ll start to see new things. Points of interest are special locations that
you encounter. Visit each one you find for experience and map completion—when you
complete a full tour of the area, you get an additional reward.
If you see a diamond-like icon on the map, go toward it. It’s a waypoint. These travel hubs
are essential for getting around quickly. As long as you’ve visited a waypoint location at
least once and have a few coins to spare for the travel fee, your heroes can teleport to any
waypoint that isn’t contested by monsters. The gentle tinkling sound of a waypoint lets
you know when it’s close even if you aren’t looking at the map.
Vistas are locations with beautiful scenery or important locales. These also show up on your map. The icon looks like a green pair of triangles.
For fast travel between major cities, use the pinkish/purplish Asura Gates. They’re an ideal way to get to places even if you’ve never been there before. Approach the gate in your city and get
close enough to see where it leads. Walk through the shimmering gate to see what’s on the other side. There is no fee for doing this, so get out there and meet new people.
Help
If you’d like to learn more about the game’s mechanics, you don’t have far to look.
There is a help system built into Guild Wars 2. Sometimes the game will detect that
you’re having trouble with a specific concept. In response, it might pop up a helpful
window to explain something new.
To review hints that you’ve seen previously, click on the gear at the top-left side
of your screen. This opens the help system and lets you browse or directly search
for tips about a variety of the game’s functions. Typing “/help” also gets you to the
same window.
49
Character
Creation
Your first step in exploring the beautiful and exciting lands of Guild Wars 2 is to create a character. This chapter will walk you
through the process. It will also give you an idea of just how many options for self-expression and variety are available to you
in this system!
Starting the Process

After you have logged on, you’ll find yourself in the character screen. There are a number of empty boxes at the bottom of
the screen, along with three buttons (Play, Create, and Delete). When you’re ready to make your character, click on an empty
gray box and select “Create.”
I REGRET NOTHING!
There are 10 character creation screens, and you can return and change
things at any point during the process until you actually finalize your
character. All you have to do is hit the “Back” button at the bottom of
the screen to rewind through your selections and review your decisions.
50
51
Choosing Your Race
There are five playable races in Guild Wars 2: charr, human, norn, asura, and sylvari. Each of them has a rich and colorful history in the world, and we
encourage you to take a look through this guide to learn more about them.
Once you have a race that suits your character’s personality, choose it and go forward.
52
C H A R A C T E R C R E AT I O N
THE RACES (IN SHORT)
CHO OSING YOUR R ACE

Charr: Feline-like Humans:The humans
humanoids. The in Guild Wars 2 are quite
charr are focused on diverse and come from a
war and dedicated to variety of cultures. They are
battle. They have a a spiritual people renown for
tendency to rush into their courage and ability to
confrontations and conquer adversity.
ask questions later.
Asura: Short goblin/gnome-like people. The asura

are dedicated artisans and geniuses. Their egos are
inversely proportional to their size.
Norn: Giant humanoids. The norn are Sylvari: Fey-like plant people. The sylvari are
a bit rough around the edges, but they adventurers and philosophers; each of them
value fellowship, deeds of heroism, and is searching for their place in the world.
celebration of good times.
In terms of character statistics, there aren’t any differences between the races. Choose whichever race appeals to you. The more you enjoy your characters,
and the more you relate to them, the more you’ll love playing them!
No one in Guild Wars 2 is going to be laughed out of a dungeon group for any combination of race, sex, or profession. All of the options are similarly
balanced, with only minor skill differences between them.
53
Choosing the Sex
of Your Character
The next decision you’ll make is whether to play as a male or female. Technically the sylvari, being plants, aren’t either, but
they still have male or female characteristics. As a point of interest, the world of Guild Wars 2 is strongly egalitarian. There are
prominent male and female heroes and villains, and the diversity even extends to monsters.
Your character’s base statistics are not affected in any way by which sex you choose. So, decide what appeals to you. The voice
acting is different with either choice, so factor that in when you’re considering your character as well.
54
Your Profession
CHO OSING THE SE X OF YOUR CHAR ACTER / YOUR PROFE SSION

This is one of the most important decisions you have to make. Your profession determines how your
character interacts with the world and how you engage in combat. It’s worth taking some time to figure out
what profession appeals to you the most. We encourage you to look through the Professions chapter, which
goes far deeper into each profession’s mechanics, skills, and weapons.
PROFESSIONS IN SHORT
Elementalists: Direct-damage casters that specialize in elemental Rangers: Attack enemies with their pets and traps. Rangers wear
abilities (fire, water, air, and earth). They wear light armor and use medium armor and use a mix of melee and ranged weapons. They’re
primarily ranged magic weapons. ideal for killing enemies over distance and time.
Warriors: Fighters focusing on direct-damage combat. Warriors Necromancers: Use summoned creatures, poison, bleeding attacks,
wear heavy armor and use a wide variety of weaponry, including and negative conditions. Necromancers wear light armor and use
both melee and ranged weapons. mixed melee/ranged magic weapons. They’re surprisingly hard to
kill, cloaking themselves in the power of death.
Guardians: Fighters focusing on protective and defensive abilities. Thieves: Mobile attackers with the advantages of stealth, traps, and
Guardians wear heavy armor and use primarily melee weapons. both melee and ranged weaponry. Thieves wear medium armor and
They’re great in groups but still fight reliably on their own. are able to move around the battlefield like few others.
Engineers: Do damage through mechanical contraptions, Mesmers: Scholars who use illusions to confuse and damage
mitigate damage through elixirs, and put negative conditions on opponents. Mesmers wear light armor and are challenging to keep
enemies. Engineers wear medium armor and use primarily ranged alive. Though tricky to play, their abilities are both flashy and effective.
weapons and tools of their own creation.
55
Choosing Your
Appearance
After you’ve selected your race and profession, it’s time to customize your character’s appearance. There’s an enormous amount of variety available to you.
The choices in this section let you alter and perfect your character’s size, shape, and features, as well as the colors of his or her default armor.
GETTING A BETTER LOOK

Underneath your character are buttons allowing you to remove or restore your
character’s armor and to zoom in or out. If you want a better view of your character
as you customize his or her appearance, simply click on the relevant button. This
helps a great deal when, for example, you want to see different charr fur patterns or
judge differences in physiques.
BODY FEATURES HEAD OPTIONS
This portion of the appearance menu lets you decide your character’s This part of the appearance menu lets you select from a series of default
height and physique. It also allows you to alter race-specific features of faces, hairstyles, and sex- and race-specific characteristics (facial hair, horns,
your character. ears). It also allows you to customize your skin tone and hair color. As you
can see, there’s a nice amount of customization. Don’t rush through this in
For height, the guide on the right side of the screen gives you a sense of an attempt to get into the game sooner. You might be playing this character
scale and the height range available to your character. The slider shows for years. Make sure you get the appearance just right.
where your character lies in terms of the average height for that race. Move
the slider up to make your character taller and down for shorter. In general, the default face options are a stepping stone to save time for
some players, and they give a good general starting point (for things such as
The next choice is physique. Look at the menu to the right; there are a age and general bone structure). There’s a lot more that can be done with
number of different physique selections, ranging from heavy to light. Select your character’s facial features, such as those in the next set of options.
the one you think best reflects your character.
The last section of the body features menu has race-specific features. Charr
have fur patterns, norn have colorful tattoos, and asura and sylvari can
change their skin markings. Feel free to tinker with the various sliders and
menu options until you find just what you’re looking for.
56
FACE DETAILS
Background
C H O O S I N G Y O U R A P P E A R A N C E / B A C KG R O U N D
The next few pages offer you selections to customize your character’s
personality and backstory. These primarily affect your character’s personal
story. They offer greater depth and development to your character.
PROFESSIONAL AFFINITY
These options allow you to tinker even more with the facial features of your
character. Eyes, eye colors, nose, mouth, chin and jaw, ears—all of these
can be shifted and adjusted so you have even more control over what your
character looks like. Have fun!
ARMOR DYES
This question lets you decide what the most important factor is
in your profession.
Elementalist Elemental Affinity (Water, Fire, Earth, Air)
Warrior Helm
Guardian Armor piece (pauldron or helm)
Engineer Favorite tool (universal multi-tool, eagle-eye goggles, panscopic monocle)
Ranger Favorite pet companion (devourer, stalker, drake)
Necromancer Facial markings (trickster demon, skull, ghostly wraith)
Mesmer Mask (harlequin’s smile, phantasm of sorrow, fanged dread)
Now that you’ve completed your character’s body and face, it’s time to
move on to clothing. There are three customizable sections of armor:
upper, lower, and footwear. Each of these has three separate dye channels,
which alter different parts of the respective armor section. Click around and
choose what you think your character looks best in.
The dye selections you make will carry through as you find new armor in
the world. So, if you put on a new chestpiece, the dye selections you made
for your starting armor will still color your new piece. Pieces that weren’t
part of your starting equipment (gloves, shoulders, etc.) can be dyed
through your Hero screen at any time in the future, so you aren’t locked
into any specific color scheme.
To do this once you’re in the game, press “H” to bring up the Hero window.
Then, click on the small eyedropper (at the top of the screen, just to the
right of your armor). This opens the dyes available to you. You acquire new
dyes within the game by bringing colorful seeds to your home and getting a
dye merchant to help grow them.
57
PERSONALITY MEMORABLE PERSON/EVENT
This gives you an opportunity to decide how your character handles problems:
Charr Sparring partner (Maverick, Euryale, Clawspur, Dinky, Reeva)
through charm (heart), dignity (crown), or ferocity (fist). These come up through
Missed opportunity (I’ve never searched for my true parents; I never
conversations with nonplayer characters. The choice you make here is reflected in Human
recovered my sister’s body; I passed up an opportunity to join the circus)
your Hero screen, at the top right, next to your profession. The one you pick gets Actions at a recent celebratory moot (passed out, got in a fight, lost an
Norn
the highest starting bar. This may change over the course of the game if you use heirloom)
the other techniques more often. Your character grows and changes over time, Asura
Your first invention (the VAL-A golem, a transatmospheric converter, an
infinity ball)
based on your roleplaying interests.
The most important of Ventari’s teachings (act with wisdom, but act; all
Sylvari
things have a right to grow; where life goes, so should you)
PERSONAL HISTORY
The next three questions examine where your character fits in relation to
his or her people and culture. It also affects how other nonplayer characters
relate to you during your personal story.
YOUR PAST
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Charr Your sire’s history (Loyal Soldier, Sorcerous Shaman, Honorless Gladium)
Human Blessing of which god (Dwayna, Grenth, Balthazar, Melandru, Lyssa, Kormir)
Norn The spirit of the wild that calls to you (Bear, Snow Leopard, Wolf, Raven)
Asura Your first advisor (Bronk, Zinga, Blipp, Canni)
Charr Your Legion (Blood, Ash, Iron) The time you were awakened by the Pale Tree (Cycle of Dawn, Cycle of
Sylvari
Noon, Cycle of Dusk, Cycle of Night)
Your upbringing, where you were raised (in the streets, by common folk,
Human
among the nobility)
Norn The most important quality of a hero (strength, cunning, instinct) CHARACTER NAME
Asura College (Statics, Dynamics, Synergistics)
AND REVIEW
Sylvari Vision quest spirit (White Stag, Green Huntsman, Shield of the Moon)
The final part of character creation lets you review the choices you made. Look
at your character and read through the answers to the questions provided.
If you’ve changed your mind about anything, go back and make a different
selection. Otherwise, sign your name at the bottom of the page. This will be
your character’s name in game, so make it memorable and exciting.
58
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
B A C KG R O U N D
Your name can be up to 21 characters in length. The system lets you create middle and last names too, so there’s considerable variety. Pick
whatever you want! That said, it’s usually best to use something that you’ll easily remember and that won’t be too hard to type.
ROLEPLAYING CONVENTIONS FOR NAMES IN GUILD WARS 2

Many people are interested in naming their character something that “fits” with the world and cultures of Guild Wars 2. This is particularly true for
roleplayers. Here are some suggestions, though you’re free to go off on your own.
Charr: They usually have Roman (or Grecian) first names. Their last names feature their warband name and then an additional word or two to
reflect their more ferocious or warlike nature.
Humans: Have a huge variety in names, but those in Kryta have European/English/American first and last names. General fantasy names work as well.
Norn: Most norn have Northern European or Viking-style first names. Their last names are usually patronymic or matronymic (father/mother’s first
name followed by “son” or “dottir”).
Asura: Usually have a very short name (one or two syllables). Their last names are usually their job title, their krewe name, or an honorific.
Sylvari: Have a number of Celtic/Irish names, mostly without last names. However, general fantasy or elven-styled names follow their theme.
59
How to Play
Guild Wars 2
This chapter covers the fundamental game system of Guild Wars 2. We help you understand character control, the game’s economy, equipment
upgrades, leveling, fighting, and so forth. Even if you’re familiar with existing online games (or the original Guild Wars), this is still a great place to learn
this game’s specifics.
The Interface
Before we delve into anything complex, let’s discuss the game’s interface. After you create a character, you gain access to the game’s features and options.
Though there is a brief tutorial adventure for each character, this doesn’t last long, and you’re then thrown into the open world of Tyria.
60
THE CHAT PANEL
Take a look at your screen. A huge amount of information is available in various windows and secondary screens. The lower left is the default location for
text. You can see what NPCs are saying, listen to other characters, and so forth.
You can also add new windows to the chat panel by selecting “+” or “New Tab.” These new tabs can be renamed to reflect their function at any point, and
you can cycle through them easily. Make a window for Combat information if you want to review damage done (and received). This is useful for people
who are vigorously testing their characters and want to find out what’s working and what isn’t.
The wheel on the window’s left side opens a set of options. You can adjust the filter for language there. Set it to none if you’re not easily offended, or set it
to maximum if you have kids playing or just want to keep things in the PG range.
Change text size if you have trouble reading text in the window.
61
Each tab has its own options too. For instance, clicking the down arrowhead next to each panel title opens up the Tab Options menu, which lets you toggle
the messages that are displayed. Turn off anything that distracts you, but be sure to toggle those back on later if they become important. We suggest you
leave on essential messages, such as Party/Guild/Squad. You don’t want to miss warnings, tactics, or questions from people who are trying to help you!
EVENT LOG THE MINIMAP

Look in the lower right
for your minimap. It
offers a great view of
the area surrounding
your character. Event
goals appear on it, and
pretty much any detail
from the full map is
there as well.
Use the “+” and “-” buttons around the minimap to zoom in or out. Pull
out to find crafting resources from a considerable distance away. Zoom in
to gain more accurate information about your immediate surroundings and
The screen’s right side lists the current story event you’re working on. It also facilitate navigation. The minimap’s zoom has four settings, and you can
dynamically displays events close enough for you to participate in, including click on them individually if you know exactly what you want.
renown tasks, normal events, group events, and world events. Each listing
The map can be set to rotate with your character, so that the top of the
conveys the event’s level and a basic description of what you should do to
minimap always faces in the same direction as your character. Or, if you
complete it.
prefer, use the arrow on the right side of the minimap interface to toggle
Events often list a quantity of items to gather, or kills you have to make. between that setting and an “always north” style.
Look here to find out about your progress and whether various actions have
That interface area also has an icon to take you to the full map (also
a major impact on the event.
accessed if you press “M”), as well as an icon that focuses the minimap on
Left-click on events to open or close their information listings. If you aren’t your current story goal. This is helpful if you’re a little lost and want a quick
working on one that’s listed, go ahead and close it to allot more space to the reminder of where you’re heading.
other events.
62
G A M E M EC H A N I C S
HEALTH, SKILLS, AND PAGES AND WINDOWS

EVERYTHING ELSE The icons in the upper left let you access pages with character information,
T H E I N T E R FA C E
options, and more. Let’s go over all of these.
HERO PAGE H

The shield and sword
icon is the first in the
lineup. It takes you
to the Hero page,
where there are tabs
with equipment,
skills and traits, your
story, crafting, and
The bottom of the screen has almost everything else you need. The red achievements.
globe has your character’s health listing. As your health falls in battle, the
> EQUIPMENT TAB: Switch gear, look at your stats, adjust the look of your
circle empties until there is nothing left. When that happens, your character armor, and change into town clothes instead of your combat gear
goes down and has to fight for survival until he or she rallies or is killed.
> SKILLS AND TRAITS TAB: See information about weapon skills, slot skills
to purchase, and traits (you get to start grabbing these after reaching level 11)
Above your health globe is your endurance meter (in yellow), showing how
much endurance you have for dodging enemy attacks. The left side has > STORY TAB: Goes over the events your character has completed in his or
profession-specific meters or skills. her personal story
> CRAFTING: Shows all of the recipes your character has unlocked
Boons and conditions are shown to the right of the health circle. Highlight
these icons to find out what each one means. These icons are coded by > ACHIEVEMENTS: Gives you information about daily, monthly, and
permanent achievements
color so you quickly know whether something is good or bad. Boons show
up as golden icons; they’re always good! Conditions show up in red, and > PVP: Allows you to enter the Heart of the Mists at any point, letting you
participate in Player-versus-Player battles
they’re bad for your character in a variety of ways. If a boon or condition
has a number associated with it, that’s telling you multiple copies of the
effect are stacking, multiplying their potency.
The number and skill icons show the available skills for your character. The
numbers below correspond to the keys you press to activate each skill.
Yellow skills have a target that is within range. Red ones do not. Watch
these to know exactly when your targets come into range.
Skills that are cooling down are shown in black and can’t be used until
they’re ready.
The arrows above healing, utility, and elite skills let you switch to other skills
of the same type. This can’t be done during battle, but it’s possible to do at
any other time (as long as the original skill is not cooling down currently). If
that’s the case, wait until the ability is available again and then switch it for
another skill.
To the left of your weapon skills is a button for swapping weapons. You can
also press “~” to accomplish the same thing.
63
INVENTORY I PARTY P
The Party window lets
you create or leave
groups and squads.
Groups are used for
dungeon runs, having
fun while exploring
the world, or simply
for palling around in
town. Squads are used
in World versus World (sometimes called WvW, WvWvW, or World PvP) to
provide a level or organization for larger forces that are fighting together.
You don’t need to use the Party window to start a group. If you’re exploring
Press “I” to look at your character’s bags. The circular gear icon in the upper and others ask to join you, go ahead and click the character and then right-
right lets you compact the gear in your bags to keep the screen from click on their portrait. This gives you the option of starting a group with
getting cluttered. You can also move items around manually by left-clicking them without needing to type in their name or worrying about inviting
on items and dragging them to wherever you’d like. someone with a similar name.
If you release an item outside of the window, you’re given the option to destroy When friends are in your contact list or guild, you can also invite them into
it. This is a good way to get rid of event items you no longer need. Another way groups from those pages.
to accomplish this is to right-click on the items and select “Destroy.”
Right-clicking on items gives you all pertinent options for the object in CONTACT PAGE Y
question. This is used to equip gear, mail things to other players, and so on.
Note that you cannot make armor or weapon changes during combat (with
the exception of switching between weapon sets that are already equipped).
Crafting items have two more options involving the Trading Post. You can
choose to sell the material through the Trading Post or buy more of it. So,
if you aren’t interested in crafting or acquire a large amount of stuff for a
craft you aren’t pursuing, you can make some quick gold and clear out
your inventory easily. By the same token, if you are a crafter and want to get
materials while you are out adventuring, you don’t have to stop and visit a
Trading Post in town at inconvenient times.
You can also send crafting materials directly to your personal Bank. Selecting
the “Collectible” option removes the item from your inventory and shifts it
to your Bank. Once you’re at the Bank, choose the “Collections” option to The Contact Page has a listing for several types of social groups that you’re
access your materials. The collections are organized by the type of material a party of.
and rarity. You can also look through your selection of minis here.
> FRIENDS: Allows you to invite people to be your friends;also shows friends
you’ve made and whether they’re online, which region they’re in, and their
achievement totals
> LOOKING FOR GROUP: Helps you find allies for more difficult events
and dungeon runs
> FOLLOWERS: Lists people who have added you to their friends list but
you have not yet added as a friend.
> BLOCKED: Allows you to type in names of people you don’t want to hear
from anymore; it also keeps a tally of the players you’ve blocked
Use the friends list to keep track of people you really enjoy playing with in
Guild Wars 2. The system tracks your friends by account, so even someone
who creates alts constantly can be kept track of.
Hopefully you won’t have to do much blocking. That’s reserved for times
when someone is hassling you or trying to grief your character. Type their
name in and block the player’s account. You can always change your mind
later and unblock the person if you think the trouble has passed.
64
MAIL
T H E I N T E R FA C E
The primary way to send money and equipment between characters is to use the mail system. This is accessible from anywhere in the world, so you don’t
have to go and “check your mail” to get the items involved. Also, there isn’t an appreciable transit time, so you can get things to friends without any delay.
Just type in the name of your recipient and drag items from your inventory into the mail (or right-click on them and add the items to the letter; that’s
easier). Type a subject line and message to let people know what’s going on, and then send the mail when you’re done. It’s pretty darn simple.
BLACK LION TRADING COMPANY O

If you’re just trying to send a short message, you can also
The Gem Store is next. That’s where you go to buy and sell gems, and
/whisper to a person to communicate with them directly.
purchase all sorts of rewards. Gems are the micro-transaction currency in
This is easier than mail if the subject is short.
Guild Wars 2. These go toward helping the developers maintain the game,
Example: /whisper Emil [tab] AFK for a few minutes.
and you get all sorts
of goodies for playing
with them. Because
this is somewhat
Messages for you arrive in your inbox. These can be from your buddies,
involved, we’ll talk
the Trading Post, or grateful NPCs. Clicking on a given letter allows you to
more about it later in
remove its contents. You can also choose to reply to the sender, return the
the chapter.
materials to the sender, or delete the letter.
In short, the first tab is
Note that at this time, you cannot mail letters to yourself (either your
where you find the rewards that are purchased with gems. The second tab is
current character or alts). If you want to pass materials between your
the Currency Exchange, and that’s the place where you buy or sell gems.
characters, use your Bank.
This is also how you get to the Trading Post (to buy or sell items), and where
you can look over your transactions and collect profit and purchases.
65
PVP HINTS
The Hints page lets you search for topics on a variety of game systems. Type
in something you’d like to know more about and watch the system shift the
text below around to show what you’re looking for. If there are any terms or
concepts that you hear about and don’t understand, just come here to find
out more about them.
OPTIONS MENU
Go to this when you
want to modify your
game’s graphics, sound,
and controls. There
are also some very
interesting gameplay
Guild Wars 2 has a clear separation between content against the world toggles in here. Many of
and its monsters (Player versus Environment) and content against other these settings are a matter of personal preference, but we’ll still mention a
players (Player versus Player). When you want to step into PvP, go to few of the choices.
your Hero window and click on the PvP tab. PvP is very challenging and
exciting. It’s best if you learn the basics of Guild Wars 2 before delving into Double-Tap to Evade should be checked for most players. It’s a very useful
this area of competition! way to avoid danger.
Auto Targeting is player-specific. Some players like to attack and let the
game figure out which monster they were going after. This option is good
for them. Players who want extremely specific targeting should leave this
off. If you find that you’re shooting the wrong targets or starting fights you
didn’t intend to get into, switch this off.
Autoloot should almost always be checked. This lets you loot corpses very
quickly. It’s essential in groups when people don’t want to wait around.
If you have a sluggish framerate, make sure to set your options and possibly
your resolution down a tad. It’s more important to have a smooth framerate
if you want to ensure maximum effectiveness in combat, and a more
enjoyable game experience.
GAME MENU ESCAPE

The Game Menu has a number of additional options to alter your gameplay
in Guild Wars 2. This is also the place that you go to edit your account, log
out of the game, or quit your session outright.
GAME MENU CHOICES

SELECTION FUNCTION
Return to Game Closes the window
Options Brings up the options menu
Edit Account Loads the account webpage in your browser

The control tab has bindings for your keyboard and mouse. Modify these
Returns you to the load-in screen (this is the best option for
Log Out
switching characters)
until they suit your playstyle perfectly. You’re going to be putting a lot of
hours into this game; there’s no reason to play with the default layout unless
Exit to Desktop Takes you back to your desktop
you absolutely love it.
66
GAME MECHANICS
Movement
MOVEMENT
Movement is quite simple and intuitive in Guild
Wars 2. It’s handled in the same way as many other
games of its type, so veterans of other online games
will take to it quickly.
Look through the key bindings and make sure you’re

happy with the settings as they stand. You need to
have a layout that lets you move forward, backward,
strafe left, and strafe right as easily as possible. Some
people turn left and right with their keyboards as
well, though we recommend you handle that with
your mouse instead. Let your keyboard hand control
the direction of movement, while your mouse
hand adjusts your view (and thus the orientation
of your character).
This makes it easier to dodge to either side when

facing an enemy. Strafing is a powerful defensive
option for avoiding ranged attacks and abilities. If
your settings allow dodging by double-tapping your
movement keys, this is even better. Double-tap while
strafing to leap out of the way from incoming enemy
attacks that would otherwise hit you hard. Any time
you see an enemy charging up before an attack, get
ready to dodge!
“Endurance regenerates quickly. Don’t be afraid to dodge roll!”
—Peter Larkin
MOVING AND ATTACKING

Many games don’t let you use your best attacks while moving around.
Characters have to plant their feet and spend time casting their spells or using
their powers. Guild Wars 2 breaks from that mold and lets you use the vast
majority of your skills while running at full speed. This opens the way for more
tactical and involved combat. You can get away with fighting some monsters
in a traditional way; walk up, hit them with your weapons, and wait for them
to die. But smarter enemies (like centaurs) are going to run circles around your
heroes, making it harder to win if you wait for a standup fight.
Other players are even more likely to take advantage of this. They’ll try to
avoid your best attacks, run around behind your character, and use abilities
to slow or disrupt your movement while seeking every opportunity to cut
you down.
Fight fire with fire! Learn to attack while you’re on the move so it’s harder
to nail your character with ground-targeted skills, charged attacks, and so
forth. Combine this with dodging so you can string melee enemies along
and force them to waste time catching your hero. Every second that an
enemy can’t attack is time that you get to keep your health at full.
67
“Don’t stand in red circles, bad things happen.” JUMPING
—Hugh Norfolk
WHAT IS DODGING?
Yes, you can jump in Guild Wars 2! Keep this key bound near your
movement hand so it’s easy to jump while moving. It’s often possible to leap
up rocky inclines by jumping repeatedly and looking for a climbable path.
Try this out to cut down on travel time or to enter areas from an angle that
gives you an advantage over the players or monsters guarding it.
We’ve mentioned dodging already, so let’s talk about what this command
actually does. Dodging is a sudden roll in any direction. You can use the
dodge key and a movement key together to determine the direction,
or simply double-tap where you want to dodge. This fast evasion requires
UNDERWATER
endurance (there’s a bar for that above your health, at the bottom of
the screen).
ENVIRONMENTS
There are quite a
Dodging is incredibly powerful. Avoiding major attacks isn’t the only few lakes and rivers
thing it does. You can dodge through groups of enemies while fleeing in Guild Wars 2, and
to give yourself time your heroes can even
to escape. Some swim in the ocean.
characters learn attack Down in the depths
abilities that trigger are hidden treasures,
when they dodge, so monsters, and events
it can be an offensive you can uncover if you
option as well. aren’t afraid to swim around and look for them. Air isn’t an issue because
Endurance regenerates all characters have items that allow them to survive indefinitely while
automatically, so you submerged. You only have to worry about monsters!
don’t lose anything by dodging. It won’t tax your attack skills or cause
your character to slow down or be exposed afterward. Each hero is allowed to equip one or two types of underwater weapons.
These have different attack skills than your terrestrial weapons, so it takes
Endurance is meant to be used, so use it well! Dodge backward when an time, practice, and kills to unlock and master these new techniques.
ettin comes in for a heavy pounding. Dodge to the side when a centaur Elementalists have different spells when they’re underwater, because their
lancer tries to knock you back. Dodge forward through a ranger’s AoEs and abilities interact with
get that much closer to your quarry while avoiding their attacks. the water around
them. It’s really
By default, your hero can dodge twice in a row before depleting his or her awesome to watch,
endurance. It then takes a short time to let your endurance regenerate so don’t be shy about
before you can make even a single dodge. There are boons that increase the jumping in and trying
rate of your endurance regenerations, while conditions can slow the rate things out.
too. Expect to see these much more often in PvP matches than in most
fights against monsters. Slowing players’ movement and stopping them While swimming, you
from dodging is incredibly useful for controlling a fight. Hit people with need to move three-dimensionally. The normal motion keys work as they
attacks that apply frozen or cripple to your victim to do this. Weakness is do on land, but jumping causes you to swim up. Angle your character down
also a major factor in stopping enemy dodging. and move forward to descend.
Characters can still dodge when they’re underwater, so keep that in mind
while you’re fighting. Don’t let yourself fall into the “stand and fight”
mentality, because it’s a major weakness against most enemies.
68
GAME MECHANICS
Exploring the World
E X P LO R I N G T H E W O R L D
Tyria is a big place, and you can
spend days exploring it while
only finding a portion of what
it has to offer. Guild Wars 2
rewards exploration in a variety
of ways. You get experience for
finding new places, but that
isn’t the only benefit. Explore
to find additional skill points so
your character becomes more
complex and more flexible
in handling battle. Look for
materials to harvest so you or
your friends can craft new items.
Or, wander the world for the
sheer joy of seeing new places.
Guild Wars 2 lowers your

character’s effective level if you
enter a region that is beneath
your current power. This means
you’ll never wander through
areas while ignoring all of
the monsters and challenges.
Wherever you go, there are
threats and obstacles worthy
of your attention. That makes
exploring a lot more fun. It’s
also much more dangerous, so
watch out!
READING YOUR MAP

The game map gives you a fair amount of information
to process. When you’re looking at the world map,
you can see the names of greater regions (like Kryta
or Ascalon), regional names, points of interest,
waypoints, level ranges, renown tasks, and more.
Consult the table on the next page to learn what the
map icons mean.
69
INGAME MAP ICON LEGEND
NAME ICON PURPOSE

Renown Task Marks an important event in the area
Completed Renown Task Marks an event that you have completed and cannot repeat
Waypoint A waypoint you haven’t visited
Unlocked Waypoint A waypoint you can teleport to or from for a nominal fee
Contested Waypoint A waypoint you cannot currently use because there is an event going on in that area
Undiscovered Point of Interest An interesting location on the map you haven’t yet found
Discovered Point of Interest An interesting location on the map (shows name of the location)
Skill Challenge A place where your hero can pick up a skill Point
Completed Skill Challenge Marks a skill challenge you’ve already beaten
Asura Gate Location of Asura Gate, which allows travel between major cities
Personal Story Marker Go here to continue your personal story (either its exact location or closest point in the zone)
Bank Go here to access your personal Bank or Guild Bank
Trading Post Go here to access the Trading Post to buy or sell materials
Repair Merchant Go here to repair damaged or broken equipment
Merchant Go here to sell items or buy general supplies
Armorsmith Go here to sell items or buy armor
Weaponsmith Go here to sell items or buy weapons
Leatherworking Station Go here to practice the Leatherworking craft
Huntsman’s Station Go here to practice the Huntsman craft
Artificing Station Go here to practice the Artificing craft
Weaponsmithing Station Go here to practice the Weaponsmithing craft
Jeweling Station Go here to practice the Jewelworking craft
Armorsmithing Station Go here to practice the Armorworking craft
Tailoring Station Go here to practice the Tailoring craft
Cooking Station Go here to practice the Cooking craft
Scout Talk to this NPC to find out about renown tasks in the area
Trainer Talk to this NPC to buy training manuals and re-spec your traits
Guild Registrar Talk to this NPC to create and manage a guild
Fallen Ally An NPC needing to be revived
Fallen Player A player needing to be revived
Powerful Enemy Go here to fight a strong foe
Elevator (Up, Down, Up and Down) Shows an elevator between levels
Stairs Shows stairs between levels
Cave (Entrance, Exit) Shows a cave entrance/exit
Vista An interesting location on the map that triggers a cutscene when the player interacts with it
70
GAME MECHANICS
WALKING AROUND
The most basic and common means of travel is walking around. You don’t
need mounts in Guild Wars 2 because initial exploration of an area is meant
to be challenging. Your heroes have to face monsters, avoid obstacles,
and find new areas and adventures. Along the way, you’re rewarded with
waypoints that let you
travel instantly back
to areas you’ve already
explored. So, you spend
more time up-front
learning an area, but
afterward it’s really easy
Zoom in and out with your mouse wheel to get an idea of the big picture or to get wherever you
to see just the area that your character is exploring. Level ranges are based by want to go.
region, and you can even get an idea of their progression by looking at the
surrounding maps. The easier end of a region is often the one that butts up There are ways
against lower-level neighbors. Example: The northern side of Kessex bumps to speed up your
into Queensdale, the first region for human players. Thus, the northern end of normal movement.
Kessex is going to have weaker enemies than the southern region. If you’re planning a
major exploration
For more information, highlight the hearts associated with renown tasks in run, choose skills that
each area. Even across the map, you can see the difficulty level of a task by aid your character’s
highlighting its heart. running speed (we’ll
talk about skill choices later in this chapter). Skills that grant swiftness are a
Left-click and drag the world map around to see different parts of it. Only
huge benefit if you’re trying to get around the maps at high speed. Other
areas that your character has explored will be visible. Unlocked waypoints
useful skills include banners that can be carried to aid a group’s speed, and
are used by clicking on them and teleporting to that area.
any passive trait that increases your pace.
Though unconventional, another technique for faster travel is to use your

attack abilities to jump ahead. Many characters have attacks that push them
forward quickly to close the gap against distant enemies. You can often use
these even when you don’t have a target, creating a form of simple travel
power. This won’t make a massive difference, but it’s worth doing if you’re
with a group that is bent on getting somewhere as soon as possible!
WAYPOINTS
Those waypoints we
mentioned are all over
If you need to see terrain above or below your character, use the panels on
the world. You find
the lower-right side to shift between underground, surface, and upper-level
more than a dozen of
versions of each map.
these in most regions.
The top left of the map is a measure of your map’s completion. There are They’re inside dungeons,
two main sections: the world (as a whole) and the region. Underneath each capital cities, and some
section are statistics showing how many renown tasks you’ve completed, of your story events.
waypoints you’ve opened, points of interests you’ve found, and skill
Waypoints look like diamonds on your map and minimap. All you need to
challenges you’ve beaten. To help you with this, the total number for
do to unlock one is to walk close to it. A tinkling noise sounds, and the icon
each is shown.
changes to show you’ve unlocked the area. To return to that location at any
Note that harvesting nodes don’t appear unless your character is reasonably time, open your map and click on the waypoint icon.
close to them. You can’t look at the main map and simply beeline toward
Every waypoint has its own unique name. This makes it a lot easier
whatever node you’d like. Finding the best places to mine, harvest plants,
to organize group meetings (“Everyone go to Shaemoor waypoint in
and chop down trees requires exploration. When you see rock piles, bushes,
Queensdale!”) and helps you remember where merchants are.
and trees on your map, that’s what they refer to. Harvest these by equipping
the proper tools and interacting with the nodes as your hero passes Waypoint travel usually costs money (travel within and between cities does
through each area. not). This cost is not a major burden in any way, and it goes toward maintaining
the highest standards of asuran craftsmanship in your local communities.
71
ASURA GATES
WAYPOINTS MAKE Asura Gates are swirling
YOU MONEY purple portals of
energy. They’re made
and maintained by the
asura, using radically
advanced technology.
Asura Gates are free to
use, and each pair links
two specific areas of the
This seems like a good time to world. The capital cities
connect to Lion’s Arch,
address the myth that waypoints
so that’s the game’s
cost “a lot of money.” You’ll hear
biggest hub. If you’re
some players say that, and that trying to enter a new region that isn’t anywhere close to a place you’ve explored, try going to a capital
they sometimes walk between city that’s in the same part of the world. Instead of walking across three or four regions to get where
areas to save their hard-earned you’re going, you might only have to go through one!
cash. This is a penny-wise but
Some people like to use the Asura Gates early on to visit every capital city, to unlock waypoints for future
dollar-dim argument. Sure, you travel. This tourist romp costs you nothing and is a great way to see where and how each of the races lives.
save on the initial cost of the
waypoint, but let’s look at
this closely.
WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE
Let’s say you save ten minutes
Let’s talk about the places that
jumping between maps with your make up the world of Tyria.
waypoints. These quick travel
options cost more money the
farther you go, so any travel that
CAPITAL CITIES
was shorter than that would cost There are six major cities in the
only a trivial amount of money. game right now. Each race has its
own capital city as well as a place
So you might spend several silver where everyone comes together.
(at most) to jump down to a high-
level region. Use that time to
CITY LOCATION RACES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CAPITAL
complete a single event and you’ve
paid for the trip. The rest of that Rata Sum Tarnished Coast Asura
time and any loot you get from Black Citadel Ascalon Charr
monsters while fighting is yours
Divinity’s Reach Kryta Human
to keep. It’s possible to fight while
traveling, but that’s going to make Hoelbrak Shiverpeak Mountains Norn
the trip even slower. It’s tough’ to The Grove Tarnished Coast Sylvari
keep up with the fighting and event
Lion’s Arch Tarnished Coast All races are present here
completion rate of someone who
jumps to a waypoint ahead of you. Asura Gates connect these cities so you can travel
between them without having to spend an hour
In reality, waypoints don’t cost you wandering through the wilderness to meet your
money. They MAKE you money by friends. This makes it easier to create groups of
letting you spend your time killing heroes with real-life buddies and still meet up
without needing to wait. As soon as you finish
monsters and completing events
your respective starting areas, everyone can decide
instead of walking.
on a city and meet there. Thus, you can spend
levels 2-80 with all of your friends. Awesome!
72
REGIONS POINTS OF INTEREST
Outside of the capitals, there are large regions that have their own names,
level ranges, and stories. These regions interconnect, but each has its own
map and requires loading into the area. You can’t wander back and forth
between regions seamlessly, so you need to look for gateways between the
areas. These show up as swirling circles of energy, and they’re almost always
found on the edge
of the maps. Walk
through these portals
to go between areas.
Here is a list of the

zones in Guild Wars 2,
along with their level
ranges. You’re never Each region is marked by dozens of points of interest. These are named
locked into a single area because of your racial choice or story, so it’s fun areas that have their own flavor and problems. Many of them have events
to jump back and forth between different regions to mix up the creatures your characters can participate in to make the place a bit better. Search for
you’re fighting and the stories being told. points of interest to fill up the world map, get bonus experience, and see all
that Tyria has to offer.
REGION NAME LOCATION LEVEL RANGE
Queensdale Kryta 1-15
Kessex Hills Kryta 15-25
Gendarran Fields Kryta 25-35
Harathi Hinterlands Kryta 35-45
Metrica Province Tarnished Coast 1-15
Caledon Forest Tarnished Coast 1-15
Brisban Wildlands Tarnished Coast 15-25
Bloodtide Coast Tarnished Coast 45-55
Sparkfly Fen Tarnished Coast 55-65
Timberline Falls Steamspur Mountains 50-60
Mount Maelstrom Steamspur Mountains 60-70
Plains of Ashford Ascalon 1-15
Diessa Plateau Ascalon 15-25
Fields of Ruins Ascalon 30-40
Blazeridge Steppes Ascalon 40-50
Iron Marches Ascalon 50-60
Fireheart Rise Ascalon 60-70
Wayfarer Foothills Shiverpeak Mountains 1-15
Snowden Drifts Shiverpeak Mountains 15-25
Lornar’s Pass Shiverpeak Mountains 25-40
Dredgehaunt Cliffs Shiverpeak Mountains 40-50
Frostgorge Sound Shiverpeak Mountains 70-80
Straits of Devastation Orr 70-75
Malchor’s Leap Orr 75-80
Cursed Shore Orr 80+
73
Learning About
the Skill Bar
There are 10 buttons for your
skills at the bottom of the screen.
The numbers on your keyboard
are automatically bound to
correspond to these buttons, so
you can activate your weapon and
profession skills by clicking
on those buttons OR by pressing
the appropriate button on
your keyboard.
We suggest you use your keyboard.

It’s much faster and more reactive
than changing your mouse
pointer’s position and clicking on
each skill you need. “Point and
clickers” often have a harder time
keeping up with keyboard users,
especially during intense fights. This
is most prominent in player-versus-
player engagements, though you
can still rack up more damage and
survive for longer against monsters
when you hit keys directly.
The keyboard can even be used

with ground-targeted skills. Press
the appropriate number for the
skill and when your mouse pointer
is over your target press the
number key again.
SKILL BAR ASSOCIATIONS All characters begin with the ability to learn their
weapon skills in addition to a default unlocked
NUMBERS SKILL TYPE healing skill. That means your character can have
1-5 Weapon up to six skills to use during battles as early as
level two. As you continue to adventure, utility
6 Healing
skills and other healing skills are unlocked. These
7-9 Utility fill out your profession by providing options for
survivability, increased damage, pet summoning,
10 Elite
boons, and more.
Elite skills are the most powerful ones in the game. They’re also the last slot that gets unlocked, so you
won’t have to worry about them until level 30. Most elite skills provide a powerful series of effects that
change the entire nature of a battle but can only be used once every few minutes.
74
GAME MECHANICS
SKILL BAR UNLOCKS SWITCHING SKILLS

UNLOCKED AT
SKILL SLOT
LEARNING ABOUT THE SKILL BAR

CHARACTER LEVEL
1 Automatically Unlocked
2-5 1 (But Requires Weapon Kills)
6 Automatically Unlocked
7 5
8 10
9 20
10 30
Once you’ve learned a skill, move the arrow over the pertinent skill’s slot (the healing, utility, or elite
slot). This opens a window with all of the skills you’ve learned in that field. Choose the one you want
and it’ll be installed into that slot. This works whether you’re in the Hero screen or out in the world
using the interface on the bottom.
BUYING SKILLS This isn’t a game where you choose a skill for your character and have to live with that as a major
component of play for the rest of eternity. All heroes have the ability to learn all of their skills. This
Skill points are found all over the world. They
takes time, and you have to get a considerable number of skill points to do it. However, it’s rare that
have a chevron icon when you’re searching on
you’ll be forced to use any specific skill you don’t like or don’t need.
the map, and you stumble over them in all sorts
of locations. Complete the skill challenges at each You might be
location to grab a point for your character. These confused at first,
are spent in the Hero screen to learn healing, because it doesn’t
utility, and elite skills. seem like there are
many skill slots. Your
weapons knock out
half of them, and that
means you only get to
choose from the other
five, right?
Well, yes and no. It’s

true that you only
You also get skill points while leveling up, so even have those five slots to play around with at any given time. But, you can switch your healing, utility,
people who haven’t explored the world yet have and elite skills around whenever your character isn’t in battle. As long as the skill in that slot has
a few points to spend here and there. Go into finished its cooldown, you can put something new in its place.
the Hero screen, highlight skills that look fun and
read about them, and then click on the ones you That means you actually get a huge pile of skills to play around with. There are 10 skills available at
want. Confirm your choices to buy these skills the beginning of each fight, and even that isn’t a real limitation. Through weapon swapping (or the
and then they’re available to you for the rest of changing of elements/tools) you get even more skills.
your career.
The system is so much deeper than it first appears. You can learn the basics in a few minutes, but
Even after reaching level 80, your hero learns mastering the skill system takes genuine work and love.
more about him- or herself and about the world.
Experience at that lofty height still goes onto
your bar, eventually leading to new “levels” that
grant free skill points. You won’t rise above the
level cap, but these points let you learn new skills
or buy items that are used with the powerful
mystic forge recipes.
75
CUSTOMIZE YOUR SKILL BAR FOR THE TASK AT HAND
All of this comes together when you start figuring out times and places for each skill. Something that seems awesome when you’re soloing in the wilderness
might stink in a dungeon group. The same situation might make another skill go from being tepid to saving the lives of your entire party.
Don’t slot your favorite skills and forget about the rest of the ones you’ve learned. Almost everything has an ideal use. Reconfigure your skill bar constantly, as a
matter of habit. Example: “These enemies are a pain in the rump; they have stuns and knockbacks all over the place. I need to slot something with stability.”
“Don’t be fooled; any class can be very durable and/or very fragile.”
—Hugh Norfolk
Think about what you’re facing during each event, dungeon, and encounter. Changing skills can turn battles from defeat into victory.
76
GAME MECHANICS
Weapon Selection and Use
WEAPON SELECTION AND USE

During your
travels, you meet
some people and
monsters that
don’t quite agree
with you. This
causes fights
from time
to time, so
be ready to
defend yourself.
CHOOSE A WEAPON WHICH SKILLS CAN I USE?

All professions have a selection of weapons they’re allowed to equip. If your Look in your Hero
profession can’t use a given type of weapon, it’s thoroughly useless to you screen, go to the skills
(and will have red text in its description to let you know why the weapon area, and view weapon
won’t equip). skills. This window
shows you the skills
for your profession
based on every
weapon type you can
equip. It also tells you more about each skill and whether it’s unlocked for
your hero.
UNLOCKING WEAPON SKILLS

Your characters start
with only one skill
for each weapon
If your profession can use a weapon, right-click on the item in your inventory type. This is always
and choose to equip it. Or, go into your Hero screen and double-click on the an autoattack that
weapon in question on the left side of the panel. Weapons and armor that are doesn’t have a
level- and profession-allowable for your character show up there. cooldown or cost
of any sort. You can
The weapon or weapons you currently have equipped are what determine
wail away with your
skill slots 1-5 on the bottom of your screen. Two-handed weapons have
autoattack until the cows come home. However, these attacks don’t have
five skills each. Single-handed weapons have two or three each, so your
many particular strengths.
five skills are determined by the combination of skills on your primary and
secondary weapons.
77
To get more skills, kill enemies with each weapon
group. Every kill counts toward your total, and
soon more and more skills begin to open up.
These go in order from two to five. In the case
where you’re dual wielding, primary weapon
skills are always unlocked before the secondary
weapon’s skills have a chance.
TO BE FAIR
Weapon swapping is similar to dodging in that

new players won’t take as much advantage of
it as they will later on. Advanced players learn
Only targets that are worth
their weapons so well that they can use multiple
experience count toward unlocking
attacks from one weapon and then switch to the
weapon skills. Don’t beat on rabbits second set to exploit the advantages gained by
and hope to learn anything from it. their early attacks. They effectively have access to
ten weapon skills at a time!
Even if you don’t master that level of weapon switching, consider a basic layout where you have a
ranged weapon and a melee weapon. If enemies run away from you or are throwing down too many
The best way to learn new skills is to go to a AoE attacks, break out your ranged weapon and punish them. When the monsters catch up to you,
lower-level region and kill enemies with low switch to melee and burn them down.
health that are found in large groups. Packs of
wolves or schools of barracuda are good for
this, but anything will do. The faster the kills, the
sooner you get your skills. Having a group makes WEAPON RANGES
the process faster and more enjoyable because Because it’s possible to attack without an enemy
you only need to hit the target a few times for it targeted, you might be confused about weapon
to count, so you learn based off of the group’s kill ranges early on. When a character attacks an
rate rather than just your own. enemy that’s too far away, the attack automatically
misses. This can be frustrating because you might
not know your exact weapon range until you’ve
SWAPPING worked with the weapon for a good while.
WEAPONS That’s why it’s important to look at your skill bar. Each button at the bottom of the screen is shown in
red when there isn’t a viable target selected within range. These turn yellow when you acquire a target.
Once you get past the first few levels, most Use this as a way to figure out what is and what isn’t inside your weapon’s attack range.
professions unlock a second set of weapon slots;
engineers and elementalists do not, due to their Not all skills have the same range,
existing variety of attacks. even on the same weapon type
for the same profession! Watch
Put a complementary set of weapons into the differences to learn which skills
these slots and then use the tilde key (“~”), you can use farther off.
or whatever key you bind, to switch between
these sets. There isn’t a cooldown for this if Some “melee” weapons have
you’re outside of battle. During fights there is ranged attacks, so don’t assume
a cooldown, though it gets better as you level that a greatsword is a close-range
through traits you choose. weapon for all professions
at all times. In fact, mesmers use
greatswords as ranged weapons exclusively. They’re better at maximum range than they
are up close.
78
GAME MECHANICS
Hunting Monsters
HUNTING MONSTER S
It’s hard to be a hero
without fighting a few
monsters, eh? There
are plenty of them in
Tyria, so it’s essential
to learn how to fight.
Melee, missile attacks,
magic, and healing are
all a part of this. Most
importantly, you need
to use your head and
think about what you’re
doing. Mindless killing
won’t get you very far!
BASIC COMBAT
Select a target by left-clicking on it or using one of the targeting keys, such
as “Tab.” Make sure the monster doesn’t sound too tough for your hero to
handle, and then press one of your weapon skill buttons once you’ve closed
to an appropriate range.
At first, you won’t know which skills to use and in what order. That’s fine.
For easy fights, your hero will be safe even if he or she uses skills awkwardly.
Weak single enemies can’t kill you without a lot of luck. Only veteran and champion enemy units pose a threat by themselves, and you won’t face any of
them until you know more about your profession and its skills.
But as you start to fight and kill monsters, think about what order of attacks is the most effective.
For example, if you use attacks that make your enemy vulnerable, they’ll take more damage from the
remainder of your skills. So, it’s good to hit enemies with vulnerability early in a fight.
> Don’t tap your autoattack button repeatedly. It’s unnecessary because your character automatically continues
to move through his or her autoattack sequence as long as it’s active and there is a target in range.
“Don’t be afraid to swap out your utilities and major traits to prepare for
a difficult fight. You can change them any time you’re out of combat.”
—Peter Larkin
79
Our profession write-ups help you by discussing all of the weapon skills and how they relate to each If you have a ranged weapon, don’t let enemies
other. Even without those, you should be comfortable exploring each attack. Highlight skills with your get close to you. Run to the side to stay at full
mouse, read the information about those attacks, and try them out on their own to see the specific speed, and go in a circle around your victims
damage numbers and effects that pop up. Trial and error can still teach you a huge amount about how while slamming the fools with cripple, frozen, or
to play your character well. immobilization to prevent them from reaching
you. When they do, use attacks that stun,
launch, or knock around the monsters and then
GROUP TARGETING continue the game.
When you’re the melee character, use the same

techniques to prevent enemies from doing that
to your hero. Keep the victims slow or immobile
so your best close-range attacks hit home every
time. Don’t let mobile enemies like centaurs have
fun at your expense.
SKILL TIMINGS
Because there aren’t macros in Guild Wars 2, you can’t make a simple assist routine and have the rest of
your party attack the same target all of the time. It takes more skill to stay on the right enemies in this
game. That said, you still have a tool to help alert group members when you have an important enemy As you use more and more skills, you may notice
targeted. Use “Control + T” to send an alert to the group. They can then press “T” to instantly change to that some of them activate in different ways.
the target you want them to kill. A skill might activate instantly, during a short
animation, or the ability could be channeled for
This isn’t important in most events or small fights. Save it for dungeon groups when you’re facing several seconds. Learn the difference between
extremely dangerous enemies. Assign an experienced player to call out the targets that are going to these so you know when to use each skill to
go down first, and then everyone can focus their damage output on those enemies. Killing individual its fullest.
enemies quickly is a very important way to mitigate extreme damage output or disruptive abilities.
GETTING UP TO SPEED
Once you figure out the basics of combat, start using your abilities while on the move. Because most
skills can be used while mobile, your character shouldn’t have to stand still very often. Use that to
your advantage, because many of the world’s
monsters have attacks that force them to
stand still. Run around behind moas, ettins,
basilisks, and similar enemies that blast
whatever is in front of them. Dodge heavy
attacks and come back swinging. With
practice, it’s possible to avoid many of the
heaviest attacks in your enemy’s lineup.
“Pay attention to your enemy’s animations. You can predict some

devastating attacks by watching for cues from your opponent.”
—Peter Larkin
80
GAME MECHANICS
INSTANT SKILLS NORMAL SKILLS

> >
HUNTING MONSTER S
You can move, dodge, or use other skills Your character can move and activate these skills, but dodging disrupts them.
while activating these.
The average skill isn’t as flexible as those instants. They take a moment to animate, and during that
time you can’t use other abilities. Pressing the buttons for them just queues the next skill your hero will
try to use. Your hero can move normally without disrupting these skills, but dodging will cancel them
(and put the skill onto a short cooldown if it was in progress). The majority of attacks and healing skills
fall into this category.
Skills that activate instantly start their cooldown

as soon as you touch them. Signets are a great
example of these abilities. You can toss them
out at any moment, making them great reaction
abilities. “I need some damage NOW.” Hit the
signet. “Crud, I’m stunned.” Hit the signet to break
out of that.
Instant skills have massive advantages because

they can even be used while you’re in the middle
of other attacks. You can be channeling one skill,
see an opportunity, and then exploit that with
your instant abilities without having to cancel
anything. Pretty cool, indeed!
HEALING PRECEDENCE
Attack skills won’t overwrite each other. As we said, if you hit one skill while a first one is animating,
the second ability queues up and triggers as soon as the first one finishes. However, there is an
exception. Most healing abilities have precedence and try to activate as soon as you hit them.
Your current attack disengages and the healing skill tries to activate as soon as it possibly can.
CHANNELED SKILLS
> Even normal movement might disrupt a channeled skill.
Abilities that take a few seconds to complete show a progress bar at the bottom of your screen.
You can’t use other non-instant skills while channeling them, and you might not be able to move
around without disrupting your ability. Test each
channeled skill you have to find out whether you
can move while using it. Disrupted channeled
skills enter their full cooldown phase because
you technically were using the skill already, even
though you didn’t get the full benefit from it.
Unlike normal skills, you can shift into other

attacks at almost any time while channeling. If
you hit the new attack skill, your channeled ability ends and the new attack triggers. Autoattacks often
work this way. They act like a channeled ability until another attack gets precedence.
81
HIGHERLEVEL MONSTERS SINGLETARGET KILLING
> Is easier to do, is more reliable, and puts one enemy out of the fight quickly.
> Can be done by almost any character.
> Is safer.
AREAOFEFFECT FIGHTING
> Has more risk, but offers faster experience gain and more money per hour.
> Requires a loadout of skills capable of hitting multiple targets.
> Can be quite a bit of fun.
This game’s dynamic level adjustment system levels you down to deal with
easier content. That way, nothing gets stale or imbalanced just because
you’re over-leveled for a region. However, that won’t protect you from
facing high-level enemies if you explore areas before your time.
Look at monsters before you fight them, and be very careful if the targets
are more than three levels above you. Things hit extremely hard when
they’re higher level. Two heroes working together can combat this fairly
well, and a full party can do even better. Even five heroes shouldn’t try to
attack an area where the enemies are six or more levels above your people.
Incoming damage gets so high that characters are downed constantly,
and people won’t have as much fun. It’s good to challenge yourself, but be
careful not to take it too far! It doesn’t take long to explain single-target methods. Find enemies, attack
them, and kill them with whatever does the most damage. Heal when you
need to restore health, and run if you bite off more than you can chew.
SINGLETARGET KILLING Your goal should be to attack only an enemy or two at a time because extra
targets just mean you’ll take more damage over the course of the fight.
VS. AOEs AoE characters and groups have a different way of looking at the world.
At its most simple level, you have two ways to deal with groups of enemies. They’re trying to find clusters of enemies that are quite large. You want
Single out the weakest target, kill it, and move on to the next weakest enemy. areas where there are groups of enemies within short range of each other.
Or, try to take out everything at once with area-of-effect attacks. Both of It’s best if the enemies use melee attacks, which makes them easier to
these are viable methods, so it’s wise to look at the pros and cons of each. group together. You and any allies stay almost on top of each other, and
that brings the foes together. Then, use as many AoEs as you have to kill
everything in a blaze of glory.
When working with an AoE group, you can assign specific characters to
different roles. A common trick is to have a ranged character ignore the
AoE damage output and spend his or her time pulling enemies over to the
group. This puller wants to have the longest range possible, and it’s better if
he or she is experienced enough to know when to stop grabbing enemies.
Ideally, you want to learn both methods of killing so you can switch
between them at leisure. When you face lots of mobile enemies, use
single-target methods. If the area has groups of enemies, it’s AoE time. Use
techniques that fit the event and area at hand.
At its most simple level, you have two ways to deal with groups of enemies.
Single out the weakest target, kill it, and move on to the next weakest
enemy. Or, try to take out everything at once with area-of-effect attacks.
Both of these are viable methods, so it’s wise to look at the pros and
cons of each.
82
GAME MECHANICS
WHICH PROFESSIONS ARE
HUNTING MONSTER S
THE “BEST” FOR AOE GROUPS?
While evacuating the area, look ahead and see if there are pockets of
aggressive monsters. Avoid those even if it means slowing down a little,
because you can’t afford to attract even more enemy attention when you’re
already in trouble. Running into friendly NPCs is a good thing, whenever
The answer is, “All of them!” Every profession has weapons possible, because they can help to distract your pursuers.
and skills that are well suited for area-of-effect fighting—melee
Don’t run through real players. It’s considered bad form; if the people want
characters, ranged characters, casters, and brutes alike. Two-
to help, they’ll come on their own. If they don’t, you really shouldn’t make
handed weapons are usually superior for this because of their their fights any worse because of your failed battle.
increased swing range/attack radius. Look at greatswords,
hammers, staves, and longbows. This isn’t a hard and fast rule,
but it’s a good place to start. TETHERING
EVAC!
No matter how good
you are at this game,
there will come a time
when things go wrong.
You might take on
too many enemies,
or attack something
that’s way too tough for your level, skill loadout, etc. If you watch the action The good news is that enemies won’t chase you for too long. All foes have
closely, it’s possible to see the way things are going before it’s too late to do an area they consider home, and they won’t want to stray too far from
something about it. it. The farther away you get, the safer you’ll be. Don’t run in a circle while
trying to shake enemies off your back. Not only is this foolish since the
This is why it’s good to have at least one skill for getting out of trouble.
enemies catch up sooner, but it’s also not going to cause them to tether.
Many professions have things that give them greatly reduced damage taken
for a short time. Damage immunity is even better! Hit these skills once Players who kill enemies from range should remember this too. You have to
you know things are going south and then run in the opposite direction stay close to the enemies’ home while killing them over time because you
from the majority of enemy combatants. When your damage reduction/ won’t want them to tether. Enemies that head home will heal themselves to
immunity falls, start to use your dodges in the direction you’re already full health very quickly, and that’s always a shame when you put in the time
heading. This helps to avoid a few ranged attacks and anything swung by to kick them around in the first place.
your closest pursuers. After your endurance is out, make sure you don’t
have a target and then use any skills that cause your character to charge
ahead. Lacking those, use skills with swiftness to get an edge.
83
GETTING AGGRO
“Getting Aggro” is what people often say when
they talk about getting a monster’s attention. In a
group, you want the person with the best armor
and health to have aggro as often as possible. This
reduces the amount of damage coming at the party
because that character is better able to mitigate the
damage. It’s also beneficial because that character
is prepared for the damage, so he or she will be
fighting with a higher number of defensive skills.
Getting aggro isn’t always a simple process. Guild

Wars, as a series, is known for having a very
interesting aggro system. Proximity to the monsters
and damage output are the two biggest factors
in aggro generation. Monsters like to attack closer
targets first! This is NOT common in other games,
despite the fact that it’s very intuitive. Any character that is supposed to tank and get aggro should be at the front and ready to attack enemies as soon as
they approach.
Characters that are reviving fallen allies get extra aggro. Be aware of this before you try to revive someone when your health is already low. It’s usually better
to finish off targets and then save your friends. Besides, they might rally off of the slain enemies.
COMBOS AND COMBO FINISHERS

Some skills have Combo Fields or Combo Finishers in their descriptions. At
first, you’re probably confused by these. What do they mean?
Combo abilities place some type of effect in an area. For instance, you
might put up a field of smoke with a skill. That field affects some types of
skills that pass through it. Enemy projectiles that pass through smoke end
up missing as if the attacker had been blinded. Isn’t that awesome!
These can be offensive or defensive. A field of fire helps your side’s ranged
attackers. Their projectiles catch on fire and end up burning enemies that
are struck. See the table to get an idea what types of combos are possible.
FIELD MULTIPROJECTILE PROJECTILE LEAP SELF BLAST AOE WHIRL

Fire 20% Burning 100% Burning Self Fire Aura AoE Might Fire Bolts
Water 20% Regen 100% Regen Heal Self AoE Heal Water Bolts
Lightning 20% Vulnerability 20% Vulnerability Self Shocking Aura AoE Swiftness AoE Sparks
Ice 20% Freeze 100% Freeze Self Frost Aura AoE Frost Aura Ice Bolts
Poison 20% Poison 100% Poison Weakness after hit AoE Weakness Poison Bolts
Smoke 20% Blind 100% Blind Stealth after hit AoE Stealth Smoke Bolts
Light 20% Removal 100% Removal Self Retaliation AoE Retaliation Light Bolts
Dark 20% Lifesteal 100% Lifesteal Blind Target AoE Blind Dark Bolts
Chaos 20% Confusion 20% Confusion Daze target on next hit AoE Daze Chaos Bolts
84
USING CONDITIONS AND POSITIONAL ABILITIES

AGAINST YOUR FOES
HUNTING MONSTER S
Direct damage isn’t always the way to go. Some enemies have a huge amount of armor, or they have so much health that you need to keep your damage
output high for more than a short burst. Conditions give you a way to deal with these situations. Use poison to hurt enemies over time while damaging
their ability to heal themselves. Bleeding doesn’t do much up front, but stack a dozen bleeds on someone and watch him take constant damage.
Look at your profession’s abilities and see if there’s anything you can gain from adding conditions to your attacks. Not all of these options are found in your
weapon skills. Make sure to look at your utility slots and traits as well. Many professions have the option to add conditions to their critical hits; if you’re a
character with a high precision, this is a wonderful way to make yourself deadlier without any change in playstyle.
CONDITIONS STATUS EFFECTS

EFFECT WHAT IT DOES EFFECT WHAT IT DOES
Bleed Damage over time, highly stackable Daze Prevents the enemy from using abilities
Underwater effect that causes you to lose control of
Blind Enemies miss their next attack Float movement and skills while also rising
Burning Damage over time Immobilize Locks victims in place, though they can still act
Confuse Targets lose health if they use their skills Knockback Throws the target away from the attacker
Cripple Slows the target Knockdown Knocks the victim to the ground
Fear Causes the victim to flee uncontrollably Launch Launches the target into the air
Frozen Slows targets and increases their cooldown times Pull Brings an enemy over to your character
Damage over time and reduces the effectiveness of Underwater effect that causes you to lose control of
Poison healing Sink movement and skills while also descending
Vulnerability Reduces the target’s defense Stun Stops movement and actions for a brief period
Slows endurance regeneration and causes fumble * Note that traits and effects that add to conditions only affect actual conditions
Weakness (which reduces damage of non-critical attacks) (and not status effects).
85
It’s a lot to take in, POSITIVE POSITIONAL EFFECTS
isn’t it? All of these
EFFECT WHAT IT DOES
effects are powerful
and useful, so you Leap/Charge Moves quickly toward your target
have to learn when
Retreat Causes your character to move backward suddenly
and where to use each.
Teleport/
The simple version is Instantly moves you to the target’s position
Shadowstep
to group them into
general categories.
Bleed, poison, confuse, and burning are on the damaging side. Use them
for faster kills. Blind, daze, fear, knockback, knockdown, launch, and stun are
for crowd control; they mitigate enemy damage in various ways and keep
your hero safe. Cripple, frozen, and immobilize are for inhibiting movement,
when you want to control your enemy and determine where a fight occurs.
Use the effects that accentuate your playstyle. Crowd control is for safety,
for you and your allies. Movement inhibiting lets you kite enemies around
and kill them slowly but surely. The deadly abilities simply let you bring
down targets as soon as possible.
BOONS, BUFFS, POSITIVE Vigor, protection, and regeneration raise hero survivability in a long-term
way. They reduce the chance of your death out in the field, but they don’t
POSITIONAL EFFECTS offer sudden protection against spikes in enemy damage. Invulnerability is
what you need for that. Abilities with invulnerability are excellent for getting
Boons are the opposite of conditions. They make your hero more effective out of trouble.
for a short duration. Buffs are effects that assist your character and give him
or her an edge over enemies. Things that improve your character’s boons do Fury and might are your damage dealers. They raise critical rates and direct
not contribute toward buffs. damage, respectively, and they are both quite important for offensive
characters. These boons help melee, missile, and magic equally, so every
BOONS attacker wants them.
EFFECT WHAT IT DOES Leap, retreat, swiftness, and teleport are positional effects that help you in
Aegis Blocks the next incoming attack getting to or away from enemies. They’re superb for kiting and anti-kiting, so
slow-killing ranged characters or melee-only heroes should use them often.
Fury 20% critical chance
Might Raises power (increasing all types of damage output)
Raises defense (decreasing incoming damage)

ITEMS THAT HELP YOUR CHARACTER
Protection
If you’re looking for another type of boon, seek items that provide long-
Regeneration Restores health over time
lasting bonuses for your hero. Many karma items (and some that are
Retaliation Reflect damage back at the attacker bought with gems)
give your character
Swiftness Improves movement speed by 33%
an hour of increased
Vigor Increased endurance regeneration potential. They may
help your might, add
protection, or increase
BUFFS
the rate of magical
EFFECT WHAT IT DOES item drops,
Invisibility Hides your character from sight for example.
Invulnerability Damage immunity for a short time To get items with karma, talk to the NPCs that give you renown tasks after
Quickness All actions and animations are twice as fast
completing your work. These people often offer rewards, including such
things as karma-purchasable items and boons. Very nice!
You can’t be affected by positional abilities, such as
Stability Launch, Knockback, etc.
Or, look at the Gem Store to find these and see if any of them interest you.
They can be quite powerful.
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GAME MECHANICS
Character Traits
CHAR ACTER TR AITS

Each profession
has five lines of
traits. Characters
don’t start getting
trait points until
level 11, and after
that they get one
every level until
capping at 80. This
means you end
up with 70 points
for traits and
can spread them
around however
you wish.
Thus, your trait choices make a huge impact on the type of character
you’re playing. Because of the way other games in the genre work, players
will initially think that characters are defined entirely by their profession.
“Warriors are really tough because they have heavy armor. Elementalists
are squishy.”
The thing is, that’s not always the case. Playstyle, equipment choices, and
trait selections can turn these preconceived notions on their heads. You
can make a warrior with damage that a thief and elementalist would drool
over, but you’re going to pay for it one way or another. By the same token,
it’s easy to make hardy and survivable characters regardless of the base
Each trait line has 30 points to unlock. Go to your profession trainer and armor in any profession.
buy a book to unlock the first tier (that covers 10 points of traits in every
line). At levels 40 and 60 you have to come back and get new books to
reach the second and then final set of traits.
Because of this system, you’re forced to spread trait points around during
your early leveling. That’s good, since you won’t know what works best for
your character until you’ve played around with a little bit of everything.
Though the trait lines are profession-specific, there is a general style to

them. Three of the lines focus more on damage output, while one centers
around healing, and another is for outright survivability. Characters that go
after all three damage lines end up being horrifically destructive. They’re
also made of paper and can drop quickly in a fight that goes the wrong way.
Those with a heavy investment in healing and survival can take much more
damage, even if they’re wearing lighter armor.
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TRAIT SELECTION WHILE LEVELING
If you don’t have a strong notion of what to do with your character while leveling, consider an aggressive configuration. Though slightly harder to play at
first, characters with the bonus power, precision, and critical damage from offensive traits can kill faster. This leads to higher income, slightly faster leveling,
and the ability to finish most events quickly.
The trade-off is that you die more than hardier characters, and challenging events may be impossible to solo (whereas a really tough character might be able
to beat the same content after ten minutes of trying).
But that’s just our suggestion, if you don’t have an idea what you want. If you know that healing and group support are important to you, then put points in
your healing line. You’ll still be able to kill enemies and win the day. Nobody is a backline healer in Guild Wars 2; the choices just define what abilities you are
best at using. You’re still going to use everything at your disposal.
RESETTING YOUR TRAITS

Your profession trainers, found in all of the capital cities, can reset your trait
choices. This costs a modest amount of coin, based on your character level.
Don’t do this on a whim. Consider what you really want and see if there is
a change you’d like to make. Try out your planned traits in the PvP lobby
before dedicating to anything. That way you get free testing before making
any final decisions.
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GAME MECHANICS
Equipment and
E Q U I P M E N T A N D V I S UA L C U S TO M I Z AT I O N
Visual Customization
Your character is
able to mitigate
incoming damage
by having good
armor. Good
weapons help
you deal damage
to enemies and
have access to
a wide array of
attacks. That’s all
rather obvious,
so let’s talk
about the more
subtle aspects
of equipment
collecting.
ITEM LEVEL AND RARITY EQUIPMENT COLOR AND RARITY

RARITY COLOR GENERAL STATS
Everything you look for in Guild Wars 2 is going to be defined by its
level range, rarity, and stats. The level range is the easiest to understand. Basic White 85%
Equipment (whether Blue
Fine 100%
we’re talking about
weapons, armor, or Masterwork Green 105%
accessories) can only Yellow
Rare 110%
be used once your
hero reaches a minimal Exotic Orange 120%
level. That could be Purple
Legendary 120%
anything from 1 to
80. Equipment rises
in power throughout the levels, so something that’s ideal at level 15 will
be weaker at 20 and darn near useless if you’re still holding onto it at 36!
That’s because enemies get tougher as you level, and having access to level-
appropriate gear is the way to counter these new challenges.
Equipment rarity gives you a quick idea of how good an item is for its
actual level. Items of equal level but varying rarity have a substantial
difference in their stats. This isn’t as big a jump as you’d see in most games
from this genre, but it’s still important to try and find better equipment
whenever you can.
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This means that items of the same level will be substantially better if you make sure to find versions of higher rarity. Fine items are the baseline. They’re easily
purchased or found while exploring and killing enemies. They don’t cost much to get from the Trading Post, and you can always commission something
better from a crafter.
Getting masterwork items (the green ones) gives you a little more power. If you look at the equipment closely, you’ll see that a green item is often three or
four levels stronger in terms of stats when compared to a blue. Don’t fall into the trick of going by color rather than stats. Some people deck themselves out
in green or yellow gear and then don’t bother looking at blues that drop. If your yellow gear is ten levels old, those blues are probably on par or better than
what you have!
Don’t expect to find many exotic items while you’re leveling up. These pieces are quite hard to find, and their value is considerable. Even if you find one,
think about whether it’s worth keeping. Selling these pieces on the Trading Post can net you a substantial amount of money.
SPECIFIC STATS
So you found an item your character can use, that is level appropriate, and it
has a decent rarity. Does that mean you’ve found the perfect fit? Well, maybe
not. There’s still the issue of the stats on the item. If you found a piece with
bonus healing and toughness, you might not be as happy as if you found the
same item with power and precision. It’s all about the focus of your character.
Going after specific stats is important if you want your character to be

exceptional at a given type of play. Jack of all trades characters can grab a bit
of everything, and they’re cool too (as long as you’re happy).
The best killers should look at maximum weapon damage, power, precision,
condition damage, and critical damage. Survivability is based on defense,
toughness, and healing.
Upgrading your items with sigils and runes that focus entirely on damage, survivability, or group utility is another way to advance your character. That’s
easier to control than what gear you find.
“Equip weapon runes to complement the weapon. For example, add a chill or cripple effect
to your melee weapon set to keep your enemy from getting away!”
—Andrew Freeman
In case you’re wondering about the difference between exotic and legendary equipment, here’s how it all works: Legendary weapons have the same basic
stats as exotic versions. However, they have a different appearance and a powerful-looking set of visual effects. These weapons are created at the mystic
forge. It takes serious time and effort to put them together, but the result is a weapon with top-notch power and serious credibility. You’ll look great
wielding them.
There aren’t legendary armor pieces, so exotic armor is the top of the line, both visually and in terms of direct power.
GETTING THE BEST GEAR

If you have loads of money, use the Trading Post for all of your acquisitions.
But most of us aren’t laden with constant cash, so there have to be other
ways, right? Here’s what you do: get a group together. Groups of players
are able to kill more enemies in the same amount of time. That means you
have more chances for magical items to drop. In addition, parties have a
hidden bonus to their drop rates, so you end up finding even more items
than if you killed the same number of enemies while soloing.
Because loot is individualized, you don’t lose anything by having allies

around. They’re getting tons of loot, and so are you. For an even better
experience, get together with friends or guild members. This raises the
chance of people hooking you up with equipment that dropped for them.
“Hey, I got this heavy armor, and I don’t need it. Do you need X?”
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GAME MECHANICS
Trading items makes the group system even more efficient. You can have The system is quite flexible, and every piece of armor has a few different
your character set up with level-appropriate items in no time, and without areas to color in. Make the hero that you see in your mind and have him or
spending a single copper. You even make money while doing it, because the her come to life.
E Q U I P M E N T A N D V I S UA L C U S TO M I Z AT I O N
group is blowing through events and monsters at a speedy clip.
GETTING NEW DYES

VISUAL MODIFICATIONS To get even more color choices, you need to find more dyes. These can be
obtained by drops in the world (called Unidentified Dyes), purchased on
“But wait,” some say.
the Gem Store, or crafted. When you purchase Dye Packs from the Gem
“I found the coolest
Store, you get a variety of common and rare dyes with one simple purchase.
armor ever, and I
This is a very good way to get more colors without spending any time.
don’t want to leave it
behind just for some
better stats.” Don’t
worry about that.
Guild Wars 2 wants
you to look your best.
There is a system in place to let you have the best of all worlds. You can
keep the look of one item and combine it with the stats of another. This is
as awesome as you’d hope.
To do it, go into the Gem Store. There are Transmutation Stones in that
section. Buy a stone that is higher level than the items you’re combining.
But don’t spend extra for one that’s too much higher; you only need it to be
equal to or above the higher item’s level. The Fine Transmutation Stones are
only needed for top tier items.
Once you have the stone, use it to take the appearance, stats, and upgrades
TOWN CLOTHES
for the two items and choose the best from each category. You end up with For another change of appearance, use the classy town clothes symbol on
the desired piece of equipment, and that’s that. These stones cost a bit, but your Hero page to switch into casual gear. Your character swaps back to
it’s not a punitive amount. combat clothing when you use the armor toggle nearby or when he or she
takes any damage.
CHANGING COLORS New sets of town clothing can be purchased at the Gem Store. The
alternatives cost a fair bit, but they’re all pretty darn cool.
If you don’t like the default coloring of your equipment, that’s modifiable
as well. Go into your Hero screen and look for the eyedropper above your
armor. Click on that and look at the dyes your character has unlocked. Play
around with these to change the default look of your character; the changes COLLECTING SETS
even apply if you switch armor around, so there’s no need to take time out
of adventuring every time you find an upgrade. OF EQUIPMENT
Dungeons have their own weapon and armor rewards,’ themed to match
the dungeon they come from. If you want a really stylish look, run through
the exploration mode of a dungeon enough times to get a complete suit
of armor, and then
transmute future
upgrades so your stats
stay current but your
visual appearance
retains that awesome
look you worked for.
This is more popular

with higher-level characters because they don’t upgrade equipment as
often (so they don’t have to use gems constantly to keep their gear
looking great).
“Right-click a dye to set it as a favorite so you can get to your more
commonly used dyes faster.”
—Bob Green
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Experience and Leveling
Your journey from

level 1 to 80 is going
to be adventurous,
and it’s up to you
to decide how you
go about it. Many
of Guild Wars 2’s
activities provide
experience. This
allows you to level
in a number of
different ways.
GAINING EXPERIENCE KILL XP

At any time, you can You won’t get the majority of experience by killing monsters unless you
look at the bottom of consciously decide to slow down and just slaughter for fun. This isn’t a fast
your screen and see way to advance in your profession, though it’s decent for getting treasure.
your character’s visual
progress toward the Higher-level monsters, compared to your hero, are worth more than
next level. In addition anything below your level. For maximum experience, find monsters that
to the bar that fills up have low health and are a couple levels above you. Monsters with high
as you gain experience, health, nasty condition effects, and positional attacks are the worst for
you can highlight the experience because they draw out their fights or cause you to have more
area to see the exact numbers as well. As soon as you reach the specified downtime due to low health.
number, the bar empties and the process begins anew.
Kill experience is much higher in a good group than it is while soloing. Make
sure everyone in the group is hitting each target, and watch the kills pile up.
ACTIVITIES THAT AWARD EXPERIENCE
> Killing monsters
> Exploring new areas of the map
> Daily achievements
> Finishing renown tasks and events
> Working on your character’s personal story
> Crafting items
You can also get bonus experience by buying boons from the Gem Store or
by building guild rewards that yield temporary experience boons.
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GAME MECHANICS
EXPLORATION
EXPERIENCE AND LEVELING

Uncovering new parts of the map awards experience based on your character’s current level. This
means that a high-level person gains levels just as quickly while exploring as a new character would.
You don’t have to explore high-level areas to get full credit. Anywhere your character hasn’t been will
count toward your exploration credit. Take a look around starting zones for other races for a relaxing
time. This isn’t fast for leveling, but it gets you waypoints and skill challenges, and it’s pretty fun.
DAILY ACHIEVEMENTS
Daily Achievements are awarded for a number of
activities. Completing these help your characters to level
quickly. Monster kills, kill variety, harvesting materials, and
completing events help to fulfill these goals. Even if you
can get on for only half an hour or so a day, you can make
considerable progress for your character by collecting
these rewards.
If your hero completes all of his or her daily achievements, an

additional chest of money and experience appears. Heck yeah!
EVENTS
All forms of events are worth major chunks of experience.
The best combination is to find events in the same area as a
renown task you haven’t completed. Work on both goals at
the same time to get a heavy helping of experience and loot.
The more events you complete per hour, the faster you’ll
level. It’s as simple as that.
CRAFTING
Crafting a few items here and there won’t get you too much
experience. It’s more a bonus than a means of advancing your
character quickly. However, guild crafters supported by a full
team of harvesters can get bursts of leveling done because
they have so many materials to work with at each tier.
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PACING YOUR STORY THE LEVELING PROCESS
With so many choices, it can be hard to figure out what to do next. Groups Most games have a leveling treadmill that really slows down as you
have their own momentum, and you can often just follow other people reach the mid- to later levels. That isn’t so with Guild Wars 2. Character
around and have fun doing whatever comes up. When you’re soloing, you progression has a much gentler curve. You won’t have to invest 10 hours in
have to decide on something for yourself! One method to advance quickly a level, even if you’re almost at cap.
and have fun is to jump between story quests and the events out in the
world. Your character’s personal story awards a hefty amount of experience, If you’re a speed leveler, the way to gain power quickly is to race through as
and that combines well with the amount you get from normal events. Gain many events as possible. The bonus experience you get from completing
a level out in the field, then do a story mission. Switch back and forth like events is quite major. Killing monsters and exploring get you supplementary
this and you’ll always be doing something a little bit different. experience, but it won’t easily beat events unless you have a very specific
group to work with. Even then, a group that can AoE kill at a ludicrous
rate should find an area with events that allow them to kill enemies for
additional credit.
Completing events that are well beneath your character’s level won’t get
you as much experience. It’s better to challenge yourself and face higher
difficulty content whenever you’re up to it. This is yet another area where
groups make a huge difference. Because groups can survive higher-level
engagements, it’s easier for them to complete a wide range of events.
> Leveling with allies is almost universally faster than soloing, across all
character builds and professions.
DYNAMIC LEVEL
“If you run your personal story with a party of other
players, the enemies will become more challenging
ADJUSTMENT
and numerous based on the party size. Party
members who are on the same story step as you can
choose to count your story step completion as their
own, reaping the same rewards and enabling them to
advance to the next step with you.”
—Rob Thody
This is far superior to leveling up and then running through your story all
at once. Doing things that way wastes all of the bonus experience you get
from beating sections of your story. It also ruins the fun of being taken to
new areas; your hero’s personal story matches the game’s progression in a
good way. If you stay current on your story, it’ll take you to new places at
the perfect time to match your hero’s levels. Guild Wars 2 is set up to give players massive freedom in exploration and
the ability to play and group with friends. The game lets you experience
lower-level content without feeling overpowered, but that’s not all it does. If
your hero visits lower-level areas, his or her levels are automatically adjusted
so that content is still exciting and challenging. You can play with your
friends even if they aren’t as high level as your character. You still get a fair
amount of experience when you complete events, which means you’ll level
up despite being in a region with weaker enemies.
Though it’s true that you can level faster by taking on higher-end content,
the ability to join with others and help them through the game more than
makes up for a minor experience penalty.
As an additional incentive and reward for doing this, the loot system
sometimes gives you items for your character’s real level (instead of
the adjusted level). This isn’t a bug! It’s a reward for helping friends and
strangers alike.
94
GAME MECHANICS
Death and Taxes
D E AT H A N D TA X E S
You can’t win every
fight, and you can’t
always escape.
Sometimes the bad
guys win. When
that happens, your
character is going
to take too much
damage and go down
when your health
bottoms out. That isn’t
the end of your story.
You get a chance to
rally and keep up the
good fight, and even
after that you have a
few options.
DOWNED STATE When PvP opponents try to rally, you have the option of running over
to stomp on them (to make sure they die and stay dead). Don’t assume
they are out of the fight just because they fall; many abilities can restore
downed opponents.
THINGS GET HARDER

If you fall in battle a single time, your character starts the downed state
with a moderate amount of health. It’s harder for enemies to completely kill
you. However, this amount will be less if you fall again within the next few
minutes. Eventually, your character will need to have pretty much instant
healing or a kill, or they’ll die just after going down.
Avoid combat for a

few minutes to clear
Characters with zero health fall to the ground and enter a downed state. this condition from
They’re still conscious but are too badly injured to fight properly. Each your character, or work
profession has four abilities they can use while downed. Your goal is to kill very hard to stay up
an enemy and rally yourself—or, if all of the enemies have been chased off in the first place—not
already, to heal yourself back to the point where you rally on your own. that you always have
a choice!
Immediately switch targets to find the weakest enemy within weapon
range. Downed characters have a modest ranged attack, so anything that’s To check on your downed penalty, look for a skull icon at the lower-left side
attacking you is probably fair game. of your health meter. Once that fades, you’re back to your normal state.
If you have a group, let them know you’re in trouble. Someone can race
over to heal you (by interacting with your character). This provides a fast
heal that can get your character up in just a few moments.
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UNDERWATER COMBAT
Downed characters in the water can fight while they’re under the surface or swim to the top to begin healing. Be careful about the latter option, because
you can only heal at the top (you can’t fight back). If your enemies chase you up there you’ll face a long, lingering war between your healing and the
enemies’ damage output. Only go to the top if you think you’re in the clear.
DEATH
Long falls or defeat from your downed state both lead to character death.
Other players can slowly restore you to life by interacting with your corpse,
but it’s hard to do in battle. Plus, there might not be anyone around to
help you. But that’s still not the end of the road! You just have to select a
waypoint and teleport there. Your character arrives with health and life
restored. You don’t face many penalties from this, but there is a financial
burden. One piece of your equipment is damaged in the process. If all of
your armor is damaged already, due to repeated deaths, then a piece of
armor will break.
Damaged armor functions normally. Broken armor loses all of its stats and
won’t show up on your character. You don’t want to run around without
any defense (or clothing), so something has to be done about this.
Look for a repair merchant. These NPCs are found in cities and towns around the world. They have
their own distinct red icon and can be seen from quite a distance away. They’ll fix you right up for a
modest fee.
Make a habit of repairing whenever you see these guys so you don’t forget and end up having your
equipment break. Damaged and broken armor can be repaired fully, so you never have to lose items as
a result of character death.
96
GAME MECHANICS
Your Character’s Story
Y O U R C H A R A C T E R ’ S S TO RY
We’ve talked about your
character’s personal story
tangentially, but let’s focus
on what that actually
means. All heroes in Guild
Wars 2 have a series of
personal quests that lead
them through the game
and develop their own saga.
The events you experience
are not determined by any
sole factor, so most players
are going to have different
experiences in their stories.
Your race plays a major

factor, but the decisions
you made during character
creation and the choices
you make while dealing with
NPCs over the course of
your story are also critical.
A green star marks the location for personal story goals. These missions take place all over Tyria, often going back and forth between cities and dangerous
parts of the wilderness.
Completed sections of the story provide massive

infusions of experience, and there are sometimes
monetary and equipment rewards as well.
Expect other long-term changes based on the things

that happen in your story. If you take one route as
opposed to another, there may be changes in your
home (the part of your hero’s city that is instanced
specifically for him or her).
If you forget what’s going on with your story or would

just like to see what you’ve accomplished, go into
your Hero screen and look at the story tab. There is
information about all of the deeds you’ve accomplished
throughout the story.
97
Renown Tasks
and Events: A Shift
in the Way You Adventure
While your personal

story is an epic
quest, the rest
of Guild Wars 2
is dominated by
events. You don’t
walk up to quest
givers, receive a
specific assignment,
and then get to
work. Instead, you
are told about
events as they
unfold. These events
are based on the
area you’re traveling
through, and
completing them is
often intuitive.
You don’t need to start most events or stop to turn them in. It all happens
automatically, and you’re a participant in the process just by doing
anything in the area that moves the event forward.
OPEN WORLD
ACTIVITIES
> Renown Tasks
> Normal Events
> Group Events
For example, a town may come under attack. The right side of your screen
updates to show that there are enemies doing this, and as you rush to fight
> World Events
them their morale falls. When it reaches 0%, the event concludes and you’re
given money, karma, and experience as a reward.
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GAME MECHANICS
Shield icons mark things that should be protected for the event. Skulls
RENOWN TASKS indicate specific enemies that must be killed. The area involved is often circled
to mark the event’s outer boundaries. Gear icons show items of interest.
R E N O W N TA S K S A N D E V E N T S : A S H I F T I N T H E WAY Y O U A D V E N T U R E
Renown Tasks are an interesting case because they differ from events. You
find tasks on the map quite easily; they show up as hearts that are visible All events are public. Your work combines with all of the other heroes in
from a fair distance the area, and together you form a team (even if you never group up or
off. Scouts in each even fight the same enemies at the same time). It’s still a community effort
area direct you toward to help one cause or another. Content scales for the majority of events, so
these hearts, making having more people around makes the activity more fun without trivializing
them even easier the challenges. More enemies show up to fight the extra heroes, and more
to uncover. items are needed when people are collecting things.
Renown Tasks are not
public in the way that
events are. Think of these hearts as the micro stories of the world. Each task
TRIGGERING EVENTS
has a specific area that deals with the problems of that location. When you
adventure there, you help to make the place better. You might do this by
killing enemies, finding items for people, helping children, or whatever. There
are often many ways to complete a renown task, and all of them show up as
progress on the task bar that appears on your screen.
When the renown task completes, you get your reward (and a letter in
the mail with some money). Once a task is done, it’s done forever. You’ve
helped that area, and they don’t need any further help from you. It’s
possible to help other people with renown tasks whether you’re done or
working on the same thing.
Sometimes there are special rewards for completing a renown task. The
task-giver may turn into a karma merchant with special items to purchase.
Make sure to check on these NPCs to see if there is anything fun to get In some cases, NPCs hold off on their own events until you’re ready for
from them. them. Escorts are the most common case for these. You’ll find them with
an orange icon over their head. Talk to them and let them know you’re up
for the challenge and they’ll start the event. Other NPCs might alert you
“By helping NPCs with various renown tasks, they will toward events in the area, so it’s always good to talk to everyone you meet.
sometimes sell you more advanced gathering tools that have a You learn about the backstory of the region and find even more of the
higher chance to find rare materials.” content there.
—Aaron Sebenius
GROUP EVENTS
EVENTS Group events have
the same general
dynamic. You’re
told something is
happening, you
go there, and then
work together on a
common goal. The
difference with these
challenges is that they’re tough! A single player will often get killed trying to
do these alone. You should find a team of people willing to hit the event
together. Groups of four or five have a good time with these events, though
the more the merrier.
“Events are never about competing with other players.

Each player gets their own reward regardless of others’ actions,
Events pop up whenever something critical happens in an area. If you’re so work together!”
close enough to be a part of the event, the game updates your log on the
—Peter Larkin
right side of the screen and says what’s going on. The map also updates,
showing orange icons to let you know where the event is taking place and
what to focus on when you get there.
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WORLD EVENTS
World events cover the major story arcs and problems of a given area. They encompass multiple events
that dynamically shift as the forces of an area battle against each other. Multiple groups of heroes can
work together (or independently) to complete various goals while leading to a greater victory.
Many regions have world events. They’re often a superb source of experience and gold. Expect heavy
fighting, interesting stories, and some very epic monsters. Because portions of these events reset
quickly, your group can dash between several areas in the map and battle constantly to hold back the
tide of monsters dominating the area.
THE KARMA SYSTEM

Characters purchase items and services with gold at most merchants, but
there is another currency of a sort. Karma is awarded when you finish most
events. Karma cannot be traded nor purchased, so it’s entirely based on the
work you’ve put into your character.
Karma merchants show up with a purple icon when you’re looking at

the map. They sell a huge range of rewards, including weapons, armor,
temporary boons, and services. Talk to these merchants to find out what
specific rewards they give.
EVENT GOALS
Just look on the right side of your screen when an event is within range. The game always tells you the basics of what needs to be done to complete local
events; this is true both for renown tasks and your personal story.
KILL ENEMIES OR DEPLETE ENEMY MORALE

A common goal is to destroy monsters. This is quite direct because you get used to combat very quickly. When you have a kill task, go over to the area and
see which monsters affect your goal. If there are bandits, boars, and grubs in the area, kill at least one of each and see if the renown task or event progresses.
Sometimes a variety of monsters influences the event, so you should treat all members of those groups as targets of opportunity. Kill them on sight!
It’s a little bit harder if you have to deplete the area of enemy forces. Sometimes the creatures you’re attacking get reinforcements, restoring some of their
lost numbers. If that’s happening, you have to hustle and kill quickly enough to bring their forces down to zero. Heal during battle to reduce downtime, and
use the most aggressive weapons and skills you have to ensure that fights don’t take very long. It’s riskier fighting this way, but you’re more likely to succeed!
100
GAME MECHANICS
CAPTURE AN AREA Some events like this demand that you carry heavy objects, like barrels of
ale! You won’t be able to grab more than one at a time, so your character
has to run back and forth between the items’ locations and the NPC,
R E N O W N TA S K S A N D E V E N T S : A S H I F T I N T H E WAY Y O U A D V E N T U R E
handing the goodies over as you go. Other events look for smaller objects.
When that happens, get eight to ten pieces at once before making the trek
back to the event NPC. This is more efficient and lets you finish on your first
or second turn-in.
Most collection
events conclude with
a timer that lets other
people hurry back to
hand in the leftover
pieces still in their
inventory. If someone
A section of territory is outlined in red, and you’re tasked with seizing else completes the
and holding that spot. To do this, move into the region and kill all active event, run back to the
enemies within the circle. The area turns blue when you succeed, and it NPC and hand in whatever you have left. This gets the materials out of your
begins to convert to your team or group. Progress is shown on the right, inventory AND increases your contribution toward the event.
but this stops if there isn’t at least one player still inside the circle’s radius at
all times. It also stops if any monsters come into the area to reinforce their Also, watch for secondary events. Not all collection events chain into
fallen buddies. something else after they’re completed, but enough of them do that it’s
worth sticking around for a moment after you beat the initial scenario.
Whenever possible, have your group defend the major chokepoints leading
into the territory. Most monsters have to come forward naturally (instead of Renown tasks may have a collection aspect worked into their overall goals.
respawning in the midst of your group). If players stand on the edge of the If you get credit for picking up an item during your task, look for the heart
circle and engage monsters before they break the perimeter, it avoids losing icon on your map. NPCs managing the renown task are often where you
progress. Have one person stay inside the circle while others try to intercept turn in any collectible items associated with said task. You’ll get credit for
and defeat incoming enemies. grabbing the item AND for handing it over to the NPC.
COLLECTING GOODIES FOR AN NPC BREAKING STUFF!

Someone is looking for mining tools, siege weapon parts, or who knows
what else. The log on the right lets you know that an NPC is collecting
items, and the progress text lets you know how many you’ve turned in. This
makes it easy to tell when a collection event is starting.
Everybody loves to smash things. Some events send you into enemy camps
and ask that you break their siege weapons, supplies, weapon racks, or
whatever the bad guys care about. Items you need to break can be targeted
normally, and all of your attacks are likely to affect them.
Look on the map for a circle that identifies the area where these items
If your character has a weapon that deals area-of-effect damage, try to fight
appear. It’s not always next to the event NPC, so don’t assume anything. Go
enemies near their equipment so your attacks smash the place up even when
to the marked location and scour the ground for sparkling objects. Interact
you’re engaged. This makes the fighting more efficient (and more fun).
with them to pick up the piece of whatever you need, and bring these back
to the NPC; they’re also marked on your map, so it’s easy to find them.
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INTERACT WITH VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTS
Some events have more complex goals. Stomp mounds of dirt, search through bushes, put out fires,
and so forth. When the text indicates something more involved, stop for a second and look for the
objects related to the event.
Move your mouse over the area and click on objects that might be useful to you. Once you find something
to interact with, the event quickly becomes intuitive. “There’s grain over here. I’m supposed to interact with
that to pick it up, and then I interact with a cow to feed the cow. That’s easy!” You get the idea.
YOU’RE BEING GRADED

Each person’s contribution toward an event is tracked by the
server. If you only kill a single enemy or grab one item before
the event completes, you’re not going to get full credit
compared to a player who has been there the entire time.
The quick and simple rule is that the amount you

contributed toward the event’s progress is going to
determine your tier of reward. Work hard and you’ll get
a gold reward icon; this is almost always the case if you’re
one of the only people in the area. The more players there
are, the more likely it is for you to get a silver or bronze.
This reduces the experience, gold, and karma you receive
for participating in an event. Still, being involved with other
players gets events done sooner and frequently leads to
increased experience, gold, and karma per hour of play. So
don’t avoid events that other people are working on, even
if they’ve gotten a head-start.
HOW TO GET THE BEST EVENT REWARDS

Kill enemies quickly with the most damaging weapons you have. Don’t try to kite or kill single
enemies over time unless you can’t win without doing so. Take on multiple opponents at once
and storm the area if you’re up to the challenge. This has the added benefit of giving you
practice for more challenging PvE content, like dungeons. Learn how much your character can
handle, and practice using your skills to their best advantage.
Also, push for higher-level events whenever you can. Groups of skilled players slamming through
content two or three levels above their characters often rake in the rewards.
“You get XP for reviving a downed player. And, you get

another ally to help you out!”
—Peter Larkin
Even tiny contributions are rewarded well. Participate in a single fight during an escort event: you’ll get
credit for that event, even if someone else takes the NPCs all the way to their goal (or gets them killed).
102
GAME MECHANICS
Banks, Bags, and Item Space
B A N K S , B A G S , A N D I T E M S PA C E
Item storage is always
a big deal because
your characters pick
up all kinds of things
as they adventure
through the world.
Guild Wars 2 defaults
to giving your people
one large bag and four
slots to additional
bags. Four-slot bags
are purchasable from
a number of vendors,
and they drop
commonly in the low-
level areas. However,
they aren’t of much
use after you’ve gotten
a little ways into the
game. You’re going to
want a lot more space
than that!
First off, each account has a bank vault with additional storage. Go into any You can keep an eye on what you have and how much space is available
major city and look for the bag icon. That’s where the bank is located. You for treasure in your bags pretty easily. The Inventory screen has a number
can access the bank out in the wilderness if you have an Asuran Bank Portal of management tools. First, you can see how many open bag spaces are
(purchasable with gems). available out of the total number. You can also compact your inventory
using the available icon to fill up bag slots sequentially (instead of spread
Store crafting ingredients and equipment for the future in your bank. Don’t throughout the various bags). In addition, if you want to collapse the
carry everything around or you won’t have as much room for treasure! individual bag separations to create a seamless storage window, you can do
That’s bad because you end up leaving items on corpses and losing money that. Finally, if you want to search your bags for something specific, there’s
over time because of it. Take notice if your character fills up on treasure too even a handy search feature!
quickly, and try to compensate by visiting towns more often to sell items
and by upgrading your storage capacity.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Right-clicking on Crafting Ingredients opens up several options
to help you manage your assets. If you don’t want the material,
you can send it directly to the Trading Post and put it up for sale.
If you do want it (but don’t want to carry it around), selecting the
Collectible option sends the stuff directly to your personal Bank.
The ingredients are then found in the Collections section and are
sorted by material and rarity.
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GETTING BIGGER BAGS
Bigger bags make a tremendous difference in your ability to carry around a ton of fun stuff. Many crafts are involved in making larger bags, boxes, and packs.
You should look for (or learn how to become) an armorsmith, tailor, or leatherworker. All of them know how to make better storage items. Inexperienced
craftsmen might only be able to make eight-slot items, but things go up quickly from there. They can eventually make awesome items that store as much as
your starting pack.
These upgrades cost money because they require a fair number of ingredients to make. Remember that better storage makes you more money in the long
term by saving on trips into town and avoiding wasted loot. Don’t be afraid to invest some of your cash in better bags.
MORE BAG SLOTS
Another way to get more space is to buy bag slots so your character can
carry even more bags of whatever size. There is a Gem Store upgrade that GIVE IT TO THE GUILD
costs a few hundred gems. Your other characters do not get this benefit, so Guilds that have unlocked a shared vault can save a huge amount of
be careful which hero buys the upgrade! personal space by giving common items to the guild’s major crafters.
Donate cloth, ore, wood, trophies, and other crafting items and then you
won’t have to worry about them. In return, you can get help equipping your
MORE SPACE IN THE BANK characters and getting those large bags we talked about!
Another Gem Store upgrade is to purchase additional tabs in the bank

vault. All of your characters share their space in the bank, so everyone
benefits from having additional tabs.
104
GAME MECHANICS
The Power of Grouping
THE POWER OF GROUPING

Parties form when
players want to
adventure together. It’s
as simple as clicking on
people, right-clicking
on their picture
when it appears, and
inviting them into a
group. Add more fun
people while you play,
and that’s all there
is to it. You’re in a
group, you’re hacking
through enemies, and
a good time will be
had by all.
PROS OF BEING IN A GROUP In truth, there aren’t any cons as long as you play with people you like. The game rewards group play
> You get a higher percentage of again and again. Soloing is always possible, and you aren’t penalized for choosing it. However, groups
magical treasure. have a higher kill rate and they finish more events per hour. That puts them hand and fist above
soloers. In addition, Guild Wars 2 doesn’t knock your kill experience for having buddies around. Thus,
> Experience per hour is generally much higher.
you won’t get one fifth of your experience by being in a full group. You still get plenty of experience for
> Full guild groups earn much more influence each kill, even if you inflict only a portion of the damage against the creature.
for events they complete.
> The social aspect of play can be rewarding

unto itself.
> Challenging content is more accessible.

TAP EVERYTHING?
Some groups get a bit
compulsive and try to
CONS FOR BEING IN A GROUP divvy up their fighting
> At worst, someone could be a jerk. so everyone gets to
take on each monster,
grab every item, and
so forth. This is done
with the idea that it
maximizes experience
and event completion.
That’s fairly true.
Groups are at their
“best” rates when
everyone is able to hit all targets. More experience comes in, and events complete sooner because
everyone is getting credit for each action.
105
However, getting too concerned about this is bad for most groups. Not all
players are obsessed with perfect efficiency and completion rates. They’re HOW MANY PEOPLE
here to enjoy a game, and groups are already able to level quickly and burn
through huge numbers of enemies. There’s no need to boss everyone
DO WE NEED?
around toward one style of play. Soloers can level from 1-80 without a hitch, but they can’t see the entire
world and all of its events and content. Most regions have a few areas that
If you like power leveling at maximum speed, find a few other people who are a bit tougher. You find group events (some of which can still be soloed),
enjoy that style of gaming. Have a blast! If you’re more the type who wants or more challenging areas where the monsters are thick and ready to mash
to relax and ease through content, search for likeminded players. Don’t mix anyone who comes near.
and match unless you’re not concerned and could go either way.
ALL THINGS FOR ALL PEOPLE
So how many players does it take to conquer the world?
> Almost all standard events: 1+ players

As we’ve said elsewhere, this game never punishes people for
> Group events: Vary greatly, but many are possible with 3+ players
being around other players. Harvesting nodes are available for
> Dungeons: Full groups of 5 players are usually required
everyone, so each person in a group can take hits on that Rich
Gold Vein you just saw. All downed monsters offer the chance
> Special World Events: May take 10 or more players to defeat!
for loot (for each person in the group). Events and renown task Most content in the game is made to scale based on how many people are
completions reward all participants, and so on.
participating. Standard events are made to be doable by a single person.
They just get a bit harder as more and more players arrive, and you face
additional enemies or are required to complete more objectives.
106
GAME MECHANICS
THE POWER OF GROUPING

Group events scale this way too, but they assume a baseline that’s balanced BASIC GROUP RULES
for a minimum of several characters. Thus, a soloer faces the same enemies > Be friendly.
as a small group, making it very hard to complete the event.
> Watch your minimap and follow the group so people mostly stick together.
Dungeons do not scale because they’re entirely balanced for five-person > Attack what other people are attacking.
teams. An extremely skilled group can go in with fewer people, but it
doesn’t make sense to do so. There’s nothing gained by heading into a place > Don’t act like a maniac and get killed constantly and then yell for
people to come and save you.
understaffed.
Scaling for most events can head all the way into the stratosphere. A
number of world events can have 50 people (or more!) working together
and still have the challenge shift appropriately.
WHAT TO DO IN A GROUP
Don’t be anxious about joining others. The standards for play aren’t that
high; people won’t expect you to be the god of the game. As long as you
follow a few basic rules, you won’t upset many people.
If you can handle those rules, you’ll get along with the vast majority of
players. This isn’t a game where people need to assign healing duties,
tanking, offtanking, aggro rules, and the like. Extremely high-end dungeon
groups talk more about tactics before their fights, but even there the game
demands a high level of personal skill in one’s profession and not much in
the way of meta gaming.
You can group with members of the same profession without being
unbalanced. You can have entire teams of people in light armor without
getting torn in half.
Other games have said, “Bring the player, not the class.” It’s entirely true in Guild
Wars 2. Be a good player or just a friendly person and you’re going to be fine.
107
The Trading Post
The Trading Post is your
place to sell unneeded
items and purchase
things you’d like to have.
It’s a center of trade that
serves the player base.
Each major city has one
of these buildings, and
the merchant’s scales
identify the location on
your map. Post items for
sale or purchase other
people’s goods from
anywhere in the world,
and then head over to
the Trading Post when
it’s time to pick up your
money and items. To
access the Trading Post
while you’re wandering
around, open the Black
Lion Trading Company
(“O”) and see what
people have to offer.
The interface is quite simple. You select whether you’re

going to be buying or selling items, and then figure out
what you want. The game does a very good job of showing
you general market values, so it’s easy to tell whether you’re
getting a fair deal most of the time.
All major item types in the game are sold through this
interface. The listings are shown across all of the cities, so
you won’t have to worry about posting something in any
specific location. Something listed in Hoelbrak is available
in Divinity’s Reach and other locales.
Items and money that are exchanged at the Trading Post

stay there. When you want to collect them, go to the
building in one of the major cities and switch to the Pick Up tab to get your stuff. Or, buy a Black Lion Trader Express from the Gem Store. This is extremely
convenient and you’re quite far away from the capitals (and don’t have the time to drop whatever you’re doing).
Because Guild Wars 2 doesn’t have a personal trading system, this is the only way to sell items between players; you can always trade freely through the mail
system, but if you need money for your items and want to make sure you get it, the Trading Post is your solution!
108
GAME MECHANICS
USING FILTERS
THE TR ADING POST

Inside the Trading Post system, you can type in the name of the item you You can limit the level range of items that are displayed so you ‘don’t see
want (with the search bar up top), and that immediately takes you to any anything too far below (or above) your character. This helps limit the
sales for that item. However, you might not know what you’re looking for. massive selection of items so you’re only seeing viable equipment pieces.
That’s where filters come in.
Search when you’ve finished making your filter selections, and then organize
Click on the filters selection and then you can browse for materials by the items shown on the main page. Click on the categories at the top to
type, rarity, level, and so on. It really helps to let you search for a variety of sort the items by that listing: Item Name, Level, Price, Rarity, and # Available.
weapons, armor pieces, and other goodies.
The categories for items include the following:
> Armor: Defensive equipment

SELLING
> Bags/Containers: Storage items for your character
> Consumables: Armor dyes and other short-term usable items
> Crafting Materials: Items needed for creating weapons, food,

armor, and bags
> Gathering: Items that allow you to gather resources from harvesting nodes
> Gizmos: Treasure chests
> Minis: Collectible creatures
> Tools: Salvage kits
> Trinkets: Accessories that augment your character’s stats
> Fine and Rare Crafting Materials: Pieces of monsters that are
When you select the Sell tab, the Trading Post shows you the items from
used in crafting
your inventory and lets you know if there are any current offers for those
> Upgrade Components: Usable items that attach to equipment to items. In Guild Wars 2, it’s possible to put a request out for an item even if
improve their stats
it isn’t listed at the time. If you see that your items are needed, look at the
> Weapons: Offensive equipment price and fulfill those orders for some quick cash.
Crafters should scour these “work for hire” type of bids to see what they
can do. It’s a wonderful way to get paid more while raising your skills and
earning experience. Otherwise, click on the items you want to sell and then
choose a price and quantity for your sale. People in a hurry can click “Match
Lowest Seller” so they follow the trending market price instead of taking the
time to figure out whether something should be undercut or ignored. You
can also add items to an older listing if you’re just contributing more of the
same and want to match your existing offer.
It’s a rather convenient system, and it doesn’t take long to get used to it.
Try it out with smaller sales at first, and soon you won’t have to worry about
whether you’re messing anything up.
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The Gem Store and
Currency Exchange
Press “O” to open

the Black Lion
Trading Company
window. From here
you can use the
Gem Store or the
Currency Exchange,
where real-life cash,
gold, and gems
are intertwined.
To purchase gems,
you either need to
get them with real-
world money or
spend gold in-game.
BUYING WITH
REALWORLD MONEY
Real-world money, in-game gold, and gems are almost fully intertwined.
Money can be used to purchase gems (and thus in-game gold as well).
Gold can buy gems and thus buy anything else that gems have to offer,
To buy gems with gold, go to the Currency Exchange and select “Trade Gold including the ability to convert them back into gold at a later point. Timed
for Gems” to sell your money and collect gems. If you reverse this process, well, this earns you a profit for buying gems when they’re cheap and selling
you can get gold by selling off gems. Buying during off periods and selling them when they’re expensive.
gems for gold during peaks is a good way to make money if you’re willing to
take some risk! The only part of the system that is a one-way street is the use of real-world
money. You cannot sell gems or gold for real-world cash.
The in-game price of gems floats, based on how much demand there is for
them. As more and more people purchase gems with in-game gold, the
price of these items rises substantially. If you watch trends carefully, you can
avoid paying quite as much gold for them by buying during periods of low
sales. These times vary, but the system tracks the peaks and troughs so you
can get an idea of when it is usually safer to buy (or sell) gems.
110
GAME MECHANICS
PLAYING THE ECONOMY

You can make speculative purchases through this system. If you think the
T H E G E M S TO R E A N D C U R R E N C Y E X C H A N G E
price of gems is going to go up by a substantial amount, you’re entirely free
to buy a fair number with your gold and then sell the gems back for gold
when the prices are higher. An example: Christmas is coming up, and you
think there is going to be an infusion of new players. You deduce that some
of them will be buying gems as soon as they can. You purchase a number of
gems before the holiday hits, and then you sell them in the week following
Christmas during a particularly high spike in gem valuation.
If you’re into economics, this can be fun. It’s a little game within a game
for you, and making a profit is always a good thing. What’s cool about the
system is that you don’t have to realize a loss even if you screw up and buy when the gems are higher than usual. Gems are always going to be useful for
something, so holding onto an imprudent purchase isn’t that painful. Just use the gems for fun and learn from the experience.
ITEMS ON THE GEM STORE Temporary boons last through death, so you won’t lose your gems
needlessly. Feel free to buy them any time you think they’d be useful. The
By now you’re items are delivered to your mailbox, and you can carry them around until
wondering what it’s time to use them. The buffs’ timers don’t start until they’re used, so hold
is available on the off on activating them. Wait for a major event, battle, or group to form.
Gem Store. Let’s That’s when you use buffs. You get the most out of them that way.
get into that! Here
are the general Account upgrades are permanent. They’re often a very good use of your
categories of items time and money.
on the store.
GEM STORE
CATEGORIES TYPES OF ITEMS INCLUDED HERE
Promotions Special Deals
Style Town Clothes (Cool Non-Combat Outfits)
Consumable Dyes, Chest Keys, Fun Effects
Support Access to Banks, Trading Post Items, Bag Slots, etc.
Account Bank Slot Upgrades, New Character Slots
Boosts Temporary Boons (Crafting, XP, Etc.) Town clothes have no tangible benefit, but they’re fun for roleplaying or
Minis Collectible Creatures goofing around.
Transmutation Stones let you combine the visual appearance, stats, and
upgrades from two different items. They’re an exceptionally good way to
give your character a unique look without sacrificing damage, survivability,
or utility. Get the equipment you like from special events, dungeon runs,
etc., and then combine that item’s appearance with the stats from higher-
level equipment that you find or purchase.
111
Minis
Minis are found at the Black Lion Trading Company and represent cool creatures from all over the world. You can travel with these buddies or keep them in
your collection to see how many you can find.
To use minis, put them in your inventory and right-click on the pet that you want to bring out. Select “Use” and watch the creature come out. If you want
to send it back home, you can deposit it in your collection at any time (also by right-clicking).
Achievements
Bring up your Hero

window (“H”) and then
look at the achievements
tab. This is where you find
information about daily,
monthly, and permanent
achievements. You get
to see your current
point total (a sum of the
achievements you’ve
earned across all of
your characters).
The front page lists your daily total, which is important for grabbing bonus DAILY ACHIEVEMENTS
experience. That isn’t tracked by account; it’s character based, so you’re able
to switch between
your characters
and grab daily
achievements for each.
We’ll get into that in
just a moment.
To learn about the

various achievements,
click on the major categories on the left side of the screen. The page
switches to display all of the achievements within that category, the points
you’ve earned, and the progress you’ve made.
If you complete enough types of achievements, you unlock titles that can be Daily achievements are available every 24 hours for each character you
selected from this screen. Find one that suits your character and go after it! play. When you reach each tier of performance in the daily categories, you
receive bonus experience. The amount you get is based on the level of your
character, so the effect scales well over the course of your leveling.
112
GAME MECHANICS
Daily achievements aren’t a necessary part of improving your character, but PERMANENT ACHIEVEMENTS
they’re fun and easy to accomplish. These are awarded for types of play that
All other groups of achievements are long-term goals. They are account-
MINIS / ACHIEVE MENTS

you’re going to be interested in anyway: killing enemies, gathering crafting
items, and so forth. based and you’re encouraged to work on them with multiple characters,
though most can be accomplished with just a few.
DAILY ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES

> Kills PERMANENT ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES
> Kill Variety > Slayer > Fashion
> Gathering (Wood, > Hero > Weapon Master

Metal, Cooking
Ingredients) > PvP Conqueror > Community
> Completing Events > Tradesman > Hall of Monuments
> Explorer
Daily achievements aren’t worth many points toward your overall score, but
they add up well over time. Players who are heavily involved with multiple
alts end up having a hefty score.
MONTHLY ACHIEVEMENTS
Many achievements complete even when you aren’t trying to work on

them. Almost all of the things you do as a character are tracked, so casual,
hardcore, and compulsive players alike reap the benefits of whatever they
enjoy doing.
For the most points, make sure your characters cover all five races and
each of the crafts, and that you have someone who can use each type of
weapon. Together, this gets you a massive number of achievement points.
Monthly achievements are tracked by account, so your participation in
Split up your heroes while leveling so you conquer different regions. This
WvW and events contributes toward your total even if you have a variety of
is fun because you get to see more of the game world, and it also gets you
alts doing the work. You get rewards for these achievements too, though it
additional points because you are rewarded for exploring more places!
takes more time to unlock them. It’s better to let the goals accrue naturally
rather than to focus on a specific type of play you don’t normally enjoy.
That said, it’s a fun challenge to work on the Exp Survivor achievement. You
can have a good time forcing yourself to play with that air of wariness. “If
I die, I’ll lose my progress.” It might be frustrating to some players, but for
others it’s a great way to ratchet up the intensity for their fighting. It makes
the consequences a little more tangible.
MONTHLY ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES

> WvW Player Kills
> Event
Participation
> Salvage Kit Uses
> Exp Survivor
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Communicating with
Other People
Social games reward

social people in
a variety of ways.
Though you’re free
to go out on your
own, it’s fun and
often useful to have
allies around. Let’s
talk about the ways
you can coordinate
with other players
to form groups,
maintain a guild,
trade equipment,
and roleplay.
CHATTING AWAY
Using the /local channel is the most basic form of communication. If your
hero is in the local channel, you can type text and any players relatively close
by in the same region can see it.
“Would you like to form a group?” “Thanks for helping me!” “Your hammer
is sick, where did you find that?”
Whatever you want to talk about, local speech is only limited by distance
and good manners.
When you’re looking for a group to help with difficult content, this is a
valuable tool. Ask around in your guild, if you have one, but also look for
allies working in the same area as your character. They’re going to benefit from having another hero
around, so it’s often in their best interest to form a group with you.
You can switch chat channels by clicking on the small area where it says “/local” in the lower left side of
the screen. This channel also changes if you type /local, /guild, /party, /squad, /team, or /whisper.
All of these commands let the game know you’re trying to talk to different people in different ways.
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GAME MECHANICS
TYPES OF SPEECH
COMMAND/
GUILD CHAT
HOW YOUR CHARACTER SPEAKS
CHANNEL
C O M M U N I C AT I N G W I T H OT H E R P E O P L E
Only characters in the guild you’re currently
/guild representing can hear you; distance is not a factor
Local players can hear you, and distance is the only
/local factor in who can see what you’re typing
The other members of your party can see what you’re
/party typing, regardless of distance
Members of your PvP squad can see what you’re typing,
/squad regardless of distance
Everyone on your team can see what you’re typing,
/team regardless of whisper
This sends a private message to one named character
/whisper on your server (Example: /whisper Emil I’m killing
Centaurs in Kessex)
/map A region-wide message to all allies; use this sparingly
Each guild has its own style and flavor when it comes to chatting.
You might be in a mature guild where people are pretty formal, talk
about what they need, and that’s about it. Quiet, eh? Or, you could be
surrounded by a raucous bunch that jokes and talks constantly (about
everything under the sun).
As we always suggest: find the guild that matches your personality. People
can learn how to play their professions better over time. They can discover
the best ways to find loot or beat events in Guild Wars 2. But they won’t
change much as people. Look for a group that fits who you are and it’ll
be much more enjoyable to spend days, weeks, months, or even longer
hanging out with them!
There are other ways to communicate. If players are offline when you want to Always read or listen to the guild officers’ rules of conduct for the guild.
message them, consider sending some mail. The mail system lets you send text, Avoid language that is forbidden in public channels.
money, or items to other players, even if they aren’t on to receive the letter.
YOUR CONTACT LIST

MAIL CALL Press “Y” to open your contact list. This system makes it easier to find
Click on the mail icon at the top of the screen. Write a message by clicking friends when they’re online, especially if they don’t join the same guild.
“Compose” in the lower part of the window. Choose a character’s name before When you have a good time with others, ask if you can put them on your
you do anything else. This determines where the mail is going. Messages are friends list, and then group with them in the future.
account based, so
it’s easy to use the
shortest name of
the person you’re
messaging. If someone’s
characters are named
Galondasthrek,
Pillbugason, and Trey,
then go ahead and
message Trey even if you usually group with Galondasthrek. It’s just easier this
way, and the letter still goes where it needs to go.
Trading items and equipment via mail is a great way to enhance the utility
of groups. Make an agreement to freely trade useful equipment and then
Similarly, you should block anyone who really upsets you. There is no need
send the items you find to each other so everyone gets equipped as quickly
to get into fights and deal with major problems when you’re trying to have
as possible. The money you forfeit in lost sales pales in comparison to the
fun at a game. If there are people you just can’t stand, block them and enjoy
amount you save by getting constant blue and green quality upgrades for
the sound of silence. It’s better than causing guild drama or looking like an
your character.
idiot by arguing with someone who won’t listen to you anyway!
Don’t bother sending every item as soon as you find it. It’s best to wait until
people are repairing and selling. That way you won’t fall behind and get
attacked while you’re halfway through your mail.
115
Finding and
Developing a Guild
Starting a guild is simple. When you
want to form one, open the Guild
Window (“G”) and select a name and an
abbreviation for your guild. You won’t
need to visit a city and register until it’s
time to deal with emblems, guild banks,
and other guild services that take time to
unlock. In the beginning, you just need a
name that is catchy, fun, and will draw in
the right kind of people (ones you enjoy
playing with).
But you don’t have to start your own

guild. If you’d prefer to be a follower
instead of a leader, find someone cool
who seems to be good at taking care
of things. When you have fun grouping
with that person, ask about the guild he
or she is in. You might get an invite that
easily, or find a way to apply over the
next couple of days.
In most cases, it’s not hard to find or

create a guild. The real issue is how to
develop things once you’re there.
GUILD FEATURES
Once you’re in a guild, the Guild Window brings up new choices. The
default is to look at the history for your guild—things that have happened
recently to affect its members.
Using the tabs on the left side of the window, you can switch to other
pages. The roster tells you who is in the guild, what levels and skills they
have, and where they are. Upgrades shows the temporary boons and
permanent bonuses available to guild members. We’ll talk more about
those shortly. Finally, there is a page for guild ranks so you can see who is
permitted to do what.
Permissive guilds might allow all but the most recent members to freely use the guild bank, chat with each other, do as they please, and work with guild
influence. Other guilds reserve many organizational aspects of guild play for officers, and their rank and file members are free to relax and just play the game.
In general, the larger the guild, the more restrictions you need to have (for everyone’s protection). It’s usually possible to guarantee that everyone in a
10-person guild of real-life buddies will behave. You can’t make that promise with 40 players who have barely met. Make sure the rules for your guild match
the level of trust and comfort that players have for each other. It’s in everyone’s best interest.
116
GAME MECHANICS
GUILD INFLUENCE Art of War is purely for guilds that enjoy PvP. A huge number of boons are
waiting here. They make it easier to dominate in WvW encounters.
Guilds have their
F I N D I N G A N D D E V E LO P I N G A G U I L D
own progression in Economy upgrades help your guild members accrue karma, gold, magic
Guild Wars 2. There items, and experience. While leveling or farming for cash, these are the best
are many special upgrades around. PvE guilds enjoy these benefits tremendously.
perks they unlock by
spending influence. Infrastructure upgrades are convenient. They help the guild trade items
Guild influence through a guild bank. You can also unlock an ability to research multiple
accrues when upgrades simultaneously, and that’s rather useful for large guilds that have a
members of the guild lot of influence to spend.
complete events out in the world. Solo characters get a tiny amount of
credit for everything they do. Guild groups get FAR more points for each
event, making it possible to purchase upgrades much more often. SPENDING THE POINTS
Having a larger guild makes this process easier, by nature of having more
people online throughout the day. However, an organized guild can
outperform a large guild that doesn’t work together (up to a point).
The best way to get influence is to have members stick together in small
groups of guildies. Have them level, get money, and do whatever they want
to do while hanging out with each other. This lets the guild bond while the
points fly in.
The guild leader and his or her officers are going to make most of the
choices for influence upgrades. Expect most guilds to talk about the
direction of the upgrades publicly; there might be a vote, a general
discussion, or whatever. When a decision is made, someone queues research
and a timer starts.
Most guild upgrades take hours to complete. The influence cost is

deducted immediately, but it’s possible to cancel the research and get a full
refund at any time before the process completes.
Dungeon runs in guild groups are quite lucrative as well, though they’re
harder to put together than a small event party. Make sure people who Permanent upgrades take effect as soon as the research is done. Temporary
are forming dungeon runs are fair about starting times, group goals, and so buffs don’t work that way. Instead, they complete and become available to the
forth. If you have a guild website, consider having members post there so guild. The timer on those boons won’t start until someone activates the boon.
they can organize and keep their in-game time free to have fun instead of You won’t have to worry about timing research so it finishes at the optimal
hanging around in guild chat getting people together. time. Go ahead and queue things overnight, over multiple days, or whatever.
TYPES OF GUILD UPGRADES TIERS OF RESEARCH

Once your guild has some influence, invest it in something that most (or all) You can’t have your
of your players would enjoy. There are four categories of upgrades: Politics, guild go after all of
Art of War, Economy, the best items until
and Infrastructure. everyone has paid
his or her dues. Each
Politics help your category of guild
guild strut their stuff upgrades is divided
around other people. into tiers. The best
You can make an research choices are
emblem, show off how often in the higher tiers, and you have to purchase each tier in turn before
cool your guild looks, getting all the way up.
summon public boons to aid non-guilded players, and so on. If you want to
have a big guild and draw in lots of followers, this is a decent path. All categories have five tiers, and your guild starts at level zero! Allocate
influence for advancement and for the boons you need.
117
Crafting
Each character can learn
two crafts that take basic
items and turn them into
useful equipment. There
are eight crafts in the
game, so it’s possible to
learn them all with four
characters. You can switch
between crafts with even
a single character if you
find that one doesn’t suit
you, but there is a modest
penalty if you do this. Your
old skill won’t be deleted,
but you can’t access it
without returning to a
trainer and retaking the
craft (and dealing with the
financial penalty yet again).
CRAFTS IN GUILD WARS 2

SKILL PURPOSE
Armorsmiths Make heavy armor
Artificers Create magical weapons (staves, focuses, scepters)
Cooks Prepare food for temporary boons
Huntsmen Craft ranged weapons (torches, warhorns, bows, and pistols)

Improve gems to upgrade existing equipment and craft
Jewelcrafters rings and necklaces
Leatherworkers Create medium armor
Tailors Make light armor
Weaponsmiths Craft a variety of melee weapons We’ve devoted an entire chapter in this book to crafting, so we don’t want
to go over everything just yet. The basic idea is that each craft has basic
recipes you learn by working with your trainer and leveling the skill, and you
need to unlock more advanced recipes through discovery.
“While adventuring, keep an eye out for vendors who will

sell you item recipes; these recipes can teach you how to
craft unique (and often cool-looking) gear!”
—Aaron Sebenius
118
GAME MECHANICS
Discovery is a process where you combine simple crafted items and sometimes trophies you get from killing monsters. Trophies are made into insignias, and
those become major pieces for crafting higher quality equipment.
CR AFTING
This sounds rather complex—and it is, at first. You need to have a massive amount of storage space, some spare cash, and plenty of time to get good at
crafting. Don’t stress yourself out about leveling crafting quickly to keep up with your main character. That’s often quite difficult to do. Instead, think of
crafting as a way to help your secondary character (and other people).
Leveling crafting at its own speed takes off so much pressure and gives your character permission to
level at any speed while having a good time and getting more money. The spare cash you make with a
high-level primary character opens many doors for your future crafting. DID I JUST LEVEL UP?
Crafting gives you experience

WHAT ARE SALVAGE KITS? for each item you create. More
These kits are purchased involved items are worth even more
from merchants in many experience. Just as your crafting skill
cities and towns, and they increases, so does your character’s
can be found on specific knowledge of the world. Extremely
karma vendors. Salvage
dedicated crafters might even use
Kits break down many
crafting as their primary means of
types of equipment or
salvageable gear you find leveling. People who have a guild to
while fighting monsters. support their advancement (or other
Double-click on the kit in characters that feed them items) can
your inventory and then go pretty much all the way to the cap
click on the item(s) you
by switching between all of the trades
wish to break down into their components. This is an extremely good way to get materials for your
and learning each in turn!
crafting efforts. Though you lose money on the Salvage Kit and the depletion of sellable loot, you save
more money by avoiding Trading Post prices for your raw materials!
119
Dungeon Delving
This is another advanced
concept that gets its own
chapter later in the guide.
Dungeons are areas that only
allow a single group of heroes
to enter. Thus, you end up with
one to five characters facing off
against some of the toughest
challenges in the game. It’s like
an extended group event that
is tied into a complex story.
There are a number of these
throughout the world, and each
has several versions.
The Story Mode of each

dungeon is the first version of it
that you encounter. Story Modes
are easier because you get walked
through the dungeon with some
form of assistance. These versions
of the dungeons are also a little
bit lower level, often being five
levels before the Exploration
Mode of the same dungeon.
Once you complete Story Mode, you unlock Exploration Mode for that Repair everything before you go inside. You don’t want your gear to break
dungeon in the future. Enemies are tougher, the dungeon itself changes, as soon as your character dies. It’s easy to get killed in dungeons, especially
and new choices you make will define which bosses you’ll encounter. It’s all when you’re
quite interesting and makes the dungeons much more replayable than they learning each
would be in other games. new area.
In the same way,

make sure that
SIMPLE DUNGEON RULES your inventory is
Always have access to fairly open. You
close-range and long- don’t want to miss
range weapons. Don’t out on a great
come to a dungeon new weapon because your bags were full and you stopped looting! Or, you
with a single weapon don’t want to hold up the group because you have to go through your bags
set and think you’re and decide what to keep or destroy after something especially nice drops.
good to go. There are
Try new things and new ideas. If a fight seems way too difficult, you’re
various challenges to
probably not fighting optimally. Try spreading out and using attacks that
face, and you don’t want to be the player who says, “I can’t do this.” Come
give the party maximum survivability. Or push everyone’s damage against
to dungeons with several sets of weapons. Preferably, have something for
a single enemy and see if it can be burned down before the fight gets too
crowd control to keep enemies stunned. Have a set for ranged combat and
intense. Look for specific problems during the battle; if you can identify
kiting. And also keep a set for pure damage output. Depending on your
the source of your character’s deaths, it’ll help immensely. “That guy has
profession, something for survivability sure wouldn’t hurt either!
a damage shield, and we’re all killing ourselves on it.” Ha! So stop damage
against that creep while his damage shield is up.
“Consider equipping a mix of ranged and melee weapons if
We’ll go over these tricks, and quite a few more, in the future.
your profession can weapon swap. Some enemies are easier
with a ranged weapon equipped.”
—Peter Larkin
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GAME MECHANICS
Fighting Against
D U N G E O N D E LV I N G / F I G H T I N G A G A I N S T OT H E R P L AY E R S
Other Players
You already know what
we’re going to say
here, don’t you? This
too is a subject that
demands much more
attention than we can
afford to give it here.
Guild Wars 2 tests your
skills considerably. PvP
only has a few ways
to get an edge in this
game without having
practice and raw skill.
Gear only gets you,
well, not very far at all.
PvP is about picking
the best mix of skills
for the fight at hand
and using those skills
to perfection.
Structured PvP is a carefully measured challenge to ensure that competitive

teams have the most professional environment possible. Leveling, PvE gear,
expensive potions, and other unbalancing elements are not a part of this.
Guild Wars 2 wants to see who can play the best, not who can spend the
most time and money on his or her character.
World versus World (WvW, or WvWvW) is more open to participants who

want to play as part of a larger team. Instead of battling other small groups,
there is the potential to take entire keeps, scour multiple maps of territory,
and procure benefits for your server along the way.
Gear is a factor in WvW, so lower-level players are at a disadvantage, but that doesn’t stop people from being able to contribute. It just provides incentive to
acquire higher-end PvE gear and thus be well-equipped for both types of play.
When you’re ready to jump into this side of the game, go to the PvP tab in your Hero window and come into the Mists. From there you can configure your
hero’s settings and PvP equipment.
“If you want to try out different specs and see all of your traits, press ‘H’ and go to
the mists! Re-speccing is free and all abilities and traits are available right away.”
—Chris “Cool Guy” Roberts
121
First
Experiences
Once you’ve created a character, the game places you into a short instanced area. This
begins your character’s personal story while introducing you to some of Guild Wars 2’s
concepts and enemies. We’ll quickly walk you through these to help get things going.
Asura
The asuran people have been driven to the surface
of Tyria. There isn’t time or reason to lament this fact.
It’s better to find solutions! Your people have been
busy at work creating new golems and machines to
help with living on the surface. It’s gone well for the
most part, yet there are occasional slips. Today, there
has been such an accident, and mad golems are
suddenly running amok. Someone has to stop them,
and at least you’re carrying a weapon.
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EXPLOSIVE INTELLECT
Your hero stands in an open pavilion, near another asura. Talk to your
buddy there (Robb) and see what’s going on. Right-click on nearby NPCs to
hear what they have to say. After hearing about the golems, you’re asked to
find the Peacemakers (as if they’d know what to do).
123
FIND PEACEMAKER GEZZI LEARNING TO FIGHT
Make sure to unlock at least
your second weapon skill
while you’re on your way
over. As you unlock more
and more skills, it’s sensible
to integrate them into your
attack pattern. See if your
new attacks are best used
before autoattacking or if they should be worked in after a few hits. This
varies immensely based on your profession and current weapon choice.
A green icon moves east on your minimap to show this new goal. The
minimap is at the bottom right side of the screen. It shows the region SHINY!
around your character, and story goals always appear in green (either as a
direction to travel or as a specific target if you get close enough). If any enemies
Run through the golem-infested area toward that goal. You don’t have to sparkle after they die,
fight these aggressive golems, but it’s a good way to start practicing with your it means they have
weapons. You learn weapon skills by killing enemies with different varieties of treasure. Right-click
weapons. Each kill unlocks a percentage of the next available skill, and you can on them or press
check on your progress by highlighting the skill in question.
your Interact button
to loot them. This
gets you treasure, equipment, or items for events. Set your
options to autoloot to make it even easier to grab everything
off of your victims.
When you arrive in the southeast, another asura tells you that Zojja has
gone through a portal into the Golemagical Institute. Follow her through
the pink gateway and teleport to the institute.
DESTROY THE
Peacemaker Gezzi isn’t far away. Talk to him and see if you can lend your
assistance. An asuran woman named Zojja has taken the lead in stopping INQUEST GOLEMS
this golem uprising. She’s farther southeast, but Gezzi has his hands full Approach Zojja on
with the golems that are already here. Step up and help out! Zojja is a major the other side of
figure in Rata Sum, and getting to know her could help your career. the portal. She is
in the middle of a
confrontation. She
FIND THE PORTAL TO THE and some Inquest

operatives are staring
GOLEMAGICAL INSTITUTE each other down.
The Inquest krewe is
Fight your way to a group that has been destabilizing asuran politics lately. They have some
the southeast. Attack pretty radical ideas (and not in a good way).
golems that are already
in battle to have an A fight soon begins. You can tell this because the text on the right side of
easier time raking in your screen updates, and there is a telltale “ding” noise to get your attention.
kills. During these early
encounters, it’s fine You have to fight five waves of Inquest golems and operatives. Use “Tab” (or
to walk up to your whatever button you’ve assigned) to target the enemies in the open room
targets, press “1,” and ahead. Approach and attempt to kill them while Zojja and her golem assist.
let the autoattack do its work. This doesn’t kill targets quickly, but it’s very easy. Stay near these allied NPCs to ensure you have a safer time in this long fight.
124
F I R S T E X PE R I E N C E S
HEALING SKILLS
ASUR A
Your health shows up in red at the bottom of the screen. If it gets all the way to zero, your
character will collapse and be at risk of dying if he or she can’t defeat an enemy or receive
help in short order. It’s better to keep your health near its full value whenever possible.
Look at the skill assigned to number “6” on your keyboard. This is your profession’s
default healing skill. Use this during fights to keep your health as high as possible. Over
time, you’ll earn skill points and get to unlock other healing abilities, but the default ones
are often quite good in a variety of situations.
Keep blasting through Inquest targets until five waves of the enemies have fallen. This triggers a new event, as a prototype golem begins to activate. The
fight just got a whole lot bigger!
Prototype X
This new golem type is impressive. It has arm cannons for ranged fighting, it can pound anything close by, and the sucker can sure take some
punishment! During tougher encounters like this, you might collapse at some point. If that happens, you have to rally by healing yourself (with the
“4” key once it becomes available).
Ranged heroes should watch the ground while attacking Prototype

X. When the golem starts marking spots in red, that’s a sign to close
in toward the golem. You can avoid the ranged attacks as the enemy
spins around and shoots at everything farther off. Back away afterward
to avoid the golem’s melee attacks.
Melee characters don’t have to worry about the ranged weaponry, but
they take damage somewhat consistently throughout the fight.
If you have a melee weapon, use your healing skill as often as

possible to keep yourself in good shape. Back away if your health
gets too low at any point, and give your healing skill time to cool
down. Use it and return to the fight when you’re ready.
You can target most parts of Prototype X’s body, and the damage
still goes to the core of this creature. You won’t waste your damage
by hitting it on the arms or wherever you target. Just make sure
you’re hitting the golem and continue to do so until it breaks down.
125
Afterward, a short scene plays and then you’re taken out of the instance. You
gain level 2 and enter Metrica Province. That’s the low-level zone for starting
asuran characters. You’ll meet other players, see a huge range of events, and
Charr
You’ve joined the legion! This isn’t some gentle human army. You’re going to
get to continue your story (whenever you want, and at your own pace).
fight for a living. Hell, you’re going to fight just to live. There are Ascalonian
ghosts all over the place, and who knows what else will stand in the way of
charr supremacy. The gods are dead. Let’s see if we can put the Elder Dragons
down next.
The portal behind your hero leads into Rata Sum, the capital city of your
people. Go in there now, or after some adventuring, to get waypoints, see
the sights, and use the city’s many merchants.
To learn more about Metrica Province, and about the other regions of Tyria,
see our World chapter. We’ll walk you through many more events.
FURY OF THE DEAD
The Ascalonians are restless again. From the ground itself they surge, fighting
the legionnaires without any way to settle the battle permanently. Your
charr starts near the site of the conflict. Look for your map on the lower
right side of the screen. The green symbol directs you toward Legionnaire
Tosia Domesplitter. Walk southeast until you meet her.
Right-click on Tosia to talk to her. She’ll let you know what to do next, and a
new waypoint appears on your map immediately afterward.
126
FIGHT YOUR GET INTO THE CRYPT GATE

WAY TO THE FRONT Leave the centurion and
CHARR
make for the crypt to the
east. A powerful human
spirit is down there, and
he’s leading these ghosts
in their fight. Destroying
the lord offers only
temporary respite, but it
must be done!
Use the mortars nearby to clear out a few spirits if you think that’s fun, or
just kill your way down the path ahead. There are more than enough targets
to keep you entertained.
Continue southeast into Vir’s Gate. There are Ascalonians and charr everywhere. A MOMENT’S REST
Kill the pale spirits as you go, and practice your combat techniques.
Characters heal naturally
if they stay outside of
battle for more than a
THE HEART OF A CHARR
few moments. When that
Whether you use magic, isn’t an option, use the
blades, or technology, you skill linked to number “6”
are a fighter. Charr are on your keyboard. This is
born for struggle and glory. always a healing ability;
Kill Ascalonians and use these work quite well to stave off death when you’re in the thick of
this practice to learn new battle. All professions have healing skills.
weapon skills. Watch them
unlock at the bottom of
the screen, where your number keys are listed. Each kill gets you closer
to the next skill for your current weapon set.
Try to have at least your second skill unlocked before you get to
JOIN RYTLOCK BRIMSTONE
the end of Vir’s Gate.
IN BARRADIN’S VAULTS
The great war hero Rytlock Brimstone is already down in the crypt vaults.
Hurry into the depths and follow him. There are enough charr already
fighting here that you can rush past almost all of the Ascalonians if you’re
THE SPOILS OF WAR itching to meet up with Rytlock.
Enemies sparkle with

treasure when they
fall. Not all of your
foes have anything
of value, but make
sure to try and loot
everything you see. To do this, interact with the corpses of your
enemies or right-click on them. If you have autoloot enabled in
the Options menu, the “Interact” button will grab everything on a
corpse without wasting a moment of your fighting time!
When you meet the hero at the back of the crypt, he’s already engaging the
Centurion Gracchus Krysknife has been injured. Talk to Gracchus and learn ghosts. Help him fight four waves of the spirits, including Duke Barradin,
more about this battle. The centurion is too badly injured to go on, and you when the dead leader of the troops manifests. He’ll be the fourth wave of
must take up the call to arms. the fight. Once he’s badly injured, the duke retreats to the back of the room
and possesses the statue above a tomb. Now the fight is truly epic!
127
Duke Barradin
The statue gives Duke Barradin far more power and protection, so he won’t be dispersed without taking some punishment. Rytlock and the other
charr attack him directly. The ghost uses fear, melee attacks, and sometimes a more distant strike to knock down his enemies.
Early in the fight, your hero goes down from the ghost’s sudden onslaught. This is a way to show you what happens when your character goes into a
downed state. To rally out of it, wait until the skill under ability “4” lights up, and use that to heal yourself. This rallies your character and gets you back into
the engagement. Killing enemies with the “1” key would have done the same thing. Do that if any of the ghosts attack your character while you’re healing.
Now you’re ready for blood!
To melee the ghost, jump onto his tomb and attack directly from there. You can watch the statue’s health fall while you do this. If you’re using a
ranged weapon instead, stay slightly to the side so you aren’t hit by as many of the ghost’s melee attacks.
Ascalonians are summoned to aid their duke throughout the

fight. Kill most of them, but always leave one alive and injured.
If you go down during any portion of the engagement, kill the
lone spirit to rally yourself and return to the fight.
Use your healing skill often to stay in fine fighting form. Soon
enough, the duke will fall back into the ether.
After this victory, your charr goes to the village of Smokestead, on the western side of the Plains of Ashford. You’re now in the main portion of Guild Wars 2.
The portal to your west goes to the charr capital city (the Black Citadel). Everything to the east is filled with events and adventure! Go out and meet friends,
gain levels, and continue your personal story whenever you wish.
Look up the Plains of Ashford in our World chapter if you’d like to keep going with this walkthrough. Or, you can explore and do whatever you like. You’re a
charr; you only follow the legion’s orders.
128
Human DEFEND THE GARRISON

Agree to go to the garrison in the sergeant’s place. Fight your way out of the
HUMAN
inn, and take the eastern road toward the garrison.
TAKE THE BATTLE TO THEM!

You only have one
weapon skill for now,
and you’ll have to defeat
enemies to unlock more
of them. Kill centaurs
by the inn and watch the
skills at the bottom of
your screen. The second
Kryta was the only human nation in the land that did not fall under the one starts unlocking after your first kill, and you can see the
shadows of the charr invasion and the resulting times of destruction. Holed progress toward completion by highlighting the skill.
up in Divinity’s Reach, the people of Kryta are still fighting just to survive.
Though the charr legions no longer press west through the Shiverpeak
Mountains, the centaurs are now becoming just as great a threat. Heroes
have to stand tall against the darkness to protect what is left of humanity in SEE IF THE RAIDERS HAVE
Tyria. A new battle in that war is just about to begin. ANYTHING USEFUL
Fallen centaurs
THE DEFENSE OF SHAEMOOR sometimes sparkle.

That means they
You begin in the
village of Shaemoor, have treasure for your
outside the capital city. hero. Interact with
Centaurs have been the body or right-
increasingly bold in click on the fallen
approaching Divinity’s
enemy to get their treasure. This is the same way you interact
Reach with their
with items that spawn on the ground (for events and such).
raiding parties, and
the region has been
overrun by their forces. Talk to Corporal Beirne (by right-clicking the soldier) Use the autoloot selection from the Options menu to ensure
on the road into Shaemoor, where you begin. He’ll urge your hero to get to that you grab treasure from your enemies without wasting
the village inn, where the defenders are rallying. any time.
Follow the road south and look at the bottom of your screen. On the right side is
your minimap. A green arrow leads your hero toward the inn. Go inside as soon There’s a bridge at the
as you find it, and look for Sergeant Walters at the back of the building. end of the eastern
road. Cross it to enter
the garrison and
expect a large assault
shortly after you arrive.
Logan Thackeray and
his troops are holding
the line against the
approaching centaurs, but they’ll sure appreciate the help. Attackers are
using the southern bridge to enter the fort. Stay near the bridge and hit the
centaurs as they come in.
There are several waves of these troops, and then champion Modniir High
Sage attacks. He’s the leader of the centaur raiding party. Join the human
defenders and pile on against the champion. Bring him to low health with
Sergeant Walters has too much on her hands. She’s organizing the defenders here, your attacks, and don’t be surprised when he turns tail. The champion flees
but there are civilians to protect. When the call comes in to help the soldiers at the back across the bridge and summons a mighty earth elemental.
garrison, she doesn’t have anyone to spare. It’s your turn to step up.
129
PROTECT YOURSELF AS WELL AS THE VILLAGERS
If you’re injured while fighting the centaurs, use the skill tied to the number “6” key on
your keyboard. That is the default healing skill for your profession, and it allows your
character to restore health during battle or between fights. The cooldowns for healing
abilities are substantial, so you can’t spam them to keep yourself at full health forever.
Wait until you’re around half health to use most of them, and see if that works well for
your given profession.
Cross the bridge and enter the southern field. That’s where the earth elemental rises. It has smaller elementals to support its attack, but you have Logan and
his soldiers at your side. You must not fail!
Earth Elemental
Your character falls to the ground shortly after the battle begins. In this downed state, you only have four possible skills. Use the one under skill “4” to
heal your character and rally. Killing enemies is another way to rally while you’re in a downed state.
Once you rally, take the fight to the earth elemental. Attack it by targeting any portion of its body. The gigantic monster requires quite a few hits to
destroy, but the other soldiers are doing enough damage that the creature will eventually die even if you don’t intervene.
Stop attacking if you see any of the smaller elementals nearby. Kill them to prevent your hero or the soldiers from taking much damage. Use your
healing skill to restore lost health throughout the fight, and be patient.
If too many of the soldiers fall in battle, interact

with their bodies to revive them and get them
back into the conflict. They’ll give the little
elementals more targets to attack, so it’s in your
best interest to have the soldiers live to the end
of the battle.
Though wounded in the battle of Shaemoor, your character has survived the encounter. Now a hero in every right, you have the privilege and responsibility
to continue your efforts for Divinity’s Reach.
Your hero’s story continues in the area around Shaemoor and in Divinity’s Reach (to the north). Read through the Queensdale entry in our World chapter if
you’d like to continue this journey with a bit of help.
130
Norn PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
NORN
Each type of weapon
has five skills associated
with it. You start with the
autoattack for each weapon
group, but the others are
locked. Every kill you make
with that weapon group
goes toward unlocking the
next available skill. Look at the bottom of the screen to see your progress.
The skill icon above number “2” is the next skill you’re going to unlock,
and it only takes a few kills to do this. Some of the lesser beasts in the
forest make good targets for this type of hunting.
The norn haven’t been broken by their defeat. Though cast out of their
homeland by the Elder Dragon Jormag, the norn are still able to hunt, build,
and celebrate! This is the time of a great hunt, when young and veteran AH, RICHES!
hunters alike can meet and prove themselves. Join them, and see if you can
raise your standing among the people of Hoelbrak.
Watch when you fell
each beast. Creatures
THE GREAT HUNT that sparkle have

treasure for your
hero. Right-click on
enemies to loot them,
or use the “Interact” button to accomplish the same result. That’s
how you pick up the trophy you need. Use the autoloot selection
from the Options menu to make the process easier and faster.
BRING THE TROPHY TO

IDO THE TANNER TO ENTER
Your hero begins in Snowlord’s Gate, a small town to the east of Hoelbrak.
The drinking and merrymaking is already getting underway, but you have
THE GREAT HUNT
even more exciting things to do. Talk to Thora Griffonbane, on the northern Walk back to Snowlord’s Gate and look for a man named Ido. His location is
side of the road. Interact with Thora or right-click on her to start the marked on your map, so it shouldn’t take long to find him. Ido is a tanner, and
conversation. She’ll direct you to gather a trophy from a great monster in he can prepare the trophy you just earned. It’ll make a perfect item to boast
the area. about later. Use it to impress the other norn and enter the Great Hunt!
It’s your choice whether to go after a dire boar, sire griffon, or minotaur bull. Eir is a legendary hero of
All three of these enemies are found to the south, in the forest. If you get your people, and she’s
close to any of these animals, the target will be marked on your minimap leading the hunt this year.
(that’s on the bottom right side of the screen). Meet her on the steps to
the north of Snowlord’s
To kill the creatures, approach them and use your autoattack. Press “1” to Gate. Talk to Eir and
start using that skill, and your character will continue to hit the monster as follow her up to the top
long as it stays within weapon range. Kill the first great monster you see, of the area. Norn warriors
and bring back a trophy from the kill. follow, as they also wish to
participate.
The mighty wurm Issormir is at the top of the mountain. Its small offspring
cover the area. Issormir won’t come out until you’ve given her sufficient
motivation. Go with the warriors and start to kill the smaller wurms.
131
DON’T LET YOUR
WOUNDS FESTER
The sixth ability on your skill bar is for
healing. Use it whenever your character
takes more than a trivial amount of damage.
This will be quite important during the fight
with Issormir!
When enough of the lesser wurms are slain, Issormir rises from the snow and readies her attack. Have no fear! You’re one of the norn’s greatest young
hunters, and Eir is still at your side.
Issormir
This wurm is a heck of a lot bigger than the others. She’ll take a long time to defeat, and most of the warriors won’t be around to help. Keep
your distance from any smaller wurms that pop up during the fight so you can focus entirely on Issormir. If she knocks your character back,
race forward to reengage her as soon as possible.
When you get splattered on the ground, switch targets and attack the lesser wurms to try and rally (this gets you back on your feet as long as
you can kill the enemy before your character dies). If none of the lesser enemies are close by while you’re downed, use “4” to heal yourself
and rally on your own.
When fighting, use your healing skill to stay alive, and back off from Issormir if you need to catch a breath. Stand back, wait for your healing
skill to cool down, and then come back to the fight after you’ve healed.
Other than that, you just need to pound the

wurm until she can no longer fight. This ends the
Great Hunt and gives you a keen victory for your
name and your legend.
The next stage of your story begins after the Great Hunt is won. Your hero stands at the northwestern end of the Wayfarer Foothills. The northwest road
takes you into Hoelbrak, the capital. It’s where you’ll go to access the Bank, Trading Post, meet other players, and generally hang out. The lands to the east
have many tasks and events to help you rise in glory and renown.
To find out more about the region, use our World chapter to look up the Wayfarer Foothills. The descriptions in that chapter help you run through the
area, find enemies, and complete the events.
132
Sylvari “ACT WITH WISDOM, BUT ACT”
S Y LVA R I
This is a time of struggle
and loss. You’re going to
have to kill, regardless
of your feelings about
violence. Choosing not
to fight would mean that
others would be killed,
and you can’t allow
nature or innocent people to be harmed.
Kill the mastiffs and learn from them. Each time you kill an
enemy, you work toward learning new weapon skills. These are
shown at the bottom of your screen. The skill marked with a “1” is
unlocked automatically, and you use that to fight initially. Once
Your story begins before you even wake in the world of Tyria. While still you’ve killed several foes, the second ability lights up as well.
within the Dream, your hero is summoned by a spirit. The Dream is a place
where the sylvari watch the events of the world before they become a
physical part of it. Something dark is stirring within that place of rest.
“ALL THINGS HAVE

A RIGHT TO GROW”
FIGHTING THE NIGHTMARE
There’s no reason
to waste what the
creatures possessed.
When enemies are
slain, look at their
bodies and loot the
ones that sparkle.
Interact with the bodies or right-click on them. Use the autoloot
option to make the act as fast and painless as possible.
Look around in the Dream. Not far away from your hero is a spirit named Kill the mastiffs as you look for Caithe again. She’ll be standing near a small
Caithe. Her position is shown on your minimap, on the lower right side path. Talk to her and then continue south on that path.
of the screen. Approach Caithe and then right-click on her (or use your
“Interact” button to accomplish the same thing). This starts a conversation.
Caithe wants you to travel south. There are shadows of the real world
FIND AND
bleeding through into the Dream. You cannot affect these, but there are
also nightmares here. They manifest as mastiffs that attack anything that
PROTECT THE BRIDGE
gets close to them. You must defend yourself. There are only a few more mastiffs on the way up to the bridge. Fight them
while observing the dreaming people on the sides of the path. When you
reach the top, Caithe is there. Go with her across the bridge and attack the
mastiffs beyond.
133
“WHERE LIFE GOES, SO TOO
SHOULD YOU”
If your hero is wounded during these fights,
press “6” to heal yourself. Watch the cooldown
for this skill closely; it should be used often
when you’re doing heavy fighting. It’s also
possible to heal your character by staying
outside of battle for a short time.
An alarming number of the mastiffs have gathered on the other side

of the bridge. Caithe doesn’t know what they’re here for, but it’s got to
be something bad. Start to kill the mastiffs, and stay close to Caithe.
She can manifest here, and that lets the two of you support each other
during the fighting.
When enough of the mastiffs have been slain, a shadow emerges

from the mists of the Dream. Whatever evil it represents, you must
stop the creature.
134
Shadow of the Dragon
S Y LVA R I
This monster is immense. Before long, it will knock down your character unless
you’re careful. While downed, you can’t fight back normally. Left with only
a few skills, you can rally by healing yourself (with the “4” key). When
that’s done, get up and fight back!
Target the shadow’s forelegs and start attacking

immediately. Watch the ground for red circles, and avoid
these whenever they show up. The shadow attacks in
bursts, and you can avoid most of the damage by
retreating during these phases.
Only Caithe is here to help you, so the

fight takes quite some time. Rely on
your healing skill to recover from
any mistakes, and keep at least one
mastiff around at all times. They’re
summoned throughout the fight,
but it’s not bad to have one nearby.
Attack the mastiffs if you’re downed
again. Killing them in this state
rallies your character instantly.
Maintain your assault on this

monster until it is driven away.
Whether this is a temporary victory is
irrelevant. It had to be done either way.
Your hero awakens from the Dream and enters the world of Tyria. The Grove is close by. The Grove is the capital city of the sylvari people. Use that as a
place of refuge. Meet other people there, sell your goods, or simply explore and enjoy the scenic town. Around you is the region of Caledon Forest, where
you can fight other monsters that are a threat to the world.
To learn more, switch to the World chapter and read about Caledon Forest in greater detail. We’ll walk you through the events and challenges
of that area (and more).
135
Professions
Professions define your weapon and skill choices for a character. Though Guild Wars 2 allows ample leeway in what you can accomplish within a given profession, it’s still
essential to find what works best for you as a player. This chapter explains the strengths and limitations of every profession in the game. We discuss their armor choices,
weapons, skills, and general playstyles. Even if you know the original Guild Wars like the back of your hand, this is an important chapter to examine. Many professions have
changed since their first iterations, and you might be surprised at what they can do now!
Introduction
Before we look at each profession individually, let’s talk about their universal aspects. Every profession has an armor
type: light, medium, or heavy. Each profession has at least one special skill that’s linked with the function keys. Keys
F1 through F4 are dedicated to these, so your profession might have as many as four additional skills that are not
slotted or determined by your weapons.
Not all skills are dictated by profession. Naturally, racial skills are determined by the race of your character. They’re
independent of your profession, so norn get the same skills whether they’re warriors, thieves, or whatever you’d like
to play. We’ll examine the pros and cons of racial skills soon.
136
Attribute Choices
Professions influence your character’s attributes in many ways, including trait availability, synergy between skills
and attributes, and so forth. It’s important to know that no attributes are profession-dependent. This isn’t a game
where you can say, “Don’t raise X attribute; my class doesn’t use that at all.” All classes use all of their attributes.
Whether you go for health, survivability, damage output, or critical hits for burst damage, your character will
benefit from everything.
Attribute Effect Used For

Power Raises damage output Higher sustained damage
Precision Raises critical hit rate Getting more procs (e.g. critical hits)
Toughness Reduces incoming damage Survive normal incoming damage
Vitality Increases your health Survive condition damage
Healing Improves the amount healed by healing skills Maintaining health during challenging fights
What’s more, you won’t necessarily choose the same style of attributes as someone else who’s playing the same
profession. One warrior can maximize damage output by getting as much power and precision as possible. Another
might make a survivable character with toughness and vitality. You can mix three or even all four attributes, or
stack as much as possible on a single type.
137
SUMMON POWER SUIT ELITE
Racial Skills Damage: Special
Racial skills add variety to the game and accent the differences between the five
Effect: Change Weapon
playable races that dominate Tyria. Sometimes these help fill out your builds, Skills
providing skills that are wildly different from what your profession already has. Cooldown: 180 Seconds
The power suit is a long-lasting elite
Note that racial abilities aren’t balanced around their PvP utility. As such, they skill that summons a suit of armor
aren’t allowed in fights against other players. This avoids arguments about into which your asura can climb. It
which race is best for which professions in PvP. has melee and ranged attacks, can
knockback foes, and repair itself. You must try this skill; it’s absolutely amazing.
DSERIES GOLEM ELITE

Damage: N/A
Effect: Summon Golem
Asura Cooldown:
(30 Seconds)
180 Seconds
Defensive Golem is very similar to
PAIN INVERTER Offensive Golem. Use the other
version if you’re contributing more
toward a group’s damage. Use this
Damage: N/A one if you’re trying to tank for the group and want to share the incoming damage.
Effect: Retaliation
(30 Seconds)
Cooldown: 90 Seconds
This ability lets you throw damage
back at your enemy, hurting him
every time he attacks. Use this to
mess with groups of enemies while
you’re tanking and using AoEs.
Charr
TECHNOBABBLE
Damage: N/A BATTLE ROAR
Effect: Daze (3 Seconds)
Damage: N/A
Effect: Fury (15 Seconds),
When asura try to explain things to Might (x3)
non-asura, it can get a little weird. (15 Seconds)
Over time, asura have found that
this unsettling effect can be used in
combat. Use Technobabble to shut If you want to raise general damage
down single, powerful opponents. Wait until they’re winding up their best attacks and burst DPS for your group, this is a
and stop them cold for a few seconds. This can provide time to escape, continue good skill to take. It raises your group
attacking, or whatever else you’d like to try. support potential and gets better and better the more allies you have.
7SERIES GOLEM ELITE HIDDEN PISTOL

Damage: N/A Damage: Low
Effect: Summon Golem Effect: Combo Finisher
(30 Seconds) (Projectile),
Cooldown: 180 Seconds Backward Evade
When you want an aggressive pet,
why not create one for yourself? Players who want more defensive
Asura with non-pet classes stand to options should invest in Hidden
gain the most from this. You get 30 Pistol. Though its outright damage
seconds with your buddy, so be sure to wait until combat with a high-end target is low, the back step you get can save your hero when endurance runs out and
is already underway. major attacks are coming in. Ranged characters should find this especially useful,
as it provides yet another way to get away from targets.
138
PROFESSIONS
ARTILLERY BARRAGE ELITE

Damage: Moderate-to-High
Effect: AoE Damage
Artillery Barrage is awesome! If you
like AoEs and want to have another
at your disposal, choose this. The
attack’s duration is long, so you
contribute quite a bit of damage over
time, especially if quite a few enemies are fighting in your area.
Norn
CALL OWL
WARBAND SUPPORT ELITE Damage: Extremely High
Damage: N/A Effect: Bleed
Effect: Summon Allies Cooldown: 20 Seconds
(30 Seconds)
Call Owl quickly summons a creature
Cooldown: 240 Seconds to attack your foe, dealing high
A soldier and a marksman appear, damage and then putting a nasty
INTRODUCTION
assisting your charr hero for 30 Bleed effect on the victim. Use this
seconds. This distracts enemies, to augment your character when
disperses incoming damage, and damage is a high priority.
makes survival easier whether you’re facing a single foe or a large group. If you
don’t know what type of encounter is looming, this is a solid default because it’s
always useful.
CALL WURM
Damage: Low But Consistent
CHARRZOOKA ELITE Effect: Summon Wurm
(60 Seconds)
Damage: Special
Effect: Five New Weapon
Skills (60 Seconds) This skill calls a pet that uses its
ranged attacks to help you in combat.
Cooldown: 180 Seconds The wurms aren’t powerful enough to
The legendary Charrzooka replaces blow through enemies on their own,
your current weapon with a ranged, but they add moderate damage over time to your encounter. They’re at their
explosive gadget that rocks the best when you fight in a region with many enemies over time, such as when you
house. Expect high damage, agonizing defend a control point during a PvE event.
Burning effects, and a good time to be had by all. The extended duration means
you get to have fun for a good while.
If you need intense ranged damage, effects to knock around enemies, and high
damage output over time, this is a perfect elite skill. BECOME THE WOLF ELITE
Damage: N/A
Effect: Shift into Wolf
Form for 30
Seconds
This form gives your norn an entirely
new series of attacks, and you visually
transform as well. Your wolf can
attack to Bleed enemies, steal their health, or knock them down. You also get a
fear skill that sends your foes running for the hills.
For group utility, this form also provides a buff, giving you and nearby allies fury
and regeneration!
Use wolf form when you want to support a group in a challenging encounter.
Disable the enemies, keep yourself alive, buff others, and enjoy the benefits of this
mixed series of attacks. It’s a good blend of survivability, support, and offense.
139
BECOME THE BEAR ELITE
Damage: N/A
Effect: Shift into Bear
Form for 30
Seconds
Bears are all about the damage, baby.
This form doesn’t have much to
control your enemies, but you can
kill them outright without too much work. Your new form gives characters a Human
knockback, a might buff, and a charge. But mostly, the raw damage stats are what
you get from the bear. Use this when you want to lay into an especially powerful
target: veterans, champions, etc.
PRAYER TO DWAYNA HEALING
Damage: N/A
BECOME THE RAVEN ELITE Effect: Moderate Self-Heal

Damage: N/A Humans get an extra healing
Effect: Shift into Raven ability. Prayer to Dwayna features a
Form for 30 moderate cooldown and middle-
Seconds of-the-road healing. It’s most useful
Cooldown: 240 Seconds when you don’t have a traditional,
straightforward healing skill (e.g. engineers).
Raven form lays into groups of
enemies without much difficulty. You
can use projectiles and a charge when
targets are distant or spread out. You also have a Daze and a Bleed when you’re
looking for pure damage. This is a good form for AoE fights. PRAYER TO KORMIR
Damage: N/A
Effect: Removes 3
BECOME THE SNOW LEOPARD ELITE Conditions
Damage: N/A
Most condition-removing abilities
Effect: Shift into Snow strip off only one or two of these
Leopard Form for status effects. Removing three of
30 Seconds
them at once is a big deal, making this
Cooldown: 240 Seconds a powerful ability when you face dungeon bosses or champions prone to dishing
The snow leopard form kills single out the conditions. This isn’t a skill to keep on your bar permanently, but it’s a
targets with high reliability. Its wonderful situational tool to have at your disposal.
considerable damage works well with
condition skills that add weaken and cripple to your enemies. To catch targets,
you also have the power to dash after them, or use stealth to get the upper hand.
PRAYER TO LYSSA
Damage: N/A
Effect: Random Boon
for You, Random
Condition for
an Enemy
Prayer to Lyssa is like being a mesmer
for a brief moment. You get to grab a
free boon and lay down a condition on an enemy—if you have one targeted. This
isn’t an exceptionally powerful trick because it’s hard to plan any tactics around
two random effects. Use these more for fun than for survival.
REAPER OF GRENTH ELITE

Damage: N/A
Effect: Transformation
(10 Seconds), Chill
(3 Seconds), Poison
(3 Seconds)
For a brief time, this elite skill turns
your character into the personification
of Grenth. While transformed, you Chill and Poison all enemies that get too close
140 to your character. This is a useful trick against healing or kiting enemies.
PROFESSIONS
AVATAR OF MELANDRU ELITE SEED TURRET

Damage: Special Damage: High (Over Time)
Effect: Transform (20 Effect: Summon Turret
Seconds), Stability (30 Seconds)
(20 Seconds) Cooldown: 60 Seconds
Turrets are always fun. They’re
This elite skill is extremely powerful, immobile pets that shoot at any
especially in groups. Your character monster in the area. Use them to
takes on the power of Melandru. improve your damage output or to
While transformed, you gain new weapon skills and can damage and disrupt give monsters one more thing to peck at. Seed Turret is ideal for holding territory
enemies, clear conditions from yourself and nearby allies, and heal those around during events where enemies spawn and come at you. In a pinch they’re also
you. For serious party support, you can’t do much better than this. It’s wonderful useful in escort events or in entering areas where you can pull multiple monsters
in dungeon runs or larger group events. back to your turret.
HOUNDS OF BALTHAZAR ELITE SUMMON FERN MASTIFF ELITE

Damage: N/A Damage: High
Effect: Summons 2 Pets Effect: Summon Fern
(30 Seconds) Mastiff (30 Seconds)
INTRODUCTION
Cooldown: 240 Seconds Cooldown: 240 Seconds
If damage and personal survival are The Fern Mastiff is a single pet with
more important than party support, high survivability and darn good
slot Hounds of Balthazar. Human players damage output. The beast poisons
love this skill for its ability to augment its targets and can hold monsters to
damage output, distract enemies (by giving them more targets), and for the awesome protect your hero. Between this and Seed Turret, you can easily give your hero
look of the two hounds it summons. When you aren’t sure which elite to buy first, more time to fight (or run), even during the most intense encounters.
consider this one. It’s great for solo players, and it still stands up well in groups.
TAKE ROOT ELITE

Damage: Psychotic
Effect: Summon an Army
of Seed Turrets
Sylvari Cooldown: 600 Seconds

This elite skill’s huge downside is
that you can use it only once in a
blue moon. However, Take Root is so
HEALING SEED HEALING powerful that it’s worth getting once
you can afford the skill points. When cast, Take Root summons Seed Turrets all
Damage: N/A over the area. They help you overwhelm anything short of a full invasion. Veterans
and champions are much easier to defeat with this skill in your arsenal. Have
Effect: Deploys a an ally start the fight while you get close to the enemy and summon your little
Healing Plant friends. The rest is pure enjoyment.
If you want health restoration over
time for a group, use Healing Seed.
This skill summons a plant that SUMMON DRUID SPIRIT ELITE
appears near your hero. The plant
heals itself and all nearby allies for the duration of the effect. The effect lasts for a Damage: High
decent portion of the cooldown, so you can use Healing Seed fairly often.
Effect: Summon Pet
(60 Seconds)
Avoid taking Healing Seed for encounters with high burst damage. The little plant
can’t heal through things of that nature. That’s not what it’s made for. Cooldown: 360 Seconds
The problem with most pets is that
they don’t last very long. This elite skill
is noteworthy because it gives you
GRASPING VINES more time with your new friend. The
extended cooldown somewhat balances that, but think about the advantages.
Damage: High (Over Time) Having a pet for a longer encounter means you’re much safer for twice as long.
The Thorn Wolf is better for fast events where you frequently need a little help.
Effect: Immobilize The Druid Spirit is better for larger events, big battles, and major make-or-break
Cooldown: 45 Seconds situations for you and your party.
This skill calls forth a set of vines to
grab your targeted opponent. The
binding roots that erupt from the
group immobilize the victim and
deal damage over time to it. Grasping
Vines is a wonderful ability, especially if you have a ranged weapon to exploit your
foe’s hapless condition.
141
Elementalist
Elementalists are powerful and versatile spell casters
that specialize in magical (elemental) damage.
Although they wear light armor, they have potent
healing and boon abilities that give them respectable
survivability. Their use of potent direct-damage spells
combined with condition damage makes them
formidable adversaries. The breadth and depth of spells
available to an elementalist is enormous, and you’ll find
something to suit any playstyle.
As soloists, elementalists can cast a large number of

fast, deadly spells. Their mix of direct-damage and area-
of-effect abilities allows them to decimate their foes. In
a pinch, they can switch over to defensive and healing
abilities, letting them live through battles that other
professions wouldn’t survive. And don’t think that just
because you’re a light-armor-wearing caster you have
to whittle targets down from range—a dagger-wielding
elementalist gets right up in his or her enemies’ faces
and cuts them down in melee.
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Weapons and
Group work offers elementalists an opportunity to play with their heavy area-of-
effect damage. They have a number of powerful, wide-range targeted spells; being
Weapon Skills
in a group means you have the time to cast them to their full effect. Elementalists
also offer a number of group-friendly traits and slot skills, which can impart a wide
array of boons to your party. Finally, a staff-wielding elementalist using Water spells is
Elementalists master spells based on Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. At first, you have
the closest thing you’ll find to a specialized healer. This is exceptionally nice to have
only Fire and Water open to you, but the others appear in short order—you’ll have
in a group, but don’t think for a moment that your only purpose in the party is to
everything by level eight.
sit in the back and heal! Even at your “healiest” you can inflict decent damage. The
moment you want to unload on your hapless foes, all you have to do is tap a button Elementalists cannot swap weapons in combat. Like engineers, they can wield only one
and let loose with your strongest spells. weapon at a time. To compensate for this, elementalists can switch between their elemental
attunements. Use function keys F1-F4 to do this. Switching attunement puts your older
element into a cooldown period so you can swap between elements rather quickly.
Profession Stats However, you have to give ones that you use about 15 seconds to restore themselves.
Attribute Starting Stats Naked at Level 80

Power 24 1216
Precision 24 1016
Toughness 24 1016
Vitality 24 1016
Attack 160 1216
Critical Chance 4% 9%
Armor 83 1091
Health 245 11,805
The preceding stats give

you an idea of what
Fire-based spells concentrate on inflicting direct- and area-of-effect damage. Many
to expect from your
of them also put a Burning condition over an area. They contribute to fire-based
character. They show
combos. Fire is a powerful and destructive force in the hands of an elementalist, and
elementalist progression
it’s a wonderful means of laying waste to enemy groups.
through examples taken at
the beginning and end of Water-based abilities are more defensive. A number of spells combine damage and
leveling. Your actual stats healing, both for you and for allies. Water-based spells also have a means to remove
will likely vary from this. conditions. Many Water abilities impart the Chill condition, making it a strong means
of disruption and crowd control.
143
Air is the place to find single-target damage. Some area-
of-effect spells are here, as well, along with a good mix
of defensive conditions (Blind, Vulnerability, and Stun).
Daggers (Main Hand)
But Air’s real glory lies in its movement effects. If you A stereotypical melee weapon like a dagger may seem an odd choice for a caster. Yet, elementalists are versatile
want to disrupt your foes by knocking them around magic users, and daggers don’t change that. You can cast any number of elemental attacks and switch between
(great for PvP) or if you love casting while on the move, the four elements to balance damage, conditions, and healing. The downside is that daggers have very limited
Air is exactly what you need. range; you have to be very close to your enemy before you can hit him. If that’s not a problem, use a dagger in
your off hand, as well. Or, to mitigate the range problem, use a focus in your off hand.
Daggers are great weapons to use as a soloist. You can get up close and personal with your target and lay into
him with speed. Daggers also look extremely cool!
DRAGON’S CLAW FIRE

Damage: High
Effect: None
Cooldown: None
Earth might not be as flashy as Fire or Air when it comes This basic Fire attack spreads a claw-shaped blast of flame at your foe.
to its damage spells, but don’t be fooled. Real potency is It’s quick and delivers high damage, and it looks beautifully violent.
here, both in terms of direct damage and some area-of- While this attack lacks the Burn condition that a number of other fire
attacks have, the high damage more than makes up for it. The only
effect attacks. Also, you can deliver a huge amount of easily downside is its close range. You have to be right in front of a target,
stackable Bleed damage. The damage mitigation you gain and that’s a dangerous place. If you’re at point blank, the attack hits a target multiple times, making the skill much
from Earth is phenomenal, as well; damage shields and even more efficient at killing its prey.
limited invulnerability are in its lineup.
As main-hand weapons, elementalists can use daggers DRAKE’S BREATH FIRE

(short range), scepters (medium range), or staves
(long range). As off-hand weapons, elementalists must Damage: Very High
decide between daggers (for more damage) or focuses Effect: Channeled, Burning (3 Seconds)
(for defense). Staves are two-handed weapons, so you Cooldown: 5 Seconds
can’t wield an off-hand weapon with them. In terms of Drake’s Breath is a channeled ability that has you breathe a gout
underwater weapons, elementalists use tridents. of flame over your foe. At the end of the flame spray, your enemy
Burns, taking nasty damage over time. This attack is powerful, but it
requires a bit of a commitment. Because you have to dedicate time
to channel it, you open yourself up to other attacks, especially ones
that knock you down or launch you. While you can move around while casting the spell, if you get disrupted, it
still breaks the channeling. It’s best to open a fight with this spell. The Burn effect will scorch your enemy, and you
can keep moving.
BURNING SPEED FIRE

Damage: Moderate
Effect: Burning (1 Second), Combo Field (Fire)
This attack causes your hero to sprint forward. As you move, a wave
of fire radiates outward, causing Burning to foes nearby. This attack
helps to offset the short range of your dagger attacks. Pick your foes,
use Burning Speed to reach them, and then hit them with Dragon’s
Breath or Dragon’s Claw. As an added bonus, you can help with
some combo damage. Anyone who attacks through your flame trail gains Fire elemental damage.
VAPOR BLADE WATER

Damage: Low
Effect: Vulnerability (6 Seconds)
Cooldown: None
This autoattack doesn’t do much damage, but it weakens your
opponents’ armor ratings. They take more damage from your next
few attacks. Vapor Blade is pretty much a bread-and-butter attack;
it wears down your foes, and you keep nailing them with it until
they’re gone. The vulnerability makes it a good opening to the battle.
Another perk of this attack is that it has surprisingly good range. Use it to soften targets that kite your hero, or
144 before enemies reach you for melee combat.
PROFESSIONS
CONE OF COLD WATER SHOCKING AURA AIR

Damage: Low Damage: None
Effect: Channeled, Heals Effect: Duration (5 Seconds),
Stun (1 Second)
Cone of Cold sprays ice in a forward
cone. This damages any foes in the You form an electrical field that
area and lightly heals allies. While you stuns anyone who attacks you. Use
don’t see high damage numbers using this defensive ability just before
this attack, it adds group utility to you engage a target, or when you
your dagger skills. see an enemy telegraphing a powerful attack. The stun doesn’t last long, but
it’s disruptive. With the enemy stunned, take the chance to lay on damage with
Lightning Touch or Lightning Whip.
FROZEN BLAST WATER

Damage: Low IMPALE EARTH
Effect: Area-of-Effect
Damage, Chilled Damage: Low
(3 Seconds) Effect: Bleeding (8 Seconds)
Cooldown: 15 Seconds Cooldown: None
E L E M E N TA L I ST
This low-damage AoE attack also An enormous spike of earth bursts
chills your enemies. It’s very nice for out of the ground, impaling your
making sure enemies don’t run away enemies and causing them to Bleed.
from you, and it keeps them from using their skills against you as quickly. If you’re This autoattack has the potential
surrounded by enemies, and the one you’ve been slamming turns to run, hit him to inflict more damage than it first
with a Frozen Blast and then follow with Vapor Blade. appears; there’s no cooldown and the Bleeds stack, so you can hit your foes again
and again and have them Bleed away.
LIGHTNING WHIP AIR

RING OF EARTH EARTH
Damage: Low
Effect: None Damage: Moderate
Cooldown: None Effect: Area of Effect,
Bleeding
It has to be said: Lightning Whip (12 Seconds)
simply looks awesome! You create Cooldown: 6 Seconds
a wave of electricity that slices into
enemies. This autoattack is slightly Ring of Earth can hit multiple
stronger than those of the other enemies, causing all of them to Bleed.
elements, but its real glory is speed. You can lash your foes with it until they fall, Combine this with Impale to get
and look good doing it. enemies’ health to drop as quickly as possible. If you’re fighting a group, it’s a good
way to inflict some damage to all the targets as you lay into one unlucky enemy.
LIGHTNING TOUCH AIR

Damage: Low
MAGNETIC GRASP EARTH
Effect: Area-of-Effect Damage: Low
Damage, Effect: Immobilize
Vulnerability (2 Seconds)
(6 Seconds)
Cooldown: 6 Seconds
This attack mitigates the dagger’s
A cone of electricity bursts forth,
major drawback: its short range.
shocking your foes. This makes them
Choose your target, grapple to him
vulnerable, exposing them to more damage from your attacks. It’s a good mix
with Magnetic Grasp (immobilizing
with your Lightning Whip, and the short cooldown lets you add it whenever you
him), and then slam into him with any of your Bleed-damage attacks. The
want. You really can’t go wrong with it.
cooldown is just the right duration (more or less) to use it to start the next fight.
145
Dagger (Off Hand)
Equipping a dagger in your off hand gives you even more damaging attacks and
crowd-control abilities. Many of these have area-of-effect damage, letting you
dish out unhappiness to a number of foes.
RING OF FIRE FIRE

Damage: Low
Damage, Burning
(5 Seconds), Combo
Field (Fire)
This spell damages any enemy near
your hero and Burns anything that
passes through it. This nice, simple attack spreads decent damage to a number
of foes, and it’s good to use as often as it becomes available. It pairs well with
Dragon’s Claw/Drake’s Breath (if you have a dagger in your main hand) or
Flamestrike/Dragon’s Tooth (for a scepter).
FIRE GRAB FIRE

Damage: High
Damage
Fire Grab hits enemies in a forward
cone; enemies that are already
Burning take additional damage
from the attack. A large number of
Fire elemental attacks place Burning effects on targets, and you can add even
more utility skills that do the same thing. So, Burned enemies aren’t hard to
find. All you have to remember is to use Fire Grab later in the fight, after your
enemies are on fire.
FROST AURA WATER

Damage: None
Effect: Chilled (1 Second),
Duration (7 Seconds)
You surround yourself with a sphere
of frost that lasts for seven seconds.
Any foes that hit you during that time
are Chilled. This defensive spell is best
to use with a scepter in your main hand. Scepters allow medium-range attacks,
and the Chilling effect keeps your enemy from closing in on or running away from
you while you hit him with Ice Shards or lay a Shatterstone in front of him.
CLEANSING WAVE WATER

Damage: None
Effect: Area of Effect,
Healing (Self and
Allies), Removes a
Condition
This spell offers dagger wielders the
ability to heal themselves (and others)
while removing conditions. The supplemental healing is always welcome, and the
ability to take out a condition means you also get to mitigate damage or other
disabilities. Cleansing Wave’s long cooldown means you can’t cast it as much as
you’d like, so make sure to wait until you need its healing and condition removal.
146
PROFESSIONS
RIDE THE LIGHTNING AIR Scepter (Main Hand)

Damage: Moderate Scepters provide elementalists with sustainable medium-range damage options
Effect: Area-of-Effect and the ability to lay down some nasty conditions. They’re a solid main-hand
Damage, Teleport
choice, especially for group work. This is because they allow you to stay out of
your enemy’s reach and control the fight on your terms. Pair Scepters with a
Ride the Lightning shoots a distant
foe and then teleports your hero dagger in the off hand for more offensive attacks or for a focus on defensive/
to the target. When you reach your damage-mitigation abilities.
enemy, the lightning blasts outward,
damaging all nearby foes. If you have a dagger in your main hand, this spell is
brilliant! It completely changes your range of combat from very short to long
range. Choose your targets, Ride the Lightning to them, and then continue with
FLAMESTRIKE FIRE
your nastiest attacks. As a bonus, you even get to inflict a little damage to a group.
The reasonable cooldown time means you can use it to start the next fight. Damage: Low
Effect: Burning (2 Seconds)
Cooldown: None
UPDRAFT AIR This autoattack sends a small ball of

fire at an enemy, Burning him.
It’s a solid damage spell as your
Damage: None basic attack, and the Burning is a
Effect: Swiftness nice touch.
(10 Seconds),
AoE Launch
This attack slams into a group of DRAGON’S TOOTH FIRE
enemies and launches them into the
air; you gain swiftness at the same Damage: High
time. Updraft pairs well with the scepter attacks of Arc Lightning and Lightning Effect: Area-of-Effect
Strike. It really shines if you find yourself surrounded by a group of enemies. Damage, Burning (3
Lightning attacks excel at single-target damage. Meanwhile, Updraft allows you Seconds), Combo
to separate yourself from your enemies, move to a better distance, and then hit a Finisher (Blast)
vulnerable target with other spells. Cooldown: 6 Seconds
Ah, what isn’t there to love about
Dragon’s Tooth? Though the skill
EARTHQUAKE EARTH takes a while to cast, it slaps enemies for high damage, hits other targets, and
causes Burning. Its low cooldown makes the spell a constant damage dealer.
Damage: High
Effect: Knockdown (2
Seconds), Combo
Finisher (Blast)
PHOENIX FIRE
Cooldown: 45 Seconds Damage: High
This is a fun one! You set off an Effect: Area-of-Effect
earthquake that knocks down your Damage, Targeted
enemy and hits him for high damage. Circle of Effect, Vigor
This offensive spell is a “use it whenever you can” ability. You can’t go wrong with (10 Seconds), Combo
knockdown and easy damage. Finisher (Blast)
This skill rakes all foes in a forward line
and then explodes, inflicting damage. The Phoenix returns to your hero afterward,
CHURNING EARTH EARTH granting vigor and removing conditions. While it may sound complex, this spell
provides modest area-of-effect damage, and you control the targeted area. Once
Damage: Very High you set the spell free, let it take care of itself—move on to another attack while
the Phoenix does its work.
Effect: Channeled Area-
of-Effect Damage,
Cripple (1 Second),
Bleeding (8 Seconds),
Combo Finisher
(Blast)
ICE SHARDS WATER
Cooldown: 30 Seconds Damage: Low to Moderate
This channeled spell lets loose a crumbling circle of churning earth. Those within Effect: None
the area are afflicted with Cripple and Bleeding in addition to direct damage. This
Cooldown: None
attack takes a long time to complete, so be careful not to use it when enemies are
highly mobile or have a good chance to counter you. Use a knockdown attack This autoattack sends an arc of
or something else that’s disabling to leave enemies exposed ahead of time. This three ice shards into your target. It’s
makes it easier to get the most out of this awesome spell. a simple attack to use mainly when
your heavier spells are on cooldown.
147
SHATTERSTONE WATER BLINDING FLASH AIR
Damage: Moderate Damage: None
Effect: Area-of-Effect Effect: Blindness (6 Seconds)
Damage,
Vulnerability Cooldown: 10 Seconds
(15 Seconds) You create a ball of light that flashes
Cooldown: 2 Seconds to Blind your opponent. This doesn’t
do any damage, but your enemy
You place a large shard of ice in a misses with his next attack. It’s good
circle, it grows for two seconds, and to use just as your foe telegraphs a big
then it explodes. Anything it hits becomes vulnerable. Because the Shatterstone attack, like when that ettin starts its windup.
has a delay between when you place it and when it explodes, it’s good to use at
the start of a fight, particularly if you’re facing a group of foes. The vulnerability
lasts a long time, so you can systematically attack targets and deliver extra
damage for most of the engagement.
STONE SHARDS EARTH
Damage: Low
WATER TRIDENT WATER Effect: Bleeding (6 Seconds),
Combo Finisher
Damage: Low to Moderate (Physical Projectile)
Effect: Area-of-Effect Cooldown: None

Damage, Healing This is a lovely autoattack. Your hero
Cooldown: 20 Seconds fires three waves of pointed shards.
The projectiles are pretty close
You form a trident made of water together, and they perforate their target, causing Bleeding damage. To kill a single
and throw it into an area. The trident target over time, stack the Bleeds and use Rock Barrier to outlast your enemy in a
hurts enemies in the target zone, but war of attrition.
allies are healed. This scepter attack
provides good group utility (as healing), and it lets you stay at a distance while
you assist your compatriots. It isn’t as useful when you’re soloing, because of its
relatively low damage output. Save it to use after Shatterstone.
ROCK BARRIER EARTH
Damage: Minimal to Moderate
ARC LIGHTNING AIR Effect: Create Armor
(30 Second Duration)
Damage: Moderate Cooldown: 15 Seconds
Effect: Channeled You surround yourself with a barrier
(3 Seconds) of five stone shards that improve
Cooldown: None armor. This barrier’s duration is 30
seconds, after which time all the
Arc Lightning channels for three shards disappear. The stone shards themselves can be hurled at enemies as an
seconds, dealing damage the entire attack. Once all shards are depleted, Rock Barrier is gone and begins to recharge.
time. It hits only a single target, but Cast this just before you start any engagement.
the total damage output is reasonable
for a basic autoattack. While you’re channeling Arc Lightning, you can also use
Blinding Flash and Lightning Strike, increasing your character’s damage output
and survivability.
DUST DEVIL EARTH
Damage: Low
LIGHTNING STRIKE AIR Effect: Area-of-Effect
Damage, Blindness
(10 Seconds)
Damage: Moderate
Effect: None
You send a small tornado of sand
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
through a line of foes, blinding them
You strike your target with a large bolt in the process. This attack lets you
of lightning. This single-target damage exert a bit of crowd control, and it’s nice to mitigate damage against you or your
spell is another solid addition to your allies. Lining up your enemies can be a little difficult, so back up or go around
Air elemental arsenal. It’s easy to corners to force them into a tighter cluster before you cast Dust Devil.
incorporate into your attack lineup,
and it provides a good power base for your Air attacks if you’re using a focus in
your off hand. Focuses are a bit more defensive, so the extra damage is nice to fall
back on.
148
PROFESSIONS
Staves METEOR SHOWER FIRE

Damage: High
These two-handed weapons provide long-range attacks. A number of area-
of-effect damage spells and healing abilities are in the lineup. The condition Effect: Channeled Area-of-
Effect Damage
damage isn’t bad, either! Staves are at their best when you’re in a group. Your
hero can hit a number of targets at once while staying safely away from
Meteor Shower creates a substantial
combat. A quick switch to Water adds wonderful party healing. AoE that hits anything in its path.
This is a channeled spell, and it takes
a few seconds to cast. The payoff is
FIREBALL FIRE the huge amount of damage delivered to anything in its radius. It’s best to use
this spell when you (and your group) fight a large number of enemies. Wait until
Damage: Moderate targets are caught in battle so you don’t waste the spell on mobile enemies.
Damage
Cooldown: None WATER BLAST WATER
A fireball explodes within the area of
effect, hitting anything in its radius. Damage: Low
This is exactly what you’d expect from Effect: Healing
a Fire elemental attack: solid damage,
fast cast time, and the ability to hit multiple opponents. Cooldown: None
Your basic Water autoattack inflicts
light damage but also heals you a
small amount. Your elementalist gets
LAVA FONT FIRE plenty of range, so it’s a good spell for
starting fights and staying away from
Damage: Moderate to High enemies. The healing effect, though modest, affects your allies, as well.
Damage, Duration
(4 Seconds), Combo
Field (Fire) ICE SPIKE WATER
Cooldown: 6 Seconds
Damage: Moderate to High
Lava erupts within the targeted area.
The attack inflicts decent damage to Effect: Area-of-Effect
Damage,
anything in its radius. Anyone in your party who attacks through the field of fire Vulnerability (x3)
has a chance to get a Fire effect on their victims. (10 Seconds)
Cooldown: 4 Seconds
A giant spike of ice falls from the sky,
FLAME BURST FIRE impacting anything in its area and
causing Vulnerability. This is the damage spell for Water-based staff attacks. Use it
as soon and as often as you can.
Damage: N/A
Effect: Area-of-Effect,
Burning (5 Seconds)
Cooldown: 10 Seconds GEYSER WATER
Any enemies within the region
are set alight, Burning them over Damage: None
time. Pair Flame Burst with Lava Effect: Area of Effect,
Font to continue laying down Healing, Combo Field
elemental damage. (Water), Duration
(2 Seconds)
BURNING RETREAT FIRE You create a small geyser of water

that pours over a small area, healing
anyone nearby. This spell provides modest supplemental healing to you and your
Damage: Low allies. It’s good to keep in reserve for emergencies or anytime the group can stand
Effect: Burning (1 Second), together for a short period.
Combo Field (Fire),
Duration (6 Seconds),
Retreat from Enemy
You quickly roll backward, leaving
behind a trail of burning, fiery
death. This is a mixed offensive/defensive ability. Use it to avoid damage from
oncoming enemies and to maintain distance. If the targets follow, they’ll have to
eat Burn damage.
If you have a lot of ranged allies, one trick is to roll in a horizontal line in front of
them. This creates a wall of fire through which your comrades can shoot. This
looks cool and gives your ranged buddies some extra damage.
149
FROZEN GROUND WATER GUST AIR
Damage: None Damage: None
Effect: Area of Effect, Chill Effect: Area of Effect,
(2 Seconds), Combo Knockback
Field (Ice), Duration
Cooldown: 40 Seconds Gust is all about disruption. Instead

of inflicting damage, it knocks
You coat the target area with a field of everything away from your caster.
ice. Any enemies within the ice field This is great in a number of situations:
become Chilled, and any allies within it gain ice combo potential. Because you it keeps you from getting overwhelmed; you get to cast from long range; and your
control the region the spell affects, you can keep enemies far, far away from you. enemies are disrupted. The PvP implications are pretty obvious, also. The only
This keeps them in close range of your allies (if applicable) and gives you time to thing you have to be careful of is working with group members who love melee
keep them in range of your damage spells, like Ice Spike. range; they won’t appreciate you knocking away their targets.
HEALING RAIN WATER WINDBORNE SPEED AIR

Damage: None Damage: None
Effect: Area of Effect, Effect: Swiftness
Regeneration (10 Seconds),
(4 Seconds), Healing, Removes Cripple,
Removes Conditions Immobilize, and Chill
(Every 3 Seconds),
Combo Field (Water), Cooldown: 30 Seconds
Windborne Speed functions as a
Cooldown: 45 Seconds situational ability and a marvelous
Rain falls over a large circle for nine seconds, healing everyone within it, giving travel spell. The situational aspect is that it removes movement-impairing
them Regeneration, and removing conditions once every three seconds. This is conditions, restoring full mobility to you and your allies. In addition, it’s easy to
healing at its best! The area of effect is so wide that a large number of people can cast this spell outside of combat to gain a good speed boost. You and your group
be affected, and the benefits are very nice. The only drawback is the spell’s long can then move quickly over territory, helping you get where you need to go. This
cooldown. is enjoyable in PvE, but it can be downright crucial for PvP, where movement
speed and territory control are vital.
CHAIN LIGHTNING AIR STATIC FIELD AIR

Damage: Moderate
Damage: Low to Moderate
Damage, Maximum Effect: Area of Effect, Stun
Targets (3 Within (3 Seconds), Combo
10 Seconds) Field (Lightning),
Cooldown: None
Chain Lightning hits multiple targets
over a moderate area of effect. This This skill summons a static field
is your basic Lightning attack. It’s all about dealing decent damage whenever you that Stuns anything that crosses it.
need it. Stuns completely disable foes throughout their duration, so they’re one of the
best possible crowd-control abilities. This is not a high-damage attack, but you
can work into other group-damaging attack spells (e.g. Chain Lightning and
Lightning Surge). It becomes more useful in PvP, where you can keep a number of
LIGHTNING SURGE AIR opponents from attacking.
Damage: High
Blindness (5 Seconds)
STONING EARTH
Cooldown: 10 Seconds Damage: Low
Lightning Surge causes your enemy Effect: Weakness (1 Second),
and those nearby to go blind. With Combo (Physical
this attack, you inflict moderate Projectile)
single-target damage. During the next Cooldown: None
few seconds, the target and anything nearby misses when they attack you or any
of your allies. Use this to start fights, and keep the effect up as often as you can. You create a huge rock and throw it at
your foe, Weakening the enemy. This
is a useful autoattack for mitigating
enemy damage. Choose the most dangerous enemy on the field and keep him
weakened for as long as possible.
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PROFESSIONS
ERUPTION EARTH Focus (Off Hand)

Damage: High Focuses are off-hand weapons that add to an elementalist’s survivability.
Effect: Area-of-Effect A lot of damage mitigation is here, in addition to damage output. This works well
Damage, Bleeding
(12 Seconds), Combo with both main-hand weapons: daggers and scepters. Daggers rely on close-range
Finisher (Blast) attacks, and scepter users need something to hit foes that close in on them.
Cooldown: 6 Seconds
This Earth spell shakes an area.
Everything inside the region gets FLAMEWALL FIRE
slammed around and then Bleeds from the mix-up. This is a solid damage attack
that you can cast very often. Damage: Low
Damage, Burning
(1 Second), Combo
MAGNETIC AURA EARTH Field (Fire), Duration
(8 Seconds)
Damage: None Cooldown: 20 seconds
Effect: Reflect Projectiles, This skill creates a wall of fire at a
Duration (5 Seconds) targeted location. Anything that crosses it starts to Burn. Thus, you work to protect
Cooldown: 30 Seconds yourself and inflict damage, both directly and over time. You can also lay down a
combo field through which allies can fire. Because you choose where the wall goes,
For five seconds, magnetic energy
you can put it between your character and your foe, between the battle and a
reflects any projectiles fired at you. group member (say, a ranger or engineer), or even directly on top of an enemy.
This situational spell is useful in
specific PvE encounters, such as when
you deal with really pesky centaur archers or sharpshooters. It’s also handy in PvP,
when you could face anything. During PvP, you’re probably still at long range,
making you a juicy target for ranged attackers. Take the time to protect yourself FIRE SHIELD FIRE
with Magnetic Aura as needed.
Damage: None
Effect: Burning (1 Second),
UNSTEADY GROUND EARTH Cooldown: 40 seconds
An orb of fire surrounds you for three
Damage: Very Low
seconds. Anything that hits you during
Effect: Area-of-Effect this time gets scorched. If you have
Damage, Cripple a main-hand dagger, use Fire Shield
(2 Seconds) as your opening move in a battle. You get to lay down fast Burn damage, and the
Cooldown: 30 Seconds cooldown allows you to start with it for the next fight. If you have a scepter, hold off
on Fire Shield until your enemies get a bit closer to you. Use it at the same time as
This spell forms a line on the ground;
Dragon’s Tooth and Phoenix to take full advantage of area-of-effect damage.
any enemies in the area of effect take
light damage and are Crippled for two
seconds. Use this to disrupt mobile forces and gain a chance to stay at range while
they try to close with you. It works best as a fight opener in PvE, keeping attackers
at a distance. In PvP, use it to kite enemies that can’t attack you at long range. FREEZING GUST WATER
Damage: Low
Effect: Chilled (3 Seconds)
SHOCKWAVE EARTH Cooldown: 25 seconds
Damage: Moderate Cracks your foe with freezing water,

Chilling him briefly. This spell is meant
Effect: Bleed (20 Seconds), to serve two purposes: either to keep
Immobilize (2 foes from getting to you (perfect for
Seconds), Combo scepter users), or to keep them from
Finisher (Physical
Projectile) running away from you (for dagger users). It works as a wonderful anti-kiting spell.
You let loose a shockwave that Bleeds
and Immobilizes your enemy. This single-target ability is potent. Your hapless
foe takes nasty damage and then has to contend with being Immobilized and
COMET WATER
Bleeding (also not fun). Combine Shockwave with Eruption to double down on Damage: High
the pain!
Damage, Daze
(2 Seconds), Combo
Field (Blast)
This spell creates a large ice comet
that falls on your foes. Anything the
comet hits is Dazed. This area-of-effect attack helps round out your Water-based
spells, letting you inflict respectable damage while stopping enemy attacks for a
short time. Wait until enemies are clustered to use this high-end attack.
151
SWIRLING WINDS AIR Trident (Underwater)
Damage: None The elementalist’s underwater weapon is the trident. It’s a long-range weapon,
Effect: Area of Effect, allowing you to keep your distance and cast at enemies with impunity. Spell
Destroys Projectiles,
Duration (6 seconds) effects are especially awesome underwater, and you still have access to all four
Cooldown: 30 seconds elements. Play around with each until you master all underwater skills. By then,
A swirling wind surrounds you for five you’ll have many tools to survive aquatic engagements.
seconds, deflecting enemy projectiles.
This is a situational defense in PvE,
but it’s very useful in PvP. This is especially true for scepter users, who sometimes
operate a bit further back from combat, making them tempting targets for
MAGMA ORB FIRE
snipers. If you notice yourself getting pecked by distant attacks, tap Swirling
Damage: Low
Winds to save yourself.
Effect: None
Cooldown: None
This skill shoots small blobs of magma
GALE AIR that explode after a short delay.
Magma Orb provides steady damage
Damage: None whenever you need it, and it’s a
Effect: Knockdown perfectly good standby.
(2 Seconds)
Send forth a wind blast that knocks
down your enemies. This hits multiple
BOIL FIRE
targets if they’re close together, Damage: Moderate
allowing decent disruption and
mitigation of enemy damage. Because the spell has a long cooldown, you should Effect: Duration (4 Seconds)
save it for moments of great necessity, when enemies are really threatening your Cooldown: 10 Seconds
hero or your party.
For four seconds, the water around
your target boils. The damage from
the attack is adequate, and the spell’s
MAGNETIC WAVE EARTH visual effect is awesome.
Damage: Moderate
Remove Conditions,
STEAM FIRE
Reflect Projectiles,
Combo Finisher Damage: Low
(Blast), Duration Effect: Blindness (5 Seconds)
(3 Seconds)
Cooldown: 25 seconds
You hit your foes with superheated
Magnetic Wave damages foes, gets rid of pesky conditions, and keeps projectiles water, Blinding them with flash-
from hitting you. Use this after Ring of Earth (for dagger main hand) or a basic created steam. The attack isn’t that
attack, such as Impale or Stone Shards. deadly, but the Blindness is a nice
touch whenever you need to mitigate
enemy damage.
OBSIDIAN FLESH EARTH

Damage: None LAVA CHAINS FIRE
Effect: Invulnerability
(4 Seconds) Damage: Moderate
Cooldown: 50 Seconds Effect: Cripple (6 Seconds)
For four seconds, your hero becomes Cooldown: 30 Seconds
invulnerable, wrapped in stony armor. Chains of lava form around your
Use this time to survive intense bursts enemies, Crippling them. This
of enemy damage, to gain a chance spell also looks great, and it has
to heal yourself, or to flee from whatever is kicking your butt around the field. wonderful utility. The damage is
Because Obsidian Flesh’s cooldown is so long, avoid using it casually. Wait until perfectly respectable, and it has a long
you’re in real danger before you tap this skill. duration. Impede enemies and maintain range against them while you move back
to direct damage spells.
152
PROFESSIONS
HEAT WAVE FIRE TIDAL WAVE WATER

Damage: High Damage: Moderate (Wave
Damage: High)
Effect: Burning (3 Seconds),
Vigor (5 Seconds) Effect: Light Healing,
Teleport
You Burn your enemies with a blast
of heat. Any nearby allies are filled Tidal Wave sends your hero darting
with Vigor, making this a solid PvP forward through the water. You reach
ability for the few areas that feature your targets quickly, hitting them as
underwater combat. In PvE, the Vigor helps your hero dodge around and avoid a wave follows you from behind. The wave heals allies and then crashes into your
even more attacks from enemies that close the distance. targets, hurting them even more. Tidal Wave is an excellent water attack, and
you should use it heavily. In a pinch, this doubles as an underwater travel power,
letting you scoot forward inside or outside of battle.
WATER MISSILE WATER

Damage: Low FORKED LIGHTNING AIR
Effect: None
Damage: Low
Cooldown: None
You launch a slow-moving ball of Damage
ice. This basic attack is pretty much Cooldown: None
what you’d expect: a standard, direct-
damage ability. You cast a bolt of lightning that forks
on impact, hitting multiple foes. The
autoattack does sustainable damage
to a group of enemies. It’s weak
ICE GLOBE WATER against single opponents.
Damage: Very High

Effect: None ELECTROCUTE AIR
You shoot a slow-moving globe of Damage: Moderate
ice that can be detonated for higher Effect: None
damage. This attack takes a little Cooldown: 5 Seconds
practice to master, but it’s worth the
investment. If you just hit the enemy The water around your foe becomes
with the ice globe, the damage by itself is good. However, detonating the attack charged with electricity. Electrocute
ahead of time is even more lethal. is a single-target attack with a short
cooldown. Cast it often for decent
damage when you’re down to a
single opponent.
ICE WALL WATER
Damage: None (Detonate:
Very High) AIR POCKET AIR
Effect: Explosive Barrier,
Duration Damage: Moderate
(10 Seconds) Effect: Teleport
A wall of ice forms for 10 seconds. Your hero releases a slow-moving air
This wall can be shattered to deliver pocket. The pocket explodes when
high damage to nearby enemies. Block approaching targets with Ice Wall, and it hits a target, dealing damage and
then smash the wall before its duration expires. causing your elementalist to teleport
over to the victim. This attack requires
some practice to master. Try not to become disoriented when your position
changes, and don’t cast it when you’re trying to maintain ranged attacks against
UNDERCURRENT WATER your enemies.
Damage: Low
Effect: Regeneration
(5 Seconds)
You guide a current of water that
damages nearby enemies while
healing your allies. The supplemental
healing for your party is always
welcome, and you get to inflict a little damage in the process. Undercurrent is a
weak attack spell, so we recommend saving it for its regenerative effects.
153
AIR BUBBLE AIR ROCK SPRAY EARTH
Damage: None Damage: High
Effect: Float (2 Seconds) Effect: Area-of-Effect
Damage, Bleeding
Cooldown: 40 Seconds (10 Seconds)
Your target becomes trapped in an air Cooldown: 12 Seconds
bubble. The attack immobilizes the
enemy and floats him helplessly to When you want to inflict Bleed on
the surface. This is a good disruptive more targets, there’s always Rock
ability. And, because the trident uses Spray. You fling a cone of gravel
long range, you get to continue attacking your foe the entire time. If you want to through the water that impacts multiple targets. Partner this with Rock Blade to
follow the target upward, hit him with Air Pocket when he’s near the surface. stack on the condition damage.
LIGHTNING CAGE AIR MAGNETIC CURRENT EARTH

Damage: Low Damage: Moderate
Effect: Stun (3 Seconds), Effect: Pull Yourself,
Duration (5 Seconds) Immobilize
(2 Seconds)
You create a cage of lightning,
stunning any foes that cross it. This is A magnetic attraction forms between
a close-range disruptive attack against you and your foe. Your hero is pulled
multiple targets. It’s meant to keep an over to the target, and the enemy is
enemy group from overwhelming you. If you find yourself surrounded, put down suddenly immobilized. This attack is great to keep your enemies from swimming
your Lightning Cage, get to range, and resume your assault. away in PvP. It is also an ideal way to close gaps against targets if you’re worried
about being kited or want to nail enemies with Rockspray.
ROCK BLADE EARTH

ROCK ANCHOR EARTH
Damage: Low
Effect: Bleeding (1 Second) Damage: None
Cooldown: None Effect: Sink (2 Seconds)

This autoattack delivers a surprising
amount of damage once you factor A stony anchor draws your enemy
in the stacking Bleed condition. It down into the depths. This is a
has decent range, as well, and you disruptive ability that buys you time
can bring down enemies without to flee or pile on free damage.
resorting to more complex skills or tactics.
MURKY WATER EARTH

Damage: Low
Damage, Blindness
(1 Second), Duration
(6 Seconds)
This attack creates a screen of debris-
filled water, blinding any nearby
enemies. This attack is useful in longer or larger fights to help mitigate damage. It
can keep you from being overwhelmed by an enemy force.
154
PROFESSIONS
Downed Skills Underwater

New skills are available to elementalists if they encounter trouble underwater.
On the Ground Unfortunately, none of them inflicts a huge amount of damage. Fight your
Elementalists have a lot of tricks and survivability on their side, but sometimes hardest, hope for the best, and swim to the surface if you don’t think you can
their light armor doesn’t give them much durability. Fortunately, they can kill any of your enemies before death veils your eyes.
fall back on an array of spells if they’re downed. Even fallen elementalists are
formidable opponents, and they’ll use everything at their disposal to regain
their footing.
WATER FIST
Damage: Low
DISCHARGE LIGHTNING Effect:

Cooldown: None
None
Damage: Low You throw a fist of water at your

Effect: Vulnerability enemy. This low-damage attack
(10 Seconds) gives you a chance to kill your target
and rally. You can use it while you’re
Cooldown: None moving, so swim upward while you
This fast spell gives you an execute it. As in any downed situation, target the enemy with the lowest health
opportunity to bring down a foe and for your best chance of recovery.
rally. In addition to winnowing down
your enemies’ health, it slams them
with Vulnerability, reducing their defensive potential. Always target the enemy
with the lowest health; it’s your best chance to score a kill. If you have allies nearby,
focus on whatever they’re attacking to further improve your odds.
STONE KICK
Damage: Moderate-to-High
Effect: None
GRASPING EARTH Cooldown: 6 Seconds
You wrap your foot in stone and
Damage: Low kick your enemy. This delivers
Effect: Channeled, decent damage. Use it whenever the
Immobilize cooldown expires.
(1 Second)
If you’re worried about enemies
running away just before you can bring STEAM VENT
them down, Grasping Earth lets you
immobilize foes. They can’t run, and they can’t dodge, either. Use this only for holding Damage: Low
enemies in place; stick with Discharge Lightning if you’re simply trying for a basic kill. Effect: Speed to Surface,
Blindness
(3 Seconds), Burning
(3 Seconds)
VAPOR FORM Cooldown: 15 Seconds

You burst to the surface, leaving
Damage: None enemies behind your character Blind
and Burning. If you can’t rally without fleeing, this is the best way to gain distance
Effect: Invulnerable,
Duration (5 Seconds) and steal some time up top to heal before enemies catch up and hurt you.
You become an invulnerable mist,
preventing any damage to you and
allowing you to move, possibly away
BANDAGE
from enemies or toward friends. Damage: None
Follow this with Bandage to get some health after you scoot into a better position.
Effect: Self-Heal
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
BANDAGE This works the same way as

Bandaging yourself on land.
Damage: N/A
Effect: Self-Heal
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
Use this ability when no enemies
are attacking you. Your hero heals a
small amount over time. The healing
is interrupted the moment you
take damage. You have to heal your
character all the way to full before rally triggers, so this works only if there aren’t
any enemies coming after you. Otherwise, it’s there just to give you a little health,
possibly allowing you to last that much longer as you attempt to score a kill.
155
Slot Skills Utility
Elementalists have a huge variety in their utility skills. They range from direct
Healing damage, area-of-effect attacks, defensive abilities, guaranteed condition
Several healing options are open to elementalists through their weapon skills damage, conjured weapons, and summoned creatures. There isn’t a right or
alone. Because of this, it’s wise to take a solid self-healing skill for most of your wrong choice here. Instead, choose the skills that match what you love for
career as an elementalist. Make sure you can support yourself during solo and a given situation. Don’t be afraid to branch out and try something different.
group engagements. Many of these utility skills supplement an elementalist’s magical repertoire, but
they do so in unique ways.
GLYPH OF ELEMENTAL HARMONY TIER 1

Effect: Self-Heal, Gain Boon
Cooldown: 20 Seconds ARCANE BLAST
You start the game with this skill,
and it never becomes obsolete. Your Effect: Single-Target
elementalist restores a fair amount of Damage, Combo
Finisher (Physical
health when you cast this, and then Projectile)
you also get a boon. What boon you
receive depends on the element to Cooldown: 15 Seconds
which you are attuned. You shoot your target with a bolt of
arcane energy. This single-target spell
t Fire: Might (20 Seconds) delivers high damage, and it recharges
t Water: Regen (10 Seconds) pretty quickly. You can use it fight after fight (or even within a battle) as needed.
t Air: Swiftness (10 Seconds) Many traits improve the effects of arcane spells, so look through your options in
the trait lines if you like specializing in arcane spells.
t Earth: Protection (10 Seconds)
The Quick Glyph Air trait reduces the already fast recharge time of your healing
skill and any Glyph utility skills you want to take.
ARCANE WAVE
Effect: AoE Damage, Combo
ETHER RENEWAL Finisher (Blast)
Effect: Self-Heal, Remove This skill hits nearby foes with AoE
Condition damage. Anything within the area
Cooldown: 15 Seconds gets a wave of energy to the face. If
you need more close-range damage,
This is a decent healing skill for PvE, this is good for your lineup. Dagger
but it really shines in PvP. Most elementalists already do well in this area, but having even more AoE potential is
enemies in PvE don’t stack on a nice for inflicting high burst damage.
number of conditions. However, the
moment you move over to fight with
players, they pile on conditions. Ether Renewal’s short cooldown means you can
use it every fight or two. This makes it a wonderful spell when you don’t know
what’s coming up in the next set of events. GLYPH OF ELEMENTAL POWER
Effect: Causes Condition
SIGNET OF RESTORATION For 30 seconds, you get a chance for
all your spells to impart a condition.
Effect: Passively Restores What condition is added depends
Health, Activate for on the element to which you are
Self-Heal attuned.
t Fire: Burning (3 seconds)
This is a great healing skill for
defensive players, particularly those t Water: Chilled (2 seconds)
roaming around the world in a group. t Air: Weakness (6 seconds)
Every time you cast a spell, you get
t Earth: Cripple (5 seconds)
a little boost of health. It isn’t much, but it adds up, and it’ll keep you in fighting
trim. If you ever get into trouble, you can activate the skill for a stronger boost. This spell is good for people who love cycling through their elements and want
to add some condition damage to everything. It also has benefits in PvP, as
you can lay down several different area-of-effect spells while you’re putting
on those conditions.
156
PROFESSIONS
GLYPH OF STORMS TIER 2

Effect: AoE Damage
Cooldown: 60 seconds ARCANE POWER
This skill creates a huge elemental
storm over a targeted area. This looks Effect: Your Next Few
great, and it delivers high damage. Attacks do Critical
Damage
Glyph of Storms is exceptionally good
for supportive elementalists who’d Cooldown: 45 Seconds
like to have damage potential even This skill is absolutely wonderful.
when they’re attuned to Water (or one of the other supportive configurations). Guaranteed critical hits essentially
add free burst damage to your lineup.
You can activate Arcane Power before
a fight or during the engagement. Use your best high-damage spells afterward to
SIGNET OF FIRE ensure you get the most out of this. High-damage AoEs are the best of all.
Effect: Passively Raise Your Arcane Power has a long cooldown time, but this can be shortened by Arcane
Critical Chance; Mastery (in the Arcane Magic trait line).
Actively Adds
Burning (9 Seconds)
Simply slotting Signet of Fire increases GLYPH OF LESSER ELEMENTALS
your chance to make critical hits.
That’s a decent way to raise your Effect: Summon Pet
character’s base damage and burst potential. But that isn’t all it does! If you
activate this signet, you lose the passive effect but can inflict Burning on your
target, no matter what your attunement. For 60 seconds, you get a pet
elemental. The elemental summoned
depends on your attunement. You
can’t directly control your elemental,
ARMOR OF EARTH but it will attack your enemies and
deal damage, and it is hard to kill.
Effect: Break Stun, Gain This distracts enemies from going after your elementalist, so the extra damage is
Protection (8 Seconds), combined with increased survivability for your caster.
Stability (8 Seconds),
This cantrip encases your hero in SIGNET OF WATER
earth for 12 seconds. You break out
of stuns and can’t be knocked around Effect: Passively Removes
or restunned for the duration of the effect. Slot this skill before going into PvP a Condition
(Every 10 Seconds);
or facing off against bosses in group events. You don’t have to wait for a stun to Actively adds Chill
activate this; the spell’s protective elements are just as important, and your hero (4 Seconds)
can survive far more damage while the armor is up. Use this to endure burst
damage from the most fearsome enemies. Cooldown: 30 Seconds
This is a wonderful PvP skill.
Removing conditions is essential for
CONJURE FLAME AXE PvP or battles against higher-level

PvE monsters because many of them expose your character to increased damage
and attack. Having the option to slow enemies and reduce their damage output
Effect: Summon Weapon makes Signet of Water even better for that environment. When you hit your
Cooldown: 60 Seconds enemy with the active Chill effect, it even does modest damage.
This skill equips you with an axe made

of lava and manifests a second axe at
the targeted location. The lava axe has
15 charges and the following abilities:
SIGNET OF AIR
Effect: Passively Grants
t -BWB"YFʾ SPXTUIFBYFBUB t 3JOHPG'JSF TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
a 10% Increase in
target for moderate damage. Creates a ring of fire that Burns Movement Speed;
targets for 5 seconds and deals Actively Imparts
t &YQMPTJWF-BWB"YF TFDPOE additional damage.
cooldown): Throws the axe, which Area-of-Effect
explodes for very high damage. t 'MBNJOH-FBQ TFDPOET
:PVS Blindness (5 Seconds)
hero leaps forward and hits foes Cooldown: 20 Seconds
t #VSOJOH3FUSFBU TFDPOE for high damage and Burning (5
cooldown): Retreat and cause seconds). This signet is equally pleasing in PvE
Burning for 1 second to anything
that follows. and PvP. The movement buff is at its
best when you’re crossing large distances in the Eternal Battlegrounds, or while
It’s best to use Conjure Fire Axe in a group situation, as both you and a group you hunt for monsters and resources throughout Tyria. When you need a sudden
member get a very powerful weapon. The group member gains access to the chance to escape from enemies, use the signet to blind them, and flee while they
same weapon skills listed above. It’s also most useful in a PvE situation, where whiff for their next attack. Use the signet at the start of a major engagement to
people have a bit more freedom and time to experiment with their new weapon. give your group a big edge. The damage isn’t very high, but it’s pretty much free
You can also use it just before you fight a major boss in a dungeon. when you’re using it to blind the enemy.
This skill works well for support elementalists who want some type of damage mode
when all of their other slots are filled with utility, healing, and survival abilities.
157
SIGNET OF EARTH TIER 3
Effect: Passively Improves
Toughness; Actively
Imparts Immobilize ARCANE SHIELD
(3 Seconds)
Cooldown: 30 Seconds Effect: Blocks Damage; Deals
AoE Damage
Signet of Earth doesn’t give you much
of a defensive bonus, so consider it
a minor benefit. Its strong option is This spell protects your caster for
the Immobilizing effect against a target. If you’re a dagger wielder, use this when three attacks and then explodes.
you’re kiting with ranged spells or catching up to enemies. The blast trashes nearby enemies
for high damage. This arcane spell
is equally good in PvP and PvE. It’s
especially useful against melee enemies, whether you’re a ranged character or
CLEANSING FIRE a close-up caster.
Effect: Breaks Stun, Remove

Conditions (3), AoE
Burning (3 Seconds) GLYPH OF RENEWAL
Effect: Revive Ally
If you don’t know what’s coming up,
Cleansing Fire is a safe skill to slot. Cooldown: 105 Seconds
Though it’s not as powerful at any Cast this to immediately raise a
individual effect as some other utility fallen group member or allied NPC.
skills, this choice has a bit of everything. Use this cantrip to get out of trouble and This comes up often in certain
leave everyone behind you on fire. events, when it’s great to have allies
distracting enemy attention. It’s also
a godsend in PvP, when stopping to
revive a fallen buddy is quite dangerous.
CONJURE FROST BOW
When Glyph of Renewal is activated, each attunement has a secondary effect.
Effect: Summon Weapon
t Fire: Grants a passive buff that revives you the next time you are downed.
t Water: Your revived ally comes back with full health.
This skill equips you with a bow made
t Air: Teleports the revived ally to your location.
of frost and manifests a second frost
bow at the targeted location. The t Earth: Revives up to three nearby allies.
frost bow has 15 charges and the Be certain to change your attunement based on what you need the most. If
following abilities: multiple allies are down, Earth is by far the best thing you can do for them. This
gives the whole team a second wind.
t 8BUFS"SSPX*OnJDUTMPXSBOHFEEBNBHFXIJMFIFBMJOHZPVSIFSPBOE
nearby allies.
t 'SPTU7PMMFZ TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
'JSFTRVJDLMZ JOnJDUJOHMPXEBNBHFBOE
Vulnerability on your foes.
t 'SPTU'BO TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
'JSFTBSSPXTJOBGPSXBSEDPOF&BDIEFBMTMPX
MIST FORM
damage and Chills foes for 3 seconds.
Effect: Breaks Stun,
t *DF4UPSN TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
5BSHFUTBOBSFBGPSIJHIEBNBHFBOEDBVTFT Invulnerability
Confusion to struck enemies. (3 Seconds)
t %FFQ'SFF[F TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
#MPDLTFOFNJFTXJUIBXBMMPGJDFUIBUDBO Cooldown: 75 Seconds
be shattered for high AoE damage.
For three seconds, you turn into
It’s best to use Conjure Frost Bow in a group situation, which lets both you and a vaporous mist. During this time,
group member get the weapon. People familiar with your play style benefit the you are Invulnerable but cannot use
most because they’ll understand what’s going on. It’s not as useful if you’re playing weapons or skills. Use that time to
with random buddies during an event. flee, get to range, avoid heavy channeled attacks from enemies, or simply buy
time when cooldowns are progressing.
Use these frost attacks when your character suddenly needs decent range. It’s
a good skill for dagger users that find themselves caught in combat (and thus
unable to switch weapons). With this, they get the range they need to counter
kiting tactics.
LIGHTNING FLASH
Effect: Breaks Stun, Teleport
Use this cantrip to jump away from
enemies or to move quickly toward a
new target. Lightning Flash gets you
out of trouble nicely. If you pair it with
other cantrips, your caster can use
multiple ways to escape to range. This
makes it very hard for kiting characters to catch you. They have to do it time and
time again before their abilities start to stick.
158
PROFESSIONS
CONJURE LIGHTNING HAMMER Elite

Effect: Summon Weapon Elite skills are powerful and complex, especially in the hands of elementalists.
Cooldown: 60 Seconds Take Glyph of Elementals to start with something that’s easy to integrate into
This skill equips you with a hammer your routines. Then branch out from there to see everything the profession has
made of lightning and manifests a
to offer. They’re all good skills.
second lightning hammer at the
targeted location. The lightning
hammer has 15 charges and the
following abilities: GLYPH OF ELEMENTALS
t -JHIUOJOH4XJOH%FBMTNPEFSBUFNFMFFEBNBHF Effect: Summon Pet
t -JHIUOJOH-FBQ TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
-FBQTGPSXBSEUPIJUFOFNJFTGPS (60 Seconds)
moderate damage. Cooldown: 120 Seconds
t 8JOE#MBTU TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
,OPDLTZPVSUBSHFUTBSPVOE EJTBCMJOHUIFN You summon a large elemental. The
for a brief time.
type of elemental is based on the
t -JHIUOJOH4UPSN TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
)JUTVQUPmWFFOFNJFTGPSMPXEBNBHF element to which you are attuned.
t 4UBUJD'JFME TFDPOET
*OnJDUTMPXEBNBHFUPDMVTUFSFEFOFNJFTBOE4UVOT They elementals are capable of the
them, as well! following:
Like the other elemental summonings, this tool gets the most use when you have t Fire: Deal heavy damage.
a buddy ready to assist. When you’re soloing, these elemental weapons augment
the play styles you use the least. Lightning doesn’t do much damage, but it’s t Water: Fight and heal.
good for harassing powerful targets you need to take out of the fight with crowd t Air: Stun enemies.
control. It’s most useful when you have additional characters to focus on damage t Earth: Survive an epic beatdown.
output while you lock down the enemy.
These elementals look great, last quite a while, and can keep enemies off your
back, making fights easier to win. You cannot go wrong in choosing this skill.
CONJURE EARTH SHIELD

Effect: Summon Weapon CONJURE FIERY GREATSWORD
Effect: Summon Weapon
This skill equips you with a shield Cooldown: 180 Seconds
made of earth and manifests a second
earth shield at the targeted location. This skill equips you with a greatsword
The earth shield has 15 charges and made of fire and manifests a second
the following abilities: fiery greatsword at the targeted
location. Additionally, the second
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lasts for 2 seconds. fiery greatsword has 15 charges and the following abilities:
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enemy for 2 seconds.
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immobilizes them, and deals low damage.
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during intense group events or PvP, your character must sometimes face enemy damage and leaving a trail of flame.
parties that are too much to handle. Shield of Earth can buy you time to escort, t 'JSFTUPSN TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
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get reinforcements, or allow others to rally. damage to all enemies near the targeted area.
Use Conjure Fiery Greatsword when you’re paired with another character to deal
moderate damage to entire groups. This elite skill is at its best when you’re with
another character possessing primarily non-damaging spells. It’s nice to convert
two people into damage mode for a short time. Characters with heavy loadouts
of damaging skills don’t need this nearly as much; they may even inflict less
damage with it than they would without it.
TORNADO
Effect: Gain Stability
(15 Seconds), AoE
Damage and Launch
This is a great elite skill for PvP. You
shapeshift into a swirling tornado.
As you whip through the area, you
damage all enemies you encounter
and launch them into the air. Your path of destruction cannot be stopped by
movement-impairing conditions.
159
Traits
Fire Magic (Raises Power and Condition Duration)
REWARDS SKILL OPTIONS (GAINED EVERY 10 POINTS)
Points Invested Ability Gained ADEPT TIER
t -BWB5PNC$SFBUFBMBWBGPOUXIFOEPXOFE
5 20% chance to cause Burning whenever a foe attacks you in melee
t #VSOJOH'JSF$MFBOTJOH'MBNF 4JHOFUPG'JSF $POKVSF'MBNF"YF BOE$POKVSF
15 Deal damage at your location when attuned to Fire Fiery Greatsword gain 3 seconds of Burning.
25 Inflict 5% more damage to a Burning foe t &NCFST.JHIU:PVHBJO.JHIUGPSTFDPOETXIFOFWFSZPVBSFTFUPOmSF
t 4QFMM4MJOHFS$BOUSJQTHSBOUZPVTUBDLTPG.JHIUXIFOBDUJWBUFE
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t *OUFSOBM'JSF%FBMNPSFEBNBHFXIFOBUUVOFEUP'JSF
MASTER TIER
t 1ZSPNBODFST"MBDSJUZ"MMZPVS'JSFXFBQPOTLJMMTSFDIBSHFGBTUFS
t $POKVSFS$POKVSFEXFBQPOTIBWFNPSFDIBSHFT
t 'JSFT&NCSBDF8IFOZPVBDUJWBUFB4JHOFU ZPVHBJOBmFSZBVSBGPSTFDPOET
t 0OFXJUI'JSF:PVSnBNFCBSSJFSTDIBODFUP#VSOGPFTJODSFBTFTUIFMPOHFS
you are attuned to Fire.
GRANDMASTER TIER
t 1FSTJTUJOH'MBNFT'JSFmFMETMBTUMPOHFS
t 1ZSPNBODFST1VJTTBODF&BDI'JSFTQFMMZPVDBTUBEET.JHIUGPSBTIPSUUJNF
Air (Raises Precision and Critical Damage)

t 5FNQFTU4USFOHUIEBNBHFXIJMFNPWJOH
5 Move 10% faster while attuned to Air
t ;FQIZST'PDVT:PVSFOEVSBODFSFHFOFSBUFTGBTUFSXIJMFDIBOOFMJOHTLJMMT
15 Strike your target with a bolt of lightning when attuned to Air
t 2VJDL(MZQIT(MZQITSFDIBSHFGBTUFS
25 60% chance to cause Vulnerability on critical hits
t 0OFXJUI"JS:PVNPWFGBTUFSUIFMPOHFSZPVBSFBUUVOFEUP"JS
t 4PPUIJOH8JOETPGZPVS1SFDJTJPOJTDPOWFSUFEUPIFBMJOH
t #PMUUPUIF)FBSUEBNBHFUPBGPFXJUIMFTTUIBOIFBMUI
MASTER TIER
t "SDBOF-JHIUOJOH:PVIBWFNPSFDSJUJDBMEBNBHFGPSFBDIBSDBOF
skill equipped.
t *OTDSJQUJPO(SBOUBCPPOBTTPDJBUFEXJUIZPVSDVSSFOUBUUVOFNFOUXIFOZPV
cast a Glyph.
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t "JS5SBJOJOHEBNBHFXIJMFBUUVOFEUP"JS
GRANDMASTER TIER
t ;FQIZST#PPO"VSBTHSBOU4XJGUOFTTBOE'VSZXIFOBQQMJFE
t (SPVOEFEEBNBHFUPTUVOOFEPSLOPDLFEEPXOGPFT
160
PROFESSIONS
Earth Magic (Raises Condition Damage and Toughness)

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5 Gain extra armor when attuned to Earth
t 4JHOFU.BTUFSZ4JHOFUTSFDIBSHFGBTUFS
15 Damage and Cripple foes when attuned to Earth
t &BSUIT&NCSBDF(BJO"SNPSPG&BSUIXIFOIFBMUISFBDIFTʾ
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25 +10% damage when your endurance is full cannot trigger more than once every 90 seconds.
t 4BMU4UPOF:PVEFBMEBNBHFBHBJOTU#MFFEJOHGPFT
t 4FSSBUFE4UPOFT#MFFETZPVBQQMZMBTUMPOHFS
t 4UPOF4QMJOUFSTEBNBHFXIJMFXJUIJONFMFFSBOHFPGZPVSPQQPOFOU
MASTER TIER
t 4USFOHUIPG4UPOFEBNBHFXIJMFBUUVOFEUP&BSUI
t &MFNFOUBM4IJFMEJOH:PVHBJOQSPUFDUJPOXIFOBQQMZJOHBOBVSBUPBOBMMZ
or yourself.
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GRANDMASTER TIER
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t 8SJUUFOJO4UPOF:PVEPOUMPTFUIFQBTTJWFFĊFDUTPGTJHOFUTXIFOZPV
activate them.
Water Magic (Raises Healing and Vitality)

t $MFBOTJOH8BUFS8IFOFWFSZPVHSBOUSFHFOFSBUJPOUPZPVSTFMGPSBOBMMZ ZPV
5 Regenerate health when attuned to Water also remove a condition.
15 Heal nearby allies when attuned to Water t 4IBSEPG*DF"SDBOFBOE4JHOFUTLJMMTDBVTF7VMOFSBCJMJUZXIFOBDUJWBUFE
25 +2% damage for each boon on you t 4PPUIJOH%JTSVQUJPO$BOUSJQTHSBOUZPV7JHPSBOE3FHFOFSBUJPO
t 1JFSDJOH4IBSET8IJMFBUUVOFEUP8BUFS ZPVSTQFMMTEFBMNPSFEBNBHF
against Vulnerable foes.
t $MFBOTJOH8BWF3FNPWFBDPOEJUJPOGSPNZPVBOEZPVSBMMJFTXIFOBUUVOFE
to water.
t 7JUBM4USJLJOH%FBMFYUSBEBNBHFXIFOIFBMUIJTBCPWF
MASTER TIER
t "RVBNBODFST"MBDSJUZ"MMZPVS8BUFSXFBQPOTLJMMTSFDIBSHFGBTUFS
t *DZ.JTU$BVTF$IJMM 7VMOFSBCJMJUZ BOEEBNBHFUPOFBSCZGPFTXIJMFJONJTUPS
vapor form.
t $BOUSJQ.BTUFSZ$BOUSJQTSFDIBSHFGBTUFS
t 4PPUIJOH8BWF.JTU'PSNBOE4JHOFUPG8BUFSHSBOUTFDPOETPGSFHFOFSBUJPO
GRANDMASTER TIER
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t 1PXFSGVM"VSB"VSBTBQQMZUPOFBSCZBMMJFT
161
Arcane Mastery (Raises Boon Duration and Attunement Recharge Rate)
t "SDBOF.BTUFSZ"SDBOFTLJMMTSFDIBSHFGBTUFS
5 Attunement bonuses linger for 5 seconds
t "SDBOF3FTVSSFDUJPO8IFOZPVSFTVSSFDUBOBMMZ ZPVBOEUIFSFTVSSFDUFEBMMZ
15 Grant yourself Fury on attunement gain an aura based on your attunement.
25 Skills have a chance to apply a condition on critical hit t "SDBOF3FUSJCVUJPO(BJO"SDBOF1PXFSBUIFBMUI
t 'JOBM4IJFMEJOH$SFBUFBO"SDBOF4IJFMEXIFOIFBMUISFBDIFT
t &MFNFOUBM"UUVOFNFOU:PVBOEBMMOFBSCZBMMJFTHBJO.JHIUXIFOBUUVOFEUP
Fire, Regeneration when attuned to Water, Swiftness when attuned to Air, and
Protection when attuned to Earth.
t 3FOFXJOH4UBNJOB:PVIBWFBDIBODFUPHBJO7JHPSPODSJUJDBMIJUT
MASTER TIER
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t #MBTUJOH4UBĊ"SFBBUUBDLTBSFMBSHFSXIFOXJFMEJOHBTUBĊ
t 8JOECPVSOF%BHHFS.PWFGBTUFSXIFOXJFMEJOHBEBHHFS
t "SDBOF&OFSHZ:PVS"SDBOFBOE4JHOFUTLJMMTSFTUPSFFOEVSBODFXIFOVTFE
GRANDMASTER TIER
t &WBTJWF"SDBOF$SFBUFBOBUUVOFNFOUCBTFETQFMMPOEPEHF
t &MFNFOUBM4VSHF"SDBOFTQFMMTHBJO#VSOJOHXIFOBUUVOFEUP'JSF TFDPOET

Chill when attuned to Water (3 seconds), Blindness when attuned to Air
(5 seconds), and Immobilize when attuned to Earth (1 Second).
Elementalists in PvE
Elementalist is a wonderful profession for someone simply to pick up and play. It’s easy to understand and relate to many of their abilities, and they don’t require intricate
positioning or balancing to be effective. It’s an excellent profession for exploring and getting to know the world of Guild Wars 2. Their utility and versatility allow them to rise to
any challenge they encounter.
Indeed, elementalists’ power lies in their flexibility.

Their ability to shift almost effortlessly between
damage dealing, healing, and buff/debuffing is second
to none. Even in the middle of a fight, you can switch
from high area-of-effect damage to keeping everyone
healed, and then back to wholesale destruction.
Also, you don’t need to keep as many weapons up

to date. Because elementalists don’t switch weapons
during combat, they tend to carry fewer weapons
and stick more to whatever combination they love
the most.
If you’re on your own, figure out whether you like

close-range (dagger main hand) or medium-range
fighting (scepter main hand), and invest strongly
in your weapons. If you find that you want more
survivability, add a focus. If you crave damage potential, take a second dagger for your off hand. Either way, your primary goal is not to have long fights. You don’t have the
defense or armor to withstand that sort of barrage.
For group work, the scepter/focus combination is valid, and staves are brilliant. The ability to hit large numbers
of enemies at range lets you contribute to any tasks you encounter. You also don’t have to worry about being
overwhelmed, and you have reliable control over the battle’s progression. If anything unfortunate happens, switch
to Water spells and pull your group’s butt out of the fire. No one—absolutely no one—can heal like a staff-
wielding, Water-casting elementalist.
Keep your main weapon up to date at all times. You’re a light armor wearer, and that means you never want to
stand still and take hits. You want power and precision to lay waste to your foes. Some condition damage is nice,
especially if you like Earth abilities, but direct damage will usually be more prominent.
162
PROFESSIONS
To this end, some utility skills come into play. Arcane Power deserves special mention abilities harp on positioning and movement-altering effects. Earth can help you and
because it gives you guaranteed critical hits over your next few attacks—you can’t your team be more defensive while weakening the other side with condition damage.
go wrong with that! The passive effects from a number of your signet abilities can be
very good, as well: Signet of Fire gives you a boost to your critical chance, and Signet Skilled elementalists learn to shift between elemental attunements as soon as a need
of Water can free you from worrying about nasty condition damage for long. Finally, for something new arises. If there’s a lull in the battle, switch to Water and top off
try out Glyph of Elemental Power and Glyph of Lesser Elemental. Elemental Power wounded allies. Big push? It’s Fire time! Is one guy being a pest? Give him Earth or Air,
ensures you always have some sort of condition damage active. Lesser Elemental depending on your setup.
grants you a pretty strong pet to help in your battles.
Because the dagger’s close range is a significant liability in PvP, take a staff or scepter as
Also, when you fight, your main-hand weapon. In terms of your armor, your choices are more varied. While
keep in mind that you you still benefit from Power and Precision, you can make stronger gains in Toughness
don’t have to stand and Vitality. The trait skills you get from those lines help you add base conditions to
still to cast your spells your spells, and they make those conditions even more damaging.
(unlike in many other
A number of slot skills work well in PvP. Of note, the signet and cantrip spells give you
games). Unless you’re
massive options for getting around the field and controlling fights. Signet spells give
in a specific channeling
you fabulous passive abilities combined with conditions that disrupt your enemies.
spell, you have complete
Cantrips break Stun and help your elementalist stay three steps ahead of your rivals.
freedom to move
around, dodge, strafe, or jump up and down—all while launching your attacks. This
makes things much safer for you and lets you control a fight much more easily.
Elementalists in PvP
Elementalists in PvP fall into three major roles: those who want large-scale AoE
damage, those who want to heal their side as much as possible, and those who work
on damage mitigation (buff your team, debuff the opposing team). You can find
something for each of these roles in the elementalist’s lineup.
For AoE damage, Fire spells are the key. Rain down as much fiery destruction as possible
over a large, targeted area. If you like healing, go for Water and take a staff with you.
You won’t deliver much damage (although you can do some), but you can heal like When it comes to elite skills, you really have to love Tornado. The idea that you can
nobody’s business. If you like buff/debuff work, Air and Earth both have good sets. Air’s move around, hitting and sweeping people away, is just perfect.
163
Engineer
Engineers are versatile and survivable combatants with
medium armor and a general focus on ranged combat
(but the profession has a few close-range options).
Armed with a shield, these characters can mitigate
damage with stuns and knockbacks. With a rifle or dual
pistols equipped, engineers are able to deal damage
while keeping their foes at a distance.
Engineers often get their group utility from elixirs,

which can be thrown or fired from the elixir gun, to
grant helpful boons to allies or harmful conditions to
enemies. You’re more than just a long-range damage
dealer. Everybody appreciates extra healing and boons.
If you like variety, this is your profession. You can toss

bombs and elixirs, shoot flames, set up turrets, or
surprise your foes with a rocket-boot kick or wrench
to the face.
164
Profession Stats
Power 28 916
Precision 28 916
Toughness 28 916
Vitality 28 916
Attack 177 916
Armor 89 916
Health 316 15,082
Weapons and
Weapon Skills
Engineers have a short list of standard weaponry they can use. Instead of variety, each
weapon set has the skills that fill the engineers’ needs. Pistols are multitarget-focused,
shields add survivability, and rifles have great burst damage.
These stats give you an idea of what to expect

from your character. They show engineer
progression through examples taken at the
beginning and end of leveling. Your actual
stats will likely vary from this.
165
Pistols (Main Hand) GLUE SHOT
Pistols focus on damage over time and combat with multiple enemies. They don’t Damage: None
burst very well, but their total output gets fairly high once you’ve nailed the target Effect: Immobilize (1
Second), Duration
with poison. The second ability mitigates damage from multiple targets. (6 Seconds)
EXPLOSIVE SHOT The main-hand pistol’s abilities are for

fighting multiple targets, but what can
you do to keep the bloodthirsty hordes
Damage: Low at a distance? This ability spreads an area of sticky glue on the ground. Enemies stuck
Effect: Bleed (4 Seconds), in it take no damage, but you get a few seconds to attack from safety.
Combo Finisher
(Physical Projectile:
20% Chance)
Cooldown: None Shield (Off Hand)
Your basic autoattack with the Placing a shield in your off hand lowers your damage output but raises your
pistol is packed with goodness. Not
survivability. As a wearer of medium armor, PvP opponents may see you as
only do you make your target Bleed, but any enemies standing nearby gain the
condition as well. a soft target. In PvE, you may find yourself under heavy ranged attack, or
melee enemies might get too close for comfort and you don’t have enough
endurance to evade. Grab a shield to increase your defensive options to negate
POISON DART VOLLEY or mitigate damage.
Damage: Moderate
Effect: Poison (2 Seconds) MAGNETIC SHIELD
Damage: Low
You fire five poison darts at your foes
in rapid succession. There is a chance Effect: Ranged Attack
that a bullet or two might miss, but Deflection and an
the poison condition makes up for Area-of-Effect Launch
it. Shooting at a group of enemies is Cooldown: 35 Seconds
even better since you can spread the poison around.
Sometimes a good offense is a good
defense. This ability magnetically
charges your shield to deflect ranged
STATIC SHOT attacks for 3 seconds. Select the shield again to release the charge to launch
enemies. Taken together, you get a short respite from damage and a method to
kite melee attackers.
Damage: Medium
Effect: Blind (3 Seconds),
Confusion (3 Seconds)
Cooldown: 15 Seconds STATIC SHIELD
This shot fires a burst of static electricity
that jumps between enemies. The Damage: None
initial struck enemy misses on his next Effect: Stun (3 Seconds),
attack, and the next four enemies Daze (2 Seconds)
nearby are confused. This sometimes bounces between targets, hitting individual
enemies multiple times. Use Static Shot to mitigate some damage and force enemies
to hold off on their own moves or damage themselves if they persist. When the going gets tough, engineers
electrify their shields. The next enemy
to hit you gets stunned! Select this
Pistols (Off Hand) ability again to release the charge and
have it daze enemies as the energy flies out and boomerangs back. Aligned properly,
you can restrict a large number of enemies from using their special abilities.
Equipping a pistol in your off hand continues the theme of area-of-effect
attacks and dependable damage gained from the main hand. With the second
pistol, you acquire a much-needed crowd control ability and a cone attack.
BLOW TORCH
Damage: Low to Medium
Effect: Burning
This shoots a cone of fire from your
pistol, harming enemies and setting
them aflame! Burning is a strong
damage over time condition, and it
gets better the closer the target is to
you. Use this right before your Glue Shot when an enemy gets too close. Follow it
up with Dart Volley and let the conditions do the work for you.
166
PROFESSIONS
Rifle (Two-Handed) JUMP SHOT

Rifles fire slower but hit harder than pistols. Another difference is both of the Damage: Very High to Extreme
rifles’ crowd control abilities are single target. The focus is burst damage rather Effect: Launch Yourself Up
and Damage the Area
than conditions or damage mitigation. It’s much easier to control and take Where You Land,
down a single target with a rifle than with a pistol. Combo Finisher (Leap)
This high-damage attack is very fun to
HIP SHOT use. Firing a blast at the ground, you
launch yourself into the air, slamming into the ground when you land. There are
Damage: Medium two major strategies for this ability. The first is to aim at your feet. You do damage
when you take off and when you land, so the combination of the two punishes
Effect: Combo Finisher
(Physical Projectile: any enemies caught in the blasts. The second way is to use it to add to your
20% Chance) mobility. If you find yourself surrounded, pick a point a good distance away and
blast your way out of danger with some damage as a parting gift.
Cooldown: None
Hip Shot is the basic automatic
attack with the rifle. Attacks from
this skill pierce targets, allowing you
Harpoon Gun
to damage an entire line of enemies as long as you keep them lined up in front
of your hero. Back away from enemies while you fire to keep them in a roughly
(Underwater Weapon)
straight path as they follow you. The Harpoon Gun mixes multitarget damage with distance-retaining options.
ENGINEER
Your abilities spread damage around and keep your enemies at long range.
NET SHOT TORPEDO SHOT

Damage None
Damage: Moderate
Effect: Immobilize
(2 Seconds) Effect: N/A
Cooldown: 10 Seconds Cooldown: None
This shot fires an enveloping net at This ability fires a shot that homes in
a single enemy. Although this does on your target.
no damage, you can get in a few free
hits or make it to safety while your
enemy is trying to break free. This ability’s short cooldown means it’s almost
always available.
SCATTER MINES
BLUNDERBUSS Damage: Very High
Effect: N/A
Damage: Very High
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
Effect: Closer Targets Take
Increased Damage Tossing these mines out is great when
your other abilities are on cooldown.
This ability becomes available again
Fire a spray of buckshot at your pretty quickly, so don’t hesitate to
enemies! Because of the spread effect, use it. Three mines spread out ahead
enemies closer to you take more of you to hit multiple targets. Once the mines are on their way, select the attack
damage. Let your target get close again to detonate the mines.
and then follow Blunderbuss with an Overcharged Shot and Net Shot combo to
give yourself time to get back to longer range. Don’t hold this ability in reserve; its
cooldown is nice and short.
RETREATING GRAPPLE
Damage: Low
OVERCHARGED SHOT Effect: Retreat, Pull Foe
Damage: High Cooldown: 18 Seconds
Effect: Launch Enemy and Often, your survival in underwater
Knockback Self combat depends on your ability to
Cooldown: 20 Seconds stay mobile and kite. With this ability,
you can fire a line behind yourself
You can overload your rifle with a and pull yourself backward. This
powerful shot to knock your enemies quick ability lets you scoot out of your enemies’ reach, allowing you vital space to
back and yourself away from them. attack. Once at range, you pull your foe over to your new position. If you want to
Followed by a Net Shot, this can grant isolate an enemy and get them away from an ally, this is especially helpful.
you valuable space and time. Be aware of your surroundings. Knocking an enemy
off a cliff or into an ally’s attack is a big advantage. Conversely, blasting yourself
into a wall or off a cliff will do you no good.
167
TIMED CHARGE BOOBY TRAP
Damage: Very High Damage: Very High
Effect: Delayed Area of Effect: Launch Enemies
Effect
Engineers always have one more
With this ability, you fire a harpoon trick up their sleeves. Just when your
with an explosive charge attached foes think they have you down, set
to it. This explosive goes off several off an explosive Booby Trap to harm
seconds later, and enemies nearby multiple targets nearby. Use this
take damage from the blast. The delayed area of effect helps you to space out your when there are many enemies around and you don’t have time to target one
damage and keeps you from acquiring too much attention in a group situation. specifically to bring it down. Use the attack as soon as it finishes its cooldown, so
that you can take advantage of its considerable power.
NET WALL
BANDAGE
Damage: None
Effect: Immobilize (3 Healing: Low to High Over Time
Seconds) Effect: Channeled Self-Heal
The Harpoon Gun shoots out a net While the most common way to
that spreads out ahead of you to rally yourself from the downed state
catch enemies. Use this ability at is to kill an enemy, sometimes there
the start of a fight to tie up an entire aren’t any in range or you don’t want
group of enemies. You can then follow this up with mines to really damage your to grab more attention. Activate and
helpless foes. channel the Bandage ability to heal yourself in increasing amounts until you are
back in fighting shape. If an enemy strikes you, the action will be interrupted and
you’ll have to wait for the cooldown before trying again.
Downed Skills
When your health is reduced to zero, you still have a chance to fight back.
While you are in the downed state, these abilities are available. Drowning Skills
THROW JUNK FLOATING MINE
Damage: Very Low Damage: Low
Effect: Random Effect Effect: Area of Effect
(Bleed, Frozen, Cooldown: N/A
Weakness for
3 Seconds) This skill tosses a mine into the water
Cooldown: None that detonates for low but acceptable
damage. Engineers don’t have
Finding yourself in a desperate anything else with which to hurt foes
situation, you grab whatever you have when they’re drowning, so this is all
nearest at hand. This ends up being all the spare parts you carry around with you. you have. Use it or lose it!
The conditions your attacks apply do more to increase your survivability than
increase your DPS.
ANCHOR
GRAPPLING LINE Damage: Very Low
Effect: Sink (3 Seconds)
Damage: None
Effect: Pulls an Enemy
Toward You Disable a single enemy by weighing
Cooldown: 10 Seconds them down. Though the damage
from this is laughable, it’s a good
Usually engineers like to keep danger way to prevent especially powerful
at a distance. Things are different enemies from damaging you while
when you are downed. The Grappling you’re drowning. This is excellent to use before swimming to the surface if you
Line is used to pull enemies over to plan on fleeing in that manner.
your character. Pulling in a vulnerable ranged enemy can give you an easy target
for a quick second wind. Close range combat also means the enemy is in range of
your Booby Trap attack. You don’t have much time in your current state, so you
need to bring all of your damage to bear.
168
PROFESSIONS
BUOY HEALING TURRET

Damage: N/A Effect: AoE Healing,
Regeneration
Effect: Floats You to the (8 Seconds)
Surface
This places a turret that releases a
Buoy gives you a rapid escape toward
healing mist. This is most effective
the surface of the water. Anchor your
with groups or escorts that stay in
most dangerous foe and then get out
the same spot. It is also effective
of there as quickly as possible.
in situations where you need consistent healing over time (such as fighting
enemies that use damage over time conditions like Bleed). Use it again to cleanse
conditions off of your group. Its secondary ability is to self-destruct, which
removes the turret.
BANDAGE
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Healing: Low to High Over Time for yourself and nearby allies (60-second cooldown).
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enemies (30-second cooldown).
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
This is the same as the terrestrial
version of Bandage. Use it to improve
your hero’s health. If you get your bar Utility
ENGINEER
fully recharged, your character rallies Engineer utility skills add even greater variety. Many of these skills are gadget kits of
even without killing any targets.
equipment that change your normal weapon attacks. Whether they are equipped
or not, each skill’s secondary ability is always available. By selecting and equipping
Slot Skills the right skills, you can fill different party roles and overcome challenges.
TIER 1
Healing
Engineer healing abilities are very party friendly. Even the default self-heal skill RIFLE TURRET
has a secondary option to grant boons to allies.
Effect: Places a Rifle Turret
that Fires on Enemies
ELIXIR H at Range
Effect: A Large Self-Heal that This skill is incredibly effective for the
Applies One of Three skill point cost and should be one of
Boons (Protection [5 the first ones you pick up. Once placed,
Seconds], Regeneration the Rifle Turret fires for low to medium
[10 Seconds], or
Swiftness [10 Seconds]) damage on all aggressive enemies or structures until it is destroyed. When it is active,
you have the ability to enhance it with Automatic Fire to greatly increase its damage
Cooldown: 30 Seconds for a short period. Like all turrets, its secondary ability is to be detonated, which
Elixir H is the default engineer healing damages all enemies nearby. Putting down turrets increases your damage output
skill. It’s perfect for times when you without attracting attention to yourself. Many tasks require that you guard or control
don’t know what to expect. The cooldown is short, so it’s effective for keeping a large area; turrets let you project damage over distance and multiple directions.
your health high. Soloers love it because it has the highest healing and all of the
boons are good. You can’t go wrong with this one. t "VUPNBUJD'JSF*ODSFBTFTUIFmSJOHSBUFPGUIFUVSSFUCZBOEBEET#MFFE
(30-second cooldown).
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grant Protection, Regen, or Swiftness. (30-second cooldown).
MED KIT FLAME TURRET

Effect: Allows You to Place Med Effect: Summon Fire Turret
Packs on the Ground
Cooldown: None
This turret functions much like
Use this ability to equip a medical the Rifle Turret except instead of
bag as a kit. Your normal weapon projectiles, it fires a cone of flame. The
abilities are replaced with the ability nice thing about fire is that it can hit
to drop Bandages that heal and grant multiple enemies and applies Burning
boons. Allies can grab the packs by to all of them. When it is active, you
walking over them. In addition to the health-restoring functions, you can remove have the ability to enhance it by having it release smoke that blinds enemies. The
conditions or provide very nice boons: Fury and Swiftness. Use this healing skill turret does enough damage that you can either gain enemy attention or use the
when you want party healing to be your main focus. smoke to protect yourself. Like all turrets, its secondary ability is to be detonated,
damaging enemies nearby. Place the Flame Turret near other turrets so they can
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cooldown). Combo Field: Smoke.
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seconds (20-second cooldown). t %FUPOBUF'MBNF5VSSFU'MBNF5VSSFUTFMGEFTUSVDUT EBNBHJOHOFBSCZFOFNJFT
(30-second cooldown). 169
ELIXIR B THROW MINE
Effect: Grants Might (30 Effect: Throws a Mine to
Seconds), Fury Damage, Remove a
(10 Seconds), and Boon, and Knock Back
Swiftness (10 Seconds) Enemies (Combo
Finisher: Blast)
This elixir gives you buffs to your
Power, Precision, and running speed This gadget skill tosses a mine at
all in one dose. This effect improves your enemy. When it lands, the mine
your chance to critically hit monsters as well as the total damage done with each explodes and deals modest damage
attack. You can’t go wrong with this elixir. to all nearby targets. Affected enemies are thrown back, and each one loses a
single boon (if applicable). Throw Mine is excellent for disruption, even though its
This skill also puts the same boons on any ally in the area-of-effect radius. direct damage is only decent. Use it to distract, delay, or debuff enemies.
Swiftness reduces travel time while exploring, and no one is going to complain
about more damage output in fights.
UTILITY GOGGLES
ELIXIR U Effect: Break Stun, Gain
Fury, Immunity to
Effect: Randomly Apply One Blind (10 Seconds)
of Three Different Cooldown: 40 Seconds
Utility Skills from
Another Profession If you love your critical hits, this is a
(Haste, Frenzy, or great skill choice. Your increased critical
Quickening Zephyr for chance and protection from being
5 Seconds) to Yourself blinded greatly increase your damage
Cooldown: 60 Seconds for the duration. Further increase your output by using the Analyze ability. Taken
together, this makes any other weapon or skill you use better. Keep in mind that the
Elixir U is a potion that is most useful cooldowns for each are long. Use them when you can and make each hit count!
in PvP matches. Using it on yourself applies Frenzy, Haste, or Quickening Zephyr.
All of these are powerful during intense encounters where high burst damage is t "OBMZ[F TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
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essential for your survival and victory.
TIER 2
GRENADE KIT
Effect: Turns Your Weapon
NET TURRET
Skills into Grenade
Attacks Effect: Fires a Net that
Immobilizes Targets
Cooldown: None at Range (3 Seconds)
Equip this kit to gain access to a set Cooldown: 30 Seconds
of grenade attacks. Each attack is
While not as flashy as the other
a ground-targeted area-of-effect
turrets, the Net Turret does have
strike. In addition, each grenade has
utility. If your playstyle focuses on
a different effect: damage, damage over time, damage mitigation, and crowd
turrets, the additional crowd control
control. While you can select and target your attacks with the mouse, it’s much
can keep enemies out of capture zones or melee range. Select the skill again
faster to use your keyboard. Aim with your mouse and double tap the button
to enhance the turret to fire Electrified Net, which stuns the target. Use the
to quickly toss grenades. The secondary ability tosses a Grenade Barrage. This kit
secondary skill to detonate the turret when you are done with it.
is great in dungeons or in any situation where you have multiple foes that stay
clustered together at a distance. Here are the grenades in your kit: t &MFDUSJmFE/FU TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
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electrified net that Stuns and Immobilizes your target.
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damaging nearby enemies.
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Bleed (12 seconds) in a radius.
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(5 seconds)
ELIXIR S
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(3 seconds). (4 Seconds), Evade,
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3FMFBTFTBDMPVEPGQPJTPOPVTHBTUIBU Break Stun
applies Poison (5 seconds). Cooldown: 60 Seconds
This elixir is geared for survivability in
PvP. If you find yourself surrounded
and low on health, use it to escape
from further harm. At your new size,
you are freed from crowd control effects, but you are too small to harm others
until you return to your normal size. Use the secondary ability to toss the elixir
at allies to protect them from stun, knockdown, and launch. Sometimes a PvP
victory is gained simply by staying on your feet longer than the other team.
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170 6 seconds.
PROFESSIONS
BOMB KIT ELIXIR GUN

Effect: Changes Your Effect: Changes Your
Weapon Skills into Weapon Skills into
Bomb Attacks Elixir Attacks
Cooldown: None Cooldown: None
This weapon kit requires some This kit brings elixirs’ party utility
courage to use, but it is undoubtedly into one complete package. Equip
effective. With the right traits selected this when you join a group to disable
you even have the ability to heal your enemies and boost your friends. The
allies. Instead of attacking at range, each attack places a bomb at your feet that secondary ability is a small pointblank area-of-effect heal, available even if you
explodes in a few seconds. Thankfully, the blast will not harm you or your allies. don’t have the kit equipped. Your damage isn’t as high as other weapon kits, but
you definitely turn the tide in your party’s favor.
This opens up useful strategies. You can drop the bombs while retreating to
harass anyone in pursuit. The Glue Bomb is especially effective for this. Or, you t 5SBORVJMJ[FS%BSU%PFTMPXEBNBHFBOEBQQMJFT8FBLOFTTBOE#MFFEJOH
can go all out and run into a group of enemies and be the Evil Midnight Bomber (3 seconds), Combo Finisher (Physical Projectile).
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survive. The secondary ability is the Big Ole Bomb, which has a longer fuse but and foes; does medium damage to foes and Cripples them (5 seconds); for
a much larger boom. The blowout knocks enemies away, giving you breathing allies, it adds Swiftness (5 seconds).
room. Speaking of which, ranged attackers can be a problem when using the t 'VNJHBUF TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
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Bomb Kit. Use the Glue Bomb to stop them from running, or switch to another Poisoning and inflicting Vulnerability on enemies (1 second).
weapon if they try to kite you.
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moderately damaging any foes that touch it.
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ENGINEER
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small radius.
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within a radius.
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enemies in a radius.
ROCKET BOOTS
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radius, smoke lasts 3 seconds. Backward, High
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moderate area that immobilizes enemies for 1 second. Finisher (Blast)
Give melee attackers a nasty surprise
FLAMETHROWER with this skill. If your playstyle
depends on having a safe distance
from your enemies, this is perfect because it sends you back even farther than
Effect: Changes Your Overcharged Shot. Start by using the Rocket Kick’s secondary ability and then use
Weapon Skills into the boots to break any stuns and escape. As you fly away, you do high damage
Flame Attacks and apply Burning. Arm yourself with a rifle to completely frustrate your target
Cooldown: None with your kiting ability.
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on fire! The wide range of abilities damage and apply Burning (5 seconds).
you gain from this kit makes it
useful in just about any situation.
The Flamethrower really shines when you’re with a fast-moving group fighting
multiple enemies. The secondary ability is Incendiary Ammo. Activate this any
time you can; it makes all weapons better. PERSONAL BATTERING RAM
Try the following powerful combo. Start the fight with Flame Blast and pull Effect: Launch an Enemy
your foes forward with Backdraft. Put down Napalm where they land and spray Using a Concealed
them with Flame Jet. If they are not dead by the time Napalm dies out, knock Battering Ram
them back with Air Blast so they are in range of another Flame Blast. Laughing Cooldown: 45 Seconds
maniacally is optional.
If you’re tired of enemies getting
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three attacks. bag of tricks. Even if you don’t need
to reposition your foes, they can’t
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attack if they’re airborne. You can launch enemies a substantial distance to
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radius for medium to high damage. to fire the ram’s head and knock them down. Either way, it comes in handy in
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applies burning for 1 second, Combo Field (Fire). Cripples enemies (5 seconds), Combo Finisher (Physical Projectile).
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171
TIER 3 ELIXIR R
Effect: Break Stun, Refills
THUMPER TURRET Endurance
Effect: Summon Thumper Elixir R is a powerful PvP and
Turret dungeon skill. Any ability that breaks
Cooldown: 50 Seconds crowd control can determine the
difference between victory and
This turret both gives and takes a defeat. The secondary ability revives
pounding. It’s most useful when you downed allies and removes harmful conditions from them. You become a literal
know an enemy will be standing at a lifesaver to your allies. It’s a massive boon during boss fights, PvP matches, and
certain point. The Thumper’s range large-scale events.
is limited to a minimal area of effect,
so bad placement can render it useless. It’s best to put it down where your enemy Try to use Elixir R after you’ve already pushed your endurance to its limits.
has to go through a door or arch, interact with an object, or fight you in melee. Dodging twice, using Elixir R, and then being able dodge even more can get you
In PvE, it can pull aggro and act as a tank for you and other turrets. In PvP, you’ll out of some serious trouble.
have to be a bit smarter and use it as a damaging obstacle to enemy movement.
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secondary ability is to self-destruct. Use it to cause some parting damage before it allies within the area of effect.
is destroyed or to remove it so you can place it in a better spot.
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Launch foes.
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TOOL KIT
self-destructs, damaging nearby enemies.
Effect: Changes Your
Weapon Skills to
Tool-Based Attacks
ROCKET TURRET Cooldown: None

The Tool Kit is a unique armed kit
Effect: Summon Rocket that gives you a fun change of pace
Turret for both PvE and PvP. It equips you
with a set of melee skills rather
Cooldown: 60 Seconds than ranged attacks. In fact, the only ranged attack is a secondary ability, Throw
One of the most powerful turrets Wrench. This changes your strategy from “keep everyone away” to “pull everyone
available. This skill is useful in a wide in.” Use Magnet to pull enemies in and Box of Nails to keep them from escaping.
variety of situations. Each rocket If the enemy charges up a big attack, it can be blocked with Gear Shield or
that it fires does high damage and interrupted with Pry Bar. Otherwise, have fun beating things about the head and
applies Burning. The active ability of neck with your wrench, using the Smack ability.
the turret (Explosive Rockets) provides a sudden surge in damage output that is
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target and back, hitting foes for high damage each way and repairing your
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that applies Bleed and Cripple (2 seconds).
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ELIXIR C t (FBS4IJFME TFDPOEDPPMEPXO

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Effect: Converts Conditions
into Boons, Duration
(5 Seconds)
Cooldown: 60 Seconds SLICK SHOES
Turn the tables on your enemies with
Effect: Knockdown Foes
Elixir C! It’s most useful in PvP, where (on Land), Blinds
getting conditions is common. Just Foes (in Water)
when your enemies think they have
you debilitated, you can bounce back stronger than ever. Throw the elixir to have Cooldown: 60 Seconds
the same effect on your allies. Keep yourself and your teammates fighting at full Use this quirky gadget to kite your
strength with Elixir C. Now with more sodium! enemy or escape from combat. Its
primary use is for solo PvE or PvP
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random boon. do a comical slip and fall. If you are fighting underwater, the oil Blinds enemies for
a short time. Use the Slick Shoes’ secondary ability to gain a boost of speed for
fleeing encounters or advanced kiting.
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172
PROFESSIONS
Elite MORTAR
Engineer elite skills vary quite a bit in what they do. Let’s discuss each in turn. Effect: Summon Usable
Mortar
SUPPLY CRATE The Mortar elite skill has situational
uses. Using it while solo is difficult,
Effect: Stun Enemies because of its minimum firing distance.
(2 Seconds), Deploy Dungeons are a little claustrophobic for
Turrets, Deploy its use. Instead, it’s perfect for taking or
Bandages defending a specific piece of territory in PvP. Put it down outside the fray and you or
Cooldown: 180 Seconds an ally can rain damage, conditions, and heals within a large radius.
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targeted area. Med packs and random turrets are spread around, making it a safe and Bleed (12 seconds) to all enemies in a small radius.
place for allies to heal and recuperate. It’s handy in any group situation, for PvP or
t -BVODI&MJYJS TFDPOEDPPMEPXO
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larger events.
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Field (Ice).
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ELIXIR X causing knockback to enemies.
ENGINEER
Effect: Random Morph
(20 Seconds)
This powerful elixir is made of fresh
snake tears, hen’s teeth, and a single
split second that was divided by zero.
Like many of your gadget kits, this
elixir will replace your weapons skills,
but it will also block the use of your other skills while it is active. This means you
can’t let the power go to your head because you have no ability to self-heal while
the elixir is active. Have no fear of crowd control abilities when you drink Elixir X.
Each form gives you stability, which protects you from movement—and action-
impairing conditions.
Rampaging Brute: Become a

monstrosity of destruction. Watch
your health while in this form. You
can dish out damage, but you are also
a big target. Use Dash to get into the
fight and Kick, Stomp, and Throw
Boulder to knock enemies around.
Use Smash when the other abilities
are on cooldown.
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Finisher (Leap).
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launch enemies into the air, Combo Finisher (Blast).
Tornado: Change into a howling windstorm. Bowl through enemy formations
and throw them into chaos. The range of all your abilities is limited to physical
contact, so get moving.
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enemies you come into contact
with by using Bleed (6 seconds).
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that touch you.
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foes and poisons them whenever
they touch you.
173
Traits
Explosives (Raises Power and Condition Duration)
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5 Creates a bomb when you dodge
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15 Releases a number of timed mines when you hit 25% health
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25 Explosions cause Vulnerability
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hit when they are below 25% health.
MASTER TIER
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they push enemies back.
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using a Grenade Kit.
GRANDMASTER TIER
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Firearms (Precision and Condition Damage)

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5 Chance to cause Bleeding on critical hits
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15 Gives a 10% increased critical hit chance against enemies with low health
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174
PROFESSIONS
Inventions (Raises Toughness and Healing)

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Alchemy (Raises Vitality and Boon Duration)

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175
Tools (Raises Critical Damage and Tool Belt Recharge Rate)
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Engineers in PvE
Engineers are all about versatility, and you can start to get a feel for that from the beginning of your career. Once
you’re level five or so, hit a capital city and buy two pistols, a rifle, and a shield. Gaining all the weapon skills won’t
take long and this practice helps you figure out your playstyle. You might find that you’re especially happy with one
weapon type over another, even if the abilities didn’t sound that much better initially.
During this period, make sure to explore the world thoroughly. Gaining skill points is quite important because you want
to develop a library of awesome utility skills. The bigger your bag of tricks, the more situations your engineer will be able
to handle. Get skills that aid you in soloing early on. More challenging group content is out there, but the really hard stuff
doesn’t come up until you’re at least level 30. That’s more than enough time to get your soloing skills developed.
Select your traits with an eye toward your favorite activities. If you like healing, for instance, make sure you think about how your traits and skills interact. Select the Elixir-
Infused Bombs trait, and you can start healing parties with the Bomb Kit! That type of synergy is what makes engineers both strange and exciting.
Engineers have to be smart when they’re fighting. The majority of your attacks and skills have area-of-effect damage and effects. As a wearer of medium armor, this may get you
more attention than you want. Practice your crowd control skills to control your enemies’ positions, whether you want them to be near or far. Have fun trying out different
combinations of weapons, skills, and traits. With an armed kit, Elixir B, and the Rifle Turret, you are ready for just about anything.
176
PROFESSIONS
Take the turret skills to keep your foes distracted and to control the terrain. It takes Soloers should use
skill to have proper placement of your turrets, but you can create deadly killzones equipment that has
once you’re used to these weapons. Grab enemies’ attention and pull them back a balance of Power,
into your turrets. This makes the most of your goodies without having to wait for Precision, and Vitality.
cooldowns for every single fight. Engineers don’t kill
things fast enough
Turrets help when you’re trying to capture or defend territory. Spaced-out turrets to rely entirely on
soften targets while you’re occupied elsewhere. Put down the Rifle, Flame, and Rocket damage output.
Turrets to create deadly ground. Equip a shield and take the Protective Turrets trait
and you become considerably harder to kill. Trait points in Inventions and Firearms When you’re in a group, consider gear with Vitality and Toughness. Not only do you
are the most effective for this style of play. gain more fortitude, but your boons and healing become stronger. You also survive a
lot longer, even if things turn sour and enemies come after you directly.
Engineers in PvP
In PvP, many of your neglected skills come to the forefront. Tossing Elixir R and Elixir C
lets you turn the tables in PvP by removing conditions and breaking stuns. The Med
Kit and the Packaged Meds trait keep your allies fighting as long as possible. The Elixir
ENGINEER
Gun lets you spread boons, conditions, and healing. Drop Supply Crates to make an
instant battle station.
If you want to do more damage, equip the Grenade Kit and Flamethrower. The
Flamethrower is great when you have to keep up with a fast-moving group. In situations
Elixirs increase the survivability of both you and your allies. Elixir B is a great tool for where you don’t want to get too close to the fighting, use the Grenade Kit’s range to
exploring and solo survival. Equip the Elixir Gun and you get a whole suite of helpful your advantage. If you aren’t moving around as much, turrets and the Mortar are fun.
skills with short cooldowns, some damage, and group utility. Put your trait points into Support your team by bombarding the enemy with damage and conditions.
Alchemy and Inventions
and put anything left
over into Tools. These
traits give you the skill
options and stats to
boost your party support
effectiveness. Look for
equipment that has high
Vitality to increase
boon duration.
Explosives are very fun.

Use mines to lay traps for
foes. Grenades are great
for ranged area-of-effect For close-in fighting, use the Tool Kit. Or, use the Bomb Kit to help take out
damage. The Bomb Kit structures and clusters of enemies. Activate the abilities of the Utility Goggles to
has the highest damage, boost the damage of any of your weapons or skills. Elixir X has the ability to catch
but it’s also the riskiest kit. the other team off guard and gain the advantage by changing you into one of three
The Flamethrower has damage and control abilities, so it’s the complete package. Perk overwhelming forms. It’s chancy because you can’t plan what form you’ll take, but all
explosives and put some points into both Inventions and Alchemy to help you survive. of them are powerful.
Choose equipment with both Power and Vitality if you’re going down this road.
If you ever get into
Practice switching between weapon kits. Just because you put one on doesn’t trouble, you have several
mean you’re stuck using it for an entire fight. If your group isn’t in danger, switch options to protect
from the Elixir Gun to the Grenade Kit. If you’re running around solo, use the yourself. When you just
Magnet ability from the Tool Kit to pull enemies in and then switch to the Bomb need a little room, the
Kit to blast the gathered victims. Make sure you’re willing to change skills any Personal Battering Ram
time your situation changes. “Here are my group tools, here is my setup for really is good. Its sudden strike
tough events, and this is my fun and fast soloing set.” That way, you don’t have any can shake an attacker’s confidence. Movement conditions and stuns are often a death
wasted utility skills at any time. sentence if you can’t avoid them; Elixir S lets you slip away from these dangers. When
enemies are chasing your hero, use Slick Shoes. Super Speed Boost and Rocket Boots
are also good ways to escape and either continue kiting (or come back from another
angle, where it’s safer).
177
guardian
Guardians are frontline combatants who use heavy
armor and can perform either as ranged or melee
fighters. Their high survivability and numerous boons
and healing powers make them fantastic support
characters in any group. You’re most likely to enjoy this
profession if you enjoy melee combat or supporting
your teammates through healing and boons. This is one
of the best professions for pure and easy survivability,
so that is a draw as well. If you’re looking for something
tough and accessible, you’ve found the right place.
As soloers, guardians are hardy. They can’t be killed

easily, and their most damaging weapons keep the kills
flowing. You won’t be disappointed in the profession
in any way. However, you miss out on the glory of
guardians in a larger group. That is the situation where
these characters go from good to stunning. Many
guardian abilities make allies better in a variety of ways.
You’ll find a huge amount of synergy in parties that
have a guardian around. They’re the epitome of team
players, especially if you choose your traits and slot skills
to accentuate that aspect of play.
178
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking guardians are “tanks,” “healers,” or whatever other archetypes come to mind. As with all Guild Wars 2 professions, you can make a number
of decisions to influence how your character performs. Guardians can be pushed to excel at damage, survivability, group healing and survival, or whatever else you desire. The
world is your oyster.
Profession Stats
Attribute Starting Stats Naked at Level 80 These stats give you an idea of what to expect from your character. They show
guardian progression through examples taken at the beginning and end of leveling.
Power 24 1216
Your actual stats will likely vary from this.
Precision 24 916
Toughness 24 916
Weapons and
Vitality 24 1166
Attack 158 1216
Critical Chance
Armor
4%
106
4%
916 Weapon Skills
Health 268 13,305 Guardians have a great lineup of weapons they can use. Each weapon has a different
specialty that helps the guardian perform well in combat. Standard groupings include
area-of-effect damage (mace/torch and greatsword), boons (mace/shield), conditions
(sword/focus), or a single target assault (sword/shield). Guardians can be prepared for
almost any situation.
179
Virtues Sword (Main Hand)
Virtues are a special set of guardian powers that make it much easier for you to For guardians, swords focus on quick melee strikes that inflict conditions and
dominate your enemies. These three abilities are given to all guardians, regardless of use traits that emphasize critical hits. These weapons use both AoE and single-
the traits you choose and the weapons you wield. Virtues have two states: passive target attacks, and are an excellent way to quickly use your Virtue of Justice to
and active. If you don’t click on the virtues, they’ll each add a minor power to your great effect. Damage from sword skills is generally low, but their ability to blind
character (extra damage, passive health regeneration, and a blocked attack every 40 opponents and provide projectile blocking trades damage for added survivability.
seconds). When you engage these abilities, their respective passive boons fall, but a
great power replaces
them temporarily.
SWORD OF WRATH
Damage: Medium
You can activate
Effect: Special
one, two, or even
Cooldown: None
all three virtues
simultaneously. This basic sword attack rotates
between Sword of Wrath, Sword Arc,
They’re all at your and Sword Wave. These are cone
disposal unless any attacks that strike up to three targets
of the abilities are still on cooldown from being used recently. for decent damage.
Let’s talk about the virtues in greater depth.
FLASHING BLADE
VIRTUE OF JUSTICE Damage: Low
Damage: Special Effect: Blind (3 Seconds)
Effect: Burning Cooldown: 10 Seconds
Cooldown: 30 Seconds Flashing Blade allows you to teleport
into combat or catch up to foes and
Justice normally operates by giving strike them with a small area attack
your guardian a burning attack with that blinds all enemies right next to
every fifth swing of their weapon. your hero. Use this to get into combat
Burning attacks hit with a moderate fast, or even as an escape route if you find yourself surrounded. The Blinding
damage over time bonus that sets effect helps to mitigate damage during dangerous fights, so that’s when Flashing
the enemies on fire. When activated, Justice makes your next attack (and those of Blade is most effective.
any nearby allies) a guaranteed blast of fire five times as powerful as the normal
Burning effect. It’s amazing in groups. Watch veterans, champions, and other
high-end targets get walloped!
ZEALOT’S DEFENSE
VIRTUE OF RESOLVE Damage: High
Effect: Multi-Attack, Blocks
Damage: N/A Projectiles
(3 Seconds)
Effect: Regenerate Health
Zealot’s Defense is an indispensable
Resolve gives your character a minor attack for a sword user. It combines
amount of health regeneration that a short-range projectile attack with
ticks every few seconds. It’s not the ability to automatically block other incoming projectiles while it is in effect.
enough to help you survive under all Employ this to attack projectile users, allowing you to defend yourself and attack
conditions, but the free health makes your enemies at the same time. Use this after a Flashing Blade to move in quickly
it easier to solo longer, endure long battles of attrition, and so forth. When used and damage ranged foes before they can hurt you. Even while in melee, this
actively, Resolve throws a powerful healing spell on your guardian and every ally power should be used regularly, because you block projectiles, and each projectile
nearby. That’s a major boost during battles where your party is under heavy fire. you send out also counts toward your Virtue of Justice.
VIRTUE OF COURAGE
Damage: N/A
Effect: Block an Attack
Courage gives your guardian an Aegis
every 40 seconds. The Aegis blocks
the next attack levied against your
hero. When used actively, the virtue
gives your hero and every nearby ally
a free Aegis. Save this for times when a powerful enemy is about to launch an
extremely potent attack, especially if it’s an area-of-effect blast you don’t think
your party can avoid or survive. Hit Virtue of Courage and give your people the
180 chance to make it through unscathed.
PROFESSIONS
Hammer (Two-Handed) RING OF WARDING

The hammer is a slow, high-damage, area-of-effect weapon. Its basic attack Damage: N/A
hits multiple foes per swing, and its other skills involve crowd control and Effect: Creates a Wall
group support. Cooldown: 45 Seconds
This skill creates a circular area around
you that cannot be crossed by
HAMMER SWING enemies. Use this power to prevent
melee attackers from reaching you, or
Damage: Moderate to trap an enemy so he can’t get away
from your hero. The latter is wonderful in PvP for grabbing ranged enemies. Keep
Effect: Chain Attack them from kiting you by encircling them.
(Symbol of
Protection), Area
Damage
Cooldown: None Greatsword (Two-Handed)
Hammer Swing is a chain attack that
Greatswords are one of the deadliest weapons in the guardian’s arsenal. Every
boasts decent damage. Its third hit
creates a symbol that grants protection to you and your allies. Use this power as attack hits hard and affects a relatively wide area. This makes the greatsword an
often as possible in melee to keep protection up for your party. Hammer Swings ideal weapon when you’re fighting groups of enemies, especially if you don’t
strike everything in front of your guardian, so they’re very effective against groups
need to rely on crowd control to survive their attacks. The only downside of
close to your character.
greatswords is they lack subtlety and versatility. Make sure to pair them with
G UA R D I A N
something that gives you either range, freedom of movement, or crowd control
MIGHTY BLOW capabilities. Mace + shield in one slot and greatsword in the other is a perfectly
fun example of this.
Damage: Very High
Effect: Area Damage,
Combo Finisher STRIKE
(Blast)
Damage: High
Cooldown: 8 Seconds
Effect: Chain Attack
Mighty Blow is a forward-facing area-
of-effect attack. It has a very wide Cooldown: None
range, so use this ability whenever The basic attack of the greatsword
you are in melee combat with more than one enemy nearby. The main benefit of hits all enemies in a large frontal
Mighty Blow is its sheer damage output. arc, finishing the chain with a very
high-damage line attack. The large
area affected and the greatsword’s
decent speed make this a brutal attack, especially for something that doesn’t
ZEALOT’S EMBRACE have a cooldown. Use this as your default damage-dealing skill and save your
other attacks for appropriate situations. Because the final attack in the combo
Damage: Moderate grants Might for each target you hit, Strike encourages very aggressive play. Lure
enemies into tight areas so you can hit as many foes as possible for high damage
Effect: Immobilize and free boons!
(2 Seconds)
This attack Immobilizes an entire line
of enemies. Use this before strafing SYMBOL OF WRATH
around your targets so they can’t set
up a good counterattack against you. Damage: Moderate to High
(Depending on
Number of Targets)
BANISH Retaliation (2
Seconds), Combo
Field (Light)
Damage: High
Effect: Blowout
The Symbol of Wrath deals damage over time to all enemies in its area and grants
2 seconds of Retaliation to you and any allies in its area. This power is best paired
Banish smashes enemies for high with other damage symbols. Save this for fights against larger groups; Symbol
damage and hurls them backwards a of Wrath doesn’t pay for itself well against single targets but quickly becomes
huge distance. This power is fantastic impressive when there are more opponents to retaliate against.
for both PvP and PvE. Use it to hurl
your enemies away, mitigate their
damage for time, interrupt them, or just use it for the damage and fun. Save Banish
for important enemies; don’t waste it on foes that would die in just a few hits.
181
WHIRLING WRATH SYMBOL OF FAITH
Damage: Very High Damage: Low Per Target
Effect: Area Damage, Effect: Area Damage,
Throws Projectiles, Regeneration
Combo Finisher (1 Second), Combo
(Whirl) Field (Light)
Whirling Wrath causes the guardian This symbol provides respectable
to spin in place, dealing damage to all damage and decent healing output for
opponents near him while hurling additional projectiles to strike distant enemies. the guardian. When traited, it affects a large area and lasts as long as its cooldown.
The accuracy of this skill isn’t good at long range, but with proper positioning Combine this with True Strike or another damage symbol, such as the one from
you can strike two or three enemies with both the weapon and the projectiles, Greatsword, to quickly kill any enemy foolish enough to stand in the way.
improving the damage you deal. Use this power whenever you are surrounded by
enemies and want to hit targets in front of and behind your guardian.
PROTECTOR’S STRIKE
LEAP OF FAITH Damage: High
Effect: Counterattack
Damage: Moderate to High (Area Damage)
Effect: Area Damage, or Protection (3
Blindness (3 Seconds) Seconds), Combo
Finisher (Whirl)
Leap of Faith jumps toward your
target while making the attack, so Protector’s Strike channels a
this skill helps your guardian get into shield around you and your allies, and if an attack penetrates it, you unleash a
position against groups of fleeing or shockwave that deals very high damage. If you are not attacked, this ability grants
ranged enemies. This power is one you should use as often as possible. It has a protection to you and all allies. This skill is best used when currently under attack
large area of effect, and enemies you strike are blinded for several seconds. to make maximum use of its high area-of-effect damage.
BINDING BLADE Scepter (Main Hand)

Scepters are guardians’ best condition-afflicting weapons. They’re an excellent
Damage: Moderate to High choice for killing over time, ranged attacks, and for maximizing your survivability
Effect: Chain Attack, Pull against extremely dangerous opponents. The trade-off here is that they have a
Enemies
slightly lower kill rate compared to maces, greatswords, and hammers.
Binding Blade is a great crowd
control ability. When used, it throws
your greatsword toward enemies at
ORB OF WRATH
short- or medium-range. They’ll take Damage: High
substantial damage and be bound by the sword. If you press the button again
soon after, the enemies are pulled back to your guardian, and then it’s time for Effect: N/A
area-of-effect slaughter. Use this to prevent enemies from running away or to stop Cooldown: None
their ranged assault on your party.
Orb of Wrath is a decent damage skill.
This attack does an acceptable job of
knocking foes around while Smite is
Mace (Main Hand) on cooldown. Orb of Wrath has very
good range and can be used on the
The mace is one of the guardian’s most versatile tools; it pairs well with almost move to kite enemies.
any weapon setup. Maces boast a large variety of effects: boons, conditions,
group healing, and decent damage output. Maces have it all, and they fit a large
number of themes. SMITE
Damage: High
TRUE STRIKE Effect: Area of Effect
Cooldown: 6 Seconds
Effect: Area Healing Smite strikes multiple opponents in
a close area. Each blow is quite low
Cooldown: None on damage, but the total output of
True Strike delivers a series of three the attack is more reasonable. This is
blows. The third strike does higher especially true if Virtue of Justice is on
damage and heals you and your passive mode. Having the Burn attacks trigger every fifth blow is nice when you
allies for a small amount. This makes use this attack (Smite tosses out many hits over time).
the mace an invaluable survival
tool, especially if you have high healing bonuses because of traits or equipment
choices. Though True Strike doesn’t heal for much health, the lack of cooldown
makes it fairly effective for topping off your group’s health.
182
PROFESSIONS
CHAINS OF LIGHT LINE OF WARDING

Damage: N/A Damage: N/A
Effect: Immobilize Effect: Summon Wall
(2 Seconds), (5 Seconds)
Vulnerability (x3)
Cooldown: 20 Seconds Line of Warding creates a long wall in

front of the player that prevents all
This skill is a basic Immobilizing effect. enemy movement across it. Use this
Use it to halt fleeing or kiting enemies power when facing a large number of
in their tracks. Alternatively, cast it to stop melee enemies that are trying to catch melee foes, especially in PvE, because enemies who attempt to cross are knocked
up to your guardian when you are the one doing the kiting. Make them work for back and stunned, giving you time to soften them up from range with the ability
it! The Vulnerability this adds lets you punish the enemies afterward, so use this of your choice.
before hitting Smite to make the attacks that much better.
Staff (Two-Handed) EMPOWER

The staff is a great back-up weapon for situational use. Though it isn’t the Damage: N/A
ultimate damage solution for guardians, its skills have a little bit of everything: Effect: Might (x6)
afflicting and removing conditions, hitting a wide area, and healing. (12 Seconds), Healing
G UA R D I A N
This skill is a channeled healing ability.
WAVE OF WRATH You and your allies gain many stacks
of Might for a considerable duration.
Damage: Medium At the end of the channeling, all your
people also get a decent chunk of their health restored. Use Empower between
Effect: Area Damage waves of a fight. You don’t want to use it when enemies are right on top of you;
Cooldown: None they’ll interrupt you too often. Instead, wait until you have a moment of spare
time to whip out the Might and help keep your group alive.
This is a straightforward attack. It hits
up to five different enemies in a wide
Focus (Off Hand)

frontal cone. Use this while standing
back from a large melee so you can
support your allies while remaining a
safe distance away. Focus is a pure defensive weapon. Use it to protect yourself and others from
damage and conditions. This is a good tool for prolonged fights with higher
survivability. It’s not a wise choice if you need fast kills!
ORB OF LIGHT
RAY OF JUDGMENT
Damage: High
Effect: AoE Damage or Damage: Low
Healing Effect: Regeneration
Cooldown: 3 Seconds (5 Seconds), Blind
(5 Seconds), Bounces
Orb of Light fires a glowing sphere Between Targets
that does damage to enemies it hits
and any of their buddies nearby. If you
press “2” while the orb is in the air, the Ray of Judgment isn’t the most accurate
sphere detonates and heals your allies. This skill is thus quite flexible in giving you skill. It bounces around after striking
AoE damage or healing, depending on the need of your group. The area of effect targets, and you can’t control the spell. However, it makes up for that by being a
from Orb of Light is impressive, so it isn’t hard to affect multiple targets even good melee healing ability. Enemies take damage from it and miss their next attacks,
when things are hectic. while the spell comes back to you and regenerates some of your health. The mix of
mitigation and healing make it very hard for enemies to kill you without a fight. Use
Ray of Judgment when you need to buy time for your healing ability to cool down.
SYMBOL OF SWIFTNESS
Damage: Low SHIELD OF WRATH
Swiftness (2 Damage: Varies
Seconds), Combo Effect: Block, Area Damage,
Field (Light) Combo Finisher (Blast)
Symbol of Swiftness creates a circle Shield of Wrath helps you hold the
on the ground that casts Swiftness on line during a sudden rush of attacks.
your allies. Any foes in the area of effect take some damage when this occurs. Use The skill blocks the next few blows,
this to help with chasing enemies, escaping from areas, or just getting around. The mitigating a huge amount of damage.
AoE damage isn’t powerful enough to be a huge draw unto itself (think of it more If the shield isn’t fully expended, it detonates at the end of a few seconds and
as a bonus when you need to use the spell). damages all enemies nearby. Use this when your guardian is rushed by a large group
of enemies. This is a nifty skill for PvP and heavy WvW engagements. These largest
battles ensure you use the shield to its fullest and have the best chance to mitigate
major damage. Enemies pile on to avoid the shield’s detonation. That buys your allies 183
time to heal, regain their footing, and turn the tables on a superior force.
Torch (Off Hand) SHIELD OF ABSORPTION
We know you like setting things on fire. What guardian doesn’t? Torches give Damage: N/A
you a couple of damage over time abilities that are extremely fun to use. You Effect: Knockback, Projectile
Protection, Duration
get to hit multiple targets and leave them burning for more. While lacking a (4 Seconds)
focus’ survivability, torches compensate with faster kill potential. Cooldown: 40 Seconds
Shield of Absorption is a great way
CLEANSING FLAME to control your enemies and block
projectiles. When used, any enemies
within the area are pushed back and knocked down, and the barrier itself blocks
Damage: Light all enemy projectiles that come into contact with it. This is versatile because you
Effect: Channeled, Removes can hit Shield of Absorption for its crowd control or its anti-ranged properties.
Conditions, Either way, you’re mitigating damage by disrupting nearby and distant enemies.
Unblockable
Cleansing Flame deals moderate
damage while being channeled.
Spears (Two-Handed)
Though each hit is low on damage, Spears are underwater weapons that give guardians a considerable amount of
the cumulative effect is adequate. You get to set your enemies on fire, so Virtue stopping power. They have high damage output on almost all of their attacks,
of Justice kicks in well due to the volume of attacks. Cleansing Flame removes one
condition from each ally in the area as well, so this attack has a defensive aspect. but they aren’t made for kiting or long-term survival. Get in there and kill
quickly; otherwise you’re going to get eaten up.
ZEALOT’S FLAME SPEAR OF LIGHT

Damage: Medium to High Damage: Moderate
Effect: Instant Cast, Burning Effect: Vulnerability
(3 Seconds), Duration (5 Seconds)
(10 Seconds) Cooldown: N/A
This autoattack is wonderful because
Zealot’s Flame is a good source of AoE it does reliable damage and leaves
destruction, especially for guardians your foe vulnerable to future attacks.
that focus on condition damage. This Lead with Spear of Light and use it in
skill sets your hero on fire for 10 seconds, and nearby enemies keep getting set between special attacks to keep that condition on your targets.
alight every few seconds. The more creatures you’re fighting, the better the spell
gets. If you’re fighting someone especially nasty, press “5” again before Zealot’s
Flame wears off to burn a single target for even more damage.
This spell is cast instantly, so use it while you’re autoattacking or channeling

ZEALOT’S FLURRY
something else.
Damage: High
Effect: Pure Damage
Shield (Off Hand) Cooldown: 6 Seconds

Zealot’s Flurry starts a chain of fast
Shields specialize in protection, both for you and your party. They provide Aegis, attacks that rip through anything in
block projectiles, and generally make it easier to survive for as long as possible. front of your guardian. It’s a great way
to follow through on the Vulnerability
Take this over a focus if you want to have even more damage mitigation.
caused by Spear of Light.
SHIELD OF JUDGMENT
Damage: Moderate
BRILLIANCE
Effect: Protection 33% Damage: High
(5 Seconds)
Effect: Blindness (5 Seconds)
Shield of Judgment deals fairly
significant AoE damage while Mitigate damage from enemies close
protecting you and your allies. Use to your hero by blinding them. They’ll
this when you know big hits are take enough damage that you aren’t
coming, or during a huge melee fight when there is too much incoming damage wasting any time or slowing down
for players to handle. The protection affects you and every friendly target in the the fight while you’re keeping yourself
area, so it’s great to have in dungeons, PvP, or in group events. safe. Use Brilliance whenever its cooldown expires, especially if there are two or
more enemies still engaging your hero.
184
PROFESSIONS
SPEAR WALL PILLAR OF LIGHT

Damage: Moderate Damage: Very High
Effect: N/A Effect: N/A
Spear Wall creates a line that damages The other solid trident attack skill
any enemies that pass through it. is Pillar of Light. It pulses in the area
Position your guardian just a bit where you summon it, dealing
behind the wall so every enemy that damage to the enemies there. Though
comes forward ends up swimming this isn’t high burst damage, it adds
into the area of effect when they engage you. up well over the 5-second duration of the skill.
WRATHFUL GRASP REFRACTION

Damage: Extremely High Damage: Varies
Effect: Burning (5 Seconds), Effect: Retaliation (5
Pull Target Seconds), Duration
Bring fleeing, ranged, or distant
G UA R D I A N
targets over to your guardian while Use this attack to block incoming
doing very high damage to them. The projectiles against you and your allies.
hapless foe is set on fire while this Enemies that try to damage your
happens, making the attack even more effective. Use this any time you’re dealing group for the next few seconds are going to eat their own hits. Always wait until
with a tough target or something that is hard to engage in melee. If an enemy is a group of enemies is about to attack your party before tapping Refraction; good
avoiding your Spear Wall, use Wrathful Grasp to yank him through the area of timing turns this into an amazing skill.
effect. It’s a dirty trick, but a fun one.
Tridents (Two-Handed) WEIGHT OF JUSTICE

Tridents give guardians much more survivability during aquatic battles. You Damage: N/A
can’t rival spears’ damage output, but the skills here have more healing and Effect: Sink (2 Seconds)
mitigation. Use the spears for easier fights to end them quickly. Use tridents Cooldown: 20 Seconds
when things get tough so your guardian doesn’t go belly up. Disrupt a single enemy for 2 seconds,
giving you time to swim away,
reposition, start a major attack, or do
LIGHT OF JUDGMENT whatever you need to do. Though
you can’t kill anything with Weight of
Justice, it’s nice to have options.
Damage: Moderate
Effect: Minor Healing,
Bounces Between
Targets
Cooldown: N/A
This skill fires a projectile that heals
nearby allies and wounds enemies.
The healing effect is minor, so think of
this as a means of surviving attrition rather than making it through burst damage.
You still need healing with fair frequency.
PURIFY
Damage: Very High
Effect: Remove Conditions,
Burning (5 Seconds)
Cast Purify to launch a sphere
that can be detonated mid-flight
by pressing “2” again. The sphere
removes conditions as it passes
through allies, and does so again when it’s detonated. Enemies caught in the final
blast radius take a massive amount of damage, making this the cream of the crop
for trident burst damage.
185
To be fair, guardians aren’t at their best underwater. Maybe it’s the heavy armor!
On the Ground Though they can escape to the surface quickly, there isn’t much else these
Guardians are almost as tough on the ground as they are on their feet. These heroes can do to survive. Their aquatic damage output is low when rallying, and
heroes won’t take death lightly; they’ll fight until the end once they’re downed. there aren’t many tricks or traps at their disposal. Try not to go down in the first
Guardians use a bit of healing and delaying tactics to stave off their enemies in place, because if you do it’s going to be tough times!
this state. They don’t have much direct damage, so it’s easiest to survive when
you’re in a group.
SHACKLE
Damage: Low
WRATH Effect: Cripple (2 Seconds)
Damage: Low Cooldown: N/A
Effect: N/A Shackle is a basic attack that does
light damage while you’re trying to
Cooldown: N/A finish off an aquatic target. If the
This simple attack does a little monster is already low on health,
damage while you’re lying there, you’re likely to succeed. Otherwise,
hoping to score a kill (any kill) to try swim to the surface and take your chances there. The crippling effect of this
and rally. Always target the enemy attack slows your enemies’ movement, but that’s only useful if they’re chasing
with the lowest health. This gives you your allies. Ranged targets won’t care, and melee targets that take you down are
your best chance to survive the encounter. already close enough to be a threat.
WAVE OF LIGHT REVEAL THE DEPTHS

Damage: Moderate Damage: Low
Effect: Knockback Effect: Area of Effect
Wave of Light throws enemies away This is an area-of-effect attack that
from your guardian. This buys you deals light damage to everything
time to heal or finish off a weakened near your guardian. It’s somewhat
enemy before the enemies kill your useful when you have a few enemies
hero. Use this attack if too many close by that are very low on health,
targets get close to your guardian. especially if you aren’t sure which one will die soonest.
SYMBOL OF JUDGMENT RENEWING CURRENT

Damage: High Damage: N/A
Effect: Healing, Combo Field Effect: Escape
(Light)
Use Renewing Current to swim to the
Use Symbol of Judgment every time surface quickly. You won’t be able to
it comes up. The skill does fairly defend your character up there, but
high damage to your enemies, so it’s healing is automatic. If there aren’t
much more effective than Wrath. In monsters nearby, or if you’re deep
addition, the skill has a substantial AoE healing effect. You can still help yourself underwater and might escape by going up high enough, this is a good skill.
and your group while attempting to recover.
BANDAGE BANDAGE
Damage: None
Damage: N/A
Effect: Self-Healing
Effect: Self-Heal
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
If your hero isn’t being attacked
Use this to heal yourself if there directly while you’re down, use this
aren’t any enemies coming after you. skill to start healing. This lets you rally
It allows you to recover fairly quickly. without going up to the surface, and
If you’re attacked, the effect ends you get to switch back to attacks if
and you have to fight for your life any monsters show up. You won’t have that same option on the surface, so this is
once more. a more flexible alternative.
186
PROFESSIONS
Slot Skills Utility

Almost all guardian utility skills are group friendly. They encourage guardians
Healing to group with others to make maximum use of their abilities. Every category of
Guardians have excellent healing abilities, from a large self-heal with a block guardian utility has at least one party-friendly ability. Some, like the shouts and
effect, to a condition removing signet, to an excellent group heal that’s signets, are used almost exclusively for group effects. Many of these provide
channeled. No matter which one you choose, you’ll get good mileage out of it. boons that can turn the tide of a battle in an instant.
Switch between them to match whatever situation you’re heading into.
TIER 1
SHELTER HAMMER OF WISDOM

Effect: High Self-Heal,
Blocks Attacks While Effect: Summon Hammer
Casting (20 Seconds)
Shelter is your first heal, and if you This spirit weapon has excellent
never take any other healing ability, damage per hit. While slow, it strikes
this one will still serve you well. It’s a in an area and also knocks enemies
2-second cast that blocks all attacks away from you each time it attacks.
G UA R D I A N
hitting you until you finish casting—so not only is it good as a healing spell, in a Like all spirit weapons, it has an
pinch it can be used to block an incoming high damage attack. activated ability that consumes the summon for an extremely high damage
smash. For the Hammer, this lets you knock down your opponent for two
seconds. Use Hammer of Wisdom for spare damage to keep enemies off your
hero, and to mitigate some of their attacks.
SIGNET OF RESOLVE
Effect: Passively Removes
Conditions (Once SWORD OF JUSTICE
Every 10 Seconds),
Heals on Activation Effect: Summon Sword
This signet removes a condition from
you once every 10 seconds, plus it The Sword of Justice is a spirit weapon
acts as a strong heal when activated. that normally attacks a single enemy.
This doesn’t heal as much as Shelter, though they’re very close. Signet of Resolve When its special skill is activated, it
is still ideal when you’re fighting enemies that rely on conditions. It’s great in strikes the ground near the targeted
dungeons and during PvP encounters. foe and deals massive area-of-effect
damage. Since it hits a wide area, this skill is better at dealing AoE damage
compared to the other summoned weapons. It’s great in large battles!
HEALING BREEZE
Effect: AoE Healing BANE SIGNET
Effect: Passive Might Buff, Active
This heal affects both you and any (Knockdown Target)
allies in a narrow cone in front of your (2 Seconds)
hero. Slot this skill if you’re in a group Cooldown: 45 Seconds
with professions that have less of an
ability to heal themselves. Healing This signet gives a mild boost to your
Breeze is best slotted in mid- to large- guardian’s damage, making it a decent
sized groups. skill to hold onto. Its activated ability
is best used to interrupt or stun a foe.
Improve your ability to solo high-end targets with that attack.
SIGNET OF JUDGMENT
Effect: Passively Reduces
Incoming Damage,
Active (Retaliation
for Hero, Weakness
for Enemies)
(5 Seconds)
This signet is amazing! Its passive
defense boost is already good enough
to warrant keeping it around. Then, the active ability helps you reflect damage
back at opponents. The cooldown for this isn’t even that long.
187
RETREAT SIGNET OF WRATH
Effect: Aegis (5 Seconds), Effect: Passively Improves
Swiftness Condition Damage,
(15 Seconds) Active (Immobilize)
(3 Seconds)
Retreat, despite its name, is useful
in many ways. First, as a means of This is a good PvP Signet because
mitigating the initial damage you take Immobilize is often needed to kite
when entering combat. Those early or stop kiting enemies. You can’t go
seconds are often the highest damage output times for your enemies. Hit Retreat wrong with it, and having better burning damage is a good thing too. Immobilize
to mitigate the next attack coming at you. Your allies get the same buff, so this your foes and unload with your most damaging attacks when you know enemies
can stop a huge amount of total damage. won’t be able to flee and save themselves.
Also, you can use Retreat to quickly close with an enemy in PvP. In a pinch, the
skill gives you medicine to get out of trouble. Keep your health up for longer while
fleeing at maximum speed before enemies take down your hero. “SAVE YOURSELVES!”
Effect: Draw Ally Conditions,
Gain Boons
WALL OF REFLECTION Cooldown: 60 Seconds
Effect: Summon Wall (10 This useful ability rips conditions
Seconds), Reflect off of allies so they can fight at their
Projectiles, Combo best. Your hero pulls these conditions
Field (Light) into him, but also gains a number
Cooldown: 40 Seconds of boons to help compensate for
this danger. When you’re alone, “Save Yourselves” is a great way to give yourself
The Wall of Reflection does exactly a sudden huge influx of boons. In a party, it’s a lifesaver to stave off the effects of
what its name implies. It creates a wall condition-based enemies.
that reflects projectiles, causing them
to go flying back toward the enemy who fired them. Obviously, this is a good
power to bring with you if you expect to see a lot of projectiles aimed at you.
When fighting ranged opponents, such as centaurs, this is quite effective. Used in
conjunction with other projectile-blocking abilities, such as Shield of Absorption, STAND YOUR GROUND
you make it very hard to kite your character successfully.
Effect: Stability (3 Seconds)
SMITE CONDITION Stand Your Ground grants a buff that

prevents you from being Knocked
Down, Chilled, Crippled, Feared,
Damage: Medium or High Stunned, or Launched. While not
Effect: Remove Condition useful all the time, it is definitely
effective against some of the bigger
Cooldown: 20 Seconds group event bosses who have a tendency to use Launch and Knockdown abilities.
Smite Condition tries to remove a It’s also essential for PvP, where you can protect yourself and your squad from
condition from your guardian. If it being knocked around constantly. Even a few seconds of immunity to this can
cannot, it deals moderate damage to change the course of a battle, and the cooldown isn’t bad at all.
all nearby enemies. That’s not bad,
is it? But if you do have a condition
harming your character, the damage from the attack is doubled. Now you’re
cooking with heat! PURGING FLAMES
Effect: Burning (5 Seconds),
TIER 2 Remove Conditions,
Combo Field (Fire)
BOW OF TRUTH Use Purging Flames to strip
conditions off of you and your allies
Effect: Summon Bow while torching any enemies that try
(20 Seconds) to get close to your characters. This
Cooldown: 60 Seconds is especially effective if you have allies with ranged projectile weapons that can
shoot through the fire and pick up its attributes for fast combos. The one-two
This spirit weapon periodically fires punch here is that your ranged characters get to have fun, and enemies either
a bolt of energy at someone in the have to play their game at a distance, or charge forward and eat all the fire
party, removing a condition from him damage from the circle itself.
or her. These attacks also heal your
hero for a minor amount, making it
easier to survive light damage over time. The shots are slow and there are better
condition removers for guardians, but during times of heavy condition fighting
you can stack the skills together. The active ability for the bow creates a rain of
healing arrows at its location. Use that when the bow is about to expire so you get
some extra love from it.
188
PROFESSIONS
CONTEMPLATION OF PURITY “HOLD THE LINE!”

Effect: Remove Conditions, Effect: Protection
Gain Boons, Break (3 Seconds),
Stun Regeneration
(6 Seconds), Break Stun
This power removes all conditions
from your hero and turns them into This shout is one of the best support
boons instead. For example, if you abilities a guardian can bring to a
remove Bleeding or Burning, you’ll group. It has a large range, can affect
get Regeneration. If you remove Vulnerability, you will gain Protection, and so up to five targets, and mitigates damage while it heals. This ability goes especially
on. This is a fantastic ability to bring with you in PvP or into dungeons and high- well with any group that makes use of pets, like rangers or necromancers. More
end encounters. It’s least useful when you’re soloing; the long cooldown doesn’t challenging content such as group events, dungeons, and PvP all encourage
work well, especially if you’re facing foes that are only going to slap one or two abilities of this nature.
conditions on you rather than a whole menagerie of pain.
HALLOWED GROUND
JUDGE’S INTERVENTION
Effect: Stability
Effect: Teleport, Burning (3 (10 Seconds),
Seconds), Break Stun Combo Field (Fire)
G UA R D I A N
This flexible skill has offensive and Hallowed Ground gives you and your
defensive benefits. The fast teleport buddies 10 seconds where no one can
lets you catch ranged enemies, flee be Stunned or knocked around. It’s
targets, and kite opponents without a great way to handle a charge from
delay. As you arrive, a shockwave of dungeon bosses with those abilities, group events, or PvP opponents who are
fire sets nearby targets alight, so there is damage as well as utility. Because the likely to use Stuns to great advantage. Because this skill has a long cooldown, it’s
ability lets you break out of Stuns too, it’s even a way to combat opponents with highly situational. You should slot it only when you know a specific battle is ahead
crowd control by turning their best abilities into an excuse for you to hurt them. that will require that level of defensive play.
TIER 3 SANCTUARY
Effect: Form Barrier (10
SHIELD OF THE AVENGER Seconds), Heal Allies
Effect: Summon Shield
(20 Seconds) Sanctuary is another defensive skill
that protects you and your party.
For 10 seconds, no enemies can
This spirit weapon periodically creates approach or leave the area near your
a shield around an area; the shield hero. Projectiles are also affected,
blocks projectiles from entering the so ranged enemies are useless against you during this time. Also during this
space. Its cooldown is such that the 10-second window, you and your allies are healed as long as they stay within the
shield is up most of the time. The area of effect.
shield’s active ability causes it to fly at several enemies, striking each of them once
and causing Weakness before dissipating. Take this power with you if you know Though extremely powerful and long lasting for effects of this type, Sanctuary has
you’ll be fighting a lot of ranged attackers. a long cooldown and should be reserved for large group play. The more allies you
have, the more of an advantage you buy with this skill.
SIGNET OF MERCY
MERCIFUL INTERVENTION
Effect: Passively Improves
Healing, Active Effect: Teleport, Healing
(Revives an Ally) Aura
This signet boosts your healing. When This skill automatically teleports you
activated, it revives a downed friendly to the nearest ally with low health
target. This is a major benefit when and starts forming a healing aura to
grouping with others, doing group help him or her recover. If you want
events, going into dungeons, or holding areas in PvP. You can last that much to support your group, especially in a
longer by raising a downed friend without needing to expose yourself. dungeon environment, this is wonderful.
189
Elite TIER 2
Guardian elites give your character powerful options for heavy offense or
support. Your choices are quite involved, so it’s wise to read all of them TOME OF COURAGE
thoroughly before you dedicate any skill points to any of them.
Effect: Special
TIER 1
This is another elite skill that switches
your skills around. Blow your best
TOME OF WRATH attacks early in a major fight and then
tap Tome of Courage to get a number
of awesome support abilities. Learn all
Effect: Special of them ahead of time so you’re not
Cooldown: 180 Seconds just mashing buttons during your transformation.
This elite skill switches your skillbar to When you activate the tome, use Protective Spirit (“3”) and then start spamming
include a number of new powers. Use Heal Area. That’s your non-situational ability. Throw in Purifying Ribbon (“2”)
your best normal weapon skills before if conditions start to hurt your group. Use “4” to stop enemy damage for a few
activating Tome of Wrath so you get seconds. Save that for a time when things are looking bad, and use “5” to heal
the best of both worlds and can have everyone to full health just before the tome finishes its duration OR if someone in
your cooldowns take place while the group is about to die.
you’re doing other things.
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20% for 5 seconds. If you’re alone, amazing skills in the game. You can turn a major fight around instantly,
it’s useful but not a major focus. If you’re in a group, it’s the first thing you want whether in PvE or PvP.
to use.
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during your transformation, but even a single use is wonderful. Judgment
knocks down up to five enemies and leaves them on the ground for 2
seconds. They’ll take agonizing damage in the process, so this ability is as good
offensively as it is defensively.
RENEWED FOCUS
Effect: Recharge Virtues,
Breaks Stun,
Invulnerability
Renewed Focus is a simple elite skill
that restores your virtues instantly,
leaves you immune to damage during
the channeling of the skill, and breaks
your hero out of Stun. Use all of your virtues ahead of time so you get the benefit
of their active powers, and then you can enjoy either their passives or a second
wave of active use. You can work Renewed Focus into soloing, group events, and
PvP interactions. There’s no “bad” time to use it.
190
PROFESSIONS
Traits
Zeal (Raises Power and Condition Duration)
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Radiance (Precision and Condition Damage)

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reaches 25%.
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191
Valor (Raises Toughness and Critical Damage)
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192
PROFESSIONS
Virtues (Raises Boon Duration and Virtue Recharge Rate)

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every five).
Guardians in PvE
Professions are well balanced in Guild Wars 2, yet we still have to highlight guardians as one of the most powerful options for new players. If you look at their skills and traits, it’s
clear these guys were meant to be highly flexible. They have a wide range of healing and support skills, some weaponry with major firepower, and heavy armor as well. Other
professions certainly reach the same level of prowess once you master them, but a new player can reach that point on the power curve sooner while playing a guardian.
But why? The major reason is guardians don’t need as many active tricks from the player to be at their best. A strong foil would be the thieves. They’re deadly, too. Once
you learn to evade like a pro, and master the timings of your enemies, thieves are horrifying and joyous at the same time. But getting them just right takes weeks or months
of practice.
Guardians don’t need to have impeccable timing. Primarily, they need to understand their weapon selections, bring the right tools for the right battle, and let loose.
193
That’s a good and a bad thing. Players who want extremely active combat might be happier with a warrior; they’re
also heavy armor wearers, so they have some of the same flavor. Guardians pound down their opponents and pick
up their whole group to move on and repeat the process. If that doesn’t sound crazy enough for you, then try
something else before you dedicate to the guardian profession.
The other angle is guardians just get better and better in large groups. If you love playing by yourself, you won’t get
to see your guardian at his best. Close? Sure. Soloing guardians shred the field. But they’re even better if you have
four other friends to buff.
Once you’ve decided guardian is right for you, start looking for weapons. As we suggested, a greatsword and a mace and shield make for a terrific default weapon set.
Greatswords, hammers, and maces are all quite enjoyable for killing enemies.
When you start to get interested in group events or dungeons, make sure to branch out and take more alternative weapons. Scepter and focus, or a good staff, are fun for these
outings. Make sure to practice the new techniques for each combination. Guardians feel like an entirely different class when you switch to their more magical skills. Get used to
the slower attack timings and range.
Early in your career, you won’t use virtues quite as well. That’s normal, because they’re one of the few hard aspects
of the class. They’re happy to help you with their cool passive benefits, but deciding when to activate each virtue is
a challenge. Don’t blow all three at once just because you get into a tough fight. That’s a normal urge (“Get all of my
goodies up NOW!”), but hold off on that.
Use Justice only when you face off against a group’s toughest enemy. Don’t waste such a nice burn attack on some
weakling that’s about to drop from your normal hits.
By the same logic, you want to wait on Courage until your normal Aegis falls. Buffing the rest of your group with an Aegis is worthwhile by itself, but the free shield should go to
you too. Wait until a few moments after a large fight begins, and then use Courage to protect your party.
If you have a really good sense of timing, you can even hold off for the exact moment when Courage will get the optimum use. Delay until something big and damaging is
about to go off in a few seconds. Using Courage at that time can save lives instead of simply mitigating a bit of damage.
Guardians don’t have many abilities that let them fly around the wilderness. They’re Make sure to switch your slot skills over when you’re shifting roles from personal
not mobile like thieves, rangers, some warriors, or others. That means you have to learn battle (where mobility and damage output are your best friends) into something that
how to fight against kiting enemies. See which weapons and slot skills are necessary for augments the group.
beating centaurs, fleeing bandits, PvP enemies, and so forth. Make the most use of skills
like Judge’s Intervention so you can reach enemies when things get desperate! Tome of Courage, Shield of Judgment, Signet of Mercy, Retreat, Hold the Line, and
quite a few others give you the ability to mitigate or outright avoid damage for your
One way to catch ranged enemies is to force them to come to you. Guardians have team. Switch to Healing Breeze and double up on non-combative weapon sets to
many skills that block projectiles or set up barriers. If you’re having trouble at range, complete your transformation from battle platform to group-supported.
use these toys to force ranged enemies into your world. When they don’t approach,
you get the time to flee and come back better prepared. If they change their mind And it doesn’t matter if you’ve invested in traits that are initially damage focused.
and come forward, cut them down. Even a Zeal and Radiance type of guardian can swap around their abilities to ensure
they are still viable in group defense.
Guardians in PvP
To master PvP as a guardian, you need to define your intentions. When assaulting
points in a smaller squad, you might want to stick with maximum damage output
and play as a damage-oriented character. But as the groups get bigger and bigger, you
start to have more influence as a healing and boon/condition character. Guardians
have so many powerful boons to offer it’s painful to pass them up when you’re able
to buff large groups.
Making five people hard
to kill, healing them,
and then adding direct
damage and boons that The same is true in reverse! If you’re a group healer and protector, don’t believe
raise their damage is a you can’t do other things. When smaller combat erupts, be ready to break out the
game changer. hammer and lock down the one annoying sucker that keeps getting away.
194
mesmer
Mesmers are light-armor-wearing casters that weave
and spin illusions to damage and disrupt their enemies.
They offer a mixture of magic and melee, with an
emphasis on supplementing their attacks with strong
boons for themselves and condition damage to their
foes. They also create their own followers, in the form
of independent copies of themselves (clones) and
stronger phantasms. This helps them survive frontline
combat and gives enemies something to focus on if
they attack at range.
If you’re interested in group play, either PvE or PvP,

you’ll enjoy being a mesmer. In addition to their
illusions, mesmers are powerful buffers and debuffers.
They also take buffs away from their enemies and
remove conditions from their allies. In terms of soloing,
mesmers concentrate on tearing down their foes,
using a mixture of steady attacks, assistance from their
illusionary compatriots, and burst damage from their
powerful Shatter skills.
195
Of all the professions, mesmers are the most difficult to fit into a stereotypical MOG
class. Their combination of magic, illusion creation, and weapon combat abilities is
both interesting and refreshing. The profession has a lot to offer players, making the
Shatter
experience a unique and enjoyable one. Mesmers have four special skills. All of them Shatter their illusions (both clones
and phantasms) and produce an immediate and powerful effect. It’s best to
Players who are newer to online gaming, and to Guild Wars 2 specifically, should wait until you have a couple clones and/or a phantasm out before triggering a
consider trying another profession before getting heavily invested in mesmers. Shatter skill; the next ability you cast should be a clone-creating spell, to help
Though awesome and fun to watch, this profession requires a higher level of skill, protect yourself
timing, and comfort with the game. They’re not the easiest choice for newcomers. while preparing
for the next
Shattering.
Profession Stats The majority of

Shatter skills cover
Attribute Starting Stats Naked at Level 80 Geared at 80 an area of effect,
Power 24 1216 2219 and they provide
Precision 24 1066 1066 burst damage, damage mitigation, or crowd control. This is particularly useful
Toughness 24 916 1571 for mesmers because most of their skills hit only a single target. We’ll talk more
Vitality 24 916 1571 in detail about each Shatter skill below.
Attack 158 1216 3336
Critical Chance 4% 11% 11% MIND WRACK
Armor 83 916 2508
Effect: High AoE Damage
Health 258 15,082 21,632
Mind Wrack destroys your
illusions in favor of an area-of-
effect damage attack. This skill is a
reliable damage-dealing ability with
great general applicability, but it’s
particularly effective for soloists. Not
surprisingly, it gives a mesmer burst potential, and it’s a wonderful fight ender.
The short cooldown allows it to be triggered multiple times throughout the
battle, as desired.
CRY OF FRUSTRATION
Effect: Moderate Damage,
Confusion
These stats give you an idea of what to expect from your character. They show (4 Seconds)
mesmer progression through examples taken at the beginning and end of leveling. Cooldown: 30 Seconds
Your actual stats will likely vary from this. Cry of Frustration does AoE damage
in two ways. Not only are enemies
hit initially by the attack, but they are
confused for several seconds. During
Weapons and that time, the mesmer’s attacks cause enemies to take damage. This is a deterrent
for enemy attacks in PvP, and it’s a good way to hurt foes even more in PvE.
Weapon Skills
You might be surprised by the weapon selections available to mesmers. Though these
DIVERSION
characters look like pure casters, they can use an interesting assortment of melee and Effect: Daze (1 Second)
ranged weapons. Cooldown: 45 Seconds
Diversion destroys your illusions to
inflict Daze on nearby targets. This is
a strong damage mitigation ability,
and it works wonders in PvP. Use
Diversion to slip away from combat
or to keep from being overwhelmed
when attacked by an enemy group. If the attack persists (and there are enough
illusions), let loose with Cry of Frustration or Mind Wrack.
196
PROFESSIONS
DISTORTION Sword (Off Hand)

Effect: Distortion (1 Second); Off-hand swords are meant for close-range defense. They provide a means for
Longer Distortion
for Each Illusion damage mitigation in addition to a helpful ally.
Shattered
Distortion is mesmers’ last-ditch ILLUSIONARY RIPOSTE
survival ability, and it allows them
to evade all incoming attacks (for a Damage: None
period of time dependent on the number of destroyed illusions). While Distortion Effect: Clone, Block
is active, you can take the time to evacuate from the battle or start generating as Duration (2 Seconds)
many illusions as possible.
Illusionary Riposte blocks your
Sword (Main Hand) enemy’s next attack and generates an

illusion when it does so. This is a nice
damage mitigation ability, and the
Swords are wonderful melee weapons for mesmers. They provide high damage addition of a clone makes it even more useful. After it is used, Illusionary Riposte
and are easy to use. However, they are close-range weapons, and that makes toggles into a new function. Press the same key during this time to launch an
them a bit risky. Have a longer-range weapon (like a greatsword or staff ) as a attack that Dazes targets in a line. This skill works especially well after Illusionary
Leap (main-hand sword) or Illusionary Counter (main-hand scepter).
secondary choice. Open fights at range and then switch to swords when the
enemies close.
MESMER
PHANTASMAL SWORDSMAN
MIND SLASH
Damage: Very High
Damage: Moderate
Effect: Phantasm, Combo
Effect: Chains, Vulnerability Finisher (Leap)
(5 Seconds)
Cooldown: None
Phantasmal Swordsman creates a
Slash your foe with three attacks phantasm who proceeds to attack
(Mind Slash, Mind Gash, and Mind your target. The phantasm isn’t under
Stab). The last hit causes Vulnerability. your control, but he directly damages
This autoattack is a great stand-alone your opponent and stays throughout the battle. This ability has a low cooldown
ability, and the additional Vulnerability gives it even more combat utility. time, so use it frequently. The swordsman has an evasive attack, making it hard for
most enemies to defeat him without some serious investment.
BLURRED FRENZY Greatsword (Two-Handed)

Damage: Very High In the hands of a mesmer, greatswords are long-range powerhouses. Most
Effect: Evasion (2 Seconds) people wouldn’t think of greatswords as ranged weapons, but that’s exactly
Cooldown: 10 Seconds how they function here, and they are certainly effective. Make sure to pair
Strike with a flurry of attacks, them with something to aid against close-range combat. Main-hand swords
distorting the area around yourself; paired with either a second sword or a torch are great for this.
the distortion cloaks you, causing
your enemy to miss. This is an
extremely damaging attack, and one
that should be used whenever possible. Leap to engage your enemy, and then SPATIAL SURGE
immediately use Blurred Frenzy as a follow-up.
Damage: Very Low to Medium
Effect: None
Cooldown: None
ILLUSIONARY LEAP Spatial Surge is an odd ability in
that its damage is dependent on
Damage: Low
your distance from your enemy.
Effect: Clone, Combo The farther away you are, the more
Finisher (Leap) damage it does. Because of that,
Cooldown: 12 Seconds it’s a sure-fire fight opener. However, once your enemy is near you, the damage
drops significantly. Because the distance-damage effect is so pronounced, one
This skill summons a clone that leaps perfectly valid technique is to stay at long range as long as possible. Strafe to stay
at your target and attacks it. Its initial mobile and keep your enemy from closing quickly. Continue attacking, evade if
hit Cripples targets, and then future the enemy gets close enough to attack, and swap to a melee weapon set if you
attacks add Vulnerability to your can’t get away.
enemy as well. As this happens, your skill toggles to a new power. Use Illusionary
Leap again to swap places with your clone to Immobilize the target and get up
close and personal with it.
197
MIRROR BLADE Pistol (Off Hand)
Damage: High Pistols are off-hand weapons that give the mesmer a fighting chance against
Effect: Clone, Might groups of enemies. They also summon allies, providing extra damage and
(5 Seconds), Combo
Finisher (Physical distractions for your foes.
Projectile)
Cooldown: 8 Seconds
Mirror Blade is an archetypal mesmer ILLUSIONARY DUELIST
ability. The greatsword bounces
between you and your enemy, causing you to receive Might and them to take Damage: Moderate
damage. At the end of the exchange, a clone appears. Use Mirror Blade when your Effect: Phantasm
enemy gets to midrange. Your clone will be ready when the target arrives. This skill
is even better when there are small groups of enemies. The thrown blade bounces Cooldown: 15 Seconds
in between the targets and hits up to four of them. Illusionary Duelist creates a phantasm
who immediately unloads a pistol
barrage against your foe. Phantasms
are always powerful allies, and the
MIND STAB duelist is no exception. After the pistol
barrage is over, the duelist stays to help end the battle.
Damage: High
Effect: Vulnerability (x5)
(6 Seconds)
MAGIC BULLET
Thrust the greatsword into the Damage: Low
ground, causing a powerful attack Effect: Maximum of Three
that damages foes and inflicts Targets, Stun
Vulnerability on all of them. Use Mind (2 Seconds), Daze
Stab once the enemy is in melee range. Afterward, your target will be much easier (2 Seconds), and/or
to kill for a short time, so immediately follow with another high-damage attack. Blindness (5 Seconds)
Magic Bullet is an ability designed to
PHANTASMAL BERSERKER fight groups of enemies. It hits up to three targets: the first target is Stunned, the
second is Dazed, and the third is Blinded. It’s a useful ability, especially because
mesmers aren’t very strong in the area-of-effect department. Because you can’t
Damage: High control the targeting perfectly, avoid shooting at enemies who are near other
Effect: Phantasm, Cripple monsters that aren’t attacking. You might aggro additional enemies by firing Trick
(2 Seconds) Shot at the wrong time.
Phantasmal Berserker summons a
phantasm that Cripples your target. Scepter (Main Hand)
This is another melee-range ability
designed to help bring down already Scepters embody the magical nature of mesmers, and they focus on medium-
wounded enemies. Cripple assists in keeping them from ditching the fight, and range attacks. These weapons pair moderate-damage abilities with damage
the additional ally swipes them down as necessary. mitigation (through conditions). This functions to slowly wear away your
enemies while keeping them from effectively attacking you.
ILLUSIONARY WAVE ETHER BOLT

Damage: Low
Damage: Moderate
Knockback Effect: Chain, Confusion
(3 Seconds)
Cooldown: None
Illusionary Wave creates a cone of
energy that launches back anything Ether Bolt chains into Ether Blast
it impacts. This is a marvelous ability and Ether Clone. Both Ether Bolt and
because it gives you some time and Ether Blast create confusion for your
space to continue your kiting and ranged combat. Throw your enemies back and target, and Ether Clone grants you an
retreat while continuing your assault. illusionary clone of yourself, which uses Ether Bolt attacks. It’s a strong attack that
generates a large number of illusions, making it perfect to use with Shattering.
198
PROFESSIONS
ILLUSIONARY COUNTER PHANTASMAL WARLOCK

Damage: None Damage: Varies
Effect: Clone, Block Effect: Phantasm
(2 Seconds)
Phantasmal Warlock creates an
Illusionary Counter blocks the next illusion that does extra damage for
attack from your enemy and creates each condition on the target. As a
a clone. This ability can be used at soloer, it’s difficult to slam down that
any range, and the short recharge many conditions to rack up high
time makes it useful for any fight. After it is used, Illusionary Counter toggles damage, but in a group it’s a whole lot easier. The cooldown time is somewhat
into a new effect. Press the button again to attack and Blind everything in a line. short, making this ability a vital part of any battle. The more allies you have on a
Use Illusionary Counter when you expect an especially heavy attack from your single target, the better and more powerful this skill becomes.
opponent. Careful timing pays for itself well.
CHAOS ARMOR
CONFUSING IMAGES
Damage: Moderate
Damage: Moderate Effect: Random Boon,
Effect: Channeled, Random Condition
Confusion Cooldown: 40 Seconds
MESMER
(5 Seconds)
Cooldown: 15 Seconds For 5 seconds, the mesmer is
surrounded by Chaos Armor. When
This ability channels a beam of light attacked, the mesmer is granted a
that damages and Confuses your foe. random boon, and the enemy has to
Because of the channeling aspect, use contend with damage and a random condition. This defensive ability provides
it as your enemy approaches to attack. Follow it with a phantasm-creating ability protection and some solid buff/debuff work. Use it when your enemy gets into
from your off-hand weapon (to help you do damage). melee range. It’s even more effective if you get jumped by a group of enemies. Hit
Chaos Armor and then tap Phase Retreat to get out of there.
Staff (Two-Handed)
Staves are long-range magical weapons that are perfect for mesmers in groups, CHAOS STORM
especially in PvP. They don’t do high damage, but they are perfect for buffing and
Damage: Low
debuffing multiple targets. Pair them with a set of weapons for melee damage
Effect: AoE Damage,
(sword/sword) or something with crowd control (focus, torch, or greatsword). Random Boon,
Random Condition,
Combo Field
WINDS OF CHAOS (Ethereal)
Damage: Low Chaos Storm creates a low-damage
Effect: Random Boon, blaze of energy over a targeted area. Enemies within the storm are hit with a
Random Condition random condition, and allies are granted a random boon. The bigger the fight, the
Cooldown: None better this ability becomes. It shines in WvW and dungeon battles.
Winds of Chaos creates an orb of

energy between enemies and allies
that applies random boons to allies Focus (Off Hand)
and random conditions to enemies. It
provides enough damage to slightly assist with the fight, but its major strength is Focuses rely on close-range defensive abilities combined with group utility. They
in combined buff/debuff work. work to protect the mesmer from incoming damage and assist with damage
mitigation. They are also potent anti-kiting weapons, which makes them good
PvP weapons.
PHASE RETREAT
Damage: Low TEMPORAL CURTAIN
Effect: Clone, Teleport Away,
Combo Finisher Damage: None
(Leap) Effect: Cripple (5 Seconds),
Cooldown: 10 Seconds Swiftness
(10 Seconds),
This skill lets mesmers retreat from Combo Field (Light)
combat, teleporting away from Cooldown: 25 Seconds
their foe. This creates a clone who
immediately leaps forward to attack the target with Winds of Chaos. The Clone Temporal Curtain creates a wall
provides something for your enemy to focus on while you move to long range, of energy that inflicts Cripple on
away from melee damage. Anything that keeps mesmers out of close range while enemies and grants Swiftness to allies who cross it. Before melee is engaged, place
giving them a means to do damage is a good thing. the wall in an area where enemies and allies are about to collide. The curtain can
also function as an anti-kiting and a movement-assisting ability. Place it in front of
your enemies to Cripple them, or in front of yourself to give Swiftness and move
out of combat range.
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PHANTASMAL WARDEN Spear
Damage:
Effect:
Very Low
Phantasm, Deflect
(Underwater, Two-Handed)
Projectiles Spears are close-range, high-damage weapons. They’re wonderful for
Cooldown: 25 Seconds underwater solo encounters. Mesmers retain their ability to create phantasmal
Phantasmal Warden creates a allies even while under the waves. With spears, they also have crowd control to
defensive phantasm. The phantasm fall back on.
deals damage, but its primary
ability is to form a defensive bubble
around the mesmer and allies; this deflects incoming projectiles. It’s a wonderful
protective ability to have for PvP engagements at long range. The mesmer helps STAB
protect long-range allies while switching between secondary damage-dealing
weapons (greatswords and staves). Damage: High
Effect: Chain
Cooldown: None
Torch (Off Hand) Stab is a series of attacks for the spear,
providing high damage. It’s a valid and
Torches are incredibly fun to use. They’re applicable to a number of situations,
brutal technique to sit back and keep
with both soloing and group utility. These are the weapons you take when you stabbing your enemy to death. The
don’t know what you’ll be facing. final strike in this trio has an evade
worked into it, so you end up avoiding a moderate amount of enemy damage
while you lay into your target.
THE PRESTIGE
Damage: Moderate FEIGNED SURGE
Effect: Invulnerable Form,
Blindness Damage: High
(5 Seconds),
Burning (3 Seconds) Effect: Clone, Charge,
Teleport
Cooldown: 8 Seconds
Prestige is a good evacuation ability.
The mesmer disappears in a cloud Feigned Surge is a joy to use. It slams
of smoke, letting the hero move around the area of battle. After 3 seconds, the into anything in front of your hero
mesmer reappears, spreading burning flames around. This is something to use with a powerful attack. Afterward,
to get out of trouble fast, particularly when surrounded by a group of enemies. your character teleports back to the
It’s also a good damage opener in melee combat; the Burning condition is quite starting location. It also creates a clone, which immediately engages your enemy.
potent, especially if it’s hitting a huge group of enemies. The only downside is it can be somewhat disorienting due to the teleportation.
PHANTASMAL MAGE ILLUSIONARY MARINER

Damage: High Damage: Very High
Effect: Summon Phantasm, Effect: Phantasm

Confusion (9 Cooldown: 20 Seconds
Seconds), Retaliation
(3 Seconds) Phantasmal Mariner creates an
underwater phantasm to fight
Cooldown: 30 Seconds alongside you. The phantasm wields
Phantasmal Mage creates a phantasm a spear and delivers a flurry of blows
that does high damage and inflicts to a single target. It also represents
Confusion on enemies. Allies gain Retaliation for a few seconds, turning a rush of something else for your enemy to attack (which is always nice). Use this skill
enemy attacks back on themselves. The best case scenario is to use this in a group, early in a fight and then hit Feigned Surge. Your enemy ends up attacking the
but it provides solid benefits even for a solo mesmer. phantasm, while your hero is left safe and sound.
SLIPSTREAM
Damage: None
Effect: Charge, Push Back
Slipstream creates a current in front
of mesmers that rapidly propels them
forward and pushes back any foes
that enter. This ability splits a group
of enemies, allowing mesmers to
focus their attacks on one at a time. Combine it with Feigned Surge and Vortex
to twist and turn around in the water, leaving any enemies puzzled and open to
high-damage attacks.
200
PROFESSIONS
VORTEX ILLUSIONARY WHALER

Damage: Moderate Damage: None
Effect: Pull Effect: Phantasm, Bleeding
(5 Seconds)
Vortex creates a whirlpool at your
location, pulling any nearby enemies Illusionary Whaler is the phantasm
toward you. It’s disruptive to their creator of the trident lineup, but this
attacks and allows great range control illusion comes complete with a bleed-
in a fight. Paired with Feigned Surge inducing harpoon gun! The Whaler
and Slipstream, enemies won’t know where their target is supposed to be or appears next to you, so use this skill when your enemy is somewhat close by. Pair
how to attack! As with many mesmer skills, this is even more effective in PvP. The this attack with Spinning Revenge to have an entire pack of ethereal companions.
disruption has a lasting effect on human opponents because they need to figure
out what’s going on. AI enemies react much faster.
ILLUSION OF DROWNING
Trident Damage: High
(Underwater, Two-Handed) Effect: Sink (2 Seconds)
Tridents are long-range weapons that provide mild healing and damage Cooldown: 18 Seconds
mitigation abilities. They’re the perfect thing for group underwater Illusion of Drowning forms a
MESMER
engagements. The ranged aspect of these weapons allows a mesmer to keep translucent anchor that wraps around
enemies, dragging them painfully to
sight of their party while doing damage and casting conditions. In addition, the bottom. They can’t move, and
tridents have several area-of-effect condition spells that help to keep the you get to slam them from a distance.
mesmer from being surrounded and overwhelmed. This is a great way to discourage underwater enemies from following you and
impeding your travel.
SIREN’S CALL
Damage: Moderate
Downed Skills
Effect: Confusion
(3 Seconds),
On the Ground
Light Healing Mesmers still have a few tricks up their sleeves if they fall in battle. Using
Cooldown: None damage mitigation and their powers of illusion, they can find their feet and rally
Siren’s Call creates a ribbon of energy once again. They can even skip away from their foes and take advantage of their
that bounces among enemies, enemies’ inattention.
confusing them. It also provides
minor healing, topping off lightly wounded characters.
MIND BLAST
INEPTITUDE Effect: Low Damage,
Confusion
(5 Seconds)
Damage: High
Cooldown: None
Mind Blast creates an energy surge
Cooldown: 12 Seconds that damages and confuses your
Ineptitude smacks into your foes targets. This is the basic damage-
with high damage and a flashing dealing attack in your downed state.
light that causes Blindness. It’s a great Target enemies with the lowest health and start the barrage. It doesn’t matter
contribution to any fight, so use it as if they’re attacking you; the confusion hurts them as long as they’re attacking
often as you can. The only downside something (anything).
is that sometimes neutral creatures add to a fight if they’re near your target. Still,
the long range of the trident combined with its area-of-effect damage keeps that
from being too dangerous a threat.
DECEPTION
Effect: Clone, Vengeance
SPINNING REVENGE (10 seconds)
Damage: None
Deception summons a clone that
Effect: Clone, Retaliation attacks your enemy. This grants
(3 Seconds)
your character Vengeance and
Cooldown: 15 Seconds gives you some damage output
Spinning Revenge creates a clone while trying to recover. Combine
to aid your hero; it also grants a this with Phantasmal Rogue to really burn down a weakened foe and rally as
Retaliation boon. This is a good spell soon as possible.
to trigger once your enemy has gotten
close to you, after Siren’s Call and Ineptitude have done their work. The clone
always appears nearby, and they’ll move to engage the enemy without delay.
201
PHANTASMAL ROGUE MIRROR
Effect: Phantasm, Blindness, Effect: Reflect Projectiles,
Very High Damage Healing
Phantasmal Rogue creates an ally that Mirror creates a shield that reflects
fights any attacking forces and limits incoming projectiles while healing
their effectiveness. This serves to your mesmer. It’s a skill geared toward
protect downed mesmers and helps PvP and specific PvE situations. Use
them rally by killing something. The it when you expect combat to be
phantasm appears next to you, and you can’t control it. It’s most effective when range-based, such as during castle sieges or events with monsters that use
you’ve been brought down by a single foe. missile weapons.
BANDAGE MANTRA OF RECOVERY

Effect: Channel, Light Effect: Channel, Healing
Healing
Cooldown: 8 Seconds
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
Mantra of Recovery is a healing
Bandage is a channeled ability that skill. It has an exceptionally short
restores health over the course of cooldown. Use this mantra in a
the channel. Any damage taken group environment (in either PvP
interrupts the channeling, disrupting or PvE) or between battles. For even
the ability. Use it when there aren’t greater benefits, consider adding the
any enemies nearby, or if your group members are handling the fight and you Inspiration trait skill of Restorative Mantras (all mantra effects also apply to allies).
have time to recover.
Note that Mantras are charged ahead of time by using the skill a single time.
Once it’s ready, press the skill button again to trigger the effect. This lets you
Underwater frontload your ability, allowing you to trigger it when you’re in the middle of
using other skills.
Mesmers have the exact same functionality underwater that they do on land.
They can Mind Blast to damage enemies, summon a Phantasmal Rogue for
assistance, or use Displacement to Teleport away from trouble. Bandaging is Utility
done normally. Mesmers fill out their repertoire with utility skills that accentuate several
aspects of play. As with all professions, signets have minor passive bonuses and
more powerful active effects. Mantras are extremely powerful but take more
time to cast and prepare. Various illusory spells give mesmers even more variety
Slot Skills in what they have access to, regardless of weapon choice.
TIER 1
Healing
Mesmers have strong healing abilities that complement the general dynamics
of the profession well. These skills have impressive PvP utility. As a bonus,
SIGNET OF INSPIRATION
mesmer cooldown times are very short, letting them cast their spells quickly Effect: Passively Grants a
and easily. Note that all of their healing abilities are self-heals; group healing is Random Boon Every
10 Seconds; Actively
mainly done through a mesmer’s utility skills. Copies All of Your
Boons to Nearby
Allies
ETHER FEAST Cooldown: 45 Seconds
Signet of Inspiration allows a mesmer
Effect: Healing to fight more effectively while adding
Cooldown: 20 Seconds some group benefits. Once activated, the passive effect is lost. It’s a good basic
skill for PvE in and of itself (used entirely for its passive effect), but it really shines
Ether Feast is the mesmer’s catch- in group play. All you need to do is wait until you have an exceptionally nice boon
all, every-situation healing skill. It to spread. Use this with a staff to make the signet even more powerful because
provides a strong amount of healing you’ll have more boons to hand off.
by default. The more illusions you
have out at the moment, the higher
this gets. This is the best PvE and solo
healing ability for the profession.
202
PROFESSIONS
SIGNET OF DOMINATION PHANTASMAL DISENCHANTER

Effect: Passively Improves Effect: Phantasm, Remove
Condition Damage; Boons from Enemies,
Actively Stuns Remove Conditions
(2 Seconds) Your Foe from Allies
Signet of Domination is another A slot skill with a free phantasm? Yes!
skill applicable to a large number Phantasmal Disenchanter creates an
of situations. Mesmers use a lot of illusion that removes boons from foes
condition damage, so the passive effect does a great deal for them. The active and conditions from allies, and it’s a beautiful defensive PvP skill. Summon this
effect works as a “get out of trouble” ability, giving a means of damage mitigation ally to distract enemies, to keep your group safe, and to limit enemy boons and
or escape. As always, the passive effect is lost when the ability is activated. ensure that your side keeps the advantage.
MANTRA OF PAIN NULL FIELD

Effect: Channel, Direct Effect: Remove Boons,
Damage Remove Conditions,
Combo Field
Cooldown: 1 Second (Ethereal), Duration
Mantra of Pain is a single-target attack (7 Seconds)
MESMER
with decent damage. It’s an ability Cooldown: 45 Seconds
geared for group play, where mesmers
can take the time to channel without Null Field is a glamour spell that
opening themselves up to damage. creates a field of energy for 7 seconds.
The good news is that the cooldown is extremely short, so it can be used again This energy field removes all boons
and again to wonderful effect. It’s perfect for dungeon runs, allowing the mesmer from enemies and conditions from allies. Save this for WvW, dungeon battles, or
to stay at range and contribute damage at any time. large events where you can affect the most targets. It has only limited value in
soloing or small group events.
Note that Mantras are charged ahead of time by using the skill a single time.
frontload your ability, allowing you to trigger it when you’re in the middle of TIER 2
using other skills.
SIGNET OF MIDNIGHT
MANTRA OF DISTRACTION Effect: Passively Improves
Boon Duration;
Actively Blinds
Effect: Channel, Daze (3 Seconds) Nearby
Cooldown: 15 Seconds Foes, Break Stun
Mantra of Distraction causes a single Cooldown: 35 Seconds
target to be Dazed. This skill is at its Signet of Midnight has a very potent
best during dungeon runs, when passive ability; mesmers can gain a
consistently taking down enemy number of boons based on their traits
damage is a very big deal. and utility skills. Having an AoE blind is a big deal because it gets your mesmer out
of serious trouble. It’s even better for sword-using mesmers, who seem to get into
Note that Mantras are charged ahead of time by using the skill a single time. trouble even more often than most.
frontload your ability, allowing you to trigger it when you’re in the middle of
using other skills.
MANTRA OF RESOLVE
BLINK Effect: Channel, Removes
All Conditions
Effect: Teleport, Break Stun
Cooldown: 30 Seconds Mantra of Resolve removes all
conditions from the mesmer. This
Blink is a manipulation/misdirection mantra is more PvP friendly, where
skill that teleports mesmers to the conditions fly fast and free.
a position behind their original
location. It also breaks Stuns, giving it
even more PvP utility. Blink provides
a quick means of escape and helps
with battle control. Use this to stay at long range against melee or medium-
range opponents.
203
ARCANE THIEVERY TIER 3
Effect: Transfer Conditions,
Steal Boons SIGNET OF ILLUSIONS
Arcane Thievery is a nasty little piece Effect: Passively Grants
of work. This spell strips conditions More Health to Your
Illusions; Actively
off of your mesmer, gives them to Recharges Your
a targeted foe, and then grabs their Shatter Skills
boons for yourself. It’s a perfect spell
when dueling high-end targets, especially in PvP. Time this so that you use it Cooldown: 90 Seconds
right after enemies nail you with their worst conditions or use their best buffing Signet of Illusions is a soloing
abilities. Once you get the hang of it, this gets pretty brutal. mesmer’s dream. A soloing mesmer
relies on clones and phantasms
to deal damage to foes and to distract enemies. Getting more health for your
illusions is a nice way to increase your hero’s survivability when soloing. The active
ILLUSION OF LIFE use of this signet lets you pop Shatter skills far more often in a single fight. Use
them, hit the signet, and do it again once you have some illusions back up. Swap
Effect: Revive Ally weapons to make this process even faster.
Illusion of Life is a manipulation spell
that functions like an extended rally
attempt. Downed allies within the
MANTRA OF CONCENTRATION
targeted location are temporarily
Effect: Channel, Stability,
restored to battle, and they become Break Stuns
fully revived if they kill a foe. Illusion
of Life is the only means that mesmers have to revive allies (outside of manually Cooldown: 20 Seconds
helping them), so this ability is paramount in dungeon runs. Mantra of Concentration breaks
Stuns and adds stability so mesmers
can’t be nailed with crowd control
skills for a short time. The short
DECOY cooldown makes it possible for
mesmers to consistently have an edge when kiting and fighting against
Effect: Clone, Stealth (3 other kiters.
Seconds), Break Stun
Decoy summons an illusion to attack
your foe; at the same time, the mesmer
MIMIC
becomes invisible. This works exactly as
you’d expect, with the enemy attacking Effect: Absorb Projectile,
Redirect Damage,
the decoy clone. This is a protective Duration (4 Seconds)
ability for when things get way too serious. It works exceptionally well with mantra
spells, with stealth earning you free time to begin your powerful new attack. Cooldown: 15 Seconds
This manipulation spell should be cast
when you know an enemy is going to
PHANTASMAL DEFENDER hit you with some serious projectile

damage. Not only will this protect
your mesmer from the attack, it also toggles the skill when you absorb an attack.
Effect: Summon Phantasm Press the skill’s button again to throw that damage back at your victim. Because
Cooldown: 30 Seconds you only have 4 seconds to work with, it’s very important you hold this skill until
you’re right in the thick of a ranged engagement.
Phantasmal Defender is a superior
mitigation skill. The Phantasm it
summons is able to redirect half of
your incoming damage onto itself.
This greatly extends the amount of MIRROR IMAGES
time you can survive when focused
on by a dangerous enemy, whether in PvE or PvP. When you’re guarding areas or Effect: Clones (x2)
trying to complete high-end events, this is an ideal skill to slot. Cooldown: 45 Seconds
Send in the clones! Mirror Images
creates two clones who join the battle
FEEDBACK immediately. This is a wonderful PvE
spell. Use it to have more damage in
battle and then Shatter these allies
Effect: Shield (6 Seconds), toward the end of their duration to
Reflect Projectiles,
Combo Field get the most out of them.
(Ethereal)
Feedback is a defensive AoE designed
for PvP and PvE group play. It works
differently than most barriers in that
it creates a dome around your enemies that reflects projectiles. Allies fighting
within the shield gain ethereal combo potential.
204
PROFESSIONS
PORTAL ENTRE Elite

Effect: Area-of-Effect Elite mesmer skills continue the trend of having high group utility or PvP
Teleport
potential. The more people you have around, the better most of these
abilities become.
Portal Entre is a movement-altering
ability that allows a mesmer to
create two portals; the entry portal is TIER 1
located at the mesmer’s feet, and the
exit portal is at the targeted location.
The portals exist for 60 seconds. Press the skill’s button a second time to connect
the two portals. Use Portal to escape trouble, get past defensive forces, confuse
MOA MORPH
enemies, and so forth.
Effect: Transformation
(10 Seconds)
VEIL OF INVISIBILITY Moa Morph turns your enemy into
a Moa! This is a great elite ability for
Effect: Stealth (4 Seconds), dungeon runs, effectively hampering
Curtain (8 Seconds), your enemies (and their damage
Combo Field (Light) output). It’s also a very amusing
ability, so people who like to get a laugh out of things will be happiest.
MESMER
Veil of Invisibility creates a curtain
of light that grants Stealth to the
mesmer and nearby allies. Use this
period to revive fallen allies, heal, get
TIME WARP
behind cover, or otherwise turn the tide of a battle that isn’t going your way.
Effect: Quickness (1 Second),
Combo Field
(Ethereal), Duration
(10 Seconds)
Time Warp creates a field that lasts
for 10 seconds, granting mesmers and
their allies Quickness. It’s geared for
group play and especially for PvP, dungeon runs, and large group events. If you
want direct power, this is the best elite skill to use as a starter.
TIER 2
MASS INVISIBILITY
Effect: Stealth (5 Seconds)
Mass Invisibility does exactly what
it says: mesmers and their allies are
gifted with full Stealth for a short
time. Use this and then Veil of
Invisibility as a double whammy to
surprise your opponents.
205
Traits
Domination (Raises Power and Condition Duration)
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15 Dazes you inflict also cause Vulnerability (3 Seconds)
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25 5% increased damage to inactive foes
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(8 Seconds).
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MASTER TIER
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GRANDMASTER TIER
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Daze a target.
Dueling (Raises Precision and Critical Damage)

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15 Create a clone at your current position when you dodge
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25 Your illusions cause 3 seconds of Confusion when they are killed
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MASTER TIER
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pistol attacks.
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GRANDMASTER TIER
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206
PROFESSIONS
Chaos (Raises Toughness and Boon Duration)

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when you revive them.
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MASTER TIER
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MESMER
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GRANDMASTER TIER
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Inspiration (Raises Vitality and Healing)

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MASTER TIER
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GRANDMASTER TIER
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207
Illusions (Raises Condition Damage and Shredding Recharge Rate)
ADEPT TIER
Points Invested Ability Gained
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MASTER TIER
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GRANDMASTER TIER
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yourself as well.
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Mesmers in PvE
Mesmers fall into the challenging category for starting players. They aren’t easy powerhouses for novices, and their light armor means there isn’t as much wiggle room for errors.
It takes a while to figure out the best time to trigger your Shatter skills, when to summon phantasms, and when to switch into secondary weapons. Mesmers really shine in
group situations, and not everyone begins the game with an established set of friends to adventure with.
What mesmers offer is an entirely unique play experience. They’re a hybrid class in that they mix together magic and melee, and they have a wide range of boons and
conditions available to them. They also have a special form of pet, in terms of their clones and phantasms. As a mesmer, you never have to face a battle alone—you summon
companions to fight with you in every engagement.
Things get even better for mesmers when they join in groups. This offers them a world of freedom to do long-range damage, buff their allies, and disrupt enemy parties.
208
PROFESSIONS
As you start out as a mesmer, take stock of your weapons and abilities. Start with a good long-range set (scepter/torch or scepter/pistol) and one short-range pair (sword/
sword combo). After level 10, greatswords become available, and they represent the best long-range PvE weapon for a mesmer, hands down. Start the battle at range with your
greatsword and then switch to your secondary weapons when the enemy reaches you.
MESMER
Your weapons are your lifeblood, and you need to keep them as up-to-date as possible. Wearing light armor means you’re going to get smacked around if you get hit; it’s more
important to do damage fast and take out your target.
The way a battle progresses is exceptionally important, and you want to control it as much as possible. Every weapon set has both a clone and a phantasm ability. By the time an enemy
gets to you, you want to have at least one illusion ready to attack it. If you have several, take advantage of your Shatter skills, and pop another illusion up at the next opportunity.
In terms of slot skills, Ether Feast is a wonderful healing spell, and you’ll usually have a number of active illusions
around you to take full advantage of it. You can’t go wrong with Mirror Images; having two clones right off the bat
is sweet. Check out the signet spells as well. Their passive abilities (especially Signet of Illusion) are worth it on their
own, and the active ones can really get you out of trouble.
The Domination, Dueling, and Illusions trait lines offer a lot of potential, in terms of helping to raise your attack
strength and the destructive capabilities of your clones and phantasms. If you’re not sure what to grab, take traits
that make your illusions stronger/do more damage.
One of the exceptionally nice things about mesmers is they have less to worry about from kiters. They’re more damaging at long range (because of their greatsword’s distance-
based attacks). And if anything gets in close, well, that’s what their secondary weapons, illusions, and slot skills are for!
Mesmers in PvP
Mesmers have a huge range of tools for PvP (whether small-scale or WvW). They’re
really at their best in this group environment, and players with an interest in this
mode of competition will be much happier with the profession. Mesmers fare best
when facing real human opponents.
Left on their own, mesmers strip away any boons on the enemy team, leaving them
with no protection and no chance of damage augmentation. At the same time,
they keep their allies safe and healthy, taking away any harmful conditions. This is
augmented by their control over boons and conditions; mesmers have a wide variety
of both to throw at enemies and to aid allies. A huge number of slot skills specialize in
boon/condition modifications, and it’s best to experiment and see which ones really
click with your playstyle.
Mesmers also have access to the most powerful transportation and point control abilities in the game. They
are able to teleport themselves and others, in addition to two forms of mass-target invisibility. These are battle-
changing abilities, and ones that make mesmers strong defenders on the field of battle, as well as a powerful means
to take and hold positions.
The Chaos trait line really comes into its own during PvP. The additional toughness is well appreciated, but the real
gem is Prismatic Understanding, which lets all Cloaking skills last 1 second longer. That extra second could mean
the difference between a prolonged battle and one handily won.
209
Necromancer
Necromancers are dangerous spellcasters with higher
survivability than you might expect. Though limited
to light armor, their abilities frequently steal life from
enemies to keep themselves alive. In addition, these
scholars specialize in conditions that prevent enemies
from performing at their best. A happy mix of poison
and fear makes everyone’s life a bit shorter!
When soloing, necromancers have a huge array of

mindless pets to draw on. These help to distract
enemies or even beat them down. In a group,
necromancers disable targets and deal considerable
damage over time.
Area-of-effect attacks are common for these foul

casters. They can drop areas of poison and plague on
the ground and hurt everything that stays close. This is
useful in large fights and in PvP, when chokepoints can
be exploited to hurt many characters simultaneously.
In addition, necromancers have a special ability called the Death Shroud. This is an
alternate state for the casters; they build life force to go into their Death Shroud
mode by killing their opponents. Under the effect of Death Shroud, necromancers
can deal considerable damage while protecting themselves from harm.
210
Profession Stats
Power 24 1729
Precision 24 916
Toughness 24 1571
Vitality 24 1571
Attack 165 1729
Armor 83 1571
Health 268 24,922
These stats give you an idea of what to expect from your character. They show necromancer progression through examples taken at the beginning and end of leveling.
Weapons and Weapon Skills

Necromancers use axes, daggers, scepters, staves,
focuses, and warhorns to do most of their direct
damage. Many of these provide ranged attack skills,
so the profession is primarily able to deal damage to
enemies without closing on them.
Because necromancers quickly learn to wield two sets

of weapons, you’re encouraged to get a few weapons
that provide options for several types of combat. For
example, take an area-of-effect set and a single-target
pair that disables powerful enemies.
211
Death Shroud Axe (Main Hand)
(Burst Special Form) Axes provide solid damage at range for necromancers. Their primary attack
gives you decent damage and some Vulnerability for your targets. The other
All necromancers have access to Death Shroud as an ability on their function
attacks add extra oomph to the lineup and increase the kiting potential.
bar. Press “F1” to surround your hero with dark energies, to protect from
damage. While in this mode, you have access to several new attacks. These are
unlocked just like normal weapon skills (in that you have to kill enemies while RENDING CLAWS
in Death Shroud to gain access to the more powerful attacks).
Damage: High
DEATH SHROUD ON LAND (5 Seconds)
Cooldown: None
Here are the moves you gain in Death Shroud when you’re on land: Rending Claws gives your hero a base
level of strong damage against single
Direct attack that deals more damage if you have a higher amount targets. Its moderate range gives you
Life Blast the ability to do some kiting while
of life force
Shadowstep toward your targets the next time they attack stacking Vulnerability on your foe.
Dark Path
your hero; Chill them and any enemies nearby when you arrive
(15-second cooldown)
(5 seconds)
Doom
Make the target flee in fear (1 second)
(20-second cooldown)
Life Transfer Point-blank attack that sucks the life out of nearby enemies and GHASTLY CLAWS
(40-second cooldown) turns that energy into life force
Damage: Very High
Life force is the power that lets you stay in Effect: Channeled
this form. As we said earlier, this resource is (3 Seconds)
gained when you kill your enemies. Watch Cooldown: 8 Seconds
the bar rise and then enter the form when Ghastly Claws is another single-target
you’re surrounded by foes. This buys you damage ability. It smacks your target
again and again in rapid succession,
time to survive difficult encounters while and the total damage is fairly good.
your healing skill is on cooldown. Hit Life Stack conditions on your opponent ahead of time and then use this as a finishing
Transfer to steal additional life force from enemies and prolong this mode. attack while the damage is already ticking away by your Bleeds or Poison effects.
This helps to recharge your life force while staying mobile and at range.
The Soul Reaping line of traits has some awesome abilities for improving your Death Shroud
powers. Take a look at them if you’re interested in making the most of this potent ability.
UNHOLY FEAST
Damage: Medium to High
DEATH SHROUD UNDERWATER Effect: Cripple (5 Seconds),
Retaliation
Here are the aquatic abilities you learn with Death Shroud: (3 Seconds)
Life Blast Still a basic, direct attack; similar to the terrestrial version Unholy Feast is a direct attack that
Dark Water A low-damage area-of-effect attack that Blinds enemies (3 does decent damage. You hit an
(15-second cooldown) seconds) and Poisons them (7 seconds) entire group over a fair area, making
Wave of Fear Deals moderate damage and terrifies all foes in front of your it useful for any encounter with multiple enemies. If you’re the one doing kiting,
(25-second cooldown) necromancer (2 seconds) then Unholy Feast is a good way to slow down an entire group of foes while you
Gathering Plague Gathers conditions from all of your allies and stacks them onto run away and keep hitting them.
(30-second cooldown) your necromancer, also inflicting Weakness on your hero
Because you gain Retaliation during this time, Unholy Feast is also a key element
These must be unlocked separately from the terrestrial powers. in AoE fights. If you aren’t running away from the enemies, you can instead reflect
damage back at them, making the fight shorter and easier to survive.
The aquatic powers aren’t as dangerous as their above-water equivalents, but they
have a number of useful functions. Dark Water is beautiful for messing with groups
of enemies. Being able to land Blind
on multiple enemies is a very big deal
because it’s a lot of mitigation for a single
ability. Wave of Fear has more duration
than Doom, and it does damage, too.
Both of these abilities are very nice.
Gathering Plague is the very definition

of a situational ability. Do it in a group to help your friends if they’re in a bad place. You
can gather their conditions and then use utility skills to toss them at your enemies when
you come out of Death Shroud. If you don’t have the utility skills to do that, try Consume
Conditions; it’s a healing skill that restores your health for each condition it cleanses.
212
PROFESSIONS
Dagger (Main Hand) Dagger (Off Hand)

Daggers give your necromancer fast damage against single targets. They have Daggers in your off hand provide damage mitigation. Blindness and Weakness
better survivability than axes because some skills steal life from opponents. The are both major assets for necromancers who want to live a bit longer. In
downside of these weapons is that they have little or no range for all of their addition, both of these dagger skills have AoE potential, making them better
main-hand attacks. If you like using daggers, make sure to equip something when you want to fight against enemy groups.
with long range in your secondary weapon set so enemies can’t kite you!
DEATHLY SWARM
NECROTIC SLASH
Damage: Moderate
Damage: Very High Effect: Transfers Conditions,
Effect: N/A Blind (6 Seconds)
Cooldown: None Cooldown: 18 Seconds
The fast swing speed of this attack Deathly Swarm gives your
makes it more deadly than it first necromancer the option to get rid of
appears. You lay on the damage quite conditions that are giving you trouble.
well with Necrotic Slash, despite a lack If someone tries to stack damage-
of Bleed or Poison effects. This trio of over-time effects or something that slows you down, slap him or her with Deathly
attacks builds life force quickly, making it quite useful for necromancers that rely Swarm. Successful attacks pull the conditions off of your hero and inflict them on
heavily on Death Shroud. Compensate for the short range by slotting skills that the target instead!
NECROMANCER
keep enemies from avoiding your melee attacks: Signet of Spite, Spectral Grasp.
Also use this if you’re facing enemies with heavy, slower attacks. Blinding them is a
good way to reduce incoming damage. Don’t use Deathly Swarm for its raw damage
output; save it for times when it’s going to help you with its secondary effects.
LIFE SIPHON
Damage: Moderate ENFEEBLING BLOOD
Effect: Steals Health
Cooldown: 12 Seconds Damage: Moderate
Effect: Weakness
Life Siphon is a channeled skill that (10 Seconds), Bleed
takes several seconds to complete. It (10 Seconds)
has more range than Necrotic Slash
(but not much). You’re still limited to Cooldown: 25 Seconds
close range. Though the damage dealt Enfeebling Blood is a ground-targeted
is rather poor compared with your other attacks, the health stolen lets your hero spell that doesn’t do much damage
survive for much longer during long fights. This won’t help you survive spikes of up front. Instead, it does a fair amount
damage like a healing skill, but it’s useful for maintaining a higher level of health. of damage over time. It’s intended for disrupting enemies. They won’t be able to
dodge as well or as often, so it’s quite a good PvP spell for taking away enemy options.
If you’re already topped off, don’t use this ability. It’s less useful for its pure Because Weakness also debuffs an enemy’s damage output, this is also a valuable tool
damage, so don’t throw it into your rotation unless you’ve taken a few hits. against veterans, champions, and groups of monsters during AoE encounters.
DARK PACT Scepter (Main Hand)

Scepters have more range than axes and daggers, so they’re pretty darn effective
Damage: Moderate
for necromancers that want to do their own kiting. In addition, these weapons are
Effect: Immobilize
(3 Seconds) loaded with condition potential. You get to hurt your foes over time and finish
Cooldown: 25 Seconds them off with a skill that deals extra damage against enemies that have multiple
conditions. Scepters are an excellent secondary weapon for melee necromancers.
Dark Pact locks your enemies in place,
making it easier to catch up to them
and get some damage done. Slap
this on enemies that are trying to BLOOD CURSE
kite your hero. Immobilize them for a few seconds and lay into them with some
damage before they can run away. It’s still better to have anti-kiting weaponry or Damage: Moderate
skills at your disposal, but if you’re waiting to swap weapons, this is a great skill
Effect: Bleed (7 Seconds)
against kiters and mobile targets.
Cooldown: None
Blood Curse doesn’t have much initial
strength as an autoattack. However,
its combination of damage over time
and long range makes it an essential
tool for cutting down single enemies
that can’t close the gap with your character. Slow the victim with Grasping Dead
and then run around, watching him bleed to death without being able to catch
you. The third attack in this combo causes Poison, making the attacks even better
for kiting!
213
GRASPING DEAD MARK OF BLOOD
Damage: Moderate Damage: Low
Effect: Bleed (5 Seconds), Effect: Regeneration
Cripple (5 Seconds) (6 Seconds), Bleed (x3)
(8 Seconds)
Grasping Dead is a ground-targeted
spell that lets you start Bleeding your Mark of Blood is a ground-targeted
enemies early in a fight. The fact that spell. You can cast it at an existing
it also slows them down is wonderful, enemy or group of enemies. Or, you
making this an ideal battle opener. Use Grasping Dead every time it finishes its can leave it by your necromancer and wait for the spell to trigger when an enemy
cooldown so your enemies are moving slowly during half of the fight. This attack enters the area of effect. Both are viable and effective. The latter is better when
is immensely frustrating to fight against in PvP. you’re setting up for a major fight because it’ll save you casting time and allow
your necromancer to lay in with other attacks as the enemy comes to you.
The actual spell puts a long-lasting Bleed on the enemy while regenerating health
FEAST OF CORRUPTION for your necromancer and nearby allies. As with Life Siphon, this is a great way to
sustain your health over the course of longer fights. The difference is this skill does
enough damage with its Bleeding that you should use it even if you don’t need
Damage: High the health. Target large groups to get everyone Bleeding as soon as possible; that’ll
Effect: Gain Life Force, make your work easier when you target each enemy in turn.
Bonus Damage (Per
Enemy Condition)
Feast of Corruption should be used PUTRID MARK
later in a fight, when enemies are filled
with conditions from you and your Damage: High
allies. This attack does more damage when the enemy has conditions in effect. Effect: Transfers Conditions,
Combo Finisher
(Blast)
Staff (Two-Handed Weapon) Cooldown: 15 Seconds

Putrid Mark is yet another ground-
Staves are similar to scepters, but they push the kiting function of those targeted area-of-effect attack. This
weapons even further. With this set of weapons, you get a combination of long one delivers major damage (a rarity
for staff attacks). It also cleanses conditions from your allies and nails your targets
range, damage over time, and unrelenting kiting potential. For longer fights that with the same effects. If you’re in a situation where your group is being hit with
are ludicrously balanced in your favor, choose a staff. Though their attacks deal conditions quite commonly, save this attack until the conditions are stacked
very little damage at first, the constant damage over time mixed with an area of high and then use it to protect your group. The damage isn’t as important as the
cleansing of conditions in that circumstance.
effect means you can still get a decent kill rate if you’re skilled. Either way, your
enemies will have a heck of a time trying to catch you.
CHILBLAINS
NECROTIC GRASP
Damage: Moderate
Damage: Moderate
Effect: Chill (4 Seconds),
Effect: Life Force Gain, Poison (6 Seconds),
Combo Finisher Combo Field (Poison)
20% Chance) Cooldown: 20 Seconds
Cooldown: None Chilblains is your fight starter for

most encounters. It disrupts enemy
This autoattack has considerable movement and is ground targeted, so
range, and it hits enemies in a line you can hit several foes with it if they’re grouped together. Slap this down and cast
between you and the target. Use it to restore life force and to kite enemies while Reaper’s Touch a moment later to get yourself moving while the enemies are still
your greater skills are on cooldown. moving and attacking at reduced speed.
REAPER’S MARK
Damage: Low
Effect: Fear (1 Second)
Use Reaper’s Mark to scare away
enemies and give yourself time to flee,
get back to ideal kiting range, or just
to blast away at someone. This keeps
your character safe while disrupting
enemies whether in PvP or PvE. In addition, this is a ground-targeted spell, so you
can hit several enemies at once.
214
PROFESSIONS
Focus (Off Hand) LOCUST SWARM

Take a focus on your off hand if you want to mess with enemies. The direct Damage: Low
damage output isn’t very high with a focus, but the number of conditions Effect: Cripple (1 Second),
Swiftness
you can stack on targets is quite reasonable. Having access to Chill and (10 Seconds)
Vulnerability is quite versatile. This aids in kiting or in catching mobile enemies. Cooldown: 30 Seconds
It’s an intuitive pairing with the scepter if you want to keep dropping constant Locust Swarm is a spell that stays
conditions on your enemies. Paired with the axe, it’s a good tool for keeping around your character and hits
enemies disabled while the axe skills do the real damage. Daggers are the most enemies periodically, dealing light
damage to all nearby targets. You won’t have to sacrifice additional casting time,
unconventional choice to pair with focuses because you’re still not going to kite and the speed bonus it grants lasts for a good while. All of these perks add up to
enemies while wielding daggers. If you hate swapping weapons, dagger + focus make the damage and utility of this skill better than it seems (especially if there
helps to catch up to enemies, but that’s about the most you get from them. are several enemies close to your character).
REAPER’S TOUCH Spear (Aquatic Weapon)

Damage: Low Necromancers use spears as high-damage melee weapons with a fair number of
Effect: Swiftness (5 Seconds), positional abilities. They can pull enemies toward them or pull themselves over
Vulnerability (x2) to enemies. This makes it harder to kite spear users, and easier for necromancers
(10 Seconds)
NECROMANCER
to choose the range they like for their battles.
In case it wasn’t clear enough already,
this skill makes staff users into supreme
kiting champions. It boosts their
CRUEL STRIKE
movement rate (and that of allies, as well) and the targets are exposed to greater Damage: Moderate to High
damage. The attack can bounce between enemies up to a few times, so Reaper’s
Touch is quite useful for aiding in AoE fights. Effect: N/A
Cooldown: None
SPINAL SHIVERS This series of melee attacks deals

considerable damage and ends the
trio with an area-of-effect lifesteal.
Damage: Low This helps keep your hero’s health
Effect: Chill (5 Seconds), topped off.
Remove Boons
Spinal Shivers slows targets down and
makes them take longer to attack
WICKED SPIRAL
even if they have ranged weapons.
Damage: Very High
This skill also reduces enemy damage
potential because it can strip off up to three boons from a powerful opponent. Effect: Vulnerability
This is a good attack in PvP or in battles against high-end single targets. (6 Seconds)
Warhorn (Off Hand) Use this as your bread-and-butter

damage ability when you’re
underwater. Wicked Spiral hits hard
Warhorns are excellent off-hand weapons for additional damage and the ability
and leaves enough Vulnerability on
to Daze your enemies. They’re easy to use and are one of the few necromancer your target to follow up with another nasty strike or two. Use this early in a fight
weapon choices that don’t require good use of ground targeting. If you’re and then hit it again every time the cooldown expires.
someone who likes simple weapons that are still effective, warhorns are perfect
for you. Though powerful, the one disadvantage of these weapons is that they
have long cooldowns and are anything but spammable. You’ll want to have a DEADLY FEAST
weapon in your main hand that has much shorter cooldown times. We suggest
axe + warhorn as a combo for solid damage and sheer fun. Damage: Low
Effect: Light Healing,
Swiftness (6 Seconds)
WAIL OF DOOM Cooldown: 18 Seconds
Deadly Feast is more situational. It
Damage: Moderate to High gives your necromancer a movement
Effect: Daze (2 Seconds) boost for a short period, and the
Cooldown: 30 Seconds healing isn’t a bad thing either. It’s just
that the effect isn’t that extreme, and the basic damage of the attack is fairly low.
Wail of Doom hits hard in a cone in Save this for times when you really need to get to (or get away from) an enemy.
front of your character. Everyone struck
suffers from Daze, buying you some
time to keep hitting targets when they
can’t strike back. Obviously, Wail of
Doom is better when you can hit even more targets with it, but even against single
enemies it’s a perfect tool for slipping in damage while disrupting your enemies.
215
DEADLY CATCH FOUL CURRENT
Effect: Cripple (3 Seconds), Effect: Poison (4 Seconds)
Combo Finisher
(Whirl) Cooldown: 15 Seconds
Cooldown: 25 Seconds Your necromancer darts through the

water, Poisoning everything in your
Use Deadly Catch to grab enemies wake. Use the attack to close the gap
trying to stay at range. Your hero can toward distant enemies, to escape
close the gap and keep the enemy from your current fight with the
slowed for a short time. sudden burst of speed, or to Poison groups of enemies lined up in front of you.
Because the attack doesn’t hit for any initial damage, the Poison is all you get out
of Foul Current. It’s not worthwhile against single opponents unless you’ll benefit
from the change in position.
DARK SPEAR
Damage: High
Effect: Bleed (x5) SINKING TOMB
(8 Seconds), Charge
Cooldown: 25 Seconds Damage: None
Effect: Sink (2 Seconds)
Dark Spear is a great fight opener
because it gets you into melee range Cooldown: 20 Seconds
in the blink of an eye. When you need Sinking Tomb causes targets to Sink
to rush a target, it’s the best choice. for 2 seconds, briefly leaving them
The skill’s high damage and Bleeding effect make it a superior choice even when defenseless against your attacks.
you don’t need it for closing the gap with a victim. Use this to stop enemies if they’re
charging up for something dangerous.
Or, rely on it for basic damage mitigation if you’re having trouble timing the move.
Trident (Aquatic Weapon)
Tridents aren’t as melee-centered as spears, but they still aren’t much of a
ranged option. Attacks with these weapons are either melee range or have just FROZEN ABYSS
a little more distance to offer. You lose the spears’ direct damage, but tridents
make up for it with their disabling conditions. Damage: Extremely High
Effect: Chill (1 Second)
The real trick is to avoid the tradeoff entirely. Spears are a better weapon most Cooldown: 25 Seconds
of the time. Their skills do more damage and offer better control over your This is the gem of the trident lineup.
position. However, tridents have a godly fifth slot attack. Keep a good spear for Everything else is too low damage to
really shine, but Frozen Abyss blasts
most fights, and break out the trident when you need to disable enemies or hit
everything near your character for
them with Frozen Abyss for some noteworthy area-of-effect damage. oodles of damage. Use the spear skills
during most fights, but swap to a trident when there are several aquatic enemies
going after your hero. Toast them with this skill and swap back to your spear
CRIMSON TIDE soon afterward.
Damage: Low
Effect:
Cooldown: None
Bleed (5 Seconds)
Downed Skills
Crimson Tide has a modest range.
It’s still not enough for proper kiting
On the Ground
unless you’re really facing a weak Necromancer downed abilities are all about extended survivability. You can’t do
enemy. Instead, it’s more of a skill to immense damage from the ground, but you can steal life, scare enemies away,
pull enemies away from their original
locations (if there are too many foes close together and you’re worried about and heavily mitigate their damage. Hold on until you can get help from friends
getting into a big fight). or slowly win a war of attrition against your opponent.
FEAST LIFE LEECH

Damage: Low
Effect: Health Steal
Effect: Weakness
(5 Seconds), Cooldown: N/A
Life Force Gain Life Leech steals health to heal your
Cooldown: 12 Seconds necromancer while you’re trying to
kill the most injured enemy within
This AoE damages nearby enemies, range. It’s not a fast killer, but the
reduces most of their damage output, added survivability is of great use.
helps you gain life force, and makes it
harder for enemies to dodge as often. It’s a little bit of everything without a high
price or cooldown.
216
PROFESSIONS
FEAR DEATH CURSE

Damage: N/A Damage: Low
Effect: Fear (2 Seconds) Effect: Fear (2 Seconds),
Poison (5 Seconds)
Scare an enemy away from you to buy
your necromancer time to Bandage. Though slow to cool down, this
powerful ability is a major asset when
you’re underwater. Death Curse
not only sends enemies swimming
for their lives, but its Poison is enough of a damage over time effect to make a
decent difference in your rally attempt. Instead of using it on secondary enemies
FETID GROUND to give yourself more time, hit your primary target with Death Curse to hasten
their demise.
Damage: Very High
Effect: Poison (x5)
(3 Seconds)
BANDAGE
Fetid Ground damages nearby foes Damage: N/A
over time. Use this the moment any Effect: Self-Heal
targets come into range, and put it
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
NECROMANCER
back up as soon as it recharges.
If your hero isn’t being attacked
directly while you’re down, use this
skill to start healing. This lets you rally
BANDAGE without going up to the surface, and
you get to switch back to attacks if
any monsters show up. You won’t have that same option on the surface, so this is
Damage: N/A a more flexible alternative.
Effect: Self-Heal
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
Use this to heal yourself if there
aren’t any enemies coming after you.
Slot Skills
It allows you to recover fairly quickly.
If you’re attacked, the effect ends Healing
and you have to fight for your life
once more. Necromancers have really cool healing skills. They can summon a pet that heals,
clean their conditions, or even raise a well that heals an entire group. Nifty stuff!
Underwater SUMMON BLOOD FIEND

As on land, necromancers won’t die without giving it their best. Use Life Leech
Effect: Creates a Healing Pet
to restore health, keep Feeding Frenzy going, and buy time with Death Curse.
Only swim to the surface if you’re being overwhelmed by groups of enemies. Cooldown: 20 Seconds
These abilities don’t handle that very well. This spell creates a Blood Fiend that
will follow your necromancer around
and attack whatever you’re fighting.
Every time the Blood Fiend hits a
LIFE LEECH target, your necromancer gets a little
bit of health. You won’t survive spiky
Damage: Low damage very well this way, but it’s good for taking care of low-level damage. In a
pinch, you can also sacrifice the Blood Fiend for a bit of extra health. The creature
Effect: Health Steal
can be summoned again about 20 seconds after the sacrifice. Use the sacrifice
Cooldown: N/A function when you’re about to go into Death Shroud or when a battle is just
This is the same as its surface variant. about to end. That way you get the health and can still summon another Blood
Fiend when you get to the next fight.
CONSUME CONDITIONS
FEEDING FRENZY Effect: Removes Conditions
Damage: Low
This is an extremely powerful healing
Effect: Summon Fish ability. Not only can it help you
Cooldown: 5 Seconds overcome sudden spikes in damage
fairly well, but the chance to get rid
Feeding Frenzy calls over a school of of nasty conditions should never
hungry fish to nip at your enemies be ignored. Expect this to be an
while you try to recover. Call them early extremely common choice for soloers. You get bonus health for each condition
in the fight and restore them every few the spell removes, making this a wonderful PvP/WvWvW skill choice.
seconds, between Life Leeches.
217
WELL OF BLOOD SUMMON BONE FIEND
Effect: Heals Yourself and Effect: Summons Fiend
Nearby Allies (No Duration)
(10 Seconds)
Bone Fiends are nastier than Bone
The Well of Blood is your best group Minions. You only get a single
healing option. The well has an initial creature, but it’s much harder to kill,
heal for your hero, and then everyone so you won’t have to resummon
nearby gets health for the next 10 it very often. In addition, the Bone
seconds. Put this down when your group is starting a nasty encounter and let the Minion has an Immobilizing attack that locks it in place but also prevents the
healing give everyone more time before they have to start popping their best “get enemy from moving for a short time. If your necromancer likes to kite enemies,
out of trouble” abilities. the Bone Fiend is helpful for grabbing more powerful targets and keeping them
from getting to you. Though the cooldown on the attack is fairly long, this is one
more “get out of trouble” item in your arsenal.
Utility
Necromancer utility skills are often centered on combative pets, spreading
conditions around, and poisoning the world. There’s a lot of fun in there. Wells
SIGNET OF SPITE
create area-of-effect benefits for your caster (or peril for your enemies). Summon Effect: Passively Improves
spells spawn mindless pets that follow you around and attack whatever gets too Power, Can Be Used
to Inflict Bleeding,
close to them. Signets have minor passive effects that always aid you and then Blind, Cripple, Poison,
can be activated to provide a short-term effect that is even stronger. Weakness, and
Vulnerability on
Your Target
TIER 1 Cooldown: 90 Seconds
Signet of Spite is a lethal single-target
WELL OF SUFFERING attack that drops a wave of conditions on your enemy and deals damage to them
at the same time. It’s a wonderful attack, especially against other players, veterans,
or champion monsters.
Effect: Moderate Damage,
Weakness (3 Seconds),
Combo Field (Dark),
Cooldown: 60 Seconds SIGNET OF THE LOCUST
Well of Suffering creates an area of
Effect: Passively Increases
effect where enemies take reasonably Movement Rate
high damage and are afflicted with (10%), Can Be Used
Weakness, making it harder to dodge as often or do consistently high damage. to Steal Health from
This is a helpful AoE or PvP ability to use early in a large battle; your allies have a Nearby Enemies
better chance of pounding their targets with additional area-of-effect attacks. Cooldown: 60 Seconds
When you’re traveling around the
world, Signet of the Locust is one of
SUMMON BONE MINION the best skills in your grimoire. The
boost to your hero’s movement rate is of constant benefit, almost paying for the
skill by itself. Then you add the area-of-effect health stealing; this is wonderful in
Effect: Summons Minions pivotal battles because you can get a fair heal off of it while hurting everything
(x2)(No Duration) that’s attacking you. It’s perfect for exploring new areas, fighting large groups of
Cooldown: 20 Seconds monsters during events, and it’s not bad in WvWvW either (when you have to
cross large distances).
Bone Minions are small creatures
that add into fights and help your
necromancer by attacking anything
hostile. You can’t order them around
specifically because they’re undead, SPECTRAL GRASP
but you can blow them up to deal sudden high damage to your targets. Think of
these guys as expendable friends. Leave them behind to tie off pursuing monsters, Effect: Pull Foe, Chill
or detonate them when you need damage the most. (4 Seconds)
The targeted enemy is pulled over to
your necromancer and then hit with a
4-second Chill effect. This is an anti-
kiting ability. Most necromancers are
mobile and have plenty of their own
ranged attacks, but dagger users can really appreciate this skill because they’re
usually the ones who have to close the distance. Use this to stop mobile enemies
from getting away from your hero and to keep them close-by for a few seconds
while you unload on them.
218
PROFESSIONS
CORROSIVE POISON CLOUD SUMMON SHADOW FIEND

Effect: Weaken Self Effect: Summons Shadow
(6 Seconds), AoE (No Duration)
Poison (3 Seconds),
Vulnerability Cooldown: 30 Seconds
(15 Seconds), Shadow Fiends are dark spirits that
Combo Field attack your enemies with slow,
(Poison), Duration powerful melee hits. If you use their
(15 Seconds)
special attack, it Blinds the enemy for
Cooldown: 40 Seconds a few seconds. Shadow Fiends help
Use this skill to create a cloud of poison around yourself. Enemies that approach the most against single, potent targets. They’re fun for bringing down veterans
are going to take damage and lose some of their healing efficiency, and the cloud and champions, or for times when you’re facing smaller numbers in PvP.
doesn’t go away quickly. Gather enemies with your ranged attacks and bring
them together for area of effects in the middle of the cloud. Though this attack
Weakens your character, the skill’s long duration and conditions make it highly
valuable when you’re facing large groups of opponents. PLAGUE SIGNET
Effect: Passively Removes
Ally Conditions and
EPIDEMIC Places Them on Your
Necromancer, Can Be
Used to Send Your
Effect: Self Vulnerability (x3) Conditions to a Foe
(6 Seconds), Spreads
NECROMANCER
Conditions Cooldown: 60 Seconds
Cooldown: 15 Seconds Plague Signet loses most of its
utility if you’re soloing. Being able to
This awesome attack skill lets you throw conditions back at your enemy is okay, but the long cooldown limits the
turn your conditions into more of skill. However, a large party makes this ability much more effective. You end up
an area-of-effect attack. Lay into one protecting your group from conditions, and then having far more oomph when
enemy with as many conditions as you unleash these effects on tougher enemies. Plague Signet also works well with
you can, and use Epidemic when the poor fool is about to die. The conditions Epidemic. Nail your enemy with conditions and then immediately hit Epidemic to
spread, and the cooldown is short enough that you can use the attack again just a spread the suffering to additional targets.
few kills later (at most).
Your hero takes more damage when using Epidemic, but your enemies die much
faster. It’s often worth the price.
SPECTRAL ARMOR
Effect: Break Stun, Life Force
TIER 2 Gain, Protection
(6 Seconds)
WELL OF CORRUPTION Cooldown: 90 Seconds

Spectral Armor is a get-out-of-trouble
Effect: Convert Enemy card for your hero. The damage
Boons, Duration reduction, Stun breaking, and boost
(8 Seconds) to life force all make it easier to
survive during difficult fights. This is a small-scale PvP ability, or a strong tool for
Cooldown: 60 Seconds soloers who like to evacuate when everything goes wrong. While still useful in a
This area-of-effect attack periodically group environment, Spectral Armor doesn’t have much utility for allies and is only
converts enemy boons into necessary if you’re getting way too much attention from the enemies.
conditions over the 8-second
duration of the well. This is effective
against both players and monsters, especially when fighting enemies that are
prone to giving themselves multiple stacks of boons. CORRUPT BOON
Effect: Self-Poison
(6 Seconds),
WELL OF POWER Convert Foe Boons
Effect: Convert Ally
Conditions Though most generic enemies don’t
have many boons, you get a lot
Cooldown: 60 Seconds out of Corrupt Boon when fighting
Well of Power goes the other way; against especially powerful veterans,
it aids your allies by removing their champions, or single players. This is more of a PvP (as opposed to WvWvW)
conditions and turning them into ability. It’s hard to see when to break it out in massive battles, but when you’re
something positive. It’s easier to only fighting a few people it’s more obvious who to rip the boons off of. When
use Well of Power than Well of opponents’ bars start filling up with goodies, ruin their day.
Corruption, because you often have a good idea of your group’s status. Look at
your character’s conditions and the portraits of your party members to see when
it’s a good time to cast Well of Power.
219
TIER 3 SPECTRAL WALK
Effect: Swiftness
WELL OF DARKNESS (10 Seconds)
Effect: Blinds Enemies (Every Spectral Walk is made for battle.
2 Seconds), Combo Give yourself tons of speed for kiting
Field (Dark) enemies. At the end of the duration,
Cooldown: 60 Seconds the ability snaps you back to your
This area of effect surrounds your point of origin. This confuses other
character with a field that Blinds players, giving you time to plan a new assault. Enemy monsters are disrupted as
enemies, causing them to miss their well because they still have to turn around and get back to you.
attacks. As with all wells, the area
of effect itself lasts for 8 seconds, so enemies can be disrupted for quite some It is possible to cancel this effect and use Spectral Walk purely for its movement
time. This is an excellent way to mitigate damage against your hero or your entire boost. When you do that, you suffer from Vulnerability for a few seconds, so
group. It’s useful in dungeons or PvP. For dungeon use, make sure your group pulls watch out for doing this during an intense fight. Only do it if your opponent has
the enemies into a tight spot. That way, all of them are affected and can be blown already turned around to go and catch you (i.e., if they turn around to get back
down with area-of-effect assaults while their attacks miss again and again. to your point of origin prematurely). This won’t happen often, so don’t plan on
doing it frequently.
SUMMON FLESH WURM BLOOD IS POWER

Effect: Summon Wurm
(No Duration) Effect: Moderate Damage,
Self-Bleed (x2)
Cooldown: 40 Seconds (10 Seconds), Bleed
(x2)(30 Seconds),
A single Flesh Wurm burrows up from Gain Life Force
the ground when you summon it.
These creatures do fairly low damage Cooldown: 30 Seconds
with their attacks, but they have a Blood is Power puts a Bleed effect
powerful secondary ability. You can on your necromancer while savaging
teleport to your Flesh Wurm, sacrifice it, and Poison enemies nearby. This makes your targets. They get hit with long-
Flesh Wurms useful as an ally for the early part of a fight and then as a free area- term Bleeding, which will make a nice difference in slow encounters. Use this
of-effect attack when they start to take some damage. In addition, the Teleport against dungeon bosses, veterans, champions, or enemy players who are trying to
can be used to get your necromancer out of trouble if you’re fighting elsewhere kite or fight slowly (those with heavy armor, defenders, and so forth).
on the field.
SIGNET OF UNDEATH
Effect: Generate Life Force,
Break Stun,
Revive Allies
Use the signet to break yourself out of
Stuns and to revive group members,
especially if there aren’t any wounded
targets for them to rally off of. This
lowers the chance that anyone will be defeated outright. The life force generation
of the signet is of benefit, but there are many superior ways to accrue life force (so
think of that as a secondary use of the skill).
SPECTRAL WALL
Effect: Protect Allies
(5 Seconds),
Vulnerability for Foes
(x3)(10 Seconds),
This skill creates a wall on both flanks
of your hero. Allies standing there
take reduced damage for a short
time, and all enemies in the area are slammed with Vulnerability. Because the area
of effect isn’t terribly large, you get the most from this skill when you work with
people who know your profession and can keep enemies in the right position.
For example, teams that work over a voice communication program get more
from Spectral Wall because the necromancer can tell everyone “Line up for Spec
Wall.” Done correctly, this is a very powerful ability in tricky events or dungeon
encounters. It’s harder to use in PvP, where fights are much more chaotic.
220
PROFESSIONS
Elite
Have you ever wanted to be a lich? Sure, we all have. Let’s look into
necromancer elites!
TIER 1
PLAGUE
Effect: Plague Form
(20 Seconds)
This elite skill is weak against single
targets and small groups; it’s made
to cause massive devastation when
your necromancer is in the middle of
a huge fight. Slot this elite when you
expect to be facing major numbers in WvWvW or events that have monsters
running in all the time. The more targets you have, the better this ability becomes.
NECROMANCER
SUMMON FLESH GOLEM
Effect: Summon Golem
(No Duration)
Flesh Golems are yet another
summonable monster in the
necromancer lineup. These guys are
hard to kill, attack quickly, and cripple
their victims so your hero can kite
them even more easily. It’s a pretty brutal combination, and every 40 seconds you
can order them to charge and rip through everything in front of them. If you like
having pets around, Flesh Golems are the bomb. Also, it’s nice to have an elite skill
that is always active. Though not as powerful with bursts of aggression as some of
the other elites, this ability provides a constant bonus for your hero.
TIER 2
LICH FORM
Effect: Transform into Lich
(30 Seconds)
Assume the form of an undying lich.
Your necromancer loses existing
weapon skills, but in their place you
gain a variety of potent new attacks.
For most situations, this is a superior
elite skill compared with Plague. The mix of damage and conditions here are well
suited for fights against single targets, small groups, and either human or AI-
controlled enemies.
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Don’t use Deathly Claws unless everything else is already on cooldown.
You have 30 seconds to enjoy life as a lich. Make the most of it! 221
Traits
Spite (Raises Power and Condition Duration)
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Curses (Precision and Condition Damage)

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222
PROFESSIONS
Death Magic (Raises Toughness and Boon Duration)

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NECROMANCER
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Blood Magic (Raises Vitality and Healing)

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Soul Reaping (Raises Critical Damage and Life Force Pool)
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Necromancers in PvE
Necromancers are darn tough, and you won’t expect them to survive as much punishment as they take. When
you’re facing harder battles, it’s possible to add minions, life stealing, and traits that give you a number of
survivability boosts. Throw in Death Shroud and it seems almost impossible to get your necromancer killed unless
you act recklessly (which is fun to do, but that’s beside the point).
When soloing, Signet of the Locust is perfect. Using higher movement speed and an area-of-effect lifesteal, you just
can’t go wrong with it. Once you have more skill points, invest in a tough pet, as well. The Bone Fiend is a great all-
weather pet that makes it harder for things to jump on your back without going through something. It’s much more
of a speed bump than the other non-elite pets.
To deal with powerful single targets, focus on stacking condition after condition on your foes. Necromancers have Bleed and Poison effects all over the place. Make sure Poison
is on the target at all times, and then try to get as much Bleeding as you can on that sucker. Though it takes a while to come together, it pays off in massive damage over time.
224
PROFESSIONS
Practice jumping into and out of Death Shroud at the drop of a hat. Early users have a tendency to use up all of their life force with each Death Shroud run, and that’s not
optimal. Instead, you want to get in there, use your best abilities and survive sudden bursts in enemy damage, and then drop Death Shroud afterward. That leaves you with
more life force for later so you can hop back in when the ability refreshes.
All necromancers should have a kiting set of weapons in either their primary or secondary slots. So many necromancer combinations are effective in this role that you’d be
crazy to ignore it. Staves, specter/focus, and axe/dagger are all fun. If you like up-close and personal fighting, keep a set of daggers around. They’re your best melee tool, if that’s
the way you want to play it.
NECROMANCER
Watch for Condition Damage in addition to outright Power when you’re looking to upgrade your damage output. Necromancers get a fair amount of their damage from
conditions, so improvements in this area are amplified more than for many other professions.
For a heck of a fun experience, consider the beat squad lineup: Summon Blood Fiend, Shadow Fiend, Bone Fiend, Flesh Wurm, and Flesh Golem. You get to be a walking
menagerie! Area of effects blow your entire group in half, so that’s bad, but it’s great for having a good time against normal enemies. This is doubly the case if you stack Death
Magic and Blood Magic traits. Enjoy being hard to kill.
Necromancers in PvP
Necromancers are hard to predict in PvP engagements. Until you engage the individual
necromancer, you don’t know if your enemy is a glass cannon loaded with attack skills
or if your enemy has survival as his or her main focus.
If you’re playing a necromancer with a high amount of Power and Condition Damage,
you have the potential to drop enemy players quite well. Let other players start
engagements whenever possible. You can come in later or from the flanks to clean up
by adding massive pressure to individual targets. Though your burst damage isn’t as
high as it could be, the mix of Poison, Bleeding, and direct damage means that targets
are healing poorly and taking a huge amount of total damage over time. Overwhelm
them with it!
Use Death Shroud defensively, especially when you’re trying to hold an area. Using long-range abilities, kiting
tactics, and Death Shroud, you can make it extremely hard for enemies to keep an area—even if they have a couple
people trying to fight you. Slow the enemies down with your weapon attacks, and then pop Death Shroud, use
Dark Path and Doom, and scuttle off while your enemies are terrified or at least frozen. The longer the fight, the
better the chance you’ll come out ahead.
Consume Conditions is a wonderful PvP healing ability. Keep that on your bar almost all the time. A mix of this and
Plague Signet ensures you won’t have as many problems with conditions as your opponents.
Avoid bringing too many minions into most PvP encounters. Your pets are easily killed with area-of-effect attacks, and most of your enemies are going to be well aware of that.
They’ll have your buddies killed off in no time, and you’ll be down a few skills on the exchange. Even when this doesn’t happen, you end up losing time and concentration
keeping your pets summoned, and the large group you’re carrying around makes it possible to spot you from a mile away (even when people aren’t looking carefully).
225
ranger
Rangers are frontline fighters today, rearline firepower
tomorrow, and skirmishers every day of the week.
Medium armor keeps them mobile and still able to
survive a few hits. A wide variety of weapons gives the
ranger the ability to meet enemies on almost any turf.
Fighting at range allows the ranger to hit multiple foes
from safety, and using melee weapons makes them
incredibly mobile and difficult to hit.
Pets are as varied and flexible as the ranger and any

enemy that ignores a ranger’s pet is in for a world of
hurt. Rangers also gain a wealth of group utility from
traps and spirits. The spirits increase ally damage, add a
new damage type, or even revive fallen allies. Traps slow,
Poison, or Burn enemies.
Rangers are the profession for you if you enjoy forcing

the enemy to fight on your terms, or if having a smart
animal companion sounds really intriguing.
226
Profession Stats Companions
Attribute Starting Stats Naked at Level 80 As a ranger, you and your companion fight and live side by side. A ranger without a
Power 24 1216 pet is only half a ranger.
Interface and Controls

Precision 24 1066
Toughness 24 1016
Vitality 24 916 Rangers have the most
Attack 24 1216 versatile and controllable
Critical Chance 4% 11% pets in the game. This
is very powerful but
Armor 24 1013
requires finesse to use a
Health 258 15,082
pet to its fullest.
The pet interface is just

above your skillbar. The
paw-print icon opens the Companion window. The next three icons are your basic
controls (detailed in the accompanying table), followed by a portrait of your pet, and
then the final button. The red bar beneath all these is your pet’s health bar.
Default Key Action

F1 Attack my target
F2 Pet Special Ability
F3 Toggles between aggressive and passive stance
F4 Switch Pet
The stats listed above give you an idea of what to expect from your character.
They show ranger progression through examples taken at the beginning and end
of leveling. Your actual stats will likely vary from this.
227
Pet special abilities are unique for each type of pet. Learn these abilities so you know which animals are best for a given situation. Attacking your target and toggling between
stances is very intuitive. Aggressive stance commands your pet to attack as soon as you take damage or attack a target. Passive stance keeps your pet from attacking or using
any abilities unless commanded by you specifically.
Switching pets allows you to swap between two pets during combat. You can change pets outside of combat without trouble, but think of the in-combat switch as being
analogous to the weapon swap. This function is very powerful because you can swap a downed pet for a pet with full health. Swapping pets outside of combat has a negligible
cooldown, but swapping inside combat starts a 30-second cooldown before you can swap again.
Finding New Companions

All rangers start with a pet, but new pets can be found all over the world (including in WvW areas). Throughout
your adventures, watch for Juvenile creatures with their names in green. Approach these and Charm them. This gives
you the option to “equip” the pet immediately. This process also gives you a detailed summary of the pet. To give
you an idea of what to expect, some of the pets in the game are listed here.
Pet Type Highest Stat F2 Ability Area to Acquire Zone to Acquire

Alpine Wolf Terrestrial Vitality Chill Outcast’s Cleft Wayfarer Foothills (S)
Fern Mastiff Terrestrial Vitality Regen Sylvari Starter Sylvari Origin Pet
Hyena Terrestrial Vitality Summon Hyena Gunbreach Hills Plains of Ashford (NW)
Red Moa Terrestrial Vitality Fury Agnos Gorge Plains of Ashford (N)
Carrion Devourer Amphibious Toughness AoE Poison Charr Starter Charr Origin Pet
White Moa Terrestrial Vitality AoE Regen Vitpeln Hills Snowden Drifts (N)
Whiptail Devourer Amphibious Toughness Poison Cadem Forest Plains of Ashford (E)
Black Bear Amphibious Vitality Weakness/Fumble Charr’s Triumph Plains of Ashford (W)
Jungle Stalker Amphibious Precision AoE Might Charr Starter Charr Origin Pet
Snow Leopard Amphibious Precision Chill Borealis Forest Wayfarer Foothills (S)
Flamingo Terrestrial Vitality Daze Venlin Vale Brisban Wildlands (SE)
Raven Terrestrial Precision Blindness Snowlord’s Gate Wayfarer Foothills (S)
Krytan Drakehound Terrestrial Vitality Immobilize Rurikton Divinity’s Reach (E)
Pig Terrestrial Vitality Improvised Weapon Ossan Quarter Divinity’s Reach (NW)
Salamander Drake Amphibious Vitality AoE Burning Relliatus Canyon Blazeridge Steppes (E)
Owl Terrestrial Precision Chill Owl’s Abattoir Snowden Drifts (SE)
Eagle Terrestrial Precision Bleed Sojourner’s Way Kessex Hills (NE)
River Drake Amphibious Vitality Multi-Target Damage Eastern Divinity Dam Queensdale (NE)
Brown Bear Amphibious Vitality Remove Conditions Borealis Forest Wayfarer Foothills (S)
Jaguar Amphibious Precision Stealth Akk Wilds Metrica Province (E)
Blue Jellyfish Aquatic Vitality Chill Victor’s Lodge Anvil Rock Borderlands (S) WvW
Shark Aquatic Precision Bleed Viathan Lake Kessex Hills (E)
Siamoth Terrestrial Vitality Improvised Weapon Saltflood Mire Sparkfly Fen (NE)
Warthog Terrestrial Vitality Improvised Weapon Nemus Groves Diessa Plateau (E)
Lynx Terrestrial Precision Bleed Graupel Kohn Dredgehaunt Cliffs (N)
Forest Spider Terrestrial Vitality Poison Hellion Forest Iron Marches (E)
Having the best pet for a given situation is as important as having the right weapons
and skills. For example, the White Moa is great for helping tanks stay on their feet.
The Golden Moa is excellent for moving a party across terrain quickly. The Krytan
Drakehound is wonderful when kiting a powerful enemy with its Immobilize and
Knockdown. Experiment and see what works best for you and your allies.
Pet Management
Use the Pet Management window to set pets for above-ground and aquatic use.
Terrestrial pets are locked for land use only, while aquatic ones are for water use.
There are amphibious pets that can serve you in either environment.
228
PROFESSIONS
I SHALL CALL HIM MINI-ME Swords (Main Hand Only)

In the Pet Management window you can also Swords keep you mobile while slashing away at your opponent. Their damage
rename your pet. Click the icon that looks like is fairly high, and nothing is going to get away from you without a great deal of
a feather pen and start typing! You can rename effort. The mobility granted by the sword makes it easy to dodge opponents’
your pet as many times as you like. more powerful attacks without easing up on your damage.
SLASH
Damage: Moderate
Effect: Cripple (2 Seconds),
Might (5 Seconds)
Cooldown: None
The basic sword attack is actually
a chain of three hits. The first is a
normal attack, the second is a kick
that closes short distances and
cripples your opponent for a couple seconds, and the third attack is a leaping
The Pet Management screen gives a full summary of each pet’s abilities and stats. finish that grants Might to your pet.
Only the first ability can be activated by you (as the F2 ability). The other three are
R ANGER
used automatically by your pet. This window also lists where you first encountered
the pet in case another ranger asks.
HORNET STING
Damage: Very High
Weapons and Effect: Leap Back,

Leap Forward
Weapon Skills
Cooldown: 8 Seconds
Hornet Sting is most useful when an
enemy is charging up a point-blank
Rangers have quite a few weapons available. Like many professions, they can have area-of-effect attack. The first use
two sets of weapons equipped at any time and switch between those, even during stabs the enemy and jumps you out
battle. A standard grouping might be a melee mode and a ranged mode (axe/axe and of melee range (to safety). The second use jumps you back into melee.
longbow). This allows a ranger to rain death onto enemies until the enemy closes, and
then switch to melee weapons to finish off an opponent.
SERPENT’S STRIKE
Damage: High
Effect: Poison (6 Seconds)
Serpent’s Strike is all about utility.
You jump behind your opponents
and Poison them. This moves you
away from any frontal AoE attacks
and reduces any healing your
enemy is using.
229
Longbow (Two-Handed) BARRAGE
Longbows are a ranger’s best friend. These slender cuts of wood allow rangers Damage: Low
to kill enemies at range. Longbows can be fired in melee, but they are far Effect: Cripple (1 Second)
more effective at range. These weapons have Cripple and Knockback to keep Cooldown: 30 Seconds
enemies where you want them. Barrage is a ground-targeted rain
of arrows that Cripples attackers.
The skill makes it easier for allies to
use their AoEs against the slowed
LONG RANGE SHOT monsters, and the damage gets to be
pretty good if you hit enough targets. The only downside to Barrage is that you
Damage: Varies with Range must plant your feet to use it. Any movement ends the channeling early.
(Modreate to High)
Effect: N/A
Cooldown: None Axe (Main Hand)
The basic attack for the longbow Axes are neither subtle nor discriminating. They tend to hit your target and
shows how you should use this wound anything nearby. Only one of the five attacks is limited to single target
weapon. The damage at maximum
range is twice that of a point-blank damage. All other attacks hit multiple enemies as long as they’re clustered
shot. Because this can be used on the move, you should make your enemies work together. Wielding axes becomes a delicate dance to position enemies for
to get into close range. Keep them Crippled and distant while you plunk arrow brutal and unflinching damage.
after arrow into their midst.
RICOCHET
RAPID FIRE Damage: High
Damage: High Effect: N/A
Effect: Combo Finisher Cooldown: None
(Projectile: 20%
Chance) The basic axe attack throws your
weapon and hits up to three enemies.
Cooldown: 10 Seconds Your axe only ricochets to enemies
Rapid Fire is a single-target ability. It near your target, but they can bounce
fires a stream of arrows at your target back to the original enemy for a
and can be used while moving! This second smack when there are only two enemies. As this is a thrown attack, use it
ability works extremely well with Hunter’s Shot. Use Rapid Fire to quickly burn on your way into a fight as well as at close range.
down single enemies that are a threat to your character.
SPLITBLADE
HUNTER’S SHOT Damage: Very Low
Damage: Moderate Effect: Bleed (6 Seconds),
Combo Finisher
Effect: Vulnerability (x3) (Physical Projectile:
(10 Seconds), 20% Chance)
Pet Swiftness (10
Seconds), Combo Cooldown: 6 Seconds
Finisher (Physical
Projectile) Splitblade launches a cone of axes
toward your target. These pass
Cooldown: 15 Seconds through the victim and affect all enemies in their path. When fighting one
Hunter’s Shot should be your first attack in nearly every engagement. The opponent, get very close to them and try to hit the foe with all five axes to stack
Swiftness gets your pet to the enemy faster while the Vulnerability prepares your on the Bleeding.
enemy for a rain of arrows!
WINTER’S BITE
POINT BLANK SHOT
Damage: Moderate
Damage: High Effect: Chill (3 Seconds)
Effect: Knockback, Combo Cooldown: 10 Seconds
Finisher (Physical
Projectile) Winter’s Bite is best used to kite an
enemy or flee from a bad situation.
The damage is good by itself, and the
Enemies will close with you eventually Chill lets you get some distance. Also,
(especially targets with cool skills or your pet’s next hit causes Weakness
high health). Point Blank Shot is a on the victim, making their endurance return slowly and their normal hits do
good way to make them do it twice. As they get to melee range, push them away less damage.
and start the whole dance over again. If you’re good enough at kiting to make
the process last 15 seconds, you can even repeat the maneuver and continuously
throw enemies away from your ranger.
230
PROFESSIONS
Axe (Off-Hand) MAUL

Off-Hand axe skills continue to add damage to your lineup. You get one Damage: Moderate
powerful offensive skill, and a defensive option for blocking ranged attacks from Effect: Bleed (x3)
(4 Seconds)
your enemies. These are useful to pair with one single-handed ranger weapon.
Cooldown: 6 Seconds
Maul is made for tough opponents.
PATH OF SCARS The initial damage is decent, and the
Bleeding stacks for fast additional
damage. Use this at the start of a fight
Damage: High and refresh it as soon as you can.
(Physical Projectile)
Line your enemies up by dragging SWOOP
them around a corner, then introduce
them to the Path of Scars. This attack Damage: Very High
hits every enemy in a line for high Effect: Charge, Combo
damage. It then boomerangs and hits them again on the way back! This is an Finisher (Leap)
extremely useful skill for direct damage.
Fly into combat, landing a heavy
R ANGER
blow with this ability. It’s excellent
WHIRLING DEFENSE for beginning a fight and wonderful
for changing targets from melee to
ranged opponents. There really isn’t any reason not to use this ability whenever
Damage: Low the opportunity presents itself.
Effect: Block Projectile
(5 Seconds), Combo
Finisher (Whirl)
Cooldown: 25 Seconds COUNTERATTACK
Tight quarters are the playground of
Whirling Defense. This skill does low Damage: Very High
damage to all enemies near your hero Effect: Block, Knockback
while giving you a moment of breathing room against projectiles. These valuable
seconds can be used to heal yourself (or others). Or, you can protect yourself and Cooldown: 20 Seconds
use the time to switch to a long-range weapon for a true reprisal. Counterattack is situational as it
relies on the enemy’s attack to do its
damage. You block the attack then
Greatsword (Two-Handed) kick your opponent away from you.
If your enemy is preparing a heavy
attack, knock him away and follow up with Swoop for massive damage in a short
Greatswords are a catch-all for rangers. There is an evasion attack, Knockback,
time. As this ability stops your autoattack until the counter triggers, you want to
Charge, Bleed, and a Daze in the lineup. Slash keeps the weapon from being wait until the enemy is just about to hit your hero.
underpowered against large groups, but the wide variety of abilities caters more
toward single, high-health opponents.
HILT BASH
SLASH Damage: Moderate to High
Damage: Moderate Effect: Daze (1 Second),
Stun (1 Second), Pet
Effect: Evade Damage (+50% For 1
Cooldown: None Attack)
The greatsword autoattack can be Cooldown: 30 Seconds
quite confusing to your enemies. Hilt Bash is designed for stubborn
During the chain of hits, between the enemies. Stun targets that are
second and third blow, your character running away when Swoop is on cooldown. Daze enemies that are charging up a
evades to the right. You stay in melee particularly nasty attack. The position of your ranger determines which effect hits
range, but any attack the enemy is doing at the time is made useless. The fact that the enemy, but both are very powerful. Use either to seize the advantage.
this attack hits multiple targets in front of you is icing on the cake!
231
Shortbow (Two-Handed) CONCUSSION SHOT
Shortbows are made for skirmishing. Poison your enemy, then Cripple, Daze, Damage: Moderate
and ditch the opponent if he ever closes with your hero. The biggest advantage Effect: Daze (1 Second),
Stun (1 Second),
to shortbows is their positioning. Keep to the side or behind an opponent Combo Finisher
when possible to stack Bleeds and split the enemy’s attention. This makes (Physical Projectile)
shortbows great weapons for group environments or chaotic fights. Cooldown: 25 Seconds
Don’t let ranged opponents opt out
of being kited. If enemies switch to
CROSSFIRE a ranged weapon of their own, hit them with Concussion Shot and get a couple
seconds of breathing space. You end up getting the Daze off if the enemy is facing
Damage: Moderate you, or a full Stun if the enemy is looking to the side or away from your hero.
Effect: Bleed (3 Seconds),

Combo Finisher
20% Chance)
War Horn (Off Hand Only)
Cooldown: None War Horns are a pleasant balance between damage and group buffing. As they
Crossfire is your basic attack and is far are really the only weapon rangers have that can put boons on your group, they
more powerful if you get behind or are a strong choice for dungeon and WvW groups.
beside your target (that is required for the Bleed effect to land). Send your pet in
first to try to turn the enemy around. Strafe while attacking if this fails and get into
a better position. Crossfire’s damage is only moderate, but the Bleeds can really
start to stack up.
HUNTER’S CALL
Damage: High
Effect: Channeled
POISON VOLLEY Cooldown: 25 Seconds
Hunter’s Call summons a flock of
Damage: Low birds to swoop down and peck at
Effect: Poison (2 Seconds) your enemy. The damage from a
Cooldown: 9 Seconds single bird isn’t much, but there
are a lot of them. This ability
Poison Volley fires several arrows in a is interruptible; any movement or activation of other abilities while this is
forward-facing cone. Any enemies hit channeling wastes the ability and puts it on cooldown.
by these (they pass through enemies
all the way to their maximum range)
are Poisoned. Against large groups,
this attack can be devastating if you follow it with other AoE damage from allies
or additional skills. Against single opponents, save the skill and fire it at point-
CALL OF THE WILD
blank range. This allows all of the arrows to hit the same target.
Damage: N/A
Effect: Fury (15 Seconds),
Might (15 Seconds),
QUICK SHOT Swiftness
(15 Seconds)
Damage: Moderate Cooldown: 35 Seconds
Effect: Retreat, Swiftness The only bad thing about Call of the
(3 Seconds) Wild is you can’t use it more often!
This skill buffs any party members near you by increasing critical chance, damage,
Cooldown: 9 Seconds and movement speed. Use this to help your group catch fleeing enemies in WvW
Quick Shot gets you out of immediate or to help with important battles in dungeon groups.
trouble by jumping out of melee
range. It gives your hero Swiftness
to help reposition quickly and start
kiting enemies that are too close. Use this when your enemy catches you so that
you can resume the good times.
CRIPPLING SHOT
Damage: Moderate
Bleed (6 Seconds)
Crippling Shot is the mainstay of
kiting with a shortbow. The Cripple
gives you a few seconds to pull away
from your target and lets your pet
catch up and start Bleeding the enemy. The fast cooldown on Crippling Shot
makes it available almost every time the enemy gets close. Alternate between
Crippling Shot and Quick Shot to ensure your ranger always has options for
232 staying ahead of enemies.
PROFESSIONS
Dagger (Off Hand) Torch (Off Hand Only)

A dagger in your off hand provides powerful options against single targets at Torches provide an area-of-effect attack and a whole new damage type. There
close range. Poison, Bleed, and Cripple your opponent before running off. Neither really isn’t much to do with a torch aside from Burning your enemies, but
ability does very much initial damage, but both are quite damaging over time. sometimes the direct route is the best one.
STALKER’S STRIKE THROW TORCH

Damage: Low Damage: Moderate
Effect: Poison (10 Seconds), Effect: Burning (6 Seconds)
Evade
This ranged attack deals heavy
Stalker’s Strike evades under an damage over time by lighting your
enemy attack and Poisons the foe. opponent on fire. This ability doesn’t
Use this when an enemy is charging work well if you are kiting with an axe,
or channeling a heavier attack against as Burning cancels Chill. Otherwise,
you; your character evades after the strike and won’t get hit by your enemy’s go after your enemies and watch the world burn.
return fire.
BONFIRE
R ANGER
CRIPPLING TALON
Damage: Very Low
Damage: High Effect: Burning (1 Second), Combo Field (Fire)
Effect: Cripple (6 Seconds), Cooldown: 25 Seconds
Bleed (x3)
(8 Seconds), Combo Bonfire is a bit tricky to use as it is a
Finisher (Physical point-blank AoE. This ability does
Projectile) not do damage to you, but to get
Cooldown: 18 Seconds the most from it you want a lot of
enemies very close to your ranger. Use
Crippling Talon is an amazing kiting
this in groups by running up with the
ability. The Cripple duration lasts for quite some time, putting the enemy at a
melee troops and lighting enemies on
major disadvantage. The Bleeding does damage while you run around outside
fire before retreating to the back lines.
of the enemy’s range. This ability works extremely well with an axe in your
This skill does not do enough damage to single targets to be worth your time.
main hand.
233
Spear (Underwater Weapon) MAN O’ WAR
The spear is your underwater melee weapon. Closing the distance underwater Damage: Massive
can be a little tricky, as you need to change elevation. Dart gets you to the Effect: Immobilize
(2 Seconds)
enemy and Man O’ War keeps him from getting away. There is considerable
variety in the spear’s skill set.
Man O’ War is made for enemies
that try to kite you. Dart to them and
STAB then use Man O’ War to hold them in
place. The incredible damage this skill
deals makes it a great ability even against enemies that aren’t fleeing.
Damage: High
Effect: N/A
Cooldown: None Harpoon Gun
Stab is your basic attack with a
spear. It does decent damage and (Underwater Weapon)
doesn’t have any major downsides or
strengths. The harpoon gun is your only ranged underwater weapon. As such, it is your
best option for kiting underwater opponents. It doesn’t have anything that
Chills your enemies, but there are plenty of damage over time abilities—a
SWIRLING STRIKE Cripple, and one retreat. You’ll be pretty darn mobile if you use these weapons.
Damage:
Effect:
Very High
Reflect Projectiles
SPLINTER SHOT
Cooldown: 8 Seconds Damage: Low
Swirling Strike reflects projectiles Effect: Bleed (3 Seconds)
while dealing a mighty blow to all Cooldown: None
enemies in melee range. The damage
is high enough that Swirling Strike is As a basic attack, Splinter Shot is
decent even against single foes. When mediocre against single targets. The
fighting groups, it is spectacular and should be used every time it cools down. damage it does isn’t great, but it’s
Swirling Strike is especially fun against enemies that summon pets! something to do while your other
shots recharge. Splinter Shot starts
really paying for itself when fighting groups of enemies; the Bleed is spread to
all targets in a small area, making the attack very efficient to soften an entire
DART group of targets.
Damage: High
Effect: Charge, Vulnerability
(10 Seconds), Bleed
CORAL SHOT
(10 Seconds)
Damage: Low
Effect: Bleed (5 Seconds),
Dart is the fastest and easiest way to Cripple (3 Seconds)
close with an underwater opponent. Cooldown: 10 Seconds
Dart gets your ranger into melee
range very quickly. For those having trouble moving around underwater, this Coral Shot is your primary kiting
ability can’t be beat. Over time, its damage is also quite impressive. ability. Combine Bleeding and Cripple
so your enemies can’t get to you.They
take more time in the fight, and they
lose health every second. It’s a win-win situation for your hero.
COUNTER STRIKE
Damage:
Effect:
Very High
Block, Knockback
FEEDING FRENZY
Cooldown: 15 Seconds Damage: Extremely High
Counter Strike is very similar to its Effect: Pet Fury (5 Seconds)
above-water counterparts. Once Cooldown: 10 Seconds
triggered, it causes your ranger to
block the next attack an enemy Feeding Frenzy deals substantial
makes, kick him away, and then throw damage to your foe. Beyond the
your spear at him. This is a good way to avoid damage and punish your opponent immediate burst of damage from the
at the same time. Try to time it so Counter Strike is used right before a heavy hit, this skill also sends your pet into a
attack to provide maximum mitigation without causing you to waste much time. Fury. Use this attack every single time
it finishes its cooldown.
234
PROFESSIONS
MERCY SHOT LICK WOUNDS

Effect: None Effect: Heal Over Time
Finish enemies with Mercy Shot. Only If your pet is alive and well, it can
use this when the enemy drops below help revive you by healing you. This is
half health, because that’s when the slowed if you are still taking damage,
damage starts really scaling up. Start but the amount healed is very high
fights with Feeding Frenzy, and end and can often overcome the damage
them with Mercy Shot. being dealt by one or two enemies.
INK BLAST BANDAGE

Effect: Blindness (6 Seconds), Effect: Self-Heal
Retreat
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
Use this to heal yourself if there aren’t
Enemies can’t hit what they can’t see. any enemies coming after you. It
R ANGER
Use Ink Blast any time targets close allows you to recover fairly quickly.
with you. The retreating aspect of the If you’re attacked, the effect ends
ability helps you get back to kiting and you have to fight for your life
and buys your ranger more time for Bleeds to do your dirty work. once more. If you Call Companion and get threats moved to your pet, you can
Bandage without worry.

On the Ground Underwater abilities work exactly like their above-ground counterparts. Throw
Knife is the only exception, and that is explained in just a moment.
Ranger downed abilities are often pet based. The ranger can do a little bit of
direct damage, but the real trick is to summon pets and get the pets to help
with the healing/rallying process. If there’s too much heat for your pet to heal THROW KNIFE
through, your ranger is in serious trouble.
Damage: Low
Effect: N/A
THROW DIRT Cooldown: N/A
Damage: Low This simple ranged attack is your
mainstay while drowning. Use it
Effect: Bleed (2 Seconds) again and again to deal damage as
Cooldown: N/A the cooldowns for the other skills are
finishing. As with Throw Dirt, aim for
This simple attack does a minor
the enemy with lowest health. That’s your best chance to rally if your pet can’t
amount of damage over time by
heal you in time.
stacking Bleed and hitting your target.
Go after the enemy with the lowest
health to dramatically increase your
chance to rally before you’re defeated.
THUNDERCLAP
LICK WOUNDS
THUNDERCLAP
BANDAGE
Damage: N/A
These abilities function in the same manner as their terrestrial versions. Use the
Effect: Summon Pet same tactics to try and rally yourself, or swim to the surface and attempt to heal
Cooldown: 10 Seconds yourself there if you think it won’t be possible to rally through fighting.
Bringing down a ranger is only the
first step to defeating one. Call your
pet to you and use Lick Wounds to
heal your ranger, or revive your fallen
friend to help finish off the enemy.
235
Slot Skills Utility
There are a few types of utility skills for rangers. Traps, spirits, and signets are
Healing a ranger’s bread and butter. Traps make life difficult for enemies, spirits buff
Rangers have healing abilities to help themselves, their pets, and their groups. party members, and signets help your hero and pet do more damage or survive
Switch between these to ensure you contribute as much as possible when you under harsh circumstances.
get into a larger force.
TIER 1
HEAL AS ONE SPIKE TRAP

Effect: Heal Self, Heal Pet
Effect: Low AoE Damage,
Cooldown: 20 Seconds Bleed (x3)
This is the most common ranger (5 Seconds), Cripple
(2 Seconds)
healing skill; it heals your ranger and
your pet at the same time. Heal as Cooldown: 25 Seconds
One can be used at range or around Spike Trap is an excellent way to
corners, so there is little excuse for start a fight. It’s also a great way to
letting your pet die. This becomes run from a fight. Pull large groups
even more useful when you’re evacuating an area, as it allows your pet to hold of enemies through a Spike Trap and you earn a few seconds of free kiting to kill
enemies while you get away (you can cast this while running). some of them off before they’re a threat to you again.
TROLL UNGUENT FLAME TRAP

Effect: Regenerate Health, Effect: Moderate AoE
Duration Damage, Burning
(10 Seconds) (3 Seconds), Duration
Cooldown: 40 Seconds (3 Seconds), Combo
Field (Fire)
Troll Unguent Regenerates more
health than Heal as One, but it Cooldown: 15 Seconds
has some drawbacks. The longer Flame Trap is great when working in
cooldown is a big one, so it’s not as a group. Drop the trap under the feet
useful when you’re topping off your health or helping your pet. In addition, the of the tank and watch all the poor
Regeneration does not affect your pet. The best use for Troll Unguent is at the monsters burn! It’s also useful if you’re soloing against clusters of enemies. They’ll
start of a fight if your ranger is going to be tanking the enemies. Finally, it takes naturally try to rush you, grouping together near your character. That makes
10 seconds for Troll Unguent to release its healing potential. Thus, Heal as One is them easy targets for the trap. Chokepoints and corners are often the best areas
better for surviving bursts of high damage. for this setup.
HEALING SPRING SIGNET OF RENEWAL

Effect: Summon Healing Effect: Remove Conditions
Spring (15 Seconds), Passively, Use to
Regeneration Transfer Conditions
(3 Seconds), Combo to Your Pet and
Field (Water) Break Stun
Cooldown: 30 Seconds Cooldown: 60 seconds
Slot this skill if you’re joining a Signet of Renewal is nearly a must-
dungeon group, and use it to have for WvW. This ability passively
deploy Healing Spring at your feet. keeps conditions off of your character
Do this when you’re standing in the center of the party so everyone benefits by removing one every 10 seconds. If used actively, the signet pulls conditions
from its healing. It’s fairly powerful, giving your entire party Regeneration and off of you and your allies and throws them all onto your pet. The active use also
condition clearing. breaks Stun, giving it even more PvP utility. Swap pets if your animal companion
suffers from too many conditions to continue the fight effectively.
SHARPENING STONE
Effect: Cause Bleed
(10 Seconds) for
5 Attacks
Sharpening Stone works best on
single tough enemies and with attacks
that hit multiple times. Activate this
just before using Splitblade (Axe) to
Bleed multiple enemies, or with Rapid Fire (Longbow) to put all five stacks on a
236 single target quickly.
PROFESSIONS
MUDDY TERRAIN SIGNET OF THE HUNT

Effect: AoE Immobilize Effect: Passively Increases
(2 Seconds), Cripple Movement Speed,
(1 Second) Activate to Increase
Damage for Your
Cooldown: 30 Seconds Pet’s Next Attack
Muddy Terrain is the bane of any Cooldown: 120 Seconds
group trying to get to you. In WvW,
this ability stymies entire enemy The increased movement speed of
groups when used at choke-points. In this signet is useful in WvW, general
PvE, this is great against champions when your group needs a breather. The skill PvP, or while exploring the world of
Immobilizes enemies when it’s first deployed, and it adds Cripple to everything Tyria. The improvement is noticeable and cuts a fair amount of time off of longer
caught in its AoE while pulsing. Rangers already have good kiting abilities, and this trips. Active use gives your pet one big shot, but it’s not enough to really turn the
pushes them over the top. tide of battle. Make sure to pop it right before you send your pet in against a new
target. That way you get the most for your investment.
SUN SPIRIT SIGNET OF STONE

Effect: Summon Spirit
(60 Seconds), Effect: Passively Improves
Burning (1 Second) Toughness (Ranger
+ Pet), Activate to
R ANGER
Make Pet Immune to
Spirits are best used in large parties, Damage (6 Seconds)
as they become far more powerful Cooldown: 120 Seconds
by affecting more people. Sun Spirit
gives all allies a chance to inflict Signet of Stone allows you to stand
Burning with their attacks. Use Sun Spirit when your allies will be attacking toe to toe with some of the toughest
multiple enemies. enemies. Grab this skill and use it as
you send your pet in to hold a whole group of targets. Though the cooldown is
long, you won’t often have to deal with fights that are nasty enough to warrant
Signet of Stone. Save it for huge rushes or attacks against especially powerful
“SICK ’EM” enemy units.
Effect: Buff Pet (Movement

and Damage)
LIGHTNING REFLEXES
“Sick ’Em” takes away control of Effect: High Damage, Evade,
your pet but improves its damage Vigor (10 Seconds),
and speed. When there aren’t many Break Stun
targets to worry about and you just Cooldown: 45 Seconds
need that one tough enemy dead,
you’re in great shape with this skill. Or, for fights where you want to throw your PvP matches are much more difficult
pet out there and have it fight until the bitter end, this works too. without a way to break free from
Stun. Lightning Reflexes combines
Use your pet’s F2 power ahead of time, because it won’t be available during a Stun breaker, an Evade, and Vigor
“Sick ’Em.” to regenerate Endurance. This skill is most important when you’re facing small
groups of players that are more likely to use crowd control abilities. This skill also
helps immensely when soloing stronger monsters.
TIER 2
VIPER’S NEST STONE SPIRIT

Effect: Protection
Effect: Poison (3 Seconds) (1 Second)
Viper’s Nest is a great way to hamper Stone Spirit grants all allies a chance
enemy healing in PvP, especially at to gain Protection. This is a wonderful
chokepoints. It’s also fun in dungeon way to help with mitigation in fights
groups, where fights are a bit longer; that threaten to overwhelm your
you might even get to use it twice in party. Single enemies of tremendous
the same encounter. power and large groups of targets are equally dangerous, and Stone Spirit helps
with both.
237
FROST SPIRIT QUICKENING ZEPHYR
Effect: Damage Bonus (10%) Effect: Quickness
(4 Seconds)
Frost Spirit occasionally grants a
damage bonus to all nearby allies. Quickening Zephyr is made of pure
This spirit is made for groups that are damaging WIN. This skill increases the
winning fights already but need to speed of your abilities and movement
win a little bit faster. When survival is (and those of your pet as well).
doubtful, use Stone Spirit. When you Use this right before a channeled
want to go through easy content even faster, Frost Spirit is your guy. ability and watch the damage go crazy as you channel much faster than normal.
Always make sure to plan several seconds of frantic activity to make the most of
Quickening Zephyr. Don’t waste this on simple autoattacks. Hit every ability you
can and lay down the wrath of nature on your opponents.
“PROTECT ME”
Effect: Pet Damage Transfer
STORM SPIRIT
Your pet stops attacking when this Effect: Grants Swiftness
skill is activated. Your loyal pet instead (3 Seconds)
takes damage in your place until the Cooldown: 60 Seconds
skill ends or your pet dies. When
fleeing, tanking enemies for a group, Storm Spirit isn’t for novice groups.
or simply trying to survive, this is a Use this in experienced groups in
major boost to your longevity. WvW or PvP. By giving allies a chance
to gain Swiftness when attacking, you
keep your party mobile. That’s hard
for novices to take advantage of. Kiting groups get the most out of Storm Spirit.
TIER 3
FROST TRAP “GUARD”

Effect: Chill (1 Second), Effect: Locks Pet in Place
Combo Field (Ice),
Duration Cooldown: 60 Seconds
(10 Seconds) This skill commands your pet to
Cooldown: 30 Seconds stay where it is and rip through any
enemies that get too close to it. Set
Frost Trap reduces incoming this up near a corner or chokepoint,
damage against you, your pet, and and lay additional traps down to
any allies. Keep enemies’ recharge make the most of this! Another trick
speed reduced and stop them from catching up to your buddies. This is effective is to have your pet guard the area between the melee characters and the ranged
whether you’re kiting or tanking the targets. attackers in your group. If a foe breaks away from the melee team, your pet will
pick it up before it hits the more vulnerable members of the group.
SIGNET OF THE WILD

Effect: Passively Grants
“SEARCH AND RESCUE”
Health Regeneration Effect: Revive
(Ranger + Pet),
Activate to Give Cooldown: 85 Seconds
Stability and a
Damage Buff to This skill is quite possibly the most
Your Pet group-friendly ability rangers have.
If an ally goes down, hit “Search and
Rescue” and kite the enemy away
Signet of the Wild is another tanking until your pet revives the fallen party
skill for pets. The base Regeneration helps with soloing and small fights. It’s not member. You benefit heavily from this
enough to make a difference in really brutal encounters, but you’ll like it while in events with NPCs, dungeons, and during PvP engagements.
soloing. The active use is more important. That keeps your pet from being
knocked around or hit with crowd control. It also gets a brief damage buff.
Combine this with “Sick ’Em” to have your pet become a serious threat to targets.
238
PROFESSIONS
Elite Traits
A ranger and his or her pet already have quite an advantage over most enemies. Marksmanship (Raises Power
What happens when the two become the perfect team? Let’s find out!
and Condition Duration)
TIER 1
REWARDS
RAMPAGE AS ONE Points Invested

5
Ability Gained
First hit when entering combat causes Vulnerability
Effect: Stability (20 15 Your pets also do Opening Strike
Seconds), Fury (20
Seconds), Swiftness 25 Opening Strike always lands a critical hit
(20 Seconds), Might
to Your Pet (20
Seconds)
When both you and your pet
Rampage as One, the enemy cowers.
Your ranger and pet ignore control effects, have an increased critical chance, and
move faster. And if that weren’t enough, you grant Might to your pet every time
you attack. Use this during any fight that has large groups or tough enemies, or
R ANGER
find any excuse to break out this awesome skill. The boons last for 20 seconds, so
you have more than enough time to capitalize on them.
In addition, this skill has a rather short cooldown for an elite skill. This makes
Rampage as One extremely tempting as your first elite to purchase. There aren’t
any bad times to use it.
SKILL OPTIONS (GAINED EVERY 10 POINTS)

ENTANGLE
ADEPT TIER
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slowed greatly by this.
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SPIRIT OF NATURE GRANDMASTER TIER

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As with all spirits, this is made for use
in a group. The Spirit of Nature heals
nearby allies and, when commanded,
even revives fallen allies and removes
conditions. This becomes immensely
useful if your group is having trouble with a major event or dungeon boss battle.
239
Skirmishing (Raises Precision and Critical Damage)
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5 You gain Swiftness when swapping weapons in combat
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15 You gain Fury when swapping weapons in combat
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25 You deal 10% more damage when flanking
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MASTER TIER
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GRANDMASTER TIER
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Wilderness Survival (Raises Toughness and Condition Damage)

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MASTER TIER
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GRANDMASTER TIER
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240
PROFESSIONS
Nature Magic (Raises Vitality and Boon Duration)

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15 Any boon you get is shared with your pet
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MASTER TIER
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their benefits.
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GRANDMASTER TIER
R ANGER
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Beastmastery (Raises Healing and Pet Attribute Bonuses)

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MASTER TIER
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when they critically hit with basic attacks.
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GRANDMASTER TIER
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241
Rangers in PvE
A well-played ranger is almost impossible for standard enemies to kill. If a fight goes poorly, the ranger’s pet can
come to the rescue, or the ranger can simply leave and come back later. This flexibility lets a ranger take on tougher
opponents with a bit of planning.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for terrain you can move over, where cliffs are, and where
aggressive and non-aggressive monsters are standing. Kiting is the ranger’s most potent weapon. With your
complement of Cripples, Chills, Knockbacks, and Bleeds, the only reason to get close to enemies is to loot their
corpses. Keep either a
longbow or shortbow in
a weapon slot at all times. Even if you prefer fighting up close, dropping an enemy to
half health before the fight even starts is too powerful to ignore.
Against single targets, stack conditions first (either Vulnerability with the longbow or
Poison with the shortbow), then move into your high damage abilities. Keep traps
and your pet ready to prevent the enemy from closing with you. Spike Trap and any
pet with a Knockdown or Cripple are wonderful for this. As most of your ranged
attacks can be used on the run, start strafing away from enemies before they close.
By strafing, you keep them in your line of sight. Your ranger can continue firing while
running at full speed.
Groups of enemies are more difficult to kite, but the ranger can pull it off. Start
the fight with Barrage (longbow) or Poison Volley (shortbow). Marksmanship rangers with Piercing Arrows should keep the farthest enemy targeted (as your attacks will hit
everything between you and the actual target). Non-Marksmanship rangers should switch to an Axe as the enemies close. Axes hit multiple targets, and Split Blades provides a
multi-target bleed. Lay traps and evade when needed until the final enemy drops.
Swords and greatswords are both good weapons for anyone wanting a closer encounter with an enemy. Fighting at close range has some advantages and a few concerns as well.
Your ranger deals much more damage with melee weapons. The primary tradeoff for this is survivability.
Swords have several attacks that also evade. These are very powerful against single, tough opponents. Use a pet with high Vitality or Toughness and watch its health closely.
Your pet can keep aggro off you for as long as it lives, so make sure the enemy dies first. Use more damage-focused slot-skills such as Sharpening Stone and Quickening Zephyr.
Then, use Heal as One to keep your pet alive. Be ready to swap pets if your primary gets low on health.
In groups, the ranger’s versatility truly shines. The ranger can fill almost any role needed in a group. A Wilderness Survival/Nature Magic ranger with a sword and a Vitality pet
can absorb quite a bit of damage. Use your Signet of Stone and Signet of the Wild and swap aggro between you and your pet.
242
PROFESSIONS
A Beastmastery/Nature Magic ranger with a White Moa, Healing Spring, and Spirit of Nature can fill in as a group healer (while still doing damage). Use Stone Spirit to give your
tank protection occasionally. Also use Sun Spirit (when fighting multiple targets) or Frost Spirit (when fighting a single tough enemy) to increase party damage.
Rangers have many choices. Most of them are equally powerful if you tweak your whole character toward a single goal. Don’t try to be a jack of all trades, as this will leave you
without a clear focus for your character. Instead, play around. Grab new pets, see how they work, and test different combinations of weapons, slot skills, and pets. Rangers can
be adapted to almost any playstyle with a bit of work. Go out there and start killing!
R ANGER
Rangers in PvP
Fighting rangers in PvP can be a daunting proposition. With so many ranged attacks
and abilities to keep foes at range, rangers make it very hard to close the gap against
them. The best way to identify what type of rangers you’re dealing with is by looking
for their pet. If they have spirits out, they are likely more party-focused. If you see a
ranger without a pet, be even more alert so the pet doesn’t flank you.
Playing a ranger in PvP can be immensely rewarding and devastating to an enemy

group. While rangers are far more powerful in group vs. group engagements, they are
more than sufficient at killing people one on one. Equip a sword/dagger combination
and a shortbow for some devastating kiting ability and evasion.
Even when you don’t kill an enemy quickly, your ranger can ensure that the fight lasts a LONG time. Call for reinforcements so buddies show up just in time to clean up the
person who is hassling you.
Stack conditions at range with your shortbow and traps. If you can stay at range and never use your melee weapons,
so much the better. Hit Quickening Zephyr early in the fight to cause high burst damage and throw your enemy on
the defensive. Swap to your melee set and use the sword’s evasion attacks and the dagger’s cripples to get back to
range quickly if anyone gets close to you. Lightning Reflexes makes this mode of fighting even more enjoyable.
Rangers aren’t likely to score as many killing blows in WvW/PvP combat, but the conditions they stack on multiple
targets are frightening. Playing defensively gives the ranger the opportunity to choose the terrain for the fight and,
more importantly, force enemies to attack through choke-points. Have a Spike Trap at the choke-point, and start
raining arrows at them with Barrage (longbow) combined with Sharpening Stone or Poison Volley.
Always look for raised areas that give your ranger a nice vantage point. The more you see, the more you can attack! Many PvP maps have areas that cater to ranged casters and
archers. Hunt for these and mix up the ones you use while defending an area. That makes it harder for enemies to sneak up and ambush you.
If there are a lot of ranged damage dealers on your side, drop Healing Spring to keep your allies from suffering from as many conditions as your opponents. Redeploy traps as
needed and be ready to kite any enemies that manage to close the distance with you. While spirits have a lot of group utility, they are pretty soft and often die very quickly in
PvP. With the proper traits they can be less squishy, but there are far more potent skills to have in those slots.
243
thief
Thieves are an extremely mobile class of melee and
missile killers who use Stealth, hit-and-run tactics, and
other tricks to kill their enemies. Well versed in traps
and subtlety, these characters are best for players who
are able to plan ahead and use a bit more guile. Often
taken out quickly in a toe-to-toe duel, thieves are
forced to use a variety of conditions to give themselves
the unfair advantage!
This profession is recommended for the most active

players in the game. Thieves spend so much time in
motion that you rarely get a moment to stop and
think. If you thrive on challenging tactics and get
bored with simple characters, you’ll be overjoyed
with thieves.
244
Profession Stats Weapons and
Attribute
Power
Starting Stats
24
Naked at Level 80
2054
Weapon Skills
Thieves have an interesting weapon system for their skills. These aren’t entirely
Precision 24 1166
determined just by your selection of main hand and off hand weapons. You also get
Toughness 24 1771
a switch skill in the middle of your bar that is determined by the pairing of your two
Vitality 24 1571
weapons. Therefore, the third skill for most thief weapon combinations varies if you
Attack 156 2054 switch in varying off hand weapon types.
Armor 92 1771 Thieves have a good mix of short- and long-range weapons. You’re often well-off
with a selection of each, once you get past level seven and can swap between them
Health 245 17,355
during battle.
The stats listed above give you an idea of what to expect from your character. They
show thief progression through examples taken at the beginning and end of leveling.
245
Stealing Stealth Skills
Damage: Random All weapons have a special stealth skill when a thief wields them. Any time your
Effect: Varies character goes into stealth (from weapon attacks, healing, or utility skills), your
Cooldown: 45 Seconds number-one weapon skill changes into something new. These stealth skills are
available only until you attack or the duration of stealth finishes.
Stealth skills are often extremely powerful, so make the most of them. If you
particularly enjoy these skills, slot skills like Hide in Shadows, Shadow Trap, and so
forth, so your thief can use the attacks multiple times in the same fight.
STEALTH ATTACKS
Weapon Attack Name Effect
Very High Damage (even
Dagger Backstab
more from behind)
Shortbow Surprise Shot High Damage, Immobilize
Very High Damage,
Sword Tactical Strike
Blindness, Daze
Thieves have a special attack they can use with some frequency. Stealing causes Pistol Sneak Attack Very High Damage, Bleeding
your character to shadowstep to the target, making it possible to dart around the Harpoon Gun The Ripper Moderate Damage, Bleeding
battlefield with almost no delay when you really need to get somewhere. Though the Spear Deadly Strike
Very High Damage,
Weakness
attack has a long cooldown, it’s still usable every few fights.
Very High Damage,
Downed Venomous Knife
Bleeding, Poison
When you get to the target, your hero steals an ability from him. It’s easy to think
you’ll be grabbing his coin purse or something of that nature, so try to think of this
more as an attack of opportunity. You’re learning how to use a special attack when
you steal a random object from your target. Some of these attacks put conditions on
Sword (Main Hand Only)
your targets, while others are limited AoEs. You don’t know what you’re going to get Swords give thieves decent damage and plenty of mobility on the battlefield.
until the skill description pops up (after hitting Steal). They are extremely useful as anti-kiting weapons because of their crippling
autoattacks and cheap shadowsteps. Kill ranged enemies reliably with these
So, hit “F1” the first time to shadowstep and steal something from your victim, and exciting skills.
hit it again afterward to use the new skill. All of the new skills are one-time deals, so
you have to wait until the cooldown refreshes to get another one.
SLICE
Initiative Damage: High
All other thief weapon skills work on a special system. Other characters have Effect: Cripple
(2 Seconds) on
cooldowns as the limiting factor for their weapon attacks. Thieves don’t! They have Every Third Strike
12 points of Initiative that act as a resource for triggering your attack skills. You can Initiative Cost: N/A
frontload damage by This autoattack is a series of three
hitting your best skills swings. The first two deal basic
several times in a row. damage, and the third one is a heavier
attack that also slows your victim for a couple seconds. That’s more than enough
The downside to this is time to be well into your next trio of strikes, so enemies have to work hard to
escape. If they do, tap Infiltrator’s Strike to catch up and resume the beat session.
that thieves have a period
of lagging damage output
after they’ve expended
their initiative. You need INFILTRATOR’S STRIKE
to use slot skills wisely
Damage: High
to make up for this, and
Effect: Shadowstep to
to make every point of Target
initiative count well early Initiative Cost: 2/1
in the fight.
Use this attack to quickly close the
gap with your target. Your thief
Be careful with tapping blinks over to the victim and hacks at
keys carelessly. Thieves are him. If you hit the ability again, your
challenging to play; they character reverses course and appears back where he or she started. Both features
are useful in different ways. Strike and return if you want to hit and run, keeping
have attacks that are quite devastating, but you’ll be a sitting duck if you waste your your enemy off balance. Strike and stay with the target if you’re just trying to stick
initiative on non-optimal solutions to your problems. to a kiting or evading opponent.
Learn which attacks are best for single targets, AoEs, and longer fights. Use and abuse
whatever works best against your current enemy.
246
PROFESSIONS
FLANKING STRIKE DAGGER AS OFF HAND CLUSTER BOMB

Damage: Very High Damage: High
Effect: Evade Effect: Bleeding (x3)
(4 Seconds),
Initiative Cost: 4 Combo Finisher
Flanking Strike is a sword + dagger (Blast)
skill. It causes your thief to roll Initiative Cost: 3
around the target, evading any
forward-facing strikes during the Cluster Bomb fires an explosive shot
setup. When you’re in place, the thief that detonates if you hit the button
attacks twice. Total damage output is high, making this a powerful offensive and again while the attack is in the air. Failing that, the shot hits your victim and
defensive ability at the same time. Use it to prevent enemies from hitting your explodes. Everything nearby takes damage and starts losing health over time
thief with predictable attacks, especially if enemies plant their feet and don’t for the next few seconds. Get everyone in a group Bleeding and then switch to
turn around while they’re attacking. lighter attacks while the enemies start to drop.
PISTOL WHIP PISTOL AS OFF HAND DISABLING SHOT

Damage: Very High Damage: Moderate
Effect: Stun (1/4 Second) Effect: Leap Away,
Cripple
Initiative Cost: 5 (2 Seconds),
THIEF
Combo Finisher
Pistol Whip is available if you pair (Physical
your sword with a pistol. The attack Projectile)
takes a few moments to complete,
but it has decent damage and the Initiative Cost: 3
ability to Stun targets. This is yet Some enemies have the audacity to chase you. Disabling Shot is a kiting attack
another way for thieves to disrupt enemies. When they go on a major offensive or that slows your victims while your hero jumps away from them, getting more safe
charge for a big attack, Stun them. If they try to flee, revert to less expensive sword distance to continue the onslaught. Never use this for raw damage. It’s purely an
options to stay with them. You control the fight. escape maneuver.
STAB NO OFF HAND CHOSEN CHOKING GAS

Effect: N/A Effect: Poison
(5 Seconds),
Initiative Cost: 4 Combo Field
If you don’t have an offhand weapon, (Poison)
your sword gets a simple attack Initiative Cost: 4
with basic, direct damage. It’s quite
spammable for adequate damage. Choking Gas has no immediate
You have far more options with a damage, so it’s an awful ability to
pistol or dagger at your side, so this is more of a choice for characters that are just use late in a fight. Instead, hit this early on when fighting either a large group
starting out and don’t have good secondary weapons. or enemies that rely on healing to keep their health high. This attack is more
situational, so it’s not one you’d expect to use in smaller fights or against
simple monsters.
Shortbow (Two-Handed)
Shortbows offer a blend of damage and kiting potential for thieves. They lack
some of the evil disabling options that pistols have, but they deal very nice
INFILTRATOR’S ARROW
damage as long as you’re facing small groups of enemies instead of single targets. Damage: N/A
Fight enemies in groups of two or three to see these weapons at their best. Effect: Blindness
(5 Seconds)
Initiative Cost: 6
TRICK SHOT This is a group-friendly attack you
should use to mitigate enemy
Damage: Moderate damage. Your thief pops over to
(Per Target) targets, Blinds them, and protects
Effect: Can Strike herself and any allies from the next attack by those foes. Infiltrator’s Arrow is
Multiple Enemies, way too expensive to use in normal fights; save this for battles against veterans,
Combo Finisher champions, and other high damage output enemies.
(Physical
Projectile: 20%)
Initiative Cost: N/A
Trick Shot pegs single enemies for modest damage, but you’ll see why it’s a great
ability once you fight a few targets at once. Your attacks bounce in between
the opponents, damaging everything they hit. Use your initiative quickly to get
an edge in these fights, and then hit everyone time and time again while your
initiative regenerates. Run and dodge while doing this to make it even harder for
enemies to lock down your hero.
247
Dagger (Main or Off Hand) SHADOW SHOT PISTOL AS OFF HAND
Close-range damage and group slaughter are the ways of the dagger. These Damage: Very High
weapons are fun and can rake in the kills for any thief. Their big tradeoffs are a Effect: Blindness
(5 Seconds),
lack of range and defense. You aren’t always going to survive when you pull out Combo Finisher
the daggers, but you’re going to take almost everyone with you if you go down! (Physical
Projectile)
Mwahahaha!
Initiative Cost: 4
Shadow Shot has high burst damage
DOUBLE STRIKE MAIN HAND potential and mitigates enemy damage as you shadowstep toward targets. They’ll
miss their next attack, and you get to lay into them in the meantime. If you
stagger Shadow Shots, you can knock out three enemy attacks in a fairly short
Damage: High period, all the while doing enough damage to put serious fear into your victims.
Effect: Weakness
(3 Seconds),
Vulnerability

(3 Seconds)
TWISTING FANGS NO OFF HAND CHOSEN
Double Strike is a melee chain of hits Damage: Low
that drops your enemies’ defense and (High Over Time)
makes it hard for them to evade (the third hit from the combo applies Weakness). Effect: Bleeding
Use this between your attacks that cost initiative so your enemies suffer from (10 Seconds)
defensive penalties and have trouble getting their endurance back.
Initiative Cost: 4
Throw long-term Bleeding effects on
nearby enemies without investing
HEARTSEEKER MAIN HAND much time or initiative. The initial
damage output isn’t very good, but this is an awful attack to use late in the battle.
Start with it and let enemies Bleed while you build your initiative back.
Damage: Varies
(High to Scary!)
(Leap)
Initiative Cost: 3
DANCING DAGGER OFF HAND
Heartseeker is an inexpensive single- Damage: High
target attack that gets better and
Effect: Cripple
better as your enemy weakens. Used (5 Seconds),
early in a fight, it’s only decent and shouldn’t be used against most targets. There Combo Finisher
are better choices out there. Death Blossom is superior even against a single (Physical
target! However, Heartseeker comes into its own when enemies fall below 2/3 of Projectile)
their health. When they’re down to 1/3, it becomes so powerful that the enemy
Initiative Cost: 3
is just doomed.
Dual daggers don’t normally have
In groups, it’s highly viable to switch between targets in larger fights and cherry- that much range, even with Heartseeker’s leap. You need to have something in
pick the most injured opponents to burn down with Heartseeker. your arsenal to avoid being kited, and this is that attack. Dancing Dagger slows
enemies down and gives you time to catch up to them. Though it can hit multiple
enemies, you still do more AoE damage with Leaping Death Blossom. Save this for
anti-kiting duties or long-range attacks.
DEATH BLOSSOM DAGGER AS OFF HAND
Damage: Moderate
(High Over Time) CLOAK AND DAGGER OFF HAND
Effect: Evade, Bleeding
(x3)(10 Seconds), Damage: High
Combo Finisher Effect: Stealth
(Whirl) (3 Seconds),
Initiative Cost: 5 Vulnerability (x3)
(5 Seconds)
If you’re wielding dual daggers, this
Initiative Cost: 6
attack becomes available. It’s a godsend against almost anything you face. Leaping
over your opponents has a defensive benefit because it allows you to stay mobile Cloak and Dagger hits a single target
while attacking. The skill itself does adequate direct damage: hits everything fairly hard and then puts your thief
you’re close to, and slaps a Bleed on enemies, which seems to last for an eternity. into Stealth. Run around behind the target and nail him with your “1” attack. This
Use Death Blossom early in fights, especially if there are multiple opponents. transforms into a backstab that does a substantial amount of damage. Cloak and
By the time the Bleeding wears off, everyone is going to be dead or vulnerable Dagger helps for killing high-end enemies, like veterans and champions. It’s fun
to Heartseeker! against real players as well, though skilled opponents can mitigate some damage
by rolling away or trying to whirl around so they don’t eat the backstab as badly.
248
PROFESSIONS
THIEF
Pistol (Main or Off Hand)
Pistols don’t kill anything in record time, but they offer the death of a thousand
shots. You can put conditions on enemies, attack from range, keep your character
fairly safe, and laugh while victims die without getting to have any fun. Pistols are
best used when you have allies there to take advantage of your opponents. The
easy Vulnerability of Body Shot and the damage mitigation from offhand pistol
attacks are both excellent when you have a friend who knows how to deal real
damage. Another fun trick is to bring pistols into your main weapon setup and UNLOAD PISTOL AS OFF HAND
something especially deadly in your secondary setup. Weaken the enemies early
Damage: High
in the fight and then come out swinging with your high-damage gear later on.
Effect: Channeled,
Combo Finisher
(Physical
VITAL SHOT MAIN HAND Projectile: 20%
Chance)
Damage: Moderate Initiative Cost: 5
Effect: Bleed (4 Seconds), Unload is one of the few damage
Combo Finisher abilities in the main pistol lineup. Each shot it unleashes is rather weak, but the
(Physical skill’s fast-firing nature rakes in decent damage over the next few seconds. Though
Projectile: 20% the attack is channeled, you can keep moving while unloading on your target.
Chance) Kite away while your victim gets a face full of lead.
Stack a few gentle Bleeds on your
victims while kiting them around. Vital Shot won’t kill anyone quickly, but your
initiative is saved for attacks that make it hard to catch your thief! SHADOW STRIKE DAGGER AS OFF HAND
Damage: High
Effect: Shadowstep
BODY SHOT MAIN HAND Away from
Enemy
Damage: Moderate Initiative Cost: 4
Effect: Vulnerability If you’re not finished softening an
(x3)(8 Seconds), enemy at range, use Shadow Strike to
Combo Finisher hit him with a dagger attack and then
(Physical
Projectile) shadowstep back a fair distance. The pistol attack at the end of the animation is
where the big damage comes from. This is a useful kiting attack when you want to
Initiative Cost: 3 punish melee enemies for getting too close to your character.
Body Shot throws multiple stacks
of Vulnerability on your target, with enough duration to make it count. When
you’re in a group, this is a wonderful way to boost everyone’s damage against
a single dangerous opponent. While soloing, it’s a good attack to use before
tapping Unload.
249
REPEATER NO OFF HAND CHOSEN FLANKING STRIKE
Damage: Very High Damage: Very High
Effect: Physical Projectile Effect: Evade
(20% Chance) Initiative Cost: 3
Initiative Cost: 5
Your thief quickly darts to the side
Repeater is a single pistol version of and launches a powerful single strike
Unload. You fire a fair number of into your target. Use this to avoid
shots and do a decent amount of heavy attacks from underwater
damage. Unload is a lot more fun, so enemies or as a way to get a parting
bring another pistol as soon as you can if you’re into this type of skill. shot while beginning to flee from something.
HEAD SHOT OFF HAND NINETAILED STRIKE

Damage: Very Low Damage: High
Effect: Daze (1/4 Effect: Block,
Second), Combo Counterattack
Finisher (Physical
Projectile) Initiative Cost: 3
Initiative Cost: 4 This move puts your thief into
a defensive stance. If no enemy
This is another mitigation ability. attacks, you regain initiative after a
Head Shot stops single targets few seconds. Otherwise, you block
from using their attacks for a brief time. Interrupt charging opponents or those and counterattack the next enemy that tries to hit your character. The reprisal
channeling attacks of their own. Watch enemy animations carefully so you can is composed of many small strikes that add up to some serious damage. This
judge the optimal time to score a Head Shot. is your bread-and-butter damage attack with spears, so use it whenever the
cooldown expires.
BLACK POWDER OFF HAND

Damage: Low
TOW LINE
Effect: Blind, Combo Damage: Moderate
Field (Smoke), Effect: Cripple (3 Seconds),
Combo Finisher Pull
(Physical
Projectile) Initiative Cost: 4
Initiative Cost: 6 Tow Line lets you grab distant
Set up a field of smoke with this enemies, whether they’re kiting or
attack. You and your allies can see through the smoke without trouble, but just out of reach and you’re eager to
enemies are Blinded and have trouble landing attacks if they fight through the start the engagement. The immediate
smoke. Sow confusion and avoid enemy damage with Black damage isn’t high for the attack, so it’s better to save unless you need to close the
gap with the target. The Crippling effect makes it easier to keep up with ranged
enemies trying to avoid you, so save your initiative for multiple Tow Lines if you
simply can’t stop your opponent from getting away normally.
Spear (Two-Handed)
Spears are short-range high-damage weapons in the hands of a thief. Though
weak for AoE fighting, they’re quite good at taking down single targets. Your SHADOW ASSAULT
thief can hit individual enemies quite hard and usually throw a condition on
them to push the fight even more in your favor. Damage: High
Effect: Evade
Initiative Cost: 5
STAB Shadow Assault is another attack for
pure damage. Use it if Nine Tailed
Damage: High Strike is on cooldown and you’re tired
Effect: Poison of basic Stab attacks.
(3 Seconds)
The spear autoattack is a trio of short-
range blows that eventually lead to a
Poison effect. Your damage output is
strong with the series, so it isn’t hard
to take down light targets, even if you’re out of initiative.
250
PROFESSIONS
Harpoon Gun (Two-Handed) DISABLING SHOT

Harpoon guns are long-range underwater weapons. They’re an excellent choice Damage: High
for thieves because of their kiting potential, mobility, and decent direct damage. Effect: Cripple
(5 Seconds),
Kiting weapons normally trade a fair amount of their killing potential for the Combo Finisher
ability to stay at range, but harpoon guns do pretty well with their trade. Spears (Physical
Projectile)
are much riskier to wield, so if you prefer survival, these guns are the way to go.
Initiative Cost: 4
Carry a set with each weapon so you can kite enemies with the harpoon gun Disabling Shot lets you keep up the
kiting for as long as possible. If you’re dealing with a fast target or one that can
and switch to spears when you need maximum single-target damage or don’t
shadowstep or charge into your character, hit him with Disabling Shot to slow
have room to maneuver. him down and give your thief time to flee.
PIERCING SHOT
INK SHOT
Damage: Low (Moderate
Over Time) Damage: High
Effect: Bleed (2 Seconds), Effect: Blind (3 Seconds)
Combo Finisher
(Physical Initiative Cost: 5
Projectile)
THIEF
This linear attack blinds everything
Initiative Cost: N/A in its way and then shadowsteps
Piercing Shot blows through enemies you over toward the target after
in a line, giving it basic AoE potential if your enemies are clumped together. Let several seconds. Use Blind to mitigate
the Bleeding and direct damage add up after you’ve used your initiative on other damage against especially deadly
attacks. This makes for great filler in between. targets underwater. Alternatively, the shadowstep is nice if you want to switch to
melee spear attacks. Blink over to the enemy, swap weapons, and then it’s time to
Remember to stay mobile and back away from enemies. Harpoon guns kill well lay into your victim. Combine Ink Shot and Disabling Shot for a one-two punch
over time, and you benefit heavily from exploiting your range underwater. Many of this type. You Blind the foe, slow him, and blink over with your heavier weapon
enemies won’t be able to hit back until they’re in melee range. ready to go.
DELUGE Downed Skills

Damage: High On the Ground
Effect: Combo Finisher Thieves do more damage while downed than many professions. Use Venomous
(Physical
Projectile: 20% Knife and Trail of Knives to hurt your enemies, and then hit Smoke Bomb and
Chance) Bandage immediately afterward to get some health back. Repeat the process if
Initiative Cost: 5 you can’t kill your first target or heal, and hope for the best.
Fires a series of spears that do a
decent amount of burst damage. Use
this as a way to bring targets down quickly. Hit it when enemies are close to you
and are low on health.
TRAIL OF KNIVES
Damage: High
Effect: Cripple (1 Second)
ESCAPE Cooldown: 5 Seconds

Trail of Knives strikes nearby enemies
Damage: High for decent damage. Use this for
baseline damage against single or
Effect: Poison
(1 Second), multiple targets, especially if you’re
Combo Finisher trying to slow down enemies to keep
(Physical them from getting anywhere quickly.
Projectile)
Initiative Cost: 4
Escape causes your thief to swim
backward, away from the target. A poison trail is left in the wake of the shot, so SHADOW ESCAPE
the enemy is forced to eat additional damage over time if he beelines toward
you. Only human players avoid this, so AI-controlled enemies get hurt pretty Damage: None
badly. Even most humans won’t think to avoid it, and if they do it takes longer Effect: Teleport
for them to catch your thief. It’s a win-win situation.
This move teleports your thief, so
enemies have to find you again to
resume their attack. Use Shadow
Escape to buy time, hit the targets
with Trail of Knives to slow their
approach, and then drop a Smoke Bomb as soon as it’s available to gain stealth
(and access to Venomous Knife, a deadly stealth attack).
251
SMOKE BOMB VANISH IN THE DEEP
Effect: Stealth (2 Seconds) Effect: Stealth (2 Seconds)
Smoke Bomb buys your thief a few Use this move to hide from your
moments of peace. Enemies won’t be enemies for a couple seconds. Use
able to find you. Use Smoke Bomb Cheap Shot to get them away from
just before tapping Bandage so you your thief, use Vanish in the Deep to
get some extra health before enemies hide, and tap Bandage to get as much
figure out what’s going on. health as you can.
BANDAGE BANDAGE
Effect: Self Heal Effect: Self Heal
Use this to heal yourself if there Bandage yourself underwater
aren’t any enemies going after your just as you would above ground.
thief. It allows you to recover fairly Adventurers always have some handy
quickly. If you’re attacked, the effect waterproof bandages for exactly that
ends and you have to fight for your type of situation!
life once more.
Underwater Slot Skills

When drowning, you only have Diving Knife for any serious damage. Stab Healing
targets again and again, and use Cheap Shot to chase them off from time to
Thief healing is primarily about defensive options within the context of a
time. When all of your abilities are ready, try to hide and heal as best you can.
healing skill. The two favored skills for more challenging encounters give
options for either fast evasion or Stealth, and both of them let you heal your
DIVING KNIFE character while avoiding additional damage. Use these skills actively and time
them well so you recover while getting away from the nastiest trouble.
Damage: Low
Effect: Bleed (6 Seconds)
Cooldown: N/A HIDE IN SHADOWS
This simple attack stabs at your
Effect: Regeneration
enemy. Use it again and again to deal (4 Seconds), Stealth
damage while the cooldowns for (3 Seconds)
the other skills are turning. Alternate
between Diving Knife and Cheap Shot Cooldown: 30 Seconds
to last as long as possible. Hide in Shadows is an aggressive
healing ability. The Regeneration over
time is nice, and will help to keep your
thief topped off on health, but that’s
CHEAP SHOT not the only reason you would take this skill. It also puts your thief into Stealth,
making it possible to unleash surprise attacks that do major damage. If you think
the best defense is a good offensive, then Hide in Shadows is your type of skill.
Damage: Low
Effect: Knockback
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
Cheap Shot does less damage than WITHDRAW
a stab from your Diving Knife, but
it throws the target back from Effect: Backward Roll, Evade,
your character. Use this to reduce Self-Heal
incoming damage from melee Cooldown: 15 Seconds
enemies while you’re trying to rally.
Withdraw is a fast-acting healing skill
that gets you out of trouble in the
blink of an eye. The backward roll
gives you an extra chance to evade
when your Endurance is low, and the
cooldown is so short that the skill can be used pretty much every time you fight
something. This is excellent in small-scale PvP encounters. It’s also wonderful
when soloing because it can be used so often for health and defense.
When your thief withdraws, any Immobilize, Chill, or Cripple effects on your hero
are removed. This is a wonderful survivor’s healing skill.
252
PROFESSIONS
SIGNET OF MALICE SIGNET OF AGILITY

Effect: Passively Grants Effect: Passively Raises Your
Health During Your Chance to Critically
Attacks, Used to Hit, Used to Grant
Actively Gain Health Endurance and
Remove Conditions
Cooldown: 20 Seconds from Yourself and
Signet of Malice is an easier healing Allies
skill to use, compared to Withdraw Cooldown: 30 Seconds
and Hide in Shadows. The other
options have more versatility (Stealth and condition removal). However, Signet The passive part of this signet adds
of Malice isn’t situational in any way. The health you get over time from fighting roughly 2% to your critical hit chance. That’s not a ton of extra damage, but it’s
is modest, but it adds up. The active healing is perfectly adequate. If you’re still active all the time and you won’t have to worry about when to use it. It’s most
getting used to the other two skills and want something very basic, Signet of useful when you’re tearing through tons of lighter enemies and don’t want to be
Malice is great. Due to its defensive limitations, it’s rarely a good choice for PvP. bothered with more specific attacks.
The active use of Signet of Agility is far more interesting. The endurance boon it
Utility provides to your party makes this an extremely viable PvP or “boss fight” ability.
Any time your group is running low on endurance, hit Signet of Agility to buy
everyone a bit more dodging time.
Thief utility skills are quite offensive in nature. They’re usually going to hit
enemies with conditions or damage, and they help you control your fights. You
won’t get to bring along pets or buff your group well, but the traps, poisons,
ASSASSIN SIGNET
THIEF
and maneuvers here are quite deadly.
Effect: Passively Raises

TIER 1 Power, Used to Deal
More Damage for a
Single Attack
SPIDER VENOM Cooldown: 45 Seconds
Assassin Signet adds a trivial amount
Effect: Poison (6 Seconds) of base damage. It’s almost always
Cooldown: 45 Seconds taken for its active ability; this preps
your thief to do as much damage as possible on the next strike. Tap this before
Spider Venom poisons your thief’s backstabbing an opponent and watch your numbers for some new records.
weapons for the next 45 seconds.
Until you’ve struck enemies five
times, this poison persists. Anything
hit by those early attacks suffers from
this condition and takes damage SHADOWSTEP
over time while losing some healing potential. This is a magnificent PvP ability for
burning down your opponents. Effect: Break Stun,
Shadowstep, Remove
Conditions
TRIPWIRE At first, you would think that
Shadowstep is a poor man’s
Effect: Knockdown Infiltrator’s Signet. The long cooldown
(3 Seconds) and lack of secondary powers seem
Cooldown: 30 Seconds like a big deal, but wait a second before you judge this. First, Shadowstep does
have a secondary power (it breaks Stun, saving your butt when fighting other
Tripwire sets up a trap that knocks players or especially deadly veterans/champions). Beyond that, the shadowstep
down foes after it’s triggered. from this skill is different than the one you get with Infiltrator’s Signet. That skill
Knockdowns are worth their weight lets you jump to an enemy. Shadowstep lets you go to a target enemy OR area.
in gold because they disable enemies’ It’s a free blink to wherever you want to go. That makes this useful for fighting,
movement and attacks for their full fleeing, or running through the wilderness.
duration. Use Tripwire to limit enemy damage for a short time, buy yourself a
chance to escape, or as a way to protect allies from monsters chasing them. And after all that, you can use the ability again to return to your starting position
and drop three conditions off of your hero. Shadowstep is a PvP gift to thieves.
253
SCORPION WIRE NEEDLE TRAP
Effect: Moderate Damage, Effect: Light Damage,
Combo Finisher Poison (15 Seconds),
(Physical Projectile) Immobilize
(5 Seconds)
Control the field to win the day. This
skill keeps people from kiting your Needle Trap is extremely powerful.
thief. Use it as a sword or dagger When you place the trap, it creates a
fighter to ensure enemies always play line on both sides of your character.
by your rules. Pull them, slow the targets down, and waste the fools. When crossed, the trap damages, Poisons, and Immobilizes your opponent. Kiting
characters get so much out of this because they can drop the trap while fleeing
and let enemies race right over it.
CALTROPS
Effect: Bleed (2 Seconds), SHADOW TRAP
Cripple (2 Seconds),
Duration Effect: Stealth (5 Seconds),
(14 Seconds) Shadowstep
This skill creates a field of Caltrops Shadow Trap is interesting—it doesn’t
that slow down anything that gets function the way most traps do.
too close to your thief. The damage You’re not trying to damage or put
from these Caltrops isn’t much, so use this as a disabling attack while kiting conditions on your enemy. Instead,
enemies, stopping runners, or fleeing from battle. you’re giving yourself a chance to
ambush the victim. When triggered, the trap pulls your thief back to your victim’s
location and throws you into Stealth. It’s backstab time! Ideal for PvP use when
you’re guarding a location and want to start a fight entirely in your favor. Lay the
TIER 2 trap at a chokepoint when enemies are approaching, and slam them when they
step inside.
SKALE VENOM
Effect: Vulnerability
(5 Seconds),
INFILTRATOR’S SIGNET
Weakness (5 Seconds)
Effect: Break Stun,
Cooldown: 45 Seconds Improves Initiative
Skale Venom poisons your thief’s Regeneration, Used
weapons for 45 seconds. The next to Shadowstep to
Your Foe
few attacks throw Vulnerability and
Weakness on targets, making it harder Cooldown: 30 Seconds
for the enemies to dodge, and increasing the damage they take. Skale Venom is a Melee thieves get quite a bit from this
general-purpose skill. It’s good whether you’re fighting monsters or other players. signet. The Initiative Regeneration,
though minor, is still a godsend.
Almost everything you do requires initiative, so raising that is almost a direct
damage boon. Then, the shadowstep ability lets you catch up to distant or fleeing
ICE DRAKE VENOM enemies without delay. This helps you kill ranged enemies much more easily.
Pop over to them, use attacks that Cripple/Chill them, and the rest is history.
Effect: Chill (6 Seconds)
Ice Drake Venom, like all thief poisons,
lasts for 45 seconds. The next few
HASTE
attacks your thief makes during this
Effect: Break Stun,
time will affect targets by slamming Quickness
them with Chill. The enemies won’t (6 Seconds)
move as quickly, and their recharge
times are increased. This is a wonderful skill to use when kiting powerful enemies, Cooldown: 60 Seconds
such as veterans and champions. It’s good against anything, really. The lack of Haste turns a fight around when
direct damage influence says nothing because this skill lets your character control you’re in trouble. For a short time,
the fight. Take this as a massive defensive option. your character can lay on the damage
with blinding speed. The output
of your character roughly doubles for 6 seconds, so use your best and most
immediately damaging attacks during this time. Make sure your initiative is high
before starting Haste so you can throw down whatever you like.
The downside of Haste is that the ability drains your endurance and prevents it
from regenerating until the effect runs out. Before you activate Haste, make sure
you won’t need evasive dodging. And, if something goes wrong, use weapon
abilities with built-in evasive aspects to get out of trouble.
254
PROFESSIONS
BLINDING POWDER ROLL FOR INITIATIVE

Effect: Blind (5 Seconds), Effect: Evade, Regenerate
Stealth (3 Seconds) Initiative, Remove
Stun, Remove
Cooldown: 60 Seconds Cripple, Remove
This mitigation ability disrupts Chill, Remove
enemies by causing all foes nearby to Immobilize
miss their next attack. Meanwhile, Cooldown: 60 Seconds
you and your allies are Stealthed, so
Except for having a slow cooldown,
everyone can avoid a little additional
this is a godly skill. Use it defensively
damage while they reposition, flee, or reengage. Use Blinding Powder during a
to avoid major attacks when a simple dodge wouldn’t get you far away quickly
major rush of incoming opponents. Many players and monsters use some of
enough. Use it offensively to get back a huge amount of initiative. Or, tap it to
their best attacks in the first few seconds, and Blinding Powder can trivialize this
ditch conditions that are slowing your character. With great timing, you can get
sudden burst of damage.
two or even all three of these benefits from the same roll! Rush in, use your best
attacks, let the enemy do whatever he’s doing, and then Roll for Initiative as soon
as the foe readies a major attack. You get to evade it and come back swinging.
TIER 3
DEVOURER VENOM SMOKE SCREEN

Effect: Immobilize Effect: Blind (1 Second),
THIEF
(3 Seconds) Combo Field
(Smoke), Duration
Your thief’s weapons are poisoned Cooldown: 30 seconds
for 45 seconds. The next two attacks
Immobilize the target for a few Smoke Screen obscures the area,
seconds. Similar to Ice Drake Venom, causes enemies to miss while they’re
this gives you a way to control inside it, and blocks projectiles that
encounters. It’s weak against general monsters in PvE, but powerful against come through. Stand inside or just behind the screen to mitigate enemy damage
veterans, champions, and human players that rely on melee attacks. from a variety of sources. Used in a group, this buys more time for allies to heal
and it forces enemies toward your group instead of letting them stay at range.
AMBUSH SHADOW REFUGE

Effect: Summon Ally
(20 Seconds) Effect: Area-of-Effect
Healing and Stealth
Field (Dark)
Ambush sets a trap that creates a
short-duration pet for your thief Cooldown: 60 Seconds
once triggered. You get 20 seconds Shadow Refuge heals your thief and
of increased damage output, and any nearby allies. During this time,
the distraction caused by having a it Stealths the party and causes
new ally appear in the fight. This is compounded if you follow with an ability that monsters to lose interest in the fight. Use Shadow Refuge to give the group time
grants Stealth, letting you backstab, flee, or do whatever you want while your to rally fallen members and get a little healing.
opponent focuses on the new threat.
SIGNET OF SHADOWS
Effect: Passively Increases
Movement by 25%,
Blind (5 Seconds)
Slot this skill every time you’re
exploring or hunting for resources.
That 25% movement boon is great,
and you’ll learn to love it very quickly.
In battle, the AoE Blind gives you five seconds to escape from pretty much
anything. Use this to disable dangerous targets, or as a way to flee from unwanted
encounters. That’s yet another way to get around the wilderness quickly and with
less hassle!
255
Elite Traits
Thief elites don’t have a central theme; they’re good for a variety of situations. Deadly Arts (Raises Power and
Take a look at what’s available, and choose the one that sounds like it
accentuates your playstyle the most. Save up points later for additional elites so
Condition Duration)
you aren’t a one-trick character.
REWARDS
TIER 1 Points Invested Ability Gained
5 Stealing applies Poison (10 seconds)
THIEVES GUILD 15 Weaken targets when you Poison them (3 seconds)

25 Deal extra damage (10%) if your target has any conditions
Effect: Summon Thieves (x2)
Two other thieves join your party
for long enough to help out
with a few short fights or one
extended encounter. These allies
do considerable damage and use
common thief attacks to disable
enemies. The total damage output from Thieves Guild is quite high, and it’s a
great choice if you don’t know specifically what type of fight you’re going to have
next. This is a perfect starter elite for that very reason.
BASILISK VENOM
Effect: Turn Enemy to Stone
Cooldown: 45 Seconds SKILL OPTIONS (GAINED EVERY 10 POINTS)
Though initially Basilisk Venom seems ADEPT TIER
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encounters, and then switch to Thieves Guild for boss fights. Basilisk Venom’s
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your thief while hurting them with
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enemies repeatedly over several seconds, it’s a good skill.
256
PROFESSIONS
Critical Strikes (Precision and Critical Damage)

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Shadow Arts (Raises Toughness and Healing)

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3 seconds.
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all nearby allies.
257
Acrobatics (Raises Vitality and Boon Duration)
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Launched, Pushed, Sunk, or Stunned.
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Trickery (Raises Condition Damage and Steal Recharge Rate)

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Thieves in PvE
Thieves are a profession that’s all about skill—and we don’t just mean the skills you learn or select. Thieves are a class
that focuses on skilled use of your character. This is one of the worst choices for players who want to pull up to a
monster, sit still, and fight it out. Thieves have weak armor, but even worse is the fact that their skills don’t give them
much additional mitigation without doing active things.
You have to be able to dodge and time evasive attacks properly to get the most out of this profession. They’re just
amazing once you master these mobile fighting techniques. It’s so much fun to play thieves because the fights are
dynamic. You’re always moving, shifting, and planning. Players who get bored easily should strongly consider thief as
their primary profession. To steal a phrase, if you get bored while playing a thief, “You’re doing it wrong.”
258
PROFESSIONS
How do people excel in PvE with these characters? First off, make sure to get either
two pistols or a shortbow as soon as you can. These ranged beauties are going to Thieves in PvP
be part of your rotation by level seven at the latest. Though lower on damage than
Thieves are masters of the PvP environment. Their traps and venoms are frequently
daggers or sword skills, ranged combat is a vital part of thieves’ language of death.
effective against opponents. You get to start fights when and where you want (due to
You can’t survive easily in
Stealth and the nature of traps). Through high mobility you can guard areas well and
prolonged fights without
push forward toward new targets at high speed. Avoid fights that aren’t in your favor,
some fun kiting.
and always strike when enemies look the most vulnerable.
An absolutely classic
Guild Wars 2 doesn’t
thief combo is double
let you have the crutch
daggers in one slot and
of permanent Stealth.
a shortbow in the other.
That’s a good thing, in
Draw enemies out with
a way, because it means
the bow, pound them while backpedaling to get even more damage against the foes
that other areas of the
before they can hit back, and then swap to daggers for the mincing action.
profession don’t need
to be nerfed to make
Don’t assume that power is your only route to deal damage. Thieves want a very high
up for such a ludicrous
critical rate AND condition damage. You have access to plenty of Poison and Bleeding
advantage. You can’t hide forever, but you won’t need to. Race through areas,
effects, and it’s reckless to ignore that.
shadowstep to weak targets, or use evasive maneuvers to get away from people
THIEF
For most fights, you should lead with Bleeding or Poison attacks and let the direct you can’t afford to fight. Let mobility serve the same function as Stealth would in
damage follow. Many thief weapons have area-of-effect options here and there, so other games.
learn what these are. If you’re facing multiple opponents, make sure to hit them with
If you’re on defense, load up on slot skills that let you draw out the encounters. Bring
condition damage to make the most use of these damage over time attacks while
a ranged weapon, such as double pistols, and make the fights last for an eternity.
killing your first victim. Death Blossom is a splendid example of this. This dual dagger
Kite enemies, Shadowstep away from them if you get Stunned, and use Stealth and
attack lets you hit everything nearby, Bleed them all, and jump back for a whole
barriers that break line of sight to constantly force enemies to chase you without
second round of pain.
getting anything done. This gives your allies time to swing by and mop up the
attackers you’re kiting.
On offense, switch to direct damage and lock down enemies with Immobilizing
effects of your own. Steal to get close to them, and then unload your slot skills to do
as much burst damage as possible while your foe is kept close.
It’s harder to backstab real players, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Practice
rushing behind people when you’re Stealthed. Assassin Signet, a high critical hit rate,
and backstab make for
scary burst damage.
And always rely on

initiative for that sudden
jolt of power. Other
Make the most of your mobility skills. Look at how many thieves have! Stealing is one, professions can’t use
and that’s available no matter what configuration you’re using. There are shadowsteps their best ability again
all over the place and free evades, and even healing skills usually give you either Stealth and again. They need to
or a nice dodge. Harp on this advantage. Always try to get to an enemy’s sides or rear. wait for their cooldown. Figure out what you need the most and use it three or four
That’s where you want to attack, even if you don’t specialize in flanking damage. times in a row, relentlessly.
Also, remember to finish off weakened enemies. Several prominent thief skills and
traits focus on doing the worst things to injured enemies (e.g., Heartseeker, with
double daggers). Don’t be shy about jumping in on other people’s fights to cherry-
pick their victims. You’re not stealing their glory; you’re freeing them to attack even
more targets.
Remember to hit Stability when you attack downed PvPers. That prevents their
buddies from interrupting you while you slice down their friends.
259
warrior
Warriors are frontline combatants with heavy armor,
high health, and a general focus on melee combat
(though they’re good with ranged weapons when they
need to be). Armed with a shield, these characters can
take the fight to some of the strongest enemies while
suffering less damage, thanks to Stuns, blocking, and
their already substantial fortitude. When it’s time to
dish out the damage, these heroes dual wield or break
out the two-handed weapons to obliterate anything
that gets in their way!
Warriors often provide group utility with shouts

and banners that raise allies’ stats. You aren’t just a
damage dealer or a tank; you possess many ways to
aid comrades by raising their damage output, helping
them avoid crowd-control abilities, or by reviving them
when they fall.
260
You’re most likely to enjoy this profession if you like melee combat, weapon variety, physical attacks (as opposed to magical), or using brute force. Because damage, mitigation,
and group support are all available, there’s something for everyone as long as you enjoy the preceding styles of play.
Profession Stats The preceding sample stats give you an idea of what to expect from your character.
They show warrior progression through examples taken at the beginning and end of
leveling. Your actual stats will likely vary from this.
Power 24 1276
Precision 24 1246
Toughness 24 916
Vitality 24 916
Attack 158 1276
Armor 106 916
Health 268 18,372
Weapons and
Weapon Skills
Warriors can use a massive lineup of weaponry. Like many professions, they can
equip two sets of weapons at any time and switch between them even during
battle. A standard grouping might facilitate a damage mode and a mitigation mode
(e.g. Axe/Axe and Mace/Shield). This allows warriors to fight aggressively in most
situations but still have the option to tank up quickly and defend themselves if
deadlier opponents emerge.
261
Sword (Main Hand) Sword (Off Hand)
Swords focus on damage over time and high consistency. They don’t burst very
well, but their total damage output gets fairly high once you nail the target IMPALE
with enough Bleed effects. It’s easier to keep up with mobile targets when you
use swords; they offer a thrown option, a Cripple effect to slow targets, and an Damage: Moderate
attack that closes the gap between you and your victim. Effect: Bleeding (x4)
(12 Seconds), Combo
Finisher (Physical
Projectile)
FLURRY BURST ATTACK Cooldown: 20 Seconds
Damage: High Impale is a ranged attack that stacks
damage over time on your enemy.
Effect: Bleeding (x8) Use Impale when enemies take the initiative and try to charge you. Or, use it
(2 Seconds),
Immobilize when Savage Leap is still cooling down, allowing you to still get damage on a
(2-4 Seconds) target before closing to melee range. Impale is a great fight opener, especially
against enemies that don’t have the ranged abilities to hit back. Impale, Savage
Cooldown: 10 Seconds Leap, and then go into your normal routine.
Build adrenaline while wielding a
sword so you can access this burst This skill also has a secondary attack. Once it’s used, Impale toggles into
attack. Flurry takes a moment to wind up when you hit it, but then it unleashes another ability so your hero can rip the sword out of your victim. Do this for
a number of brutal hits on your target. These attacks pin victims in place and let even more damage!
you smash them to pieces. As with so many sword attacks, Flurry is a wonderful
counter to mobile/kiting enemies.
RIPOSTE
SEVER ARTERY Damage: Moderate
Effect: Block, Bleeding (x4)
Damage: High (12 Seconds)
Effect: Bleed (8 Seconds) Cooldown: 15 Seconds
Cooldown: None Riposte gives you a way to mitigate
The basic sword attack starts the one enemy attack by blocking it
damage-over-time train rolling. It and then turning the blow around
stacks a Bleed effect on your enemy on your enemy. You avoid the
and deals respectable damage. The damage from the next attack and then land a Bleeding effect on your target for
autoattack is actually a series of blows, 12 seconds. Use this when enemies look like they’re winding up for an especially
with its Bleed effects on the first two strikes, and a major damage boost on the heavy part of their damage routine. Turn that risk into an opportunity!
final attack.
Riposte is also a toggle skill. Its second version gives your hero adrenaline if no
enemies are attacking and you want to prepare for the next part of your battle.
SAVAGE LEAP
Hammer (Two-Handed)
Damage: High
Two-handed hammers provide high damage and the ability to engage groups
Effect: Lunge, Combo
Finisher (Leap) of enemies while knocking specific targets around, keeping them off their feet.
Cooldown: 8 Seconds Hammers aren’t quite as deadly as greatswords, but they offer more mitigation
Savage Leap combines decent through their knockbacks and knockdowns.
damage with fun utility. Your hero
leaps across the screen, either
jumping forward (if nothing is
selected) or toward your target if you have one. Use this to close the gap with
EARTHSHAKER BURST ATTACK
enemies that are trying to keep away from you. Or, simply use it to travel quickly Damage: High
and get where you’re going even sooner.
Effect: Lunge, Stun (1-2
Seconds), Combo
Finisher (Blast)
HAMSTRING Cooldown: 15 Seconds

Use your adrenaline to activate
Damage: High this burst attack while you wield a
hammer. Earthshaker is a ground-
Effect: Cripple (7 Seconds) targeted AoE, and it hits everything in the affected area for serious damage. The
Cooldown: 15 Seconds fact that it also Stuns enemies is icing on the cake. Use this to close gaps, disable
dangerous targets, or for the raw damage output. If it’s easy to group your current
Savage Leap lets you get to your
enemies together, maneuver them into a single area and then slam the entire
enemies, and Hamstring allows a
group all at once. By the time they recover, the odds will be heavily in your favor.
sword user to keep up with them.
Slam evasive foes with this attack to
slow them down and make it harder
for them to escape. You can use Hamstring to obliterate opponents that try to
kite or flee.
262
PROFESSIONS
HAMMER SWING BACKBREAKER

Effect: N/A Effect: Knockdown
(2 Seconds)
Cooldown: None
Hammer Swing is a series of weapon
attacks that puts some damage on Because Backbreaker has such a long
any enemies close to your character. cooldown, you don’t want to bring
This doesn’t have any secondary out this skill until you can get the
benefits, so it’s more of a filler most out of it. The attack disables
attack when you don’t have anything more effective to do. That’s fine, because your enemy for a couple seconds, so it’s a great way to interrupt targets when
most hammer attacks have a rather long cooldown, so you need something in they’re charging for powerful attacks or using burst/elite skills.
between for taking out surviving enemies. The third swing in the trio has an area
of effect that surrounds your character, making it possible to hit anything (and
everything) nearby.
Longbow (Two-Handed)
Longbows give warriors a chance to do damage to multiple targets at range.
FIERCE BLOW They’re quite different from rifles, which focus on single-target disruption
and damage. You can inflict much more damage with melee weapons as a
Damage: Very High warrior, but your survivability is higher when you stay at range. Use longbows
Effect: Weakness to weaken groups of enemies that stay close together. If they rush you, switch
WA R R I O R
(8 Seconds) into a melee configuration and chew them up. If they don’t, exploit their lack of
Cooldown: 12 Seconds range by kiting the victims to your heart’s content.
Fierce Blow is a great way to stop
targets from rolling away from your
character or generally evading your
attacks. Weakness reduces endurance
COMBUSTIVE SHOT BURST ATTACK
regeneration. Use Fierce Blow when an enemy dodges in PvP (so their endurance
Damage: High
comes back slowly). Against all targets, this is also a good way to reduce damage
against your warrior. Effect: Burning (2 Seconds),
Combo Field (Fire),
HAMMER SHOCK Combustive Shot is the longbow
adrenaline ability. It doesn’t spike for
Damage: High very much damage, but the damage
over time is fairly good. Enemies are engulfed in fire over a designated blast area. If
Effect: Cripple (7 Seconds)
you catch several opponents in it, you’ll be quite happy with the results. Use this
Cooldown: 12 Seconds against targets that aren’t moving much. Groups rushing a chokepoint in PvP or
Hammer Shock is a decent area-of- clustered enemies make wonderful victims.
effect attack for targets in front of
your character. Victims are hit for
moderate damage and can’t flee
effectively for 7 seconds. Use Hammer
Shock for its raw damage in normal fights with multiple targets. Even better, work
DUAL SHOT
in conjunction with another area-of-effect attacker. Get the enemies grouped Damage: Moderate
together, hit them with Hammer Shock, and time it so your ally starts using his or
her best AoE at the same time. The enemies can try to flee, but it’ll be harder for Effect: N/A
them to escape. Cooldown: None
Dual Shot fires two arrows into your
target. There aren’t any side benefits,
STAGGERING BLOW and the overall damage isn’t enough

to kill targets quickly. Use this while
you’re on the move to kite enemies
Damage: Very High and deal some damage without letting the targets get to you!
Effect: Knockback, Combo
Finisher (Whirl)
Staggering Blow causes a mild
FAN OF FIRE
knockback while dealing heavy
Damage: Low
damage to anything that’s close to
your hero. Use this to disrupt enemies Effect: Burning (2 Seconds)
that are lining up major attacks of their own, or just to slow down incoming Cooldown: 8 Seconds
damage from clusters of melee attackers. You get to beat on foes, but they have
to close with your character a second time while your cooldowns are already Fan of Fire sets targets alight in
progressing nicely. a forward arc. The damage isn’t
wonderful, but like all longbow skills,
you can use it on the move. Circle
around your opponents and stack
DOTs on them with this and Incendiary Shot. The longer the fight, the more it
plays to your advantage!
263
ARCING ARROW CHOP
Damage: Very High Damage: High
Effect: Combo Finisher Effect: N/A
(Blast)
Cooldown: None
This basic attack hurts enemies at
Arcing Arrow takes a moment to close range. For an autoattack, Chop
activate because you have to select is pretty good at doing damage.
the target area. That’s fine, because It’s also part of a trio that builds
this skill is worth the extra effort; adrenaline very quickly. Use this
it’s one of your only heavy-hitting attacks with a longbow. Use this as often as autoattack so your hero can unleash burst skills as often as possible.
possible, even against single targets!
SMOLDERING ARROW
Damage: Low
Smoldering Arrow is a damage-
mitigation ability. Though its damage
is low, you can use it to disable a small
group of enemies for a short time.
Wait until you expect a group to
attack your party with a burst of melee or range skills, and use Smoldering Arrow
to make them miss for a full round.
PIN DOWN
Damage: Moderate
Effect: Immobilize
(3 Seconds), Combo
Finisher (Physical
Projectile)
Save this attack for times when you’re
kiting enemies. Pin Down stops the
target from following you, providing several seconds to get more range or flee to
safety. It’s weaker as a damaging attack, so avoid using it unless you’re stopping
foes in their tracks.
Axe (Main Hand)

Axes are not subtle weapons. You use them to hurt people (or to chop down
trees, if that’s your thing). If you want spiky damage to overpower adversaries’
healing abilities, these are the right tools for the job. A pure DPS warrior can
carry a two-handed weapon and an axe set, putting them at their best with
group and single-target encounters. Offhanded axes are especially lethal. They
don’t have many secondary effects, but their damage output is frightening.
EVISCERATE BURST ATTACK

Damage: Very High
(Leap)
Eviscerate is an adrenaline attack that
closes with your enemies and hits
them for massive damage. It looks
cool, it wastes your hapless victims,
and the damage is incredibly spiky. Save up for a full-adrenaline attack to get the
most out of this; use it to take out someone in PvP or to keep pushing major
damage against single monsters. Note that the leap from this attack isn’t very
impressive, so don’t try to hit someone from long range.
264
PROFESSIONS
CYCLONE AXE
Greatsword (Two-Handed)
Damage: High
Greatswords are the easy choice for area-of-effect damage in a wide variety
(8 Seconds), Combo of situations. It’s easy to get close to your enemies and then pound them
Finisher (Whirl) with autoattacks that cover a huge arc and special attacks that are even more
Cooldown: 6 Seconds punishing. You won’t find many ways to damage enemies over time or disable
Cyclone Axe’s short cooldown, decent them; these weapons are all about basic killing power.
damage, and ability to weaken enemy
defenses make it a staple in any
rotation. Don’t wait to use this ability unless you’re lining up a major AoE attack.
It’s often best to use Cyclone Axe as soon as it’s available so you can keep your
ARCING SLICE BURST ATTACK
enemy’s defense on its heels.
Damage: Very High
Effect: Fury (x3, x6, or x9)
(15 Seconds)
THROW AXE Cooldown: 10 Seconds
Arcing Slice is an adrenaline skill
Damage: High that hits your target for a single,
Effect: Cripple (4 Seconds), heavy blow that deals high damage.
Combo Finisher Afterward, your hero gains substantial
(Physical Projectile) buff to Fury for the next 15 seconds. The more adrenaline you use, the more of
a critical-hit bonus you get out of the strike. Use Arcing Slice before you start a
WA R R I O R
chain of major attacks (when cooldowns for your best moves are finishing).
Save this attack to use against
enemies that are fleeing or kiting your
warrior. Slow them down with it and
then rush forward for melee combat. The damage is inferior to Chop, so there’s no
need to use Throw Axe for its raw damage component.
GREATSWORD SWING
Damage: High
(8 Seconds)
Axe (Off Hand) Cooldown: None
The greatsword autoattack is great for
weakening entire swaths of enemies.
DUAL STRIKE Make sure your character is facing
as many targets as possible, and
Damage: Very High then start ripping through their defenses. When you have allies to exploit this,
it’s incredibly powerful. Wait for enemies to have a few stacks of Vulnerability,
Effect: Fury (2 Seconds) and then switch to Hundred Blades for the coup de grace! As a trio of hits, this
Cooldown: 12 Seconds autoattack lands Vulnerability with the first two strikes, and then finishes with a
heavy attack.
This attack raises your chance to
critically hit enemies if one or both
of your weapons hit the victim. Even
without that buff, Dual Strike is sick
and dusting. The damage output HUNDRED BLADES
is beautiful, so you should use this every time it comes up. Use Dual Strike in
combination with boons, such as Fury and Might, so your hero pushes out the Damage: Very High
maximum possible damage in one sudden burst.
Effect: Channeled
Cooldown: 6 Seconds
Hundred Blades lays into everything
WHIRLING AXE in front of your character with a
series of lighter attacks. Each blow
Damage: Perfect doesn’t deal that much damage, but
the number of total hits is daunting.
(Whirl) If you have traits that land Bleed or Vulnerability effects on targets, this series of
attacks becomes even more effective! Use it often, even against single targets.
Whirling Axe delivers damage across The last hit of the sequence deals even more damage, so try to complete Hundred
a small area of effect. Killing enemies Blades whenever possible. Don’t move during this skill’s channeling time, as that
is what it does, so the attack fits into breaks the sequence.
the axe lineup quite well. You are
allowed to move while the attack is channeled, so walk through enemies, and
keep as many targets as possible in front of your hero.
265
WHIRLWIND ATTACK Mace (Main Hand)
Damage: High Maces have a strong array of status effects in an arsenal with decent damage.
Effect: Combo Finisher Your hero gains the ability to disrupt enemies while killing them at a moderate
(Whirl)
pace. You don’t have the kill speed of an axe, hammer, or greatsword user, but
you’ll bring enemies down in relative safety. Mace plus shield gives one of the
Whirlwind Attack causes your hero
sturdier groupings in the entire warrior lineup.
to charge forward, smashing through
anything that gets in your way. The
attack even hits enemies that come
anywhere near your path, so this AoE does decent damage. If targets are near a SKULL CRACK BURST ATTACK
wall, you end up hitting them several times because your character continues
to spin and attack for a brief period. Another use is to spin away from enemies, Damage: High
hitting them in the process. While spinning, your hero evades enemy attacks, so
Whirlwind Attack has a major defensive element as well. Effect: Stun (1-2 Seconds)
When the animation finishes, turn, throw your greatsword with Bladetrail, Skull Crack uses your adrenaline
and then use Rush to jump directly back into the fray. Enemies often lose their to stop a target from moving or
attacks during this sudden maneuver because they have to turn, switch to range, attacking. Interrupt enemies when
and still hit you. they’re about to use their most
damaging attacks, and use the free
time to bash in their heads.
BLADETRAIL
Damage: High MACE SMASH
Combo Finisher Damage: High
Effect: N/A
Cooldown: None
Ever thrown a two-handed sword?
Well, your character can! This ranged The mace autoattack hits enemies
attack lets you put damage on a within normal melee range. Try to
target that isn’t in melee range yet. Adding Cripple ensures the enemy can’t use Mace Smash in bursts. Its first
get away from you, so this move is valuable against ranged targets that are two attacks are always rather weak,
attempting to kite you. Always try to throw your sword at enemies in the back of but the third hit of the autoattack
a group; everything the sword goes through takes damage, so this offers a tricky is pretty darn good (and causes Weakness on your enemy). The heavy strike is
AoE if you pull it off. worth your time, so try not to interrupt Mace Smash if you’ve already dedicated
to one or two hits.
RUSH COUNTER BLOW

Damage: High
Damage: High
Effect: Lunge
Effect: Block
If you need to get to enemies quickly,
Rush is the way to go. Watch the This skill puts your character into a
number under your icon. When it defensive stance for several seconds.
turns from red to yellow, you’re within You don’t make any attacks of your
range. Rush over and get a free hit own until an enemy hits you (or the
against them. This lets you reach kiting foes or ranged enemies, or simply engage duration ends). When struck, you
a group of enemies sooner than normal. Rush through clusters of enemies to get negate the attack and then brutalize your opponent with an assault that inflicts
their attention and start gathering them around your hero. This opens the way for immense damage. Use this to boost your survivability in a fight, especially if your
your best AoE attacks. enemy is using his deadliest attacks in a predictable manner. “Oh, they’re charging
up for another big attack—hit Counter Blow.”
If the attack fails because you aren’t attacked, your warrior gets some free adrenaline.
This isn’t ideal, but at least there is some compensation for your lost time.
POMMEL BASH
Damage: Moderate
Effect: Daze (1 Second)
Pommel Bash stops your enemies
from attacking for a brief moment.
Interrupt heavy attacks when
Counter Blow is down, and buy
yourself more time in the fight.
266
PROFESSIONS
Mace (Off Hand) AIMED SHOT

Damage: Low
CRUSHING BLOW Combo Finisher
Damage: High Cooldown: 10 Seconds
Effect: Vulnerability (x4) If you need to slow your victims, hit
(10 Seconds) them with Aimed Shot. Otherwise,
Cooldown: 15 Seconds save this ability. It doesn’t do enough
damage to be worthwhile in a DPS rotation. Hold it until you need to stop
Crack through an enemy’s armor
someone from fleeing or approaching you.
and leave him susceptible to further
damage. This attack does enough
damage by itself to be useful, so don’t
hold onto it for special occasions. Use it every time the cooldown elapses.
VOLLEY
Damage: High
TREMOR Effect: Combo Finisher
20% Chance)
Damage: High
Effect: Knockdown
WA R R I O R
(2 Seconds), Combo This skill channels for a couple of
Finisher (Physical seconds while firing repeatedly at a
Projectile) targeted enemy. You can still move
Cooldown: 25 Seconds while attacking, so it doesn’t break your kiting routine. This is a decent damage
dealer because of the attacks’ fast firing pattern. Each hit is only decent by itself,
Tremor is a long-range attack that
but the cumulative damage is quite good. Use Brutal Shot first to lower the
knocks down enemies. Mace users
target’s defense, and then Volley as a follow-up.
don’t have many ways to rush their enemies, so this skill is essential for disabling
foes that are running away from you.
Note that this is the best way to charge your warrior’s adrenaline while using a
rifle. Never let Volley stay available for long—it’s meant to be used frequently.
Rifle (Two-Handed)
Rifles are somewhat low-damage standoff weapons for warriors. They target BRUTAL SHOT
single enemies and disable the foe as much as possible. This is one of the best
kiting options for a warrior, a profession that is not especially known for its kiting. Damage: High
(10 Seconds), Combo
KILL SHOT BURST ATTACK Finisher (Physical
Projectile)
Damage: Varies (High to
Very High) Brutal Shot hits targets for adequate
Effect: Combo Finisher damage and then leaves them
(Physical Projectile) Vulnerable for a fairly long duration. Use this early in an encounter, and then rely
on your most damaging attacks to knock the enemy down a bit faster.
Kill Shot charges up and then nails
a single target with serious damage.
It doesn’t have any bells or whistles,
but that’s kind of a good thing. Rifles need a direct-damage skill, and this is one
RIFLE BUTT
of the few they get for warriors! When you need your damage to spike, use your
Damage: High
adrenaline for a Kill Shot. Whenever you can, use this attack when you already
have some range on your victim. You can’t move and attack while charging Kill Effect: Knockback
Shot, so your hero is exposed for a couple seconds. Cooldown: 20 Seconds
Rifle Butt throws enemies from
melee range all the way back so you
BLEEDING SHOT can keep kiting them. Its damage
is very good for a rifle attack, so it’s
sometimes useful to let enemies
Damage: Moderate close with you just so you can knock them back again, smacking them hard in
Effect: Bleeding (6 Seconds), the process.
Combo Finisher
20% Chance)
Cooldown: None
The default attack for rifle users is
a ranged hit for modest damage.
The Bleeding effect it stacks is a major help in bringing down targets over time.
Alternate between Bleeding Shot and your various disabling attacks to keep
enemies Bleeding while you kite them around the field.
267
Warhorn (Off Hand Only) SHIELD STANCE
Warhorns are offhanded weapons that give warriors more group utility. They’re Damage: N/A
not useful for direct damage. Instead, they Weaken enemies, remove negative Effect: Block (3 Seconds)
conditions, and speed travel. Cooldown: 25 Seconds
Hunker down and avoid damage for
several seconds with this defensive
CHARGE ability. Use it to survive boss’ special
attacks, charged players’ abilities, or
Damage: N/A anything that just looks scary. Shield
Stance is also useful if you need a few seconds before your healing skill recharges.
Effect: Swiftness
(10 Seconds),
Removes Cripple,
Immobilize, and
Chilled Effects on Spear (Underwater Weapon)
Your Allies
Spears are aquatic melee weapons. They inflict a huge amount of damage and
can cut enemies from stem to stern in a matter of moments. Use your harpoon
This ability really helps if you’re out exploring the world. Having frequent access gun in one aquatic weapon slot, and a spear in the other. This way, you always
to Swiftness makes it easier to truck between waypoints without taking as much
time. It’s also good for harvesting runs, when you run through a region and look have access to both range and high damage when you’re underwater.
for metal, leather, cloth, and wood. In battle, this skill lets you protect your party
from a variety of negative effects. If you’re facing enemies that frequently use such
attacks, Charge is a godsend. WHIRLING STRIKE BURST ATTACK
Damage: Extremely High
CALL TO ARMS Effect: Stun (1-2 Seconds)

Damage: N/A Burn your adrenaline to carve
Effect: Vigor (10 Seconds), through enemies close to your
Weakness warrior. Like most spear attacks,
(6 Seconds) Whirling Strike is all about
damage output.
This ability is quite useful in PvP
engagements. Teams like to disable
the other players’ endurance
regeneration. If you can’t dodge, you’ll eat a lot more attacks. Call to Arms
STAB
gives your side a major advantage in this. Allies regain more endurance while
enemies get less. Larger groups and skilled players get the most out of this. Damage: High
Inexperienced players will find it less powerful because they often don’t take Effect: N/A
advantage of their endurance.
Cooldown: None
Stick your enemy with the pointy end
Shield (Off Hand Only) of the spear. Rely on this for damage
when Mariner’s Frenzy and Tsunami
Slash are on cooldown. The final
Shields help your warrior mitigate incoming damage. You hold the shield in your attack of this trio ends with a Cripple,
off hand and get skills that either stun your target or block damage directly. Both so you can keep enemies from retreating.
let you survive longer in whatever manner of encounter you’re fighting.
SHIELD BASH MARINER’S FRENZY

Effect: Stun (1 Second), Effect: Channeled
Combo Finisher Cooldown: 8 Seconds
(Leap)
Your warrior goes all stabby with
Cooldown: 25 Seconds this channeled skill. The enemies in
Bash enemies to interrupt them and front of you take major damage from
keep them in place for a moment. eight rapid hits. You can move while
If you time it well, you can stop attacking, so keep your enemies in
aggressors in the middle of their best abilities. When targets stop to charge front and watch the damage accumulate.
something, that’s the time to Shield Bash them! You can also use Shield Bash to
keep an enemy exposed for an ally’s best attacks.
268
PROFESSIONS
HARPOON PULL MARINER’S SHOT

Damage: High Damage: Varies (Moderate
to High)
Effect: Pull
Cooldown: 15 Seconds (Physical Projectile)
This attack doesn’t have as much Cooldown: None
range as you might expect, so watch
the number under the skill closely. Mariner’s Shot does more damage
Make sure you wait to use Harpoon when the target is farther away from
Pull until the enemy is close enough your hero. You end up using it a lot
to grab. Harpoon Pull isn’t worthwhile as part of your damage rotation. It’s better because harpoon gun skills have a fairly long cooldown. Hit the enemies with
for pulling fleeing or ranged foes back to your position. your superior attacks first, and then switch to Mariner’s Shot while the others are
cooling down. If the enemy catches up to you, switch to your spear.
PARRY BRUTAL SHOT

Damage: Extremely High
Damage: Moderate
Effect: Block
Parry puts your character into a Cooldown: 3 Seconds
WA R R I O R
defensive stance. If attacked in the
next few seconds, your warrior Reduce your enemy’s Defense with
responds with devastating force. this attack. It’s meant to be used
Use Parry to mitigate charged or frequently throughout the fight, to
channeled enemy attacks. keep Vulnerability on your targets.
TSUNAMI SLASH SPLIT SHOT

Damage: Low
Damage: High
Effect: Bleeding (5 Seconds)
Effect: Channeled
Cooldown: 8 Seconds
Split Shot shoots a spread of spears
Your warrior twirls around and kills into the area. It has the potential
everything in sight. This is your bread- to hit multiple targets in front of
and-butter damage ability. Spears are your warrior, and each one suffers
good even without Tsunami Slash, a moderate Bleed effect. The initial
but this attack makes them deadlier damage is quite poor, but the total damage is fairly good, especially if you plan to
against groups or single targets. Save this only if your target is low on health or if kite the target anyway.
you’re setting up a bigger AoE in the next few seconds.
Harpoon Gun KNOT SHOT

(Underwater Weapon) Damage: Moderate
Harpoon Guns don’t have the AoE power of a spear, and they aren’t as deadly Effect: Immobilize
(2 Seconds)
even against single targets. Do you know what they have instead? Unfair,
unreasonable amounts of kiting potential. These guns deliver damage to single
Hold Knot Shot until someone is
targets at long range, and they afflict enemies with Bleeding, Immobilization,
preparing a major attack or is getting
Knockbacks, and Vulnerability. Harpoon Guns work well in groups because you too close to you for comfort. Slap the
can support allies without getting into the thick of things. When solo, use these foe with this for a short reprieve and
get some distance between your character and the dangerous enemy. Do not use
weapons to play keep-away with a victim who never gets a chance to catch up.
this as part of your damage rotation. Wait until you need it.
FORCEFUL SHOT BURST ATTACK

Damage: Varies (High to
REPEATING SHOT
Very High)
Damage: High
Effect: N/A
Effect: Push
Your adrenaline is turned into a
This channeled attack pushes your
single-target attack that hits for high
enemy away with each hit. Like Knot
damage. The more adrenaline you
Shot, it gives you a way to continue
have, the more damage you inflict.
kiting a dangerous enemy. Use the
two abilities at different times, and
keep swimming away from your foe in between.
269
On the Ground Not much is different under the water. Warriors have a disadvantage in that
they’re reduced to short-range attacks, but you’re allowed to move around
Warrior ground abilities are quite simple. Deal damage with Throw Rock and underwater. Thus, it’s not a big deal. Deal damage with Punch and Kick, heal
Hammer Toss, Bandage if your enemies are distracted, or hit Vengeance if you’re with Bandage, or hit Vengeance if all is lost. Swim to the surface if you can shake
doomed and want to get in some kill time before the inevitable happens. off your enemies and escape.
THROW ROCK PUNCH

Damage: Moderate Damage: Moderate
Effect: N/A Effect: N/A
Cooldown: N/A Cooldown: N/A
This basic attack skill tosses a rock at Punch does exactly what you’d
one of your enemies. It has decent expect. Find a weak enemy and beat
range, so you usually have plenty of on him until he dies!
target options. Try to kill someone
with low health so you can rally.
KICK
HAMMER TOSS
Damage: Moderate-to-Low
Damage: Moderate Effect: Push
Effect: Knockdown Cooldown: 5 Seconds
(2 Seconds)
Kick doesn’t do much damage, but it
gets enemies away from you. If more
Hammer Toss puts a victim down than one foe is attacking you, Kick the
briefly, earning you more time to one that you aren’t trying to kill so
attack the foe without him returning he’s out of the fight for a few seconds.
blows. Use this on your primary
victim every time it comes up.
VENGEANCE
VENGEANCE Damage: N/A
Effect: Temporarily Rally (15 Seconds)
Damage: N/A
Effect: Temporarily Rally
(15 Seconds) Exactly the same as Vengeance’s above-ground variant. Your warrior doesn’t stay
Cooldown: 30 Seconds up for long, but if your group needs you to give it your all, this is the way to step
up. Hit Vengeance when you can make a difference and save someone who can
Get back up and fight! Your warrior revive you afterward.
doesn’t stay up for long, but if your
group needs you to give it your
all, this is the way to step up. Hit
Vengeance when you can make a difference and save someone who can revive
you afterward. BANDAGE
If you’re lucky, you can sometimes “rally” by killing something while Vengeanced. Damage: N/A
Each kill you make gives your warrior a chance to lose the ability’s impending Effect: Self Heal
death aspect, so get out there and kill!
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
Exactly the same as Bandage’s above-ground variant. Use this to heal yourself if
there aren’t any enemies coming after you. It allows you to recover fairly quickly.
BANDAGE If you’re attacked, the effect ends and you have to fight for your life once more.
Damage: N/A
Effect: Self Heal
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
Use this to heal yourself if there
aren’t any enemies coming after you.
It allows you to recover fairly quickly.
If you’re attacked, the effect ends
and you have to fight for your life
once more.
270
PROFESSIONS
Slot Skills Utility

Warrior utility skills are surprisingly group-friendly. You might expect a variety
Healing of attacks, but there are far more ways to buff yourself and allies. Most warrior
Warrior healing abilities are very direct. You use them to restore your health, signets and shouts are fast acting and you can use them during battle without
and that’s about it. The side effects are minor and don’t heavily alter the way breaking your routine. Banners are summoned and deployed near your
you act within a group. Which one you choose at any given time is mostly a character; they are often the source of your group buffs.
matter of play preference.
TIER 1
HEALING SURGE
KICK
Effect: Moderate Self-Heal
and a Boost of Effect: Knockback
Adrenaline
This attack pushes an enemy
Healing Surge is offensively oriented. away from your warrior. It’s a great
Instead of removing a condition, this complement to bow or rifle skills,
healing ability gives you some free and it acts as a way to interrupt
adrenaline. Having 50% more time on enemies even if you’re a melee fighter.
your cooldown is tough if you’re soloing. This is a better ability in a group when
WA R R I O R
Is someone charging up for a heavy
you’re acting as a DPS-er and burning through adrenaline quickly. attack or channeled ability? Kick him away and then use one of your closing
weapon attacks to stick with him.
MENDING
Effect: Heal Self, Remove
THROW BOLAS
Conditions Effect: Immobilize
Finisher (Physical
Mending is the most basic warrior Projectile)
heal. It’s perfect for times when you
don’t know what to expect. The Cooldown: 20 Seconds
cooldown is short, so it’s effective for It’s no fun to be kited by your
keeping your health generally high. enemies. Bolas help level the playing
Soloers love it because they can purge their negative conditions and heal at the field by stopping your foes for a few
same time. Make this your default healing ability; you can’t go wrong with it. seconds. Use this time to get in there and do some real damage. This works just
as well if your warrior is the one doing the kiting; hit the enemy with this skill and
run away to keep your distance. Either way, you get to control the battle! This is
a very good PvP ability. It’s decent in PvE, but the attack is more situational (e.g.,
HEALING SIGNET when you’re dealing with single, powerful monsters).
Effect: Passive Health

Regeneration and an
Active Self-Heal SIGNET OF MIGHT
Effect: Adds a Small
Healing Signet restores about 1% of Amount of Power
your maximum health every three to Your Hero All the
seconds just for having it as your Time, and Puts on
healing skill. When you use it actively, Might (x5)
it heals your warrior by a considerable margin. If you’re grouped with someone (10 Seconds) When
who can remove conditions, this becomes quite a viable healing skill. The You Use It
regeneration helps keep you topped off during and between battles, and you still Cooldown: 60 Seconds
have the big heal whenever you need it.
Signet of Might helps your baseline
damage. The ability’s passive side adds a trivial amount of Power to your character.
You’d be better off with the higher critical bonus from Signet of Fury. However,
the active Might is much more impressive. If your current weapon setup demands
all of your attention, these fast bonuses are better than taking a more active
ability, which you might not have time to use.
271
“FOR GREAT JUSTICE!” TIER 2
Effect: Grants Fury
(8 Seconds) and Might
(x3)(25 Seconds) for BULL’S CHARGE
Yourself and All Allies
Cooldown: 25 Seconds Effect: High Damage,
Knockdown
This shout adds Fury and Might to (2 Seconds), Combo
you and your allies. You can’t go Finisher (Leap)
wrong with this buff. It’s decent even Cooldown: 40 Seconds
when you’re soloing. In a group situation, it’s a major improvement to the party’s
total damage output. Bull’s Charge is a physical attack
possessing several advantages. First, it
closes the gap between your hero and
the target. Its damage is decent, and then the enemy gets knocked on his rump
for two seconds. There are so many times when this ability will save your bacon.
“SHAKE IT OFF!” It’s great against monsters or other players, it counters kiting, and it can interrupt
adversaries who are building up their best attacks.
Effect: Removes Conditions
on Yourself and
Nearby Allies
Cooldown: 25 Seconds SIGNET OF FURY
This wonderful shout is a lifesaver in
PvP or areas where the monsters have Effect: Adds 10% to Your
powerful conditions to control your Chance to Critically
party. If you or your allies are getting Hit, and Adds a Full
Stunned or otherwise disabled, shake off the conditions and resume the fight. Bar of Adrenaline
When Activated
Speaking of adrenaline use, Signet
BANNER OF DISCIPLINE of Fury is great if your warrior is
dependent on high adrenaline. The
Effect: Improves Precision passive boost to your critical hit chance is already quite nice. Plus, you can smash
(up to +80) and down two major burst attacks by using your adrenaline naturally, hitting Signet
Critical Damage of Fury, and then nailing your burst attack again as soon as its cooldown finishes.
(+10%) Two full-strength burst attacks in 10 seconds can be pretty powerful. If you have
Cooldown: 120 Seconds traits to reduce your cooldown on burst attacks, this is even better.
If your warrior’s damage output is

heavily dependent on critical hits, this
is a nice banner. Some builds require
criticals to put Vulnerability or Bleed effects on their victims. Deploy this banner SIGNET OF STAMINA
during large fights and watch your damage output surge. Combine this with “For
Great Justice!” to get as many critical hits as you can. Effect: Passively Improves
Endurance
Regeneration
and Removes All
Conditions When
BERSERKER STANCE Used Actively
Effect: Gain Adrenaline
This signet focuses heavily on PvP
Cooldown: 60 Seconds utility. You can use it during PvE
For 20 seconds, your warrior gains encounters if you like dodging often and need the extra endurance. However,
adrenaline just by having this skill you need the combination of that and condition removal the most when you’re
active. It’s enough that you can gain fighting other players; they use conditions against you more often and require
adrenaline even if you’re outside active dodging to defeat.
of battle. However, that is not an
optimal use because you waste too
much of it by being out of combat. Hit Berserker Stance early in a fight to give
yourself as much punch as possible. “I WILL AVENGE YOU!”
Effect: Might, Regeneration,
Swiftness (10 Seconds
Each), Rallies Fallen
Comrades
“I Will Avenge You!” does a little bit
of everything. It has a short duration,
but your hero gains several buffs
during that time. If you kill an enemy, any fallen allies nearby are rallied. Wait until
you know your buddies are down and one of your targets is low on health. Use
this before you finish off the foe to turn the tide of battle completely.
272
PROFESSIONS
BANNER OF STRENGTH DOLYAK SIGNET

Effect: Buffs Power and Effect: Passively Reduces
Condition Damage Damage Taken, and is
(up to +80) Used for Stability
(8 Seconds)
This banner raises baseline damage
for your group, though not by a huge Know your enemy! Don’t wander
margin. If you want to stack as much around with Dolyak Signet all the
damage as you can, combine this with time. Add the skill before you fight a
a good shout—“For Great Justice!” comes to mind. On its own, there are better specific person or monster that loves to harp on knocking your character around.
ways to pump up your damage. When soloing, avoid this entirely. The ability gets It’s great for certain PvP situations, and fun in places with predictable knockback
better the more people you use it on. The effect for one person is too low to be monsters, like groups of spiders.
worth one of your utility slots, especially with such a long cooldown.
“FEAR ME!”
BANNER OF DEFENSE
Effect: Fear (1 Second),
Effect: Buffs Toughness and Combo Finisher
Vitality (up to +80) (Blast)
WA R R I O R
Summon this banner to make you This is another good crowd control
and your allies harder to kill. If you skill for warriors. The Fear doesn’t last
leave the area where it’s planted, grab long, so it’s more of a way to interrupt
the banner and take it with you—you enemy actions than to send them
can do this with all warrior banners. screaming over the hills in terror.
The banner’s effect adds several percentage points to your health and defense.
BANNER OF TACTICS
ENDURE PAIN Effect: Buffs Healing
Effect: Damage Immunity (up to +80) and Boon
(5 Seconds), Duration (10%),
Breaks Stun Combo Finisher
(Blast)
Endure Pain is amazing for a variety of
Prolonged encounters demand a
situations. As a soloist, this skill gives
great deal from characters’ healing
you the time to evacuate when things
abilities. This game doesn’t let
go wrong. It can also give you enough
people simply spam heals and live forever. Drop this banner to help your group
time to win a fight when enemies swarm you and you need to unleash AoE hell
survive a battle of attrition. It isn’t great for solo or small-group play. It’s more of a
to thin their numbers. In dungeons, you can survive when everyone’s heals are
situational choice for specific dungeon encounters, elite events, or PvP.
on cooldown. In PvP, you get to charge through an area, get everyone’s attention,
and draw fire while your team readies its reprisal. Endure Pain is your best skill for
sheer survivability.
BALANCED STANCE
TIER 3
Effect: Stability (8 Seconds),
Breaks Stun
STOMP Cooldown: 40 Seconds
Similar to Dolyak Signet, this skill
Effect: High Damage, lets you avoid a number of crowd-
Launch, Combo control abilities. It also breaks you
Finisher (Blast) out of Stun if you’re already affected
Cooldown: 60 Seconds by it. The cooldown is much shorter
and the duration is a little longer. The minor tradeoff is you lose Dolyak
Stomp throws your enemies up and Signet’s passive benefits.
away from your character. It’s a full
PBAoE, meaning you hit enemies
even if they’re behind your hero.
This skill’s crowd control aspect is great. You can put an entire team of players or
enemies on their butts for a second. That’s pretty huge for a single attack. The FRENZY
damage is adequate, but you can’t set up for a damaging AoE afterward because
the enemies fly off in different directions. So, Stomp is a great defensive ability, but Effect: Quickness (6 Seconds),
it’s tricky to work into a damaging AoE routine. Breaks Stun
Frenzy breaks your hero out of Stun
and puts you into a period of higher
damage output. Your warrior moves
and attacks like lightning, so use
Frenzy when your best attack abilities
are ready to go. Frenzy is ideal for offensive warriors in PvP, WvW, and PvE. It’s pure
liquid damage, ready to serve. 273
Elite Traits
Warrior elite skills vary quite a bit in what they do. Let’s discuss each in turn. Strength (Raises Power and
TIER 1 Condition Duration)
REWARDS
BATTLE STANDARD Points Invested Ability Gained
Effect: Summon Banner, 5 Damage foes at the end of a dodge
Stability (3 Seconds), 15 Using a burst skill restores endurance
Fury (3 Seconds),
Might (10 Seconds), 25 Damage is increased when your endurance is recharging
Combo Finisher
(Blast), Revive Allies
Battle Standard is a superior elite skill
for grouped warriors. It lasts longer
than Signet of Rage, and the immunity to Stuns and Knockbacks that it provides
is almost enough to pay for the skill by itself. You effectively turn an entire
fight against your enemies by ensuring your group is the only side that can use
much crowd control. That’s huge in PvP, and it’s pretty darn nice in PvE, as well.
Have someone pick up the banner and bring it with your team to keep Battle
Standard’s effects as long as possible. It’s even better if you’re defending an area
and can force the enemies to come to you!
SIGNET OF RAGE
Effect: You Passively Gain
a Small Amount Of
SKILL OPTIONS (GAINED EVERY 10 POINTS)
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274
PROFESSIONS
Arms (Precision and Condition Damage)

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275
Tactics (Raises Vitality and Boon Duration)
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Discipline (Raises Critical Damage and Burst Damage)

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Warriors in PvE
Warriors have a wonderous range of weapon choices, so that’s the first thing you want to get your head around. Buy as
many weapon types as possible, or simply start using each weapon you find until you unlock more of your skills. Keep
at least a melee weapon and a ranged weapon in your inventory at all times. It’s even better if you have a defensive
melee set, a ranged weapon, and something for sheer damage output. At high levels, you can even push this to have
two damaging sets of equipment, so you can swap between each during battle to maximize your skill use.
Warriors have to take more risks than most professions. They get into the thick of battle very quickly, and that
means your hero takes damage sooner. Choose skills to have a set of fun toys for killing and a set for lasting longer
in battle. When you go through easy areas, have fun with aggressive attack skills. Buff yourself with “For Great
Justice!,” attack with Bull’s Charge, and relax. When you’re getting ready for a dungeon run or elite event, swap your abilities. Pick skills to negate conditions or keep you alive.
Endure Pain is a gift from the heavens, and don’t ignore choices like Balanced Stance or Dolyak Signet for staying away from crowd-control abilities.
276
PROFESSIONS
WA R R I O R
Practice swapping weapons. It doesn’t come naturally to every player, yet it’s an
essential skill, especially for warriors. You get even more weapon skills at your disposal Warriors in PvP
by jumping back and forth, and there aren’t any real downsides to doing it. If you
In PvP, many of your neglected skills come to the forefront. Anything that applies or
have a good kiting weapon, like a rifle, use it to hassle targets at range, forcing them to
breaks crowd control is suddenly quite useful. “Shake It Off!” is just amazing because
suffer while they try to reach your warrior. When they arrive, swap to a high-damage
it helps your team avoid a number of negative effects. If you’re supporting a group
melee weapon to obliterate wounded foes. If you enjoy melee on its own merit, use
that doesn’t have much anti-crowd-control power, you can have a bar with that and
a greatsword for massive
additional skills to break Stun.
AoE damage, and switch
to a hammer if you
suddenly need to hit
an enemy with crowd-
control effects.
Your banners are fun to

keep around because
they let people raise their movement rate. Note that you don’t have to be the one
who carries the banner. All of these skills create a physical banner that allies can pick
up. When you play in a group, this is a fun way to race between waypoints or events.
Slot a couple of banner
skills into your bar and
trade off so something is
up for most of the trip. On the offensive, as a warrior, you want to be the one messing with the enemies.
Throw Bolas is a sweet kiting skill. Use this to Immobilize foes out in the open, when
Equipment-wise, you they can’t do much but soak up damage from everyone who sees them. Stomp gives
should look for Power, you AoE crowd control, and you shouldn’t ignore that, either. You can throw around
Precision, and Critical groups that stack up near
Damage for a full DPS doors and chokepoints
set. That’s your primary focus when soloing or running basic events. Then, get a without much preamble.
Toughness, Vitality, and Healing set of gear later on, when you start running more However, give yourself
dungeons and elite events. These make a huge difference in your performance. A time to escape, or push
DPS warrior that switches into a full set of gear with survivability stats will have more into the group with
Health and Armor than someone with defensive traits wearing Power, Precision, and high damage and your
Critical Damage equipment. allies’ support.
You don’t always have to switch your traits around to survive! Just make sure you Battle Standard is a glorious elite skill for PvP. In a full group, this ability lets everyone
have the gear for it. avoid crowd control while upping damage and helping bring back downed buddies.
You can turn around an entire battle by timing this properly. “I Will Avenge You!” is
similarly wonderful as a last-ditch way to get your team back on its feet.
277
Crafters
and Their
Fine Goods
Crafting is a good way to expand the independence of your character or your guild. The skills you learn make it easier to transform “worthless” items into
usable equipment. Even if you aren’t turned on by the idea of making goods for yourself, you might be interested in what others do. Read through this
chapter to learn about the eight crafting disciplines and to find out whether you’d like to become a crafter.
If not, you can still learn what items are needed by crafters. This helps when selling things on the Trading Post or if you’re supporting guild crafters by mailing
them items or leaving items in the guild bank. You’ll also get an idea of what each craft can do, making it easier to approach other people when you want
something made.
278
279
Trainers
You can’t teach yourself everything in this life or in Guild Wars 2. To take up a crafting trade, you need to visit a major city and look for the district that has
all of the crafting trainers. These NPCs are always grouped together in a place that has forges, looms, and various other implements of trade.
Talk to the trainers to see what they teach, and pick up two crafts that fit your character well. If you have friends or a guild with specific needs, you might
choose your crafts based on those people as well.
It doesn’t cost anything to take up a trade. You just get the early recipes from your trainer and start making things whenever you want. In the future, you
can come back to your trainer to procure goods that assist in your crafting. There are also rare recipes in cities that can be purchased with karma. Those are
nice to have!
CRAFTING RECIPES
For a complete list of crafting recipes implemented at game launch, please refer to the Appendix: Crafting Recipes section at the end of this guide.
Where to Craft
The crafting stations near your trainer are ideal for building anything from that
given craft. You cannot make items out in the field, even if you have the proper
ingredients. So, it’s good to stash spare crafting items in your bank so you have
relatively clean bags to adventure with.
When it comes time to make something, get everything you need from the
bank and then go to your crafting station. Every major city has what you need,
but it’s better to go to the same city every time (this cuts down on confusion
as you travel back and forth, since you’ll learn the best routes rather quickly).
Take the items to your crafting station and interact with the object to open
the crafting window. You’re ready to go!
280
CR AFTING
Raw Materials
T R A I N E R S / W H E R E TO C R A F T / R AW M AT E R I A L S / C R A F T I N G Y O U R O W N I N G R E D I E N T S
It’s nice to know what raw materials to gather. You can purchase things
from the Trading Post or look out in the world to find everything you need.
While deciding where to shop and hunt, open your Hero window (“H”)
and then click on the hammer on the left side of the screen. This opens
the crafting tab. Look at all of the recipes you know and see what items are
required for them. Click on each item in turn, and start to memorize the
ingredients that are most common.
Food ingredients, cloth, leather, wood, and metal are the most common
base items in crafting. There are many specific items within each of these
categories, but they’ll all be used in similar ways to create items of varying
levels and quality.
Read through the description of your specific crafts to see which raw materials are important to you. It’s fine to gather everything you come across, but
some ingredients aren’t necessarily worth saving. For example, if your character doesn’t use wood, it might be better to sell the wood you collect (through
the Trading Post). The money you make from auctioning off unneeded crafting items helps to fund your progress.
Crafting Your Own

Ingredients
Raw materials aren’t usually the only thing you
need. These often are refined into more advanced
items before being made into an actual piece of
equipment. Thus, you might take Copper Ore, make
it into a Bronze Ingot by adding some Lumps of Tin
to it. Then, your Bronze Ingot might go on to make
even more advanced ingredients, such as a Bronze
Pauldron Casing.
This is where some people start to find the process

complex. Don’t worry! It’s not that bad and you just
need to play around with the system for a while
until things become more intuitive.
To start learning, make one of EVERYTHING your

character knows how to craft. Trainers teach you
the base components for all of your normal items.
As long as you keep a little bit of everything around,
you’ll have the ability to discover more advanced recipes.
281
Making Discovery
Insignias &
You’re almost good to
go. Now that you can
make basic ingredients,
advanced items, and
Inscriptions insignias, you can craft

equipment for your
characters. There’s only
one rub. You don’t have
any recipes for actual
equipment. What gives? Let’s explain the final step.
When you’re at a crafting station, look for the Discovery tab and click on it. You’ll be
taken to a screen that shows all of the ingredients you’re carrying. Double click to
add these, in turn, to your work bench. The interface tells you if there aren’t any viable
combinations with the items you’ve selected. If the combination turns red, double
click on something you’ve already added to pull it out of the recipe you’re creating.
Mix and match

until you start
finding new
Once you’re comfortable making components for your equipment, it’s recipes that work.
time to start creating insignias/inscriptions (the first affect armor, the latter If you need to craft
affect weapons). These are the final ingredients for a piece of equipment. more components,
They determine the attributes of your final piece. They can raise power, you can do it
precision, toughness, and vitality (or mixtures of these attributes). They also from inside the
affect condition damage, healing, and other specific functions of a character. Discovery screen
Crafters use these to help their clients build up specific attributes to make by clicking on the
themselves deadlier or tougher. advanced ingredient in question and using the “+” icon to craft more instantly.
Insignias are made by taking pieces you harvest from monsters and When trying to discover new recipes, keep one of every advanced ingredient
combining them with basic items (pieces of cloth or spools that you can around so you can try each possible combination.
purchase from trainers).
Most equipment recipes come in intuitive groups. For instance, some Chain Shoes
Here are the major types of items you harvest for making insignias: Venom are made by adding Bronze Chain Boot Panel + Jute Boot Lining + any level-
Sacs, Claws, Bones, Vials of Blood, Fangs, Totems. There are tiers for each of appropriate insignia.
these items, so you have to hunt tougher monsters if you need items for
more powerful insignias. So look for descriptions that seem to go together. Boot + Boot, Chest + Chest, etc.
Toss in the insignia last and see what happens.
For example, Vials of Blood might be listed as “Vial of Weak Blood,” “Vial of
Thin Blood,” or “Vial of Potent Blood.” There are six tiers for each category. You get a minor amount of bonus experience (toward your craft and for general
Highlight these items when you find them. Each one lists the level of leveling) when you find a new recipe. Use a combination of insignias to uncover
crafting they’re associated with. If it says “Armorsmithing (100),” then you different recipes with the same ingredients. Iron Scale Chest Panel + Wool Chest
know your armorsmith can’t start working with that item before passing Padding + a second tier insignia gets you a Scale Coat. However, there are a
100 in that crafting skill. number of insignias that complete this recipe. Each one is unique, ensuring you
can get tons of bonus
experience even if
you don’t have many
different ingredients.
After you’ve
discovered a recipe,
that combination of
ingredients is saved for
your character. You can now make those items at any time, assuming you have
the base components in your inventory. You won’t get bonus experience, but
that’s not a huge problem.
282
CR AFTING
Leveling FIND GOOD

HARVESTING SPOTS
M A K I N G I N S I G N I A S & I N S C R I P T I O N S / D I S C O V E RY / L E V E L I N G Y O U R C R A F T
Your Craft
If you know what you need, look for spots that have a lot of that item
specifically. Learn the best locations for metal, wood, or whatever you seek.
Though each craft differs to a small extent, there are general tactics that If there are specific insignias you like making, figure out the best creatures to
help your characters go through the system as painlessly as possible. Here kill for dropping your ingredients. Write down when you find an area with
are a few ideas to get you started. a large number of those monsters, and come back to that spot periodically.
A fast run in a high density area is often better than spending an hour
generally hunting around the wilderness and grabbing what you need
whenever it drops.
WORK TOGETHER In addition, there are special areas in each region that have a higher density
of items. Tough monsters often guard passages filled with crafting materials.
Assemble crafting groups to take down these areas.
MAKE ADVANCED
PIECES EARLY
Experience for crafted
items diminishes as
your character gets
better and better
at the craft. Items
Talk to people you know: friends, guildies, or other crafters. Figure out who you can barely make
needs which items and go out harvesting together. Not only is this more show up in orange,
fun, but everyone comes back with a considerable number of items because and eventually the
the group kills faster and can survive in a wider range of locations. colors fade to yellow,
blue, toward white, and into grey. Eventually, you won’t get any real points
This is compounded if you then trade items you don’t need to your
for making something.
harvesting buddies and get their unneeded items in return. A fair
distribution of metal, leather, cloth, wood, food, and insignia ingredients can Therefore, you want to carefully stockpile ingredients early in a crafting tier.
make for a lucrative session. Roughly for every 25 points in a craft, you unlock more recipes. When a
new metal becomes available, the first thing you can do is transform the ore
Because this game allows everyone in a group to harvest from nodes and
into ingots. Do that exclusively and stash the ingots away while you raise
loot monsters, you benefit more from a larger party than you do from just
crafting points quickly. Then, you’ll unlock a tier with advanced items that
having a single ally. The more, the merrier. Convince friends that don’t carry
require those ingots. Make a ton of those advanced pieces. You still won’t
harvesting tools to start buying them, or offer to buy the items for your
be making useful equipment in that tier, but you’re grabbing points and
friends as long as they pass a decent portion of the harvested items to you.
saving everything.
They get free experience for the harvesting, and you get your materials
without having to spend even more time looking for items. When you finally get to the stage where equipment can be created
in a given tier, you’ll have everything you need (ingots and advanced
ingredients). Make insignias and start throwing everything together. That’s
how you normally get the points that get you all the way into your next
type of metal/wood/etc.
283
LOVE YOUR SALVAGE KITS WHAT IS THE
HARDEST CRAFT?
That’s a matter of opinion. But in our opinion, it’s Cooking. The recipes are
a little more complex, there isn’t as much you can figure out through pure
intuition, and the benefits are both minor and temporary early on.
HOW DO I GET
RICH CRAFTING?
Honestly, you don’t.
Some people will do
a great job cashing
Salvage kits break down common metal, leather, and cloth items. This
in on their work, but
is a great way to get more material to work with. Always salvage these
most players end up
simple items in your inventory, and consider salvaging cheaper pieces
spending money on
of equipment as well. If you’re crafting equipment that doesn’t have an
ingredients and losing
intended user, you can even break your own gear down to recover some
cash to items that are
of the component pieces that went into making it.
salvaged instead of
sold. You also lose time while crafting when you could be adventuring and
looting more monsters.
ADVERTISE Don’t think of crafting as a way to make money. Usually, it’s just another way
Agree to make equipment for others without charge as long as they bring you of helping yourself and others to find new items.
the ingredients. This is especially helpful early in your career, when money is so
tight and getting free experience and crafting skill points is a major timesaver.
Do work like this for your friends and guild mates. Let others know in cities
that you’re available for work and see if you get any takers. CAN I KEEP UP WITH MY
Try not to bug people. If no one seems to want your services in a given day, CHARACTER’S LEVELING?
so be it. They’ll come around eventually, and it’s really not that big of a deal. It’s extremely hard to level your crafting enough to stay current with your
character’s equipment. Making your own gear is awesome, but this should only
be a goal if you’re a glutton for punishment. It’s far easier to make equipment
BIG BAGS FOR EVERYONE! for your second character while leveling; you’ll have a stronger character for
gathering materials, and he or she will have more money to spend.
SWITCHING CRAFTS
If you don’t know what to take as a secondary craft, strongly consider one of
the armor trades (Armorsmithing, Leatherworking, Tailoring). These are useful
for making a huge number of equipment items, but they’re also capable of
making storage gear: boxes, bags, and packs. Everybody needs better bags
than the little ones you buy early in your career. Making these for yourself and Though characters can only learn two crafts and use them at the same
your friends is a great way to save money on the Trading Post. time, you can switch to other crafts in the future; you just have to drop one
of the skills you’ve already been using. You never lose the points that you
Once you’re finished making these for buddies, start selling excess bags for profit!
gained in your earlier crafts, but it costs money to reactivate them.
284
CR AFTING
Crafting
Disciplines
ARMORSMITHS
Raw Materials needed Cloth, Metal
Primary Goods Heavy Armor
Secondary Goods Boxes
ARTIFICERS
Raw Materials needed Wood, Metal
Primary Goods Focuses, Scepters, Staves, and Tridents
Secondary Goods None
COOKS
Raw Materials needed Food Ingredients
Primary Goods Food (Temporary Boon Items)
HUNTSMEN
Raw Materials needed Wood, Metal, Leather
Primary Goods Guns, Bows, Warhorns, Torches
JEWELCRAFTERS
Raw Materials needed Metal, Stones
Primary Goods Rings, Amulets, Trinkets
Secondary Goods Item Upgrades
LEATHERWORKERS
Raw Materials needed Cloth, Leather
Primary Goods Leather Armor
Secondary Goods Packs
TAILORS
Raw Materials needed Cloth, Leather
Primary Goods Cloth Armor
Secondary Goods Bags
WEAPONSMITHS
Raw Materials needed Wood, Metal
Primary Goods Melee Weapons
285
The Monsters
of Tyria
It always helps to know what you’re getting into,
especially in battle. This chapter is all about the
monsters of Guild Wars 2. Individual creatures vary in
terms of their level, skill, and sometimes profession.
However, there are similarities within most groups
of monsters that let you anticipate their locations,
methods of attack, and possible treasures. Read this
chapter to learn how and where to hunt!
286
287
ABOMINATION BANDIT
Where Found: Orr and the Lower Steamspur Mountains Where Found: Throughout Kryta
Useful Items: N/A Useful Items: Cloth, Leather Scrap, Totems
Common Attacks: Melee, Frenzy, Ground Slam Common Attacks: Profession Based
Locations: Sparkfly Fen, Straits of Devastation, Cursed Shore, Bloodtide Coast, Locations: Brisban Wildlands, Cursed Shore, Harathi Hinterlands, Kessex Hills,
Timberline Falls, Gendarran Fields Queensdale
These massive undead are found in large concentrations of Orrian military troops. Lesser Bandits are a major problem in the human lands. These criminal elements are usually
undead are used like fodder during Orrian battles, while abominations are sent to take located in small bases near the roadways, allowing them to plunder and steal to their
out the tougher enemies. Expect these monsters to hit hard and make themselves felt. hearts’ content. Expect fairly large groups of targets, and bring a friend or two if you
Use ranged attacks against them, or dodge carefully when in melee to make sure you really want to hunt bandits and rake in the coin and cloth items they frequently drop.
don’t take as many hits.
TYPE ATTACKS
Bandit Bruiser Melee, Champion
ASCALONIAN GHOST Bandit Cutpurse Melee, Steals
Bandit Highwayman Melee, Flurry, Immobilize
Bandit Poisoner Melee, Veteran, Poison, Blind
Bandit Rifleman Range, Champion, Knockback, Immobilize
Bandit Saboteur Melee, Drops Bomb
Bandit Scout Range, Starts Fires
Bandit Thug Melee, Stun, Vulnerability
BARRACUDA
Where Found: Ruins Around Ascalon

Useful Items: N/A
Common Attacks: Profession Based
Locations: Black Citadel, Blazeridge Steppes, Diessa Plateau, Eternal Battleground
(WvW), Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Iron Marches, Kessex Hills,
Plains of Ashford
Ascalonians died by the thousands during their war with the charr. Because of the
violence and magic involved in their destruction, many of the Ascalonians are not
resting peacefully. Their blue apparitions are a common sight throughout Ascalon.
Often they’re found in groups but can still be fought in isolation if you attack carefully. Where Found: Underwater
Useful Items: Scales
TYPE ATTACKS
Common Attacks: Melee, Bleed, Frenzy, Summon Other Barracudas
Ascalonian Archer Range, Ignite Arrows, Cripple
Locations: Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Kessex Hills, Queensdale, Caledon
Ascalonian Captain Melee, Weakness, Knockdown Forest, Metrica Province
Ascalonian Cultist Range, Poison, Steals Health, Summons Minions
Ascalonian Enchanter Range, Consumes Boons, Reflects Projectiles Barracuda are a little tougher than the mainstream fish; they’ll summon additional
Ascalonian Fighter Melee, Fiery Block, Bleeds enemies and attack with reckless abandon. They’re still low on health, so they’re the best
Ascalonian Healer Range, Heals Allies, Weakness target for learning underwater weapon skills. Fast kills and large groups get you in and
out of the water quickly!
Ascalonian Mage Range, Firestorm
Ascalonian Peasant Melee
288
B E S T I A RY
BASILISK BEAR
ARCTODUS, BLACK BEAR, MURELLOW,
PLATED BEHEMOTH, POLAR BEAR
Where Found: Craggy Areas, Mountains Where Found: Forests, Hills

Useful Items: Scales Useful Items: Leather Salvage
A B O M I N AT I O N  B O A R
Common Attacks: Melee, Immobilizing Breath Common Attacks: Melee, Maul, Damage Over Time
Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Eternal Battleground (WvW), Fields of Ruin, Harathi Locations: Wayfarer Foothills, Queensdale, Kessex Hills, Timberline Falls, Gendarran
Hinterlands, Kessex Hills, Lornar’s Pass Fields, Eternal Battlegrounds (WvW), Frostgorge Sound, Snowden Drifts,
Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Lornar’s Pass, Fields of Ruin, Diessa Plateau, Iron
Basilisks are a major nuisance to fight in melee combat. Their gaze Stuns targets for Marches, Plains of Ashford, Sparkfly Fen, Hoelbrak
several seconds, and it doesn’t take long for the basilisks to recharge their ability. Dodge
to the sides to evade the attack; stay mobile if you’re at range. Bears wander around the wilderness, usually by themselves (though they’re found in
similar areas and can be hunted specifically if you know where to look). Bears have high
health, so it takes a moment to kill them. Use healing skills between fights, because
BAT bears do a fair amount of damage. You might also want to slot a damage mitigation skill
or something to remove conditions.
BOAR
FOREST BOAR, JUNGLE BOAR, WARTHOG, DIRE BOAR
Where Found: Primarily Caves

Useful Items: Vials of Blood, Leather Salvage
Common Attacks: Melee, Evasion, May Have Health Steal
Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Dredgehaunt Cliffs,
Eternal Battleground (WvW), Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Where Found: Grazing Land
Kessex Hills, Lornar’s Pass, Metrica Province, Queensdale, Snowden Drifts, Useful Items: Fangs, Leather Salvage
Sparkfly Fen, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills Common Attacks: Melee, Charge, Knockback
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Diessa Plateau,
Bats are frustrating to fight because they almost immediately try to evade once they’re Eternal Battlegrounds (WvW), Fields of Ruin, Fireheart Rise, Gendarran
attacked. This provides a brief period of immunity to damage, so don’t use your best Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Iron Marches, Lornar’s Pass, Metrica Province,
attacks until the bats have wasted their evasion. AoE weapons are useful because you Mount Maelstrom, Plains of Ashford, Queensdale, Sparkfly Fen, Straits
can thin a flock of bats without worrying about the ones that are immune to damage. of Devastation
Boars rush to attack anyone who starts a fight with them, making a fast charge toward
their victim. They knock targets around, making them a somewhat frustrating enemy to
fight. Evade their charge and stick to ranged attacks if you want to kill the boars safely.
289
BRANDED CENTAUR
Where Found: Branded Lands Where Found: Queensdale, Kessex Hills, Diessa Plateau, and Snowden Drifts
Useful Items: N/A Useful Items: Leather
Common Attacks: Depends on the Species Common Attacks: Varies by Profession
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Brisban Wildlands, Fields of Ruin, Iron Marches Locations: Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Kessex Hills, Queensdale,
Snowden Drifts
Branded is a title bestowed on any living creature that has been corrupted by the
influence of a dragon. Even sentient beings, such as humans and charr, can be changed Centaurs are most often seen in human lands, though they’re a threat in Snowden
into twisted beasts. The branded have abilities according to the creature or racial Drifts as well, where a clan of them is causing trouble. Centaurs are hard to fight because
type they were before the change. Many of the world’s’ best minds are working to they work as a team, move quickly, and often have ranged attacks, Immobilize, or
understand and undo the influence the branded have on the land. Knockdowns. Use cover and ranged attacks to pull centaurs back to a safe location
and then kill them there. Because centaurs are seen in large groups, they’re great for
TYPE ATTACKS harvesting leather. You can kill quite a few enemies without having to hunt for more
Branded Charr Champion, Melee, Launch than a minute or two. Bring allies to make your work even faster!
Branded Devourer Range, Bleed When you’re close to centaur siege weapons, make these devices your first priority. Rush
Branded Devourer Hatchling Range, Bleeds on Critical Hit into close range to stay under their line of fire, and break the weapons so your group can
Branded Earth Elemental Melee fight safely for a little while.
Branded Fish Melee
Branded Griffon Melee, Flight (Evasion) TYPE ATTACKS
Branded Lieutenant Veteran, Melee Harathi Commander Melee, Champion, Bleed, Immobilize, Daze, Trample, Buffs Allies
Branded Minotaur Melee, Throw Harathi Lancer Melee, Blocks, Launches
Branded Ogre Melee, Powerful Punch Harathi Trampler Melee, Trample
Branded Rock Dog Melee, Leap Modniir Beastmaster Range, Summon War Beasts
Branded Siege Devourer Range Modniir Berserker Melee, Champion, Frenzy, Bleed, Vulnerability
Branded Spark Range Modniir High Sage Range, Champion, Bleed, Immobilize
Modniir Hunter Range, Champion, AoE, Cripple
Modniir Sage Range, Bleed, Immobilize
BREEZE RIDER WIND/STEAM RIDER Tamini Archer Range, Bleed
Tamini Chieftain Melee, Stun, Buffs Allies
Tamini Warrior Melee, Cripple, Power Attack
CRABS AND THUNDERSHRIMP
Where Found: Plains, Caves

Useful Items: Venom Sac
Common Attacks: Melee, Often Have Immobilize
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Fields of Ruin,
Fireheart Rise, Lornar’s Pass, Mount Maelstrom
Where Found: Beaches, Rocky Areas
Breeze riders are bizarre creatures. They float silently in the air and attack their prey with
Useful Items: Meat
long tentacles, like a nightmarish squid. Breeze riders also use an Immobilizing poison
to prevent their victims from escaping. Thankfully they are not very tough, and are at a Common Attacks: Melee, Block Attacks
big disadvantage if they don’t get the drop on you. Keep your eyes open and fight smart, Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Caledon Forest, Fields of Ruin, Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge
and breeze riders are easily defeated. Sound, Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Kessex Hills, Lion’s Arch,
Lornar’s Pass, Metrica Province, Mount Maelstrom, Snowden Drifts,
Veterans from this family are tougher and have an eye beam attack that should be Sparkfly Fen, Timberline Falls
dodged whenever possible. Be careful of these guys, as they’re a great deal meaner than
their cousins. Crabs are frequently found along coastlines. They’re neutral until you attack them.
They’re easy to hunt, and cooks can get meat from them to use for inexpensive recipes.
Thundershrimp, though aquatic, are quite similar to hunt. Both types of monsters are
fairly passive until you engage them. They use evasive tactics to draw out the fight, so
they’re slow to kill. Use weapons with the highest possible burst damage to try and kill
the enemies before they get a chance to evade, or switch targets and fight a couple at a
time so you have something to hit while you wait for a target to stop its immune phase.
290
B E S T I A RY
DESTROYER DOLYAK
Where Found: Breaches In the Ground Where Found: Cold Outdoor Areas
Useful Items: N/A Useful Items: Meat, Leather Salvage
Common Attacks: Melee, May Have Fire Attacks Common Attacks: Melee, Initial Charge
Locations: Brisban Wildlands, Eternal Battleground (WvW), Kessex Hills, Lornar’s Locations: Wayfarer Foothills, Snowden Drifts, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Frostgorge Sound,
BR ANDED  DR AKE
Pass, Mount Maelstrom, Timberline Falls Lornar’s Pass, Timberline Falls
Destroyers are creatures of mindless terror that boil up from the ground to attack Dolyaks are heavy beasts of burden. Norn tame them for a variety of tasks, but you’re
whatever gets in their way. You often know destroyers are in the area because there are allowed to attack any that are seen out in the wild. These creatures won’t come after you
broken sections of ground with fire and magma surrounding them. All destroyers attack unless you strike first, but they drop enough goodies that they’re good targets for crafters.
at close range, and the big threat is often their numbers. Pull these enemies away from
their buddies so you aren’t overwhelmed by them. Try not to tick off too many dolyaks at the same time. They frontload their damage, so
it’s easy to get smashed down if you aren’t careful. This is doubly true if the dolyaks are
higher level than your hero.
DEVOURER
DRAKE
Where Found: Ascalon, Plains, Rocky Areas

Useful Items: Claw
Common Attacks: Usually Melee, May Have Poison, Burrowing, or Ranged Attacks Where Found: Waterways
Locations: Black Citadel, Blazeridge Steppes, Bloodtide Coast, Citadel of Flame, Useful Items: Scales, Claws, Meat
Diessa Plateau, Eternal Battleground (WvW), Fields of Ruin, Fireheart Rise, Common Attacks: Melee, May Have Knockdowns or Breath Weapons
Gendarran Fields, Iron Marches, Plains of Ashford
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest,
Devourers look like scorpions, but they’re larger and meaner. In addition to being Diessa Plateau, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Eternal Battleground (WvW), Fields
armored and wielding sharp mandibles and claws, devourers often Poison their prey of Ruin, Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Gendarran Fields, Harathi
to weaken and hurt it throughout the fight. The charr consider these to be redeeming Hinterlands, Hoelbrak, Iron Marches, Kessex Hills, Lornar’s Pass, Metrica
qualities and tame devourers as war beasts. Trained or wild, these oversized insects are Province, Mount Maelstrom, Plains of Ashford, Queensdale, Snowden
vicious and should be approached with caution. Drifts, Sparkfly Fen, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills
Be even more careful than usual if you bump into giant devourers. These veteran beasts Drakes wander in wetland areas and look for trouble. Smaller members of the species
have long-range attacks that can put a hurt on the group if you aren’t careful. Spread usually travel with their broodmothers, making for large and enjoyable battles. Adult
out and attack them from multiple points to avoid this threat. males stick to themselves and can be killed more safely. Not all drakes have breath
weapons, so you might think of them as somewhat easier targets. Don’t be complacent!
Attack each new variety of drake cautiously so you can find out what they’re capable of
DOLPHIN before you let your guard down.
Larger drakes may be veterans or champions, so check your target before engaging them
by yourself. For drakes that have breath weapons, be sure to strafe around them while
fighting. Like moas, it’s possible to avoid these attacks even without dodging as long as
you’re fast and stay mobile.
Where Found: Underwater Common Attacks: Melee, Bite

Useful Items: N/A Location: Bloodtide Coast
These uncommon creatures are specific to the Bloodtide Coast. They fight in a standard
underwater manner; they try to close the distance quickly and bite your character. Back
away to buy yourself time with ranged weapons. 291
DREDGE ELEMENTAL
Where Found: In and Around Caves Where Found: Anywhere They’re Summoned
Useful Items: Metal Salvage, Cloth Salvage Useful Items: Gems, Glittering Dust
Common Attacks: Varies by Profession Common Attacks: Changes by Type
Locations: Diessa Plateau, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Frostgorge Sound, Lornar’s Pass, Locations: Brisban Wildlands, Citadel of Flame, Cursed Shore, Diessa Plateau,
Snowden Drifts, Sorrow’s Embrace, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Gendarran Fields,
Harathi Hinterlands, Iron Marches, Kessex Hills, Lornar’s Pass, Malchor’s
The dredge are major enemies of the norn. They used to be enslaved by the dwarves, Leap, Metrica Province, Mount Maelstrom, Plains of Ashford, Snowden
but now there aren’t any dwarves hanging around the surface of Tyria. This has freed Drifts, Timberline Falls
the dredge and given them time to build their forces. You almost never see individual
dredge just hanging around. They’re usually seen in large groups, mining or attacking an Elementals are animated beings with the force of some aspect of nature. Be prepared
area. Their use of ranged attacks makes it hard to fight just a single dredge, as you often to fight enemies that are tough and deadly. The properties of various elements can be
end up moving into range of additional enemies. Pull the dredge back to your location infused into the summoned creature, so expect different battles depending on which
or kill them at range to avoid long chains of encounters. type of elemental you encounter.
While fighting dredge, watch out for their siege weapons. Dredge turrets hit hard and TYPE ATTACKS
should be destroyed as soon as possible. The only thing more dangerous in a dredge Air Elemental Range
cave is a dredge warrior in a mining suit. Those suits have an incredible amount of Earth Elemental Melee, Heavily Armored
health, and they cut through things pretty quickly. Kite dredge when they’re wearing the Ember Ranged, Immune to Burning
suits and drag them away from areas with reinforcements and turrets. Ice Elemental Melee, Ice Explosions
TYPE ATTACKS Lava Elemental Melee
Dredge Disaggregator Melee, Immune to Blind, Daze, Play Gong Lightning Elemental Range, Champion
Dredge Diving Suit Melee, Immune to Blind Pyrite Elemental Melee, Heavily Armored
Dredge Excavator Melee, Immune to Blind, Tunnel, Bleed Spark Range
Dredge Mining Suit Melee, Immune to Blind, Stun, Bleed, Summon Dredge Tar Elemental Melee
Dredge Oscillator Melee, Veteran, Immune to Blind, Knockback
Dredge Ratnik Range, Immune to Blind, Bleed, Vulnerability Because elementals are somewhat challenging and don’t offer much reward for your
Dredge Resonator Range, Immune to Blind, Knockdown time in battle, they’re not a good target for crafters hunting for drops. Unless you’re
doing an event or task, give elementals a wide berth and stick to easier prey if you want
Dredge Reverberant Range, Immune to Blind, Bleed, Vulnerability
ingredients, easy money, or fast kills.
Dredge Strazar Range, Knockdown
EAGLE AND HAWK ETTIN
Where Found: Mountainous or Hilly Terrain Where Found: Caves and Forests
Useful Items: N/A Useful Items: Bones
Common Attacks: Ranged Attacks Common Attacks: Melee, Knockback
Locations: Queensdale, Fields of Ruin, Timberline Falls, Queensdale Locations: Gendarran Fields, Kessex Hills, Lornar’s Pass, Mount Maelstrom,
Queensdale, Timberline Falls
These birds of prey have low health but are pesky adversaries. They often live in clusters,
and you should pull them carefully to avoid fighting a few at once. Because they’re not Ettins aren’t found in too many areas, so they’re an unusual sight. Eccentric looking and
especially large, it can be hard to spot them if you’re busy looking at other monsters (or quite aggressive, they’re not monsters to be trifled with. Expect heavy attacks that knock
exploring casually). If you aggro one, kill it where you stand and then proceed. Don’t try your characters around. Melee fighters have to practice their dodging to ensure they
to kite them or take up too much space, as you might get into more trouble. don’t get splattered and left on the ground for a few seconds. Roll away from the ettins
so the attack misses harmlessly, and then resume your assault.
292
B E S T I A RY
FISH FLY WASP, MOSQUITO, FIREFLY
Where Found: Tend to be Aquatic Where Found: Open or Wet Areas

Useful Items: Scales Useful Items: Venom Sacs
DREDGE  GIANT
Common Attacks: Nothing Scary Common Attacks: Melee, May Have Charge or Rapid Attacks
Locations: Most of the World Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Divinity’s Reach,
Fields of Ruin, Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Lornar’s Pass,
Fish aren’t very hard to kill. They’re basic attackers that have to close the distance and Metrica Province, Mount Maelstrom, Queensdale, Snowden Drifts,
bite you to death. Kite them or simply out-damage them to get your victory. Unless Sparkfly Fen, Straits of Devastation, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills
you’re hunting for scales, it’s not worth attacking most fish.
These oversized insects are found in open plains, marshes, or caves. They are usually
non-aggressive unless provoked and are not too difficult to swat down. Crafters hunt
FLAME LEGION CHARR them as a resource for ingredients for inscriptions. Gathering a large group and blasting
them with a burst of AoE damage is low risk and fun.
Though fast to kill, some creatures from this family are high on damage output. Ranged
attacks soften the nastier targets, and you can switch to melee for the kill when they get
close. That’s a good way to keep the risk low while fighting and still get fast kills.
GIANT
Where Found: Ascalon

Useful Items: Claws, Garments
Locations: Citadel of Flame, Diessa Plateau, Fireheart Rise, Iron Marches, Plains of
Ashford
Charr from the Flame Legion have been cast out of the Black Citadel. They’re a defunct
legion as far as other charr are concerned, but that doesn’t stop them from being a Where Found: Wandering through Kessex
threat. Flame Legion soldiers use magic and melee fighting to kill anyone who gets in Useful Items: N/A
their way. They’re always found in groups, and they sometimes have siege weaponry
Common Attacks: Melee, Stomp, Shout
to back up their attacks. If you have any healing abilities that remove conditions, ready
those before you fight the Flame Legion. Their abilities and turrets have a tendency to Locations: Kessex Hills
set people on fire. Remove this Burning condition whenever possible. There aren’t many living giants in this section of the world. Orr used to have problems
with giants, and the good news is that all of those monsters died when Orr was destroyed.
TYPE ATTACKS
The downside is those giants came back and are now undead. Yeesh, that’s rough.
Flame Legion Axe Fiend Melee, Rapid Attacks
Flame Legion Blademaster Melee, Stun, Bleed Living giants are only seen in Kessex Hills. They’re tall, tough, and can fight groups rather
Flame Legion Bladestorm Melee, Whirl, AoE Attacks effectively. Ranged attacks and kiting tactics make fights much easier against these
Flame Legion Effigy Melee, Veteran, Burn, Buffs Allies formidable opponents.
Flame Legion Fire Shaman Range, Launch
Flame Legion Igniter Melee, Burn
Flame Legion Lava Shaman Range, Launch
Flame Legion Shadowblade Melee, Bleed
Flame Legion Smoke Shaman Range, Blind, Stealths Allies
Flame Legion Stalker Range, Ignites Arrows
293
GOLEM GRIFFON
Where Found: Asura Lands Where Found: Hill Country

Useful Items: Glittering Dust, Metal Salvage Useful Items: Claws
Common Attacks: Melee or Range, Whirlwind Attack, Shoot Fists Common Attacks: Melee, Evade, Knockdown
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Bloodtide Coast, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Fields of Ruin,
Golems are part magical and part mechanical creations. Golems are often created by Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Iron
the asura for what they consider menial tasks, such as housework and combat. The Marches, Lornar’s Pass, Snowden Drifts, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills
most common types are MK I and MK II. MK I golems are large and thickly built. They
perform a wide range of tasks and attack by swinging their arms around in combat. These majestic beasts jealously guard their roosts. Since they are territorial, it’s easy to
MK II golems are more specialized for fighting, and they look the part. They perform fight griffons one at a time. Griffons like to knock their targets down to make them
ranged attacks by shooting out their fists. vulnerable to attack from beaks and claws. Griffons also have the ability to evade your
attacks, causing your hero to swing at nothing but air. Wait them out and resume your
Kiting works extremely well against golems; they’re not very fast, and you can avoid attacks when the griffons descend. If there are multiple targets in the battle, switch to
some of their more troublesome attacks by staying at range. something vulnerable while your original enemy evades. This prevents your hero from
wasting his time while there are enemies still attacking.
GRAWL
GRUB
Where Found: Hilly or Cavernous Areas

Useful Items: Bones, Leather Salvage Where Found: Caves, Swampy Areas
Common Attacks: Profession Based Useful Items: Venom Sacs, Fangs
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Diessa Plateau, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Fireheart Rise, Common Attacks: Range, Poison
Frostgorge Sound, Lion’s Arch, Lornar’s Pass, Plains of Ashford, Snowden Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Diessa Plateau, Eternal
Drifts, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills Battleground (WvW), Fields of Ruin, Fireheart Rise, Gendarran Fields, Harathi
Hinterlands, Iron Marches, Kessex Hills, Metrica Province, Mount Maelstrom,
The grawl are a race of hairy humanoids who live in loose tribes. They are uncivilized, Plains of Ashford, Queensdale, Straits of Devastation, The Grove
but don’t make the mistake of underestimating them. Since they can’t fight smarter,
they just fight harder. They tend to travel in small packs that make the most of their These giant bugs hide in dark areas and prefer to be left alone. They don’t attack unless
special attacks. Grawl berserkers take turns knocking a hero down. Grawl shamans threatened, but they have a ranged spit attack that carries poison. Be ready to remove
practice magic that can be very powerful. Hit grawl from range, retreat around corners that condition from your characters if you’re hunting grubs, as crafters sometimes do.
to force them forward and into a small cluster, and then switch to AoE attacks to kill Any skills that automatically clear conditions every few seconds make grubs easy prey.
the groups quickly.
TYPE ATTACKS
Grawl Berserker Melee, Frenzy, Massive Attack
Grawl Hunter Range, Cripple, Bleed, Summon Birds
Grawl Priest Range, Summon Totem, Heal
Grawl Raider Range, AoE, Immobilize
Grawl Shaman Range, Summon Totem, Knockdown
Grawl Trapper Range, Frost Trap, Baits Wurms
294
B E S T I A RY
HARPY HYLEK
Where Found: Hilly and Elevated Rocky Areas (Common in Charr Lands) Where Found: Forests and Marshes
Useful Items: Claw Useful Items: N/A
GOLEM  ICEBROOD
Common Attacks: Usually Melee, Evade, May Summon Allies Common Attacks: Vary by Profession
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Diessa Plateau, Eternal Battleground (WvW), Fields of Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Kessex Hills, Metrica
Ruin, Fireheart Rise, Harathi Hinterlands, Plains of Ashford, Queensdale, Province, Mount Maelstrom, Sparkfly Fen, Straits of Devastation
Timberline Falls
The hyleks are large humanoid frogs. They are not a playable race but can be found in
These filthy creatures make their roosts on high and rocky areas. Harpies are pests many of the capital cities as travelers or envoys. Hyleks live in tribal villages, often near
because they attack aggressively and use flight to evade enemies’ responses. There are water, and they can be quite civilized. However, there are some tribes that are aggressive
many tasks that involve killing harpies or retrieving goods they’ve stolen. That’s the great to you. Make sure to kill hyleks armed with blowguns first. They fire a series of poison
thing about harpies; you can do horrible things to them and not feel bad. A fun strategy darts that make fights much more difficult.
is to attack a harpy nest and slaughter the harpies that come to its defense. Unleash your
most powerful AoEs and rake in experience and loot. TYPE ATTACKS
Hylek Amini Melee, Immune to Poison
Hylek Caster Range, Burn, Poison
HUNTING CAT Hylek Cuicani Range, Burn, Poison
JAGUAR, SNOW LEOPARD, STALKER
Hylek Nahualli Range, Chill, Shoots Darts
Hylek Tlamatini Melee, Immune to Poison
ICEBROOD
Where Found: Open Outdoor Areas

Useful Items: Hides
Common Attacks: Melee, Pounce
Locations: Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Eternal
Battlegrounds (WvW), Fields of Ruin, Frostgorge Sound, Hoelbrak, Lornar’s
Pass, Snowden Drifts, Sparkfly Fen, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills
Where Found: Shiverpeak and Steamspur Mountains
A variety of large cats live throughout the world. All are solitary hunters that will attack Useful Items: N/A
if you get close. Watch when they prepare to pounce. It’s a devastating hit that should Common Attacks: Vary by Profession
be evaded whenever possible. Many types of crafters value the hides gathered from Locations: Brisban Wildlands, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound,
hunting cats. Honor of the Waves, Mount Maelstrom, Snowden Drifts, Wayfarer Foothills
The icebrood are a group of creatures twisted and bound to Jormag, or have willingly
sworn themselves to serve the dragon. These are your enemies! Destroy them wherever
you find them, for they stand to do a great amount of harm to the world.
TYPE ATTACKS
Corrupted Fish Melee, Cripple
Corrupted Quaggan Melee
Icebrood Colossus Melee
Icebrood Elemental Melee, Summons Minions, Chill, Bleed
Icebrood Goliath Melee
Icebrood Kodan Melee, Champion
Icebrood Norn Melee, Frozen Ground
Icebrood Wolf Melee, Lunge, Bite
295
IMP JOTUN
Where Found: Usually in Caves Where Found: Tundra

Useful Items: Glittering Dust, Gems Useful Items: Bones, Cloth Salvage
Common Attacks: Range Common Attacks: Melee, Knockback
Locations: Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Citadel of Flame, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Location: Dredgehaunt Cliffs
Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Iron Marches, Lornar’s Pass, Metrica
Province, Mount Maelstrom, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills The jotun are easy to recognize. They look like giant humans with bluish skin and
tattoos. The jotun live on the frozen tundra in simple huts. If you get too close, jotun
Imps are flying elemental creatures. They attack from range using whatever element they’re become very aggressive and will fight you with whatever they have at hand, even if that
affiliated with. Often imps are summoned by magic users to perform guard duty or to means going hand-to-hand with their victims. What they lack in technique they make
power a magical artifact. While individual imps aren’t very tough, others may join the fight up for in strength and ferocity. Jotun are highly vulnerable to kiting attacks if you have a
and ramp up the damage. If this happens, retreat around an obstacle. When the imps follow, clear area behind your character.
they’ll naturally group up around the corner and will be vulnerable to AoE attacks.
KRAIT
INQUEST
Where Found: Humid and Watery Areas

Where Found: Asura Lands, Laboratories, Underground Volcano Bases Useful Items: Bones, Scales, Cloth Salvage
Useful Items: Glittering Dust, Metal Salvage, Totems Common Attacks: Profession Based
Common Attacks: Profession Based Locations: Eternal Battleground (WvW), Kessex Hills, Malchor’s Leap, Metrica
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Divinity’s Reach, Province, Mount Maelstrom, Timberline Falls
Malchor’s Leap, Metrica Province, Mount Maelstrom, Rata Sum, Sorrow’s
Embrace, Sparkfly Fen, Timberline Falls Of all the creatures and races that live in or near the water, few are as dangerous as the
krait. With the upper torso of a humanoid and a powerful tail, the krait are ungainly
The Inquest is a faction of asura that tries to harness magic and technology in dangerous on land but lethal underwater. Depending on their profession, individual krait have
ways. While all asura value the pursuit of knowledge, the Inquest wants it only to acquire vicious attacks including magic, summoning allies, pulling targets in with their tridents,
power. The result is mad science run amok. Take care when getting too close to an and inflicting all kinds of conditions. If your normal gear is better than your aquatic
area where the Inquest is performing experiments. They will attack with technologic weaponry, pull these enemies up to the shore and fight them there. It’s often easier than
weaponry and their golems. killing them in their preferred environment.
When in doubt, kill Inquest agents before dealing with the golems they have in the area.
The asurans aren’t that hard to take down directly, and many of them have ways to TYPE ATTACKS
make the golems stronger. Once they’re dead, it will be a little easier to strip down the Krait Damoss Melee, Bleed, Poison
golems for parts. Krait Hypnoss Range, Champion, Poison, Summons Minions
Krait Nimross Range, Pull, Bleed, Immobilize, Knockback
TYPE ATTACKS Krait Slaver Melee, Immobilize
Head Analyst Range, Veteran
Inquest Assassin Melee, Stealth
Inquest Assistant Range, Champion, Bleed, Shields
Inquest Engineer Melee, Drops Turrets
Inquest Extinguisher Range, Champion, Chill, Pull, Removes Conditions
Inquest Golemancer Range, Stun, Buffs Golems
Inquest Golemcaster Range, Applies Conditions
Inquest Grenadier Range, Champion
Inquest Powersuit Melee, Whirlwind, Pilot Ejects
Inquest Technician Range, Heals Allies
Mark I Golem Melee, AoE, Self Repair
Mark I Golemite Melee
Mark II Golem Range, Stun
Mark II Golemite Range, Shoots Fists
Prototype Incinerator Golem Melee, Fiery Attacks
296
B E S T I A RY
MANTA RAY MOA FLAMINGO, ETC.
Where Found: Underwater Where Found: Open Terrain

Useful Items: N/A Useful Items: Meat, Eggs
Common Attacks: Melee Common Attacks: Short Range, May Have Breath Attacks, Daze, Frenzy
Location: Sparkfly Fen Locations: Sparkfly Fen, Snowden Drifts, Divinity’s Reach, Bloodtide Coast, Lion’s
IMP  MOOSE
Arch, Caledon Forest, Queensdale, Gendarran Fields, Kessex Hills, Metrica
These rare creatures should be kited to avoid their fairly damaging melee attacks. Province, Mount Maelstrom, Straits of Devastation, Wayfarer Foothills,
Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Frostgorge Sound, Lornar’s Pass, Timberline Falls,
MASTIFF ROCK DOG, WARG Harathi Hinterlands, Fields of Ruin, Brisban Wildlands, Blazeridge Steppes,
Diessa Plateau, Fireheart Rise, Plains of Ashford
Moa are flightless birds that are stunningly tough for their size. Many have breath
weapons they use to Stun their foes and deal damage at the same time. You can easily
be killed if you attack several moa at once. Fight them on their own and evade to the
side the moment they set up their breath attack.
There are many different colors of moa, and you end up finding different varieties of
these birds in almost every part of the world.
MOOSE
Where Found: Forests and Rocky Land

Useful Items: Meat, Bones
Common Attacks: Melee, Lunge, Bite, Bleed
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Brisban Wildlands, Diessa Plateau, Fields of Ruin,
Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Iron Marches, Kessex Hills, Plains of
Ashford, Queensdale
Mastiffs are canines that are larger than wolves and have a thick mane of fur along their
shoulders. The sylvari, Nightmare Court, and Sons of Svanir train their own breeds as
combat animals. Use AoE attacks to kill these hounds while attacking their masters.
In other areas, you find rock dogs and wargs that are more independent but just as
dangerous and feral. All of these monsters are lethal if you let them get too close to your Where Found: Open Areas
character. Either exploit their lack of range or keep them disrupted in melee combat. Useful Items: Meat
Common Attacks: Melee, Kick, Calls Allies if Nearby
Locations: Snowden Drifts, Wayfarer Foothills, Frostgorge Sound, Timberline Falls,
MINOTAUR BULL, IRATE BULL, BROWN COW Lornar’s Pass, Dredgehaunt Cliffs
Though neutral until attacked, moose are a brave species. They’ll come to the aid of
nearby moose. Be wary of this before you end up fighting an entire herd!
Use ranged attacks to get a major edge on the beasts, because they are entirely
dependent on melee attacks to defeat their enemies.
Where Found: Hilly Terrain

Useful Items: Vials of Blood, Meat
Common Attacks: Melee, Charge, Frenzy, Enrage
Locations: Diessa Plateau, Fields of Ruin, Lornar’s Pass, Plains of Ashford, Queensdale,
Brisban Wildlands
Minotaurs are found in the open hilly areas of the world. They fight aggressively, rushing
foes and breaking them with powerful melee attacks. These beasts also have the ability
to give themselves Frenzy and Enrage boons. This allows them to increase their already
substantial damage. When facing minotaurs, keep moving and try to stay out of reach.
Immobilize, Stun, or knock them around to make it easier to do this. Ranged characters
have an edge in this, but melee characters with damage mitigation also do well.
297
NIGHTMARE COURT OOZE
Where Found: The Tarnished Coast and Steamspur Mountains Where Found: Varies
Useful Items: Bones, Cloth Salvage Useful Items: Metal Salvage
Common Attacks: Profession Based Common Attacks: Melee, Immobilize
Locations: Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Mount Maelstrom, Sparkfly Fen, Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Citadel of Flame, Cursed Shore,
The Grove Diessa Plateau, Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Harathi Hinterlands,
Kessex Hills, Lornar’s Pass, Metrica Province, Mount Maelstrom, Plains
The sylvari believe that during the time before they are born they are part of the Dream of Ashford, Queensdale, Sorrow’s Embrace, Straits of Devastation,
of the Pale Tree. Most describe it as a time of light, growth, and hope. But others seem Timberline Falls
to have experienced something darker. These sylvari leave the presence of the Pale Tree
and the Grove and have created the Nightmare Court. Members of the Nightmare Oozes are a pain in the rump. They often have the ability to stop you dead in your
Court have been attacking villages and taking captives in order to “turn” them. Through tracks, and this gets more daunting if you fight too many of them in a tight space. You
torture, they work to corrupt their victims to their own twisted image. won’t get a moment to yourself, and their damage adds up quickly. Ranged attacks
help to pull oozes safely. Melee AoEs are better for the fast kills. Combine the two for an
Put a condition-clearing skill on your bar before going into Nightmare Court areas. easier time with these monsters.
Many of these sylvari have abilities that do damage over time or otherwise mess with
your hero. Clear these conditions quickly and fight back with raw damage output! Beware of champion oozes. These larger versions have so much health that it takes a small
army to bring them down. Running away from them is difficult, so if things go poorly you
TYPE ATTACKS aren’t likely to survive the experience. Bring your friends. Heck, bring your guild!
Nightmare Court Executioner Melee, Bleed, Poison, Cripple
Nightmare Court Bowman Range, Bleed, Knockback
Nightmare Court Page Range, Evade, Poison ORRIAN RISEN
Nightmare Court Ebon Knight Melee, Weakness, Vulnerability, Launch
Nightmare Court Kennelmaster Melee, Buffs Allies, Frenzies Pets
Nightmare Apprentice Range, Poison, Steals Health
Nightmare Court Squire Melee, Counters Attacks
Dark Count Range, Inflicts Random Conditions, Turns Boons to Conditions
Nightmare Court Marquis Melee, Confuse, Cripple, Teleport, Buffs Self
Nightmare Court Knight Melee, Bleed, Block
Nightmare Court Tormentor Range, Burn, Steals Health
Nightmare Court Torch Range, Burn, Steals Health
Nightmare Hound Melee
OGRE
Where Found: All Over Orr and The Steamspur Mountains
Useful Items: Metal Salvage, Cloth Salvage, Bones
Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Cursed Shore,
Gendarran Fields, Kessex Hills, Malchor’s Leap, Mount Maelstrom,
Sparkfly Fen, Straits of Devastation, Timberline Falls
Orr was an ancient civilization that was destroyed and sank to the bottom of the sea.
Foul magic corrupted the dead entombed within and they have risen to conquer the
living. Orrians are undead from all the races of the world. Do not mistake them for
mindless zombies; they work in groups, call for help, and members fight with the skills
they still knew while alive. Orrian brutes, for example, are tough melee warriors that
knock their victims down with hammer strikes. Heroes looking to add to their prestige
should fight these menaces wherever they’re found. Orrians are a threat to every living
Where Found: In Small Communities (Commonly in Ascalon) being in the world.
Useful Items: Bones
TYPE ATTACKS
Common Attacks: Melee, Ground Slam, Throw Boulder
Orrian Spectral Guard Melee
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Eternal Battleground (WvW), Fields of Ruin,
Plains of Ashford Orrian Spectral Juggernaut Ranged
Risen Abomination Melee, Unstoppable, Frenzy
Ogres don’t look very bright, but they’re smart enough to know they accomplish more Risen Acolyte Range, Frenzy
as a group than as individuals. Ogres often have animal companions that fight alongside Risen Archmage Range, Champion, Frenzy
them (ogres try to buff these pets to make them more powerful, so take out the pets Risen Baron Melee, Champion, Frenzy
quickly to make the battles safer). Risen Baroness Melee, Champion, Frenzy
Ogres build crude yet effective settlements along mountainsides. Expect heavy Risen Brute Melee, Knockdown
resistance if you invade their homes; this is a very lucrative activity because ogres drop Risen Bull Melee
bones quite often. These are prized by crafters and can be sold at the Trading Post for a Risen Bull Shark Melee, Toxic Bite
tidy sum. Because there are usually tasks and events surrounding these communities,
Risen Captain Melee, Champion, Frenzy
you can get paid as you hunt to make even more money.
Risen Chicken Melee, Explodes
298
B E S T I A RY
TYPE ATTACKS
Risen Corrupter Melee, Champion, Chill, Self Boons
PIRATE
Risen Despoiler Melee, Champion, Teleport, Blind, Daze, Stun
Risen Drake Melee, Knockback, Bleed, Summon Flies
Risen Drake Broodmother Melee, Breathes Fire
Risen Drake Hatchling Melee, Launched When Hit
Risen Eagle Melee, Drops Bombs
Risen Executioner Melee, Champion, Frenzy
Risen Farmer Melee, Frenzy
Risen Giant Melee, Veteran, Knockdown, Vulnerability, Poison, Throw Grubs
Risen Gorilla Melee, Throw, Weakness, Cripple
Risen Grub Range, Spit Draws Undead
N I G H TM A R E C O U RT  P I R AT E
Risen Hylek Range, Poisons, Immune to Poison
Risen Jester Range, Frenzy
Risen Knight Melee
Risen Megalodon Melee, Champion, Toxic Bite, Steals Health, Eats Foes Where Found: Coastal and Riverside Areas
Risen Noble Melee, Frenzy Useful Items: Cloth (Excellent Source)
Risen Pirate Melee, Frenzy Common Attacks: Profession Based
Risen Plague Carrier Melee, Explodes Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Cursed Shore, Gendarran Fields, Lion’s Arch, Lornar’s
Pass, Snowden Drifts
Risen Plaguebearer Range, Champion, Steals Life, Transfers Conditions
Risen Preserver Range, Champion, AoE Heals, Removes Conditions, Mist Form Pirates inhabit the rivers and coastline around the Steamspur Mountains. You might
Risen Priest of Balthazar Melee, Champion expect them to be poorly equipped, but that’s not the case. Many pirates have turrets,
Risen Priestess of Dwayna Range, Champion military training, and even siege weaponry (such as cannons). They fight in groups and
Risen Priestess of Lyssa Range, Champion may have veterans to lead their forces. Expect them to use Stun attacks and a mix of
Risen Putrifier Melee, Champion, Pull, Steal Life, Reflect melee and ranged weaponry. Because pirates build small settlements, you can usually
Risen Quaggan Melee find places to hide inside their towns. Use these buildings to break line of sight and force
all of your attackers to come forward as a group. This is ideal for AoE attacks and for
Risen Raptor Melee, Dazes Wounded Enemies
resting afterward.
Risen Sea Scorpion Melee, Bite, Poison Sting
Risen Sea Turtle Melee Pirates may be the best source of cloth in the entire game. They drop it like nobody’s
Risen Servant Melee, Frenzy business, so tailors love to kill them for fun and profit.
Risen Shark Melee, Toxic Bite
TYPE ATTACKS
Risen Spider Hatchling Melee
Buccaneer Captain Range, Champion, Shoots Lightning
Risen Spider Queen Melee, Lays Eggs, Pull
Buccaneer First Mate Range, Veteran, Throws Foes
Risen Squire Melee, Frenzy
Buccaneer Pirate Range, Throws Daggers
Risen Statue of Dwayna Range, Champion
Buccaneer Sapper Melee, Frenzy
Risen Subjugator Range, Champion, Fear, Steals Life
Buccaneer Sniper Range, Immobilize
Risen Thrall Melee, Frenzy
Covington Pirate Range, Throws Daggers
Risen Villager Melee, Frenzy
Covington Pirate Thug Melee
Risen Wizard Range, Frenzy
Cutthroat Captain Range, Champion, Throws Bombs
Risen Wraith Range, Teleport, Steals Health
Cutthroat First Mate Range, Veteran, Launch
Cutthroat Pirate Range, Throws Daggers
PINESOUL Cutthroat Sapper Melee, Frenzy
MOSSHEART, OAKHEART, WILLOWHEART Cutthroat Sniper Range, Immobilize
Jackdaw Captain Range, Champion, Rapid Attacks, Buffs Allies
Jackdaw First Mate Range, Veteran, Burning
Jackdaw Pirate Range, Throws Daggers
Jackdaw Sapper Melee, Frenzy
Jackdaw Sniper Range, Immobilize
Where Found: Forested Regions

Useful Items: Food
Common Attacks: Melee, Knockdowns, Immobilize
Locations: Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Eternal
Battleground (WvW), Frostgorge Sound, Gendarran Fields, Harathi
Hinterlands, Lornar’s Pass, Metrica Province, Mount Maelstrom,
Queensdale, Snowden Drifts, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills
Pinesouls and their cousins are usually found in forested areas. They’re safe to walk
around but deadly if angered. These enemies have high health and are great at knocking
people around. Even while dying they’re able to toss everyone away from their bodies.
Evade backwards anytime a pinesoul charges for a stronger attack. If you have skills that
make your hero immune to positional attacks, use them early in a pinesoul fight and lay
on the direct damage.
Even in death these forces of nature have plenty of power. They often throw melee characters
back in a final death frenzy as they go down. Back off to avoid this if it bothers you.
Watch out for a champion in Queensdale that is even more powerful than most
creatures of this variety. None of the pinesoul variants are low on health, but that one
has healing pods and won’t quit without a serious fight.
299
RAPTOR SEPARATIST
Where Found: Jungles, Grasslands Where Found: Ascalon

Useful Items: Claws, Meat Useful Items: Cloth
Common Attacks: Melee, May Have Daze or Chill Common Attacks: Profession based
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Diessa Plateau, Fields of Ruin, Harathi Hinterlands, Iron
Forest, Diessa Plateau, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Fields of Ruin, Fireheart Marches, Plains of Ashford
Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Iron
Marches, Kessex Hills, Lornar’s Pass, Metrica Province, Mount Maelstrom, The peace treaty between the charr and the humans of Ebonhawke is a good thing for
Queensdale, Snowden Drifts, Sparkfly Fen, Straits of Devastation, both peoples, but not everyone is ready to put down their weapons. Human separatists
Timberline Falls are trying to erode support for the treaty and the government that signed it. Don’t
expect these humans to give you any chances; they’ll murder charr and human alike if it
Raptors are a mix between a flightless bird and a lizard. They have few feathers on their
furthers their cause.
forearms, which are better for clawing than flapping. Raptors are found in a wide range
of areas, and many of them share the same characteristics. They’re usually going to close TYPE ATTACKS
with your hero, attack in melee, and Daze people they hit. Some raptors have Chill Separatist Basher Melee, Knockdown, Reflect Projectiles
instead, but both major archetypes are best killed with either very long range weapons,
Separatist Engineer Range, Chill, Launch
or high-damage melee skills. Characters that let raptors get too close are going to lose
their kiting potential and get gobbled up. Switch to melee to burn down these targets if Separatist Marksman Range, Knockback
you get caught out in the open. Separatist Stormcaller Melee, Champion, Teleport, Cripple, Bleed
Separatist Thaumaturge Range, Champion, AoE Lightning, Knockback, Tornado
SEA SCORPION
SHADE
Where Found: Underwater

Useful Items: N/A Where Found: Swamps
Common Attacks: Melee, Poison, Temporary Immunity to Damage Useful Items: N/A
Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Frostgorge Sound, Mount Maelstrom, Lion’s Arch, Common Attacks: Melee, Charge Attack
Caledon Forest Locations: Iron Marches, Kessex Hills, Lornar’s Pass, Queensdale
These heavily armored creatures are tough to take down. Thankfully they keep to Shades are large ape-like creatures made of dark energy. They’re often found prowling
themselves and will only fight when provoked. It’s better to focus on burst damage around swamps, fens, and bogs. Watch out when these creatures charge, because they
when fighting a sea scorpion. Try to kill them before they go immune to damage and can toss adventurers quite far. You won’t usually see large groups of these enemies, so
then deal with your conditions once the fight is over. they’re difficult to kill en masse. Their attacks can sometimes apply Weakness, making
the rest of the fight more difficult because your character does less damage for a short
time. Hold off on your strongest attacks during this period, and then unload on the
Shades as soon as the Weakness wears off.
300
B E S T I A RY
SHARK SKALE
Where Found: Deep Water Where Found: Bogs, Rivers, Coastlines

Useful Items: N/A Useful Items: Scales, Vials of Blood, Leather Salvage
Common Attacks: Melee, High Damage, Bleed Common Attacks: Melee, Health Regeneration, May Have Knockdown
Locations: Plains of Ashford, Gendarran Fields, Iron Marches, Timberline Falls, Kessex Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Divinity’s Reach, Eternal
R A P TO R  S K R I T T
Hills, Frostgorge Sound, Fireheart Rise, Lornar’s Pass Battleground (WvW), Fireheart Rise, Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands,
Iron Marches, Kessex Hills, Metrica Province, Plains of Ashford, Queensdale
Sharks are often quite large. They’re easy to spot, even at long range. Inflict early damage
from range, as sharks can’t hit back until they get close. Once they do, it’s a race to deal Skales are amphibious creatures found in wetlands of the world. Like salamanders, they
damage. Heal to stay ahead, and resume kiting if you can quickly vacate its melee range. have the ability to heal wounds and regenerate health at an accelerated rate. They are
lucrative targets for hunting because of all the resources that can be gathered from
Champion sharks can be found in Harathi Hinterlands and the Bloodtide Coast. They’re them. Though very aggressive, you’re unlikely to end up fighting very many skales
brutally tough and should only be engaged with a fairly large group. Soloers and duos simultaneously. This makes them relatively safe so long as you don’t kite them far and
just end up being lunch, even if they do have good kiting skills. wide, accidentally drawing more enemies into the conflict.
SHEEP AND OTHER LIGHT COMBATANTS SKELK
Where Found: Open Areas Where Found: Often Near Water

Useful Items: N/A Useful Items: Fangs, Venom Sacs, Leather Salvage
Common Attacks: Melee Attacks Common Attacks: Melee, Often Have Teleport or Shadow Step
Location: Everywhere Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Diessa Plateau,
Eternal Battleground (WvW), Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Gendarran
Many animals of this type, including deer and does, exist in Tyria. They’re hardly worth Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Iron Marches, Lornar’s Pass, Metrica Province,
fighting because they’re so easy to kill and have precious little treasure to dispense. Mount Maelstrom, Plains of Ashford, Queensdale, Snowden Drifts,
Though they are worth a small amount of experience, you’d be better off fighting Sparkfly Fen, Straits of Devastation, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills
something more valuable as part of an event.
Skelks are small sneaky lizards that stand on their hind legs. In combat they have abilities that
let them appear behind you and rake you with their claws. When they start this disappearing
SIAMOTH act, dodge out of the way so the cowards can’t slash into your back. Lay into them when the
skelks reappear and ensure you keep the upper hand in the battle. These monsters don’t have
particularly high health, so they die quickly as long as you stay on your toes.
Where Found: Open Areas

Useful Items: Meat
Common Attacks: Melee, Charge
Locations: Mount Maelstrom, Sparkfly Fen, Caledon Forest, Brisban Wildlands, Metrica
Province, Bloodtide Coast, Lornar’s Pass, Gendarran Fields, Timberline Falls
Siamoths are large, armored rodents. They’re fairly hardy for glorified rats, but you won’t
have too much to fear from them. They’re rarely found in large numbers, and individuals
don’t pose a huge risk to seasoned heroes. 301
SKRITT SPIDER
Where Found: Caves and Mountainous Areas Where Found: Caves, Forests
Useful Items: Scales, Totems, Leather Salvage, Metal Salvage Useful Items: Venom Sacs
Common Attacks: Profession Based Common Attacks: Melee, Poison, Pull
Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Dredgehaunt Locations: Blazeridge Steppes, Bloodtide Coast, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Fields of Ruin,
Cliffs, Fields of Ruin, Lornar’s Pass, Metrica Province, Queensdale, Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Gendarran Fields, Harathi Hinterlands, Iron
Timberline Falls Marches, Lornar’s Pass, Snowden Drifts, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills
These rat-like humanoids are as much pests as the four-legged creature they look like. Spiders are foul pests that use damage over time and sometimes positional attacks
Skritt make homes in areas that are either dark or hard to get into. They prefer homes to disrupt heroes. Healing abilities that remove conditions are extremely useful when
close to living spaces of other humanoids. This helps them hide with the things they fighting spiders; their poison isn’t enough to kill with a single application, but it drags
steal, which tend to be anything not nailed down. Skritt may appear silly and cute, but you down eventually, unless you stop to rest between every battle. High-damage melee
they can do real damage with their makeshift weapons. In addition, they fight in groups weapons are the best for killing spiders because many of them can pull you into melee,
whenever they can. You might have trouble getting just one or two skritt at a time if you limiting the value of ranged weapons and kiting techniques.
don’t pull carefully when entering their areas.
For a laugh, engage a group of skritt and then run away from them. See what they yell as TROLL
you get away.
TYPE ATTACKS
Skritt Bottle Lobber Range, Throws Junk, Buffs Allies
Skritt Forager Melee, Big Damage
Skritt Gear Lobber Range, Sets Bombs, Deploys Turrets
Skritt Pistolier Range
Skritt Sentry Melee
SONS OF SVANIR
Where Found: Frozen Tundra, Forests, Caves

Useful Items: Vials of Blood, Bones, Venom Sacs, Cloth Salvage
Common Attacks: Melee, Knockdown, Self Healing
Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Dredgehaunt Cliffs,
Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Gendarran Fields, Kessex Hills, Lornar’s
Pass, Metrica Province, Mount Maelstrom, Plains of Ashford, Snowden
Drifts, Sparkfly Fen, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills
Trolls are hunchbacked and brutish-looking humanoids. They have bad posture and
are large and thickly built. They don’t wear much more than rags and don’t carry any
weapons. Trolls can speak, but don’t expect any meaningful conversations; they will
Where Found: Norn Lands attack you on sight. They’re renowned for their fortitude. Expect them to regenerate
Useful Items: Totems, Metal Salvage and heal their wounds.
Common Attacks: Often Warriors or Rangers Conditions that cause damage over time are very effective against trolls because these
Locations: Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Frostgorge Sound, Hoelbrak, Honor of the Waves, skills keep the troll’s healing in check. Instead of spreading your damage around, focus on
Snowden Drifts, Wayfarer Foothills a single target and bring it down as fast as possible.
These norn have chosen to follow the teachings of their dead leader Svanir who was Though trolls aren’t usually found in high numbers, they’re still a great target for crafters
corrupted by the Elder Dragon Jormag. This faction is tolerated, minimally, in norn society. hunting through the wilderness. Use them as targets of opportunity because they drop
However, outside of the norn capital city, the Sons of Svanir will attack anyone on sight. such a large number of useful ingredients.
Almost all Sons of Svanir are brutal damage dealers. Whether up close or at range, expect
these guys to pack a mighty punch. Fight them conservatively, heal often, and break line
of sight to ensure the ranged members of their groups have to come to you. Kiting is hard
against Sons of Svanir teams, as many of them have Cripple or Chill to make your escape
more difficult. Melee AoE attacks are often more successful against these jerks.
TYPE ATTACKS
Son of Svanir Range, Cripple, Chill
Icebrood Berserker Range, Champion, Cripple, Chill, Reflect Projectiles
Icebrood Hunter Range, Chill, Summon Wolf
Icebrood Claymore Melee, AoE, Bleed
Icebrood Mauler Melee, Knockdown, Freeze
Icebrood Seer Range, Champion, Chill, Summon Minions
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B E S T I A RY
WAVE RIDER WURM
SKRITT  WURM
Where Found: Deep Water Where Found: Colder Climates
Useful Items: Scales Useful Items: Fangs, Venom Sacs
Common Attacks: Melee, Poison AoE Common Attacks: Ranged, Tunnels, Bites, Back Away, May Have Knockdowns
Locations: Bloodtide Coast, Snowden Drifts, Kessex Hills, Lion’s Arch, Frostgorge Locations: Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Diessa Plateau, Dredgehaunt Cliffs,
Sound, Lornar’s Pass Fireheart Rise, Frostgorge Sound, Gendarran Fields, Kessex Hills, Lornar’s
Pass, Metrica Province, Queensdale, Snowden Drifts, Sparkfly Fen, Straits
Wave riders are large jellyfish that trail a long line of poisonous tentacles behind them. of Devastation, Timberline Falls, Wayfarer Foothills
These are not passive creatures that wait for prey. Wave riders swim up to their victims
to whip them with their tentacles and let their poison do its work. Wurms are a massive threat to melee troops. They hide in the ground and then burst
up to deal damage to everyone nearby. Stay away from wurms when they submerge
Unless your hero is able to remove conditions painlessly, and frequently, it’s smart to and wait to reengage them until they’ve come back to the surface! Even after that, they
switch to ranged weapons for these fights. knock people around and automatically back away from your characters when struck.
That frustrates any melee attacks that are channeled. It’s quite a hassle.
WOLF COYOTE Switch to ranged weapons and kill the wurms from medium range. That keeps them
from backing up out of your attack range during the early hits of the fight. Ranged
characters with mobility also benefit from this because some wurms have slow ranged
attacks that miss strafing characters. Use this to great advantage by circling around the
wurms and shooting them from a safe distance.
Where Found: Forests and Open Land

Useful Items: Fangs, Leather Salvage, Meat
Common Attacks: Melee, Summon Allies
Locations: Brisban Wildlands, Caledon Forest, Cursed Shore, Eternal Battleground
(WvW), Fields of Ruin, Frostgorge Sound, Gendarran Fields, Harathi
Hinterlands, Hoelbrak, Iron Marches, Lornar’s Pass, Mount Maelstrom,
Queensdale, Snowden Drifts, Sparkfly Fen, The Grove, Timberline Falls,
Wayfarer Foothills
Wolves live in packs and can be killed in high numbers when you find their dens. They’re
hunted for fangs and pelts so crafters can make insignias. Because they rely on melee
damage, it’s easy to group wolves together for AoE attacks. Another technique is to
allow wolves to use their howl ability to summon more wolves. That way, you get to
kill more enemies without having to hunt them down. If you do this, be very careful
of getting into fights that are too big or too long for your character to handle. This is a
better technique when you have a group, so there are characters to back each other up
if/when things go wrong.
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Player vs.
Player Warfare
Guild Wars 2 provides challenges to a variety of players. Dungeon delvers, PvE guilds, and soloists are happy to wander around the world, fighting monsters and saving the day.
But what about the players who want to test each other and find out who is the best? That’s what PvP is for, and there are several ways to go about it.
This chapter takes you through the major battles found in WvW (when servers compete against each other) and then it covers the smaller and more controlled matches for
more organized PvP.
304
305
Getting Ready to Fight
To minimize the chance of griefing, Guild Wars 2 doesn’t allow for open world
fighting in its PvE zones. Characters in Tyria are fully cooperative, cannot hurt
THE HALL OF MEMORIES
each other, and that’s it. You never have to worry about friendly fire, being ganked THE PVP LOBBY
(attacked and murdered by higher-level characters), or any other negative character Going straight into matches is fine, but you can get your feet wet first if you’d like to have
interactions. a more controlled entry into this style of play. The first area of the Mists is essentially a PvP
lobby. That’s where you should start unless you really know what you’re doing. The lobby
To access PvP, use the PvP tab in your Hero screen. Pressing “H” brings up the Hero has testing dummies to try out various weapon skills. You can trade for different weapons
window; click on the PvP tab on the left, and then select “Go to the Mists.” From and armor, and then switch around traits and skills to your heart’s content.
there you can find smaller battles, or just mess around with your character at level 80
with all of their skills unlocked. The PvP screen is also where you can see your stats for
this part of the game. Glory, in case you’re wondering, is like a currency. You accrue it
while fighting enemies in PvP matches, and it’s used to upgrade your equipment.
If you want to enter WvW and fight in the Eternal Battlegrounds, open the WvW tab
in the upper left portion of the screen, and use the interface there to teleport into
these contested maps.
During your first trip into the Mists, the game puts you through a minor tutorial in
PvP combat. Your character gets simple weaponry that suits your profession, and a
number of quick events pop up as you move through the outer section of the Mists.
Follow the directions onscreen to learn about this style of gameplay, or walk to the far
side of the map to enter a gate and leave the tutorial. You’re now in the normal lobby
Everyone is set to level 80 in the lobby, so you can compare damage and general
that the other PvPers access.
fighting capabilities between your various characters without it being an apples and
oranges type of issue.
Another aspect of the lobby is that it’s a hub for all PvP services. There are Asura
Gates to take your character back to Tyria (specifically, to Lion’s Arch). Use NPCs in
the area to start special matches, join others in PvP, buy PvP weapons and armor, or
wander around the island and improve your skills.
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PLAYER VS. PLAYER WARFARE
An instructor, near the entrance, shows you the locations of all pertinent training groups and vendors in the lobby. SLOW OR IMMOBILIZE ENEMIES
You can train for ground combat, underwater fighting, use of siege equipment, practice on simple dummies,
change gear at the vendors, spend Glory, or talk to other players and trade stories and tactics.
G E T T I N G R E A DY TO F I G H T
Talk to the vendors in the area to outfit your character for any style of fighting. Make sure you have the weapon
types you prefer, and don’t be afraid to try out new combinations over time. The things you fall in love with in PvE
may not be the ones you enjoy for PvP.
The base tier of PvP items is free, so you’re never going to be stuck without appropriate gear. You can stock up on
weapons of various types, and try out each to see how well they work for you against other people.
When you do need to attack with short-range skills or
channeled abilities, consider leading with attacks that Daze,
Chill, Immobilize, or Cripple your target. If they can’t run
away, they’ll have to eat the damage from your heaviest
attacks. Melee characters have to fight like this all the time in
PvP. Jump/shadowstep over to opponents, keep them from
getting away, and lay into the fools. That’s how it’s done.
Also remember that a slow/disabled enemy looks

vulnerable to more than your hero. Other players are more
likely to jump in and trash your enemy when they look
weak. This is a good way to have your team focus fire on
individual targets.
DON’T LET THEM DO IT TO YOU
High mobility is incredibly useful and important when fighting other players, so strongly consider one or more
ranged weapons that look like they’d be good for kiting or anti-kiting work. Your enemies are quite likely to be
doing the same thing!
Make sure to set up your skills. You have access to everything that your profession has to offer, including elite skills.
Set up a strong default bar that has at least some healing, condition removal, and damage immunity/mitigation.
That’s your default for PvP. While you might find something preferable over time, it’s good to start out with these
Evade early and often if you think someone is setting up a
types of abilities until you know exactly what you’re doing.
heavy attack run. As soon as he starts closing aggressively,
When you want to leave the PvP side of the game, go back to your Hero screen and exit from there. Or, take the dodge behind something, roll through the person, or
Asura Gate back to Lion’s Arch. otherwise get out of the way. Skills that Stun give you a
golden opportunity to escape as well. Even a second or two
can be enough to disrupt someone’s best attack routine.
COMMON TIPS
Before talking about specific types of PvP, we’ll go over some of the general rules and tactics you’ll need for your KILL THE OWNER, NOT THE PET
early engagements.
KEEP MOVING!
Mobile targets are harder to hit with AoEs and a number
of short-range attacks. If you plant your feet for a
channeling skill, realize that your opponents are quite likely
to move and cause most of the effect to miss.
Counter speed with speed. Make sure you move fast, use
obstacles to break line of sight at critical moments, and Various monsters can be summoned during battle. They’ll
try to get behind enemies whenever possible. The more hassle your character, and it seems tempting to go after
attacks your opponent wastes, the more likely your hero them. If you’re behind cover, that’s fine. Kill the offending
will win the fight. creature when you aren’t taking fire from anything else.
However, don’t waste attacks on these lesser enemies when
there are bigger fish to fry. When you’re out in the open,
“If you are about to go down, try to do so near an ally so they can revive you!”
direct your damage toward the hero who summoned
—Peter Larkin those pets. That’s who you need to kill to stop the creatures
for more than a few moments. Don’t get distracted! 307
KEEP YOUR MIND ON THE PRIZE AND SPEAKING OF CONDITIONS…
Whether you’re sieging a Poison, Burning, and
keep, going after a supply Bleeding go right through
caravan, or capturing armor. When you’re
a location in PvP, you hunting heavy metal (i.e.,
have to think about your warriors and guardians), it’s
objective. Don’t let stray great to use these damage
enemies draw you away over time abilities. That
from your group or your extra armor won’t mean
goal. Out in the open nearly as much.
you’re just fighting meat. You aren’t getting substantial points for your team, and
you’re left vulnerable while your allies stay on task and do the real work. DON’T BE PREDICTABLE
Stay with your group, fight near the objectives, and don’t give in to the temptation
to fight for sheer combat’s sake. Odds are, your enemy is just manipulating you into
doing something silly. That lone mesmer could have two buddies waiting around the
corner to rip you in half.
THIS ISN’T A DPS RACE
Use multiple routes to get through each map. Mix up the attack routines you use,
especially later in each fight. Don’t give enemies time to adapt to your style; otherwise
they’ll start figuring out the best counters to your tactics.
SWITCH SKILLS WHEN NECESSARY

You can’t alter your traits during a PvP engagement, but skills are another story. If your
current configuration doesn’t meet your team’s needs, change your bar. This is also a
good way to surprise enemies who think they know what you’re capable of.
“Glass cannons may do a lot of damage, but they’re not
so good at holding objectives. Consider adding some BE POLITE OR EVEN FRIENDLY
survivability to your build!”
Teams that work well
—Peter Larkin together can take out
opponents who are
distracted with whining
Sheer damage output is NOT the way to survive PvP engagements. It’s nice to kick
and in-fighting. Avoid
people around and look like the bad guy on campus, but you won’t live for long.
language that is going to
Abilities that provide Protection, Invulnerability, Stuns, and good healing are much
disrupt your allies. “You
more important. Many foes can start a war of attrition with you, and that’s when
need to do X” may not
survival and mitigation are of the utmost importance.
sound that rude, but is
it likely to work? People don’t listen when you bark commands. Not many players are
CONDITIONS ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND
going to be real-life military commanders, right? The way to get people listening is to
Make sure at least one use cooperative language that doesn’t trigger defensive thinking.
of your skills can clear
conditions from your “We could use more healing and condition clearing. I’ve slotted another skill for that.
character. You can’t afford Could you put X on your bar for the next fight?”
to meet enemies that rely
on conditions for damage
without such a skill on your
bar. They’ll eat
you alive!
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GETTING GLORY
Unlike most online games with a PvP element, the reward currency in Guild Wars
G E T T I N G R E A DY TO F I G H T
2 is NOT given for completing matches. Most games give you a greater amount for
winning, a lesser amount for losing, and a very modest amount during a match for
completing various objectives.
This has led to a major and consistent problem in online PvP: some people join
matches and don’t bother participating. They’ll get various rewards just for standing
on the spawn point and taking up space. It’s very unpleasant to watch, especially if
you’re losing because your team doesn’t have enough real players.
That’s not a big problem in Guild Wars 2. Glory is only awarded for actions the player
actually takes. You are rewarded for killing enemies, taking territory, and defending
your areas against other attackers. You won’t have to wait for the end of matches—
you can leave any time—and everything you’ve done still counts. Players who don’t
work with the team get very little Glory (if any).
Stay with allies, take and defend areas together, and watch the rewards come in.
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World vs. World
ETERNAL BATTLEGROUND
Red Hill
Mendon’s Gap Veloka Slopes
Speldan Clearcut
Pangloss Zraith’s Beacon

Red Rise
Overlook
Red Home
Anzalias Pass Ogrewatch Cut
Orgoth
Uplands
Molevek Work
Umberglade
Woods
Rogue’s Quarry
Stonemist Castle
Wildcreek Run Durios Gulch
Aldon’s Ledge
Bravost
Escarpment
Green Lowlands
Klovan Gully Quentin Lake Blue

Lowlands
Green Hill Blue Hill

Jerrifer’s Slough Darkrait
Golanta Clearing Inlet Danelon Passage
Langor Gulch
310
BORDERLAND
The Godsword
WORLD VS. WORLD

Chitaritta
Blackwicker Territory
Red Citadel
Longview
Cliffside
Astralholme
Red Garrison
Arah’s Hope
Dreaming Bay Etheron Hills
Demonstrance Lake
Greenbriar
Bluewater
Lowlands
Greenvale Refuge Bluelake
Victor’s Lodge
Green Border Blue Border
311
The Eternal Battlegrounds pits three servers against each other for a two-week period. In-game, each server is called a world, so three worlds will be competing against each
other for dominance of the Eternal Battlegrounds.
In this form of PvP, your character won’t have new equipment, traits, and skills. You have to outfit yourself properly for your engagements (though everyone is still fixed at level
80 to provide a somewhat even playing field).
DYNAMIC LEVEL ADJUSTMENT IN WvW
True level-80 characters have better gear, full access to their traits, and are ready for anything the other worlds have to throw at them. Lower-level
heroes are raised to 80, but they don’t have high-end equipment, the best traits, and so forth. They can still contribute, but it’s rewarding to level up
and see your character get better and better over time.
If you find that you’re losing more fights than you win, take heart and don’t get upset with yourself. You’re leveling up, learning how to play, and may
be facing people with multiple advantages. Keep trying and you’ll soon find that your hero is on par (or superior) to the enemies you face.
To see how your team is doing or to enter WvW (whether in the Mists or not), press
“B,” though your personal keyboard settings may differ. All three servers and their
points are shown there. At the top, there are tallies for the cumulative points the
teams have earned during the battle. Below is a breakdown of the assets each team
has conquered.
WvW has tangible benefits for everyone on the server (not just for participants).
Taking and holding territory gets your server bonuses for crafting, fighting, and
survival. These affect players in PvP, PvE, and for item creation. Because of this, you
have every reason to want your side to do well.
These bonuses are not set up in a way that steals from other servers when you take
the lead. No one’s values go down because the other side is doing well. Your numbers
just won’t go up as quickly. This is also nice for teams that do well for a few days and
then lose the lead; all of the bonuses you gain will stay for the entire duration of the battle. This encourages even a losing server to rally for a day or two. The more people they
bring into the fight, the easier it is to get some of their perks before the more dangerous server reasserts itself.
312
THE LAYOUT POINT VALUES FOR STRUCTURES

WvW is set up as a series of four connected regions. The Eternal Battlegrounds’ If your team looks like the
Area Point Value
WORLD VS. WORLD

primary combative area is a central region with a massive keep and a number of strongest or second-strongest
Supply Camp 5 one in the match, go ahead
lesser fortresses throughout the zone. Towers and resource points are available as
well. Each side region Tower 10
and battle it out for the biggest
has resources, though to and most valuable locations.
Keep 25 The weakest team may want
a lesser degree than the
central area. to set its goals lower. Why fight
Castle 50
and continually lose against a
Each server that is superior force? Instead, make sure
participating in the to attack supply areas and less-defended keeps. Grab locations and hold them long
WvW action takes one enough to score some points. Have your main force stay mobile and take whatever is
of the side areas (Red, weak. You might not get to usurp the number one spot, but this ensures that even a
Blue, or Green). You’ll be assigned to the same one as your server mates. Though side with lower numbers or weaker gear can compete, have fun, and get bonuses for
your enemies may change every two weeks, your allies will be the same. This makes it its server.
easier to form lasting alliances and learn how to best cooperate with your team.
Another way to earn points is to kill sentries at key points through the map, escort
Dolyaks, or kill Dolyaks that are being escorted by other teams. Sentries and enemy
THE BASIC GOAL Dolyaks are worth 1 point each. Successful Dolyak escorts are worth 3 points!
Put simply, you want to take over more territory than your enemies. Under ideal
circumstances, you want to hold everything in your color’s starting region, everything
in the center, and as HOW TO PROCEED
much as possible in the Organize into groups with other members of your server. It’s very important to work
other two sides’ territory. together; individual characters can be picked off easily by enemy groups, and it’s
impossible to take most areas without the help of other people. An individual can, at
Doing that every time, best, harass supply routes, scout, and report information back to other people so they
at all hours, isn’t going can better organize their assaults or counter the other team’s attacks.
to be easy. But that’s still
your basic goal. Your
team could lose fights
constantly, have four deaths to every kill, and still be winning the WvW fight. This
isn’t about kills. Everything rests on land control.
GETTING POINTS
Points are given out every five minutes based on the number of areas your team
controls at that time. The more structures you control, the better. More powerful and
important areas are worth even more points.
Supply Camps are worth five points per cycle. Defensive areas are worth 10, 25, or 50,
depending on the size of the fortress. The Castle is the only building worth a full 50
points, so it’s contested at all times.
Voice communication is essential. Getting it for your group is a must, and it’s even
better if you can field a server for even more of your team. Having 30-40 people
work together is a major boon; you can have strike teams at multiple points in the
map that turn on a dime when they need to switch targets or unite for a larger strike
against a heavy target.
The most mobile characters should slot skills for swiftness, bonuses to base
movement speed, and stability. Have them race across the map, reporting targets and
enemy movement.
Larger groups should grab defensive bonuses, AoE attacks, healing, and group boons.
These are the teams that stick together and siege neutral or enemy-controlled
fortresses. Be prepared to fight against extremely high-level enemies—even the guards
are high level and deal serious damage. The lords that protect the larger structures
pack a huge punch.
313
SUPPLIES
Protect caravans that travel between supply points and the structures
your team controls. These supplies are then collected at depots within
the buildings; they’re used to repair and improve structures and weapons
at that location. All of this is controlled by individual players, so it won’t
happen without your help.
For example, walls can be repaired after taking damage. Have someone
withdraw supplies from the depot and walk over to the wall. Interact with
the wall to use the supplies and fix the damage that’s been done. You can
only carry 10 supplies at a time, so larger projects require multiple trips to
the depot.
That’s how
repairs work,
so they’re fairly
simple. To upgrade a structure, talk to the quartermaster at that facility. He’ll offer a number of choices, and they
won’t be free. If you’re okay with paying the money, click on the upgrade you’d like. A worker is dispatched to start the
upgrade, but someone needs to keep him supplied so the project can be finished.
QUARTERMASTER UPGRADES You might be wondering why a losing team wouldn’t want to upgrade the few
> Hire Outfitter: Sells supplies (Costs 5 Silver, 100 Supplies). structures they still control. They still can, certainly, and that’s fine. It’s just that holing
> Hire Siegemaster: Sells siege weapon blueprints up in one keep doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to hold that point. It’s a dangerous
(Costs 10 Silver, 200 Supplies). type of thinking. If a losing force goes on the defensive, they’re more likely to stay
> Hire Patrol: Guards wander around the keep, protecting it from attack on the bottom. They’re already either outnumbered or outskilled (that’s why they’re
(Costs 20 Silver, 300 Supplies).
having trouble in the first place). If another team sees that they’re all in one place,
> Hire a Second Worker: Structural upgrades are completed faster
(Costs 10 Silver, 100 Supplies). they might just decide to break the group’s morale even further.
> More Guards: Adds more guards to the keep (Costs 25 Silver, 250 Supplies).
By spreading out, you make it harder to tell where your team will strike next. And
> Raise Guard Level: Increases the level of keep guards
(Costs 50 Silver, 500 Supplies). then, if you come together quickly, the other sides won’t have as long to react before
> Build Waypoint: Adds a waypoint for your team you’ve grabbed something. Also, the other teams have to keep fighting each other.
(Costs 20 Silver, 500 Karma, and 100 Supplies). If your side picks off little keeps while the number one and two teams batter each
> Build Cannons: Adds new cannons to defend the area. other, it’s all to your benefit.
> Build Mortars: Adds new mortars to defend the area.
> Reinforce Keep: Upgrades the walls and doors of the fortress SIEGE MASTERS
> Reinforce Doors: Strengthens the doors of the keep
> Fortify Keep: Makes the walls harder to destroy.
All of these help to ensure your structure can defend against larger and larger
attacking forces without falling. The teams that are already winning have the most
reason to invest in this way. Their soldiers are already stretching themselves thin by
having to defend more structures over a wider area. That means they’ll have to hold
against more people with fewer and fewer troops.
ALWAYS LOOK FOR A NEW PLACE TO STRIKE

Teams that aren’t doing
as well should instead
group together into
SIEGE MASTER BLUEPRINTS Siege Masters are an upgrade you
massive strike forces,
grab from the Quartermaster.
break through poorly Item Cost
Once completed, these new NPCs
defended fortresses Flame Ram 4 Silver
sell blueprints for new weapon
(even when they’re well Arrow Cart Blueprints 4 Silver
emplacements. Buying one puts it
upgraded), and then Ballista Blueprints 6 Silver in your inventory; using it allows
move on to repeat the
Catapult Blueprints 8 Silver you to place the structure. Then
assault somewhere else. Force the other team to waste time and resources on their
Siege Golem Blueprints 100 Silver you must use supplies to build the
upgrades. That can be demoralizing, and it’s a decent way to rally your people. Even
Trebuchet Blueprints 16 Silver item. This often requires several trips
if you can’t win the war, make sure your team can focus fire and win individual battles.
back to the supply depot, so don’t
deploy something too far from there and end up being unable to finish it while it’s
314 still needed.
SIEGING A FORTRESS
Siege assault and defense is a major aspect of WvW.
WORLD VS. WORLD

The attackers can break through doors or walls to
gain entry to the fortress, and the defenders work to
repair these structures while killing members of the
attacking force.
There are multiple ways to get into an enemy fortress,

so make sure to scout the building and look for weak
points. You can focus on a single entry point and try to Attackers shouldn’t let supplies reach an area they’re
overwhelm the defenders, or attack one point as a feint and have another team break in from a hidden direction. trying to siege. Kill any bulls that approach to ensure
Doors and walls can be damaged with your weapons and spells, but siege weapons are much more powerful. The the defenders cannot upgrade their building while
blueprints for siege weapons don’t cost much money, but they require more effort in bringing supplies to build you’re trying to fight them. This also castrates their
them and defend them. ability to repair damages.
Watch out for enemy players and guards. Make sure patrols are killed off as quickly as possible, especially if there is a Defenders should use any deployed mortars, cannons,
lull in the fighting. If your opponents ever back off, use the time to restore fallen teammates, kill guards, and assess and such to deal more distant AoE damage while
how the battle is going. fighting against superior numbers.
SQUAD COMMANDERS
Groups in WvW are led by a squad commander. This
person is able to designate areas for attack and defense.
This helps organize the squad so it can come together
for important tasks. Choose structures to attack or
defend, protect or ambush supply caravans, and help
the general war effort.
Defending a keep can be hard work. Several players will have to be on repair duty to keep the walls and doors from This is not a duty to be taken lightly. You need
falling down. Other players have to man the walls to fire down on enemies attacking the door. Defensive siege considerable experience in WvW to lead squads
weapons can be built or upgraded as well. Just keep in mind that your amount of supplies will be limited. Using properly. In addition, it costs 100 gold pieces to
siege weapons on the walls will greatly increase your range and damage. If you need to get out of the keep, use purchase the tome that lets you become a squad
the teleportation points that only work for defenders to pop in and out of the area. A well-timed charge can roll commander. That’s a great deal of cash, so think long
through an attacking force and destroy its siege weapons. and hard before you make the big leap.
You can use AoEs through doors, so be careful if you’re close to a door and start taking sudden damage. Break off
to the side to heal and avoid future damage if things start getting too intense.
315
Small-Scale PvP
Organized PvP is an entirely different animal. These matches have set levels, team
sizes, and are generally more controlled. You’ll never have to deal with radically unfair
set-ups, so personal skill plays a huge part in whether your side wins or loses.
Unlike WvW, your team isn’t decided by server. It might be different each time you
play, so look at your armor to quickly tell which side you’ve joined. Everyone looks red
or blue, making it easy to tell who’s fighting whom.
If your character goes down, enemies are likely to try and finish you off. They’ll get
a “Finish Them!” interaction any time they get close to your fallen character. Allies
should attack the enemies that approach so they are driven off or downed before
they can do this.
“If you can, save any skills that grant stability for finishing enemy players. Doing so
ensures others cannot interrupt your coup de grâce with crowd control.”
—Peter Larkin
Slain characters are out of the fight for a few moments. They get the option to respawn in their team’s fortress after a short delay.
316
THE BATTLE OF KYHLO
S M A L LS C A L E P v P
Windmill
Red Team
Red Trebuchet
Clocktower
Blue Trebuchet
This match pits two teams against each other for small-
Mansion scale territory control. Both sides are racing to get 500
Blue Team
points before the other, and there are several ways to
go about this.
Time Limit 15 minutes

Hold control points (each area
How to Get Points grants 1 point/2 seconds)
“In structured PvP, you get 10 points for finishing an enemy player, but you get more points for
capturing and holding objectives. Fight on the objectives to maximize point gain!”
—Peter Larkin
There are three control points on the map. The Windmill (WM) is on the northern side of the map. The Clocktower (CT) is in the center, dominating the area. Over by the
southern end of the map is a Mansion (MN). The red team starts in the northwest, and the blue team starts in the southeast.
It’s quite possible to win by grabbing two control points and defending them for the remainder of the match. This is a conservative plan, but it’s very effective if you have a
patient team.
More aggressive players try to shut out the other force entirely by going after every point. This is very challenging unless you’re facing an extremely unskilled enemy force. If you
think your people have a huge edge, go ahead and try it. Just remember that it’s easy to lose multiple battles if you spread your team across the entire map.
ARTILLERY DUELS
Each team has a trebuchet to assist in their efforts. The red team has theirs just south of the red base. The blue
team’s is north from their home. These weapons are amazingly powerful, especially if your opponents bunch
together to try and seize a capture point. The downside is that these weapons can be destroyed.
Make sure that your enemies don’t have free rein to fire on your buddies. Send people over to kill siege gunners and
trash the trebuchet. If it’s undefended, that’s even better. Once destroyed, these weapons must be repaired by a kit
that spawns. These repair kits have to be brought out to the trebuchet, and the person carrying the kit can’t fight.
They’re easy prey unless another character tries to escort them, and that leaves at least two opponents out of the
fight for a little while.
“Learning how long to charge trebuchet shots is key. For example, launching a half-power
shot into the clock tower will land directly on the center control point.”
—Andrew Freeman
317
Communication, as always, is an essential part of
victory. Have your team members divide up. One
RAID OF THE CAPRICORN
person grabs the trebuchet, another three scout the
capture points (and take them if possible), and a fifth
goes after the enemy trebuchet. If the enemies bunch
up, avoid the area where they’re at their strongest. If
they spread out too, figure out which of your buddies
can win on their own and have the other players retreat
and wait for help. Don’t stay in any one place for long,
or you’ll end up being trebuchet food.
In the same mindset, call out large clusters of enemies

so that your team’s treb gunner can target them. Let
Red Team
your friend know if they’re on-target, and help them Blue Team
Ruins
make their fire as accurate as possible.
The trebuchets do enough damage to break through

water pipes and buildings, so experiment with firing
these weapons all over the map.
CONTROL POINTS Docks Beach
Raid of the Capricorn is an interesting battleground because it features terrestrial and aquatic environments. You
have to master the art of fighting other players with a wider range of weaponry, so practice your underwater
fighting heavily to improve your performance here.
Capture territory by entering the designated circle and
staying there until the area converts to your team’s
control. Try to fight within the circle whenever possible,
so your team doesn’t lose control while the skirmish
rages. This gives reinforcements more time to hurry to
your aid, whether you’re on attack or defense.
It’s not a huge run between the control points, so

you should focus your troops on areas that are highly
contested. If the enemies run around and get the area
behind your force, retreat, smash them, and return to
the center afterward. Swapping control points often
risks losing the match, but it’s extremely good for Glory
(since each capture gives a bonus to your Glory).
The Mansion is surrounded by stairs, columns, and

walkways that players with ranged weapons and spells can
use to gain an elevation advantage. Use this to support
allies attacking the center against a superior force. Hit the Time Limit 15 minutes
enemies with ranged AoEs to hurt the group quickly. How to Get Points Holding control points (each area grants 1 point/2 seconds) Killing enemy players (5 points)
Scouts on top of the Clocktower roof can quickly There are three points of control in this raid. The Dock is near the red team’s starting point. The Ruins (R) are in
look over the entire map. This is an excellent point the center, submerged. And blue’s starting point is closer to the Beach . There are cannons spread throughout the
for someone on voice chat. Call out enemy map; use these to launch AoE attacks against clusters of enemies. Even if you have decent skills of your own for this
movements to your allies and prevent friends purpose, make sure enemies don’t get to the cannons unimpeded.
from walking into ambushes.
Watch the Ruins carefully. They’re easy to take with even a single character if people are getting bogged down in
the overland section of the map. Don’t cede this point to your enemies.
318
This conquest map features area control, standard

combat rules, and special NPCs that spawn and can be
killed for additional points, and boons, throughout the
S M A L LS C A L E P v P
fight. The winner is declared when one team reaches
500 points or the time limit ends (at which point the
leading team is declared the winner).

Hold capture points(each area
awards 1 point/2 seconds)
How to Get Points Kill NPCs (25 points)
Kill enemy players (5 points)
“If the enemy is overwhelming one capture point, don’t be afraid to avoid
them and capture one of the points they’re neglecting.” The Henge (H) is near the blue base. The Keep (K) is
—Karl McLain near the middle of the map, and Mine (M) is by the red
base. Try to get the control points in two locations and
hold them while killing players who come to attack.
In addition, you can save time moving from the Beach to the Dock by swimming under the boat in the center.
Going around takes longer and leaves you exposed to ranged attacks. You’re also easier to spot, so enemies have
more time to prepare themselves for your arrival.
FOREST OF NIFLHEL
If you’re barely holding on to two control points, do

not break off to kill the NPCs. Make sure your areas
are locked down before dedicating forces to do this;
otherwise you end up losing players at the control
points and then the areas fall to your enemies. This
Keep ends up getting the other team even more points than
you get from attacking and killing the NPC.
Henge Mine
By the same token, watch your enemies’ positions and

exploit their mistakes. If they are dedicated to attacking
Blue Team Red Team an NPC, hit their control points or attack them while
they’re engaging the enemy. Distracted opponents
make the most enjoyable targets.
It’s easiest to win when your enemies focus on sheer

combat. This map is large enough that troops can
end up in long-term battles for territory between
the capture points. Don’t let your team fall for that.
If multiple enemies are ambushing people in those
spots, have one of your allies attack them there while
the rest of you grab capture points and win the game.
Periodically switch off which person is being sacrificed
to the losing team so no one has to lose out on Glory.
Even if the enemies wise up to what you’re doing, that’s

fine. You’ve gotten to score easy points for a while. If
they charge your points in earnest, then fight them
there. You get more Glory for that anyway!
319
LEGACY OF THE FOEFIRE
Blue Lord
Waterfall
Graveyard
Quarry
This conquest map has three overland control points,
fairly open terrain, and plenty of options for melee
and ranged troops. Both sides have bases that are hard
to siege because of heavy doors at the front of their
walls. Players can pop into and out of the bases at will
if they’re on the spawning team, but attackers have to
slug their way through.
Red Lord
Control territory, kill the lord of the enemy’s base,
and defeat other players to earn points. The winner
is declared when one team reaches 500 points or the
time limit ends (at which point the leading team is
declared the winner).

Hold capture points (each area
awards 1 point/2 seconds)
How to Get Points Kill enemy players (5 points)
Kill the enemy Lord (100 points)
320
All three control points are lined up between the two sides’ bases. The central point is the best to
have because it can reinforce either the northern or southern point without much delay. It’s also a
good area to start an attack on your enemy’s base. Therefore, you can expect that this area will be
TO U R N A M E N T S
contested throughout the engagement.
The enemy Lord is there to distract you. He is a tempting target (worth a huge sum of points), and
it’s possible to pull off an amazing turnaround if you get him. But, going after the Lord can also be
a losing strategy. It normally takes two players to kill the Lord and his guards (two soldiers and two
casters). If you take too long to succeed, you’ll lose territory and points during the attempt, and the
enemies might reinforce just in time to save their leader.
If you’re going to hit the Lord, do it quickly and aggressively. The four guards tend to splatter if you
go after them with everything you have. Even a single player can carefully pull them (one or two
at a time), and kill them out in the courtyard. Everyone else that shows up can attack the Lord
directly. Though high on health, he won’t last for long against three players. Even two can dispatch
him with considerable speed.
Though a small map, scouting is still immensely important here. Have people call out enemy attacks
so you know if your Lord is in danger. Hit enemy groups from the rear after they’ve engaged the
Lord. This is a great way to ruin their fun and pick up some free points.
Grab the middle and control the map for as long as possible. If you hold two control points the
entire time while your opponent goes after one point and the Lord, your team is still going to win
(unless deaths are extremely lopsided). Use the Lord as a distraction or as a target of opportunity.
Don’t make him your death ground.
Tournaments
There is a Tournament NPC on the eastern side of the entry area.
Talk to him if you want to set up a specific PvP engagement
between individuals wanting to see who can end up on top of the
pile. This is particularly exciting for guilds or hotshot duelists who
are trying to prove that they’ve got what it takes.
Expect this to be an area that develops heavily in the months

after launch.
321
This chapter contains information
about the many regions available for
exploration and adventure within
Tyria. The earlier zones, with content
for levels 1-25, are covered in great
depth. This is done to help new
players learn the ropes by leading
them through the first section of
the game.
Later areas are described in far less

detail because there isn’t room to
have an entire walkthrough for the
entire game of Guild Wars 2! That
would take up more space than the
entire book, and there are plenty of
other subjects we want to cover.
This chapter is organized by major

regions. We talk about all of the
regions within Ascalon (charr lands),
Kryta (human), The Shiverpeaks
(norn), the Tarnished Coast (sylvari
and asura), Steamspur Mountains,
and Orr.
The World of
Guild Wars 2
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Part of a multiplayer online game’s appeal is that it can evolve. Content can be added or changed over time; indeed, players expect this to happen. This presents a unique set of
challenges to a strategy guide. How can a guide provide adequate coverage when some of its information may become outdated due to game updates—sometimes as early as
its initial release? We created this guide with these challenges in mind.
Our goal is to cover enough areas and events to help you become very comfortable with the game and level your character from 1-25 (and a little beyond). Providing 100%
completion is not our intent, nor is this possible with an ever-evolving game environment. You can expect some locations, such as waypoints, renown hearts, skill challenges, and
others to shift, thus contradicting some of the map markings on these pages. Nevertheless, this guide’s event and map coverage will take you well past the point of establishing
confidence in your gameplay and being ready to continue your adventures at will.
322
JUMPING PUZZLES
For the explorer in each of us, jumping puzzles are located throughout the world. You don’t often find them on the beaten paths. Instead, they’re hidden here and there,
behind tiny nooks and on top of hills and cliffs that are easily missed. It takes patience and skill to navigate these tricky areas, but inquisitive adventurers will love the challenge!
To search as thoroughly as possible, don’t simply aim for points of interest, renown tasks, and waypoints. Walk along the edges of maps, explore caves, and especially poke your
head into any breaks in tree lines and mountains. Also, see if you can bounce your way up into areas that otherwise seem inaccessible. Not all of these are off limits, after all!
You can find some nifty events and places to wander if you put in the effort—have fun!
323
Ascalon
Ascalon was once a place of tremendous power for the Humans who lived there. They fought to hold off the
warlike Charr who came to conquer and burn, but the Humans were not strong enough. Many died, and their
spirits stir in the shadows. Old hatreds die hard, and the Charr may have hurt themselves more in victory than they
would have suffered in defeat. A curse rests upon this land, calling the dead to forever rise in vengeance.
BLACK CITADEL The Black Citadel is a wonder of engineering.

Built upon the ruins of the human city of Rin,
LEVEL RANGE: Charr Capital City the charr capital is almost a living machine, dominated by a black sphere, called the Imperator’s Core, that
WAYPOINTS: 11 can be seen from a great distance. The city was forged by the Iron Legion, and the charr believe that even
gods cannot stand against the power of their armies and technology. In the past, that’s proven true.
Diessa Gate
Waypoint
Haunted Nolani
Factorium (Crafting)
Waypoint
Memorial Quadrant
Waypoint
Ligacus Aquilo
Waypoint
Bane Hero’s Canton
Waypoint
Imperator’s Core
Waypoint Mustering Ground
Waypoint
War Wagon
Prep Deck
Ligacus Notos Praetor’s Canton
Junker’s Scrapyard
Waypoint
Gladium
Waypoint
Ruins of Rin
Waypoint
324
WORLD
MUSTERING GROUND WAYPOINT EAST SIDE DIESSA GATE WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE
Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Equipment Repair, SERVICES: Armorsmith, Weaponsmith
SERVICES Assorted Merchants
TRAVEL: Path to Village of Smokestead
TRAVEL Path to Village of Smokestead (E)
As the name says, this waypoint stands next to the gate to Diessa Plateau, a zone that
is perfect for players of levels 15 through 25. To the west is the city’s Trading Post, if
you’re looking to sell something valuable. Further west is a ramp to a platform that
overlooks the old city ruins, but you can’t go down into them.
The Mustering Ground is a parade area near the eastern exit of the city. Warbands
gather at this point between Hero’s Canton and the exit to the Village of Smokestead.
A S C A LO N
To the south is a parking area for charr vehicles. It’s a fun place to look around, but try
not to touch anything!
FACTORIUM WAYPOINT CRAFTING FLOOR, NORTHEAST SIDE
HERO’S WAYPOINT CENTER AREA
SERVICES: Salvage Merchant, Equipment Repair, Crafting Trainers
SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Merchant, Profession Trainers
TRAVEL: Gate to Diessa (NW), Bank (N)
TRAVEL: Path to Village of Smokestead
This is the city’s production area. Craftsmen of all trades come here to produce new
This is the crossroads of the city. From here you can go pretty much anywhere, so it’s
items and to learn recipes. You can talk to trainers from every craft, and there are
a good waypoint to get as soon as you reach the Black Citadel. Charr characters have
stations to ply your trade as well. This is also a place where you can repair your armor.
houses here that are a focal point for their personal stories, dye merchants, and so forth.
MEMORIAL WAYPOINT NORTH OF CENTER To learn about the Durmand Priory, go north and a little east into the Durmand
SERVICES: Weaponsmith Scriptorium. Also along the west side is an entrance to the Hero’s Canton. Along the
northern wall is a Bank.
TRAVEL: Gate to Diessa Plateau (N), Elevator to The Bane (S)
LIGACUS AQUILO WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE

SERVICES: Salvage Merchant
TRAVEL: Asura Gate to Lion’s Arch (W)
Memorial Waypoint stands near the center of the citadel. Along this raised avenue,
charr gaze at statues of heroes past. Speak to Salinus Warbreaker to learn recent charr
history. Nearby, to the south, are stairs to the Bane. Profession trainers stand by the
entrance to the sphere. You can also read inscriptions on the statues to learn more
about the charr culture. West of the sphere is the Ligacus Aquilo Waypoint. The Asura Gate to Lion’s Arch
is here along with a salvage merchant. Going to Lion’s Arch is valuable for players
because it acts as a crossroads to other lands and the capital cities of other races.
325
IMPERATOR’S WAYPOINT CENTER OF TOWN GLADIUM WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE
Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Equipment Repairs, Salvage Salvage Merchants, Cooking Ingredient Karma Merchant,
SERVICES:
Merchant, Guild Weaponsmith, Guild Armorsmith, Food Merchant
SERVICES: Guild Registrar, Guild Promoter, Profession Trainers, Food
Ingredient Merchant Elevator Down to Ruins of Rin (SW), Elevator Up to
TRAVEL: Perimeter Loop (N), Elevator Up to Scrapyard (NE)
TRAVEL: N/A
The Gladium Canton is a place where many disgraced charr and refugees make their
home. The mixture of races and cultures has made a mark on this place, adding
greenery and magical technology to the black metal of the citadel. Sadly, poverty has
turned the Gladium into a dark and desperate place.
The charr leadership resides at the top of the great sphere. Follow the spiral staircase
up to find the waypoint. At the bottom is everything a group needs to set up a guild,
and there are vendors as well. Just outside the sphere are profession trainers.
JUNKER’S WAYPOINT SOUTH OF CENTER

RUINS OF RIN WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE
SERVICES: Food Merchants
SERVICES: N/A
TRAVEL: Elevator Down to Gladium Canton (S)
TRAVEL: Elevator Up to Gladium Canton (N)
A group of merchants sell their wares along the Perimeter Loop, on the southern side
Located at the southwestern point of the Black Citadel, this area contains the ruins of
of town. Many of these foodstuffs grant different boons for a short time. They offer
the old city of Rin. It’s a dead area with little of interest to anyone but the scholars of
a small advantage in a tough fight. To the west is an ancient artifact known as the
the Durmand Priory.
Stormcaller. Speak with nearby charr to learn its history and to gain a speed boon.
BANE WAYPOINT BELOW THE IMPERATOR’S CORE

SERVICES: Food Ingredient Merchant
TRAVEL: Elevator Up to Memorial Waypoint
This fighting pit is a place where the charr stage gladiatorial combat for both
entertainment and to settle disputes. There are several charr in the stands who are very
interesting to talk to. What they say helps explain how much combat means to the charr.
326
WORLD
PLAINS OF ASHFORD
LEVEL RANGE: 1-15 SKILL CHALLENGES
TASKS: 16 > Centurion Titus Gearclaw (Northwest of Greysteel Armory) (NW)
WAYPOINTS: 18 > Barradin’s Statue (Inside Vault Waypoint, Underground) (W)
SKILL CHALLENGES: 6
> Centurion Micka Thickblood (Northwest of Ashford Waypoint, Inside the Camp) (S)
> Ethereal Vanguard Monument (Northeast of Ashford Waypoint, Along the Hills) (S)
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings,
Early Cooking Ingredients > Ruins of Ascalon City (Southeast of Ascalon City Waypoint, In the Water) (NE)
> Effigy Core (South of Adorea Waypoint, Inside a Cave) (S)
WEST SIDE
Facula Castrum In olden days, charr once held
The Toppled Wall
Tela Devourer’s Mouth the lands of Ascalon until being
Range pushed out by the human
Greysteel Armory
Waypoint Martyr’s Woods civilization. Now they’ve returned,
Lake Feritas Waypoint and their legions have successfully
Waypoint combated the human populace.
A S C A LO N
Martyr’s Woods
Agnos Gorge However, Ascalon didn’t fall
easily; King Adelbern’s last attack
Smokestead Spirit Hunter unleashed a horrific spell that
Waypoint Old Duke’s Camp Waypoint
Estate blackened and burned the land.
Village of Smokestead Worse still, the spirits of the
Ascalon refuse to rest quietly, and
Vault they’ll attack anything or anyone.
Waypoint Temperus
Waypoint Abbey Ruins
Vir’s Gate Devast District Charr heroes are now needed
Waypoint Charr’s Triumph to defend their people and help
solidify the hold of the legion.
Victor’s
Presidium They also face the remnants of a
now-outcast part of their military:
Ashford the Flame Legion. More than a
Waypoint Windrock
Adorea few dangers prowl in the fields,
Waypoint Maze
Decimus Stones canyons, and historic ruins of this
Lake Adorea open land.
EAST SIDE
The Toppled Wall Human’s Lament

Martyr’s
Waypoint Ascalon City Ruins
Waypoint
Ascalonian
Catacombs
Waypoint
Agnos Gorge
Phasmatis
Corridor
Spirit Hunter
Camp Waypoint
Phasmatis
Waypoint
Cadem Forest
Lamia Mire
Abbey Ruins
Duskrend
Devast District Overlook
Waypoint
Irondock Shipyard
Adorea Waypoint
Ashford Ascalon Basin
Waypoint Forum Windrock
Waypoint Maze Loreclaw
Waypoint
Loreclaw Expanse 327

SMOKESTEAD WAYPOINT WEST SIDE Greysteel Armory Waypoint is but a jump from the armory, where the charr smiths
work to outfit the military. As such, it’s a perfect place for the Flame Legion to make
Waypoint, Profession Trainers, Weaponsmith,
SERVICES: trouble. They want that equipment for themselves! Because of that, the armory
Armorsmith, Equipment Repair, Salvage Merchant
sometimes meets with Flame Legion resistance, which has to be overcome, hopefully
TRAVEL: Entrance to the Black Citadel (Charr Capital City) (W)
by helpful adventurers.
HARVESTING INFO: N/A
In addition, Greysteel Armory Waypoint is nicely situated for a bit of weapons testing.
It’s close enough to the armory to get munitions and far enough away that it won’t
bother the harvesters in the region. Besides, the cubs seem to find it exciting, and
anything that gets them excited about the life of a soldier…well, that’s second nature
for a charr. Maybe even first.
North of the waypoint you can fight Centurion Titus Gearclaw in a Skill Challenge.
Strafe around him to avoid the mines he throws at you.
HELPING THE ARMORY (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Crucibis Forgeweld run the armory.
Smokestead is more of a gathering place for warbands before they move to the front
LEVEL: 2
lines. It is just a short walk away to the entrance to the Black Citadel, the capital city
of the charr. The waypoint is a mere stroll along a ramp. To the southwest is a tavern Description: This task requires you to pick up tools and unexploded mortar shells,
that houses several merchants; you can find weapons, armor, and equipment repair return metal bars, deposit scrap metal in the forge, and guard against the Flame
services there. Legion. While this task may seem like busywork, every scrap of metal is crucial to
the charr war effort.
HERD CATTLE (Repeatable)
Simply picking up the
GOAL: Herd cattle back into their pen
junk around the armory
LEVEL: 2 may complete this task.
However, the armory
Description: This event is north of the waypoint. A small enclosure holds a number
might not be available
of cows as well as some wurms, and cattle are scattered outside—exactly where they
to you; you may have
aren’t supposed to be. Inside the pen are several cattle prods. Pick one of these up
to recapture it before
and use its abilities to get the cattle back inside their pen. Try to use the first ability
you are able to turn
around groups of cattle; you can’t scare them away from the pen, so even hitting
everything in. Tools go in the tool rack, bars go in the metal bar barrel or forge, and
them at weird angles
scrap metal goes into the huge forge. If you want a bit of fun, try manning one of the
helps. If anything attacks
two cannons or throwing around the unexploded mortar shells. You can also try the
you during this time
experimental mortar.
(such as a wurm), use
the second ability to PROTECT THE ARMORY (Repeatable)
fight back. It’s not long
GOAL: Prevent the Flame Legion from capturing the armory.
before the cows get a
LEVEL: 2
moooove on.
Description: The Flame
GREYSTEEL ARMORY WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE Legion is making an
Waypoint, Karma Weapon Merchant, Karma Armor assault on the Greysteel
SERVICES: Merchant, Food Merchant Armory. You have to stop
TRAVEL: Smokestead Waypoint (S), Feritas Waypoint (E) them from gathering on
Copper Ore (N) (Common), Onions, Herb Patches, the armory proper and
HARVESTING INFO: Blueberries, Aspen Saplings (NE) killing all of the guards.
One strategy is to use CC
abilities to stop them at
the ramp. Assist any allies in the area; you are going to need their help in dealing
with the multiple Flame Legion warriors. You can also use the armory’s cannons in
their defense.
328
WORLD
RECLAIM THE ARMORY (Repeatable) RECOVER CANNONBALLS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Reclaim the armory from the Flame Legion. GOAL: Recover cannonballs from the skritt.
LEVEL: 2 LEVEL: 3
Description: Flame Legion warriors have taken the armory! That can’t be allowed to Description: To the northwest of the Greysteel Armory Waypoint is Tela Range,
continue. On its face, this one isn’t too tough; kill as many of the Flame Legion as you where the charr Iron Legion practices with their artillery. Pick up cannonballs from
can. However, you can be overwhelmed pretty easily (just like the armory guards). It the ground in Mock’s
might be nice to have a friend or two, just to watch your back. Keep the Flame Legion Niche to the north, and
out long enough and the armory will be reclaimed. run them back to Seph
Blackblood. If you can’t
find any, just take a look
around. Some of the
skritt are carrying them!
These enemies have
the ability to knock you
down; practice dodging so they don’t get the drop on you. You get an exploding
cannonball as a reward.
A S C A LO N
ORGANIZE THE WRECKING YARD (Renown Task)
GOAL: Help Scar Stripeclaw organize the wrecking yard.
LEVEL: 3
Description: Go southeast from the Greysteel Armory Waypoint and walk around
COLLECTING DEVOURER EGGS (Repeatable) the horseshoe-shaped wall. This is a scrapyard for the Iron Legion. Your job here is to
GOAL: Lure devourers out to get to their eggs (and snatch them). help Scar Stripeclaw. To do this, clear out rats (by killing them or setting rat traps),
LEVEL: 3 clean up gears and junk, and help workers in the yard. You can also help by keeping
any pesky Flame Legion away from the wrecking yard. This task can be completed in
Description: North of the armory is a canyon called Devourer’s Mouth. Drottot no time and without any fighting.
Lashtail is teaching the proper way to gather eggs to some young cubs. Use the
nearby devourer lures to distract the lashtail females. When they come out, destroy
the nests and steal their
eggs. You may uncover
a hatchling when you
destroy a nest but feel
free to ignore them;
they won’t hurt you
too much. Once you’ve
collected several eggs,
turn them in to Drottot!
KILL THE ENRAGED SKALE (Group)

GOAL: Slay the giant skale.
LEVEL: 4
CLEAR THE FLAME LEGION CAVE (Repeatable)
GOAL: Kill 5 Flame Legion inside the cave.
Description: In a tunnel next to the devourer pen is Kalare the Intrepid. She asks for LEVEL: 4
your aid in killing a giant skale. It’s a nasty creature. Go through the tunnel and into
a cave to the northeast, Description: A Flame
which is hidden behind Legion squad that raided
a waterfall. The area is the scrapyard is holed
filled with skale, but only up in a cave to the east.
the enraged veteran skale Keep an eye out for
(your target) is aggressive. a veteran igniter that
Still, you don’t want patrols the area. The
interference in this fight, Flame Legion are spread
especially if you have out far enough apart that
area-of-effect attacks. Get the enraged skale’s attention and draw it out so you can it’s possible to take each one at a time. Once they have all been slain grab a package
fight it alone. This fight isn’t too bad, and with the big guy down, Kalare will retrieve of weapon parts and return to the scrapyard. Place the parts into the appropriate
the treasure. barrel to earn some reputation.
329
PROTECT THE WEAPON PARTS FROM THE FLAME LEGION DESTROY FLAME LEGION BRAZIERS (Repeatable)
(Repeatable) GOAL: Destroy 5 Flame Legion braziers.
GOAL: Prevent the Flame Legion from stealing all six weapon parts. LEVEL: 5
LEVEL: 3
Description: The shoreline above Lake Feritas is now home to a Flame Legion base.
Description: The scrapyard contains more than just junk; it’s also a dumping ground The base has its own artillery, using (you guessed it) flame attacks. The flame braziers
for broken weaponry. Stop the Flame Legion from taking valuable parts that may require a beating to be brought down, and the Flame Legion force in the area isn’t
be used against your people later. Flame Legion attackers come in pairs from either about to make it easy. Entering the cave to the northeast is dangerous; the Flame
entrance until the time Legion is there in numbers and their turrets are damaging. If you have trouble finding
limit expires. Take them the braziers look on your minimap.
out before they can run
off with six weapon parts.
During the attack, don’t
forget to revive any fallen
scrapyard workers so they
can help in the fight.
FERITAS WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint, Karma Armor Merchant
TRAVEL: Greysteel Armory Waypoint (W)
HARVESTING INFO: Onions, Blueberries, Aspen Saplings
CLEAR THE LAKE OF TAR ELEMENTALS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Destroy tar elementals until Lake Feritas is clean.
LEVEL: 4
Description: A Flame
Legion shaman has
fouled the lake with
corrupted tar. Help
Legionnaire Sparclash
Lake Feritas lies to the east of Greysteel Armory Waypoint. Several fisherfolk make kill tar elementals to
their living by fishing here, and there are more than a few drakes as well. However, it clean the lake. This is
is a fragile environment, and one that can be easily polluted. To make matters worse, pretty straightforward;
the Flame Legion has set up a base on the shoreline. There’s no shortage of allies the elementals aren’t
needing your assistance. too difficult by themselves, and if you get overwhelmed, you can always pull back.
Once this is done, a team of legionnaires will set out to attack the Flame Legion
SECURE LAKE FERITAS (Renown Task) shaman directly.
GOAL: Help Strum Bassclash secure Lake Feritas.
LEVEL: 4 DEFEAT THE FLAME LEGION SHAMAN (Group)
GOAL: Defeat the Flame Legion shaman.
Description: The fisherfolk around Lake Feritas could certainly use a hand. The LEVEL: 5
drakes in the area aren’t usually aggressive, but they do enjoy breaking equipment,
and every so often, they just get ornery. Circle around the lake fixing traps, cleaning Description: After
up tar, and protecting fouling Lake Feritas, the
the fishers from drakes. shaman has the audacity
Cleaning up the tar to taunt you from his
is a good way to raise hideout on the other side
your reputation, which of the lake. Try to take
has definite benefits. out as many Flame Legion
If you are looking for a warriors and turrets as
fight, stick around the you can before engaging
fisherfolk. Attack any him directly. You need to have room to maneuver. The shaman can throw multiple
drakes that turn aggressive and revive the fisherfolk if they fall. Once the job is done, fireballs and has a melee attack that can send you tumbling. His deadliest trick is
Bassclash becomes a reputation vendor. his Fire Shield; it reflects damage back to the attacker. When he does this, stop your
attack; it’s not hard to kill yourself with your own damage. Use your free time while
his fire shield is up to revive any fallen allies. With this shaman dead, the Flame Legion
has surely suffered a definite blow.
330
WORLD
FIGHT THE FLAME LEGION (Renown Task) PROTECT THE CRUSH CUBS (Repeatable)
GOAL: Help Latera Painstorm fight the Flame Legion. GOAL: Stay near the cubs and keep ghosts away.
LEVEL: 5 LEVEL: 6
Description: With all the fighting in this area, you might find yourself completing Description: Near
this task before you even know it. All you have to do is kill Flame Legion and destroy Bryllana Deepmind you
their equipment. This may see some charr cubs
includes turrets and daring each other to
any of their magical explore the Old Duke’s
devices, such as those Estate. The cubs will head
near the cave mouths out and take a path that
on the other side of Lake circles the estate. Stay
Feritas. It’s better to kill near the cubs to reduce
Flame Legion patrolling their fear level and kill any ghosts that get close. Stay with them until time expires and
the shore. While you maybe you will learn something about life, courage, and growing up.
can destroy the turrets, they are tough and can kill you if you aren’t careful. Latera
Painstorm becomes a karma merchant selling useful armor when you are done. LODESTONES FOR TATSU FARKILL (Repeatable)
A S C A LO N
GOAL: Kill earth elementals and gather lodestones for Tatsu Farkill.
VIR’S GATE WAYPOINT WEST SIDE LEVEL: 6
Waypoint, Skill Challenge (Skill Book), Karma Armor
SERVICES: Description: A few
Merchant
Smokestead Village (NW), Guardpoint Decimus steps north of Vir’s Gate
TRAVEL: Waypoint (S) Waypoint, Gaerra Farshot
Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Blueberries, needs ammunition for her
HARVESTING INFO: Root Vegetables mortars. Earth elementals,
whose lodestones would
be perfect ammunition,
are just to the east, south
of Old Duke’s Estate.
Destroy the elementals for their lodestones and turn them in to Tatsu who is to
the west of the elementals across an old road (on your minimap). The elementals
themselves are powerful with a damage reflect shield, an AOE attack, and a ground
pound attack. If you see a bubble of energy surround the elemental, stop your attack.
The damage will be reflected and you don’t want to learn how much damage you do
the hard way. Their area-of-effect attack is a line of churning earth that harms anyone
standing on it. When you see them start to raise their arms, dodge aside to avoid the
Travel southeast from the village of Smokestead through Vir’s Gate to reach this
pound. More elementals can be summoned by interacting with the mounds of earth.
waypoint. This area is not a flat plain but a land spotted with rocks, woods, and ruins.
The charr would have fully claimed this region long ago if it weren’t for the vengeful BREAK THE MORALE OF THE ATTACKING HARPIES (Repeatable)
ghosts. These hostile spirits attack anything they encounter, and while they can be
GOAL: Break the morale of the attacking harpies and defend the mortars.
dispersed, they are doomed to return and haunt the area again.
LEVEL: 6
HELP BRYLLANA DEEPMIND (Renown Task)
Description: Gaerra
Assist the Iron Legion with their mission of taming the wilds outside
GOAL: Farshot hates harpies and
Smokestead Village.
is itching for the chance
LEVEL: 6
to use her mortars on
Description: Bryllana their nests. Once Tatsu
Deepmind is working Farkill returns with the
on reclaiming the old lodestones, she begins
Ascalonian vineyard. the bombardment.
Unfortunately, Ascalonian Gaerra is a little too
ghosts keep attacking good at her job and riles the entire nest. The harpies come in waves from either
her troops. But Bryllana side in increasing numbers and toughness. They will go straight for the mortars, and
has a theory: if all the you have to hit them pretty hard to get their attention. The attacks continue until
remnants of the past are the harpies lose heart or all four mortars are destroyed. Afterward, head south to
gone, maybe the ghosts will leave too. Head into the ruins and start wrecking things. Victor’s Presidium.
Torches and casks get you the most appreciation for your work, but hammers and
bottles can also be destroyed. Whether this marks the end of the spirits in the area is
debatable, but Bryllana is certainly appreciative.
331
VAULT WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER GUARDPOINT DECIMUS WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE
SERVICES: Skill Challenge (W) SERVICES: Karma Masterwork Armor Merchant, Salvage Merchant
TRAVEL: Vir’s Gate Waypoint (W), Temperus Waypoint (E) TRAVEL: Vir’s Gate Waypoint (N), Temperus Waypoint (E)
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore (W) HARVESTING INFO: Blueberries, Aspen Saplings, Copper Ore
This waypoint is underground in Barradin’s Vaults. Travel deeper into the vaults to South of Vir’s Gate is Guardpoint Decimus Waypoint. Along the way you will pass
find an old soldier who will sell you a creature codex. through a charr camp named Victor’s Presidium. It overlooks the rocky and wooded
area around the waypoint. Further south of the waypoint are the Decimus Stones, a
BATTLE IN THE VAULT (World Event) group of ruins that holds strange power.
GOAL: Capture the vaults from Barradin’s Army.
LEVEL: 10
HELP KYRA SHARPTRACKER (Renown Task)
Fight with the Ash Legion as they attempt to reclaim Victor’s Presidium
GOAL:
Description: Follow the road out of Vir’s Gate to find the stairs down to the vault. from ghosts.
LEVEL: 6
Description: Between
Vir’s and Guardpoint
Decimus Waypoint is
Victor’s Presidium. Here,
patrolling spirits and living
predators attempt to
overwhelm Ash Legion
agents. Travel east to get
started. Revive any fallen
scouts you find and stick by them. They will help you fight, and if they fall again you
can revive them for further gratitude.
DEFEAT THE ASCALONION SOLDIER, IVOR TRUSHOT FIND THE MISSING SCOUT (Repeatable)
(Part of World Event) GOAL: Find the missing scout and escort her back to Sharptail.
GOAL: Beat boss. LEVEL: 7
LEVEL: 10
Description: When you arrive at Victor’s Presidium you may hear that a scout has
not returned from her mission. Her objective was to scout an old mining cave to the
Description: Kill this
east. Her warband is worried because the cave has been known to contain ghosts
patrolling enemy near
and trolls. Follow the road out of Victor’s Presidium south, then east. The road will
the waypoint. He’ll have
lead directly to the mine entrance and you will find the scout unconscious inside. Kill
multiple guards with him,
any enemies nearby and
so area-of-effect attacks
revive her. Protect her as
are useful to quickly thin
she heads north from the
their ranks.
cave. She’s going to need
your help because groups
of ghosts will ambush her
at several points along
the way.
332
WORLD
ESCORT VHES AND HER WARBAND (Repeatable) TEMPERUS WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER
GOAL: Protect the warband as it travels to Guardpoint Decimus Waypoint.
Waypoint, Karma Boon Merchant, Merchant,
SERVICES:
LEVEL: 6 Weaponsmith
Guardpoint Decimus Waypoint (SW), Vir’s Gate
Description: Talk to TRAVEL: Waypoint (W), Adorea Waypoint (SE), Martyr’s
Waypoint (NE)
Vhes Hauntslayer in
Victor’s Presidium. She HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore (N), Aspen Saplings (NE)
is very vocal regarding
her concerns about
ghosts and their
interactions with the
Decimus Stones. Agree
to join her warband as
they investigate this possible threat. The group will be attacked multiple times by
Ascalonian ghosts along the way. Once Guardpoint Decimus Waypoint has been
reached, she will set up camp.
A S C A LO N
PROTECT HAUNTSMASH AS HE PLANTS CHARGES (Repeatable)
Follow the road east out of Vir’s Gate; Tempurus Waypoint is along the ramp by a
GOAL: Keep Hauntsmash alive long enough for him to plant four explosive charges.
charr outpost. There are two charr war camps nearby, and plenty of work is needed
LEVEL: 6
to tame this region. Ghosts haunt the north and the Flame Legion patrols the south.
Description: After Vhes sets up camp, talk to Furore Hauntsmash. He’s going to
HELP THE BLOOD LEGION (Renown Task)
fix the Decimus Stone problem, and he’s going to do it with a bang. Follow him as
Prove yourself to the Blood Legion by culling hostile creatures and
he plants explosive charges on each of the Decimus Stones. Walk ahead of him to GOAL: ghosts by Temperus Point.
encounter any ghosts first so Hauntsmash gets in fewer fights. Watch his health,
LEVEL: 7
because if he dies, the mission is a failure. When all the charges are planted, follow
Hauntsmash back to the camp to see the fireworks. Description: Talk to the legionnaires standing around before you leave Temperus
Point. You can gain their respect by sparring with Blood Legion braggarts and
pointing Blood Legion
loafers in the right
direction. Talk to
Tesserarius Drivenhail
to learn about a grawl
problem to the northeast;
Jenk Cutspecter may also
have a task for you. And
if you haven’t had your fill
of fighting ghosts yet, they can be found to the north. Spiders and their eggs need to
be destroyed in that direction as well.
DISPATCH CAPTAIN CALHAAN’S GHOST (Repeatable)

DEFEND THE ASH LEGION CAMP (Repeatable)
GOAL: Disperse the ghost of Captain Calhaan and those of his squad.
Protect the tents in the forward camp near Guardpoint
GOAL: LEVEL: 7
Decimus Waypoint.
LEVEL: 8
Description: Head
north from Temperus
Description: After the Decimus Stones have been destroyed and Hauntsmash has
Waypoint and into some
returned to the camp, the spirits in the area mount a counterattack. To succeed,
ruins. There you will find
you must prevent them
Calhaan’s Haunt. Stick
from destroying all of
around and you may run
the camp structures.
into the spirit this place is
Grab the attention of the
named after. Like so many
Ascalonian peasants and
other ghosts of Ascalon,
fighters and pull them
he is cursed to relive battles of the past, with you taking the place of his enemy.
toward the archers and
Several of his spirit allies follow him. To keep from being overwhelmed, clear the area
mages. Once you have
before you take on this group. Send Captain Calhaan’s shade to a temporary rest to
them in a group, use any
finish this repeatable.
area-of-effect attacks you have. There are a number of enemies and they are truly
intent on destroying those tents, but once they’re gone, the area will be a lot safer.
333
KILL THE GRAWL MARAUDING THROUGH CAPTURE THE GHOSTS FOR JENK CUTSPECTER (Repeatable)
MARTYR’S WOODS (Group) GOAL: Capture ghosts for Jenk Cutspecter using the ghost collector.
GOAL: Kill the elite grawl that is attacking supply caravans. LEVEL: 6
LEVEL: 7
Description: Jenk has an idea that may lock away the ghosts for good. Talk to Jenk
Description: Tesserarius and he will give you a ghost collector. Use its abilities, like proton bolts, to bring any
Drivenhail needs ghost nearby to less than half health. Once they are weakened, the Capture ability
someone to take out the stores them away. If you lose your ghost collector, pick up any of the spares lying
grawl leader (Badazar’s around. Once you have a full load, return to Jenk and follow him to Exterminatus HQ.
Champion). This nasty
guy has been attacking
supply caravans traveling
Martyr’s Woods in
the north. Follow the
road northeast to the Toppled Wall and you may find this tough grawl and his two
henchmen. Concentrate on the boss; once their leader is slain, the others turn tail and
flee. The leader is a powerful magic user that casts spells at a distance and can use a
splash attack to launch heroes that get too close.
KILL THE GRAWL SHAMANS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Kill the grawl shamans before they complete their ritual.
LEVEL: 7
Description: Southeast PROTECT THE CONTAINMENT UNIT (Repeatable)

of Martyr’s Waypoint GOAL: Defend the containment unit from multiple waves of Flame
there is a group of grawl Legion attacks.
shamans performing a LEVEL: 6
ritual around a statue
Description: To the
of Balthazar. You can’t
south of Temperus
be sure what the result
Waypoint is Exterminatus
will be, but you know it
HQ, which houses Jenk
won’t be good. The shamans are at points around the statue. Try to kill the packs of
Cutspecter’s Ghost
grawl berserkers before you take on the shamans.
Containment Unit. After
DRIVE THE GRAWL FROM BALTHAZAR’S STATUE (Repeatable) he has filled it with the
GOAL: Kill the grawl until they leave the area. ghosts you have collected,
Flame Legion invaders
LEVEL: 8
attempt to break the base’s defenses. They must be stopped before they break the
Description: A nearby tribe of grawl has come to revere a statue of Balthazar as their containment unit and free the ghosts! The large doors are a good place to make a stand;
new deity, “Badazar.” Circle the statue and kill Grawl until their morale breaks. Be wary there are several guards there, and it lets you keep a good eye on the containment unit.
of fighting too many at once; their Knockdown and CC abilities can kill you if you’re Withstand all of the Flame Legion attack waves and the containment unit will be safe.
not careful.
DESTROY THE GHOSTS IN THE
CONTAINMENT UNIT HANGAR (Repeatable)
GOAL: Clear the containment unit hangar of ghosts.
LEVEL: 7
Description: If the
Flame Legion was
successful in destroying
the containment unit,
the freed ghosts must
be cleared out of the
Exterminatus HQ hangar.
The spirits are spread
about the room, and
taking them out one by one is time consuming. All of the ghosts must be dispersed;
otherwise, they re-materialize. The fast way is to try to grab the attention of multiple
ghosts and get them to chase you back to the guards near the hangar doors. When
the hangar is completely empty of ghosts, your job is done.
334
WORLD
HELP THE IRON LEGION (Renown Task)

GOAL: Join with the Iron Legion to protect the area from the Flame Legion.
LEVEL: 8
Description:
Head south from
Temperus Waypoint
to Exterminatus HQ.
Killing Flame Legion and
disabling their power
sources in the area will
earn you the Iron Legion’s
respect. You can also talk PROTECT THE ENGINEERS (Repeatable)
with nearby legionnaires to find other ways to help. There’s plenty to do! GOAL: Protect the engineers repairing the Victory Cenotaph.
LEVEL: 8
KILL THE LAVA SHAMAN (Repeatable)
GOAL: Follow the Iron Legionnaire to Igni Castrum and kill the lava shaman. Description: If the effigy succeeds in destroying the Victory Cenotaph, this mission
A S C A LO N
LEVEL: 8 becomes available. The Iron Legion aren’t the type of charr to mope around after such a
loss! Three engineers concentrate on repairs while a few guards protect them. The Flame
Description: In Exterminatus HQ, there is an Iron Legionnaire looking to take the Legion is trying to take advantage of this vulnerable position and will attack in mixed
fight to the Flame Legion. Talk with him and agree to join his assault. His path goes groups of up to five. Try to keep at least one of the engineers revived and working along
through Flame Legion-patrolled lands to the southwest. You will end up in a cave with two guards. The time available to complete the repairs is limited, and the Flame
(Igni Castrum), which is protected by turrets and Flame Legion warriors. Get the Legion keeps coming. However, as long as you have at least one engineer working and
defenders and turrets out of the way before you fight the lava shaman inside the the help of a couple guard defenders, you can get the job done.
cave. His ranged magma attack does damage to you over time, and you don’t want to
be dodging into other enemies while trying to avoid the shaman. Keep moving and
fighting until the shaman is dead. You’re done teaching the Flame Legion a lesson (for
now, at least), so go back to Terminus Waypoint.
ADOREA WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint
TRAVEL: Temperus Waypoint (NW), Ashford Waypoint (E)
DESTROY THE EFFIGY (Group) HARVESTING INFO: Aspen Saplings (limited), Copper Ore (limited)
GOAL: Destroy the effigy before it reaches the Victory Cenotaph.

LEVEL: 8
Description: Aurelia Stonegazer needs volunteers to defend the charr Victory

Cenotaph from a giant walking effigy created by the Flame Legion. Someone killed
the Flame Legion shaman in Igni Castrum, and now they’re ticked off. This burning
creation is slowly making its way along the road from Igni Castrum to the Victory
Cenotaph. With it is a small escort of Flame Legionnaires. Take the escort out first or
the combined damage will be overwhelming. While fighting the effigy, you have to
keep moving and be ready to evade. It throws fireballs and can rain fire over a wide
area. Try to distract the effigy and bring it in range of the cannons at Exterminatus Head south of Tempurus Waypoint to the shores of Lake Adorea. Adorea Waypoint
HQ. If the effigy is not stopped before it reaches the Cenotaph, it will destroy the overlooks the small body of water. While the drakes that live in and around the lake
statue. Bring down this monstrosity and show the might of the charr! are the main threat, there is also the mystery of the ruins on the small island. This is a
good place to practice amphibious combat if you have not done so already.
335
HELP PAENULA (Renown Task) DESTROY THE SEPARATIST CATAPULTS
Help Paenula train the troops by fighting in the pit and AND ROADBLOCK (Repeatable)
GOAL: capturing creatures. GOAL: Smash the separatists and the barriers they have placed on the road.
LEVEL: 9 LEVEL: 10
Description: You can Description: Follow the road east of Ashford Forum and you may come upon the
find Paenula north of injured engineer Lynnka Steelbender. Help her and she will tell you that separatists
Adorea Lake at the are blocking the road. They have a catapult on either side, so don’t stand still for too
bottom of a ramp. She long. A circle on the ground around you is your cue to move your feet! Start with one
runs the battle simulation of the catapults. If you are feeling lucky, you can use area-of-effect attacks to take out
pit at the top of the the catapult and the separatists guarding it at the same time. The safer way to do it
hill. It’s a great way to is to pull away the separatists so you can dodge the catapult shot and the separatist
train soldiers against real basher hammer swings. Once you clear both sides, take out the roadblock.
enemies in controlled
situations. You can help
her by training with the
soldiers in the pit or
capturing creatures for it.
To help train the soldiers,
head up the ramp and
select your challenge.
You can make a lot of
progress on this task in a
single fight. Or you can go out and catch creatures with a modified rifle that Paenula
gives you. Head south and use the Bleeding Shot and Blunderbuss abilities to reduce
the health of drakes and minotaurs. Once they are below half health, use Net Shot
ability to send them to the pit.
SPIRIT HUNTER CAMP WAYPOINT CENTER
ASHFORD WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE SERVICES: Waypoint
Waypoint, Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Merchant, Karma TRAVEL: Ashford Waypoint (S)
SERVICES: Tool Merchant, Skill Challenge
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Root Vegetables
TRAVEL: Adorea Waypoint (W), Spirit Hunter Camp Waypoint (N)
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore (Abundant) (E) North of Ashford Forum and at the center of the region is the lonely Spirit Hunter
Camp Waypoint. South of here, charr legionnaires patrol the rocky plains and ruins,
trying to control the ghost population. This is dangerous duty; Ascalonian spirits glide
silently through the perpetual fog that covers much of the area. North of the waypoint
is given over to wilderness and the mortal threats of the grawl, wurms, and devourers.
This waypoint is inside Ashford Forum, north of Lake Adorea. Here you can test your
skills and upgrade your equipment. You can also buy tools that increase your chance
to get higher-quality materials. If you follow the road northeast, you can have your
first contact with separatist forces. Follow the road further north to encounter the
ghosts that fill the Devast District and Abbey Ruins.
336
WORLD
HELP GAVROS SPIRITFOE AND THE CHARR PATROLS ASCALONIAN CATACOMBS WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE
(Renown Task)
SERVICES: Waypoint, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Skill Challenge
GOAL: Support charr patrols by fighting ghosts, searching for Ascalonian
hammers, and lighting torches. Ascalonian Catacombs (Dungeon: Level 30 for Story
Mode and Level 35 for Exploration Mode), Spirit Hunter
LEVEL: 10 TRAVEL: Camp Waypoint (W), Phasmatis Waypoint (E),
Ascalon City Waypoint (NE)
Description: This task HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Root Vegetables
covers a large area, but
the best way to help the Travel northeast of Spirit Hunter Camp Waypoint to find the entrance to Ascalonian
legionnaires is to head Catacombs. The Durmand Priory has set up camp here to study the catacombs and
south, to Abbey Ruins. It’s the wall, and their representatives, an armorsmith and a weaponsmith, can be found
easy to find patrolmen to outside. Once you’ve gotten more experienced, think about gathering a few friends
help and torches to light and venturing inside the catacombs. It’s a place of danger and a definite chance at
there. Using the dropped adventure and treasure.
hammers can be fun, but
they aren’t your main focus. Instead, hunt around the ruins and make a beeline for
the torches. Of course, the ghosts are thick in the region, and they’ll try to stop you,
A S C A LO N
but they were targets anyway.
MARTYR’S WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint
Temperus Waypoint (S), Entrance to Diessa Plateau
TRAVEL: (Level 15-25 Charr Region) (N), Spirit Hunter Camp
Waypoint (SE), Ascalonian Catacombs Waypoint (E)
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore (W), Aspen Saplings (S)
That’s getting a bit ahead of things, though. Outside the catacombs, charr patrols are
attempting to set up a forward camp to the south. Ghosts and harpies are this area’s
principle dangers, and you can stand with the legionnaires against their foes.
ASCALONIAN CATACOMBS
Groups of players with five members that are around level 30

(or above) can come to this area to seek greater adventures. The
Ascalonian Catacombs are north of the waypoint, and you can’t
This waypoint stands at the northern end of the map, guarding the path through the
miss them!
Toppled Wall to Diessa Plateau (a likely place for you to explore when you’re ready to
leave the Plains of Ashford). But you probably aren’t quite ready for that! Enemies are
nearby, and you can still make a difference here. Cursed spirits guard Calhaan’s Haunt,
spiders skitter in Martyr’s Woods, and the grawl make a nuisance of themselves HELP SAGUM RELICSEEKER OF THE DURMAND PRIORY
everywhere else. (Renown Task)
Fight back the harpies along the wall and help the Durmand Priory
GOAL: recover artifacts.
LEVEL: 10
Description: North of
the waypoint, harpies
have built roosts along
the toppled wall. The
Durmand Priory cannot
continue their excavation
and research while these
pests attack their agents
and steal artifacts. Climb
the stairs to the higher sections of wall and attack harpy nests. The waves of angered
harpies this brings makes completing the task more difficult, but it’s a fast and fun
way to complete it quickly.
337
RECOVER STOLEN SUPPLY CONTAINERS (Repeatable) IRONDOCK SHIPYARD WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST OF CENTER
GOAL: Recover stolen supply containers from harpies for Explorer Erin.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Challenge
LEVEL: 10
TRAVEL: Spirithunter Waypoint (N), Loreclaw Waypoint (S)
Description: Erin is HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore (SW), Aspen Saplings (S)
standing by the Toppled
Wall; she’s trying to
recover artifacts stolen by
the harpies. While you are
helping Sagum Relicseeker
kill the pests, you can turn
over any artifacts you have
collected to Erin. Artifacts
can be gathered in three ways. The most common way is to loot them from harpy
corpses. The second easiest is to pick them up along the upper parts of the walls. The
final way is to grab any of the shovels lying around and use them to dig up rubble.
South of Spirithunter Waypoint, past Lamia Mire, is Irondock. Various weapon
DEFEND SWORDCROSS COMMAND POST experiments are happening at this beautiful body of water, including the testing
FROM GHOSTS (Repeatable) of a prototype vehicle. There are multiple ways to help in the experiments. Speak
to Sesto Headsplitter to help directly, or talk to Mei or Burnwhite to handle the
GOAL: Stop Ascalonian ghosts from destroying all four command post buildings.
separatist nuisance.
LEVEL: 11
ASSIST SESTO HEADSPLITTER WITH HIS WORK (Renown Task)
Description: The charr have built a forward command post to the south of
Test out Sesto Headsplitter’s experimental weapons and help keep the
Ascalonian Catacombs Waypoint. Spirits in the area have sensed the disturbance GOAL: experiments at Irondock functional.
and have come to tear
LEVEL: 11
it down. Ghosts in
groups of three from the Description: Talk to Sesto Headsplitter to find out how you can help. If you ask, he
surrounding area come will equip you with his
in through the north and experimental grenades.
south entrances. You You can practice on
will have to run between any of the practice
the two openings, killing dummies in the area or
ghosts and reviving fallen get real-world data by
allies. When Ascalonian peasants take too much damage, they will run away for a bit. using them on aggressive
Switch to a more aggressive target and kill the peasants only when they come back. creatures. Another
When all of the spirits in the area have been dispersed, you will be victorious. way to help is to repair
malfunctioning equipment and to destroy tar elementals (sometimes these appear
PROTECT THE SIEGE TEAM (Repeatable)
when you interact with the equipment). You can also take a dip in the basin and pick
GOAL: Protect the four members of the siege team as they approach the wall. up submarine parts. Return the parts to Sesto.
LEVEL: 11
KILL THE SEPARATISTS BEFORE THEY DESTROY
Description: After the command post at Swordcross has been defended, members THE IRON BARRACUDA (Repeatable)
of a siege team decide to take the fight to the Ascalonian ghosts. Once you agree to Kill all of the attacking separatist saboteurs before they critically damage
GOAL:
join them, the team will head north, to the wall. This is a difficult task because ghosts the Iron Barracuda.
will attack multiple times along the way. When team members fall, they cannot be LEVEL: 12
revived. Bring all your damage or healing abilities! If the last team member falls, the
mission has failed. Description: On the
south end of the island is
the docking point for the
submersible prototype,
the Iron Barracuda.
Jump in the water;
separatist saboteurs are
trying to destroy the
Iron Barracuda from
underneath! Protect the submarine by distracting the saboteurs and killing the entire
attacking force. Win and get the thanks of the Iron Barracuda’s crew…but if you fail,
all is not lost.
338
WORLD
ASSIST LEGIONNAIRE BURNWHITE IN REPAIRING PHASMATIS WAYPOINT EAST OF CENTER

THE IRON BARRACUDA (Repeatable)
SERVICES: Waypoint
GOAL: Gather submarine parts and return them to Legionnaire Burnwhite.
Irondock Shipyard Waypoint (S), Ascalonian Catacombs
LEVEL: 12 TRAVEL: Waypoint (NW), Watchcrag Tower Waypoint (E),
Ascalon City Waypoint (N)
Description: If the separatists succeed in damaging the Iron Barracuda, Legionnaire Copper Ore (Common), Aspen Saplings (Common),
HARVESTING INFO:
Burnwhite will ask for your help to repair it. Search at the bottom of the basin for the Root Vegetables (Common)
scattered submarine parts around the dock. While you can loot parts from drakes, it’s
much easier to swim along the bottom and pick up parts as you pass over them. Climb
back on the dock and hand them off to Burnwhite. Once she has enough parts, head
back into the water to protect her from separatist attacks while she makes the repairs.
A S C A LO N
North of Irondock and east of Spirithunter Waypoint, Phasmatis Waypoint is on the
edge of a heavily Ascalonian-controlled area. Ghosts abound here, and they aren’t
happy with being disturbed.
But, there are some rewards to be had for all the danger. Harvesting gets better
from here. While previous areas have been sparse, harvesting sources become more
plentiful to the north and east.
HELP MEI HAWKSLAYER DISRUPT SEPARATIST ACTIVITY ASCALON CITY WAYPOINT NORTHEAST OF CENTER
(Renown Task)
SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Challenge (E)
GOAL: Disrupt separatist activities at the nearby camp.
Iron Marches (N)(Level 50-60 Region), Ascalonian
LEVEL: 12 TRAVEL: Catacombs Waypoint (W), Phasmatis Waypoint (S)
Copper Ore (E), Aspen Saplings (Common), Root
Description: South of the Irondock Shipyard Waypoint, Mei Hawkslayer stands at the HARVESTING INFO: Vegetables (Common)
Loreclaw Expanse, observing the separatist camp. Head south up the path but watch your
step: separatists have laid
mines. Destroy the catapult
at a nearby overlook or it
will continually harass you.
Then, make your way into
the camp proper. At the
center of the camp are two
tents that contain separatist
battle plans. Mei would like
these destroyed. Head east and you will find a small stockade. Kill the guards, break down
the door, and release the prisoners inside. If you still haven’t fully disrupted the camp, rustle This waypoint stands at the entrance to the Ascalon City Ruins on the northeast end
the separatists out of nearby bushes. When you’re done with the task, head east to grab of the map. To the north lies a path to the Iron Marches region, but that’s probably a
Loreclaw Waypoint. You’ll need it later. bit too dangerous for now. Closer to your position, along the ancient walls, the area
swarms with Ascalonian spirits. They have even materialized ghostly trebuchets!
DESTROY THE SEPARATIST CAMP (Repeatable)
GOAL: Destroy the two tents at the center of the camp.
LEVEL: 12
Description: Talk to Legionnaire Burnwhite. Her request is very simple: smash the two
tents at the center of the separatist camp. The difficulty is that the structures are built
pretty tough, and the separatist archers, bashers, and catapult attacks continually distract
you. Get inside the tents
to use them as cover while
you destroy them from
within. If the separatists are
still a problem, try to pull
them in with you and
use area-of-effect attacks
to save time. 339
HELP GHYRTRATUS FIENDMAULER (Renown Task) DESTROY THE GHOSTLY ASCALONIAN TREBUCHET (Part of
Wipe out the ghosts haunting Ascalon City and help the Blood Legion the World Event)
GOAL: retake the city for the charr. GOAL: Destroy the first trebuchet.
LEVEL: 12 LEVEL: 11
Description: The Blood Description: This is part of the region’s world event. It seems that the Ascalonian
Legion needs assistance curse is powerful enough to bring back ethereal siege weaponry. You can see the
retaking these old trebuchet from Phasmatis Waypoint. Fight the ghosts guarding it at a distance so you
ruins; they are covered have time to dodge the
in Ascalonian ghosts. trebuchet shots. Then,
The easy way to help is close the distance and
by repairing flags and smash it as fast as you
reviving injured soldiers can. With the trebuchet
along the roadways. For down, the ghosts can’t
a Skill Challenge, head east into the Ascalon City Ruins and fight the packs of ghosts depend on their heavy
within the walls. To really impress the Blood Legion, pick up the battle plans you artillery anymore.
find in the ruins and hand them over to Ghyrtratus. When you are done helping the
legion in this area, teleport to Loreclaw Waypoint. DESTROY THE GHOSTLY ASCALONIAN TREBUCHET ON
THE HILL (Part of the World Event)
DEFEAT THE FORCES DEFENDING ASCALON CITY (World Event)
GOAL: Destroy the second trebuchet.
GOAL: Destroy Ascalonian structures.
LEVEL: 12
LEVEL: 12
Description: This
Description: World events, if you have not encountered them before, are made up
trebuchet stands at a
of many smaller events that revolve around a pivotal story within a region. Everyone
break between the walls
in a large area can be involved and complete a component of the event while working
of the Ascalonian City
toward the greater
Ruins. The slow way of
goal. With teamwork, a
doing this is to fight
group can split up and
the ghosts guarding
complete parts faster.
it at a distance so you
There are several obstacles
have time to dodge
in the way of the charr
the trebuchet shots. Then, close the distance and destroy it. The faster, but more
conquest of the ruins.
dangerous, way is to run in and hit the guards and trebuchet simultaneously with
Ghosts are rallying around
area-of-effect attacks.
ancient statues. Ghostly
trebuchets are pounding on legionnaire forces. By destroying two Ascalonian statues DESTROY THE FIRST STATUE (Part of the World Event)
and trebuchets, the spirit of Siegemaster Lormar will be made to appear. Kill him and
GOAL: Destroy the statue of the Ascalonian soldier.
bring the charr closer to complete domination of the region.
LEVEL: 12
Description: Ascalonian spirits are rallying around statues dedicated to their past.
This particular statue stands on a rise to the southwest of the Ascalon City Waypoint.
Clearing the ruins requires the removal of these ghostly attractors. Try to fight only a
few ghosts at a time. When the area is clear, smash the statue.
340
WORLD
DESTROY THE SECOND STATUE (Part of the World Event) HELP WITH RESEARCH ON THE SKALE (Renown Task)
GOAL: Destroy the statue of the Ascalonian scholar. GOAL: Assist Researcher Irkz in his study of the skale.
LEVEL: 12 LEVEL: 13
Description: Ascalonian spirits are gathering around a statue in honor of an Description:

Ascalonian scholar. This statue stands on the eastern side of the lake, south of the Researcher Irkz is at the
Ascalon City Ruins. Kill the surrounding ghosts to give yourself room, and then smash southeasternmost spot
the statue. of Ascalon Basin. The
fastest way to complete
the research is to kill
skale and pick up their oil
sacs while resetting traps
and reviving allies. If you
travel in a full circuit, by the time you return to Irkz and hand over the skale oil sacs,
you’ll be done. In addition, you can help the charr nearby by giving them pep talks.
Food samples can be found in skale nests. They can also be turned over to Irkz, but
it’s much more fun to use them as improvised weapons. When you’re finished, travel
A S C A LO N
north to Duskrend Overlook Waypoint.
DUSKREND OVERLOOK WAYPOINT EAST SIDE

Waypoint, Merchant (Salvage), Armorsmith,
SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Karma Supply Merchant
KILL SIEGEMASTER LORMAR (Part of the World Event) Blazeridge Steppes (E), Loreclaw Waypoint (SW),
TRAVEL:
GOAL: Kill Siegemaster Lormar. Watchcrag Tower Waypoint (N)
LEVEL: 12 Copper Ore (Common), Aspen Saplings (Common),

HARVESTING INFO: Root Vegetables (Common)
Description: This is the last part of the region’s world event. When all four structures
(two trebuchets and two statues) have been destroyed, the ghost of Siegemaster
Lormar makes his
appearance in the
Ascalonian City Ruins.
Lormar himself isn’t very
tough, but he has his
own personal guards and
a horde of regular ghosts
surrounding him. Clear
an area of the normal
Head east from Loreclaw Waypoint to an area of stone hills. Overlooking Ascalon
wandering ghosts before taking on his group, or you risk being overwhelmed. When
Basin, protected by these outcroppings, is Duskrend Overlook. This is a perfect
the spirit of Siegemaster Lormar has been dispersed, the charr have secured their
place to upgrade your equipment. Take the time to go over what the merchants
victory in this region.
have to offer, and grab any salvage kits you need before you head out. Activity at
the northern ogre kraal is what everyone is talking about here. Speak to Ahneta
LORECLAW WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE Duskclaw; she tells you about some legionnaires on a dangerous mission.
SERVICES: Waypoint
Irondock Shipyard Waypoint (NW), Duskrend Overlook
HELP ANDROCHUS THE HIDDEN (Renown Task)
TRAVEL: Waypoint (E) GOAL: Help lessen the ogre control of Cadem Forest.
HARVESTING INFO: Aspen Saplings (Abundant) LEVEL: 14
Description: The ogres

of Watchcrag Kraal are
fortifying their control of
Cadem Forest. Androchus
the Hidden is spying on
their activities north of
Duskrend Overlook. If
you kill enough ogres and
smash enough of their
structures, he’ll have far better news to report. The best way to finish this task is to
Loreclaw Waypoint is in a quiet spot at the southern shore of Ascalon Basin. Head talk to Dyrala Ogrestalker and assist in her mission. Along the way, you can defeat
west to encounter a separatist camp or east to help Researcher Irkz. enough ogres and break plenty of stuff so you can finish this task in no time.
341
DRIVE THE OGRES FROM THEIR WATCHTOWER (Repeatable) CAPTURE STONECRAG KRAAL (Repeatable)
GOAL: Drive the ogres from their watchtower by killing their scouts. GOAL: Capture the kraal and defeat the ogre chieftain.
LEVEL: 13 LEVEL: 15
Description: Dyrala Description: After driving the ogres from Watchcrag Tower, you now have the ability
Ogrestalker has a plan to directly attack their kraal. Travel northeast from Watchcrag Tower Waypoint and
to herd the ogres back break down the kraal door. You have to kill ogres in this area as fast as possible; otherwise,
into their kraal. Talk to reinforcements will arrive and you’ll make no progress in capturing it. Adding to the
her and agree to join challenge are the multiple veteran ogre hunters that appear here. They have much more
her team. Her plan, in health and do more damage than the normal ogre hunters and ogre bruisers.
good legion fashion, is
to rampage through the A useful strategy is to focus your damage on only the ogres. When they die, their pet
ogre camp, killing ogre does as well. Stay light on your feet as you attack the ogres, and evade away from
scouts. Make sure to keep up, because these charr are not stopping until they are their jumping ground smashes. Also, consider keeping one target at a sliver of health
done. When all the ogre scouts are slain, the group stops at Watchcrag Tower for the to help you Rally if you fall.
next phase in their endeavor.
WATCHCRAG TOWER WAYPOINT EAST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint
Duskrend Overlook Waypoint (S), Phasmatis Waypoint (W),
TRAVEL: Ascalon City Ruins (NW)
Copper Ore (Abundant), Aspen Saplings (Abundant),
HARVESTING INFO: Root Vegetables (Abundant)
Once the area is captured, the Stonecrag Chieftain arrives with two hunters to kick
you out of the kraal. He’s more dangerous than the veterans you fought earlier. Get
ready to evade! He doesn’t fight fair, and neither should you. If you have attacks
that knock down, Stun, or apply conditions, this is the time to use them. Defeat the
Chieftain and the kraal is yours.
North of Duskrend Overlook is this often-contested waypoint. It’s on a rise next to DEFEND STONECRAG KRAAL (Repeatable)
Watchcrag Tower, which is just inside ogre territory. The scenery is beautiful and
GOAL: Prevent ogres from recapturing the kraal until the time limit expires.
verdant. Unfortunately, the ogres and their animal companions aggressively guard
LEVEL: 15
their new home.
Description: After you succeed in capturing Stonecrag Kraal, charr reinforcements
DRIVE OFF THE OGRES ATTACKING WATCHCRAG TOWER
arrive. You will need them—those ogres want their kraal back! Ogres will be coming
(Repeatable)
in the two entrances,
GOAL: Keep the charr guards alive until ogre morale breaks.
trying to recapture their
LEVEL: 14 former home. Most of
the attacks come from
Description: After completing the mission to take Watchcrag Tower with Dyrala
the eastern gate, but
Ogrestalker, you can help defend it. Ogres will come up the hill from alternating
every so often there’s an
directions. Don’t let any of the guards get isolated; they can’t be revived, and if they all
engagement to the west.
die, the tower is lost. The
Keep the guards on their
trick is to concentrate
feet and active, or you
your fire on the ogres,
might find yourself overwhelmed. When you succeed, Maren Silentstrike arrives and
because once they die,
sells celebratory fireworks. Congratulations! Thanks to you, the charr have Ashford
so does their pet. Slay
Plains well in hand.
enough ogres and their
spirit will break, leading
to a full-on rout.
342
WORLD
DIESSA PLATEAU
LEVEL RANGE: 15-25
TASKS: 15
WAYPOINTS: 19
SKILL CHALLENGES: 8
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Iron Ore, Silver Ore,
Gummo Saplings, Vine Vegetables,
Herb Patches, Blueberries
SKILL CHALLENGES
Diessa Plateau is north of the Black Citadel. The ranches and mills of this area supply
> Shaman Purda (West of Charrgate Haven Waypoint, Inside the Keep)
(NW) the charr legions with the food and materials they need. This land is under constant
> Sharptail’s Nest (Northwest of Bloodcliff Waypoint, Out in the Open) threat of attacks from separatists, the Flame Legion, and Ascalonian ghosts.
(NW)
> Ascalonian Aqueduct (North of Blasted Moors Waypoint, Reached Via
A S C A LO N
the Tunnels Underneath That Area) (Center)
> Roj the Rowdy Butcher (South of the Blasted Moors Waypoint, On a Hill
Near a Tower) (Center)
> Place of Power (East of Breached Wall Waypoint, Atop the Ruins) (S)
> Rancher in Training Poisonwill (Southwest of Dawnright Estate
Waypoint, Out in the Open) (Center)
> Veruta Beefhawker (North of Manbane’s Waypoint, Deep Inside
the Cave) (N)
> Bogfang the Skale (Southeast of Font of Rhand Waypoint) (NE)
Font of Rhand
Burrows of Waypoint
Moledavia Bloodcliff Quarry
Incendio
Waypoint
Bloodcliff Manbane’s Outcrop
Waypoint Waypoint
Blackblade
Waypoint
Butcher’s Block
Waypoint
Charrgate
Haven
Waypoint The Blasted Moors Sanctum
Bloodsaw Mill Waypoint
Waypoint Waypoint
Charradis Estate
Waypoint Dawnright Estate
Waypoint
Nemus
Groves Nemus Groves
Waypoint
Ruins of Oldgate Redreave Mill
Waypoint Waypoint
Town of
Nageling
Nageling
Waypoint
Breached Wall
Nolan Waypoint
Waypoint Noxin Dells
Breachwater
Waypoint
343
NOLAN WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE ATTACK THE SEPARATIST CAMP (Repeatable)
While disguised as a Flame Legionnaire, kill 10 separatists and place
SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Merchant, Equipment Repair GOAL: Flame Legion emblems in the camp.
Gate to Black Citadel (Charr Capital City) (S), Oldgate LEVEL: 16
TRAVEL: Waypoint (N), Nageling Waypoint (E)
Copper Ore (N), Aspen Saplings (N), Gummo Sapling, Description: Speak with
HARVESTING INFO: Vine Vegetables, Blueberries
Sonja Redclaw to start
The town of Nolan is the last truly safe point in Diessa Plateau. Check your part two of the plan. Let
equipment and speak to Padar Grindaxe before you head out. her put you in a Flame
Legion disguise and break
ASSIST THE BLOOD LEGION (Renown Task) down the southeastern
GOAL: Keep the road free of separatist threats. gate to the separatist
camp. Start this part of
LEVEL: 15
the deception by slaying
Description: Separatists are harassing travelers along the road east out of Nolan. some separatists. Once the camp is emptied, place some Flame Legion emblems at
They are putting mines and wreckage along the roadway and attacking caravans. the spots marked on your minimap. Once all the emblems are planted, the separatists
A fun way to fight the will attack the Flame Legion and both threats will be neutralized.
separatists is to turn their
mines against them. Pick
ASSIST THE ASH LEGION (Renown Task)
up the mines and place GOAL: Take out separatists at Dunrock Gulch.
them at their feet. For less LEVEL: 17
violent assistance, salvage
scrap from the wreckage Description: Vasher Shadowsinner has been ordered to observe the nearby
on the roadside and take separatist camp. But why observe separatists when you can eliminate them? Break
it to Tiga Fierceblade. down the gate and cause
The most efficient way of completing this task for the Blood Legion is to follow a chaos by killing the
patrolling legionnaire, help him fight the separatists, and revive him if he falls. separatists and destroying
their structures and
ATTACK THE FLAME LEGION HIDEOUT (Repeatable) supplies. Deep inside is a
While disguised as a separatist, destroy supplies and plant evidence of a small prison. Get inside
GOAL: separatist attack. and free the prisoners so
LEVEL: 15 they can start fighting
too. Under a tent is a
Description: Speak with Sonja Redclaw to hear her plan to get the Flame Legion barrel of explosives. Use the bombs in the barrel to quickly destroy supplies, wagons,
and separatists at each other’s throats. When you are ready to go undercover, tell her and tents, and to kill separatists.
to put you in a separatist disguise. The Flame Legion hideout is in a small cave to the
southwest. Be ready to fight; there are many Flame Legionnaires packed in a small OLDGATE WAYPOINT WEST SIDE
area. This can be put to your advantage. Lead your enemies to the cave walls near
SERVICES: Waypoint
the supplies and let loose with your area-of-effect attacks. You will have killed most
of your witnesses while destroying the supplies. You need to destroy eight supplies in Nolan Waypoint (S), Charradis Waypoint (E), Butcher’s
TRAVEL: Block Waypoint (N), Charrgate Waypoint (N)
total. Once you’re done, to ensure the separatists are blamed, plant evidence at the
Copper Ore (W), Aspen Saplings (Common), Gummo
markers indicated on your minimap. Return to Sonja for more cloak-and-dagger fun. HARVESTING INFO: Saplings, Mushrooms (W)
The Ruins of Oldgate sulk beneath the trees. Its location north of the town of Nolan
makes it a threat to civilians and ranchers. The dead are restless in Oldgate, and a
detachment of the Iron Legion is working to control the ghosts. The normal way of
attacking the spirits to dispel them works, but you can talk to Rhell Crankmane for a
more high-tech option.
344
WORLD
ASSIST THE IRON LEGION (Renown Task) BUTCHER’S BLOCK WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE
GOAL: Minimize the ghostly forces in the Ruins of Oldgate.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Merchant
LEVEL: 16
Oldgate Waypoint (S), Charrgate Haven Waypoint (W),
TRAVEL: Bloodcliff Waypoint (NE)
Description: The Iron
HARVESTING INFO: Aspen Saplings (W), Vine Vegetables
Legion here is following
the basic method for The village of Butcher’s Block is filled with celebrants. Hooray for Meatoberfest! There is
controlling a ghost a great deal to see and do here. Helping out is a good way to make a name for yourself.
population. They are Once you are done partying, you can fight the separatists hiding in the woods.
lighting torches and
killing the ghosts that are
attracted to them. You
can impress the legion by
running along the line of torches and lighting them quickly (by pressing the Interact
key). Kill any ghosts you encounter or find by clearing rubble. Clearing rubble may
cause more ghosts to appear. Rhell Crankmane is nearby, and he has his own ideas for
controlling the ghosts.
A S C A LO N
DEFEND RHELL CRANKMANE (Repeatable)
GOAL: Defend Rhell Crankmane while he sets up his ghost control machines.
LEVEL: 16 ASSIST LAKOR GRIZZLEMOUTH (Renown Task)
GOAL: Help Butcher’s Block celebrate Meatoberfest.
LEVEL: 16
Description: Be the
life of the party at the
happiest time of the year,
Meatoberfest! An easy
way to do this is to make
sure no one’s hungry or
thirsty. Grab meat from
the meat racks to give
to hungry soldiers. Grab
a drink from the ale cart and hand it to a thirsty soldier. There are some inebriated
soldiers who are getting too rowdy. Start a fight with a few to get out their aggression.
Description: Speak with Rhell Crankmane about getting started. Rhell says he has
created a “Ghost Control Machine,” which creates a sound that ghosts can’t resist. It THE CELEBRATION OF MEAT (World Event)
neutralizes the ghosts for a short period of time. The problem is he needs someone to GOAL: Give a helping hand during the celebration.
fight off the ghosts while he works. Follow him into the woods and protect him while
LEVEL: N/A
he sets up two machines. Mixed groups of ghosts will attack; take out the archers and
mages first because of their area-of-effect attacks. Once he is done, all of the ghosts in Description: There is so much to do during Meatoberfest that it’s tough keeping track
the ruins are Stunned, letting you pass safely through for a short period. of it all. Never fear: the world event list can help you know what’s going on in the area.
HELP KARRIS QUICKCALM (Repeatable)

GOAL: Help Karris Quickcalm hunt for wurm eggs inside Wurm’s Gullet.
LEVEL: 16
Description: Karris has

to collect wurm eggs for
Meatoberfest. Agree to
help her and head into
the cave first. Collect
wurm eggs from the cave
floor and wurm corpses,
and hand them over to
Karris. Going in front is
much faster than following her because she walks so slowly. Once she has enough,
Karris turns around and goes to Butcher’s Block.
345
HELP KIBOZ RAPIDEATER (Part of the World Event) DEFEAT THE PLAINS WURM (Group)
GOAL: Help Kiboz Rapideater herd cattle to Butcher’s Block. Defeat the plains wurm before Karris Quickcalm must return to
GOAL: Butcher’s Block.
LEVEL: 16
LEVEL: 16
Description: Kiboz
Description: While in Butcher’s Block, talk to Aynna Quicksight. She sent Karris
needs to get his cattle
Quickcalm to gather wurm eggs near Wurm’s Cleft, and Karris is late getting back.
to Meatoberfest. You
Travel southwest out of Butcher’s Block. A champion plains wurm is blocking the
can find him on the
entrance to the cave!
road north to Butcher’s
This huge beast tosses
Block. Protect him and
boulders at you, so stay
his cattle from wolves
on your toes. Once it’s
and separatist attacks.
defeated, Karris can bring
Take out wolves quickly
its eggs to Meatoberfest.
because their howls bring more wolves. Revive Kiboz if he gets injured; otherwise, his
caravan won’t move forward.
PROTECT RADARR BOOMMAKER’S FIREWORK LAUNCHERS

(Part of the World Event)
CHARRGATE HAVEN WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE
GOAL: Defend five firework launchers from separatist attacks.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Equipment Repair, Merchant, Weaponsmith
LEVEL: 16
Wayfarer Foothills (Level 1-15 Region) (W), Butcher’s
TRAVEL: Block Waypoint (E)
Description: Radarr Boommaker has set up his firework launchers to the east,
outside of the walls of Butcher’s Block. While this is safe for the celebrants of Copper Ore (S), Iron Ore (N), Silver Ore (Rich) (N),
HARVESTING INFO: Mushrooms (N)
Meatoberfest, the
separatists lurking in West of Butcher’s Block is a guardpost called Charrgate Haven. It guards the pass
the woods threaten to Wayfarer Foothills. The land turns from plains and forests to rocky hills and
Boommaker’s launchers. mountains. The charr are trying to mine for ore to the north, but the subterranean
Slay the entire attacking threat of the dredge keeps them from holding to the area.
separatist force before
they destroy all five
launchers. Luckily the
launchers are pretty
sturdy. Boommaker fights alongside you, and the separatists only attack in small
groups. Once they are all dead, hang around a minute to watch the fireworks show.
DEFEAT AZALUS POISONTONGUE (Part of the World Event)

GOAL: Teach this guy a lesson in manners.
LEVEL: 16
Description: This veteran is ruining Meatoberfest by hurling insults at anyone in DEFEND RIMTOOTH (Repeatable)
range. Pick a fight with him to knock him down a peg. He may be drunk, but he’s GOAL: Defend Rimtooth from dredge.
no pushover; just when you think you have him down, he gets a second wind and
LEVEL: 15
restores his health. You can grab meat from the nearby meat racks to restore your
health if you get in trouble. Defeat Azalus and save Meatoberfest! Description: Terje
Strongarm and Oxnard
Bonestrap are trying to
get a shipment of ale
from Charrgate Haven to
Butcher’s Block in time
for Meatoberfest. It’s not
far, but the dredge are
attacking anything that
travels on the road. Halfway to Butcher’s Block, a dredge APC will surface and attack
Rimtooth, the group’s pack marmoth. If Rimtooth takes too much damage, the ale
shipment is destroyed and Terje and Oxnard will have to return to Charrgate Haven.
Strike at the dredge to draw their attention away and slay the entire dredge force.
346
WORLD
ASSIST THE IRON LEGION (Renown Task) BLOODCLIFF WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE
GOAL: Deal with the dredge nuisance.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Point, Tool Merchant
LEVEL: 16
Butcher’s Block Waypoint (SW), Blasted Moors
TRAVEL: Waypoint (SE)
Description: The charr
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore (Abundant)
are fighting to run the
dredge out of the mines Bloodcliff Quarry is a strip mine that feeds the hefty iron needs of the charr legions.
to the north. Slay any This place needs to be running at full productivity, but the dredge have been staging
dredge you see and raids. Fight off the dredge, and then head north of the waypoint. There’s a Durmand
destroy their structures Priory scribe nearby who’s willing to share some lore (and give you a Skill Point).
to drive them away. The
dredge turrets should
be taken out first. These
machines have high range and hit hard! The guard towers are tough, but they don’t
hit back and it’s satisfying when they fall.
DESTROY THE DREDGE BARRICADE (Repeatable)
A S C A LO N
GOAL: Destroy 10 dredge wall segments.
LEVEL: 17
Description: Arcaris Clashcaller is looking for volunteers to fight the dredge. The
dredge have overrun a mine and have put up a wall separating the charr from their ASSIST THE QUARRY WORKERS (Renown Task)
equipment. Deal with the pulse cannons first and then kill nearby dredge. Revive
GOAL: Increase worker productivity in the quarry.
fallen allies to help you knock down the wall sections. Area-of-effect attacks are
LEVEL: 17
helpful here; you can hit wall segments and dredge attackers in one nice blast.
Description: Worker
RETRIEVE THE STOLEN MINING EQUIPMENT (Repeatable)
productivity needs to be
GOAL: Collect hammers in the mine.
improved at the quarry.
LEVEL: 17 Talk to lazy miners and
convince them to get
Description: Once the dredge wall has been broken down, legionnaires move into
back to work. To aid in
the mines to retrieve the mining equipment. Follow them in and bring them any
the quarrying operation,
sledgehammers you find. A great deal of footwork is needed because you can only
fix the drilling machines.
carry one hammer at a time. To make things more fun, use the sledgehammers as
This makes them produce
weapons on the dredge. If you can’t find any on the ground, sometimes the dredge
boulders, which you can then use to fill dredge tunnels. Once things are running
drop sledgehammers when they die.
smoothly, talk to Wagh Nearshot to buy useful items.
THE DREDGE ASSAULT WORLD EVENT

GOAL: Protect Bloodcliff Quarry and keep it operational.
LEVEL: 17
Description: When you get close enough to the Bloodcliff Quarry, this world event
appears. The dredge are making an assault on the quarry, and it’s up to you to stop them!
STOP THE DREDGE REPEATABLE

GOAL: Stop the dredge from stealing equipment.
LEVEL: 17
Description: The dredge

are raiding Bloodcliff
Quarry and stealing
equipment. You must
prevent the dredge from
getting 12 pieces of
equipment back to their
personnel transports
within the time limit.
Don’t try to take out the transports; there are too many, and the thief will just go to
the next-nearest one. Watch the minimap to find where the thieves are and cripple
them to slow them down.
347
DRIVE THE DREDGE FROM BLOODCLIFF QUARRY (Repeatable) CLEAR THE FIELD OF WURMS (Repeatable)
GOAL: Block dredge tunnels and slay the dredge. GOAL: Clear the field of wurms and wurm mounds for the cow race.
LEVEL: 17 LEVEL: 17
Description: The dredge have dug tunnels into Bloodcliff Quarry. The legion force Description: The ranch hands are trying to hold a cow race, but the field is infested
defending the quarry is with wurms and their mounds. To make matters worse, there is a huge veteran wurm
almost overwhelmed creating hatchlings.
by the attackers coming Revive any fallen
from these tunnels. Like ranchers you find to help
many other assaults, you with the clean up.
you have to break the Kill the veteran wurm
attackers’ morale to first to stop it from
drive them off. However, throwing rocks at people
the fighting spirit of the and from spawning more
dredge cannot be dampened while they have access to reinforcements. The first thing wurms. Then, stomp on
you have to do is take out those tunnels! Revive any downed allies you come across any wurm mounds to bring them up and squish them. Once all the wurms are dead,
to help. Once the tunnels are gone, the remaining dredge must be slain. Fight next to the race can begin.
Wagh Nearshot at the center of the quarry to finish up quickly.
NAGELING WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE
CHARRADIS ESTATE WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER SERVICES: Waypoint, Equipment Repair
SERVICES: Waypoint Charradis Estate Waypoint (NW), Blasted Moors
Butcher’s Block Waypoint (NW), Blasted Moors TRAVEL: Waypoint (N), Breached Wall Waypoint (E), Dawnright
TRAVEL: Waypoint (NE)
Waypoint (NE), Nageling Waypoint (SE)
HARVESTING INFO: Vine Vegetables HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore (W)
Nageling is more of a small fortress than a town. Legion patrols, turret cannons, high
walls, and thick doors make it an imposing place. Nageling needs these defenses
because it is constantly harassed by separatist attacks.
When you’re done with Bloodcliff Quarry, travel southeast to this waypoint. Some
of Ascalon’s finest cattle come from the Charradis Estate. It’s surrounded by good
grazing land on the rolling hills of Diessa Plateau. With the legions occupied by the
ghosts, separatists, and flame legion, the ranchers must defend the estate themselves.
HELP NAGELING’S RESIDENTS (Renown Task)
Some very interesting tasks can be found here.
GOAL: Help the residents of Nageling.
HELP THE RANCHERS (Renown Task) LEVEL: 18
GOAL: Help Charradis Estate ranchers attend to the cattle.
Description: Separatists are skulking outside of the town walls, probing for weaknesses.
LEVEL: 17
The town guards are doing their best, but they are getting caught in separatist ambushes.
Description: With so An effective way to protect the town is to revive guards and stay with them to help them
much aggressive wildlife fight the separatists. You may even be able to use the town’s defensive turrets.
in the area, the ranchers
are having a tough time
getting all the chores
done. If you don’t feel like
fighting, grab hay from
nearby hay bales and use
ranch hand Spring to
bring it to the cows. Otherwise, go outside of the ranch fence and help the ranchers
with the wolves and wurms. Stomp on any wurm mounds you see to bring them to
the surface.
348
WORLD
DEFEAT THE SEPARATIST BRIGADE (Group) FONT OF RHAND WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE
GOAL: Defeat the separatist brigade assaulting the town of Nageling.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Challenge (Skill Book)
LEVEL: 18
TRAVEL: Blackblade Waypoint (S), Incendio Waypoint (E)
Description: A brigade HARVESTING INFO: Blueberries (Abundant)

of 10 veteran separatists
is trying to break into
and rampage through
the town. They travel
in a pack, and their
combined damage can
be overwhelming. Grab
their attention and
retreat a bit to separate the melee fighters from the ranged attackers. Kill the melee
group first. With the brigade whittled down, the rest should be less of a problem.
DEFEND MAD MARDINE’S COWS (Repeatable) Not far from this waypoint is a strange sunken structure called the Font of Rhand.
A S C A LO N
Animals avoid the area, leaving only the rumbling sound of rushing water. The Flame
GOAL: Keep enough cows alive to complete five tests.
Legion has taken over this old Ascalonian tomb and sealed the entrance with magic.
LEVEL: 20
The source of the magic is coming from Incendio Templum.
Description: Mad Mardine has created a cattlepult that has interesting applications.
It’s a weapon, food transport, and entertainment all in one. One of his ballistic
MANBANE WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE
bovines has struck SERVICES: Waypoint, Karma Vendor, Karma Weaponsmith, Skill Point
a harpy nest, and its Blackblade Waypoint (E), Blasted Moors Waypoint (S),
TRAVEL:
occupants are coming for Butcher’s Block Waypoint (W)
vengeance. The harpies Gummo Saplings (Common), Vegetables (Common),
HARVESTING INFO:
aren’t too bright, but they Rich Iron Vein (N)
keep attacking the cows.
Help by defending the
cows and keeping at least
five of them alive. You
can’t protect them all, so choose a set of cows you want to defend. If you succeed,
the harpies get spooked and Mad Mardine sends for more “ammunition.” If any cows
are left you can wager with Mardine on how far a launched cow will go.
BLASTED MOORS WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Challenge (S), Skill Point
Charradis Waypoint (SW), Nageling Waypoint (S), Manbane Waypoint is north of Blackblade Lake, at the top of the Diessa Plateau. The
TRAVEL: Manbane’s Waypoint (NE) northern shore is quiet and verdant, with bears being the most dangerous creature
Iron Ore, Silver Ore, Gummo Saplings, Herb Patches, you find. North of the waypoint is Spider Nest Cavern, where Mushrooms and rich
HARVESTING INFO: Mushrooms
Iron veins can be found. The southern shore is a dangerous area, filled with earth
elementals, more bears, and Flame Legion forces.
ASSIST STOUT DARKMIND (Renown Task)

Keep Ebonshore Plant operational and Blackblade Lake free
GOAL: of contaminants.
LEVEL: 20
Description: Before
meeting up with
Darkmind, follow the
shore and collect water-
This waypoint is on the outskirts of Ascalon ruins. There is more about this place testing kits. Swim to the
bottom of the lake to
than meets the eye. If you jump down the well, you can find some ancient aqueduct
fix chemical dispensers.
tunnels. Within the tunnels are Mushrooms, metal ore veins, interesting enemies, and
Clear the Ebonshore Plant
a place of power to commune with and gain a Skill Point. South of the waypoint is a
of Flame Legion and tar
lookout tower. Defeat Roj the Rowdy Butcher to win a Skill Challenge. elementals so you can turn in the water-testing kits to Darkmind. Kyron Darkshield may
also need help. Once Stout Darkmind is satisfied, she becomes a karma vendor.
349
PREVENT THE FLAME LEGION RITUAL (Repeatable) BLACKBLADE WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE
Prevent the Flame Legion from completing a ritual to pollute
GOAL: SERVICES: Waypoint
Blackblade Lake.
LEVEL: 20 Font of Rhand Waypoint (N), Manbane Waypoint (W),
TRAVEL: Bloodsaw Mill Waypoint (SE), Dawnright Waypoint (SW)
Description: Smogan HARVESTING INFO: N/A

Darkhorn has spotted a
group of Flame Legion
gathering at the island
north of the water
processor. Veteran Flame
Legion ritualists are
summoning darkness
and corruption from the
depths. The only way to stop the ritual is to slay them. Sap their determination by
killing all the ritualists. Once they’ve lost heart, they retreat, and you have saved the
lake from an icky fate. If the Flame Legion completes their ritual, the lake will swarm
To reach this waypoint, travel south of the Font of Rhand or west of Manbane’s
with tar elementals.
Outcrop. A Skill Point can be found at Skerry Isle to the north. Travel south to
DEFEND THE WATERPROCESSING MACHINES (Repeatable) Dawnright Waypoint while avoiding the skelks in the water and Flame Legion
in the forest.
GOAL: Prevent tar elementals from destroying the water-processing machines.
LEVEL: 20 DAWNRIGHT WAYPOINT EAST OF CENTER
Description: Kyron believes the water processors can clean out the contaminants SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Challenge, Salvage Merchant
produced by the Flame Legion ritual. While the machines do their work, you must Blasted Moors (W), Blackblade Waypoint (N), Redreave
TRAVEL:
protect them from the tar Mill Waypoint (W), Breached Wall Waypoint (S)
elementals that ooze from HARVESTING INFO: Vine Vegetables, Herb Patches
the lake. Both processors
will be attacked with
waves of two elementals
each. Unless you have
a good ranged weapon
that lets you stand on the
ramp between the two,
this means there will be a lot of running around trying to kill the tar elementals as fast
as you can. While you are fighting, the processors are cleaning the water. If you lose a
processor, the fight will be longer but easier since you only have one point to guard.
When the water is purified, the lake will be returned to its pristine beauty, although
the Flame Legion might try their ritual again. If both processors are destroyed, Kyron At the Dawnright Estate, rancher-in-training Posionswill has a Skill Challenge for you:
moves to fix them. defeat his prized bull. Show that bovine who’s boss, and then move along to Stonefall
Estate. You can pass the time by picking some herbs and vegetables along the way.
DEFEND KYRON DARKSHIELD (Repeatable) Enjoy the brief respite while you can; you are heading into territory that is threatened
GOAL: Protect Kyron Darkshield as she fixes the east and west water processors. by separatists and spirits of Ascalon.
LEVEL: 20
Description: If the Flame Legion succeeds in damaging the water processors, Kyron
needs someone to guard her back while she repairs them. The Flame Legion attacks
her in mixed groups of
three. There are two
strategies to handle
them. The first is to let
them cluster around
Kyron and cut them
down with area-of-effect
damage. The other way
is to kill or cripple them
before they reach Kyron. Once one water processor is finished, Kyron moves on to
the second. Stay with Kyron; the Flame Legion will focus on her instead of attacking
the processors. Once Kyron’s work is complete, the lake will be cleaned and the Flame
Legion will leave, promising vengeance.
350
WORLD
HELP RAK DEATHMANE (Renown Task) ASSASSINATE THE SEPARATIST INSTIGATOR (Group)
GOAL: Protect Stonefall Estate’s livestock from separatists. GOAL: Kill the separatist instigator before he can escape.
LEVEL: 21 LEVEL: 21
Description: Stonefall Description: An

Estate is south of the important separatist
Dawnright Estate. You leader is moving near
can help the ranchers in Camp Althea. There is
the area by preventing only a limited amount
separatists from driving of time before he travels
off livestock and stealing out of reach, but make
chickens. One way to your approach carefully.
take care of the livestock The separatist instigator
is by carrying chickens back inside the fence. The fastest method is to get hay from is surrounded by a mass of guards. Kill them first and then take on the leader. He can
Dahala Lasherpaw and give it to nearby cows or add it to bedding in the barn. strengthen himself, which makes this a tough fight.
Outside the fence, you can help by killing separatists and protecting the ranchers.
BREACHWATER WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE
A S C A LO N
DRIVE OFF THE SEPARATIST CATTLE RUSTLERS (Repeatable)
SERVICES: Waypoint
GOAL: Kill all the separatists trying to steal the cattle.
TRAVEL: Breached Wall Waypoint (W), Nemus Grove Waypoint (N)
LEVEL: 21
Iron Ore (Common), Silver Ore (Common), Vine
HARVESTING INFO: Vegetables, Herb Patches
Description: A force of
separatists is attempting
to make off with the
entire herd! Slay them
so the ranchers of the
Stonefall Estate can
recover their cows.
BREACHED WALL WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint
Dawnright Waypoint (N), Redreave Mill Waypoint (NE), Aid the Ash Legion as they fight the Ascalon ghosts in the area. The harvesting is
TRAVEL: Breachwater Waypoint (E) pretty good here.
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore (E), Blueberries
REDREAVE MILL WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint
TRAVEL: N/A
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore (limited), Silver Ore (limited)
Travel northeast of Breached Wall Waypoint to reach this mill. Redreave Mill is in a
bad position; it’s backed against a cliff wall and under siege from separatists.
A long wall of Ascalon ruins follows the southeastern edge of Diessa Plateau.
Separatists have set up in Camp Althea, and the Ash Legion and ghosts fight for
control of the ruins to the east.
351
ASSIST REDREAVE MILL (Renown Task) HELP RAINTIMBER MILL (Renown Task)
GOAL: Protect workers and the machinery from separatists. GOAL: Keep the skelk problem under control.
LEVEL: 22 LEVEL: 23
Description: Redreave Mill is in competition with the other mills in the area. Speak Description: Ever since the mill workers began clearing trees north of the mill, the
to Attis Ricsaw to find out how to help. Before you head out of the mill, convince skelk in the forest have become more aggressive. Give Raintimber Mill a hand by
apathetic workers to get back to their tasks. Once you’re outside, kill any separatists in culling their numbers. Go into the woods north of the mill and reset skelk traps. Kill
the area and revive any injured workers. any skelk you see and protect the workers.
DESTROY SEPARATIST TREBUCHETS OUTSIDE THE MILL KILL THE SKELK ASSAULTING RAINTIMBER MILL (Group)
(Repeatable) Kill the champion putrescent skelk before it destroys the saw conveyor
GOAL: and other equipment.
GOAL: Destroy the three trebuchets bombarding the mill.
LEVEL: 23
LEVEL: 22
Description: If you are south of Raintimber Mill, you may find Tharus Fiendstalker
Description: Separatist
muttering about hunting a dangerous beast. It isn’t long before a huge putrescent
trebuchets are firing into
skelk rises up out of
Redreave Mill. They never
Breachwater Lake and
actively target you, so run
starts rampaging through
out of the mill and circle
the mill, followed by a
around to attack the
mass of regular skelk.
trebuchets from behind.
Focus your damage on the
You avoid most of the
champion and make sure
separatist guards this way.
you evade its leap attack.
NEMUS GROVE WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE You can sometimes get
the beast caught on the mill structures, allowing you to attack it safely from range.
Waypoint, Tool Merchant, Pendant Merchant, Salvage Once the monster goes down, the rest of the skelk do not pose a problem.
SERVICES:
Merchant
Breachwater Waypoint (S), Sanctum Waypoint (N), PROTECT THE TRAINED SKELK (Repeatable)
TRAVEL: Redreave Mill Waypoint (W)
GOAL: Protect the trained skelk gathering kindling for Raintimber Mill.
Iron Ore (N), Silver Ore (N), Gummo Saplings (NW),
HARVESTING INFO: Vine Vegetables (Abundant), Herb Patches LEVEL: 24
Description: One of the

workers at the mill has
turned the presence of
skelk to an advantage.
A number of skelk have
been tamed and trained
to gather kindling and
return it to the mill.
Unfortunately, they get
attacked by the wild skelk in the forest. Your job is to stand guard and protect the
This is the farthest southeastern point of the region. The forests to the west supply trained skelk while they work. They spread out, so it’s easier to guard only a small
the lumber mills in the area. The nearby cliffs are rich in ore resources. group of them. Just remember that the fewer you have, the slower the job gets done.
Take out the wild skelk lurking in the trees and nests to make your job easier.
352
WORLD
DEFEND THE ENGINEERS (Repeatable) BLOODSAW MILL WAYPOINT EAST OF CENTER

GOAL: Defend the engineers repairing Raintimber Bridge.
Waypoint, Karma Vendor, Merchant, Equipment Repair,
SERVICES:
Blackblade Waypoint (NW), Incendio Waypoint (NE),
TRAVEL:
Description: Charr Sanctum Waypoint (E)
engineers are working HARVESTING INFO: Gummo Saplings, Vine Vegetables
to repair Raintimber
Bridge. You have to stand
guard on either side of
the broken bridge and
stop the separatists
from reaching them.
Revive any allies if they
go down, and use crowd control abilities to slow down the separatists. Keep the
engineers alive until they complete their work.
WARD OFF SEPARATISTS ATTACKING RAINTIMBER BRIDGE
A S C A LO N
(Repeatable) This lumber mill has been turned into a fortress, as a solid response to the Flame
Prevent the separatists from destroying the bridge with their catapult or Legion coming from Incendio Templum. If it’s not under assault when you arrive, it
GOAL: explosive charges. will be soon. That means this waypoint will often be contested. Make sure to grab
LEVEL: 24 Blackblade Waypoint to the northwest so you have another one close by in case
things go wrong.
Description: Separatists
are trying to destroy ASSIST BLOODSAW MILL (Renown Task)
Raintimber Bridge. You GOAL: Assist the workers and protect them from enemies.
have to protect the
LEVEL: 23
bridge and slay enough
separatists to drive Description: Regardless of the danger of Flame Legion attacks and mauling by bears,
them away. They have work still has to get done around here. Create a safer environment by slaying either
a catapult on the ridge of these threats. Reviving
north of the bridge. You downed workers is
can remove the threat by taking it out; just make sure to keep moving to avoid its fire. greatly appreciated. Help
Or, you can ignore the catapult and fight the separatists trying to place bombs on the out around the mill by
bridge. It’s a faster way to break their morale, but it’s riskier. disposing of wood in the
fire pits in the area. Wood
SANCTUM WAYPOINT EAST SIDE can be gathered from
SERVICES: Waypoint the Bloodsaw saplings or
Nemus Grove Waypoint (S), Bloodsaw Mill Waypoint picked up off the ground.
TRAVEL: (W), Incendio Waypoint (NW) Often some pieces are next to the fire pits to save you a little running. If you see any
Iron Ore (Abundant), Silver Ore (Abundant), workers lazing around, get them back to work before they set a bad example. Pick up
HARVESTING INFO: Gummo Saplings (NW), Vine Vegetables, Mushrooms an explosives pack and use the Plant Bomb ability to destroy tree stumps. Use Throw
Grenade to blast the wasp nests in the trees. Remember that it’s not overkill, it’s fun!
FLAME LEGION BATTLES (World Event)

GOAL: Help the charr fight against the Flame Legion.
LEVEL: N/A
Description: There is a
series of tasks in this area
to strengthen the charr
position at Bloodsaw Mill
and support an assault
This out-of-the-way area is great for harvesting. Travel east to enter Holystone on the Blood Legion HQ.
Caves. This network of tunnels contains a large amount of both ore veins and grawl. Incendio Templum must
Adventure waits to the west at Bloodsaw Mill Waypoint. be conquered in order to
open up the portal to the
Font of Rhand.
353
DEFEND BLOODSAW MILL FROM THE FLAME LEGION DEFEAT HAZARAR RAZENIGHT (Part of the World Event)
(Part of the World Event) GOAL: Defeat Hazarar Razenight in combat.
GOAL: Prevent the Flame Legion from capturing Bloodsaw Mill. LEVEL: 24
LEVEL: 23
Description: Hazarar thinks he’s too tough to join the fight against the Flame Legion.
Description: A Flame Burst this guy’s bloated ego by challenging him to a fight. He’s not just boasting.
Legion invasion force is He hits hard, can knock you down, and can heal himself multiple times during the
attempting to take over fight. Before you take him on, decide on your strategy, either offense or defense. Set
and wreck Bloodsaw Mill! yourself up with equipment or talents accordingly, and take him down. Win, and he’ll
Revive as many downed join Rankar Harrownight.
allies as possible to get
the balance of force in
your favor. Keep slaying
Flame Legion forces until
the time expires.
RECAPTURE BLOODSAW MILL FROM THE FLAME LEGION

(Part of the World Event)
GOAL: Capture Bloodsaw Mill.
LEVEL: 23
Description: Force the Flame Legion from Bloodsaw Mill. Revive as many allies as
you can to help you fight. When you have more allies than enemies in the capture
zone, you make progress toward taking the mill back. Once the mill is free, more tasks
become available to you. DEFEND FAINT GHOSTNIGHT (Part of the World Event)
GOAL: Defend Faint Ghostnight as he searches for devourer eggs.
LEVEL: 23
Description: Faint Ghostnight’s last devourer pet, “Grr,” has died. Faint has decided to
raise a new one, but he needs to find the right egg. Watch his back while he searches
five devourer nests. The
devourers are protective
of their territory, so try to
attack them first before
they get to Ghostnight.
Once he has the perfect
egg, he will join Rankar
Harrownight.
RECOVER SCRAP METAL (Part of the World Event) HELP THE NIGHT WARBAND (Part of the World Event)
GOAL: Recover the scattered pieces of scrap metal for Savor Foulnight. GOAL: Help the Night Warband reach Incendio Templum.
LEVEL: 23 LEVEL: 24
Description: Talk to Description: Once you have completed the tasks for Savor Foulnight, Faint
Joda Barbsaw. She will Ghostnight, and Hazarar Razenight, they will gather with Rankar Harrownight at the
tell you she is getting flagpole at Bloodsaw Mill. Together, they will form the Night Warband and set out to
impatient awaiting conquer the Flame Legion headquarters. Follow them as they head north and join in
the return of the mill’s the fighting. Revive any of them if they go down, and proceed to Incendio Templum.
engineer, Savor Foulnight.
Hurry him up by
gathering scraps of metal
so he can fix the mill. You
can find scraps in the forest north of the mill. The easy way to do it is to run through
the woods and pick up the scrap (with your Interact key) without stopping. This
will keep you one step ahead of the Flame Legion and bears in the forest. Bring what
you’ve gathered to Savor, who is standing on a ridge south of the forest. Once he has
enough, he sets out to fix the mill. When he’s done, Savor joins Rankar Harrownight
at the front of the mill.
354
WORLD
INCENDIO WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE CAPTURE INCENDIO TEMPLUM (Repeatable)

Capture Incendio Templum from the Flame Legion before
SERVICES: Waypoint GOAL: reinforcements arrive.
Sanctum Waypoint (SE), Bloodsaw Mill Waypoint (SW), LEVEL: 25
TRAVEL: Blackblade Waypoint (W), Portal to Font of Rhand (NE)
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore (Abundant), Silver Ore (Rich) (NE) Description: The
Night Warband is going
to capture Incendio
Templum. Climb up to
the upper level with the
Fountain of Flame and
capture that area first. It
only has a few points of
entry, and with your two
allies it’s easier to maintain control. Once the upper level is yours, jump down to the
lower level. This area is tougher because it’s a ring around the upper area. You can’t
see allies or enemies on the other side, and it takes time to run around. Focus on
A S C A LO N
This is the headquarters of the Flame Legion in the region. Flame Legion guard the
keeping downed allies revived and you can win.
waypoint, and your foes get tougher the further you go in. If you have captured
Incendio Templum with the Night Warband, a portal to the Font of Rhand will open DEFEND INCENDIO TEMPLUM (Repeatable)
up. The plentiful Silver and Iron veins are rewards for those who dare venture inside.
GOAL: Prevent the Flame Legion from retaking Incendio Templum.
ASSIST THE ASH LEGION (Renown Task) LEVEL: 25
GOAL: Infiltrate, sabotage, and destroy Incendio Templum.

Description: The Flame Legion isn’t going to take the loss of their headquarters lying
LEVEL: 25 down. You have to prevent the Flame Legion from taking both the upper and lower
areas until the time limit expires. Unless you are extremely fast, holding the lower area
Description: Remaris Earshot is on reconnaissance duty at the entrance to Incendio
is hard because of its ring shape. It’s tough keeping the Flame Legion out of the area.
Templum. She can’t leave her post, so she asks for your help in weakening the Flame
Focus on holding the upper templum and keeping your allies alive. Use crowd control
Legion. If you’re not with the Night Warband, it’s best to head down to Bloodsaw Mill
abilities to keep the enemies out of the capture zone, and you should succeed.
and start that chain of tasks, which brings you back here (but not alone). If you want
to go it alone, move inside, slay the Flame Legion, and destroy any braziers and supply
carts. You can find battle plans in Flame Legion fonts, which you can bring back to
Remaris. Stay on your guard; the further you go into Incendio Templum, the tougher
the enemies become.
DESTROY THE EFFIGIES (Repeatable)

Take down the effigies before the Flame Legion recaptures
GOAL: Incendio Templum.
LEVEL: 25
Description: The Flame

Legion is making a
second try at recapturing
Incendio Templum, and
this time they’ve brought
some effigies. The bad
news is pretty bad, but
the good news is that as
soon as you defeat the
two effigies, you win! Attack the effigy at the lower ring first and try to fight and defeat
it before it can get into the capture zone. Take on the effigy at the upper templum next.
Revive your allies if they go down, and keep moving. Once both effigies are destroyed,
victory is yours. Congratulations! You’ve bested the Flame Legion twice!
355
FIELDS OF RUIN
LEVEL RANGE: 30-40
This region is along the eastern wall of Tyria. It’s a large plain dominated by
Ebonhawke, a free human city at the southern end of the map. Ogres are a major
threat here, as are human separatists and charr renegades (who ironically agree that
their governments are both wrong about peace and that they should keep killing
each other). You can reach the Fields of Ruin by porting through an Asura Gate in
Divinity’s Reach or by walking south through the higher-level Blazeridge Steppes.
Rosko’s Campsite
Tenaebron Thunderbreak Waypoint
Waypoint Waypoint
Skoll’s Bivouac Fang fury Watch

Waypoint Waypoint
Summit Peak
Helliot Mine Waypoint
Waypoint
Vulture’s Sweep
Waypoint Belag Crossroads
Sniper’s Woods
Wreckage of
Bloodgorge Watch
Waypoint Deathblade’s Watch
Waypoint
Tyler’s Bivouac
Waypoint
Spotter’s
Hawkgates Waypoint
Waypoint
The Ogre Road

Waypoint
Fallen Angels Garrison

Waypoint Kestrel Bazaar
Waypoint
Forlorn Gate
Waypoint
356
WORLD
BLAZERIDGE
STEPPES Kindling
Waypoint Brokentooth
LEVEL RANGE: 40-50 Waypoint
Travel north from the Fields of Ruin to continue

adventuring in charr lands. Or, walk east through Lowland Burns
the Plains of Ashford to get to Blazeridge Steppes. Waypoint Terra Carorunda
Waypoint
Blazeridge Steppes has suffered from years of magical
warfare and influence from the Elder Dragons. The
conflict between the charr and humans did substantial
damage to the area, and the taint from the dragons has Monument Grounds
Shattered
created creatures here that are Branded. Be careful of Palisades
them; the Branded are the enemies of all free people.
A S C A LO N
Lunk Kraal
Guardian Stone Waypoint
Waypoint
Brandview
Waypoint
Hazmagic
Aggregate
Relliatus Unbroken Expanse

Canyon Waypoint
Kinar Fort
Waypoint
Refuge Sanctum
Waypoint Gastor Gullet
Waypoint
Foulblain Pockmark Roughs

Expanse
The Last
Whiskey Bar Crater Rim
Waypoint
Behem Gauntlet
Steeleye Span Behem
Waypoint Waypoint
Soot Road
Waypoint
Splintercrest Fort
Waypoint
Tumok’s
Waypoint Splinter Hills
Twin Sisters Crossing

Waypoint
357
IRON MARCHES
The Infestation LEVEL RANGE: 50-60
Scorchlands The Flame Legion battles against their charr rivals

throughout the Iron Marches. High peaks and low
Gladefall Run valleys are scattered around the landscape, and fights
Waypoint have a tendency to get very large here. It’s a good place
to have friends if you’re adventuring in earnest. The Iron
Obsidian Run Grostogg’s Kraal
Waypoint Marches can be reached from the northwestern side
of Blazeridge Steppes, or by walking north from central
Plains of Ashford.
Victium Moors
Crystalwept Groves
Firewatch Encampment Viper’s Run
Waypoint Waypoint
Lake Carnifex
Bulwark
Waypoint
Western Town of Cowlfang’s Star

Bulwark Waypoint
Glory’s Steps
Lake Desolann
Viper’s Run
Soldier Mesa
Sleekfur Encampment Brandwatch

Waypoint Encampment
Waypoint
Southshore
Wastes
Lamprey Grottoes
Village of Scalecatch
Waypoint
Hellion
Waypoint
Warhound Village
Waypoint
Sunken Halls
of Clarent
Ironhead Lake
Old Piken Ruins

Waypoint
Bloodfin Lake
Waypoint
Echoslab Arches
Stonesheath
Overlook
Dewclaw
Waypoint
358
WORLD
FIREHEART RISE
LEVEL RANGE: 60-70
The last stretch of charr territory is northwest from the

Iron Marches. Enemies get extremely powerful that far
north, so don’t try to explore there until you’re good
and ready. The Flame Legion is still a horrible threat to
anyone who dares enter their territory. It will take great
tenacity to drive them away once and for all.
Snow Ridge Camp

Forlorn
Waypoint
Icespear’s Shelf The Flame Citadel
Waypoint
A S C A LO N
Waypoint
Vorgas Garrison
Waypoint
Senecus Castrum
Waypoint
Highland Thaw
Sweltering Canyons
Simurgh
Waypoint
Keeper’s Sanctum
Waypoint
Rustbowl Switchback
Waypoint Waypoint Breaktooth’s
Waypoint
Burnt Hollow
Cozen Desolation
Fuller Cistern
Havoc Steppes
Waypoint
Apostate Wastes
Waypoint
Pig Iron
Waypoint
Sati Passage
Severed Breach Waypoint
Waypoint
Vidius Castrum Tuyere Command Post
Waypoint Waypoint
359
Kryta
Kryta is a section of green hills and arable land that supports the last great bastion of human civilization here
in Tyria. Though the centaurs push to wipe the humans off the map, the people of Divinity’s Reach won’t go
without a fight. The humans of Kryta have kept their faith in the gods, and even in these times of crisis they
may yet flourish.
DIVINITY’S REACH
LEVEL RANGE: Human Capital City
WAYPOINTS: 13
There are few symbols that demonstrate the diversity
and unity within humanity better than the capital of
UPPER FLOOR Divinity’s Reach. Six high roads, each dedicated to one
of the True Gods, divide the lower city into districts.
Each of the districts has its own atmosphere and
ambience, reflecting the various refugees who have
Balthazar Lyssa settled there. And yet, despite their different cultures,
High Road High Road philosophies, and spiritual leanings, the people of
Divinity’s Reach are all part of the same whole—just
like the wheel of the city.
The Great Palace
Collapse Rurikton
Waypoint
Melandru Kormir
High Road Ministers High Road
Waypoint
DWAYNA WAYPOINT SOUTHSIDE

LOWER FLOOR SERVICES:
Waypoint, Guild Services, Bank, Trading Post,
Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Trainers for All Professions,
Karma Merchant, Divinity Guide, Carnival Worker,
Equipment Repair, Food Merchant, Cooking Merchant
Grenth
Waypoint TRAVEL:
Balthazar Entrance to Queensdale (Level 1-15 Region), Path to
Waypoint the Upper City, Path to Commons Waypoint
Ossan
Waypoint
Lyssa
Salma Waypoint
Waypoint
The Great Collapse
Waypoint
Rurikton
Waypoint
Melandru
Waypoint Dedicated to the Goddess of air and life, Dwayna, this
Commons
Waypoint Kormir major high road leads into the city (toward the Central
Waypoint Plaza) from the region of Queensdale. At the midpoint,
opposite the city, stands a Divinity Guide eager to give
Dwayna directions and a Karma Merchant willing to speed you
Waypoint
on your way.
360
WORLD
MELANDRU WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE

LIFE IS TOO SHORT SERVICES: Waypoint, Karma Merchant, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith
Divinity’s Reach is an enormous city, and there’s a lot to see and do. Path to the Upper City, Path to Commons Waypoint,
TRAVEL: Path to Collapse Waypoint
To help you reach your destination faster, the Karma Merchants
at the midsections of each of the high roads can grant you a speed
boost for a short while. All you have to do is talk to them.
Melandru, the Goddess of Nature and Growth, looks after the gardens and terraces
of the city. The Plaza of Melandru, at the end of the road, lies between the Western
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Commons and the Great Collapse. There, a statue dedicated to the deity keeps watch
near the outer wall of the city.
On the ascending path, armorsmiths, weaponsmiths, and trainers for all professions COLLAPSE WAYPOINT WEST SIDE
can be found. Not all the profession trainers are in the same place, but take a
SERVICES: Waypoint, Karma Merchant
moment and you’ll find
each and every one Elevators to the Upper City, Path to Balthazar Waypoint,
TRAVEL: Path to Melandru Waypoint, Path to Ossan Waypoint,
of them on this set of Path to Commons Waypoint
ramps. At the top, near
the Statue of Dwayna,
are the Guild Registrar
and Promoter, Bank, and
Trading Post.
On the lower path, carnival workers can mark points of interest on your map, as long
as you’re looking for the carnival. Farther down, shopkeepers sell everything from
salvage kits and leather bags to sticks of butter and vegetables.
COMMONS WAYPOINT SOUTH CENTRAL

Waypoint, Crafting Trainers and Services, Armorsmith, This entire district was ravaged by a massive sinkhole caved all the way through into
SERVICES: Salvage Merchant, Food Merchant, Divinity Guide the crypts beneath the city. Workers and architects are striving to fix the damage.
Elevators to the Upper City, Path to Melandru Waypoint, Queen Jennah was able to warn the guard and have the district evacuated before the
TRAVEL: Path to Dwayna Waypoint, Path to Collapse Waypoint, collapse. Talk to the people around the area. Some of them have heard odd things.
Path to Rurikton Waypoint
A statue of Balthazar stands along the intact northern edge of the district. If you talk
to his priestess, she’ll grant you a speed buff.
The Commons Waypoint services two districts of Divinity’s Reach: the Western and
Eastern Commons. These districts are where the real work is done to keep a city this size
running. Crafters of every discipline can be found here along with shops lined against
the inner circle. It’s little surprise that the carnival is located throughout these two
districts; it’s an obvious place to entertain people. Stop by and check out each of the
four attractions. If you have trouble finding any of them, carnival workers are positioned
strategically throughout the districts and will happily put you on the right path.
361
BALTHAZAR WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE GRENTH WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE
Waypoint, Karma Merchant, Divinity Guide, Waypoint, Karma Merchant, Divinity Guide,
SERVICES: SERVICES:
Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Food Merchant Weaponsmith, Armorsmith
Path to Collapse Waypoint, Path to Central Plaza, Path to Path to the Upper City, Path to Salma Waypoint, Path to
TRAVEL: TRAVEL:
Ossan Waypoint Ossan Waypoint
Grenth, the God of Death and Ice, holds dominion over the most northern plaza;
as testament, the cemetery and entrance to the crypts are not far away. Within the
city, His territory marks the separation between the Ossan and Salma districts. The
Salma district is where many of the noble families reside, and the Grenth High Road is
populated mostly by aristocrats in fine suits and gowns.
Another statue of Balthazar dominates the bottom of this high road. The God of War
and Battle is an extremely popular deity with champions of all types, and many visit
His monument here to pray for His guidance and assistance. Perhaps as a sign of His
power, the road up to the Central Plaza is straight and relatively free of obstacles. On
the north side of the road, you can find a shopkeeper, weaponsmith, and armorsmith
selling their wares.
SALMA WAYPOINT NORTHEAST CENTRAL
OSSAN WAYPOINT NORTH CENTRAL
Waypoint, Equipment Repairs, Food Merchant, Salvage
SERVICES: Waypoint, Food Merchant, Salvage Merchant, Armorsmith SERVICES: Merchant, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Homes (for
Human Characters)
Elevators to the Upper City, Path to Grenth Waypoint,
TRAVEL: Path to Balthazar Waypoint, Path to Salma Waypoint, Elevators to the Upper City, Path to Lyssa Waypoint, Path
Path to Collapse Waypoint TRAVEL: to Grenth Waypoint, Path to Rurikton Waypoint, Path to
Ossan Waypoint
The Ossan Quarter was named for the Ossa family, and many of the residents are former
Named for the famous Queen Salma, the Salma district is where most of the
Elonian refugees. This is reflected in the architecture of the district; it’s substantially different
aristocracy make their homes. Not surprisingly, you can also find locations run by
than in other parts of Divinity’s Reach. Here, the buildings have more rounded roofs with
people who cater to them…as well as those who prey on them. Whether you were
higher peaks and doors and windows of odd shapes. The streets are also a little cleaner, and
born a noble, commoner, or street urchin, there is a place for you in the Salma district.
there’s a well-kept market in the center of the quarter.
All human characters have their residences here.
The Salma Waypoint also has access to one of the most convenient Equipment
Repair services in Divinity’s Reach.
Be sure to stop at the market in the center of the district for some of the local
food and drink. To get there, take the door facing the inner circle of the city. The
architecture of the buildings on the edges of the district is not to be missed.
362
WORLD
LYSSA WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE

Waypoint, Divinity Guide, Salvage Merchant,
SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Armorsmith
Path to the Upper City, Path to Rurikton Waypoint, Path
TRAVEL: to Salma Waypoint
The statue of Kormir stands with open arms, welcoming the residents of Divinity’s
Reach and visitors. Once a mortal woman, a Spearmarshal with the Order of the
Sunspears, Kormir is now the Goddess of Truth and Knowledge. As such, Her plaza
is a place for scholars, debaters, and wisdom seekers of all types. In keeping with the
Goddess’ martial background, an armorsmith and a weaponsmith can be found at
the top of the road, just outside the Central Plaza.
Lyssa is the twin Goddess of beauty and illusion, and her statue is a common place
K RY TA
for lovers to meet or the lovesick to hope. She is also seen as a personification of luck, PALACE WAYPOINT CENTRAL
with one twin representing good fortune and the other bad. Although somewhat Waypoint, Equipment Repairs, Cultural Armorsmith
SERVICES:
chaotic, Lyssa is one of the most popular of the Six Gods, and, historically, her (Tiers 1-3)
followers have guided some of the most important events in the world. Families and Asura Gate to Lion’s Arch, Elevators to the Lower City,
TRAVEL:
groups of children are common sights along this high road. Paths to All High Roads
RURIKTON WAYPOINT EAST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Cooking Merchant
Asura Gate to Ebonhawke, Elevators to the Upper City,
TRAVEL: Path to Kormir Waypoint, Path to Lyssa Waypoint, Path
to Commons Waypoint, Path to Salma Waypoint
It is here that visitors from other nations arrive, through the Asura Gate to Lion’s Arch.
Their first sight is one of splendor and natural beauty. The Palace Gardens make for a
peaceful and beautiful backdrop to the Shrine of the Six.
The Seraph Headquarters nearby is the base of the largest military organization of
Kryta, captained by Logan Thackeray. Not far away is the Royal Palace, from where
Named in honor of the brave Prince Rurik, Rurikton is the most elegant of the Queen Jennah guides her people. This is the seat of the human race in all its glory.
districts by far. Plazas with amazing statues are flanked with beautiful buildings. Many
of these buildings have higher floors with balconies, giving panoramic views of the MINISTER’S WAYPOINT
city. As if that weren’t enough, wander down to the amphitheater in the southeast SERVICES: Waypoint, Banker, Trading Post, Guild Registrar
corner. It is impressive! Road North toward the Palace, South Route toward the
TRAVEL: Edge of Town
Rurikton also holds the Asura Gate to Ebonhawke, a human city to the far east (in
the Fields of Ruin, level 30-40 zone). This represents a significant diplomatic tie for
Divinity’s Reach; Ebonhawke is the only remaining human city in Ascalon, and it’s a
dangerous place.
KORMIR WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE

Waypoint, Karma Merchant, Divinity Guide,
SERVICES:
Weaponsmith, Armorsmith
Path to the Upper City, Path to Commons Waypoint,
TRAVEL: Path to Rurikton Waypoint
For people who are using the Trading Post and Bank, this is the perfect spot. Come
here for the waypoint and stay for the convenience. You can shop till you drop and
finish off a great day of touring Divinity’s Reach.
363
QUEENSDALE
LEVEL RANGE: 1-15
RENOWN TASKS: 17
WAYPOINTS: 16
SKILL CHALLENGES: 7
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Carrots,
Button Mushrooms, Beetletun Lettuce,
Blueberry Bush, Herb Seedlings, Onion
SKILL CHALLENGES
> Defeat Franklin Quickblade and His Band (West of Center, Below
Bandit Caves).
> Erts Jug of Power Unguent (West Side, Near Vale Waypoint).
The rich and fertile plains of Queensdale offer humanity a chance to recover from the
> Commune with Earthen Magic (Center, Near Scaver Waypoint). many battles against the charr. However, even with Divinity’s Reach to the north and
> Defeat the Windmill King (Center, also Near Scaver Waypoint). the Seraph guards protecting Queensdale, the people are not safe.
> Fight Carnie Jeb, the Strong-Man (Northeast Side, Near Caudecus’s Manor).
> Commune with the Temple of Ages (South Side, Near Godslost Waypoint). Bandits patrol the roads as often as the Seraph do, and centaurs attack and burn
anything they can. The Seraph are pushed to their limit combating these evils.
> Commune with Tamini Place of Power (Southeast Side, in
Taminn Foothills). They need help.
Eastern
Divinity Dam
Beggar’s Burrow
Orchard
Waypoint Shire of Beetletun
Ojon’s Waypoint
Lumbermill
Village of Waypoint
Shaemoor
Shaemoor Fields Waypoint
Waypoint Shaemoor
Garrison
Waypoint
Tunwatch Redoubt
Scaver Plateau Krytan Freeholds Waypoint
Bandithaunt Waypoint
Caverns
Salma’s Heath
Crossing
Waypoint Godslost
Phinney Ridge Waypoint
Waypoint
Vale
Waypoint
Township of Claypool
Waypoint
Heartwood Pass Camp

Waypoint
Swamplost Haven
Waypoint
364
WORLD
SHAEMOOR WAYPOINT NORTH CROP BURNERS! (Repeatable)

GOAL: Protect the hay bales from bandits.
Waypoint, Trainer, Cooking Merchant, Salvage Merchant,
SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Equipment Repair, Scout LEVEL: 2
Divinity’s Reach (Human Capital) (N), Fields Waypoint
TRAVEL: (W), Garrison Waypoint (SE) Description: If things
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Herb Seedlings, Onion weren’t bad enough,
bandits are destroying
Diah’s crops. The bandit
crop burners attack
in pairs for 10 waves.
They split their attacks
between the upper and
lower fields. If you are
alone, stick with the upper field and sacrifice the lower field. The bandits have to burn
all 10 bales for you to fail. Catch the bandits before they light the bales when you can,
but they can attack at range. Don’t panic if they light a bale or two. Kill the bandits
and then run for a water bucket. Use the water to douse the fire. When more bandits
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The village of Shaemoor has grown around the gates to Divinity’s Reach. With the come, drop the bucket, deal with them, and pick up the bucket again. Even if no bales
capital this close, bandits avoid the village and centaur incursions are dealt with are currently on fire, the water bucket will vanish if you leave it on the ground too
quickly. Some of the largest problems here are with crops. long. Why run back to get another one if you don’t have to? The good news about all
this is that defeating the bandits counts toward finishing your renown task.
FIELDS WAYPOINT NORTHWEST OF CENTER
KILL THE GIANT WURM (Repeatable)
SERVICES: Waypoint
GOAL: Kill the plains wurm queen.
Shaemoor Waypoint (E), Orchard Waypoint (NW),
TRAVEL: Crossing Waypoint (S) LEVEL: 2
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Carrots, Herb Seedlings, Onion
Description: A giant
wurm is tearing up
Jeb’s field. This is a job
for a hero! (If you don’t
have a hero around, an
adventurer will do.) This
wurm does incredible
damage and takes a
good bit, as well. Both
of her attacks are telegraphed by the wurm rearing back. She spits poison at ranged
characters and slams melee characters by knocking them down and away (and then
Fields Waypoint is surrounded by a number of farms and has quick access to the river spitting poison again). Evading the queen wurm’s attacks is the key to winning the
and dam. Everyone in the area could use some help, so head west to Jeb’s Wheatfield fight. When the wurm rears back, dodge to the side.
to aid the farmers before turning north to help at the dam. Once these are all squared
away, Orchard Waypoint is to your west, with more work for you.
THE FISHERMEN (Renown Task)
GOAL: Help Fisherman Travis and Fisherman Justin.
HELP FARMER DIAH (Renown Task) LEVEL: 3
Help Diah by watering corn, stomping wurm mounds, feeding cattle,
GOAL: and defending the fields. Description: Fishing
LEVEL: 2 has been more difficult
with the rapid increase of
Description: Farming is a lot of work. Farmer Diah will take any and all help you’re willing drakes and skales in the
to give. Kicking over wurm mounds, defeating the wurms, giving bags of feed to the river. The fishermen need
cattle, and using a water bucket to water the withered-looking plants all count toward you to cut back their
completion. The fastest by numbers while checking
far is to find a brown cow traps for hostile creatures.
near several feed bags and If the broodmother is
keep feeding it. The cows around, this renown task is very fast because you get so much credit for killing her
never say no to food, and and her little buddies. If she isn’t, head east across the river to the drake nests. Several
Diah doesn’t mind them drakes and many drake eggs are here. Kill the drakes and break the eggs. Head north
having their fill. (Plus, the to the dam when you’re finished.
little hearts around the
cows are so cute!)
365
THE BROODMOTHER (Repeatable) ORCHARD WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE
GOAL: Kill the drake broodmother.
SERVICES: Waypoint
LEVEL: 3
TRAVEL: Fields Waypoint (SE)
Description: A drake Copper Ore (Abundant) Carrots, Mushrooms, Herb

HARVESTING INFO: Seedlings, Onion
broodmother is moving
along the river with Orchard Waypoint offers a shortcut to the more distant farms of Queensdale. As
her young. This can be these farms are farther from Divinity’s Reach, they are also farther from what little
a very tough fight; the protection the Seraph can manage. While Eda needs the more mundane help of
broodmother has high harvesting apples and killing pests, Mepi is dealing with constant bandit raids. Head
health and high damage, west to help Eda and then south to help Mepi with Bandithaunt Caverns.
and her young attack
with her. The crucial part
of this fight is to deal with the broodmother on her own. Kill the little drakes at range
before engaging the broodmother, or use area-of-effect attacks to kill the little drakes
quickly. They will overwhelm you if you leave them alive.
Once the smaller drakes have been dealt with, concentrate on the Broodmother
herself. When she breathes in and puffs up, she’s about to breathe fire. Avoid her
flame breath by dodging and keep hitting her until she’s defeated. With her down, the
area becomes a lot safer.
THE DAM (Renown Task)

THE APPLE ORCHARD (Renown Task)
GOAL: Help Foreman Flannum.
GOAL: Assist Farmer Eda.
LEVEL: 3
LEVEL: 4
Description: Western Divinity Dam isn’t new, and it needs quite a bit of
Description: Drive
maintenance—leaks need to be plugged, rockslides need to be cleared. Earth
bats and spiders from
elementals make this
the orchard and squish
work difficult. Head
spider egg sacs. While
north along a ledge of
the harvesting is time
the dam, killing hostile
consuming, Eda knows
creatures and fixing the
the business of running
dam. Awakening earth
an orchard. Killing pests,
elementals are great
however, is a bit out of
targets, as you get credit
her league, especially when spiders are as big as she is! March into the orchard and
for waking them and
start slaying spiders. If you run out of targets, hit the eggs around the trees on the
again for killing them. From the northern edge of the dam, cut south across the river
southern edge. Watch for trees that start to shake, as these produce spiders or bats.
toward Orchard Waypoint and see what you can do to help Eda.
Once the orchard is in shape, head south to help Mepi.
UNWELCOME GUESTS (Repeatable)
EIGHTLEGGED FREAKS (Repeatable)
GOAL: Drive the harpy flock from the dam.
GOAL: Clear the orchard of spiders for Farmer Eda.
LEVEL: 3
LEVEL: 4
Description: Young harpies have infested the dam and are making work impossible.
Description: The spiders
Killing some will show the others that the dam isn’t worth it. Each kill reduces the
are absolutely out of
overall morale by 10%, so 10 kills will get your point across.
control and Eda won’t
enter the orchard until
they are dealt with. It’s
a good thing you were
already going to kill
them anyway.
366
WORLD
YOU MADE SOMETHING MAD (Repeatable)

GOAL: Kill the huge spider in Eda’s orchard. THE BAR ISN’T MOVING
LEVEL: 4
When holding an area, the completion bar will only move if there
Description: This are no enemies and at least one ally in the circled area. The color
orchard has real spider of the border is red if one of these conditions is not met, but it
problems, culminating turns blue as soon as both are filled. The completion bar then
in one big creepy-crawly. begins moving.
The huge orchard spider
can pull you toward it,
The moas become invincible once you’ve fully claimed the area, and they’ll leave and
so kiting is much more
knock down any enemies that get close. With the moas heading out to safety, head
difficult. If you need to
south further into the caverns. There’s another way out and perhaps some revenge to
kite the spider, be ready
get on the way.
to evade when its mandibles start glowing to avoid getting pulled back to it. Instead,
the best course of action is to run in with your highest-damage abilities blazing! This
fight can’t last long, as the spider summons pairs of hatchlings periodically. Hit the
spider hard and fast, and bring it down as soon as possible.
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ASSIST RANCHER MEPI (Renown Task)
GOAL: Kill bandits and destroy their supplies in Bandithaunt Caverns.
LEVEL: 5
Description: Mepi has had quite enough of the constant raids by bandits. He’s
found their hideout, Bandithaunt Caverns, just south of his ranch. Now he needs
help ending the raids for good. Head south and enter Bandithaunt carefully. The
initial tunnels are pretty narrow, but they open up into a cave system packed with
enemies. Kiting in the caverns will get you far more trouble than you can handle.
If you need to kite, kite back the way you came. More than anything else, choose THE BOSS (Group Event)
your targets carefully and try to pick bandits by themselves or in pairs. It’s easy to get
GOAL: Eliminate the bandit lieutenant.
overwhelmed, so advance through the cavern slowly and methodically. Once inside,
look for the supplies and destroy them as they become available. LEVEL: 5
Description: This event is extremely difficult to do alone, but it’s possible if you are
fast on your feet. First, pull the bandits across the bridge toward you to clear the
bridge. A bandit turret will attack if you try to cross the bridge, and you don’t want
any distractions while you destroy this siege engine.
Once the bridge is clear of bandits, run up to the turret and blast away. Don’t fight
the turret from range; it can knock you down, deal a lot of damage, and light you on
fire. Be ready to use defensive skills or healing skills when the turret goes down.
Bodyguards all along the

wooden walkway like
to light things on fire
from range. The bandit
lieutenant is a champion,
MEPI’S MOAS (Repeatable) and he can root you in
GOAL: Rescue Mepi’s moa herd from the bandit caves. place and shoot you
LEVEL: 4 from range. Use any
abilities you haven’t used already and kill him. Abilities that knock the lieutenant
Description: The bandits have really outdone themselves now. They’ve stolen down or otherwise hold him in place are wonderful.
Mepi’s entire herd of moas. Moas are powerful creatures when they feel safe, but the
constant poking of the bandits keeps them cowed. You need to make them feel safe There are two skill challenges on the southern side of the caverns, but they’re in
before they’ll bolt for the exit. You need to defeat all the bandits within the area and dangerous territory. It’s better to get them when you come around from the other
then hold the region until the completion bar fills. side of the map.
367
REPAIR THE PUMPING STATION (Repeatable) ASSIST THE SERAPH AT SHAEMOOR GARRISON (Renown Task)
GOAL: Defend workers repairing the Pumping Station. GOAL: Drive back centaur forces and secure the farmlands.
LEVEL: 3 LEVEL: 6
Description: Bandits have blown the three pipes at the Pumping Station and are Description: The Tamini
keeping workers from repairing them. Head up the path to the south and revive any have pushed far into
downed workers. Defending all three pipes alone isn’t possible. Defend one pipe at a Queensdale and the
time and wait until the worker is finished before heading to the next pipe. Seraph have been too
undermanned to resist
them effectively. They
need some big guns. They
need you. Head south
and start killing centaurs
indiscriminately if none of the repeatable events are available. Fight your way south to
Scaver Waypoint.
WHOSE GARRISON IS THIS? (Repeatable)

GOAL: Liberate Shaemoor Garrison.
LEVEL: 6
Description: Sometimes the centaurs take hold of Shaemoor. Fight your way into
A TOXIC PROBLEM (Repeatable) Shaemoor Garrison and hold it until the Seraph can reinforce the fort. Once you
GOAL: Bring blobs of toxin to Apprentice Jameson. break down the door, destroy the prison door to the east. This releases Seraph guards
LEVEL: 3 to help you. Your primary targets should be the Tamini shaman and archers, as these
do the most damage to the Seraph that followed you in. Once the keep has been
Description: Toxic restored, revive any downed allies and head south to finish your renown task.
oozes have infested the
Pumping Station. Slay
the oozes and collect
blobs of toxin for
Jameson. There are oozes
everywhere, and Jameson
only needs 10 toxin blobs
to clear the Pumping
Station and cleanse the water. Finish helping at the Pumping Station before jumping
back to Shaemoor Waypoint and traveling east to Shaemoor Garrison.
GARRISON WAYPOINT NORTH OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint, Scout
Shaemoor Waypoint (NW), Scaver Waypoint (S), Ojon’s GUARD BARTHOL (Repeatable)
TRAVEL: Lumbermill Waypoint (E)
GOAL: Defend Barthol on his way to the Old Armory.
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Herb Seedlings, Onion
LEVEL: 6
Description: Speak with Guard Barthol (near the garrison’s southern exit) to begin
this event. Guard Barthol knows of weapons in a burned-out building that the Seraph
could really use right now. He’s very headstrong, so keeping him alive might be a bit
difficult. He cannot be revived. If he goes down, you fail the event. It’s imperative
that you keep him from taking damage, as he only heals between fights and he’ll pick
fights with a few veteran
Tamini chieftains on the
way. Use ranged attacks
to get enemy attention,
Shaemoor Garrison is all that stands between the Tamini centaurs and the verdant use snares and roots to
fields of Queensdale you’ve been helping. The garrison is under constant siege and keep archers from getting
needs help. After you’ve seen the garrison, walk south to push the centaurs back. more enemies, and follow
Barthol until he gets to
the armory.
368
WORLD
SCAVER WAYPOINT CENTER ESCORT MONA’S CARAVAN (Repeatable)

GOAL: Escort the Trading Post caravan to Claypool.
Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Armorsmith,
SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Equipment Repair LEVEL: 7
Garrison Waypoint (N), Crossing Waypoint (W), Phinney
TRAVEL: Waypoint (SE), Krytan Waypoint (E) Description: Mona has supplies that need to get to Claypool. She’s gotten them as far
Aspen Saplings, Herb Patches, Blueberry Bush, Herb as the Trading Post, but the road ahead is too dangerous for her and the single guard.
HARVESTING INFO: Seedlings, Onion Packs of wolves cross the road ahead and will attack your small band. As the wolves
summon allies when low on health, the packs are always larger than they first appear.
However, the real danger

is the centaur. Two waves
of centaurs (with two
Tamini warriors) attack
on your way to the
bridge. A third group of
attackers is just across
the bridge, and three
K RY TA
more groups attack
Scaver Waypoint is south from the garrison. Get down there to secure the spot. It’s before you finally reach Claypool. The final two waves also have a Tamini archer in
useful because the road heads out in multiple directions from there, so it’s a nice hub them. You fail when the pack bull dies, but it heals between fights so it can take a
for the future. little bit of damage without your needing to panic. Kill the centaurs as fast as you can.
Let the pack bull take a few hits, but don’t let it get below half health before you pull
Protected by water, bridges, walls, and a rocky shore, Altar Brook Trading Post is a safe
all remaining enemies off of it. Revive the caravan guard if he goes down, as he’s very
resting point for any caravans moving from Divinity’s Reach to southern Queensdale.
good at keeping attackers away from the bull.
There are several merchants buying and selling to travelers and adventurers passing
through. Empty your bags while you’re here and continue west. That is, unless the
darn centaurs have taken it over!
WALK-BY WAYPOINT
PROTECT THE TRADE ROUTE (Renown Task) Protecting the caravan takes you past Crossing Waypoint but
GOAL: Help Lexi Price protect the trade route. not close enough to activate it. If the Seraph are in control of the
LEVEL: 7 tower, take a moment to run over and activate the waypoint when
the caravan turns toward the bridge.
Description: Kill vermin, clean up the Trading Post, eliminate threats along the
trade route, and destroy Tamini stakes and death markers. There are a couple
groundspawns, including Rat Traps and Document Bins, that can be set/cleaned REBUILDING ALTAR BROOK (Repeatable)
up before you leave the Trading Post. Speak with Mona to start the caravan event. GOAL: Escort and defend workers sent to rebuild the guard tower.
Escorting the caravan will finish the renown task. If Mona is not available, follow the
LEVEL: 8
river west. Clear Tamini stakes and death markers along the road while killing skales
and drakes in the river. Description: Altar Brook Crossing has fallen and the Seraph are sending workers
to rebuild it. Escort them through multiple waves of centaur attacks to Crossing
Waypoint. There are three repair workers and they can be revived if they fall, but you
fail if all of them are killed. Once the workers get to the remains of the tower, defend
them until they rebuild the Altar Brook Guard Post.
369
CROSSING WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint
Scaver Waypoint (E), Fields Waypoint (N), Vale
TRAVEL: Waypoint (W), Claypool Waypoint (S)
Copper (Abundant, in a Cave to the North), Blueberry
HARVESTING INFO: Bush, Herb Seedlings, Onion
Sergeant Soto is training with rifles. More specifically, he’s teaching how to charge up
attacks. Grab a rifle and target a Training Target. Watch and listen for the commands
given by the Rifle Drill Sergeant. Press and hold the attack button until he shouts,
“Fire!” Let up on the button and grab another rifle.
Crossing Waypoint sits at the bottom of a small watchtower. This rickety tower is all Sergeant Neal is teaching swordwork on the far north side, but it’s more about
that defends the bridge from Tamini control. This waypoint is often contested. attacking when the time is right. Grab a sword and face the Sword Drill Sergeant. Wait
for her to drop her guard, then attack! Move between the three training sessions or
CLAYPOOL WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST stick to your favorite until the renown task is done.
Waypoint, Equipment Repair, Scout, Salvage Merchant,
SERVICES: PROTECTING CLAYPOOL (Renown Task)
Cooking Merchant, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith
Kessex Hills (Level 15-25 Region) (S), Crossing Waypoint GOAL: Help the Seraph protect Claypool from centaurs.
TRAVEL: (N), Vale Waypoint (NW), Heartwood Pass Waypoint (E)
LEVEL: 9
HARVESTING INFO: Carrots, Blueberry Bush, Herb Seedlings, Onion
Description: Defeat centaurs, destroy their holdings, and find ways to weaken their
presence in the area. A great many centaurs are to the east of Claypool, and the
Seraph need help dealing with them. Kill centaurs and break their equipment in the
area before you jump back to Claypool Waypoint and travel north.
CURTIS’S RANCH (Repeatable)

GOAL: Drive the bandits from Curtis’s Ranch.
LEVEL: 8
Description: Bandits have taken Curtis’s Ranch. As an important source of livestock

for Claypool, this cannot be allowed. The bandits will only stay as long as it is
The walled and fortified town of Claypool marks the southern end of Queensdale profitable, so you won’t need to kill every single one. The biggest challenge is getting
and the entrance to Kessex Hills. Here, Seraph train the militia and guard the pass. them away from each other. They’ve heard about you and are unwilling to travel
With so many guards and volunteers, merchants are safe to hawk their wares and alone. They use ranged weapons and work in groups of two or three. Be ready for
adventurers can put their feet up for a moment…but not too long. No place is truly tough fights and pull the smaller groups around the edges first. Each kill reduces
safe in these times. Get the militia in better shape before heading east to deal with morale by around 8%. This means that 13 deaths should show them that the ranch
the centaurs. Once the centaurs have been beaten to a manageable level, travel north isn’t worth it for them.
to help at Curtis’s Ranch on your way to Vale Waypoint.
TRAIN WITH THE MILITIA (Renown Task)

GOAL: Train with the militia. EVENT SCALING
LEVEL: 8
If there are more heroes in the area, you’ll notice that it might
Description: The Seraph have their work cut out for them. The militia is composed take more kills to complete the event. That’s because events
of a bunch of farmers with little knowledge of combat. While the Seraph are
increase in scope and difficulty when more people are present.
good teachers, they need a student to teach by example. There are three Seraph
Our guide tries to give you an idea of what things are like when
representatives drilling the recruits.
you’re out on your own, but having a group around will slightly
Sergeant Liddy is teaching the use of shields and blocking. Grab a Seraph Training change the situations you encounter.
Shield and step close to the Shield Drill Sergeant. When the Sergeant telegraphs his
attack, block with the shield. The Sergeant hits so hard that your shield is destroyed
and you need to get another one, but the workers have seen what the Seraph want.
370
WORLD
RUNESTONES (Repeatable)
GOAL: Slay the enraged cave troll.
LEVEL: 10
Description: Be careful picking up Embedded Troll Runestones in the caves. A

champion cave troll attacks if you take his things! Throwing a runestone at him will
knock him down and
start the fight in your
favor. If you are alone,
this is your chance to
run away. If you are with
friends, let him have
it! He telegraphs his
VALE WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST knockdown attack and,
SERVICES: Waypoint aside from his high health
TRAVEL: Crossing Waypoint (E), Claypool Waypoint (SE) and immense damage, that’s all you have to worry about. When you’re ready, jump
back to Claypool Waypoint and head east toward Heartwood Pass Waypoint.
K RY TA
Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Carrots, Mushrooms,
HARVESTING INFO: Blueberry Bush, Herb Seedlings, Onion
HEARTWOOD PASS WAYPOINT SOUTH
SERVICES: Waypoint, Weaponsmith
TRAVEL: Claypool Waypoint (W), Phinney Waypoint (NE)
Aspen Saplings, Carrots, Herb Patches, Blueberry Bush,
HARVESTING INFO: Herb Seedlings, Onion
Vale Waypoint sits at the bottom of a harpy-infested ridge. Adventurers looking

for Copper veins and Mushrooms are in luck: check the caves to the north. Those
looking to expand their knowledge should head into the highest of the harpy caves
and defeat veteran Ert (and Burt) to gain access to the Jug of Power. Once you’re
stronger and more refreshed, jump back to Claypool Waypoint and head east to
reinforce Heartwood Pass. Heartwood Pass has been a contested stronghold for as long as anyone can
remember. The Seraph constantly drive the Tamini centaurs from it, but they can’t
OL’ SAWTOOTH (Repeatable) hold it for long. Take the camp and defend it as long as you can before continuing
GOAL: Slay a powerful giant fish. northeast to Phinney Waypoint.
LEVEL: 10
CAPTURE HEARTWOOD PASS (Repeatable)
Description: In the lake formed at the bottom of Clayent Falls, Ol’ Sawtooth is making GOAL: Capture Heartwood Pass Camp from the Tamini.
life difficult for the fishers. Sawtooth is a veteran and summons barracuda to his aid.
LEVEL: 9
Bring a friend or be ready to immediately unload with your most damaging abilities.
Description: The Tamini centaurs have made camp in Heartwood Pass. Fight your
way in and assault the leader’s tent. The Tamini chieftain summons and buffs allies.
Hit him with your fastest
high-damage abilities and
Stun him if possible.
The longer this centaur
lives, the lower your
chances of success.
371
HOLD HEARTWOOD PASS CAMP (Repeatable) OJON’S LUMBERMILL (Renown Task)
GOAL: Hold Heartwood Pass Camp. GOAL: Assist Laborer Cardy and Ojon’s Lumbermill.
LEVEL: 10 LEVEL: 8
Description: The Seraph have come to hold Heartwood Pass Camp as long as they Description: The skritt live in the caves just south of the lumbermill and have
can. Seven waves of centaurs attack. The waves can approach from either the east or become quite a nuisance. They’re constantly stealing tools and pestering the workers.
west. Engage the centaurs outside the blue border with the help of the Seraph when The wasps are no better; they’re huge, and they attack anything that gets close. Kill
you can and revive any nearby Seraph guards between waves. Strike out northeast once any skritt and wasps near the camp. Heading into the caves is really only necessary if
the camp is yours. you’re doing the repeatable event.
Activate Phinney
Waypoint before jumping
back to Garrison Waypoint
(or Scaver Waypoint if
the garrison is contested)
and head east to Ojon’s
Lumbermill Waypoint.
PHINNEY WAYPOINT SOUTH

SERVICES: Waypoint
Heartwood Pass Waypoint (SW), Scaver Waypoint
TRAVEL: (NW), Godslost Waypoint (E), Swamplost Waypoint (SE)
Carrots, Herb Patches, Blueberry Bush, Herb Seedlings,
HARVESTING INFO: Onion
STOLEN TOOLS (Repeatable)
GOAL: Retrieve stolen logging tools from the skritt hideout.
LEVEL: 7
Description: The
lumberjacks can’t work
without their tools.
Head into the caves and
get them back. Valerius
stands just east of the
caves, waiting for the
Phinney Waypoint overlooks the eastern edge of Godslost Swamp. It’s a good place tools. Nearly every skritt
to jump to if things go wrong at either Heartwood Pass or Godslost Swamp. has at least one tool, and
some are left on the floor of the caves. Valerius only needs 10 tools, so this is very
OJON’S LUMBERMILL WAYPOINT quick. Make your way to the lumbermill and head northeast to the Hunting Lodge.
Waypoint, Salvage Merchant (Hunting Lodge), Food

SERVICES: Merchant (Hunting Lodge) THE HUNTING LODGE (Renown Task)
Garrison Waypoint (W), Krytan Waypoint (SE), Beetletun GOAL: Assist Hunter Block and the Hunting Lodge.
TRAVEL: Waypoint (E) LEVEL: 9
Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Carrots, Redcap
HARVESTING INFO: Mushrooms, Blueberry Bush, Herb Seedlings, Onion Description: Divinity’s
Reach is constantly in
need of meat and furs.
Hunter Block and his
associates are generally
able to fill this need, but
some of the boars have
gotten rather large and
aggressive of late.
Hunt boars, help hunters, fix traps, and watch out for the veteran dire boars.
Once the hunters are back on schedule, continue your journey east along the river
toward Beetletun.
Ojon’s Lumbermill supplies most of the wood used in Divinity’s Reach. With the
Queen’s Forest so close, there is an abundance of available wood. As luck would have
it, the Tamini don’t give the workers any problems. Instead it’s the skritt and common
wilderness insects. Get the lumberjacks back on schedule before heading east, past
the Hunting Lodge, to Beetletun Waypoint.
372
WORLD
THE GIANT BOAR (Group) BEETLETUN WAYPOINT NORTHEAST

GOAL: Hunt and slay the giant boar.
Waypoint, Cooking Merchant, Armorsmith,
SERVICES:
LEVEL: 10 Weaponsmith, Equipment Repairs, Salvage Merchant
Ojon’s Lumbermill Waypoint (W), Tunwatch Redoubt
TRAVEL:
Description: One of the boars has gotten much larger and even more aggressive Waypoint (S)
than the others. If you have a friend or two, take on the champion giant boar. Don’t Aspenwood Saplings, Carrots, Blueberry Bush, Herb
HARVESTING INFO:
try to do it alone; this giant boar has high health and deals quite a lot of damage. Seedlings, Onion
The Shire of Beetletun is the largest city in Queensdale next to Divinity’s Reach, and
they won’t let you forget it. The troubles of the centaurs and bandits are kept far
enough away that Beetletun can maintain two social classes. The Lords and Ladies
of Beetletun maintain the prosperity of the town, while the workers and villagers
keep it running on a day-to-day level. Help out in town before heading south toward
Tunwatch Redoubt Waypoint, where your help is needed more.
K RY TA
THE FISHERMEN OF BEETLETUN (Renown Task)
GOAL: Assist Fisherman Will and the Fishermen of Beetletun.
LEVEL: 10
Description: It takes quite a lot of work to keep Divinity’s Reach fed. The fishermen
of Beetletun work hard to feed themselves and send food to the capital. Recently, the
crabs have been getting
CAUDECUS’S MANOR
aggressive and the skales
are encroaching into the Groups of five adventurers (levels 40 and higher) can make
fishing area. Protect the a call on Caudecus. His manor is immediately northeast of
fishermen by eliminating the waypoint and takes up the entire northern part of town.
the more dangerous Caudecus is one of the most powerful ministers of Kryta, and his
animals there. You can
influence rivals that of Queen Jennah herself. In fact, there are
also help by harvesting
even some rumors that he fancies himself royalty in the making,
crabs. To do this, get their
attention and pull them close to a trap; activate it to capture the shellfish. When which may lead to some interesting political developments.
you’re done here, finish your journey to Beetletun Waypoint.
BEETLETUN AT LAST (Renown Task)

AN OOZING PROPOSITION GOAL: Help Beetletun maintain its prosperous reputation.
The pipe leading up from the river is filled with toxic oozes. It is LEVEL: 13
also an excellent place for Copper Ore and Rich Copper Ore if you
Description: Beetletun is
can kill the oozes (levels 12-14) fast enough. If you have a partner,
one of the most beautiful
take a quick detour through the pipe!
cities in Kryta, but it
doesn’t stay that way on
its own. The workers slave
away day and night to
keep the streets clear, and
the children do chores
so the parents can keep
their minds on larger matters. Help out by crushing wasp nests, erasing graffiti, and
sending hiding children back to their chores.
373
AID THE BEETLETUN FARMERS (Renown Task) TUNWATCH REDOUBT WAYPOINT EAST
GOAL: Assist the Beetletun Farmers in their resistance against the centaurs.
SERVICES: Waypoint
LEVEL: 12
Gendarran Fields (Level 25-35 Region) (E), Krytan
TRAVEL: Waypoint (W), Godslost Waypoint (SW)
Description: The Tamini centaurs are constantly attacking the Beetletun Farmers
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Blueberry Bush, Herb Seedlings, Onion
and the Seraph are not anywhere close. Kill any centaurs you see.
Tunwatch Redoubt is on the frontlines of the war with the Tamini. This fort is
responsible for keeping the centaurs from getting any substantial force into the
Beetletun area. It’s a heavy responsibility, and help from adventurers is more than
welcome. Touch base here before heading west toward Krytan Waypoint.
RETAKE BEETLETUN FARMS (Part of the World Event)

GOAL: Retake Beetletun Farms and bring Sprinkler Pieces to Clarence. RETAKE TUNWATCH REDOUBT (Part of the World Event)
LEVEL: 12 GOAL: Retake Tunwatch Redoubt.
LEVEL: 12
Description: This event is more complicated as it has two goals that need to be
completed. You need to clear out 12 centaurs from the field and collect and return five Description: The Tamini have taken the fort and need to be removed. Attack
Sprinkler Pieces. Work on the Sprinkler Pieces first and only kill the centaurs as you need tentatively to reduce their numbers without getting into a fight with the whole
to. More Tamini centaurs are slowly adding to the area, and if you kill them all without fort. Slowly kill your
turning in the Sprinkler Pieces the event won’t end and more Tamini will appear. way in and revive the
fallen defenders. If too
many Tamini archers are
attacking you, consider
pulling back around the
wall and forcing them to
come to you (or at least
minimizing their damage
until a healing skill recharges). Once you stand in the center of the fort, this becomes
a defensive event until reinforcements arrive.
RESCUE THE CAPTIVES (Part of the World Event)

GOAL: Rescue the captive farmers.
LEVEL: 13
Once Clarence has enough parts, kill the Tamini as quickly as you can without getting
Description: The Tamini centaurs have taken some of the Beetletun farmers south
overwhelmed. Be wary of the Tamini archers. There are quite a few of them, and they
past Salma’s Heath. Follow the mountains south and start killing the Tamini. Ten farmers
run around a lot. This tends to make any fight with one centaur become a fight with
were captured and all
the four others he bumped into while you were killing him. With the Tamini dispersed
must be released. The
and Clarence repairing the sprinkler, things resume a sense of normalcy for the farmers.
farmers are behind prison
gates deep in Hidden Cliff
Camp. Break the gates to
free the farmers. Once
all are free, jump back
to Tunwatch Redoubt
Waypoint.
374
WORLD
KRYTAN WAYPOINT EAST OF CENTER CARAVAN TO BEETLETUN (Repeatable)

GOAL: Escort the caravan to Beetletun.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Salvage Merchant
LEVEL: 10
Ojon’s Lumbermill Waypoint (NW), Tunwatch Redoubt
TRAVEL: Waypoint (E), Godslost Waypoint (S), Scaver Waypoint (W)
Description: Charice
Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings (Abundant), Carrots,
HARVESTING INFO: is part of the troupe
performing in Beetletun
and she has supplies that
need to get to the city.
Give her and the single
Seraph guard a hand.
The Seraph guard can be
revived, so don’t worry
too much about him. Instead, make sure the Tamini don’t get free hits on Charice or
her ox, Shau. The Tamini attack in five groups of two to five centaurs with a mix of
warriors and archers. Your first target should be a centaur that isn’t being attacked by
the Seraph guard. The escort ends just north of Beetletun Farms.
K RY TA
Eldvin Monastery is known worldwide for its fabulous alcoholic beverages. Though
centaur camps are very close, this walled monastery remains safe and productive CARAVAN TO SWAMPLOST HAVEN (Repeatable)
thanks to passing adventurers willing to help. There are also several caravans GOAL: Protect the brew shipment.
transporting barrels and kegs to other parts of Queensdale, and they need guards. LEVEL: 14
Help the monastery brewers and then do northern escort before jumping back to
do the southern escort. If the escorts are unavailable, follow the road south past Description: Sister
Godslost Waypoint to Swamplost Waypoint. Brenda is supervising
a shipment of brew to
HELP THE MONASTERY BREWERS (Renown Task) Swamplost Haven and
Fight centaurs, recover stolen ale, protect the monastery, clear grubs needs a bodyguard. This
GOAL: from the fields, and taste test new ale.
escort takes you by two
LEVEL: 11 waypoints and across
Godslost Swamp. The
Description: There’s a lot of work to be done at the monastery. Whether you’re
Tamini send three waves
more interested in killing things or breaking your back, the Brothers and Sisters of the
of enemies (between two and three centaurs per wave) to capture the brew before
monastery appreciate your assistance. Wander through the fields and vineyards in the
it is out of their hands. Once you’re in the swamp, the denizens attack at several
courtyard, looking for Grubs. Both pulling them out and killing them give credit. As
intervals. Skelk lurkers and scaled drakes jump onto the wooden walkway. Don’t
you are moving through the courtyard, keep your eye open for shady people. They’re
worry if Sister Brenda’s health goes down; she can be revived once the fight is over.
looking to steal ale kegs! Run down the thief and bring the Abbey Ale back to Sister
Even she tells you that the beer is what needs to be kept safe. With Brenda ensconced
Liz, in the small room near the front of the monastery. You can also get a taste test of
at Swamplost Haven, jump to Godslost Waypoint and head east.
a new drink from Sister Liz while you’re there. For those of the killing persuasion, the
cave to the southeast has a number of Tamini that need to die. In addition, there are SWAMPLOST WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST OF CENTER
sometimes attacks by Tamini looking to grab kegs. Defend the monastery from them
for more credit toward the renown task. SERVICES: Waypoint, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Salvage Merchant
Kessex Hills (Level 15-25 Region) (S), Godslost Waypoint
TRAVEL: (N), Phinney Waypoint (NW)
Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Carrots, Bluebery Bush,
HARVESTING INFO: Herb Seedlings, Onion
Swamplost Haven is one of the final strongholds before Kessex Hills. The Seraph here
are charged with holding the centaurs to the east at bay. Head east and climb the hills
to discover unlikely allies and something very dangerous. Jump to Godslost Waypoint
once the centaur plans of conquest have been set back a bit.
375
UNITE THE ETTINS AND BATTLE CENTAURS (Renown Task) UNDERWORLD CREATURES (Group)
GOAL: Help Krug by uniting the ettins and battling centaurs. GOAL: Stop Underworld creatures by destroying portals in the swamp.
LEVEL: 14 LEVEL: 15
Description: Description: Things are going very wrong in Godslost Swamp. There are far more
The centaurs are casting portals and aggressive creatures than normal. Start killing anything in the area, but
something, and chances watch out for any veterans. They can add to a fight easily, and they can quickly
are it won’t be good for change a battle from easy to exhausting.
the populace of Kryta.
Head up the hills past
the aggressive ettins
and speak with the
nonaggressive ones.
Convince them to attack the centaurs as you continue east to the ritual itself.
Follow the ettins in and let them go first. Groups of Tamini run around the ritual site
in constant patrols. These fights are very difficult alone. Pull some centaurs away from
the path of the others and kill the archers first. You don’t need to get to the center
of the ritual to complete the renown task, but there is a Skill Challenge there! If you
are alone, kill Tamini on the outskirts to complete the quest. Then run to the Tamini
Place of Power between the patrols to get the Skill Challenge. Once you’re finished
there, jump to Godslost Waypoint.
GODSLOST WAYPOINT SOUTH THE SHADOW BEHEMOTH (Part of the World Event)
GOAL: Defeat the Shadow Behemoth.
SERVICES: Waypoint
LEVEL: 15
Krytan Waypoint (N), Phinney Waypoint (W),
TRAVEL: Swamplost Waypoint (S)
Description: Something is stirring in the swamp, and now it’s awakened. That’s
Aspen Sapling (Abundant), Copper Ore, Carrots,
HARVESTING INFO: why you’re here—and why you’ve brought friends. This creature is mean, nasty, and
powerful, and you shouldn’t fight it alone.
The Shadow Behemoth cannot be damaged while the portals remain open. However,
aatxes and shades, creatures of the Underworld, guard the portals. Use ranged attacks
to pull the Underworld minions to you and kill them. Then, use ranged attacks to
destroy the portals. You can also use ranged area-of-effect abilities to hit the portals
at the same time as the minions.
If you see a red circle around you, dodge! The Shadow Behemoth doesn’t like your
messing about with its portals, and it uses ranged attacks that can knock you down
and inflict a lot of damage.
Godslost Waypoint stands on the northern edge of Godslost Swamp. Tortured spirits,
Avoid engaging the portals in melee. This forces the Shadow Behemoth to use its claws,
fireflies, and aggressive monsters make this swamp a place to be avoided at the best
and if it hits you, it will almost certainly kill you. A purple swirling vortex appears where
of times, but now rifts to the Underworld have released additional horrors. Someone
the Behemoth’s claws are
has to keep what is happening here from spilling any further into the area.
about to be. You need to
evade as soon as you see it.
GODSLOST SWAMP (Renown Task)
GOAL: Help Historian Garrod investigate Godslost Swamp. Once all three portals
LEVEL: 15 are down, the Behemoth
becomes targetable for
Description: You can a short period. Use your
help the investigation high-damage abilities
of the area by closing and any skills that boost
portals to the damage as your window is short. After a few moments, the Shadow Behemoth
Underworld, vanquishing breathes poison gas and summons three new portals to restart the cycle. Keep at it
portal minions, and until the monster falls.
putting tortured spirits
to rest. Speak with the
tortured spirits to find
out why they cannot pass on. Kill the shade and help the spirit rest. As you move
around through the deeper portion of the swamp, watch for green portals to the
Underworld. Defeat the shades nearby and destroy the rifts.
376
WORLD
KESSEX HILLS
LEVEL RANGE: 15-25 WEST SIDE
TASKS: 14 Greyhoof Camp
Waypoint
WAYPOINTS: 18
Fort Salma
SKILL CHALLENGES: 5 Waypoint
HARVESTING INFO: Halacon Meadows

Aspen Sapling (Greenwood Log, Cinnamon Sticks), Waypoint Waypoint Earthlord’s Gap
Gummo Sapling (Soft Wood Log, Amber Nugget, Waypoint
Chanterelle Mushroom), Root Vegetables (Head of
Garlic, Turnip, Beet), Vine Vegetables (Cucumber), Manfire Hills
Mushrooms (Mushroom, Chanterelle Mushroom), Thunder Ridge
Moogooloo
Herb Patch (Oregano Leaf), Onion, Strawberries, Clam, Waypoint
Copper Ore (Copper Ore, Gems), Iron Ore (Iron Ore, Viathan
Gems), Silver Ore (Silver Ore, Gems) Waypoint
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Viathan Lake
Overlord’s Greatcamp
Waypoint
Viathan’s Arm
Meremoot Hill
Ireko Tradecamp
Waypoint
Kessex Hills is a land under siege. The centaurs are
Shadowheart Site
taking territory at every opportunity. Ruins of human Waypoint Eukaryan
Caves
towns are scattered across the landscape and the
overworked Seraph can barely protect them.
The Lionguard, who have a treaty with the centaurs,
maintain the road connecting Divinity’s Reach
and Lion’s Arch. It’s a mess out there, but you’re
EAST SIDE
here to help.
Delanian Foothills
Cavernhold Camp Sojourner’s Way Waypoint
Waypoint Waypoint
HOW DID I GET HERE?
Earthlord’s Gap
Kessex Hills is in the middle of a war Waypoint
between the Seraph and both the Tamini
and Harathi centaurs. This area borders Manefire Earthworks Camp
other maps. To the north is Queensdale, Hills Waypoint
the lowest-level human territory (1-15). Kessex Haven
Waypoint
There are exits to Queensdale in the
northwest and northeast (near Fort
Salma and Sojourner’s Way). To seek
Darkwound Defile
other challenges, leave Kessex by taking Waypoint
the northwestern road into Brisban Giant’s Passage
Wildslands (15-25). In the south, the
road near Ireko Tradecamp leads into
Viathan’s Arm
Caledon Forest (1-15). For tougher
fighting, the eastern side of the map has a
road into Gendarran Fields (25-35). That’s Cereboth Canyon
Overlake Haven Waypoint
where you can get into some real trouble! Waypoint
Dominion
Killing Zone
Wizard’s
Fief
SKILL CHALLENGES
> Eternal Portal (Northeast of Delanian > Master Elementalist Dylane (South of > Gathering Site (Southwest of Overlord’s
Waypoint) (NE) Darkwound Waypoint) (SE) Waypoint) (SW)
> Draithor’s Lab Meat (Southeast of Delanian > Tocatl’s Challenge (Northeast of Ireko
Waypoint) (NE) Tradecamp Waypoint) (S)
377
SOJOURNER’S WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE DELANIAN WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE
SERVICES: Waypoint, Scout, Jewelry Merchant (Traveling Noble) Waypoint, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Salvage
SERVICES: Merchant, Equipment Repair, Scout
Entrance to Queensdale (Levels 1-15) (NW), Delanian
TRAVEL: Waypoint (E), Earthworks Waypoint (SE), Cavernhold Gendarran Fields (Levels 25-35) (E), Sojourner’s
Camp Waypoint (W) TRAVEL: Waypoint (W), Earthworks Waypoint (SW), Darkwound
Waypoint (S)
Silver Ore, Copper Ore, Iron Ore, Aspen Sapling, Vine
HARVEST INFO: Vegetables, Herb Patch Aspen Sapling, Gummo Sapling, Copper Ore, Silver Ore,
HARVEST INFO: Iron Ore, Herb Patch
Black Haven is a place of safety for travelers. The massive stone walls and gates are
nigh impregnable by the likes of centaurs and bandits. This protection only reaches so
far. The roads and hills outside the walls are rife with bandits, basilisks, bats, and other
unpleasantness. Help clean the area up and grab the two nearby Skill Challenges
before heading to Earthworks Waypoint.
Sojourner’s Waypoint stands just inside Kessex Hills. Expect to find some bandits
watching for undefended travelers. The bandits have set up camp just north of the
road. Fight them to keep the road safe before you head on to Delanian Waypoint.
REVENGE! (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Waldo Flood take revenge on local bandits.
LEVEL: 15 BLACK HAVEN (Renown Task)
Description: Kill bandits, GOAL: Help Lionguard Micah keep the Black Haven area safe for travelers.
steal bandit supplies, LEVEL: 16
destroy bandit cannons,
Description: The roads have been getting progressively more dangerous around
and check bushes for
Black Haven. Kill aggressive enemies around the haven and let everyone breathe a sigh
hiding bandits. It sounds
of relief. This task is very fast when other events are available. The south side of the
like a lot of fun. Head
castle holds a great many dangers (of the two- and four-legged variety) for the times
north from the waypoint
when the caravan is unavailable.
and start killing everything
that moves. There are
bandits everywhere, so take it slow and be cautious. While the waypoint is close by,
there’s no use getting killed for nothing. Pull bandits away from the cannons until the
cannons are isolated. Run around to the back and kill the bandit gunner to silence
these dragons of iron.
RANSOM (Repeatable)
GOAL: Rescue the traveling child’s mother.
LEVEL: 15
Description: Not
everyone gets the
message when the
Seraph say, “The roads
aren’t safe to travel.” A
noble and her son are
traveling along the road,
and there’s a chance the
mother will be captured
by bandits. If you see this happening, kill the veteran bandit lieutenant and all three
bandit kidnappers to reunite mother and son. Look at the map carefully to find your
targets. The lieutenant hides around the trees to the side of the road.
378
WORLD
CARAVAN (Repeatable) THE DRILL (Group)

GOAL: Escort the caravan to Kessex Haven. GOAL: Slay Draithor before he experiments on captives.
LEVEL: 16 LEVEL: 16
Description: Anytime there is money to be made, there are merchants paying for Description: A centaur madman is killing captives in a gruesome way. There are only
escorts. Irvine is no different. He has a single guard and would like another (or more if he five captives and you need to save them. Champion Draithor the Drill deals immense
could get them). Grab the damage, steals life to heal himself, and has an amazing amount of health. Be ready to
Delanian Waypoint before revive allies as they fall, and do not attempt this alone. Use any skills available to keep
you start this event. him Stunned or knocked down when he starts stealing life, and then unload with
every damaging attack you have.
Once you’ve talked to
Irvine and initiated the
event, follow the pack
bull. Irvine, the merchant,
and even the guard don’t
matter. You will succeed or fail based on the pack bull’s survival. The bull regenerates
K RY TA
health between fights so it can take a bit of damage, but don’t let it drop below half
or you might be too late to save it. If you’re alone, let the guard and bull hold aggro
for a moment while you start killing enemies. Use your most damaging attacks, as
there is plenty of time for them to recharge between fights. As soon as the third wave
is killed, run up the hill and activate the Earthworks Waypoint and then return to the
caravan. The fourth and final attack comes as a pack of four Tamini. Once the escort
completes, run just a little further to activate the Kessex Haven Waypoint and then
jump back to Delanian Waypoint to finish the task.
THE REMAINS (Repeatable)
ROADBLOCK (Repeatable) GOAL: Take remains from Draithor’s Demesnes to Aria Venom.
GOAL: Clear the bandit roadblock from the road to Lion’s Arch. LEVEL: 16
LEVEL: 16
Description: Should
Description: Nearly a dozen bandits guard a roadblock near the Earthworks and Draithor the Drill kill his
are prepared to prey on any unfortunate travelers. Pull the first several away from the captives, Aria shows up
roadblock and dispatch them before attacking the roadblock itself. The bandits do not at the entrance hoping
flee when the roadblock to put the spirits to rest.
is destroyed. They will The Merchant’s Remains
continue to fight even can be found on the
after their plans have been ground or on the corpses
smashed. Do not charge of Draithor’s minions.
in and get overwhelmed Get 10 sets of remains and Aria will be happy. The people don’t come back in a pretty
unless you have friends to way, but at least you get another shot at Draithor!
help. Because the caravan
(mentioned earlier) comes
THE DRILL: TAKE TWO (Group)
down the road, it’s possible to finish both events at the same time. Though dangerous, it’s GOAL: Help Aria Venom slay Draithor the Drill.
incredibly fun and can get you a fair amount of money and experience. LEVEL: 16
THE LIONGUARD (Repeatable) Description: Aria is a

GOAL: Accompany the Lionguard patrol. little twisted, but she has
a mission. She’s used the
LEVEL: 16
remains you collected
Description: Two to fashion three flesh
visiting Lionguard are golems and is going to
patrolling outside the attack Draithor. Help her
keep. They’re brave kill him! With the flesh
men, but their route is a golems absorbing the
dangerous one. Talk to life-stealing, he’s a much easier opponent. Keep from being in front of him and avoid
the Lionguard to initiate his helpers. Just kill the fiend and run out of the area to collect your reward.
this patrol, and follow
them closely. You only fail the event if both soldiers fall. They heal between fights,
so that helps considerably. Follow them around the keep and help vanquish pretty
much everything around the area. When you’re done, grab the two Skill Challenges in
the northeast and head to Earthworks Waypoint.
379
EARTHWORKS WAYPOINT EAST SIDE
SERVICES: Waypoint
Sojourner’s Waypoint (N), Delanian Waypoint (NE),
TRAVEL: Kessex Haven Waypoint (W)
HARVEST INFO: Iron Ore, Gummo Sapling, Onion
THE SUPPLY BULL (Part of World Event)

GOAL: Escort the supply bull to Quarryside.
LEVEL: 17
A crude wooden palisade juts from the ground around the Earthworks. The Tamini
Description: The two
aren’t very good at building their own cities or towns, but they’re great at taking land.
Seraph guarding this
Keeping the centaurs out of the Earthworks on a long-term basis is almost impossible,
caravan know how
but it’s worth a try. Do what you can before heading northwest toward Cavernhold
dangerous the mission is
Camp Waypoint and another Tamini stronghold.
and keep the bull moving
CAPTURE HARATHI EARTHWORKS (Part of World Event) at speed. The guards can
GOAL: Capture all three sections of the Harathi Earthworks. be revived and the bull
heals between fights.
LEVEL: 16
Keep the Tamini off the
Description: The bull whenever possible. Sacrifice the guards if you need to, but the bull falling means
Earthworks are so big failure. While the guards are good at keeping melee centaurs off the bull, ranged
that you have to capture centaurs are another matter. These should be your first target. Escort the group all
all three major entrances the way to Quarryside before heading north to Cavernhold Camp Waypoint to help
before the Tamini will Guard Barnaby.
retreat to regroup. Pick
an entrance and run in.
CAVERNHOLD CAMP WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE
Trebuchets bombard any SERVICES: Waypoint, Armorsmith (with Barnaby), Weaponsmith
non-centaurs who stay Sojourner’s Waypoint (E), Gap Waypoint (W), Kessex
TRAVEL:
outside and they do very high damage. Do not attempt to kite centaurs while dodging Haven Waypoint (S)
the siege engines. One failure spells doom. Clear the centaurs from a capture point and HARVEST INFO: Silver Ore
keep it until the area converts. When you’re done, move to the next and repeat the
process. Be careful of the centaurs’ ranged troops; they have deadly attacks, and they
just keep coming. Duck out of the contested areas to heal if you think your hero isn’t
going to survive the encounter. When all three points are yours, take a moment to loot
corpses. Don’t take long, as the Tamini haven’t left permanently.
HOLD THE EARTHWORKS (Part of World Event)

GOAL: Repel the centaur attack and hold the Earthworks.
LEVEL: 16
Description: Twelve waves of Tamini try to retake the Earthworks. If you are alone,
be ready to move around. The enemy uses all three entrances and there are very few The Tamini have set up residence in a large cave and can retreat back to it whenever
Seraph to help. Worse yet, you cannot revive the Seraph once they fall. Each wave they start suffering losses. Pry them out of this spot and destroy any other camps in
has three or four centaurs. Keep an eye on the health of any Seraph helping you. the area on your way west to Gap Waypoint.
Make sure the centaurs die before the Seraph do. Once a wave is down, immediately
check the other entrances. If things are getting out of hand, grab the enemies and
kite the Tamini while the guards kill them. You have a healing skill, but the guards
don’t. It’s “safer” for your hero to take the hits. Once the Tamini fail to recapture the
Earthworks, the Seraph loot the place and throw it all on a cart that needs to be
escorted to friendlier territory.
380
WORLD
BARNABY (Renown Task) ENGINEER GILLI (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Guard Barnaby. GOAL: Help Engineer Gilli.
LEVEL: 17 LEVEL: 18
Description: Pushing Description: Quarryside exists to maintain the mine and the workers within. Help
the Tamini out of the Engineer Gilli by protecting the perimeter from centaurs, clearing vermin from the
Earthworks is not enough. mine and fields, and motivating the workers. The cave bats at the bottom of the mine
You need to hunt them make excellent targets. Watch for rock piles. These innocent looking ground spawns
wherever they run. are elementals in hiding and give you credit toward the task both when you wake
Help the Seraph assault them and again when you defeat them.
centaur camps, destroy
centaur weapons and
supplies, ensure the safe
delivery of supplies to the mine, and defeat centaurs wherever you find them.
DEFEND CAVERNHOLD (Part of World Event)

GOAL: Maintain control of Cavernhold Camp.
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LEVEL: 17
Description: Stand against seven waves of centaurs as they try to siege the cave.
There is only one entrance into the area, which makes it easier to see the enemies
approaching. Don’t let them get past you and into the open; they’ll be more of a pain
to weed out if that happens.
DEFEND QUARRYSIDE (Part of World Event)

GOAL: Defend Quarryside from the centaur invaders.
LEVEL: 18
Description: Centaurs
sometimes gather to
attack the mine. They
attack in eight waves.
The enemies run into the
town primarily from the
north and east but take
up a position at the mine
entrance. Intercept them
GAP WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE there, and keep the centaurs from sneaking past you to take the mine. If the mine is
Waypoint, Rock Merchant (Quarryside), Weaponsmith being taken, head inside to stop the enemies before it’s turned.
SERVICES: (Quarryside)
Cavernhold Camp Waypoint (E), Kessex Haven RETAKE THE QUARRY (Part of World Event)
TRAVEL: Waypoint (SE), Viathan Waypoint (SW), Greyhoof Camp
Waypoint (W) GOAL: Defend Quarryside from the centaur invaders.
Silver Ore (Abundant in Quarryside), Gummo Sapling, LEVEL: 18

HARVEST INFO: Root Vegetables, Mushrooms
Description: Not all is
lost even if the Tamini
take the quarry. Fight
your way down the
ramps and start killing
centaurs. The fighting
gets much easier once
the first enemies are
dead and you only have to deal with the single enemies coming from deeper in the
mine or down the ramps. Push the invaders out of Quarryside, and then head east to
Kessex Haven Waypoint.
Gap Waypoint stands at a crossroads. North is the cave of Goff ’s Bandits. Southeast
is the town and mine of Quarryside. West is Greyhoof Camp. Teaching the bandits a
lesson sounds like a good idea, but Quarryside could use your help a lot more. Head
southeast to keep this valuable resource in the right hands before turning fully east
toward Kessex Haven Waypoint.
381
KESSEX HAVEN WAYPOINT EAST OF CENTER OVERLAKE HAVEN WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST OF CENTER
Waypoint, Equipment Repair, Armorsmith, Salvage Waypoint, Equipment Repair, Explosive Merchant,
SERVICES: SERVICES:
Merchant, Food Merchant Salvage Merchant, Armorsmith, Scout
Gap Waypoint (NW), Earthworks Waypoint (E), Entrance to Caledon Forest (Levels 1-15) (SW), Kessex
TRAVEL: Overlake Haven Waypoint (S) TRAVEL: Haven Waypoint (N), Cereboth Waypoint (E), Ireko
Tradecamp Waypoint (W)
HARVEST INFO: Onion, Iron Ore
HARVEST INFO: Iron Ore, Silver Ore, Mushrooms
Overlake Haven stands atop the cliffs watching over Viathan’s Arm and the road to
Caledon Forest. The walls of the keep are built high and thick as a tribe of ettins live
nearby and are not the best of neighbors. The ettins have been especially aggressive
recently. Is something driving them toward the settlement? Smoke billows from the
ground to the east. Travel that way and see what you can find out before continuing
east to Cereboth.
Kessex Haven stands as a bastion in a troubled area. Triskell Quay is to the southwest,
where there are some new enemies to deal with. When you’re finished with the krait,
head east to Overlake Haven Waypoint and take on bigger game.
TRISKELL QUAY (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help the fishers of Triskell Quay.
LEVEL: 19
GOT ETTIN? (Renown Task)
Description: Head to
the water to fight krait, GOAL: Assist Overlake Haven with the ettin nuisance.
destroy their nets, and LEVEL: 20
check the fishermen’s
Description: Help recover supplies, eliminate ettins, and attract rabbits to make the
shrimp traps. Very little
ettins less aggressive. Head northeast from Overlake and up the hill. Kill the ettins and
of this task can be done
watch for Rabbit Bait Points along the ground. Use the points as you pass them. If
above water; only reviving
there are no targets, grab the Lion’s Arch Supply Boxes on the ground and run them
fishermen gets you credit.
back to Overlake. There are also ettins and Rabbit Bait Points through the tunnel
It’s faster to dive into the
farther northeast.
water and take a look around. There are krait nets and shrimp traps near the docks.
Checking the traps might start a fight, so be careful. Grab any groundspawns you see
and swim out to Krait’s Larder.
HORRIBLE NEIGHBORS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Free villagers from Krait’s Larder.
LEVEL: 19
Description: The krait have kidnapped a number of villagers and taken them to Krait’s
Larder. Kill the krait slavers to release the citizens. Release all 10 to complete the event.
Not all the citizens are underwater. A few are in cages above. Killing the slavers doesn’t
get the job done. Instead,
grab a metal bar from the
platforms and pry the
cage doors open. With
the villagers free and the
town in better shape, turn
east and head up the cliffs
to Overlake.
382
WORLD
ROADBLOCK (Repeatable) COLLAPSE THE FISSURE (Repeatable)

GOAL: Clear the ettin roadblock. GOAL: Collapse the destroyer fissure.
LEVEL: 20 LEVEL: 20
Description: Ettins Description: A giant destroyer fissure is spawning an army of destroyers. Attacking
have blocked Giant’s the fissure summons all nearby enemies. Clear the area a bit before you deal any
Passage to the north of damage to the fissure directly or a rather large fight ensues. As you’re already down
Overlake. Four ettins there killing destroyers, this is mostly just a free event to do while you’re having fun.
caused a rockslide to cut
off trade. Kill the ettins
and destroy the rockslide
to complete this quick
event. Remember to
dodge backward whenever ettins charge for a heavy blow; heroes don’t like taking
hits on the chin, especially from these giant monsters.
THAT’S A LOT OF ETTIN! (Group)
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GOAL: Defeat the brutish ettin chieftain.
LEVEL: 20
Description: Use explosives to damage the thick-skinned ettin. In the cave northeast
of the keep, the brute has made his home. This event is monumentally easier if you
IREKO, HO! (Repeatable)
have a second person or a pet. Pull and kill the normal ettins when the veteran
brutish ettin chieftain is on the other side of the cave until he only has his bodyguard GOAL: Escort the merchant pack bull to Ireko Tradecamp.
with him. Have your friend (or pet) attack the chieftain while you grab the nearest LEVEL: 21
Stolen Explosives and put them at his feet. These deal immense damage! If you are
Description: A
alone, kite the two ettins until only the chieftain stands. Use slowing abilities to give
merchant needs to get
yourself time to pick up the explosives, and then kite him onto the barrels. Loot the
to Ireko Tradecamp, but
corpses when you’re done.
most of the Lionguard
are busy with the ettins.
One Lionguard is already
helping, and two more
join the group. There are
four waves of enemies as
you travel, but only two are difficult. If you have a skill that clears conditions, prepare
it now by slotting it before your fights. Some of the enemies rely on Poison! The guard
dies instantly when wave two happens and six krait attack. Let the bull take a few hits,
as taking on six enemies at once is very difficult. Pull everything off the bull if it starts
getting near half health. Wave four only has one enemy, but it’s a veteran krait. Fight
at range when he drops the Poison cloud on himself and kill him like any other tough
enemy. High damage attacks and skills that Knockdown, Daze, Stun, or Cripple are
very useful.
DESTROYERS (Renown Task)
GOAL: Assist Sangdo Swiftwing. LOST AND ALONE (Repeatable)
LEVEL: 21 GOAL: Help Kari back to Overlake Haven.
LEVEL: 20
Description: Collect
volcanic rocks, investigate Description: Kari is lost in the tunnels beneath Cereboth and needs help getting
suspicious mounds, home. Kari is only brave enough to move if you’re nearby. If you get too far away, she
and destroy fissures. will run back to where you first found her. She’ll also cower in fear if any destroyers are
Head farther east from nearby. Kill the destroyers
Overlake and into the and keep her moving all
giant fissure in the the way back to Overlake
ground. Destroyers roam Haven, then jump back to
freely and are spawning Cereboth Waypoint and
from small fissures. It’s your job to put a stop to it. Head inside and start killing continue northeast.
destroyers. Investigate any suspicious mounds, as you get credit for the investigation
and for killing the destroyer that often spawns.
383
DESTROY THE DESTROYER (Group) DARKWOUND WAYPOINT EAST SIDE
GOAL: Kill the Champion Harpy Destroyer.
Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Armorsmith,
SERVICES:
TRAVEL: Cereboth Waypoint (SW), Delanian Waypoint (N)
Description: Fight down through the craggy depths until you reach the Mafic
Root Vegetables, Mushrooms, Silver Ore, Copper Ore,
Core. Within, there is sometimes a champion harpy. It’s ready to attack you and any HARVEST INFO: Iron Ore
other heroes nearby. This enemy is a tough one, being able to summon lava fonts
that damage groups and heal the creature as it passes over them. Bring a team of Darkwound Waypoint appears at first to be in the middle of nowhere. Only one
adventurers and spread out to ensure that the harpy can’t hit all of you at once. To merchant and some farm animals stand near the waypoint. The other merchants and
keep your character safe and healthy, stay on your feet and make sure not to stand in a Skill Challenge, however, are south along the road in Garenhoff. This is a moderate-
the lava. Use ranged weapons when you aren’t close to the beast, as it frequently flies sized scholarly town, but they do not have their own waypoint. Once your selling is
through the cavern and can be hard to hit in melee. complete, jump back to Gap and travel south to Viathan Waypoint.
GORT’S REQUEST (Repeatable)

GOAL: Clear ettins from Gort’s Pit.
LEVEL: 17
CEREBOTH WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE
SERVICES: Waypoint Description: Ettins have
Overlake Haven Waypoint (W), Earthworks Waypoint infested Gort’s Pit (just
TRAVEL: (N), Darkwound Waypoint (NE) north of the waypoint)
Strawberries, Silver Ore, Iron Ore, Gummo Sapling, and he wants them gone!
HARVEST INFO: Mushrooms There are six ettins that
need to be defeated and
occasionally a veteran
appears. Ettins are tough
enough without being
veterans, so clear the bats in the area to give yourself kiting room. Take the ettins one at
a time and this event becomes very simple. Wait in the pit for a few moments after the
final ettin is dead. Gort makes his way back and uncovers his treasure as your reward.
VIATHAN WAYPOINT CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint
Cereboth Waypoint stands in a very scenic part of Kessex Hills. You can barely tell Gap Waypoint (NE), Greyhoof Camp Waypoint (N),
TRAVEL: Moogooloo Waypoint (W), Ireko Tradecamp Waypoint (S)
there’s a war on. Take a moment to enjoy the region before turning northeast toward
Darkwound Waypoint. HARVEST INFO: Silver Ore, Iron Ore, Onion, Gummo Sapling, Clam
STRAWBERRIES AHOY!
If you’re looking for strawberries, head southeast through the ettin
area and on toward the Floating Castle. The cliffs along Isgarren’s
View are covered in these tasty treats!
384
WORLD
Viathan Waypoint stands on the northeast shore of Viathan Lake. Charred rubble to CAPTURE GREYHOOF (Part of World Event)
the west mars this otherwise picturesque view. Head northeast through Auld Red GOAL: Capture Greyhoof Camp.
Wharf toward Greyhoof Camp Waypoint. This isn’t friendly territory, so don’t let your
LEVEL: 21
guard down.
Description: To break
GREYHOOF CAMP WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE the siege on Fort Salma,
SERVICES: Waypoint, Weaponsmith Greyhoof Camp must
Gap Waypoint (E), Viathan Waypoint (SE), Moogooloo be taken. The Seraph will
TRAVEL: Waypoint (SW), Meadows Waypoint (W) help as they can, but you
HARVEST INFO: Silver Ore, Iron Ore have to lead the charge.
Fight your way into
Greyhoof is the Seraph’s nightmare made real. Bandits have teamed up with centaurs. Greyhoof Camp and team
Working together, they have become a force the Seraph can’t deal with. Help up with any Seraph. These
Sergeant Rane wage war against Greyhoof and clear a path to the waypoint. Once allies cannot be revived if they go down, but their damage is very welcome in this fight.
Greyhoof is taken care of, head west to Meadows Waypoint. Keep them alive as long as you can without jeopardizing the larger objective. Once the
camp is taken, a weaponsmith appears to sell centaur weapons to you.
K RY TA
MEADOWS WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE
SERVICES: Waypoint
Entrance to Queensdale (Levels 1-15) (N), Greyhoof
TRAVEL: Camp Waypoint (E), Moogooloo Waypoint (S),
Overlord’s Waypoint (SW), Fort Salma Waypoint (W)
HARVEST INFO: Gummo Sapling, Herb Patch
If it weren’t for the bridge to the south, Fort Salma to the west, or Greyhoof Camp
to the east, Meadows Waypoint wouldn’t even be a footnote. As it is, this waypoint
is surrounded by events that are crucial to the Battle of Fort Salma (World Event).
LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGE? While there is little to do here directly, it makes for a very convenient staging area
when centaurs are on the move. Continue moving west to Fort Salma after you
A champion bandit bruiser lives in a cave between Greyhoof Camp unlock the point.
Waypoint and Gap Waypoint along the northern mountains.
This bandit has exceptionally high health and deals tremendous
damage, but has rewards for those able to best him. Call some
friends if you want to start trouble here!
DEALING WITH GREYHOOF (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Sergeant Rane.
LEVEL: 22
Description: Clear out unexploded shot, recover the badges of fallen Seraph, and
TAKE THE BRIDGE (Part of World Event)
defeat as many centaurs and bandits as possible. If the centaurs control Greyhoof,
take it back to make substantial progress on this event. If the Seraph control the GOAL: Take the bridge before Greyhoof Camp is attacked.
camp, stay outside the walls, picking off enemies and recovering Seraph badges. LEVEL: 22
Description: Time limit

(5 minutes). The centaurs
control the bridge that
gives them easy access to
retake Greyhoof Camp.
The good news is you
only have to chase them
off (by killing defenders
and any reinforcements
that approach). The bad news is they have siege engines. Keep moving and consider
killing the engineers first so the siege weapons fall silent.
385
LOST HEIRLOOMS (Repeatable) BREAK THE SIEGE (Part of World Event)
GOAL: Protect Webb as he recovers his heirlooms. GOAL: Break the siege on Fort Salma.
LEVEL: 22 LEVEL: 23
Description: Mr. Description: Three trebuchets are bombarding Fort Salma. All three need to be
Daukins comes from an destroyed to break the siege. Be ready for a good bit of running as Harathi siege
old family that used to masters arrive to repair any destroyed siege weapons. You have to obliterate all three
live in Auld Red Wharf weapons as fast as you can. Alternatively, you can destroy two of them, go back and
and he wants a couple kill the siege masters at the first, and then proceed to the third for the victory.
of his heirlooms back.
Keep him in view; he
moves pretty quickly
until he gets to Auld Red
Wharf. The man only helps with fights that he starts, so let him begin the encounters.
He heals between engagements and can be revived if he falls, so there isn’t any
worry about keeping him alive. Once he reaches the wharf he slows down to search
buildings for his two heirlooms. You get full credit after he’s found them both.
FORT SALMA WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint, Armorsmith, Equipment Repair, Scout
Meadows Waypoint (E), Overlord’s Waypoint (S),
TRAVEL: Halacon Waypoint (SW)
HARVEST INFO: Silver Ore, Iron Ore, Herb Patch, Gummo Sapling WALLWATCHER CAMP (Part of World Event)
Drive the centaurs from Wallwatcher Camp before
GOAL: reinforcements arrive.
LEVEL: 24
Description: The siege

is broken and now
is the time to strike
back. Reinforcements
arrive in 10 minutes.
You have that long to
drive the centaurs from
Fort Salma is in trouble. The centaurs are constantly sieging the compound. They Wallwatcher Camp.
work diligently to cut off any supplies or reinforcements from arriving. Fort Salma
is also the last holdout between this tribe of centaurs and Queensdale. Push the HOLD THE CAMP (Part of World Event)
enemies away from Fort Salma and out of Wallwatcher Camp before grabbing GOAL: Prevent the centaurs from recapturing Wallwatcher Camp.
Halacon Waypoint to the west. LEVEL: 24
FORT SALMA (Renown Task) Description: This event starts with six Seraph soldiers alive. They’re led by Lieutenant
GOAL: Aid Fort Salma. Gregoire. To win, at least one of these allies needs to survive eight waves of centaur
LEVEL: 23 attacks. Keep an eye on Lieutenant Gregoire and stay mobile. Centaurs attack in pairs
from three entrances. If the Lieutenant starts taking damage, immediately break off
Description: Help from your skirmishes and go to assist him. These Seraph cannot be revived once
battle centaurs, disarm they fall, so do your best to use AoE healing and boons to assist them. Or, keep the
their traps, and repair centaurs’ attention so your hero takes the brunt of the damage. Once you hold the
the damage from their camp, a merchant selling centaur weapons arrives.
assaults. First deal with
any centaur attacks. If the
enemies aren’t nearby,
grab a bucket from the
well to put out fires or
repair damaged houses.
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WORLD
HALACON WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint
Entrance to Brisban Wildlands (Levels 15-25) (W),
TRAVEL: Fort Salma Waypoint (NE), Overlord’s Waypoint (SE)
HARVEST INFO: Iron Ore, Herb Patch
To speed this up substantially, look for burrows along the walls. Enter the burrows to
scare out aggressive grubs and find a couple truffles. Bite is your primary attack in this
form and it deals a good bit of damage. This gives you credit for entering the burrow,
killing the grub, and each truffle you return! With the tribe in better shape, swim
K RY TA
Halacon Waypoint is the last waypoint before entering sylvari/asuran lands. If you out and climb atop the cave to speak with Tocatl before jumping back to Ireko and
want to see how the other half lives, take a peek in there. The level range is similar to running east to Shadowheart Site Waypoint.
Kessex, so it’s a fun way to break up your events and face some new enemies.
SHADOWHEART SITE WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE
After you unlock Halacon, backtrack and look at your map. Your next goal is Ireko Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Weaponsmith,
SERVICES:
Tradecamp Waypoint. Armorsmith
TRAVEL: Ireko Tradecamp Waypoint (E), Overlord’s Waypoint (N)
IREKO TRADECAMP WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE
HARVEST INFO: Gummo Sapling
Waypoint, Food Merchant, Salvage Merchant,
SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Scout
Caledon Forest (Levels 1-15) (SE), Overlake Haven
TRAVEL: Waypoint (E), Shadowheart Site Waypoint (W), Viathan
Waypoint (NE), Moogooloo Waypoint (N)
HARVEST INFO: Iron Ore, Gummo Sapling, Mushrooms, Onion
Shadowheart Site is a village under attack. The risen boil up from the swamp and
infect everything they touch. The sylvari work hard to keep them in check and will
never turn down a helping hand. Help where you can before heading northwest
toward the Skill Challenge. Afterward, jump to Meadows Waypoint and travel south
to Moogooloo.
Ireko Tradecamp is one of the more important trade areas in Kessex Hills. Both asura
SHADOWHEART (Renown Task)
and tengu join humans here. There’s plenty of work for adventurers in this area. Head
east into some caves to help Matlal before you jump back to Ireko and head west to GOAL: Aid the warden of Shadowheart.
Shadowheart Site Waypoint. LEVEL: 22
COLLECTING TRUFFLES (Renown Task) Description: Fill gourds

GOAL: Help Matlal collect truffles for her starving tribe. at the fountain to cure
sick sylvari, stop the
LEVEL: 22
spread of corrupted
Description: Matlal needs food to feed her tribe, but there are veteran ettins fungus, and defeat the
wandering the cave. She has a plan and needs someone to carry it out. Speak with undead plaguing the
Matlal and have her use her “Pig Magic.” Take a moment to acquaint yourself with swamp. The gourds are
your new abilities before looking for truffles. Use Smell to get an idea where nearby around the fountain and
truffles are located. This shows a plume of smoke where you need to use Forage to can be filled under the
get the truffle. Once you have it in your mouth, return to Matlal and speak with her falling water. Splash the healing waters on corrupted sylvari to cleanse them. A faster
to give her the truffle. Do this several times to supply the starving tribe. way to complete this task is to look for Pus Shrooms just outside the village. Squash
these and kill any grubs that appear!
387
RETAKE SHADOWHEART SITE (Repeatable) HELP THE QUAGGAN (Renown Task)
GOAL: Liberate Shadowheart Site from the risen. GOAL: Help Doolsileep protect the quaggan of Moogooloo Village.
LEVEL: 22 LEVEL: 23
Description: The sylvari Description: Free slaves from the krait, kill the quaggans’ predators, clear krait nets,
can’t keep the risen at bay and collect tasty crab meat for Doolsileep. Head south from Moogooloo toward the
without help. Sometimes krait cave. Kill hermit crabs near Doolsileep, as you need to talk with him to get credit
help gets there too late, for the meat. Then head into the krait area for even more killing. Watch for nets to
leaving a lot of downed clear and other predators to attack, but the krait are your primary target.
sylvari that need to be
revived. Carefully kill your
way into the village, as
there are risen brutes
mixed in with the thralls (brutes are much stronger enemies). Killing a dozen or so
undead will convince them to regroup and come back another time.
STOPPING AN ARMY (Group)

GOAL: Stop the risen krait from building their army.
LEVEL: 22
Description: Four
veteran risen krait
hypnosses are raising an
RETAKE MOOGOOLOO (Repeatable)
army in the swamp to
GOAL: Clear the krait from Moogooloo to rescue the quaggan slaves.
the west of Shadowheart.
These foes summon allies, LEVEL: 23
and they’re even pretty
Description: The krait
tough by themselves.
have tired of raiding for
Come here with friends
slaves and have decided
if you want a better chance at victory. Clear an area initially and have one group
to take up residence in
member hold the hypnosses in place while the rest of the group unloads on them.
Moogooloo. Kill any krait
Rinse and repeat to complete the event.
you see to teach them
the error of their ways.
MOOGOOLOO WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER
All krait must be dead
SERVICES: Waypoint, Salvage Merchant at the same time to fully
Viathan Waypoint (E), Ireko Tradecamp Waypoint (S), free Moogooloo Village. Because krait reinforcements trickle in over time, you have to
TRAVEL: Overlord’s Waypoint (SW), Meadows Waypoint (N) work quickly to defeat all of the enemies. Once Moogooloo is freed, travel southwest
HARVEST INFO: Clams, Silver Ore to Overlord’s Waypoint.
STOP THE KRAIT BLOOD WITCH (Group)

GOAL: Kill the blood witch.
LEVEL: 23
Description: This uncommon event is a challenge. Make sure you have a solid group
before attempting it. One of the hardest steps is simply getting into the blood witch’s
lair. Barracuda and krait pour out of the lair in a constant stream. They summon
additional barracuda
when engaged, so a direct
attack is hard to pull off.
Moogooloo is your last stop before taking the fight to the centaurs, but the Stay low on the lake floor
quaggan need your help. As a peaceful people, the quaggan are being murdered and fight your way in as
and enslaved by the nearby krait. Help by inflicting horrible casualties on the krait; best you can. Rest once
this encourages them to leave the quaggan alone. Afterward, make your way you’re there and have
southwest to Overlord’s Waypoint. one person start pulling
the remaining krait away
from the champion blood witch to give yourselves some room. This will be a hard
fight as the already tough blood witch summons friends and allies that call even more
enemies. Healing is essential, because the blood witch likes to Bleed her victims. Kiting
is nearly impossible because of her Immobilizing attacks, so make sure someone in
your group is tough enough to handle her blows for as long as possible.
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WORLD
OVERLORD’S WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE OPERATION OVERLORD (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Seraph Tripp.
LEVEL: 25
Moogooloo Waypoint (NE), Shadowheart Site Waypoint
TRAVEL: (S), Halacon Waypoint (NE), Fort Salma Waypoint (N)
Description: Destroy the siege engines, defeat centaur guards, and then assault the
Iron Ore, Rich Iron Ore, Silver Ore, Rich Silver Ore, Onion,
HARVEST INFO: camp. This is pretty straightforward. Get inside and start breaking things! Your biggest
Root Vegetables, Gummo Sapling
concern is the siege engines. The Harathi trebuchets have long range and a large blast
radius, and they deal tremendous damage. However, they have a tough time targeting
things close to the weapons themselves and have a long reload time. Exploit these
minor weaknesses by fighting near the weapons and then destroying them whenever
you get a chance. Watch out for bandit cannons as well. The cannons fire in all
directions and have a faster reload time. Enter the camp from the north gate; the
southern gate leads to a gauntlet of siege weapons and patrols. Once inside, throw
your most damaging abilities at the siege engines. Start killing centaurs and don’t stop
until the Seraph mail you a reward.
K RY TA
All your hard work has come down to this. The Harathi foothold in Kessex can be
seen from Overlord’s Waypoint. After pushing them out of Greyhoof, away from
Salma, and out of Wallwatch, it’s time to take the fight to them. Kill the horsemen
and free Kessex!
JUST REWARDS
Rich ore veins await those who brave the deepest parts of
Overlord’s Greatcamp.
389
GENDARRAN WEST SIDE
FIELDS
LEVEL RANGE: 26-32 Blood Hill
Waypoint Provern Shore
Waypoint
Gendarran Fields is where the
centaurs start to have even more
Witherflank
sway. Their battles aren’t just local Stoneguard Gate River
concerns for the militia. Centaurs Waypoint
have taken territory, constructed Northfields
more fortifications, and made Waypoint
The Bloodfields
travel quite precarious. Watch Waypoint
yourself on the road, and don’t Nebo Terrace
assume that each camp is a safe Waypoint
haven for your people. You can Ascalon Settlement
Talajian Waypoint
reach Gendarran Fields by walking Waypoint Lake
east from Queensdale, north out Gendarr
of Lion’s Arch, or coming west
out of Snowden Drifts. It’s a very Oogooth
accessible and central location Waypoint
in Tyria. Lionbridge Expanse
Waypoint
First Haven
Waypoint
Broadhollow Bluffs
Traveler’s Dale Waypoint
Waypoint
The Lawen Ponds
EAST SIDE
Provern Shore Vigil Keep

Waypoint Waypoint
Brigantine Isles Vigilant Hills

Snowblind
Waypoint Waypoint
Northfields Winter Haven
Waypoint Waypoint
Newbeach Bluffs
Lake Gendarr
Almuten Estates Junction Haven

Oogooth Applenook Hamlet Waypoint
Waypoint Waypoint Waypoint
Lake Bounty
Overlook Caverns
Cornucopian Fields
Waypoint
Icegate Gorge
Waypoint
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WORLD
HARATHI HINTERLANDS
LEVEL RANGE: 35-45
Scoured to the dirt by war, siege weaponry, and trampling hooves, Harathi isn’t a
beautiful sight. It’s a sad reminder that the land suffers in times of war almost as
much as the people who have to fight. Harathi Hinterlands is quite challenging for
single adventurers. Many of the events involve nasty attacks against (or from) groups
of centaurs. This is a great place to take guild members for exciting PvE challenges.
Harathi Hinterlands is on the northern end of Kryta, above Gendarran Fields.
Arca Arcallion Digs

Waypoint Waypoint Cloven Hoof
Junction Camp
K RY TA
Waypoint Waypoint
Seraph’s Landing
Waypoint
Bridgewatch Camp
Waypoint
Trebucha’s Overlook Hidden Ourobon

Waypoint
Barricade Camp
Wynchona Rally Point Waypoint
Waypoint
Ruins of Holy
Demetria
Waypoint Recovery Camp
Waypoint
Wynchona
Woods
Grey Gritta’s
Waypoint
Guardian Lake
Faun’s Gap
Waypoint
Bonerattler Caverns
Nightguard Beach Shieldbluff Point
Waypoint Waypoint
391
The City of Lion’s Arch
Lion’s Arch has become a crossroads for the intelligent races of the world. The city was built on ruins and founded
by pirates and tradesmen. If something can be bought, it can be found in Lion’s Arch…if you have enough coin!
With Asura Gates to the capital cities of all major races, Lion’s Arch has become both a highway for travelers and a
haven for those who don’t quite fit in. Even cities and people who want little to nothing to do with each other are
connected to Lion’s Arch because the trade is just too
good to pass up.
Lion’s Arch is also home to many brave heroes who

are trying to stem the tide of undead from the south.
WAYPOINTS: 13 The Lionguard are constantly vigilant in their watch.
For over one hundred years these soldiers have held a
difficult line, but never once have they faltered.
Canal Ward
Trader’s Forum
Waypoint Smuggler’s
Waypoint
Western Ward
Waypoint
Lion’s Shadow Inn
Eastern Ward Waypoint
Waypoint
Gate Hub Plaza

Sanctum Harbor Waypoint
Waypoint
Fort Marriner
Waypoint
Farshore
Diverse Ledges Claw Island Portage Waypoint
Waypoint Waypoint
Bloodcoast Ward
Waypoint
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WORLD
GATE HUB PLAZA WAYPOINT CENTER OF TOWN CANAL WARD WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE
SERVICES: N/A SERVICES: N/A
Asura Gates to Black Citadel, The Grove, Rata Sum, Path to Trader’s Forum Waypoint, Portal to Gendarran
TRAVEL:
TRAVEL: Divinity’s Reach, and Hoelbrak; Path to Trader’s Forum Fields (Level 15-25 Region)
Waypoint, Path to Eastern Ward Waypoint
Most travelers enter Lion’s Arch by an Asura Gate. With so many gates packed close
together, the Grand Piazza is where adventurers cross paths on their way to other
regions. The gates of the Grand Piazza can take you to nearly any major city in Tyria.
Ebonhawke is the exception (to get there, take the gate to Divinity’s Reach and walk
east to another Asura Gate).
This is the last stop before entering Gendarran Fields. Inexperienced adventurers and
civilians are better off using a gate to leave Lion’s Arch than trying to cross the fields
THE CITY OF LION’S ARCH

on foot. There are centaur raiders out there!
SANCTUM HARBOR WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER

SERVICES: Equipment Repair
Coriolis Plaza is east of Gate Hub Plaza. While none of the Asura Gates here are Path to Trader’s Forum Waypoint, Path to Western
TRAVEL:
functioning, Coriolis Plaza is the next major expansion for Lion’s Arch. Captain’s Ward Waypoint
Council is northeast of Gate Hub Plaza; just run up some scaffolding. The Crow’s Nest
Tavern there is the cleanest of all the bars in the city.
Be sure to stop at Lion’s Court and speak with the Vigil Crusader to learn more about
the city before you inevitably head to the market.
TRADER’S FORUM WAYPOINT NORTH OF CENTER

Salvage Merchant, Bank, Trading Post, Profession Trainers
SERVICES: (All), Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Equipment Repair,
Craft Masters and Stations (All)
Path to Gate Hub Plaza Waypoint, Path to Canal
TRAVEL: Ward Waypoint Sanctum Harbor Waypoint looks over the northern beach of Sanctum Harbor. It’s an
area of remembrance. There are memorials to the north, and those willing to swim
can see what the city must have been before it was destroyed. Sanctum Harbor is
littered with ruins. Anyone who played through the events from the original Guild
Wars should really take a swim down there.
There’s a quaggan on the western docks who can repair equipment.
The northern side of town is the heart of Lion’s Arch. Revered masters of every
profession and craft are willing to take on students with potential. You can also find
merchants and smiths of every calling, a Bank, and a Trading Post.
The Bank of Lion’s Arch sits up a ramp just beside the waypoint. Here you can deposit
your most valued possessions without worry. The Trading Post is to the west.
For the explorer in you, take a look in the sewers beneath the Bank. Sadly, this isn’t a
back way into the vault. There certainly are a lot of Order of Whispers personnel in
the Lost Grotto, though. What are they up to?
393
WESTERN WARD WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE EASTERN WARD WAYPOINT EAST OF CENTER
SERVICES: Salvage Merchant, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith SERVICES: N/A
Path to Sanctum Harbor Waypoint, Path to Path to Smuggler’s Waypoint, Path to Gate Hub
TRAVEL: TRAVEL:
Hooligan’s Route Plaza Waypoint
There is little of note at Western Ward Waypoint. Life slows down a bit, and this area Eastern Ward Waypoint is a quick stop between the Grand Piazza and
is away from the hustle and bustle of central Lion’s Arch. Here, there are more animals Smuggler’s Waypoint.
than people and there’s nothing in the way of merchants.
SMUGGLER’S WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE
For a bit more adventure, look in the caves to the north. Pirates don’t like selling their
SERVICES: N/A
ill-gotten goods in daylight or where there are too many guards. The Undermarket is
perfect for them. Keep an eye on your purse and a hand on your weapon. Path to Eastern Ward Waypoint, Portal to Gendarran
TRAVEL: Fields (Level 15-25 Region), Path to Lion’s Shadow
Inn Waypoint
White Crane Terrace is quite isolated. The tengu have closed the Shuttered Gate
to outsiders.
DIVERSE LEDGES WAYPOINT WEST SIDE

SERVICES: Diving Goggles
TRAVEL: Path to Sanctum Harbor Waypoint
Smuggler’s Waypoint sits right by the Portal to Gendarran Fields. Be careful if you’re
heading out there. If you’re a young hero, there’s plenty of danger to be found there.
Some of the less common denizens of Lion’s Arch make a home behind the waterfall
to the east of Smuggler’s Waypoint. Don’t stare at them. They don’t like it.
The long walk and climb to Diverse Ledges Waypoint is well worth your time. The
view of Lion’s Arch is unparalleled. At the very top of the scaffolding are Diving
Goggles and a diving board. This is one of Lion’s Arch’s “must-dos” for every traveler.
Grab the goggles and dive into Sanctum Harbor. While you’re down there, take a look
at Old Lion’s Arch beneath the waves.
394
WORLD
LION’S SHADOW INN WAYPOINT BLOODCOAST WARD WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE

SERVICES: N/A SERVICES: N/A
TRAVEL: Path to Smuggler’s Waypoint, Path to Farshore Waypoint Path to Lion’s Shadow Inn Waypoint, Path to Fort
TRAVEL: Marriner Waypoint, Portal to Bloodtide Coast (Level
45-55 Region)
Farmer Hogg has given up his former profession; there wasn’t enough money in it. His
house has been converted from a farmhouse to an inn.
Deverol’s Island is across a bridge just south of Lion’s Shadow Inn Waypoint. The
island stands on stony legs a dozen feet above the sandy beach.
Bloodcoast Ward is home to some of the less socially conscious entertainment of
THE CITY OF LION’S ARCH

Lion’s Arch. Tenanera’s Pit is used for creature fighting of all kinds. There are ledges for
many people to have a good look at the action, and drink to be had for a few copper.
South of the Waypoint is the portal to Bloodtide Coast. This should only be taken by
FARSHORE WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE the stoutest of adventurers, as the enemies beyond are quite powerful.
SERVICES: N/A
Path to Lion’s Shadow Inn Waypoint, Path to Bloodcoast FORT MARRINER WAYPOINT SOUTH OF CENTER
TRAVEL: Ward Waypoint
SERVICES: Salvage Merchant, Equipment Repair, Practice Dummy
Asura Gate to the Mists, Path to Bloodcoast Ward
TRAVEL: Waypoint, Path to Claw Island Portage Waypoint
Tokk’s Mill is an agricultural and technological wonder. Wind-driven sprinklers irrigate

its terraced fields. Tokk’s Mill produces enough food to keep all of Lion’s Arch fed.
The smell of blood and sweat permeate Fort Marriner. Adventurers from all lands and
professions come here to practice their fighting abilities.
CLAW ISLAND PORTAGE WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE

SERVICES: N/A
TRAVEL: Path to Fort Marriner Waypoint
Claw Island Portage sits just inside Lion’s Gate harbor. These are the closest docks to
Fort Marriner and are often used for military ships.
395
Shiverpeak Mountains
The Shiverpeak Mountains are home to the norn, a race of giant humanoids whose strength and determination
are known throughout Tyria. The norn were driven from their previous homes by Jormag, the Elder Dragon.
Undaunted, the norn have rebuilt, making Hoelbrak a new capital for their people.
But there is trouble in the mountains. The Sons of Svanir foment rebellion. These norn worship Jormag and his
corrupting power. Deep in the mountains, the jotun are also being swayed by the dragon’s taint. As if these threats
weren’t enough, the dredge burrow beneath the soil and stone, waiting to strike wherever they sense vulnerability.
The norn have their work cut out for them if they wish to bring peace to the Shiverpeak Mountains.
HOELBRAK UPPER FLOOR

LEVEL RANGE: Norn Capital City
(All Levels)
Peeta’s Gate
WAYPOINTS: 14 Waypoint
Upper Balcony Wolf Lodge

Waypoint
Frost Basin
Shelter Rock
LOWER Waypoint
FLOOR
Raven
Waypoint
Lake Mourn Hero’s Compass

Waypoint
Snow Leopard Bear
Waypoint Waypoint
Might and Main

Waypoint
Peeta’s Gate Trade Commons Hall of Legends
Waypoint Waypoint Wolf Waypoint
Waypoint
Eastern Watchpost
Waypoint
Great Lodge
Waypoint Southern Watchpost
Waypoint
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WORLD
Hoelbrak is built high in the mountains, making it almost impossible to siege. The only
way into the city by land is from the southeast (leading into the Wayfarer Foothills or the
Dredgehaunt Cliffs). Otherwise, visitors have to use the Asura Gates to jump here from
Lion’s Arch.
This city is known for its longhouses, brutal weather, and hard drinking. Those with a more
philosophic leaning might also come here to learn about the norn’s animal totems. During
the harsh times when the norn were driven out of the mountains, they found solace and
guidance in the spirits of the animals. They now revere these creatures and have built great
lodges in their honor. The bear, wolf, raven, and snow leopard are held in the highest regard.
To stop at a norn’s personal residence, go to the Great Lodge in the southern part of town.
Crafters reside in the Trade Commons, on the middle level and toward the center of Hoelbrak. The Asura Gate to Lion’s Arch is to the west; go there to reach other capital
cities throughout the land.
The tavern sells booze for anyone who enjoys short-term buffs. The drinks are quite
EASTERN WATCHPOST WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE
cheap, so you won’t break the bank to get a few of these.
SERVICES:
S H I V E R P E A K M O U N TA I N S
Weaponsmith
This area doesn’t connect well to the rest of the city unless you’re willing to walk all
Passage to the Wayfarer Foothills (Level 1-15 norn the way through the northern caverns. That’s a long trek unless you want to see Skarti
TRAVEL: region) (E)
along the way. After visiting the Hall of Legends, return to the Eastern Watchpost and
explore elsewhere.
SOUTHERN WATCHPOST WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint, Bank
Entrance to the Dredgehaunt Cliffs (Level 40-50 norn
TRAVEL: region) (S), Eastern Watchpost (NE), Trade Commons (N)
The Eastern Watchpost is at the edge of Hoelbrak. A path leads residents out of
town and into the wilderness. The main road west goes into the city and passes by a
number of important merchants, including those who sell weapons and armor. You
can also purchase salvage kits here!
The northern road leads toward the Hall of Legends, and the southern path takes one
closer to the bank.
The Southern Watchpost guards the more dangerous exit from the city. The
HALL OF LEGENDS WAYPOINT EAST SIDE Dredgehaunt Cliffs have deadlier enemies compared with the Wayfarer Foothills.
Novice adventurers should only go this way if they have no love for life itself!
Waypoint, Equipment Repairs, Profession Trainers,
SERVICES: Merchant (Booze)
To the west is the Vigil Armory, where people can store their items for future use.
TRAVEL: City Exit (S), Shelter Rock (N)
The Southern Watchpost Waypoint is the closest one to this bank, so it gets a lot
of traffic. Note that all of your heroes share a single bank account, so it’s possible
to trade items between your characters without mailing all of the equipment back
and forth.
The Hall of Legends is a small area with a tavern and a number of trainers. Heroes
who want to reset their traits or purchase trait guides should come here to meet their
trainers and learn from them. This doesn’t come without cost; you need to spend
some coin to get the job done, so think carefully before you dedicate to your traits.
397
TRADE COMMONS WAYPOINT SOUTH OF CENTER UPPER BALCONY WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE
Waypoint, Equipment Repairs, Merchants (Food), SERVICES: Waypoint
SERVICES: Stations and Trainers for Every Craft
TRAVEL: Great Lodge (Down)
City Exit (Down the Ramp and Then East), The Great
TRAVEL: Lodge (S), Peeta’s Gate (W)
The Upper Balcony is above the Great Lodge entrance. It presents an ideal view
over Hoelbrak, so it’s perfect for tourists. Climb up there and look around for a few
minutes before returning to the middle tier of the city.
The Trade Commons is one of the most important sections of Hoelbrak. Here,
trainers are constantly teaching their crafts to new apprentices. You can pick up the
methods for making weapons, armor, accessories, and just about anything else you
can imagine. There are stations for each craft, so you don’t need to wander back and
PEETA’S GATE WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER
forth trying to make various items. The only hassle is that the bank isn’t right there in SERVICES: Waypoint, Asura Gate to Lion’s Arch, Trading Post
the middle of the commons. You should get the Southern Watchpost Waypoint so TRAVEL: Trade Commons (E), Hero’s Compass (NW)
you can pop back and forth between this area and the bank without any delay.
Peeta’s Gate lets tourists leave Hoelbrak and visit other cities. It’s also where foreigners
To get into the main portion of the city, use the ramp here in the commons. It leads
down to the main floor of Hoelbrak. From there, you can leave town by walking east
or continue north to Might and Main, where there are even more merchants.
The western path from the Trade Commons Waypoint leads toward the Asura Gate
to Lion’s Arch.
GREAT LODGE WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint, Merchants (Food, Salvage, Booze)
TRAVEL: Trade Commons (N)
first arrive in town. There isn’t much to do here besides pass through. There’s a Trading
Post to the south, and most of the people you see coming by Peeta’s Gate are going
down there. Check out the variety of goods for sale, or post a few auctions of your own.
The road northwest continues on toward Hero’s Compass.
HERO’S COMPASS WAYPOINT WEST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint, Merchant (Booze)
TRAVEL: Peeta’s Gate (SE), Veins of the Dragon (NE)
The Great Lodge is a massive building at the southern end of town. Slip through
the main doors; they’re never open wide because of the cold and foul weather.
Once you’re in, it’s a constant party. Merchants sell food and drink, and everyone is
gathered around to talk, joke, and feast.
Norn characters can enter their private homes from this building. Look on the eastern
side of the room where you first enter. That’s the entrance.
The norn hold some of their grand events out here. Personal fortunes rise and fall with the
gladiatorial events that are held each year. This location doesn’t get many visitors except
during those special times, during players’ stories. There isn’t much to do normally.
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WORLD
A frozen river leads into a cave to the northeast. Be sure to check out that route if BEAR RISE WAYPOINT NORTHEAST OF CENTER
you’re looking for special areas. A brave Son of Svanir hides in that cave, but he’s more
SERVICES: Waypoint, Merchants (Food)
interested in talking than fighting.
TRAVEL: Might and Main (SW), Shelter Rock (N)
MIGHT AND MAIN WAYPOINT CENTER OF TOWN
Waypoint, Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Merchants
SERVICES: (Salvage and Food), Equipment Repair, Guild Services
TRAVEL: Trade Commons (S), The Animal Lodges (W/N/E/SE)
The bear is a creature of strength, both in mind and body. It has ferocity and the confidence
that comes from these mighty traits. There aren’t many good merchants here, but it’s still a
fun place to visit. Everybody likes the bears (as long as they’re on your side, right?).
The great fire and avenue through the center of Hoelbrak is called the Might and WOLF RISE WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST OF CENTER
Main. You can buy weapons and armor there or sell anything you no longer want. Waypoint, Merchants (Food and Salvage), Karma
SERVICES:
There are merchants for salvage kits, and a few snacks are available too. You can get Merchant (Booze)
almost anywhere quickly once you have this waypoint, as it connects with everything TRAVEL: Might and Main (NW)
in the northern section of town.
SNOW LEOPARD RISE WAYPOINT NORTHWEST OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint
TRAVEL: Might and Main (E)
Courage and loyalty are the way of the wolf. It is only through cooperation that true
strength is found. Learn this from the wolves and their worshippers.
SHELTER ROCK WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint
Stealth, prowess, and subtlety are the ways of the snow leopard. Visit the ledge on the TRAVEL: Bear Lodge (S)
western side of Might and Main to find out more about this totem animal.
RAVEN RISE WAYPOINT NORTH OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint
TRAVEL: Might and Main (S), Bear Lodge (E), Snow Leopard Lodge (W)
Those who favor cunning and wisdom will be more at home in the lodge of the
ravens. Age, experience, and a clever mind are all lauded here. You can find the lodge
by walking north from Might and Main, the central square of Hoelbrak.
The northeastern section of Hoelbrak is hidden from view. A large cave network is
up there, and you can reach it by walking into the tunnel north of Bear Rise or by the
entrance north of the Hall of Legends. There aren’t many people to talk to inside the
caves, but there is a waypoint. South from Shelter Rock is a small building where Skarti
lives. Talk to Skarti and Ingrid to find out more about the political situation in Hoelbrak.
They’ll also talk to you about the Wolfborn and the history of the city. It’s neat stuff.
399
WAYFARER FOOTHILLS Solitude
LEVEL RANGE: 1-15 Waypoint
TASKS: 16
Dolyak Pass
WAYPOINTS: 17 Waypoint
Dawnrise Pass
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings (Green
Wood Logs), Early Cooking Ingredients Crossroads Haven
Waypoint
SKILL CHALLENGES
> Bear Shaman Marga (East of Grawlenfjord Waypoint, Lostvyrm Cave
Underwater) (SE) Halvaunt Waypoint
Snowfield
> Issormir’s Body (Northeast of Horncall Waypoint, At the Top
of the Stairs) (SW)
> Veteran Blane the Insane (Northeast of Darkriven Waypoint)
(SE) Halvaunt
Waypoint
> Burrisson the Blue (West of Zelechor Hot Springs Waypoint)
Krennak’s Homestead
(W) Waypoint
> Corrupted Spike (East of Krennak’s Homestead Waypoint) (E)
> Barrels of Ale (Southeast of Lostvyrm Cave Waypoint, Inside the Moleberia
Cave) (N)
> Ancient Cave Spring (East of Solitude Waypoint, At the Back The Icesteppes
of the Cave) (NE) Vendrake’s
> Bjord’s Banner (Northeast of Dawnrise Waypoint) (N) Homestead
Waypoint
Zelechor Hot Springs Twinspur Haven

Waypoint Waypoint
Taigan Groves
Waypoint
The Wayfarer Foothills are east of the norn capital city of Hoelbrak. Norn Osenfold
Waypoint Darkriven
adventurers who desire honor and glory come to this place to hunt and Waypoint
battle. The southern section of this territory is green and fruitful, though the
upper reaches of it are cold and merciless. Expect to meet the mighty jotun,
the dragon-worshipping Sons of Svanir, and many fierce beasts.
Doldenvan
Passage
Horncall
Waypoint
Kresdor
Kenning
Hero’s Moot
Waypoint
Grawlenfjord
Waypoint
The Grekvelnn
Burrows
Outcast’s Cleft
Waypoint
Molensk
WORLD
HORNCALL WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE ANSWER RIDDLES (Repeatable)

GOAL: Answer Raven’s riddles.
Waypoint, Merchant (Salvage), Armorsmith, Karma
SERVICES: Merchant, Scout, Skill Challenge (NE) LEVEL: 2
TRAVEL: Entrance to Hoelbrak (Norn Capital City)(W)
Description: The hills
east of Horncall Waypoint
are home to a number of
statues. Approach these
and interact with them.
You are given a number
of riddles. Read each
one carefully because a
wrong answer disables the
statues for a short period. Answer several of the riddles correctly to complete this event.
Doing so also helps to complete the “Help Shaman Freygirr” task.
BOREALIS WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE
Horncall Village is a small settlement on the western edge of the foothills. It’s a
base of operations for people who are just starting their adventure in the Wayfarer Waypoint, Merchant, Karma Merchant, Equipment
SERVICES: Repair
Foothills. The road out of Hoelbrak leads southeast through Snowlord’s Gate. Talk
to the scout in town Horncall (W), Outcast’s Waypoint (S), Grawlenfjord
TRAVEL: Waypoint (E)
before leaving; he’ll show
you where some of the
tasks are located in the
surrounding territory.
A small set of stairs is

built into the mountain,
northeast of the
waypoint. Climb these switchbacks until you reach the top, and search for the body
of Issormir. Commune with the body for a free skill point.
The easiest task is to your east, up in the hills. After completing that task, use the road
to travel southeast. Look for the village of Hero’s Moot.
The road from Horncall leads down into the Borealis Waypoint, by the town of Hero’s
HELP SHAMAN FREYGIRR (Renown Task) Moot. After getting the waypoint, search through the forest in several directions.
Honor Raven by helping his flock, hunting skelk, retrieving eggs, and There are important tasks all over the place. For the easiest progression, travel
GOAL: repairing broken roosts. southwest and help the snow leopard shaman, and then hit the bear shaman to the
LEVEL: 2 northeast to gain even more favor.
Description: Travel east from Horncall and climb the hill along the mountainside. When you’re done with all of their tasks and events, travel east. There is a waypoint
Raven’s statues are up there. Fulfill this event by delivering eggs to Freygirr (they are across a small river, and that’s your next target.
found on the ground along the hill). Fight skelks in the area if you prefer combat,
or answer riddles from Raven’s statues for even more experience. If you have extra HELP SHAMAN SIGARR (Renown Task)
karma, you can buy a Precision buff from Freygirr. GOAL: Honor Snow Leopard.
LEVEL: 2
Description: Walk
southwest from Hero’s
Moot and look for
Shaman Sigarr. Talk to
the shaman and be
transformed into a snow
leopard. In this state, you
can hunt dredge and
moas all around the area.
Killing the dredge gets you credit for the task and for the repeatable event in the area.
Moas are only good for the task itself, but there are plenty of them and they’re fast to
kill. Get out of leopard form as soon as you’re done with both events.
401
HUNT DREDGE AS A SNOW LEOPARD (Repeatable) DEFEND THE SHRINE FROM THE SONS OF SVANIR (Repeatable)
GOAL: Become a snow leopard and kill dredge. GOAL: Kill the Sons of Svanir to prevent them from taking Bear’s shrine.
LEVEL: 2 LEVEL: 3
Description: After Description: Every few minutes, the Sons of Svanir mount an assault on Bear’s site. This
talking with Sigarr, on the launches a repeatable event that you win by killing the Sons of Svanir as they arrive. Stay
southwestern hill, you near the acolytes for help with the fighting, and watch the progress on both your event
become a snow leopard. and the main task in the area. This completes them both rather quickly.
In this form, search the
area and use Snarl (your
fourth weapon attack) to
scare dredge out of their
hiding places, usually
holes in the ground. Kill several dredge like this to complete the event. Your first and
second attacks are more than enough to cut these weak mole people to shreds.
HELP SHAMAN FREYGUNN (Renown Task)

Honor Bear by protecting her children and proving your strength to
GOAL: her acolytes.
LEVEL: 3
Description: Bear’s
shrine is northeast of GRAWLENFJORD WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE
Hero’s Moot. It’s a quick
SERVICES: Waypoint
journey through the
woods, and you’ll soon TRAVEL: Borealis Waypoint (W)
find plenty to do. Talk to HARVESTING INFO: N/A
acolytes to challenge and
then impress them. Or,
fight the Sons of Svanir
nearby and kill them for points. If the Sons of Svanir launch a serious assault, you can
finish this task by completing the repeatable event.
THE HIDDEN PATH
Grawlenfjord is east of Hero’s Moot. It doesn’t look like there is much to do there
until you arrive. Search along the eastern cliffs to find more to do, including another
task. There are grawl to slay and jotun to play with even farther north.
After exploring this area thoroughly, seek the Outcast’s Waypoint south of Hero’s Moot.
ASSIST KANI (Renown Task)

Fight the grawl that have chosen to worship a demon and destroy all
GOAL: signs of their new god.
LEVEL: 3
A small path behind the bear shaman’s area leads up into the
Description: Kill grawl in
northern section of the zone. It’s hard to see on your map, and
their cave. It’s northeast
many people end up missing this route. You don’t need to take from the Grawlenfjord
it—and there are mainly bats along the way. Still, it’s kind of a Waypoint. You get points
cool way to get into the mountains. for each death, and there
are bonus points if you
destroy the offerings
and totems that litter
their den.
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WORLD
KILL THE WINGED HORROR (Repeatable) KILL THE ICE DRAKE BROODMOTHER (Repeatable)
GOAL: Defeat the winged horror north of the waypoint. GOAL: Defeat the broodmother.
LEVEL: 3 LEVEL: 3
Description: The winged horror flies outside of the northern cave. It takes a while to Description: Every few
respawn if killed, so you won’t always see it there. Once you find the winged horror, minutes, the ice drake
use ranged attacks to stay outside of its aura and destroy it. You can also rush in and broodmother spawns
cut the demon to pieces. on the southern end
of the river. She’ll have
four hatchlings with her,
and all of them patrol
together along the
waterway. Ambush them
for a fast event and some fun fighting. If you have trouble with this group, take one
run to pick off the hatchlings. Run away when they’re dead and come back to kill the
broodmother while she’s still by herself.
OUTCAST’S WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE
SERVICES: Waypoint, Karma Merchant, Scout
TRAVEL: Borealis Waypoint (N)
STEAL FOOD FROM THE GRAWL (Repeatable)
GOAL: Steal food sacks from the grawl.
LEVEL: 3
Description: Kani
sometimes wants to
push things further in
her aggression against
the grawl. She’ll ask that
adventurers gather grawl
food sacks from inside
the cave to the east. Go Outcast’s Waypoint is at the end of the southern road, leading down from Hero’s
in there and get sacks, Moot. This is a good staging area for assaults on Molensk, the large dredge mine.
one at a time. Use the second ability that pops up on your weapon bar to get a speed Come here when you’re close to level 5. Take care of business and then consider
boost while ferrying the sacks back to Keni. After she gets about four sacks from each going back to a capital city.
person working on the event, she’ll start a countdown! This triggers a new event.
To move on, return to Horncall Waypoint and use the northern road to leave.
DEFEND KANI’S STOLEN FOOD (Repeatable) That’s how you reach the more difficult parts of the Wayfarer Foothills.
GOAL: Protect Kani and her food from the grawl.

LEVEL: 3
BUY SOMETHING MEAN!
Description: After
Level 5 is a good time for this because you can purchase a better
gathering grawl food
weapon from a weaponsmith. Unless you have something better,
sacks for Kani, you should
a vendored weapon every five levels will keep you adequately
stay and defend your
up to date.
ill-gotten gains. Grawl
raiders attack from the
cave and come in waves
(with a few members in
each strike force). Stay
and hold the area throughout these waves and enjoy the fighting. Once the grawl
numbers have dwindled, you get credit for the event.
403
HELP SHAMAN VIGMARR (Renown Task) DESTROY THE DREDGE TOWER (Repeatable)
GOAL: Honor Wolf by fighting the Sons of Svanir. GOAL: Obliterate the dredge tower outside of the mine.
LEVEL: 4 LEVEL: 4
Description: There’s a Description: The dredge sometimes erect a siege tower to the west of Outcast’s
task east of Outcast’s Waypoint. Jump down the hills, kill the gunners who defend it, and then work on
Waypoint. Go around the two turrets that flank the tower. Once those are down, you’re free to destroy the
the hill and meet the emplacement at will. As soon as it falls, you get a new event to stop the dredge from
Wolf’s shamans. Talk repairing the tower.
to Vigli at the back of
the small camp. He’ll
summon a few wolves
and get them to attack
the Sons of Svanir. Follow them so you can get this task done while completing a
repeatable event. You get credit for killing Sons of Svanir, destroying their tents and
banners, and by releasing wolves from the cages in the area.
DESTROY THE SONS OF SVANIR TENTS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Break down three tents in the Sons of Svanir encampment.
LEVEL: 4
Description: Follow the wolves after they’re spawned by the shaman and attack
the encampment. You only need to break the three tents to get credit for this event.
STOP THE DREDGE FROM REPAIRING THE TOWER (Repeatable)
Everything else is just for fun or to complete the main task in the area. Target the
buildings after you’ve killed the Sons of Svanir; that way you won’t lose any wolves or GOAL: Kill dredge until they stop trying to work on the tower.
get yourself hurt. LEVEL: 4
Description: Dredge
come out in packs to
replace their precious
tower. Thwart them
in this by killing the
repair crews. Area-of-
effect attacks are very
useful because the
crew members build up
quickly. If the repairs are going too well, be sure to attack all the enemies as soon as
possible to pull them onto your character. This is risky, but it might be the only way
to win if you’re not killing them fast enough!
ASSIST GRIMARR MOLESMASHER (Renown Task)
GATHER DREDGE ORE (Repeatable)
GOAL: Push back the dredge who are invading norn lands and destroy their
vile machines. GOAL: Pick up dredge ore inside the mine and take it to Sven.
LEVEL: 5 LEVEL: 5
Description: There is a small cave to the west of the snow leopard area. You can Description: Sven is
enter this place (called Molensk) from up there or from an entrance beside Outcast’s waiting outside of the
Waypoint. Dredge have taken over the mine. You need to kill a pile of these mole mine, on a hill southeast
people to complete your from the snow leopards.
task. This is a higher-level He wants you to harvest
event compared with ore from inside the
some of the other ones nearby mine. Kill the
in the area. If you find dredge while you’re
this too difficult, back off searching through the
and return later. While area, and look for chunks of ore on the ground. You won’t get credit until you actually
fighting in the mines, use take the ore to Sven. You need about 17 pieces of ore to complete the event.
ranged attacks to lure
dredge back to your character. This averts the situation where you attack one dredge
and end up fighting nearby enemies, as well. Destroy any mining machines you come
across to complete the task even sooner.
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WORLD
KILL THE DREDGE COMMISSAR (Group) TAIGAN WAYPOINT SOUTH OF CENTER

GOAL: Kill the commissar who is overseeing the mine.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Merchant, Karma Merchant, Armorsmith
LEVEL: 5
Horncall (SW), Darkriven Waypoint (SE), Twinspur
TRAVEL: Haven (N)
Description: A powerful
HARVESTING INFO: Root Vegetables, Aspen Saplings
dredge leader is in the
southwestern part of the
mine. He has a couple
of buddies back there,
and you should kill them
as soon as possible. The
commissar takes a long
time to bring down, and
having additional targets is only a good thing if you want to rally by killing them later
(when you go down). It’s easier to just bring a friend or two and hack through the
commissar. Failing that, use ranged attacks and kite the big guy back through the part
of the mine you just cleared.
The Taigan Waypoint is your first foothold into the northern part of the zone. The
waypoint is just off of the road, so you can’t miss it while coming north. There are
HEADING NORTH FROM HORNCALL Sons of Svanir and some wild beasts in the area, but nothing is terribly dangerous
SERVICES: N/A unless you attack the peaceful pinesouls that tromp through the forest.
TRAVEL: Horncall (S), Taigan Groves (NE)
There are many root vegetable harvesting areas to the east of the waypoint. If you
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Hoarfrost Thistle
prefer wood, look to the northwest. There are many trees to fell near the creek.
PROTECT GARETH’S FAMILY (Renown Task)

GOAL: Entertain Gareth’s children and hunt down wild beasts nearby.
LEVEL: 7
Description: Gareth’s
wife has gone out for
the day, and that’s left
the hunter in a bit of a
quandary; he’s not very
good at watching his
Take the northern road out of town and talk to fellow travelers along the way. You’ll
kids, and they need to be
soon find that the way ahead is blocked by the rebellious Sons of Svanir. Someone is
entertained. Complete
going to have to deal with those creeps.
this task by killing
CLEAR THE ROADBLOCK (Repeatable) aggressive animals in the nearby wilderness, by playing with the kids, or by bringing
dolyak meat to Gareth. You can also take honey from the hives around the stead and
GOAL: Destroy the roadblock on the northern path.
give it to Sigmy, the little girl.
LEVEL: 6
COLLECT DOLYAK MEAT (Repeatable)
Description: Sons of Svanir rebels have taken the road and constructed a barricade.
GOAL: Hunt dolyak and bring their meat back to Gareth.
They’re manning it well and have a number of troops in the pass. Kill these creeps
and then work on the barricade. Attack that until more enemies spawn, and then LEVEL: 7
switch to the living targets. Burn through them and finish off the roadblock at your
Description: Dolyak are a common sight in the woods near Gareth’s stead. While
convenience. The event finishes as soon as the barricade is destroyed.
hunting aggressive creatures to fulfill the task in the area, you should also kill dolyak.
This gets you meat to
turn in to Gareth.
Seven pieces should be
more than enough
for his family.
405
KILL LONGSHANKS FOR JAFRI (Repeatable) COLLECT FUR SAMPLES FOR LINNEA (Repeatable)
GOAL: Escort Jafri into the woods and kill longshanks for him. GOAL: Bring piles of strange fur back to Linnea.
LEVEL: 7 LEVEL: 6
Description: Jafri is one of Gareth’s children. He is sometimes found outside of the Description: Talk to
family home. Talk to him and agree to escort the boy. He’ll take you into the forest Linnea near the top of
and point out longshanks, a veteran beast. Kill one and let Jafri bring the head back the path. She’ll ask you to
to his father. look for fur nearby. Piles
of fur are on the ground
here and there; many are
on the plateau south of
Linnea. You won’t see
many of them on the
trail, but you only need several to complete Linnea’s event. Bring the fur to her and
turn in the items. When she’s done examining it, talk to her again. This begins another
event. Linnea leads your hero south, down the mountain.
DARKRIVEN WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint
TRAVEL: Taigan Waypoint (NW)
HARVESTING INFO: Aspen Saplings, Copper Ore
DEFEND THE LODGE FROM BEARS (Repeatable)
GOAL: Fight off a few waves of bear attacks.
LEVEL: 7
Description: Give
honey to the children
and complete other
tasks in the area while
you wait (e.g., collect
dolyak meat and hunt
aggressive monsters
nearby). Eventually, the Anyone looking for wood to harvest has come to the right spot. Darkriven is located
kids’ actions (Sigmy, down a road to the southeast from Taigan Waypoint. Aspen saplings cover the area,
in particular) trigger a bear assault. Several waves of the creatures attack the family and there aren’t many monsters to slow your harvesting run.
home. Keep the bears off of the house doors and use area-of-effect attacks to thin
their numbers quickly. This finishes off the main task of the area better than anything A cave to the south houses quite a few dredge. Look in there for a bit of action. You
else; there are so many targets that you get pretty much full credit just for fighting the can also start mining Copper Ore from that cave.
waves. Once it’s done, you can leave the farmstead without issue.
BRING PLANTS TO LUNT (Repeatable)
HELP LINNEA AND BJARNI (Renown Task) GOAL: Gather pungent flowers and bring them to Lunt, inside the cave.
Honor Hare by protecting rabbits, killing minotaur, and helping with LEVEL: 6
GOAL: the yeti hunt.
LEVEL: 6 Description: There is a
cave south of Darkriven
Description: Linnea and Bjarni are on top of the mountain that’s south from Taigan Waypoint. Go inside and
Waypoint. Climb up the path that leads there and kill minotaur as you go. This helps start looking for flowers
to complete the primary to pick. The flowers you
task for these two norn. need are on the western
You can protect rabbits side of the cave, with a
from the minotaur for bunch of dredge. Kill the
even more credit, but dredge that get in your
there are so many targets way, but focus on the green plants. They spawn on the ground all over that side of
that you won’t need the cave. Get eight plants and bring them to Lunt, by the bridge. This starts a new
much help. Minotaur event after a short time.
are everywhere in these
mountains. Also, if you find any injured rabbits, you can carry them back to the norn,
who are pleased with your assistance.
406
WORLD
PROTECT LUNT’S FIRE (Repeatable) Cooks must absolutely explore Haivoissen Kenning; there are many ingredients to
GOAL: Keep the fire lit while holding off waves of dredge. harvest from the jotuns’ small encampment and down the minotaurs’ hill to the east.
It’s well worth your time to loot the place. Even if you aren’t a cook, go in there and
LEVEL: 6
harvest for your friends. They’ll appreciate the help if they’re just starting to learn the
Description: After getting flowers for Lunt, wait around for a minute. He’ll light culinary arts.
the flowers on fire and lure the dredge over to his side of the bridge. Your job is
ZELECHOR HOT SPRINGS WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST OF CENTER
to keep the fire lit by
killing the dredge that SERVICES: Waypoint, Merchant, Skill Challenge (W)
come over. Don’t worry TRAVEL: Osenfold Waypoint (S), Twinspur Haven (E)
about keeping Lunt Hoarfrost Thistle (E), Aspen Saplings (E), Copper Ore
HARVESTING INFO:
alive; that isn’t part (Near the Waypoint)
of the event, and it’s
something you can do
or not do without any
consequences. Kill about
a dozen attackers to complete the event. You can stand on the bridge and just wait
for them to come to you. It’s much safer than following Lunt into the enemy camp.
STENCH BOMBS
The Zelechor Hotsprings are tucked away in a small part of the western zone. It’s a
pretty spot, but there isn’t a task nearby. People end up missing the area sometimes
because of that. Make sure that you don’t, because there is a Skill Point to be gained
here. Talk to Burrisson the Blue to face your challenge. He’s bathing on the western
side of the springs.
TWINSPUR HAVEN WAYPOINT SOUTH OF CENTER

Waypoint, Scout, Equipment Repair, Merchant,
SERVICES: Karma Merchant
Taigan Waypoint (S), Crossroads Haven (N), Vendrake’s
If you complete the events for Lunt, he’ll give you bombs to play
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Hoarfrost Thistle
with. These create a cloud of smoke, and they’re fun toys. You only
get one throw per bomb, so play around and then move out.
OSENFOLD WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint
Take the Bridge East to Get onto the Mountains or Walk
TRAVEL: North to Find Haivoissen Kenning
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Hoarfrost Thistle
Twinspur Haven is a fortified town along the northern road. It’s a rare place of safety
in the cold steppes of the north. Sell excess loot and repair while you’re here, and talk
to the scout to learn more about the tasks nearby. There are interesting events to the
east and west. Explore both sides thoroughly so you don’t miss any of the fun.
This waypoint is tucked out of the way and can easily be missed. You reach it by
crossing the bridge near Linnea if you’re already up in the mountains. Or, come south
from the jotun if you’re exploring the western edge of the map.
407
ASSIST THE LIONGUARD (Renown Task) VENDRAKE’S WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST OF CENTER
GOAL: Patrol the road and eliminate enemies of the Lionguard.
SERVICES: Waypoint
LEVEL: 8
TRAVEL: Twinspur Haven (W), Krennak’s Homestead Waypoint (N)
Description: The HARVESTING INFO: Aspen Saplings, Hoarfrost Thistle, Copper Ore (not much)
road north connects
Twinspur Haven and the
Crossroads. Every hostile
along that route counts
as a target for this task.
Aggressive monsters that
wander too close to the
road are fair game, but
there isn’t much of a perimeter on the task; you can’t leave the road and hunt in the
fields. You have to kill your targets within close sight of the path. Walk up to any trees
along the route; Sons of Svanir hide in the trees, and they’re worth quite a bit to the
Leave Twinspur Haven via its northern gate and walk east through the wilderness.
Lionguard. Don’t worry if it takes a couple of passes to get all of your points; your
Vendrake’s Homestead is out there, though you won’t usually spot it until you’re
character passes through this area a few times while doing local events.
almost on top of it. There are a few tasks along the river nearby, so this is a good
ESCORT ALFRAD BREWERSON (Repeatable) rallying point.
GOAL: Help Alfrad get his mead to the Crossroads.

FIGHT THE GRAWL TRIBES (Renown Task)
LEVEL: 9
GOAL: Kill grawl and elementals near the eastern river.
Description: Alfrad Brewerson is waiting in the center of Twinspur Haven. He’s the LEVEL: 9
guy with an event icon over his head. Talk to him and agree to escort his mead along
Description: Grawl
the northern road. This is great to do while you’re working on the task for this area
and their elemental
(to keep the roads clear for the Lionguard). You can kill two birds with one stone.
summonings are all over
the river and the eastern
cliffs near Vendrake’s
Waypoint. Go over
there and fight these
enemies while looking
for repeatable events.
The event to kill shamans is often up, and that’s something to do while finishing the
primary task. It helps to have a ranged weapon ready in this area because there are
groups of enemies and wurms as well. Wurms are a pain to fight in melee, so spells
and ranged attacks make your life easier.
KILL GRAWL SHAMANS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Look by the cliffs to the east and hunt grawl shamans.
KILL THE SON OF SVANIR (Group) LEVEL: 9
GOAL: Kill the corrupted wolfmaster and his wolf pack.
Description: This repeatable pops up frequently. You just need to tackle grawl
LEVEL: 8
shamans and kill them. About half of the grawl are shamans, so finding the targets
Description: It isn’t often isn’t too bad. The camp
that you see this task, but tucked into the eastern
there is a Son of Svanir mountains is ideal for
champion that spawns finishing the event
near Twinspur Haven. quickly. The fighting is
He’ll wander around the tough and the monsters
area outside the town, respawn quickly there,
bringing with him a few but it’s fun stuff. If you
wolves. Use area-of-effect get stuck in the grawl’s
attacks to kill the pack quickly, and then kite their master around the open fields magical prison, wait for a few seconds and then attack the crystal to break free.
to get an edge on him. For a champion, he isn’t too hard to kill, and the wolves are Remember to look behind your character often: you need to keep an escape path
extremely low on health. You can keep them up for rally fodder if you think the fight clear so your character doesn’t get overwhelmed from behind!
is going to be a close one.
408
WORLD
KILL STIGAND THE DRAGONTOUCHED (Group) FIGHT THE ICE DRAGON’S CORRUPTION (Renown Task)
GOAL: Fight champion Stigand near the river. GOAL: Kill worshippers of the Ice Dragon and destroy signs of corruption.
LEVEL: 10 LEVEL: 10
Description: Stigand the Dragontouched is a vicious caster who leads the Sons of Svanir Description: Walk
in this area. Look on the eastern bank of the frozen river to find this vile opponent. If there around the frozen
are downed norn in the area, check to see if they’re green when you highlight their bodies. lake and kill icebrood
If so, revive them before starting the fight. Any help is a good thing! wolves while trashing
any corrupted ice you
see. The eastern side of
the lake is the easiest for
this task because there
are plenty of icebrood
wolves, but they’re spread out and make for soft targets. For more fun, look along the
eastern cliffs and enter the Frozen Maw. That cave has additional targets and is ideal if
you want to hunt more Sons of Svanir.
HALVAUNT WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER
TRAVEL: Crossroads (N), Twinspur Haven (S)
HARVESTING INFO: Aspen Saplings (All Over), Copper Ore
Also, bring friends for this encounter. Some group events aren’t that hard to solo if
you’re tough. That’s not the case with Stigand. This fight is mean, and you’re going
to take a ton of damage if you’re alone. Get a couple more people and focus fire on
Stigand the entire fight. Let the elementals in the area take some damage so they’re
quick kills for anyone who needs to rally. Their damage output is pitiful compared
with Stigand, so it’s good to keep them around in this way.
KRENNAK’S HOMESTEAD WAYPOINT EAST OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint, Merchant (NW)
Vendrake’s Waypoint (SW), Lostvyrm Cave
TRAVEL: Waypoint (NW)
HARVESTING INFO: Aspen Saplings, Copper (N) Halvaunt Waypoint is west of the road as you head farther north. It’s close to the
Crossroads, but you still want to get this waypoint as soon as possible. The Crossroads
are contested on an almost constant basis, so you can’t jump up there a fair amount
of the time. Having this waypoint lets you get close enough.
AID THE MINERS (Renown Task)

GOAL: Kill dredge, destroy their machines, and free prisoners.
LEVEL: 11
Description: The mines

southwest of Halvaunt
Waypoint are infested
Krennak’s Homestead Waypoint is along the eastern wall of the map, near the grawl with dredge. That
areas. Get this waypoint before fighting the enemies in Hunter’s Lake. This isn’t a great happens a lot in this
spot for gathering materials or doing long-term activities. It’s more of a location to part of the world. You
find and finish the task nearby, and then leave. have to go in there and
kill as many dredge as
If you want to sell anything, go toward the task icon northwest of the waypoint. possible while destroying
Tor the Tall is there, and he sells basic goods and lets you sell anything you want their equipment. Talk to Agivor outside and go into the mines with him; this triggers
to get rid of. a repeatable event that nets you more experience for your time spent inside. It’s
also a tiny bit safer because Agivor gets some of the dredges’ attention. Attack the
gun turrets as soon as you see them. They’re the nastiest thing in the mine. With
them down, the enemies won’t be able to hit you and your buddies with area-of-
effect attacks. In addition, the turrets are worth points toward your task. Look for
small rooms locked behind gates. Destroy these gates to release prisoners and gain
additional points.
409
HELP AGIVOR REWIRE THE DRILLING MACHINE (Repeatable) CROSSROADS HAVEN WAYPOINT NORTHWEST OF CENTER
GOAL: Escort Agivor so he can repair the drill.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Equipment Repair
LEVEL: 11
Endenvar (S), Twinspur Haven (S), Lostvyrm Cave
TRAVEL: Waypoint (E), Dawnrise Waypoint (NW)
Description: Agivor is with the miners outside of this area. He’ll have a quest marker
HARVESTING INFO: Aspen Saplings
over his head, so you know he’s important. Talk to him and start the event when you’re
ready to go into the mines. Agivor rushes forward without much regard for his safety, so
stay close to him and kill off anything that gets on his back. Don’t pick any extra targets
of your own (lest the two of you be overwhelmed). If Agivor falls, that’s okay. It gives
you time to rest after a big fight. Revive him when you’re back at full health.
Crossroads Haven is a fortress along the northern road of the zone. It’s where the
north-south and east-west roads meet, thus giving the location its name. Sadly, the
fortress is attacked on almost a constant basis. Unless players are actively holding the
area, the waypoint is likely to be contested when you want to get there. Use Halvaunt
Waypoint instead, if that happens.
HELP THE LIONGUARD AT CROSSROADS HAVEN (Renown Task)

Take the big guy down into the depths of the mine and then around to the back. GOAL: Kill Sons of Svanir and revive fallen defenders.
That’s where he finds the drilling machine he’s looking for. Guard him while he repairs LEVEL: 13
it; this triggers a few waves of dredge to attack, so be on your guard even if you
cleared the area. Use the machine to break line of sight if you want to pull the dredge Description: Whether
toward your character; this helps for hitting them with area-of-effect attacks. the fortress is under
attack or being held,
Once the machine has you get credit for slicing
been repaired, Agivor apart the Sons of Svanir.
activates it and frees a They’re a common sight
whole slew of miners. around (and sometimes
This ends the event and inside) the city. When
triggers the next stage you see defenders fall,
of it. revive them for extra credit.
DEFEAT TAF THE TERRIBLE AND RECAPTURE

DEFEND MINERS AND GRAB ORE (Repeatable)
THE CROSSROADS (Repeatable)
GOAL: Collect ore and bring it to Agivor.
GOAL: Kill Taf and hold the castle until it returns to norn control.
LEVEL: 11
LEVEL: 13
Description: Chunks of
Description: Taf is the leader of the enemy assault force. You can find him on the
ore are hidden in the back
upper walkways inside Crossroads Haven (after the fortress has fallen). Kill him before
room, where the miners
trying to seize the lower
were held. Get a few
ground. Once Taf is slain,
pieces of ore from there,
come into Crossroads
and then escort the newly
Haven from the southern
freed miners. They’ll
side and push slowly
knock additional pieces
through the courtyard;
of ore from the walls (as
don’t come down Taf’s
long as you keep at least one of them alive). They are revivable, so that makes things
stairs and tick off all of
a little easier. Get roughly 10 pieces of ore for Agivor and then turn them in. Agivor
the enemies at once. It’s
gives you your reward and heads out of the mine.
better to be slow and methodical (otherwise you’re likely to get killed). Slay all of the
enemies and wait for the fortress to convert back to norn control.
410
WORLD
PROTECT GINNA STONESKAALD (Repeatable) Kevach’s Homestead is

GOAL: Help Ginna restore the shrine near Crossroads Haven. to the east. You don’t
need to go there, but
LEVEL: 12
the people inside have
Description: The shrine referenced here is southeast of Crossroads Haven. It’s on a hill a number of stories to
that can be seen from the southern gates of the town. Go out there and revive Ginna if share. If you’d like to learn
she has fallen to the Sons of Svanir. Afterward, stay and protect her from assaults while she more about the area and
repairs the shrine. It takes only a couple of minutes. The enemies come in small groups, so its people, that’s a good
they aren’t a huge threat. If Ginna falls, she can be revived to continue her work. place to go.
For finishing the task, the upper part of the lake is perfect. There are legions of wurms
to fight. You’ll be done in moments.
HELP OSBORN FIGHT A GIANT WURM (Repeatable)

GOAL: Kill a veteran wurm with Osborn.
LEVEL: 12
Description: Osborn gets up some serious courage and goes out on the ice to fight
a large wurm. You’ll find him west of Kevach’s Homestead. Join in to help defeat the
mighty beast. Ranged weapons are superior due to the Knockback that wurms use
as a protective measure. If you only have melee attacks, don’t try prolonged weapon
skills. Hit the wurms with short, simple strikes. Winning this fight triggers another
event, to gather wurm eggs.
LOSTVYRM CAVE WAYPOINT NORTH OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Challenge (SE)
Crossroads Haven (W), Krennak’s Homestead Waypoint
TRAVEL: (SE), Dolyak Pass Waypoint (NE)
HARVESTING INFO: Minimal
GATHER WURM EGGS FOR CHEF ALDIS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Go into Lostvyrm Cave and gather wurm eggs.
LEVEL: 12
Lostvyrm Cave Waypoint is at the top of the frozen lake, on the eastern end of the map.
A nearby cave has a Skill Point challenge and a task, so this place is a must-see location Description: Chef
even though it’s in the middle of nowhere and doesn’t have a road of its own. Aldis approaches
Lostvyrm Cave and asks
HELP LODGE KEEPER KEVACH (Renown Task) adventurers to go inside.
GOAL: Kill wurms, wake up norn, and outdrink any of the norn that are left standing. There are ice wurm
LEVEL: 12 eggs that spawn on the
ground, and they’re quick
Description: Before going too far into this task, look for the cave southeast of the to steal. You don’t even
waypoint. Go inside and walk slowly as you descend. There are wurms in there, and need to fight the wurms
they don’t always pop up until they’ve noticed you. It’s easy to collect several of them that spawn. Run through while picking up the eggs, or sick a pet on the wurms to
without knowing it until they all jump you. Fight them as they come to avoid being distract them. Either way, you can finish the event without a single fight.
mobbed, and then go to
the bottom of the cave.
That’s where you find
a brewer who gives
you a Skill Challenge.
Drink up to learn more
about yourself.
411
DEFEND THE LODGE FROM ICE WURMS (Repeatable) SOLITUDE WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE
GOAL: Protect the doors from an ice wurm assault.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Challenge (E)
LEVEL: 12
Entrance to Frostgorge Sound (Level 70-80 Norn Region)
TRAVEL: (N), Dolyak Pass Waypoint (S)
Description: If you bring
HARVESTING INFO: Copper (Along the Edge of the Mountains)
the ice wurm eggs back
to Chef Aldis, she’ll take
them up to the lodge.
Follow her and wait for
ice wurms to follow.
Make sure you’re outside
before the fighting starts;
otherwise, you can’t
participate in the event—you get locked in! Keep the wurms off of the doors and use
area-of-effect attacks to bring them down quickly.
DOLYAK PASS WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE Solitude Waypoint is even farther north than Dolyak Pass. There isn’t much up there
SERVICES: Waypoint except for Copper, wild beasts, and a transition to Frostgorge Sound. If you’ve been
Entrance to Diessa Plateau (Level 15-25 Charr Region)(E), leveling here in the Wayfarer Foothills, don’t go through that entrance. Frostgorge is
TRAVEL: Crossroads Haven (W), Lostvyrm Cave Waypoint (SW), way over your level, and there isn’t anything to do there until your hero has become
Solitude Waypoint (N)
much more powerful.
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore (Nearby) It’s better to get this
waypoint and then leave
it alone for quite some
time.
If you’d like another Skill

Point, look along the
eastern mountain wall.
A small valley leads into Warmspring Grotto. Cave spiders are all over that place,
but they don’t attack in large groups (especially if you use spells or ranged attacks to
get their attention). Switch to healing abilities that cleanse status effects, if possible.
Spiders love their Poison.
Dolyak Pass is near the northeastern corner of the Wayfarer Foothills. It’s by the
junction between this region and Diessa Plateau, where the charr hold more sway. If There are veteran cave spiders on the upper tiers of the cave. Avoid them by jumping
you’d like a major change of scenery for your next adventuring region, that’s a good up the right side of the cave. Hop all the way to the top and then commune with the
place to go. The climate is warmer, and both the land and enemies are quite different. spring there to earn your Skill Point.
ESCORT TALON KILLPEACE TO CROSSROADS HAVEN

(Repeatable)
GOAL: Help Talon get his caravan down the western road.
LEVEL: 13
Description: Talon Killpeace runs a caravan between Diessa Plateau and Crossroads
Haven. If you escort him along the western road, you’ll get a moderate amount of
experience for your
efforts. This isn’t an
especially fast event, so
impatient adventurers
may want to skip it.
412
WORLD
DAWNRISE WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE TAKE OUT THE TOWERS (Part of World Event)
GOAL: Destroy the east and west towers.
SERVICES: N/A
LEVEL: 15
Entrance to Snowden Drifts (Level 15-25 Norn Region)
TRAVEL: (W), Crossroads Haven (SE)
Description: Norn attack the Sons of Svanir towers periodically. Help them take
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore (Best Location in the Zone) (S)
down these towers by killing enemies and destroying banners in the area. You have
help from NPCs, though
your enemies come in
considerable numbers, so
don’t let your
guard down.
A veteran appears at the

western tower. He can be
soloed by a skilled hero,
but having buddies around to help isn’t a bad thing. Some of the events that follow
are extremely challenging, so you might as well call in friends for the whole run!
Dawnrise Waypoint is at the end of the road in the northwestern corner of the map.
This is where you go to continue adventuring in the norn lands past level 15 or so. This CAPTURE THE DOME (Part of World Event)
is also a great waypoint for metal harvesters. The Copper Ore is better than anywhere
GOAL: Capture the center of the encampment.
else in the zone. There are veins of it bursting out of the ground in all directions.
LEVEL: 15
ASSAULT ON SVANIR’S DOME WORLD EVENT Description: After the
SERVICES: N/A towers are down, make
TRAVEL: Crossroads Haven (S), Dolyak Pass (E), Lostvyrm Cave (SE) your way to the center of
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore the Sons of Svanir camp.
Large groups of Sons of
Svanir guard the camp,
and they get multiple
waves of reinforcements.
Fight with area-of-effect
weapons and skills to make your life easier, and flee if the battle gets too intense.
This is a wonderful place to rack up high kill counts, if you’re working on various
achievements.
KILL THE MARAUDER (Part of World Event)

GOAL: Slaughter the champion marauder.
There isn’t a particularly good waypoint for the events at Svanir’s Dome, so you have LEVEL: 15
to leg it there from one of the northern waypoints. This place is tough because there
are cold winds, few allies, and a horde of Sons of Svanir. Expect fierce resistance if you Description: Almost immediately after you seize the center of the camp, a massive
try to quell their rebellion. marauder bursts from the ice and attacks your party. Fight back to continue the
assault! Use your best skills for burst damage, healing, and single-target attacks.
CHALLENGE THE MINIONS OF JORMAG (Renown Task)
GOAL: Destroy the Sons of Svanir and any signs of corruption in their area.
LEVEL: 15
Description: Kill icebrood elementals, icebrood wolves, and Sons of Svanir along
the southern edge of the dome. That’s the easiest way to complete the task. Take
out dragon banners
whenever you see
them; they give you a
huge boost.
413
SNOWDEN DRIFTS
LEVEL RANGE: 15-25
TASKS: 13
WAYPOINTS: 18
SKILL CHALLENGES: 6
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Iron Ore, Silver Ore, Gummo Saplings
(Soft Wood Logs), Aspen Saplings (Green Wood
Logs), Strawberries, Early Cooking Ingredients
SKILL CHALLENGES
> Devotee of Owl (Southeast of Owl Waypoint) (SE) Snowden Drifts is the zone that’s west from the Wayfarer Foothills. The path is
> Stinging Wind (North of Lost Child’s Sorrow Waypoint) (NE) located in the northwestern part of Wayfarer Foothills, and you arrive on the new
> Rum from Corvin the Skaald (North of Isenfall Waypoint) (N) zone’s northeastern edge.
> Grawl Totem (South of Skradden Waypoint) (SW)
Snowden Drifts is cold, snowy, and mountainous. It’s a good zone for miners, as you
> Razorwing’s Nest (North of Seraph Outriders’ Waypoint) (W)
can find veins of ore throughout the area. The Sons of Svanir are still a big problem, as
> Raven Shaman’s Power Source (Northeast of Scholar’s Cleft Waypoint,
are dredge, minotaur, and quite a few wild beasts.
Inside an Imp Cave) (NW) (Bring Some Friends)
The zone’s northern side has easier targets and lower-level events. We suggest doing these before you venture south to take on the more serious attractions. Still, if you’re a bit
over-leveled, are well equipped, or have a group, you can begin almost anywhere you like. Let’s get hunting!
Lost Child’s Sorrow

Njordstead Waypoint
Highpass Haven
Darkhoof Heights Waypoint Waypoint
Scholar’s Cleft Isenfall Oros Spurs

Waypoint Waypoint
Soderhem Steading
Waypoint
Snowhawk Landing King

Waypoint Jalis’s
Torstvedt Homestead Refuge
Seraph Outriders Waypoint
Waypoint Snowdrift Villmark
Waypoint Jotun’s Vista Foothills
Hrothgar’s
The Frozen Sweeps Pass
Skradden Waypoint
Reaver’s Dale
Slopes Waypoint
Waypoint
Owl’s Abattoir
Waypoint
Lornar’s
Waypoint Valslake
Podaga Steading Waypoint
Waypoint Griffonfall
Molengrad Song of Final Exile
Waypoint
HIGHPASS HAVEN WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE

Waypoint, Equipment Repair, Karma Merchant, Food
SERVICES: Merchant, Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Scout
TRAVEL: Snowhawk (SW)
HARVESTING INFO: Aspen Saplings (abundant), Root Vegetables
Highpass is the first place you stop while coming into Snowden Drifts. It’s a good town,
and you’ll probably come back here often. Sell goods, repair your equipment, and talk to
the scout in town to find out more about the region. She directs you southwest.
If you haven’t purchased a new weapon in quite some time, buy one at the local Before you go too far from Highpass, walk north and look for a kodan warrior named
weaponsmith. The level-15 gear is good enough to keep you up to date if you haven’t Horn. The kodan are bear-men on the Shiverpeak Mountains; they’re an impressive
gotten anything awesome from the Trading Post or during your adventures. race, and you’ll do well to court their favor.
414
WORLD
ASSIST LIONGUARD HARAL (Renown Task) TRAPPER’S LABYRINTH NORTHEAST SIDE

GOAL: Remove dangers around the roads.
SERVICES: N/A
LEVEL: 15
TRAVEL: Entrance to Frostgorge Sound (Level 70-80 norn region)
Description: Kill HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Iron Ore

enemies close to the
roads and assist Lionguard
forces in the area.
The road out of Highpass

splits before too long.
Take the southern
route to meet Haral,
a Lionguard who wants help. You get credit for his task by killing Sons of Svanir to
the west or south. Look for hunter’s traps on the ground, because you get credit for
opening those, as well. If an icebrood wolf pops out of the trap, kill it for extra credit.
Trapper’s Labyrinth is a massive cave complex that dominates the northern wall of
PUSH BACK THE CORRUPTION (Renown Task) Snowden Drifts. The entrance is west from Highpass. You fight wild beasts initially, but
GOAL: Destroy sources of corruption around Blasted Haven. dozens of dredge lurk deeper in the tunnels. Be wary of going through a transition to
LEVEL: 17 a new zone; the gateway at the back of the labyrinth takes you to a place with very
powerful enemies (Frostgorge Sound). You don’t want to go there just yet.
Description: Walk west along the upper road in Snowden Drifts to find this task.
When you reach the proper area, start to kill icebrood elementals, icebrood wolves, This is a very good place to grab metal. Iron ore veins, including one that’s usually
and Sons of Svanir around Blasted Haven. You should also destroy formations of ice a rich vein, are common sites in the caverns. For more efficient mining, enter the
while you’re exploring. This task is dangerous if you’re alone and push too far, too fast. labyrinth via its western entrance, near the Lost Child’s Sorrow Waypoint. This gets
The mix of wandering enemies and ice formations with their own defenses makes this you into iron territory much faster.
a little tricky. If you have trouble, stay on the hillside and avoid the main road—it’s
well defended. Pick off stragglers to get credit without as much risk.
LOST CHILD’S SORROW WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE
TRAVEL: Highpass Haven Waypoint (E), Njordstead (W)
HARVESTING INFO: Gummo Saplings, Copper Ore, Iron Ore
HELP AN EBON VANGUARD CONVOY (Repeatable)

GOAL: Protect a convoy against the Sons of Svanir. Continuing west along the northern stretch, you find a waypoint with a few kodan.
This is called Lost Child’s Sorrow Waypoint. You can pop in to get metal from
LEVEL: 15
the caverns to the east. Alternatively, you can walk to the west and deal with the
Description: A convoy contested areas and their plethora of repeatable events.
appears on the road out
of Highpass from time
to time. The guards who
travel in this group aren’t
prepared to face the Sons
of Svanir. They end up
being overwhelmed by
five waves of attackers.
If you rush to defend the group, you can get credit for this event and score a huge
number of points toward Lionguard Haral’s task.
415
NJORDSTEAD WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE CLEAR THE ICEBROOD FROM NJORDSTEAD (Repeatable)
Kill 10 enemies in Njordstead and then eliminate the veteran
SERVICES: Waypoint GOAL: leading them.
TRAVEL: Lost Child’s Sorrow Waypoint (E) LEVEL: 17
HARVESTING INFO: Gummo Saplings, Iron Ore, Silver Ore
Description: You can score fast experience every time this town is captured. To clear
it out, you only have to kill 11 enemies: the 10 normal targets and the veteran with
them. It’s an incredibly fast event, especially if other people are around to help with
the veteran. If not, kill targets around the edge of Njordstead until you have an open
space for the veteran fight. Pull the veteran over, preferably to the southern side of
town, where you can run if things get ugly.
If you stay on its northern side, the western road continues from Lost Child’s Sorrow
Waypoint and eventually leads you into Njordstead. Icebrood enemies frequently take
over this area. You sometimes have to fight through them to retake the settlement.
HELP MALIK NJORDSON (Renown Task)

GOAL: Kill the full range of icebrood enemies that litter this area.
LEVEL: 17
Description: Malik
DESTROY THE ICE CORES (Repeatable)
has more than enough
GOAL: Blast all four of the corrupted ice cores.
problems. Icebrood
elementals are around his LEVEL: 17
stead, and the icebrood
Description: The
wolves up there aren’t
corrupted area we
friendly, either. Kill these
mentioned earlier is
targets on sight to help
southwest of Njordstead.
Malik. While you do this
Occasionally, an event
this, see if Njordstead needs clearing. If it doesn’t, look to the west, where you can find
starts that tells you to
normal wolves. Those count for Malik, as well. They’re ideal if none of the repeatable
destroy the large cores of
tasks is running. The corrupted area southwest of town is also a good place to rack up
ice down there. It doesn’t
points for the task.
take long to find them,
DEFEND THE VILLAGERS OF NJORDSTEAD (Repeatable) and all of the shards are marked on your minimap. Go after the four corrupted ice cores
and kill elementals while you’re there. The ice cores don’t have any of their own defenses,
GOAL: Fight off eight waves of attackers before the villagers are killed.
so kill any active enemies before you bother with them. If you want to be even more
LEVEL: 17
efficient, use area-of-effect attacks while you fight the elementals near the ice cores. You
Description: If you’re around when Njordstead is attacked, rally to its defense. Eight can damage the cores while you’re killing things that would attack you anyway.
waves of icebrood elementals and icebrood wolves are on the way. Keep the villagers
at the center of town safe.
SODERHEM STEADING WAYPOINT NORTH OF CENTER
Don’t worry too much SERVICES: Waypoint, Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Karma Merchant
about the ones on the Lost Child’s Sorrow Waypoint (NE), Njordstead (N),
TRAVEL:
periphery. They’re likely Torstvedt (S)
to die, but you’d lose HARVESTING INFO: Minimal
more by protecting them.
It’s safer to stay in the
center and let the waves
of enemies come to you.
You get credit for the event as soon as the last wave falls. Hold your area-of-effect
attacks until the enemies bunch up around the villagers; you can clear entire waves in
mere seconds by doing this.
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WORLD
Soderhem is a small town on the region’s northern side. This area doesn’t have
SNOWHAWK LANDING WAYPOINT EAST OF CENTER
many merchants otherwise, and that gives Soderhem some utility. You can jump
to the area, sell, and get back out in a flash. That is, unless enemies take over the Waypoint, Equipment Repairs, Armorsmith,
SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Scout
town. That happens from time to time, and cleaning it out is a good way to
TRAVEL: Highpass (NE), Owl Lodge (SE), Jotun’s Vista (SW)
accrue extra experience.
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore, Silver Ore
HELP AUDA (Renown Task)
GOAL: Keep the roads clear.
LEVEL: 17
Description: While
you’re on the roads east
of Soderhem, kill snow
leopards, wolves, and any
Sons of Svanir you see.
All of them are targets of
opportunity that Auda
Snowhawk Landing is a town in the middle of the map. You bump into this trading
wants to eliminate. Talk
center while you patrol the roads southwest from Highpass. Take care of any chores
to Auda—the person
and then move on. There isn’t much to do here. If you’re looking for work, continue
marked with this task—to start a secondary event that helps you find the target.
southwest along the roads.
Doing so initiates “Escort Wise Keeper.”
ESCORT THE WISE KEEPER TO BLASTED HAVEN (Repeatable) ASSIST LIONGUARD NADEL (Renown Task)
GOAL: Make Jotun’s Vista safer for travelers.
GOAL: Take the Wise Keeper from Njordstead to Blasted Haven.
LEVEL: 18
LEVEL: 17
Description: Nadel is a
Description: Talk to Auda to start this escort. Then hurry to Njordstead to meet the
Lionguard on the road
Wise Keeper and his small group of followers. This party walks east toward Blasted
west from Snowhawk
Haven and must endure attacks by wolves and Sons of Svanir. Each enemy wave has
Landing. She needs help
several members, so area-of-effect attacks are essential for clearing their ranks quickly.
clearing the roads. To do
Try to defend the bodyguards as much as you defend the Wise Keeper. Though you
this for her, light detour
don’t fail the event if they fall, the extra firepower is useful against nastier attacks later.
markers along the road’s
southern branch. The
markers are just beside
the road, and they can be hard to see if you aren’t looking for them. Nearby, you find
both wolves and jotun. Kill them to make Nadel even happier. Stay on the roads; you
can’t get credit for kills you make out in the northern hills.
TORSTVEDT HOMESTEAD WAYPOINT EAST OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint
TRAVEL: Valslake Waypoint (SW), Snowhawk Waypoint (E)
HARVESTING INFO: Gummo Saplings, Herb Patches
CLEAR THE SOUTH

If you continue west after you complete the events around here,
the enemies start to get tougher. You’re better off turning south
and completing the lower areas before you progress to the western
side of Snowden Drifts.
Torstvedt Homestead Waypoint is west of Snowhawk Landing. Look for it after you
clear Nadel’s task and kill plenty of jotun in the area. The waypoint is up in the hills
to the north of the main road. This isn’t a major resting point because there aren’t
services up here. You can continue west or turn north to find several more events.
417
REAVER’S WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE PROTECT THE OWL SHAMAN (Repeatable)
GOAL: Defend Shaman Ulgadis while she purifies the sacred owls of the area.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Scout, Karma Merchant
LEVEL: 17
TRAVEL: Owl Lodge (SE), Snowhawk (N), Griffonfall (SW)
HARVESTING INFO: Gummo Saplings, Root Vegetables Description: Shaman
Ulgadis occasionally
appears and tries to help
the area’s owls. You can
see Ulgadis on your map
because she has a shield
icon over her head. Go to
her and agree to escort
the shaman while she
runs around the area and purifies the owls. Kill any Sons of Svanir who get too close,
and you’ll be in good shape. The event takes a few minutes to finish, but it leads to
additional events, so that’s nifty!
Reaver’s Waypoint is in the middle of nowhere, but it’s a useful jumping point
between areas. Look for it while you travel south from the Villmark Foothills. There HELP THE SHAMAN BANISH THE DRAGON TOTEM
isn’t a road, so you have to go overland, unless you’re coming from the west instead. (Repeatable)
GOAL: Escort Shaman Ulgadis to the Dragon Totem.
Continue toward Owl Lodge in the south if you’re looking for events.
LEVEL: 18
OWL WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE
Description: After
SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Challenge (S) purifying the sacred owls,
TRAVEL: Highpass (N), Reaver’s Waypoint (NW) Ulgadis wants to rid the
HARVESTING INFO: Gummo Saplings (abundant), Root Vegetables area of corruption on a
long-term basis. Escort
her to the totem in front
of Owl Lodge. Help her
kill a veteran there, fight
off a few more Sons of
Svanir, and then destroy the Dragon Totem itself. You get credit immediately upon
the shrine’s destruction, but escort Ulgadis back to her camp if you’d like a free
blessing from her!
KILL THE HUNTERS (Elite)

Kill the Sons of Svanir hunters before they kill the sacred owls in
GOAL:
Owl Lodge is in the southeastern part of the zone. Go there for a fun race of the area.
repeatable events and fighting with the Sons of Svanir. Don’t even worry about the LEVEL: 17
task in the area; there are so many events that the task pretty much completes itself
while you do the events. Description: When this event is triggered, a veteran Son of Svanir starts hunting owls
in the area around Owl Lodge. Look for your target on the map, go to him, and kill
Fox Shaman Reva is outside Owl Lodge, on the western slope of a hill. Talk to him and the creep. He often has allies nearby, so clear space for the fight ahead of time. Take
complete a quick Skill Challenge to earn a Skill Point! out targets behind the veteran and then pull him back to your safe spot. Once he’s
gone, you get credit for the event.
HELP OWL’S FOLLOWERS (Renown Task)
GOAL: Help Lahri by killing Sons of Svanir and protecting the followers of Owl.
LEVEL: 17
Description: Sons of Svanir are all over the zone’s southeastern side. They’ve taken
over Owl Lodge, and you can help your people by killing these creeps. The repeatable
events in the area are
worth a huge bonus
toward your task. Even
random Sons of Svanir
are worth enough to
help you finish the task
without any trouble.
418
WORLD
GRIFFONFALL SOUTHEAST SIDE DEFEND SILENT SNOWFALL (Part of the Meta Event)
GOAL: Defend Silent Snowfall before the tournament.
SERVICES: N/A
LEVEL: 19
TRAVEL: Owl Lodge (E)
HARVESTING INFO: Strawberries (everywhere!), Gummo Saplings Description: Silent
Snowfall will be attacked
before the tournament
begins. As soon as this
event starts, hurry to her
position. She’s northeast
of the main town, and
it isn’t long before she’s
overcome.
DEFEAT ICE RAKING (Part of the Meta Event)

GOAL: Teach Ice Raking a lesson about failure.
Griffonfall is a wonderful place to hunt griffons or harvest strawberries for cooking.
LEVEL: 19
There isn’t much else to do there, so it’s quite skippable if you don’t care about either
of these attractions. Description: Ice Raking is a powerful kodan warrior. He’s never known defeat,
and that is what worries him. He knows that a good leader must understand
EXILE WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE consequences. Battle Ice Raking so he can learn about failure and defeat. Afterward,
Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Equipment Repairs, escort him to the arena north of town and start the next part of the meta event.
SERVICES: Class Trainers
TRAVEL: Valslake Waypoint (N), Reaver’s Waypoint (E)
Enthusiasts of kodan history and lore will be overjoyed with the events near Exile
WITNESS THE CEREMONY AND DEFEAT AN ASSASSIN
(Part of the Meta Event)
Waypoint. This is where the kodan have set up a small city for their people. They
came down from the north to gain allies against the tyranny of Jormag! That makes GOAL: Watch the Claw’s battles and then defeat the new Claw.
them friends in pretty much every way. LEVEL: 19
HELP DECIDE THE FATE OF THE KODAN (Meta) Description: A trial by combat determines the next Claw. Watch as this event
GOAL: Assist the kodan in choosing a new leader. proceeds, and then stick around afterward. The new leader will have some serious
trouble. A largos assassin attacks, and you have to kill him before the Claw falls.
LEVEL: 19
Having a few friends (or even just one) makes a huge difference, because the fight is
Description: A over so quickly. You have to deliver major damage to kill the assassin in time.
mysterious creature
appeared out of thin
air and assassinated the
previous leader of these
kodan. They’re now in
the process of choosing
the next Claw.
419
Isenfall Waypoint is up on the northern side of Snowden Drifts. It’s above Isenfall
VALSLAKE WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE
Lake, and you should seek out this place as soon as you come west from Njordstead
SERVICES: Waypoint or up from Snowdrift. The walk takes a couple minutes, so you’ll be happy to have a
TRAVEL: Exile Waypoint (E) Waypoint in this part of the map.
HARVESTING INFO: Iron and Silver Ore (abundant), Herb Patches
Talk to a shaman inside the small settlement and answer his riddle to get through a
Skill Challenge. We won’t spoil the riddle for you, and don’t worry—it’s not hard if
you keep your wits about you.
Before you head out, talk to a scout in the southeast. He’ll show you more of the area.
CLEAR THE URCHINS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Destroy nine poisonous urchins.
LEVEL: 21
Description: Swim
down into Isenfall Lake
The Waypoint for Valslake is on the lake’s western side. This is a major location for
and look for the urchins.
anyone interested in mining. A nearby dredge cave has a rich source of iron, and the
They belch poison if
hills around the lake are similarly wonderful. Be careful of the veteran at the back of
you get too close, so it
the dredge cave. He’s beatable, but take him seriously.
isn’t hard to find them.
Destroy these from
maximum range and
MOVING WEST
keep moving as you hit
Now that you’ve hit the southern side of Snowden Drifts, turn your them. Their poison is vicious. If you’re taken down, swim to the top of the lake as
attention to the western side of the map. The hardest events are quickly as possible. You can escape their range and recover without dying. Destroy
over there. nine of the urchins to get credit and finish the event.
AID THE DURMAND PRIORY AGAINST THE CENTAURS

(Renown Task)
GOAL: Kill centaurs and recover priory items.
LEVEL: 23
Description: The centaurs have taken over an area of gullies west of Durgar. Every
target is worth points toward your task. You can also destroy supplies and pick up
artifacts while you move through the camp. Be careful! Centaurs are a massive pain to
fight. Their mobility, high damage, and potential for large encounters pose a threat to
solo adventurers. Avoid areas where a fight may draw four or more enemies, because
even victory might not be enough as patrolling centaurs have a chance to hit you
from behind.
ISENFALL WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Skill Challenge, Scout
TRAVEL: Njordstead (E)
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore (W), Gummo Saplings, Root Vegetables
420
WORLD
FROZEN SWEEPS WAYPOINT WEST SIDE HELP THE SERAPH OUTRIDERS (Renown Task)
GOAL: Fight back the Sons of Svanir and the centaurs.
LEVEL: 24
TRAVEL: Isenfall Waypoint (NE), Snowdrift Waypoint (E)
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore Description: The seraph camp here has seen better times. They’re under constant
assault by the centaurs. They can’t pursue their attacks on the Sons of Svanir with half
their people lying on the field. Revive fallen soldiers while you kill their attackers. The
small road north sees constant action, but you can kill Sons of Svanir to the south
while you break their dragon banners. Either route gets the job done.
The southern road eventually gets you to this waypoint. It’s near a few important
tasks (to your north), so make Frozen Sweeps a staging ground. Talk to the scout
beside the waypoint to learn more about the zone’s southwestern portion.
FIGHT THE DENIZENS OF JORMABAKKE STEAD (Renown Task)

GOAL: Kill the corrupted enemies near the stead.
LEVEL: 24
SCHOLAR’S CLEFT WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE
Description: Icebrood
SERVICES: Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Skill Challenge (NE)
elementals and wolves
TRAVEL: Seraph Outriders’ Waypoint (S), Isenfall Waypoint (E)
litter the area south from
the gullies. Infiltrate that HARVESTING INFO: Minimal
area, kill any enemies you
find, and destroy dragon
banners. Then continue
up toward the main part
of Jormabakke Stead
(farther south). Kill the Sons of Svanir at their base and show the traitors how weak
they really are.
SERAPH OUTRIDERS’ WAYPOINT WEST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint
Frozen Sweeps Waypoint (E), Skradden Waypoint (S), Scholar’s Cleft Waypoint is tucked into the region’s northwestern corner. It’s a place
TRAVEL: Scholar’s Cleft Waypoint (N)
where Durmand Priory scholars come to study and contemplate the world. There are
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore, Silver Ore centaur problems in the area, but attacks up there are usually light.
For a skill point, search along the eastern line of hills and look for a cave that’s filled
with imps. Kill the ones inside and jump up the pillars of stone on the cave’s left wall.
A ledge above takes you deeper into the area. A place of power is back there, but a
powerful villain guards it. You have to face two tough norn and a flock of summoned
birds. Area-of-effect attacks and damage mitigation are essential. A group to help you
is also a worthy consideration.
This area is on the western side of the map. It’s a hilly area known for its fierce
enemies. The centaurs and Sons of Svanir are quite close to the waypoint, and they’re
targets for your task in this area. As far as friendly faces go, ranchers eke out a living to
the northwest of the waypoint, and seraph guards hold the waypoint itself.
421
SNOWDRIFT WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint, Equipment Repairs, Armorsmith,
Weaponsmith, Salvage Merchant
DONATE SOME MEAT
TRAVEL: Valslake Waypoint (SE), Frozen Sweeps Waypoint (W)
If you’re almost finished but are tired of hunting, donate
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore, Silver Ore, Gummo Saplings, Root Vegetables
any meat you found recently to the chef in Mennerheim. He
appreciates your help, and that might finish the task without
having to turn around and wait for new targets.
DISRUPT THE DREDGE IN MOLENGRAD (Renown Task)

GOAL: Fight dredge and destroy their machines in and around Molengrad.
LEVEL: 23
Description: Molengrad
Snowdrift Waypoint is in almost the dead middle of the map. It’s a fortified location is west of Mennerheim.
with all of the amenities. Take the southern road west to get there. You can branch You can walk over
off afterward to explore the zone’s northern or southern sides. there and kill dredge
to complete the task
LORNAR’S WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE immediately, but there’s
a better way. If you’re
SERVICES: Waypoint
patient, you can kill two
Route to Lornar’s Pass (Level 30-40 norn region) (S), birds with one stone. Go
TRAVEL: Snowdrift Waypoint (N)
northwest to Podaga Steading Waypoint. Doing the repeatable events there lets you
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore, Silver Ore, Gummo Saplings
siege Molengrad as well, and then you can get even more experience.
PODAGA STEADING WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE

Waypoint, Merchant, Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Skill
SERVICES: Challenge (SW)
TRAVEL: Lornar’s Waypoint (E), Skradden Waypoint (W)
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore, Silver Ore
The road south from Snowdrift Waypoint gets you down to this area. It’s near the
transition to Lornar’s Pass, a slightly higher-level area that’s worth seeking when you
get close to level 30. Two tasks are directly west from this waypoint, so you have
plenty to do down there even if you’re staying in Snowden Drifts.
PROVE YOUR MIGHT (Renown Task)

Kill aggressive enemies and help hunters to impress
GOAL: the norn of Mennerheim. Dredge attack the town of Podaga Steading quite often. Having Molengrad on your
LEVEL: 24 border doesn’t facilitate a peaceful life! When the dredge invade, an event to retake
the town commences. Afterward, the events chain so that you push into Molengrad
Description: Look to destroy the tunnels. Use Podaga to race through these events as you go through
for animals while you the region.
walk west from Lornar’s
Waypoint. Revive any To get the Skill Challenge in this area, walk west out of town and hug the southern
fallen hunters while you mountains. Find a cave of grawl out there that isn’t easy to see until you’re on top
do this. Arctodus are of it. This is called Glisterice Caves. Kill the grawl inside while you look for a wooden
your best prey, but even walkway that leads upward. The Skill Challenge is above the small camp.
moose count toward
the task. Try to finish the
entire event before you go all the way west to the next town. You can’t find any targets
either north or west of Mennerheim, so it’s better to finish by the time you arrive.
422
WORLD
DESTROY THE DREDGE TUNNELER (Repeatable) PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF PODAGA STEADING (Repeatable)
Take out the dredge tunneler before it breaks through into the area GOAL: Drive off the dredge attackers.
GOAL: near Podaga Steading.
LEVEL: 24
LEVEL: 24
Description: Minutes after a victory in the dredge tunnels, the molemen mount an
Description: The dredge don’t always have a northern tunnel that leads into Podaga assault on Podaga. They’ll win if you don’t intervene. Watch out for rising turrets and
Steading. They have to break through the rock to get there, and they use a mighty a veteran in a mining suit. These are the big targets, and you must take them down.
tunneler to achieve this end. Go into Molengrad through the mines’ eastern entrance. The only problem is that it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you stand in the center of
the street and face everything at once. Groups can handle that, but solo characters
should take to the town’s higher sides and pull targets up to their positions. Help any
villagers being overrun, and do your best. Failure starts the event chain over from the
beginning. Success staves off the dredge for several more minutes—and then they
attack the town once more.
DRIVE THE DREDGE FROM PODAGA STEADING (Repeatable)
GOAL: Kill dredge in this area.
LEVEL: 24
Description: Dredge
morale plummets once
you walk west and start SKRADDEN WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE
attacking their people SERVICES: Waypoint
at Podaga Steading.
TRAVEL: Exit to Gendarran Fields (Level 25-35 human region) (W)
Though it’s risky, a mobile
HARVESTING INFO: Gummo Saplings (N), Herb Patches (N)
offense is much faster.
Avoid the turrets and
kill only the dredge to
finish the event sooner. The town’s northern side is a little easier because it has more
dredge and fewer turrets. Be extra careful if you see ant foes in mining suits; they
have considerable health and take quite a while to kill. Once you reduce the dredge’s
morale to 0%, the event ends and the next one starts.
DESTROY MOLENGRAD’S CEILING SUPPORTS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Bring down four ceiling supports.
LEVEL: 24
Skradden Waypoint is on the map’s southwestern side. It’s near the exit to a new
Description: The tunnel
zone. Travel here if you’re reaching the end of your time in Snowden and don’t have
into Molengrad isn’t far
your next destination planned in advance.
from Podaga Steading.
Walk down there while
the dredge flee from their
recent defeat. Follow the
northern tunnel and kill
the dredge guarding it.
Area-of-effect attacks
are extremely useful because the dredge are numerous there. Try to hide along the
cavern walls to avoid turret fire that originates further down. When you’re clear, take
out all four of the marked supports and watch the tunnel collapse.
423
NORTH SIDE
LORNAR’S PASS
LEVEL RANGE: 25-40
TASKS: 15
The Thunderhorns
WAYPOINTS: 16 Icedevil’s Needle Waypoint
SKILL CHALLENGES: 9
Underburg
HARVESTING INFO: Iron Ore, Silver Ore, Icedevil’s
Gold Ore Nentor Valley Waypoint
Waypoint
Mistriven
Waypoint
SKILL CHALLENGES
> Dwarven Relic (East of Thunderhorns
Waypoint, Inside the Dredge Cave) (NE)
> Heart of the Priory (North of Durmand Priory
Waypoint, Inside the Priory) (W) Mistriven Gorge The Godspurs
> Steam Portal (Southwest of Lamentation
Frostgate
Waypoint, In a Narrow Pass) (E)
Falls
> Grenth’s Door (South of Lamentation Pinnacle Enclave
Waypoint
Waypoint, In Reaper’s Gate) (E)
> Peg Leg (East of False Lake Waypoint, Durmand Priory
Underwater) (W) Waypoint
> Frozen Portal (Southeast of Thunderhorn’s
Waypoint)
> Mysterious Meat (North of Durmand Priory,
inside the grawl/fleshreaver cave system)
Molent
> Lionguard Mette (South of Stonescatter Refuge Peak Summit
Waypoint, north of False Lake Waypoint) Lake of Lamentation
> Skillet (East of Nentor Waypoint, inside the Refuge Peak
skritt cave) Waypoint Lamentation
Waypoint
Lornar’s Pass is to the west of Hoelbrak. You reach it by
walking through Snowden Drifts and then down past
Lornar’s Waypoint. Come here in your late 20s or early
30s and look for more fun fighting the dredge. They’re a
major threat in this area.
Ag far’s
Waypoint
Bouldermouth Vale
MAYBE JUST Highfirn Passage
ONE MORE!
Lornar’s Pass is a region with higher THUNDERHORNS WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE

levels than the rest of the ones we’ve
SERVICES: Waypoint, Food Merchant (W), Skill Challenge (W)
written up for this guide. For people
TRAVEL: Entrance to Snowden Drifts (Level 15-25 Norn Region) (N)
who still want a bit of guidance
before they get to their elite skills,
this is a final place you can go and Thunderhorns Waypoint is where most norn start their work in this region. It’s a quiet waypoint near the Snowden
get some experience while we show Drifts entrance. There are dredge to the east and a friendly hall to the west. Get your bearings before picking a
direction, and then set off when you’re ready.
you the ropes.
When you visit Korakatt’s Hall (to the west), make sure to stop and talk to one of the residents. They’ll tell you
about dwarven history, and your character gains a Skill Point!
424
WORLD
SOUTH SIDE HELP HUNE MANAGE THE LODGE

(Renown Task)
GOAL: Help with Korakatt Hall activities.
Bouldermouth
Vale LEVEL: 26
Highfirn Passage
Reaper’s Gate
Description: Feed dolyaks, stomp dredge mounds, and
calm rowdy patrons inside the hall. All of these help
you complete this task. If you can’t find enough things
to do, kill any dredge that are close to the hall. Any time
Stonescatter
Waypoint you’re back at the main building, look for feed bags and
give those to the dolyaks. It’s fast and gets you quite a
False River few points, and it makes the dolyaks happy!
Valley
Stonescatter Cascade Bridge

Wash Waypoint
Winterthaw
Snowfield
Waypoint
DEFEND LORELA FROM THE DREDGE

Griffon’s Aerie (Repeatable)
Waypoint
Protect Lorela while she gathers 12
GOAL: griffon eggs.
LEVEL: 26
Description: Lorela is a sous chef with a rough boss. She’s

been sent out to gather griffon eggs, regardless of the
Guutra’s Homestead danger she faces. If you see her out by the Thunderhorns
Waypoint Waypoint, meet with her and escort the girl on her quest
for proper ingredients. She’ll go around to a dozen griffon
Lost Delver’s nests, steal their eggs, and keep going until she can bring
Ridge
everything back to Korakatt Hall. Keep her protected
and alive so you have assistance in all of the fights along
the way: dredge pop out of the ground quite often, and
griffons are par for the course. This is a slow event, but the
Demon’s Maw Vanjir’s Stead fighting keeps it from lagging.
Waypoint Waypoint
Venison Pass
425
DRIVE OFF THE DREDGE AT KORAKATT HALL (Repeatable) Take the road south from Thunderhorns Waypoint to reach this area. The way is
Reduce dredge morale and prevent them from doing any damage to reasonably safe, though there are some griffons and grawl close enough to hassle you
GOAL: Korakatt Hall. if you’re concerned about that type of thing. Once you unlock this waypoint, look
LEVEL: 26 north for a fast task before continuing along the road.
Description: A couple If you started Lornar’s Pass from Nentor Waypoint, the road also brings you here (just from
minutes after you a different angle). Both paths converge and go into the southern section of the map.
return to the hall with
Lorela, the dredge
NENTOR WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE
mount an assault on SERVICES: Waypoint
the place. They’ll deploy TRAVEL: Exit to Gendarran Fields (Level 25-35 Human Region)
a roadblock across the
eastern bridge, and that’s
where the dredge start to
appear. Attack them with the residents of the hall at your side. Destroy the roadblock
as soon as possible to help curtail dredge morale, and then work on their stragglers
until the event is done. This event helps with the local task, so it’s quite useful. Beating
this starts Lorela’s event chain back at the beginning (after a few minutes).
UNDERBURG NORTHEAST SIDE

SERVICES: N/A
TRAVEL: N/A
If you’re coming in from human territory, Nentor Waypoint is where you’ll begin. The
waypoint is feet away from the transition between the two regions. A mining camp
is to the south. You can climb the hillside or use the road to get there. Both have
enemies, and they all count toward the local task.
HELP THE MINERS (Renown Task)

GOAL: Assist the mining camp by organizing tools and killing local threats.
LEVEL: 27
Description: The mining camp is in the northwestern part of this map. There are
bandits, raptors, trolls, and grawl all over the area (even on the road itself). Kill these
enemies, destroy their roadblocks, and finish the event whenever you like. If you’d prefer
If you’re in the mood to hunt dredge, lay siege to Underburg and go to town. There
a peaceful method to earn credit, go up to the mining camp and look for scrap and
are dozens of them there, and they’ll die in droves if you’re tough enough to take
tools. Collect these and bring them to the top of the camp. Put the tools on a rack and
them on. Although there isn’t as much metal to mine as you might like, the dredge
leave the metal right next to that. Both give you fair credit, and there are a number of
here drop Iron Ore and metal scraps. If you can’t mine it, kill for it!
places to pick up these items within the camp. You won’t have to do any fighting.
MISTRIVEN WAYPOINT NORTH OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint
Thunderhorns Waypoint (NE), Pinnacle Enclave
426
WORLD
HELP KELGG (Renown Task) DURMAND PRIORY WAYPOINT WEST SIDE

Go into the infested mine and aid miners, kill bats and skritt, and close
GOAL: SERVICES: Waypoint, Equipment Repair, Skill Challenge
sink holes.
LEVEL: 28 TRAVEL: Pinnacle Enclave Waypoint (E), Rocklair Waypoint (S)
Description: There’s a small mine to the northeast of Nentor Waypoint. It’s hard
to see, so walk up to the cliffs and follow the sounds of bats. They infest the narrow
passage that leads into the cave. Once you’re inside, kill the bats and skritt while
looking for miners to save.
Durmand Priory is a massive landmark, and you should go there even if you don’t
need another Skill Point or a new waypoint. It’s a beautiful building, high on the side
of a mountain. If you’re coming from Pinnacle Enclave Waypoint, stay on the road
and take the bridge across the large chasm. This is a time saver. Otherwise, people on
the floor of the valley have to go south of the priory and take the snowy road that
leads up Refuge Peak.
PINNACLE ENCLAVE WAYPOINT NORTHEAST OF CENTER The waypoint is inside the building, at the back of the temple. A Skill Challenge is
SERVICES: Waypoint nearby, so get that done before you leave the area.
TRAVEL: Thunderhorns Waypoint (N), Lamentation Waypoint (SE)

Look south for a fast task with Herder Lyot, and then backtrack to Pinnacle Enclave
HARVESTING INFO: Minimal Waypoint so you can clear the eastern side of the region.
HELP HERDER LYOT (Renown Task)

GOAL: Maintain the dolyak ranch, feed dolyaks, and fight wurms nearby.
LEVEL: 33
Description: A dolyak ranch is down the mountain, south of Durmand Priory.

Carefully descend the mountain and look for wurms to kill while you approach the
ranch. Not only are there wurms above the ground, but there are also mounds to
kick. Look for these, because they get you more credit than a normal wurm kill. Then,
go to the ranch itself (near the task icon). Kill wurms inside the pen, revive any dead
dolyaks, and then bring feed to the creatures. The feed is right outside of their pen,
Pinnacle Enclave Waypoint is far to the south of Thunderhorns Waypoint. The road gets
so it only takes a moment. That should finish the task for you! Keep going south
you there eventually if you take it all the way around (to the west and then south). If
afterward until you get to Rocklair Waypoint. That’ll be much more convenient. Then
you’re impatient, walk overland for a faster and somewhat more exciting trip!
come back to the priory later on.
Once there, look east for a fun task and some exploration.
HELP THE PRIORY FIGHT THE DREDGE (Renown Task)

GOAL: Clear out the ruins and stop dredge encroachment.
LEVEL: 30
Description: The area

between the Godspurs
and Frostgate Falls is filled
with dredge and wolves.
Both need to be killed in
droves to complete this
task. If you see dredge
equipment on the eastern
side of the area, trash it for
bonus points. A small cave to the west of the falls is home to many additional wolves. If
you’re hunting them for crafting materials, that’s a great place to stop.
427
LAMENTATION WAYPOINT EAST SIDE
SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Challenge (x2) (S)
TRAVEL: Pinnacle Enclave Waypoint (NE)
PREVENT A BUILDING FROM BEING CONSTRUCTED (Repeatable)

GOAL: Kill all of the steam fabricators before the building is completed.
Lamentation Waypoint is on the eastern side of the map. It’s tucked into an area of LEVEL: 32
crags and monsters. Griffons fly over the hills, and the lowlands are held by dredge and
Description: Steam fabricators attempt to construct a base if there aren’t major
ice elementals. You don’t have a road for safe passage to this new area, but at least it’s
portals in the area. A team appears on the western end of the lake and starts work on
revealed on your map from quite a distance away (so you know where you’re going).
a large building. You can
For a Skill Point, search the southern hills. Reaper’s Gate is down there, with a villager trash the building easily
who can help you learn new knowledge. For a second Skill Point, use the tunnel enough, but you have
south to reach Grenth’s Door. Kill the aatxes and shades to the east and commune by to kill the fabricators to
the statue of Grenth. complete the event. A
veteran also appears with
SLOW THE STEAM INVADERS (Renown Task) the fabricators. Leave the
GOAL: Kill steam creatures, close portals, and gather specimen parts. veteran for last (because
the creep respawns
LEVEL: 32
rather quickly). It’s better to take out the regular fabricators. As soon as you kill the
Description: After last living fabricator, you win the day! Fight near the building so any area-of-effect
getting Lamentation attacks damage the structure; this sets the enemies back, ensuring you have more
Waypoint, move west time if there are any problems.
onto the lake that
gives the area its name. AGFAR’S WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER
There are important SERVICES: Waypoint, Scout
things to do on the Entrance to Bloodtide Coast (Level 45-55 Region) (W),
TRAVEL:
Lake of Lamentation. Ice Winterthaw Waypoint (SE)
elementals, steam-driven HARVESTING INFO: Minimal
monsters, and other various foes are all over the frozen lake. Kill them for points while
looking for portals to close or specimens to pick up. The steam parts that spawn on
the ground are dark; it’s easy to see them against the light background of the snow
and ice. You get points for picking up the parts, and then even more if you put them
in the collection barrel next to Scholar Darkpaw (the task giver).
DESTROY THE STEAM CREATURES’ PORTALS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Destroy three steam portals.
LEVEL: 32
Description: Steam portals are summoned on the Lake of Lamentation. They won’t
always be up, but their appearance is fairly common. If you see them, go after the This could hardly be called a town. It’s more of a glorified camp for people who are
portals on the central part of the lake. They’re maintained by large structures that are traveling to or from the Durmand Priory. The most important thing about it is its
easy to see (and they’re marked on your minimap). Watch carefully while attacking; waypoint. There aren’t many similar travel points anywhere nearby, so getting this
enemies spawn inside the portals and immediately attack your hero. Switch fire to waypoint saves you a huge amount of time.
them so you don’t get killed, and then finish off the portals after the battle. Once you
take out all three portals, the area will be cleared for a little while.
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WORLD
ESCORT PRIORY EXPLORER GILLARD (Repeatable) WINTERTHAW WAYPOINT EAST SIDE

GOAL: Talk to Gillard and complete the escort event to the south.
SERVICES: Waypoint
LEVEL: 35
Rocklair Waypoint (NW), Entrance to Dredgehaunt
TRAVEL: Cliffs (Level 40-50 Region) (E), Guutra’s Homestead
Description: Priory Explorer Gillard is inside the Rocklair encampment. Look for an Waypoint (SW)
event icon to find Gillard. If you’re under level 33 or so, it’s better to handle events on HARVESTING INFO: Minimal
the eastern side of the zone or to work on repeatable events elsewhere before doing
this. Gillard wants an escort all the way south, into territory with level 35+ enemies.
As long as you’re appropriately leveled, it’s a decent way to get karma, money, and
experience while exploring new terrain. There are imps, jotun, and other groups of
monsters to fight. Once you cross Cascade Bridge, wurms, dredge, and wolves come
after you as well. You can revive the dolyaks and the guards if they fall, so it’s more
important to protect your hero than to save the NPCs.
The road down from Rocklair Waypoint eventually turns east or bends south. The
eastern route ends at Winterthaw Waypoint, an out-of-the-way area with multiple
events nearby. It’s a great place for fast leveling, if you’re up to the task.
If you’re looking for somewhere to adventure after completing Lornar’s Pass, there
is an entrance to Dredgehaunt Cliffs near this waypoint. Walk east and start your
exploits there some time around level 40.
HELP ARCANIST KRUPPA WITH DESTROYERS (Renown Task)

GOAL: Battle destroyers and collapse their burrows.
PROTECT THE WORKERS (Repeatable) LEVEL: 36
GOAL: Approach Cascade Bridge and make sure the workers finish their repairs.
LEVEL: 35 Description: Arcanists
are fighting a variety of
Description: If Cascade Bridge has been destroyed by monsters, a number of destroyers to the south
workers will come to rebuild it. These workers are attacked frequently by Covington of Winterthaw Waypoint.
pirates, and anyone in the area should help to keep them safe. Those doing the escort Walk down to the scene
mission for Explorer Gillard have to get the bridge back up before they can finish of the conflict and kill
their original event, so they don’t have much of a choice in the matter. Note that you destroyers (they come
have to be careful; the pirates’ attacks are heavy enough that a single hero might be in several varieties, but
overwhelmed. Try to get at least some of the workers revived if they fall; that way, none of them has special
progress continues on the bridge at all times. The pirates have unlimited numbers, so powers that make them more dangerous than the others). To get additional credit for
workers take precedence over fallen defenders. the task, knock over their piles of rocks, destroy their burrows, and revive any arcanists
that have fallen in the area. Watch out for large groups; if you kick over a mound of
rocks while standing near a burrow, you can end up with many enemies at once.
HELP PRIORY EXPLORER LEANDRA (Renown Task)

GOAL: Weaken dredge and recover relics in the area.
LEVEL: 35
Description: Leandra is
near the road, west from
Winterthaw Waypoint.
Her area is covered in
dredge troops. Damage
their air vents on the
ground to summon
additional dredge and get
bonus credit. While doing
that, kill dredge that are already topside. Many targets are north from the task icon, so
hunt up there if you’re trying to finish the event quickly.
429
GUUTRA’S HOMESTEAD WAYPOINT SOUTH OF CENTER COLLECT DWARVEN ARTIFACTS (Repeatable)
Search False Lake for dwarven artifacts and bring them to
SERVICES: Waypoint, Skill Challenge (NW) GOAL: Innkeeper Klement.
False Lake Waypoint (W), Winterthaw Waypoint (NE), LEVEL: 37
TRAVEL: Vanjir’s Stead Waypoint (SE)
HARVESTING INFO: Gold Ore (N) Description: Sometimes
Innkeeper Klement leaves
Guutra’s Homestead and
rushes to the bank of the
lake (on the southeastern
side of it). Swim down
into the water and look
for piles of sand or actual
dwarven artifacts along
the bottom. If you swim quickly, you won’t even have to fight any drakes that attack
your character along the way. You only need to get about 10 of the items if you’re by
yourself. Bring these back to the innkeeper and hand them over. Follow Klement back
Guutra’s Homestead Waypoint is on the southern branch of the road. Leave
to the stead and hang around for a minute; he might need some help!
Winterthaw and take the road as it turns in that direction; you can’t miss it. There
aren’t any good services there, but you’re darn close to the pirates on False Lake. DEFEND KLEMENT AND FABRI (Repeatable)
That’s a good thing because they’re great targets. They drop raw coin, wool scraps,
GOAL: Protect the stead from pirate attackers.
and goodie bags, so they’re wonderful sources for crafting items. As long as you’re
LEVEL: 37
tough enough to endure their turrets and patrollers, it’s a great place to farm for loot!
Description: A couple minutes after you finish collecting the artifacts, a pirate captain
For another Skill Point, swim down to the bottom of False Lake and meet Peg Leg.
comes up to Guutra’s Stead and tries to extort some tribute from Klement and Fabri.
Complete his Skill Challenge before you head off to explore the island at the center
This can’t be a coincidence! Stand with the people of the stead and repel a series of
of the lake.
attackers. They’ll trickle in if you kill them one at a time, so it’s better to kill them en
HELP QUELDIP (Renown Task) masse (if you can). Don’t waste time attacking the pirate captain; he’s not really taking
part in the skirmish. As soon as enough pirates are killed, he’ll head off on his own.
GOAL: Defeat pirates, steal treasure, and destroy turrets on the island.
LEVEL: 36
Description: The
Covington pirates control
the entire area due to
their fortified island.
Queldip wants you to
shake up the pirates, but
it’s going to take some
careful work. Pirate turrets
have considerable range,
and anyone going across the island’s bridges will be subject to attack. It’s sometimes
easier to attack from the east, by swimming across the lake and onto the lower
portion of Jetsam Island. ESCORT THE ARTIFACT TO VANJIR’S STEAD (Repeatable)
GOAL: Take the artifact down to Vanjir’s Stead, in the southeast.
To kill the turrets safely, rush past the pirates and fight next to the turrets. They can’t
fire at someone standing that close, so you only have to kill the pirates who follow LEVEL: 38
you back. Kill them, destroy the turret next, and then look for bags of goods on the
Description: Researchers arrive to take the artifact away. If you hang around after the
ground. Stay in the lower
pirate captain leaves, this event begins within a minute or so. Pirates, earth elementals,
part of the island or
and raptors attack while your convoy makes its way along the roads to the southeast.
use the buildings above
The fights often have four enemies, so you need to be very careful if you’re alone.
for cover. More pirates
Fight for maximum
and turrets attack if
survivability. Only protect
you’re out in the open.
the dolyaks if things get
Keep killing until you’ve
especially heated. The trip
finished the task.
ends when you get down
to the stead, near Vanjir’s
Stead Waypoint.
430
WORLD
DEFEAT LORD IGNIUS (Group)

GOAL: Slay champion Lord Ignius.
LEVEL: 38
Description: The job isn’t done even after the package is delivered down at Vanjir’s
Stead. Follow Jodd and the others to see what this artifact is all about. Before too
long, the group stops in the wilderness and summons the creature bound inside the
stones. You have to fight this powerful beast, a champion named Lord Ignius. The
fight is soloable, so you won’t need a group unless things go all pear-shaped. The
asura from your escort as well as a norn from the stead all jump in to help out. When
Lord Ignius is slain, the event chain ends.
DEMON’S MAW WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint
False Lake Waypoint (N), Vanjir’s Stead Waypoint (E),
TRAVEL:
Entrance to Bloodtide Coast (Level 45-55 Region) (SW)
FALSE LAKE WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint
TRAVEL: Guutra’s Homestead Waypoint (E), Rocklair Waypoint (N)
Monk’s Leap is at the southern end of False Lake. It’s near a huge collection of earth
elementals, on the western side of the map. It’s an unremarkable location until you find
the passage out to Bloodtide Coast, a narrow waterway southwest of the waypoint.
To continue working with events in Lornar’s Pass, take the bridge east after killing its
guards. That puts you back on the road.
False Lake Waypoint isn’t far from Guutra’s Homestead Waypoint, but it’s still quite
valuable. This area is on the western side of the river, making it possible to reach the
high ground quickly. Get this by running south from Rocklair or by swimming across
the river from Guutra’s and climbing up the northern bank. Walk south from False
Lake Waypoint to find your next task.
HELP DUIDDA (Renown Task)

GOAL: Hassle pirates, destroy more turrets, shred pirate flags, and steal rum.
LEVEL: 37
Description: Another band of Covington pirates is south of False Lake Waypoint.

They’re up on the western side of the water. These pirates are slightly higher level, so
watch yourself if you haven’t gained any levels while fighting the others. To keep the
task safe, fight the single pirates higher on the shore. If you’re tough, gutsy, or have a
group, rush into the main compound. There are more enemies, and the mix of flags
and rums let you complete the event in under half the time.
431
VANJIR’S STEAD WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE JOIN ARMAS AGAINST THE JOTUN CHIEFTAIN (Repeatable)
GOAL: Kill the jotun chieftain.
SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Equipment Repair LEVEL: 38
Demon’s Maw Waypoint (W), Guutra’s Homestead
TRAVEL: Waypoint (NW), Entrance to Timberline Falls (Level Description: Armas is a norn hunter on the northern end of town, in the stead.
50-60 Region) (S)
Talk to him before you work on Neida’s task so you can get credit for both events
HARVESTING INFO: Minimal simultaneously. As
soon as you begin to
help him, the lunatic
charges north into jotun
territory. Follow the
hunter and defend him
from jotun attackers.
He’ll drive into the heart
of their territory and
kill the chieftain (so long as you can survive the push). If things are getting tense,
let Armas fall so you have time to rest. Revive him afterward to continue the event.
The chieftain is in a cave along the eastern edge of the map. He’s a veteran, but with
Vanjir’s Stead is on the southeastern end of Lornar’s Pass. This place is incredibly
Armas’ help it’s a manageable fight. Getting there is harder than killing him!
important because it’s near the passage to Timberline Falls. It has a merchant, you can
repair there, and it’s relatively safe at all times. You couldn’t ask for much more. HELP RESEARCHER BRAMM (Renown Task)
GOAL: Activate surveillance equipment, revive fallen researchers, and kill ettins.
HELP HUNTER NEIDA (Renown Task)
LEVEL: 39
GOAL: Battle jotun and ice wurms.
LEVEL: 38 Description: Follow the southern line of mountains while moving west from
Venison Pass. Halfway along the southern side of the map there are ettins with
Description: Walk northeast from Venison Pass to kill the wurms and jotun up
a bunch of research equipment nearby. Use the equipment while fighting the
there. If possible, start Armas’ event (described next). You can often get full credit for
ettins to complete this task. Although the ettins are spread out, they’re high level
this task just by completing that event. Otherwise, stay in the snowfields and hunt
and have knockdown attacks that cover a huge area of effect. Use ranged attacks
targets for a few minutes.
whenever you can, and draw them out toward your position. This lowers the
chance of having to fight more than one of them at a time. The fallen researchers
aren’t near the front of the ettins’ pass; they’re deep in the crags. Push far into the
ettins’ area to finish the task quickly, but jump to a waypoint as soon as you finish
so you don’t have to fight your way back out.
432
WORLD
DREDGEHAUNT CLIFFS
LEVEL RANGE: 40-50
The Dredgehaunt Cliffs divide the Shiverpeak Mountains from the Steamspur Mountains. They’re reachable
from the southern exit of Hoelbrak or by leaving the eastern end of Lornar’s Pass. As you’d expect, the
norn continue to have dredge problems throughout these mountains. The Moletariat is a serious threat to
travelers and adventurers alike.
Graupel Kohn
Travelen’s Waypoint
Waypoint
Havfrue Basin
Waypoint
Mountain’s Tail
Wyrmblood Waypoint
Waypoint Nottowr Fault
Waypoint
Theign Spiritwalk
Hessdallen Kenning
Waypoint
The Wide Expanse
Waypoint
Toran Hollow Kenning Testing Ground
Waypoint Waypoint
Dostoev Sky Peak

Seven Pines
Waypoint
Steelbrachen
Waypoint
Rat’s Run
The Grey Road
Waypoint
Kapellenburg
Granite Citadel
Waypoint
Dociu
Sorrow’s Embrace Waypoint
Waypoint Betrayal
Grounds
Tribulation Rift
Waypoint
Frostland Melt
Waypoint
Black Earth
Coalmine
433
FROSTGORGE SOUND
LEVEL RANGE: 70-80
The toughest area in the Shiverpeak Mountains is all the way up top, at the northern
end of the chain. Travel north from the Wayfarer Foothills or west from Fireheart Rise
to get there. Swim through the chilly waters to find some impressive enemies and face
rare challenges. Or, face off against the best that the Sons of Svanir have to offer. Just be
careful of the dragons’ influence there in the north. It’s a palpable threat at every turn.
Drakkar
Path of Starry Skies

Watchful Waypoint
Waypoint
Honor of the Waves

Waypoint
Ice Flow
Waypoint
Dimotiki
Waypoint Slough of Despond
Waypoint
Earthshake
Waypoint
Twoloop
Waypoint
Ridgerock Camp
Waypoint Yak’s Bend
Blue Ice Shining Waypoint
Waypoint
Skyheight Steading Highpeaks

Waypoint Waypoint
Arundon
Waypoint
Groznev
Waypoint
434
WORLD
Tarnished Coast
RATA SUM The Tarnished Coast of Tyria has a warm climate,
verdant growth, and abundant natural resources.
LEVEL RANGE: Asuran Capital City Not surprisingly, it is also home to many intelligent
(All Levels)
races. Both the asura and sylvari live here, and
WAYPOINTS: 11 many smaller groups, such as the krait, skritt, and
SKILL CHALLENGES: 3 hylek, have found refuge within the wilderness.
TOP FLOOR
The most dangerous threats to travelers, apart from the aggressive wildlife, are Inquest
loyalists, members of the Nightmare Court, and the legions of Orrian undead. There
are several small towns to take refuge in for an evening, but none compare with the
cities of Rata Sum and The Grove. These are the home cities of the asura and sylvari
and are marvels of technology and nature, respectively.
Rata Sum is both the capital of the asuran race and one of their greatest
Magustan Court achievements. Built as a floating cube suspended over an asuran-made mountain,
Waypoint which itself was created over an inland river, the city stands as a marvel of arcane
construction and power.
Magicat Court
Waypoint
Rata Sum is divided into five primary floors, which are separated by order of
importance to the city. The top two floors are dedicated to the ideals of the asura;
Metrical Court the highest pinnacle holds the Council chambers of asuran government, while the
Waypoint public top floor has passages to great laboratories and through the Asura Gates to
the world beyond.
The middle level holds crafting and manufacturing stations. It is here that asuran
masterworkers go to learn and perfect new techniques.
SECOND FLOOR BOTTOM FLOOR
Research
Waypoint Apprentice
Waypoint
Accountancy Auxiliary
Waypoint Waypoint
435
The bottom two levels are centered more on the daily life of the city. The bottom level is home to novice apprentices, researchers, and other auxiliary staff that don’t belong to
a lab yet. It is also a recruiting place for the Peacemakers (and others). The lowest floor, the Substrata, is the foundation of the city. It holds individual laboratories and residences
for the populace, but it is not considered a prestigious location by most.
Arrayed around the fountain are armorsmiths and weaponsmiths,

ARCANE COUNCIL CHAMBERS COUNCIL LEVEL
who sell a variety of goods.
SERVICES: N/A
TRAVEL: Asura Gate to Beol Fountain
Walkways connect Creator’s Commons to the three waypoints on this floor:

Magustan Court, Metrica Square, and Magicat Court. Ramps leading down to the
The general affairs of Rata Sum are governed by the Arcane Council. From the very crafting floor aren’t far, either.
top of the city, the members of the Council can look out over their capital and the
surrounding land. Most asura attempt to avoid membership in the Council, as it takes METRICAL WAYPOINT TOP FLOOR
them away from their own individual experiments or those of their laboratory krewes.
Waypoint, Profession Trainers (Necromancer,
SERVICES: Elementalist, and Mesmer)
CREATOR’S COMMONS TOP FLOOR Asura Gate to Idea Incubation Lab, Asura Gate to
TRAVEL:
Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Merchant (Salvage), Metrica Province (City Exit), Ramps to Crafting Floor
SERVICES: Equipment Repairs
Asura Gate to the Council Level (in the Center of the
TRAVEL: Fountain), Metrica Square (SE), Magustan Court (N),
Magicat Court (SW), Ramps to Crafting Floor
Beol Fountain decorates the center of Creator’s Commons, at the middle of the top
floor. The bottom of the fountain is an Asura Gate to the Council Level, from where
the leaders of the city govern.
At the fountain itself, a knowledgeable villager is attempting to sell a Skill Book.

The merchant nearby sells salvage kits, and there is even a place to repair equipment.
436
WORLD
Metrical Court, on the southeast corner of the top floor, holds Metrical Waypoint. East of the court stands the College of Statics, home of the Magihedron. This place is
The Asura Gates to the Idea Incubation Lab and Metrica Province immediately flank dedicated to the martial professions. A warrior trainer and a guardian trainer stand in
the waypoint. Travelers making their way into the city from Metrica Province can ask an alcove, ready to impart their wisdom.
a nearby tour guide for directions.
ACCOUNTANCY WAYPOINT CRAFTING FLOOR
To the west is the College of Synergetics. Within this building are three villagers
Waypoint, Trading Post, Bank, Guild Services,
willing to sell information and an alcove for mystic profession trainers. Necromancers, SERVICES: Equipment Repairs
elementalists, and mesmers can speak with their mentors here. Statics Union (NE), Dynamics Union (NW), Synergetics
TRAVEL: Union (S), Ramps to Top Floor, Stairs to Bottom Floor
To depart the top floor to the crafting floor, simply follow the ramps leading down
from the waypoint.
MAGICAT WAYPOINT TOP FLOOR

SERVICES: Waypoint, Profession Trainers (Ranger, Engineer, Thief)
Asura Gate to Applied Development (Homes), Asura
TRAVEL: Gate to Snaff Memorial Lab, Ramps to Crafting Floor
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The Interdisciplinary Accessium is the financial heart of Rata Sum. The Accountancy
Waypoint at its center provides ease of travel for buyers and sellers alike. It is where the
Bank and Trading Post stand, and there is a place for travelers to repair their equipment.
For those wishing to create their own guilds, the Guild Registrar and Promoter are
both here and ready to help.
Magicat Court is on the western edge of the top floor of Rata Sum. The waypoint The ramps from here lead up to the top floor, along the sides of Creator’s Commons.
stands across from the Asura Gates to Snaff Memorial Lab and the Applied The paths lead to the unions and the three other waypoints on this floor. Just beside
Development Lab. the ramps are paths to the north, southeast, and southwest. These lead to stairs to
the bottom floor.
Asuran characters never feel more at home than when they are in the Applied
Development Lab. It is here that they took their first steps in experimentation, and STATICS WAYPOINT CRAFTING FLOOR
got their first taste of well-deserved recognition. Waypoint, Stations and Trainers (Artificer, Huntsman,
SERVICES: Weaponsmith)
The ramps to the crafting floor are just past the stairs from Magicat Court. The
TRAVEL: Path to Accountancy Waypoint
College of Dynamics is immediately north. Here, some of the more subtle professions
can find mentors. The trainers for rangers, engineers, and thieves are ready and willing
to impart their knowledge.
MAGUSTAN WAYPOINT TOP FLOOR

SERVICES: Waypoint, Profession Trainers (Warrior, Guardian)
Asura Gate to the Advanced Metamystics Lab, Asura
TRAVEL: Gate to Lion’s Arch (City Exit), Ramps to Crafting Floor
Statics Waypoint sits on a ledge outside Forge Hall. Take a moment to admire the
view before heading inside the hall and starting your business. The Statics Union plays
host to a number of craftmasters that aid the college above. Huntsmen, artificers,
and weaponsmiths all find both Masters to teach them and stations to practice their
craft here. With the Accountancy Waypoint, Bank, and Trading Post a short run away,
crafters spend a great deal of time here.
Magustan Court has Asura Gates to the Advanced Metamystics Lab and Lion’s Arch. As
this is the first place where most visitors from other areas set foot, a Tour Guide is ready
to answer questions or give directions. Nearby ramps lead down to the crafting floor.
437
DYNAMICS WAYPOINT CRAFTING FLOOR RESEARCH WAYPOINT BOTTOM FLOOR
Waypoint, Stations and Trainers (Jeweler, Tailor, SERVICES: Waypoint
SERVICES: Armorsmith)
Path to Apprentice Waypoint, Path to Auxiliary
TRAVEL: Path to Accountancy Waypoint TRAVEL: Waypoint, Stairs to Crafting Floor, Ramp to Lower
Research Stacks
The Research Waypoint doesn’t hold much for anyone not part of a krewe. The
merchants are so pushy that it’s impossible to buy anything. The wavering wall to
the north holds the ramp to the Lower Research Stacks where a warden keeps test
subjects locked in cages.
The Dynamics Waypoint is just outside Artisan Hall. Be mindful of the railings, as they
are only high enough to trip you and not high enough to keep you from taking the fast
route to the bottom of Rata Sum. Inside Artisan Hall are Masters of crafts supported
by the College of Dynamics. A Master Jeweler, Master Tailor, and Master Armorsmith
occupy the three corners of the hall. The Tailoring Station, Armorsmithing Station, and
Jeweler’s Station dominate the floor. The path to the Accountancy Waypoint (and its
AUXILIARY WAYPOINT BOTTOM FLOOR
various services) completes the dream of these crafters.
SERVICES: Waypoint
SYNERGETICS WAYPOINT CRAFTING FLOOR Path to Apprentice Waypoint, Path to Research
TRAVEL: Waypoint, Stairs to Crafting Floor
SERVICES: Waypoint, Stations and Trainers (Leatherworker, Cooking)
TRAVEL: Path to Accountancy Waypoint
There are recruiters and other krewe-related people in this area. It’s not a stop for the
average traveler unless you have specific business to attend to.
Overlooking Skinner’s Hall is Synergetics Waypoint, named for the college this hall
supports. The Master Leatherworker and Master Chef are happy to share their
Leatherworker’s Station and Cooking Fire with those who are willing to listen and
work. The Synergetics Union doesn’t turn anyone away. Only a hop, skip, and jump
separate Skinner’s Hall from the Accountancy Waypoint. If the hall doesn’t have what
you need, the Bank and Trading Post almost certainly will.
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WORLD
APPRENTICE WAYPOINT BOTTOM FLOOR INCUBATION WAYPOINT SUBSTRATA

SERVICES: Waypoint SERVICES: Waypoint
Path to Research Waypoint, Path to Auxiliary Waypoint, TRAVEL: Asura Gate to Metrical Waypoint
TRAVEL: Stairs to Crafting Floor
The Flaxx Compound stands a short walk from the Incubation Waypoint. Don’t
bother trying to get in without an appointment, as there is a guard with golems that
can’t be cajoled into letting anyone in.
At the Apprentice Waypoint travelers can learn more about the major schools of
thought for krewe apprentices. Krewe apprentices Gorqi and Lunq are eager to
TARNISHED COAST
explain in depth the differences between the two schools. Take a moment to listen to
each if you’re interested. This is also where most apprentices come to relax. There is a
waitress serving apprentices (she won’t serve travelers), and the Aquatarium is a good
place to keep thoughts calm and off research for a few moments.
METAMYSTICS WAYPOINT SUBSTRATA

SERVICES: Waypoint
TRAVEL: Asura Gate to Magustan Waypoint
The Advanced Metamystics Lab works tirelessly to better the lives

of asura everywhere. (Actually, they just research and experiment for the
sake of advancing science.)
439
TOP FLOOR
THE GROVE
LEVEL RANGE: Sylvari Capital City (All Levels)
WAYPOINTS: 4 Caledon
Waypoint
SKILL CHALLENGES: 1
The Grove has grown and developed around the roots and under the branches of the
Pale Tree. Rather than staircases, sweeping ramps connect the three primary floors of
the city. It can be difficult for newcomers to the Grove to navigate. We suggest taking
the time to get one waypoint on each of the three floors first, and then using these
to explore one floor at a time.
As new sylvari awaken from their shared dream, they are brought to the Grove to be
educated before making their way into the world. While physically fully grown, there
is a great deal these saplings don’t know about the world. Teachers of all types and
styles bestow their wisdom to these new additions to the sylvari populace.
Upper Commons
Waypoint
SECOND FLOOR
CALEDON WAYPOINT TOP FLOOR

SERVICES: Merchant (Salvage)
City Exit to Caledon Forest (Level 1-15 Sylvari Region),
TRAVEL: Path to Watchgate Waypoint
Reckoner’s Terrace
Waypoint
Caledon Waypoint sits just at the exit to Caledon Forest. It’s both the first stop for
adventurers entering the Grove and the last stop for adventurers leaving. At first look,
there doesn’t seem to be much here, but Dreas (the merchant) sells leather bags and
all levels of salvage kits. He’s also willing to buy pretty much anything and everything
a traveler might find along the road or in an enemy’s pockets. To the south is the bulk
of the Grove.
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WORLD
BOTTOM FLOOR At first look, there aren’t very many services, but a little bit of walking to the southeast
brings you to the Envoy’s Shelter. Only nature can pack so much into such a small place. The
Envoy’s Shelter houses a weaponsmith, an armorsmith, equipment repairs, guild functions,
and trainers for all eight professions! If you can’t find the trainer you’re looking for inside the
shelter, check just outside, as many of them stand by the entrances. For those looking for a
wonderful view, visit Mentor Arduine to the east of Entry Gate Waypoint.
Ronan’s
Waypoint
TARNISHED COAST
WATCHGATE WAYPOINT TOP FLOOR
SERVICES: N/A
Path to Upper Commons Waypoint, Path to Entry Gate
TRAVEL: Waypoint, Ramp to Middle Floor
UPPER COMMONS WAYPOINT TOP FLOOR

SERVICES: N/A
TRAVEL: Path to Entry Gate Waypoint, Path to Watchgate Waypoint
Entering from Caledon Forest, one must pass under Warden’s Watchgate. This is the
last line of defense before reaching the Pale Tree itself. Just inside the passageway is
Watchgate Waypoint. As the first stop in the Grove proper, there are several paths
available from here. To the immediate south is a ramp to the middle floor. To the east
is Entry Gate Waypoint. On the other side of the Pale Tree Circle, to the south, is the
Upper Commons Waypoint.
TENDER’S WAYPOINT MIDDLE FLOOR

The Pale Tree Circle sits to the northeast of Upper Commons Waypoint. This is the
SERVICES: Trading Post
center of sylvari life in the Grove; it holds two lifts that take sylvari to the Soul of the
TRAVEL: Path to Maker’s Waypoint, Ramps to Top and Bottom Floors
Pale Tree, where they commune with their progenitor.
Use these lifts to ascend and look in the circle above for Ventari’s Tablet. Be sure to
visit this special place. To the north of the waypoint is a gentle ramp down to the
lower floors, while to the south is Silliari’s Tavern. This place of relaxation connects the
top and middle floors of the Grove, so no matter where you are, relaxation is close by.
ENTRY GATE WAYPOINT TOP FLOOR

Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Equipment Repair,
SERVICES: Profession Trainers for All Professions, Guild Services
Asura Gate to Lion’s Arch (City Exit), Path to Watchgate
TRAVEL: Waypoint, Path to Upper Commons Waypoint, Ramp to
Middle Floor There are several places connected to this waypoint. To the southeast is the Trading
Post, while across a bridge to the north is the back door to the crafting area, and
Purple energy swirls inside the Asura Gate to Lion’s Arch. The Entry Gate Waypoint
south leads to Maker’s Commons. For those on missions, the east holds the Durmand
stands beside it. For new visitors to the city, this marks their first contact with the
Posting as well as members of the Order of Whispers. Take the bridge to the
sylvari and their tree home.
northwest to enter the Gardenroot Tunnel. Here the sylvari tend the grubs that live
within the Pale Tree between the middle and bottom floors.
441
The Noon Waypoint sits on the bottom floor of the Grove. This is primarily a
MAKER’S WAYPOINT MIDDLE FLOOR
residential area for the populace, and there are few services for travelers this deep.
SERVICES: Bank, Equipment Repair, Crafting Trainers and Services The entrances to Blackroot Tunnel and the ramp to the middle floor are immediately
TRAVEL: Path to Scholar’s Waypoint, Path to Tender’s Waypoint south. Just past the entrance to the tunnel is the entrance to Nightshade Garden,
where the wardens imprison the enemies of the Pale Tree. The House of Niamh is to
the north of the waypoint. Here you can learn more about the Cycle of Noon from
Gardener Laidir.
DAWN WAYPOINT BOTTOM FLOOR

SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Armorsmith
TRAVEL: Path to Noon Waypoint, Path to Ronan’s Waypoint
There are few places in the Grove busier than Maker’s Waypoint. Here, once again,
The Pale Tree boggles the mind by putting so much in one location. Directly north
of Maker’s Waypoint is Maker’s Terrace, complete with a Trainer and Station for every
crafting profession. To the south is the Bank, and to the southeast is a path leading to
Scholar’s Waypoint and Blackroot Tunnel (which leads to the bottom floor).
SCHOLAR’S WAYPOINT MIDDLE FLOOR

SERVICES: N/A The entrance to the House of Aife is immediately to the south. This is one of the
TRAVEL: Path to Maker’s Waypoint, Ramp to Bottom Floor many houses dedicated to educating the saplings. Further south is the Great Helix,
which connects all three floors of the Grove. To the west are armorsmiths and
weaponsmiths who help the citizens of the Grove arm themselves. Further west are
the entrances to the Gardenroot Tunnel (which connects to the middle floor) and
the Yew Circle.
RONAN’S WAYPOINT BOTTOM FLOOR

SERVICES: Equipment Repairs
Path to Dawn Waypoint, Path to Noon Waypoint, Ramp to
TRAVEL: Middle Floor, Entrance to the House of Riannoc (Homes)
Scholar’s Waypoint sits between the ramps between the middle and bottom floors,
near a few important areas. A Vigil Warpost is up the ramp to the west, while Silliari’s
Tavern and the entrance to Blackroot Tunnel are up to the east. Be sure to visit Silliari,
as he’s a good conversationalist; he also gives you a Skill Challenge.
NOON WAYPOINT BOTTOM FLOOR

SERVICES: N/A
Path to Dawn Waypoint, Path to Ronan’s Waypoint,
TRAVEL: Ramp to Middle Floor
Ronan’s Waypoint is the closest waypoint to the center of the bottom floor and, as
such, gets the most use. Ronan’s Bower and the entrance to the House of Riannoc,
where many sylvari live, are to the northeast. South leads to the House of Caithe.
(Caithe was one of the Firstborn.) The Garden of Night is to the west. Immediately
north is the Great Helix, which connects all three floors of the Grove.
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WORLD
METRICA PROVINCE
LEVEL RANGE: 1-15
TASKS: 14
WAYPOINTS: 16
SKILL CHALLENGES: 8
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Early
Cooking Ingredients
SKILL CHALLENGES
> Control Node (North of Soren Draa
Waypoint, Inside Inquest Base) (SW)
> Utcua (East of Jeztar Falls Waypoint,
Swim to a Cave Underneath the
Lake) (S)
TARNISHED COAST
> Oola (Southeast of Cuatl Waypoint,
In a Secret Lab: Talk to a Researcher Inquest Outer Complex
to Open the Door) (E) Muridian Uplands
Waypoint
> Cuatl Health Goo (Northwest of
Cuatl Waypoint, In the Open) (E)
Thaumanova
> Suspicious Control Panel (Northeast Reactor
of Rana Landing Complex Waypoint,
Inside Biocauldron Alchemics)
(Center) Hexand Regrade
Waypoint
> Black Ice 4444 (North of Hexane
Regrade Waypoint, Inside the Large
Complex) (NE)
Artergon
> Ancient Elemental Fire Energy Waypoint
(West of Muridian Waypoint, In the Survivor’s Encampment
The Anthill Waypoint
Wetlands Beneath the Base) (NW) Waypoint
Luminates
Metrica Province is a land at war; conflict Plant
is constant in this grassland wilderness.
While once fully subterranean, the asura
Arterium Haven
have now expanded above ground, and Waypoint
their laboratories are sprouting up in every
nook and cranny. This has pushed the
local wildlife as well as the hylek and skritt Michotl Grounds
Waypoint
natives into smaller and smaller territories
throughout the province. Cuatl Morass
Waypoint
Fisher’s Rana Landing Complex
Beach Bend Waypoint
Desider Atum
Waypoint
Old Golem Factory

Waypoint
The Funhouse Akk Wilds

Waypoint
These other races raid the asuran labs, and
Loch Jezt
that isn’t the only problem for the asura. Hydrone Unit Waypoint
Internal strife is growing. The Inquest have Waypoint
gained a huge number of followers, and their
Sunshade
policies are not friendly, even to others of Caves
their own kind. They believe research should Soren Draa
be protected by any means possible. If this Waypoint
includes killing fellow asura, or anything else Calx’s
Hideout
that gets in their way, well, that’s a small price
to pay for progress. Jeztar Falls
Wildflame Caverns Waypoint
443
SOREN DRAA WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE
SERVICES: Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Equipment Repair WHY USE A SMALL STICK?
Entrance to Rata Sum (Asura Capital City) (W), The neuromitigator does more damage than your starting weapon
TRAVEL: Wildflame Caverns (S), Jeztar Falls Waypoint (E), Old
Golem Factory Waypoint (N) skills, and it hits with a cone effect. As such, you can disable
HARVESTING INFO: N/A multiple golems at once.
The event demands that you disable the golems instead of killing
them, so you don’t get credit for killing blows either way. There’s
no reason NOT to use the neuromitigator.
Soren Draa sits at the bottom of Rata Sum. Recruiters from the city and its various labs try
to get travelers’ attention. Though this is a small town compared with the city above, you
can get a good look at the glory and dangers of technology. Nearby, golems malfunction
and labs wage constant war with each other in the race for the next discovery.
Take care of the malfunctioning golems before progressing any further. Go farther
west to start “Experimenting on Golems” and “Defending Etheropods.”
DEFEND THE ETHEROPODS (Repeatable)
When you’re finished here, check the Wildflame Caverns to the south. It’s easy to miss GOAL: Defend the etheropods while Bluz harvests breeze rider eyes.
if you aren’t looking for it, and it’s got a fun repeatable event that pops up fairly often.
LEVEL: 3
EXPERIMENTING ON GOLEMS (Renown Task) Description: Bluz is using etheropods to attract breeze riders so he can harvest their eyes.
GOAL: Perform golem experiments and hinder the Inquest. He needs you to kill waves of enemies for him. As long as one etheropod is still standing
LEVEL: 2 when he collects the last eye, you win. Fight aggressively to ensure this happens!
Description: Golems
are here to experiment
on! They’re everywhere
in this area. Weaken the
PM-900a and experiment
on the SRV 3296 as
you go. Watch for the
broken golems; there are
often Inquest saboteurs
responsible. Revive the golems and kill the saboteurs that become visible to get
double credit toward this task.
MALFUNCTIONING GOLEMS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Help peacemakers weaken malfunctioning PM-900a golems. WILDFLAME CAVERNS SOUTHWEST SIDE
LEVEL: 2 SERVICES: N/A
TRAVEL: North to Soren Draa Waypoint, West to Jeztar Falls Waypoint
Description: PM-900a
golems are attacking HARVESTING INFO: N/A
the guards here. This
is horrible! Without
functioning guards,
anyone could slip into
Rata Sum. There are two
primary ways to deal
with the golems: beat
them down with your character’s abilities, or get a neuromitigator from the ground
by Peacemaker Chief Grumm. If you’re working alone, eight golems need to be
weakened to get full credit for the event.
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WORLD
The Wildflame Caverns are nestled between Soren Draa and a nearby lab. Embers live There is a great deal to do around the Jeztar Falls Waypoint. Start at Opticalium Labs on
inside the cave. They’re a minor hassle and don’t drop much loot, but each target is the way from Soren Draa (to the west of Jeztar Falls); there’s always something going on
fast to kill, so you can wade through them. at the Opticalium. If you wait for a minute, you’ll often find a new event to work on.
The caves produce fire opals, which are used to power a number of mechanical Once the Opticalium is safe, travel southwest to Incomp Labs and make sure
constructions in the region. If it’s available, the “Fire Opals” event is a quick repeatable everything is quiet over there. If the golem generators are under Inquest attack, help
that should be done before traveling further west to the Opticalium. defend the laboratory before moving down to the beach near the waypoint.
FIRE OPALS (Repeatable) There’s a hylek village to the north, along the beach. These hylek have had their
GOAL: Help Chott collect fire opals for a prototype golem weapon. territory encroached upon by the Inquest, and they’re rather displeased. Deal with
the hylek chief and the Inquest in the water before moving to the northern edge of
LEVEL: 3
the lake (directly northeast of the waypoint).
Description: Chott and the Incinergen Lab krewe are working on a new weapon;
PR&T Labs could use some assistance before you leave the area. Give them a hand
they need fire opals to get it to work. Kill the embers in the cave for their opals.
before jumping back to the Soren Draa Waypoint; then your work here is done.
There are also fire opals
on the ground. Pass
ASSIST THE OPTICALIUM (Renown Task)
them to Chott, who
Help maintain Opticalium Lab’s field equipment and prevent
TARNISHED COAST
wanders throughout the GOAL: Inquest interference.
area, to increase your
LEVEL: 3
contribution.
Description: The
Inquest doesn’t like
competition, and they’re
HYDRONE UNIT WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE here to cause trouble.
Kill Inquest operatives
SERVICES: Waypoint
while you revive fallen
West to Soren Draa Waypoint, Northeast to
TRAVEL: researchers and repair lab
Loch Waypoint
equipment. Depending
on when you get here, the
lab may have already fallen and you get to complete two events at once! Retake the lab
while fighting and repairing equipment to get even more money and experience.
RETAKE THE OPTICALIUM (Repeatable)

GOAL: Retake the Opticalium Lab from the Inquest.
LEVEL: 3
Description: Inquest agents have taken the Opticalium and it’s up to you to see that
their stay is short. Pay special attention to the Inquest turrets; they’re incredibly mean.
If you have powerful ranged attacks, take out the turrets first. If you’re a close-range
combatant, pull the Inquest attackers away from the turrets and kill them away from
This waypoint is a middle spot between many of Metrica’s southern points. Grab it
the artillery; you can then go in, destroy the turret itself, and attempt to hold the area.
while you’re moving toward Jeztar Falls to cut down on travel times through here in
Note that the turrets are not considered part of the Inquest forces; they can appear at
the future.
your back to fire on you even if you control the area, but they can’t hold the territory
JEZTAR FALLS WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE without support from Inquest personnel.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Karma Vendor

TRAVEL: East to Soren Draa Waypoint, North to Loch Waypoint
Keep new enemies outside the circle to retake the lab. When there are other players
holding the area, you can afford to stay outside the highlighted zone; this way you
can attack Inquest agents before they enter the circle.
445
DEFEND THE OPTICALIUM (Repeatable) CHIEF CIPACTLI (Repeatable)
GOAL: Drive off the Inquest when they invade the Opticalium. GOAL: Defeat Chief Cipactli.
LEVEL: 4 LEVEL: 4
Description: The Inquest is tired of waiting for subtle attacks to take care of the Description: Watch out for Chief Cipactli while heading into the hylek camp. He
Opticalium. They sometimes make a direct assault on the building. Kill the attackers isn’t any tougher than the other hyleks; he’s just bigger, and you get bonus experience
to score credit for this for taking the sucker down. Cut him down to size for an instant reward.
defensive operation. The
Inquest invade from
literally all directions,
but the agents from
the south won’t count
toward the main offense.
Don’t worry about them
unless there are a lot of
defenders. Target the golems that come in from the east. They have whirlwind attacks
and bring down defenders quickly. If there are multiple characters defending, take the
time to revive the fallen researchers around the compound. Each slain Inquest agent
reduces its comrades’ morale by 4%. Kill 25 of them and the Inquest will realize this
prize isn’t worth the cost.
INQUEST BEACONS (Repeatable)
GOLEM GENERATORS (Repeatable) GOAL: Destroy the beacons powering the Inquest aqua lab.
GOAL: Defend the golem generators.
LEVEL: 5
LEVEL: 4
Description: The lake
Description: The Inquest is making a run against Incomp Optic’s golem generators. by the hylek village
Defend these from eight waves of Inquest attackers. The generators are spread out in is being used by the
several buildings, so don’t try to defend all four generators; pick one and hold your Inquest. There are three
ground. As long as the last generator doesn’t fall, you can still complete the event beacons underwater that
without any lost experience or money. need to be destroyed.
Approach each one
slowly to give yourself
a chance to get used to
underwater movement. Be similarly careful when using your weapon (this is likely
your first chance to use your aquatic weapon). Watch for Inquest attackers and
practice underwater fighting to unlock extra weapon skills. The more kills you get, the
sooner you’ll be able to use better underwater attacks.
ASSIST PR&T ESOTERICS (Renown Task)

Help the PR&T krewe collect sludge samples and create ooze from
GOAL: engineered plants.
LEVEL: 5
Description: The PR&T krewe have a lab across the river and up the hill. Go over
HYLEK POISON (Renown Task) there and grab an Oozone Alternator (there are many lying around). Start shooting
GOAL: Stop the Inquest from using hylek poison. the plants all along the hill. This turns them into oozes, which you can also shoot. It’s
LEVEL: 4 pretty simple to get credit for this task. If “Put Them Back” is available at the same
time, do that simultaneously, because it also counts toward this event.
Description: Grab
hylek poison from the
ground or from the hylek
themselves. Give the
poison to Blopp, the task
giver (he’s marked on
your map). There are two
good places to get this
event done. If the Incomp
Optics Lab is under attack, kill Inquest there to get credit for this task. Or, pick up
underwater filters near the Inquest aqua lab; the Inquest you kill there also count.
446
WORLD
PUT THEM BACK! (Repeatable) SHOON’S SALVAGE (Renown Task)

GOAL: Return toxic oozes to the storage tanks inside PR&T Esoterics. GOAL: Help Shoon’s salvage krewe deal with Inquest interference.
LEVEL: 5 LEVEL: 6
Description: When Description: There is a closed gate on the west side of Obscura Incline. Behind it
this event is available, is a hidden Inquest lab. Break through the gate with normal weapon attacks. Once
grab the oozes near the you’re inside, turn off
compound whenever the Danger Signs and
you see them. Run them take Data Crystals while
to the storage tanks moving through the next
inside the lab. The oozes area. Kill Inquest troops
jump out of your hands to score additional points
and attack if you take too for the task.
long, so take the most efficient path you can find. When you have to fight, beat the
oozes quickly and hurry up the path before they make more trouble. While carrying
these things, you get access to a run speed increase. Each ooze goes in a different
tank, so watch what you’re doing to avoid any frustrations or complications.
TARNISHED COAST
OLD GOLEM FACTORY WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint
Soren Draa Waypoint (S), Rana Landing Complex
TRAVEL: Waypoint (NE)
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore (Abundant), Aspen Saplings (Abundant)
An alternative to sieging the base is to look for spies within Shoon’s salvage krewe.
Look for suspicious salvage specialists and reveal them as Inquest spies. Be ready to
fight them, as they’ll get violent when their cover is blown.
FREE THE SPECIALISTS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Destroy cage control nodes to free the salvage specialists.
Obscura Incline and the Old Golem Foundry are north from Soren Draa. Few people LEVEL: 6
know that there are actually two groups working at the Obscura Incline. The Old
Golem Foundry is being combed by salvage experts from Shoon’s krewe, but some of Description: While
the workers aren’t what they seem. More Inquest problems? you’re inside the Inquest
lab, destroy the three
To the west is a large door that leads to an Inquest base. Assault the base and finish control nodes to free
the events inside after you help the workers at Obscura Incline. There’s a lot to do Shoon’s specialists. The
here, so be patient and wait for those repeatable events. You miss out on serious nodes are shown on your
experience by racing through the area. minimap, so it doesn’t
take long to find them.
HARVESTING
Now that you’re out of the starting section, there are harvesting locations throughout the world.
Watch your minimap for trees to cut down, ore to mine, and herbs to pick. Don’t pass these up
unless you are in an extreme hurry, as even non-crafters benefit by selling the materials or using
the upgrades on equipment.
Everyone can harvest these materials. In addition, the harvesting points are not going to
disappear for other people when you access them. Each member of a group can (and should) use
each mine, tree, or plant they come across. This grants a small experience bonus, so you’re even
being rewarded for the brief time expended.
447
ROJ’S REVENGE (Repeatable) RANA LANDING COMPLEX WAYPOINT
GOAL: Destroy the Inquest research pods. SOUTHWEST OF CENTER
LEVEL: 6 SERVICES: Waypoint, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Salvage Merchant

Old Golem Factory Waypoint (SW), Mochotal
Description: Shortly TRAVEL: Waypoint (N), Akk Wilds (SE), Loch Waypoint (S)
after Roj and the
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Mushrooms
specialists are freed, a
new event begins. Roj
intends to do more
damage to the Inquest’s
research. Help him
destroy six research pods.
The specialists make
good distractions if you’re having any issues killing the enemies. Keep reviving the
asura if they go down. They’ll contribute a little damage to your battles and prevent
all of the enemies from attacking your character.
THE ESCAPE (Repeatable)

Brill Alliance Labs and the Rana Landing Complex sit along the Voloxian Passage
GOAL: Destroy Inquest golems. between Soren Draa and Desider Atum. Both of these buildings are very secure and
LEVEL: 6 offer travelers a place to rest. You can also find merchants here! Rana Landing is a
good place to sell excess goods before heading back out into the wild.
Description: This event begins after “Roj’s Revenge.” As you and the specialists try
to escape, Inquest agents catch you in a trap. They have several new golems ready to With empty bags and full health, head south to the Serpentwind; it’s full of skritt
make your life difficult. and allows you to complete a task while traveling to Dr. Bleent’s Encampment. After
This is a tougher fight setting things right with Dr. Bleent, travel southeast to the Akk Wilds Waypoint.
if you go after the MK
II golem immediately. It SKRITT STUDIES 101 (Renown Task)
has the most health of GOAL: Help the Brill Alliance study the skritt.
all the enemies. Luckily, LEVEL: 7
that golem isn’t especially
deadly; let it wait until Description: Look for
the other targets are lone skritt standing by
destroyed. The MK I golems have a whirlwind Knockback attack. Kill them first and mysterious devices up
then target the Inquest extinguisher. That foe slows your characters and hassles a nearby hill. Talk to the
people from range. Once the fight is under control, deal with the MK II. Be ready to captivated skritt to make
evade its rapid-fire punches. them mad. Once they’re
enraged, bash them until
they become docile
COPPER ORE AND ASPEN SAPLINGS again. Though this can be
IN ABUNDANCE done in the immediate area, the tunnel nearby is much more fun. Head southeast to
the tunnel and activate monitors as you go; they’re small machines pushed into the
Once you pass through the Inquest lab, take a look around the ground and appear fairly often. This lets you complete the task much sooner.
exit passage. There is often a rich Copper vein there. Even when
there isn’t, you can find a great deal of Copper Ore and trees by YERKK’S RESEARCH (Repeatable)
following the west side of the lake (going north into Fisher’s Beach GOAL: Defend Yerkk while he isolates skritt for his IQ experiment.
Bend). The enemies are level 8, so be ready for some tough fights.
LEVEL: 7
Description: Yerkk and

his assistant Lemm need
skritt subjects; Yerkk walks
through the Serpentwind
getting them. Protect him
from attackers, because
he’s very weak and goes
down easily if attacked for
long. The good news is you can revive him when he’s knocked out. Follow Yerkk and
help him subdue 10 skritt test subjects.
448
WORLD
To make the fight more interesting, the giant ooze can summon two regular oozes at
SKRITT LOVE FUNGUS regular intervals. The only good news is that these extra oozes die when the giant one
does. If you’re almost done with the fight, let the little guys take their attacks while
Skritt tunnels are good places to look for harvestable fungus. The you focus on the boss. Or, let area-of-effect attacks from your group kill the lesser
ones here provide Mushrooms for any cooks you know! oozes throughout the fight so no one has to switch targets and thin his ranks.
TARNISHED COAST
AKK WILDS WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE
ECOSYSTEM HELP (Renown Task)
SERVICES: Waypoint
GOAL: Help Hrouda maintain the ecosystem in spite of Dr. Bleent’s research.
Rana Landing Complex Waypoint (NW), Desider Atum
LEVEL: 8 TRAVEL: (NNW), Cuatl Waypoint (N)
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Mushrooms, Root Vegetables
Description: To the southeast of Rana Landing is an area with many oozes and eggs.
To complete the task in that area, eliminate rogue oozes, return evidential wurm eggs,
and clean up ooze remnants. Dr. Bleent’s camp also has puddles that can be cleaned
up. Wurm eggs are found all over the ground and often reveal an ooze when you pick
them up. Use these to finish the task as quickly as possible.
There’s a bit of history in the southern Akk Wilds. Legends say there is a secret lab in
the Sunshade Caves. A girl named Parnna is looking into it. She’s on the right track,
but someone has to help her deal with the skritt first. Head southeast to Parnna’s
Gate and give her a hand. If the gate is damaged, you’ll have to head into the skritt
tunnel farther southeast to get the pieces back.
When you’re finished there, it’s time to jump back to Rana Landing, empty your bags,
and follow the road east. Alternatively, you can take an overland route north.
AN OOZING PROPOSITION (Group)
GOAL: Defeat the giant ooze at Doctor Bleent’s camp. THE TRANSFER CHAMBER (Renown Task)
LEVEL: 8 GOAL: Aid Parnna’s research into the ancient transfer chamber.
LEVEL: 9
Description: On
occasion, a champion
Description: Look for
giant ooze appears in
this task southeast from
Dr. Bleent’s camp, on
the Akk Wilds Waypoint.
the far side of the skritt
When you get into the
tunnel (or around the
area, recover gate pieces
hills). Do not take this
and defeat the skritt who
target lightly! Dodge its
try to stop Parnna from
attacks while you clear
collecting data inside the
the smaller oozes from the area, and then engage the big one last. You probably can’t
chamber. Fight your way
tackle this nasty fellow by yourself. Ask for help from other players in the area, form
into the room while killing all of the skritt nearby. Look for gate pieces on the ground
a group, or get some guild buddies to come out and squish the giant ooze with you.
and pick them up between fights.
Characters with healing abilities or damage mitigation are useful, because the giant
ooze hits quite hard for such a low-level monster.
449
STOP THE FORAGERS (Repeatable) DESIDER ATUM WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST OF CENTER
GOAL: Stop skritt foragers from destroying the Asura Gate.
Waypoint, Equipment Repair, Merchant (Salvage),
LEVEL: 9 Crafting Trainers (Huntsman, Weaponsmith,
SERVICES: Armorsmith, Jeweler, Artificer, Tailor, Leatherworker,
Chef), Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Scout
Description: This event is sometimes triggered while you’re in Parnna’s area. The
Rana Landing Complex Waypoint (W), Akk Wilds
event is on a 5-minute timer. Skritt foragers and bottle lobbers come into the area in TRAVEL: Waypoint (S/SE), Cuatl Waypoint (E), Michotl
a steady stream. They’re Waypoint (NE)
trying to take out the HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Root Vegetables
Asura Gate. Foragers are
the ones that damage
the gate, but they aren’t
your primary concern.
The bottle lobbers stay at
the back and can knock
you down. Use your best
burst-damage attacks on the bottle lobbers to kill them quickly and then use normal
attacks on the foragers between waves of bottle lobbers. That’s the safe way to win.
PARNNA’S ROOTS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Escort Parnna into Calx’s ancient lab. Desider Atum is a home away from home for many Rata Sum scholars. Craftmasters
LEVEL: 10 from every school have workshops here, along with merchants from many trades. If
you can’t find something in Desider Atum, you’ll have to head to the capital.
Description: After successfully completing “Stop the Foragers,” you get a chance
to continue the event chain. Move through the gate into a new area. Collect Data To the east is Cuatl Morass. This area is slightly lower level, and it’s a good place to
Crystals from the ground and give them to Parnna. Oozes boil out of the floor at start. When you return from clearing that region, speak with Caracotl outside the
regular intervals and Parnna can’t be revived if she falls, so watch her back while you’re town. Escort him toward the Michotl Grounds Waypoint. Help the hylek and then
gathering materials. Stay near her and only go off to grab Data Crystals when they are return to Desider Atum. Only then should you set your sights farther north, toward
close by or just after a wave of oozes has been killed. Arterium Haven Waypoint.
ESCORT CARACOTL (Repeatable)

GOAL: Escort Caracotl to Michotl Grounds.
LEVEL: 10
Description: Follow Caracotl as he makes his way to the Michotl Grounds. Fight off
anything that gets too close, and wait for the event to finish. Make sure you’re patient
during the trip.
SAVE PARNNA (Repeatable)

GOAL: Kill enough destroyers that the golems release Parnna.
LEVEL: 10
Description: Things
aren’t finished with
this event chain yet!
Parnna has triggered a
security program and
is trapped until the
golems are sure the
area is cleansed. To stop
the alert, kill destroyers
throughout the area. They’re sometimes found in clumps. Use ranged attacks to
pull the destroyers toward you. This averts larger fights if you’re worried about being
overwhelmed. The event is completed as soon as enough of the destroyers are slain.
450
WORLD
CUATL WAYPOINT EAST SIDE MICHOTL GROUNDS WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint SERVICES: Waypoint, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Karma Merchant
TRAVEL: Desider Atum Waypoint (W) Rana Landing Complex Waypoint (S), Desider Atum
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore
Michotl Grounds Waypoint is a desolate section of Metrica. The marsh is untamed,

mostly because it’s an unsuitable area for construction. As the asura don’t have much
interest in the wetlands, other creatures have moved in. There is a hylek village in the
marsh and a krait settlement in the lake to the west. Help the peaceful Michotl tribe
before jumping back to Desider Atum for the trip north.
The Lionguard have bottled up the Cuatl Tribe in this area, but they haven’t been able
TARNISHED COAST
to eliminate the Cuatl hylek completely. The further the Lionguard pushes, the more
intense their opposition. As if the hylek weren’t enough of a problem, Inquest agents
are doing something with a cannon close by. Help the Lionguard deal with the hylek
before jumping back to Desider Atum.
THE CUATL HYLEK (Renown Task)

AID THE MICHOTL TRIBE (Renown Task)
GOAL: Help the Lionguard keep the Cuatl hylek in check.
Assist in dragonfly hunts and protect the Michotl tribe from hylek and
LEVEL: 10 GOAL: krait invaders.
LEVEL: 11
Description: Eliminate
the Cuatl hylek, smash Description: Kill monsters on your way across the swamp. The repeatable events in
their eggs and turrets, the area help you finish this task, so it’s a good opportunity to get a few things done
and protect the haven at the same time.
from raids. Watch out
for flame spitters; these
turrets deal damage
over a wide area and hit
targets with an effect
that damages over time. Kill your way to the bottom of the area and start smashing
eggs. Kill the flame spitters first in any engagement. If the area is cleared out already,
climb the hill on the northeast side of the area. There are additional targets there. Go
into the tunnel and follow that to reach the area between Artergon Woods and the
Luminates Plant.
THE HYLEK CHIEF (Repeatable)

GOAL: Defeat the hylek chief.
LEVEL: 11
KILL THE CUATL THIEVES (Repeatable)
Description: Friendly GOAL: Kill Cuatl thieves.
attackers occasionally LEVEL: 10
start an attack on the
hylek camp. If you’re bold, Description: Attack the rampaging thieves before the Michotl supplies are depleted.
follow them in and help If the enemies get all of the supplies, the event fails and you only get a portion of
the group kill the chief. the money, karma, and
Once the area is clear, experience for your work.
look for some Michotl To win, kill roughly 16 of
Brew to complete a the thieves. Abilities that
Skill Challenge. slow or Stun targets are
useful because they give
you more time to attack
the enemies before they
make their escape.
451
SAVE THE EGGS (Repeatable) ARTERGON WAYPOINT NORTH OF CENTER
GOAL: Stop the krait from destroying hylek eggs.
SERVICES: Waypoint
LEVEL: 10
Arterium Haven Waypoint (S), Hexane Regrade (E),
TRAVEL: Muridian Waypoint (N/NW), Survivor’s Encampment
Description: Several Waypoint (W)
waves of krait attempt Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Herb Patches, Root
HARVESTING INFO:
to swarm a group of Vegetables, Leather (from Panthers in the Northern Cave)
11 hylek eggs. The eggs
are all in one place, so
you can plant your feet,
deploy any banners,
and go to town on the
enemies that approach.
ARTERIUM HAVEN WAYPOINT CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint, Karma Merchant
TRAVEL: Desider Atum (S), Artergon Waypoint (N)
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Leafy Vegetables (Abundant) The power grid for the Luminates Plant dominates this area. The woods give way to
rolling plains, which are only noteworthy for their power conduits and mosquitoes.
This waypoint is a hub, so it’s useful for finishing nearby tasks. Return here before
setting off again. This cuts down on travel time. After finishing the local events, travel
east to reach Hexane Regrade Waypoint.
THE POWER GRID (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help the Luminates Plant krewe maintain the power grid.
LEVEL: 12
Description: Activate
mini-conduits, stop
At first glance, the Arterium doesn’t look like much; the action is to the east of this Inquest interference,
waypoint. That’s where you find the Luminates Plant. Be sure to take a circuit of the and destroy the
plant if you’re interested in seeing a beautiful waterfall or harvesting crafting materials. energy distortions
Once the Inquest have been dealt with, return to Arterium Haven Waypoint and and mosquitoes that
head north to Artergon Waypoint. are drawn to the grid.
There are so many
REQUISITION GONE WRONG (Repeatable) groundspawns and
GOAL: Drive off the Inquest before they steal all of the LUM0009 golems. enemies that you won’t have any trouble finishing this task. Watch your back, as the
LEVEL: 12 mosquitoes roam in groups of three. Characters with area-of-effect attacks can wipe
them out in a flash.
Description: The Inquest have come to the Luminates Plant with an offer the
technicians can’t accept. Inquest agents are trying to take this lab’s golems without THEY CUT THE POWER (Repeatable)
paying! Drive off the Inquest to finish the event. You need to kill roughly 15 of the GOAL: Protect Zoydd’s efforts to restart the power grid.
enemies before they steal the golems. LEVEL: 12
Description: The
baseline event in this area
starts with Zoydd trying
to get the grid working.
Each tower nearby has
a Repairatron that starts
working to fix it. Defend
these golems while the
towers are fixed. The
golems will not help you fight. Start your patrol in the northwest and finish in the
southeast. This puts you in a good position for the second part of the event. Zoydd
runs from the Luminates Plant to Transformer Hub Kachong and begins repairs.
Waves of Inquest attack him. Fight them off!
452
WORLD
KILL THE AIR ELEMENTAL (Repeatable)

GOAL: Kill the air elemental.
LEVEL: 13
Description: This event begins after the grid powers back up. An air elemental
spawns during this power surge, and two sparks accompany it. Ranged characters
should kill the sparks first, as they coat the area in an electrical field that inflicts
damage over time. The sparks don’t deploy the electric field against melee enemies,
so close-range attackers can afford to rush the air elemental immediately. Kill this
group of enemies to finish the event.
RECOVERY OF STOLEN GOODS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Recover stolen LUM0009 golems from the Inquest.
LEVEL: 13
TARNISHED COAST
Description: The
Inquest have managed
to get ahold of several
of the LUM0009 golems
from the Luminates Plant
and returned to their
headquarters with them.
HEXANE REGRADE WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE
The golems have already
SERVICES: Waypoint been reprogrammed,
Exit to Caledon Forest (Level 1-15 Sylvari Region) (E), so you need to bring them to low health to restart their ordinary orders. Find and
TRAVEL: Artergon Waypoint (W) recover all three golems to complete this event.
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings
THE BOMB (Repeatable)
GOAL: Intercept Inquest saboteurs before they reach the power station.
LEVEL: 13
Description: Occasionally, Inquest engineers craft a mobile bomb that starts heading
toward the power station. The Mark IV Mobile Bomb then appears on your map, and
you need to stop it as soon as possible. Inquest troops defend this special golem. Take
out these guards first, and then trash the golem as soon as they’re dead.
Hexane Regrade lies in the shadow of an immense Inquest base. Be careful in these
hills, because Inquest agents are out there.
Of course, if you want a change of pace, you can take the nearby exit to Caledon
Forest. This wilderness is home to the sylvari, but they could always use help in
safeguarding their area.
DISRUPT THE INQUEST (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Researcher Owta disrupt the Inquest.
LEVEL: 13
Description: Take out Inquest operatives, destroy lab equipment, and rescue
prisoners. Make your way into the Inquest lab. Watch for grenadiers, as they can sit
at range and blast your party with area-of-effect damage. Spread out if you have any
allies; this makes it easier to kill the grenadiers quickly.
453
MURIDIAN WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE DESTROY THE CHAOS (Repeatable)
GOAL: Destroy the chaotic materials created by the reactor meltdown.
SERVICES: Waypoint
LEVEL: 14
Brisban Wildlands (Level 15-25 Asura/Sylvari Region) (N),
TRAVEL: Arterium Haven Waypoint (SE), Survivor’s Encampment
Waypoint (S) Description: The chaotic
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings materials are found
on the ground, often
surrounded by chaos
beasts. These beasts
die when the chaotic
material is destroyed, so
a fast rush against the
material is fairly effective.
Area-of-effect attacks are good, too. The material deals damage every few seconds
to everything close by; the damage isn’t high, but it’s worth noting. Don’t start these
fights unless you have all of your health. There are six sets of chaotic materials that
need to be destroyed.
This waypoint is in a section of plains between the Thaumanova Reactor and a small
Inquest lab. Recently, the reactor has started spewing poisonous gases—and that ESCORT THE C.L.E.A.N. GOLEM (Repeatable)
can’t be allowed to continue. Finish the events at the reactor and then travel south to GOAL: Escort the C.L.E.A.N. 5000 golem while it absorbs clouds of chaos magic.
Survivor’s Encampment Waypoint. LEVEL: 14
GATHER PARTS (Repeatable) Description: The next event in the lab area is to escort a golem while it soaks up
GOAL: Collect golem parts for Walla’s H.A.Z.M.A.T. suits. chaos magic. Locate the golem on your minimap, go to it, and then protect the
LEVEL: 13 machine. Inquest operatives come after the golem repeatedly. All you have to do is
fight them off until the event completes.
Description: Golem parts are scattered on the ground throughout the area. They
can also be torn from enemy golems. Both methods give you credit. It takes about 12
parts to finish the event. Turn these in to Walla (on the minimap).
DEFEND THE C.L.E.A.N. GOLEM (Repeatable)

GOAL: Defend the golem as it cleans the core.
LEVEL: 15
HELP THE C.L.E.A.N. KREWE (Renown Task)
Kill Inquest agents, destroy chaos rifts, kill the beasts that emerge from Description: Victory in
GOAL: the rifts, and detoxify researchers.
the previous event starts
LEVEL: 14 a timed section. For 5
minutes, you have to
Description: The lab is hosed. Rifts are randomly opening and spitting out creatures
protect the golem
from who knows where. Kill these enemies as you go. All the mobs are neutral until
from a major Inquest
you attack, so there’s no chance of getting swarmed here. Look for researchers while
assault. Operatives port
clearing the area; helping
in all over the room,
them gives you a quick
but they won’t come at
boost toward the task’s
you in large groups. The fire in the room doesn’t hurt you, so don’t worry about
completion. You can also
bumping into it.
stick around and look at
the different creatures
that come out of the
rifts. It’s a fun place to
rack up kill variety while
you’re hunting.
454
WORLD
KILL THE FIRE ELEMENTAL (Group) DRAIN THE MARK II (Renown Task)
GOAL: Destroy the fire elemental. GOAL: Drain the Mark II golem’s power before it reaches the Inquest gate.
LEVEL: 15 LEVEL: 14
Description: Beating the previous events turns you into the victim of your own Description: The
success. The final stage of this chain is tricky and dangerous. A fire elemental appears, Inquest has imbued a
and it summons embers all over the room. The elemental blasts different sections of golem with great power.
the chamber with fire, dealing damage to anyone standing inside the area of effect. Now they’re trying to
It also tosses waves of fire. Dodge to avoid the attacks, because they deal a huge get it home, along with
amount of damage. a group of test subjects.
Damage the golem to
force it to repair itself
(which takes away some
of its power). Each time you defeat the golem, reinforcements arrive. Be ready for a
hard fight, as the golem doesn’t have far to go and you need to defeat it again and
again. Anyone using attacks that push enemies around should keep the golem from
making progress. Knockdowns are also quite useful.
TARNISHED COAST
DESTROY ALL INTRAFLUXION NODES (Repeatable)
Destroy all intrafluxion nodes before the golem’s energy core is
GOAL: fully charged.
LEVEL: 14
Description: You have to enter a small instanced area to continue this line of events.
Clear an area of embers so there is more room to maneuver. Watch the ground for A timer begins, and you have 7 minutes to destroy eight power nodes. Kill the enemies
red circles (these are the warning signs that a flame burst is about to land). Ranged that guard each area before attacking the nodes directly. Your foes are able to sense
characters are more when the nodes take damage, and they’ll come to investigate (you end up with larger
effective against the fights because of this). Clearing the guards ahead of time ensures you don’t have to fight
elemental because they everyone at once. Leave the instanced area after the event completes.
have more time to
react before being hit
by the fire attacks. Even
melee characters should
consider switching to
ranged weapons. Work
in conjunction with any other players in the area to defeat the fire elemental and
complete the chain.
SURVIVOR’S ENCAMPMENT WAYPOINT

NORTHWEST OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Karma Merchant

Muridian Waypoint (N), Arterium Haven Waypoint (E),
TRAVEL: Anthill Waypoint (S)
Copper Ore (Abundant), Aspen Saplings (Abundant),
HARVESTING INFO: Root Vegetables, Herb Patches
This area lies between the reactor, the anthill, and an Inquest lab. The Greyfern
Expanse isn’t a safe place! Inquest agents raid the area for prisoners, and jungle wurms
are everywhere. Once you’ve handled the events here, head south to the anthill and
continue cleaning up the fallout of the reactor.
455
LEAD THE IMBUED GOLEM (Repeatable) AID THE CHOAS KREWE (Renown Task)
GOAL: Lead the imbued golem’s energy core to the Survivor’s Encampment. Clean up chaotic material, kill chaos beasts, and try to convince the
GOAL: skritt to stop collecting these materials.
LEVEL: 14
LEVEL: 13
Description: The event chain continues. You now have to escort the energy core
Description: Destroying
out of the area. Its goal is to reach the Survivor’s Encampment, but teams of Inquest
chaos material creates
agents attack. Each group has three or four members, and they sometimes have
chaos beasts (levels
golems with them. Target MK I golems as soon as possible because of their pesky
13-14), but they’re very
knockdowns. If your golem takes too much damage, back off. The construct shuts
weak. Kill these creatures
down for a time and then wakes back up with an electrical burst. Avoid the damage
and look for skritt
from this and then continue your escort.
foragers to talk to. The
foragers won’t always
give up their rocks, so it’s
kind of a random event. When the skritt are convinced to stop what they’re doing,
you get credit toward this task.
KILL CHAOS (Group)

GOAL: Kill the chaos creature.
LEVEL: 13
Description: A chaotic monster appears here from time to time. The beast has a
good amount of health, but it’s still squishy if you kill its summoned allies quickly and
keep pressure on it. As with many group events, you may need to grab buddies from
the area or ask a guild member to come by and help during the fight. Putting one
ANTHILL WAYPOINT WEST SIDE person on dedicated add duty (to kill summoned creatures) makes it much easier to
SERVICES: Waypoint, Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Salvage Merchant finish the event.
TRAVEL: Survivor’s Encampment Waypoint (N)

HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Mushrooms (Abundant)
The Anthill is the largest skritt settlement in Metrica Province. The local skritt are busy
collecting interesting rocks; they’re a friendly bunch, so you’re free to talk to them.
This is the last place that truly needs an adventurer’s help in Metrica. You’re almost
ready to move on to bigger problems!
456
WORLD
CALEDON FOREST
LEVEL RANGE: 1-15 Wychmire
TASKS: 18 Waypoint
WAYPOINTS: 18
Kraitbane Haven
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Twilight Arbor
Aspen Saplings, Early Waypoint
Cooking Ingredients
Lionguard Waystation
SKILL CHALLENGES Waypoint Hamlet of Annwen
Waypoint
> Morgan’s Orchid (North of Spiral Waypoint,
In the Open) (SE)
> Dark Thorn (Far North from Spiral Waypoint,
Falias Thorp
Inside the Briarthorn Den) (E) Waypoint
> Waterfall (West of Caer Astorea Waypoint,
On a Small Hill) (SW)
TARNISHED COAST
> Mysterious Patch of Ground (East of Brigid’s
Overlook Waypoint, Near the Cliffs) (Center)
> Swift Arrow (East of Titan’s Staircase
Waypoint, At the End of the Bridge) (E) Caledon Haven
Waypoint
> Krait Altar (East of Kraitbane Haven Waypoint,
At the Bottom of the Lake) (NE)
Town of Cathal
> Powerful Darkness (North of Twilight Arbor Waypoint
Waypoint, Out in the Open) (NW)
Titan’s Staircase
Waypoint
Mabon Market
Waypoint
Caledon Forest is a wilderness under siege. While the

sylvari and the Nightmare Court battle for supremacy,
the skritt continue to be a nuisance and the Orrian
undead boil up from the ground itself. Copses of trees
and marsh give way suddenly to rotten soil. Glencarn Sperrins
Waypoint
Brigid’s Overlook
These are not the only major players in the region, Waypoint
however. Hylek, soundless, and tengu all try to eke out
a living within and along the edges of this verdant area.
Their goal: to settle far enough away from the fighting
that they can expand and be themselves but remain
close enough to ask for help when things go wrong.
Gleaner’s Cove
Waypoint
Wardenhurst
Waypoint
Caer Astorea
Waypoint
Spiral
Waypoint
Astorea Sleive’s
Waypoint Waypoint
457
ASTOREA WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE WARDENHURST WAYPOINT SOUTH OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint, Black Lion Trading Company, Equipment Repair SERVICES: Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Karma Merchant
TRAVEL: The Grove (S), Wardenhurst Waypoint (N) TRAVEL: Astorea Waypoint (SW), Spiral Waypoint (E)
HARVESTING INFO: N/A HARVESTING INFO: N/A
Wardenhurst is one of the more dangerous towns near the Grove. The Orrian undead
have pushed pretty far into Caledon Forest, and Wardenhurst is under constant
harassment. It even occasionally falls before reinforcements can get there. For this
reason, Wardenhurst is populated almost entirely by guards. Have your weapons
ready when you approach this town.
Astorea is a small village dominated by Rime’s Garden on one side and Solitaire
Island on the other. The primary purpose of Astorea is simply growing produce and
supplying the populace of the Grove with food and materials.
In such a peaceful area, there is little to do in Astorea that isn’t directly related to
supplying the Grove. Help the workers in Astorea before heading north along the
road to Wardenhurst. Once you’ve secured the area a bit better, head southeast along the roads to the
Verdence. The Verdence is a lush area of growth, one the most pleasant places in
Here you get the combat you’ve been craving, as Orrian undead work hard to take Caledon Forest. It’s easy to see what the forest was before the undead threat arose
the small outpost. here. Valiant Estiene is looking for hardy adventurers here; give him a hand before
heading to Grenbrack Delves.
NOT THE TREE! (Repeatable)
GOAL: Stop termites from consuming the Wardenlight Tree. SUPPORTING THE WARDENS (Renown Task)
LEVEL: 2 GOAL: Help Gemai support the wardens of Wardenhurst.
LEVEL: 2
Description: Termites
and termite larvae come Description: Wardenhurst is under constant attack by undead. Dig up Grasping
from three sides to attack Hands to expose the undead (and kill them), replenish withered territory markers,
the tree. Kill the larvae and spar with local wardens. There are plenty of Orrian undead and Grasping Hands,
before they get a chance so you won’t need to look for territory markers or spar with the locals often.
to burrow. If they burrow,
grab a shovel (which are
found all around the area)
and dig them out.
LIGHTING THE WAY (Repeatable)

GOAL: Give firefly luminescence to Warden Annwyn.
LEVEL: 2
Description: Kill fireflies

for their essence and
submit it to Warden
Annwyn. If there are no
fireflies alive, search for
firefly nests; you can
get at least one firefly
luminescence and often
a firefly with another. If a
lot of people are doing this event, be sure to turn it in often so the event doesn’t end
before you get credit.
458
WORLD
LIBERATE WARDENHURST (Repeatable) TAKE THE FIGHT TO THEM (Repeatable)

GOAL: Liberate Wardenhurst from the undead. GOAL: Defend Valiant Estiene as he attacks the undead.
LEVEL: 2 LEVEL: 3
Description: Description: It’s time to get a bit of your own back from the undead. Valiant Estiene
Wardenhurst has fallen knows where some of the undead are coming from and wants to try and weed them
and you need to get it out in a more permanent fashion, but he needs help: he needs you.
back. Start at the edge
of town and kill your This is a long trek north
way toward the center, to an undead stronghold
reviving fallen sylvari as with small waves of
you go. These revived Orrian undead along the
guards will aid in the way. If you need to rest,
retaking. let Estiene take some hits
while you heal; he’ll start
DEFEND WARDENHURST (Repeatable) moving again as soon as
GOAL: Defend Wardenhurst from the undead. the enemy is dead. You
TARNISHED COAST
are also assisted by the Valiant’s pet broodmother. She’s able to attack the undead
LEVEL: 2
with cone-ranged fire breath, so try to keep the enemies in front of her.
Description: There is little rest in Wardenhurst. By the time you have retaken the
NOT THE DRAKE! (Repeatable)
guardpost, more waves of Orrian undead have assembled and thrown themselves at
the defenders. You have to defeat eight waves of attackers. Stick near the guards, as GOAL: Slay the undead drake broodmother.
they can hold an enemy until you can get around to killing it. LEVEL: 4
Description: After
you fight your way
to the back of the
cave, something really
unfortunate happens.
A corpse caller runs
up and infects the pet
broodmother, turning
it into an undead drake
broodmother. She then turns on you to attack and immediately starts spawning
smaller undead drakes. Use all your burst attack abilities to bring the broodmother
down. Poor thing! Head out of the cave and southwest to Grenbrack to continue.
MASTIFFS (Renown Task) GRENBRACK DELVES SOUTH OF CENTER

GOAL: Help Danador tend the Sylvan Mastiffs. SERVICES: N/A
LEVEL: 3 Wardenhurst Waypoint (W), Spiral Waypoint (E), Sleive’s
TRAVEL: Inlet (S/SE)
Description: Danador is raising the sylvan mastiffs that help guard the borders HARVESTING INFO: N/A
of sylvari lands. Help raise and protect the sylvan mastiffs by removing local pests,
tending to the pack, and Enormous flowers bloom over still water and keep Grenbrack Delves in a state of
finding lost dogs. The constant shadow. This habitat is wonderful for both the scaled drakes who make their
bags of feed and pest home under the petals and the spiders that live in the cave to the north. The spiders
repellant are along the are getting awfully big, though.
fence. Grab the feed and
take it to the nearest
mastiff. You can feed the
same mastiff multiple
times, so don’t run farther
than you have to. Do this task before the following repeatable, as the escort takes you
well away from here and you’ll have to backtrack. The only entrance in the fence is
near the task (on the map).
459
OF COURSE THERE ARE SPIDERS (Renown Task) SLEIVE’S INLET SOUTHEAST SIDE
GOAL: Help Elain clear the spider cave.
SERVICES: Salvage Merchant
LEVEL: 4
Spiral Waypoint (NE), The Verdence (E), Grenbrack
TRAVEL: Delves (N/NW), Sleive’s Waypoint (SE)
Description: Gather mushrooms as you delve into the cave. Kill spiders, tear down
their webs, destroy any toxic mushrooms, and look for people trapped (freeing the
trapped people also
contributes to the next
event). This is pretty
straightforward.
Head to the cave in

the north. Aim for the
trapped people first as
you have to fight your
way to them, and freeing them spawns spiders. Don’t worry about squishing spider
egg sacs or toxic mushrooms, or picking edible mushrooms, unless there are no
Follow the road from Grenbrack Delves east and then turn southwest. This isn’t the
spiders. It’s just faster to kill things.
quickest route, but there is only one way to the top of the bluff overlooking Sleive’s
AND PEOPLE TRAPPED (Repeatable) Inlet. From here the wardens watch the undead menaces teem out of the swamp, but
they are too few in numbers to actually stop the incursion.
GOAL: Rescue sylvari trapped in webs.
LEVEL: 4 Deal with the undead threat before talking to Brugh, as he is heading north and there
are people who need help here.
Description: Look for sylvari webbed against the walls; there are eight of them in
total. Don’t attack the webs if you are low on health, as up to four spiders can spawn CLEANING HOUSE (Renown Task)
from each web. GOAL: Assist Wyld Hunt Valiant Caillech with the undead.
LEVEL: 4
Description: To the
southeast is a bog with
many Orrian undead
and noxious plants. You
can kick the plants apart
as you encounter them,
but the fastest way to
complete this task is to
kill the undead.
UNFRIENDLY NEIGHBOR (Repeatable)

AND A QUEEN (Repeatable) GOAL: Defeat the undead abomination.
GOAL: Kill the enraged spider queen. LEVEL: 4
LEVEL: 4
Description: Along with the smaller undead, an abomination has decided to move
Description: The spider in. As you’re killing the undead horde, watch for the abomination. It doesn’t move
queen comes to attack (so it won’t sneak up on you), but you don’t want to stumble onto it by accident
you with four hatchlings when there are a couple fast patrols of thralls nearby. Even an adventurer would have
in tow once you’ve trouble with so many foes
rescued the last sylvari. simultaneously. Pick off
The spiderlings drop the outer enemies as you
pretty quickly and the are able to until you can
queen doesn’t do huge fight the abomination
damage, but she has alone. Unless you choose
quite a bit of health and can poison you. She can also summon more spiderlings if the to kite the abomination,
fight lasts too long. start the fight by closing
with the abomination
and pushing it against the nearby tree. This will keep you out of range of the patrols.
With the abomination dead, you can now push the undead out of the swamp
entirely.
460
WORLD
GET OUT! (Repeatable) Why is it that the most beautiful of places are always targets for undead incursions?
GOAL: Drive off the remaining undead horde. Morgan’s Spiral is a picturesque area with the Morgan’s Orchid at its center. With so
much beauty and so many undead, a battle is bound to begin. As soon as Brugh gets
LEVEL: 4
here and starts growing his tower, things begin to heat up. Help contain the undead
Description: There’s no subtlety to this. Pick off the Orrian undead along the fringe threat before heading on.
if you want to be safe, or dive in and murder them as a group if you feel powerful.
While there are no merchants to be seen near the tower, rest assured that they’re only
Watch out for the brutes, though. They move slower, but they are extremely durable
in hiding. Head north into the canyon infested with undead. At the north side of the
and deal more damage. With the undead threat at a level that the wardens can
canyon is a group of wardens and merchants. When you are fully finished, jump to
handle alone, speak with Brugh and head north.
Astorea Waypoint, cross the bridge to the northwest, and follow the road north.
HELP WARDEN BRULIANS (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Warden Brulians.
LEVEL: 5
Description: Kill Orrian

undead, clear corrupted
TARNISHED COAST
grub holes (which reveal
hostile undead grubs),
and destroy Orrian
artifacts. If you help
Brugh, this event is
very easy.
BRUGH (Repeatable)
GOAL: Escort Brugh to Morgan’s Spiral.
DEFEND THE TOWER (Renown Task)
GOAL: Defend the sylvari tower from the undead.
LEVEL: 4
LEVEL: 5
Description: Brugh is on his way to build/grow a tower in Morgan’s Spiral. The
undead, however, are trying to stop him, and they attack him several times along Description: Once Brugh arrives at the center of Morgan’s Spiral, he raises a tower.
the way. Brugh is kinda The undead don’t like this at all. Take a moment to run around and activate the
squishy, but he can be mortar pods nearby; they’ll make your life much less stressful by lobbing area-of-
revived. The undead effect attacks at incoming enemies. While the faster undead don’t get hit, the brutes
attack in groups with take a good bit of damage. Keep the undead off the tower for six waves. The seventh
three types of enemies: wave is a single abomination. Don’t let him close with you if you can avoid it, as his
thralls, plague carriers, damage is pretty high.
and brutes. The plague
carriers need to be killed
first, as they will run up to
either Brugh or you and explode! The thralls are pretty straightforward, but they can
distract you from a brute that is lumbering in. Once the thralls are down (or sooner
if the thralls live very long), look around and locate the brute. This enemy can knock
you down; it is disastrous to get caught off guard by one.
SPIRAL WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint
TRAVEL: Grenbrack Delves (W)
461
CAER ASTOREA WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint, Armorsmith, Karma Weaponsmith
Astorea Waypoint (S), Gleaner’s Cove Waypoint (N), The
TRAVEL: Grove (through Ogham Wilds) (S)
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Root Vegetables
As the road bisects the town, it makes sense to retake one side of the village at a time.
Follow Captain Uathach up the mushroom steps on the west side of the road directly
to the Caer Astorea Watchtower. Move slowly and revive fallen defenders as you
go. Charging in will likely get you far too many ranged opponents to handle. Once
Caer Astorea is the last bulwark against the Nightmare Court, keeping them from
the enemies are cleaned out of the Watchtower, you need to hold it before moving
marching over Astorea and into the Grove. As such, the outpost of Caer Astorea has
across the bridge to Caer Astorea Armory and eliminating the rest of the undead.
most of its forces out in the field; only a few guards remain to hold the constant vigil
at the keep. Attacks come often, and any help retaking or defending Caer Astorea is
DEFEND CAER ASTOREA (Repeatable)
greatly appreciated.
GOAL: Defend Caer Astorea from the Nightmare Court.
Once Caer Astorea is secure, head west down into the Ogham Wilds. There are two LEVEL: 6
Skill Points to be found there. Commune with a waterfall on the northern edge, and
then travel south. Kahedins stands in the open, selling a creature book. With your Description: With so
work here done, it’s time to head further north and get your hands dirty. much strategic value
placed on Caer Astorea,
the Nightmare Court is not
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE about to let it go. They will
continue the siege until
The Ogham Wilds holds a great many types of enemies— they prevail. It’s your job to
everything from breezeriders, spiders, and grubs to fireflies and ensure they don’t.
mosshearts. With such a cornucopia of monsters, this area is very
good for crafting: you can acquire trophies from the monsters you The enemy comes at the north side of town in eight waves. The enemies come in
defeat while harvesting the primary materials of the region. pairs, but two groups attack at once (four enemies total). The first group consists
of two Nightmare Court kennelmasters and two Nightmare Court pages. The
kennelmasters are casters, while the pages are archers. Kill the kennelmasters quickly
or they will buff the archers; things get very dangerous after that.
The next set has a

Nightmare Court page
leading three Nightmare
Court squires. Wait for
the squires to engage the
wardens guarding Caer
Astorea; rush past them
and kill the lone archer
before he deals too much
damage. The third and fourth groups have an even balance of squires and pages.
Continue allowing the wardens to occupy the melee troops while you kill the archers.
RETAKE CAER ASTOREA (Repeatable) You can then help the defenders finish their fight.
GOAL: Retake Caer Astorea from the Nightmare Court.
A group will not spawn until the current group is dead. If you are low on health and
LEVEL: 6 need a break, let the wardens handle things themselves. You can restore yourself
while letting the wardens take a beating from the final enemy in a group.
Description: The Nightmare Court have taken Caer Astorea, and the corpses of the
defenders are scattered on the ground. Just south of town, Captain Uathach stands
near the road looking to add her strength to the retaking effort. Get her assistance
and head into the town.
462
WORLD
GLEANER’S COVE WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Scout
Caer Astorea Waypoint (S), Brigid’s Waypoint (E), Mabon
TRAVEL: Waypoint (N)
BRIGID’S OVERLOOK WAYPOINT SOUTH OF CENTER

TRAVEL: Gleaner’s Cove Waypoint (SW), Sperrins Waypoint (E)
TARNISHED COAST
Only harvesters and other people willing to put in a hard day’s work come to HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings
Gleaner’s Cove. Much of the food for the Grove is harvested here, and there is only a
small fort on the nearby hill to defend the region. Natural predators are a threat, but
the greater danger comes from invading Orrian undead.
Adventurers are welcome to help the workers gather natural resources or safeguard
the territory. When you visit Bay Haven, there is a soundless villager looking for help
on the north side; don’t agree to help just yet, as this escort takes you away from the
region. Instead, head east to Brigid’s Overlook first.
HELP HARVESTER MAVAD (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Harvester Mavad.
LEVEL: 7 As one of the sylvari’s newer settlements, Brigid’s Overlook has more problems than
people to deal with them. The beautiful view of Ventry Bay and Sandycove Beach is
Description: The marred by the presence of Orrian undead. While this might have been a scenic place to
harvesters can always build the settlement, it’s too far from Bay Haven for the wardens to guard effectively.
use a hand gathering
lavender, searching sand THE SIEGE (Repeatable)
piles, and dealing with GOAL: Stop the undead attackers.
the wildlife. A shovel LEVEL: 8
(they lie scattered on
the ground) is required Description: Nine waves of Orrian undead are heading to Brigid’s Overlook. Activate
to search the sand piles, the mortar pods placed around the settlement as soon as possible and then join
so don’t worry about them unless you are finding it difficult to accomplish the other Saraid on the south side
parts of the task. Fortunately, you can work on this task at the same time as the of town or on the beach
following repeatable. (she shows up on your
minimap).
SPIKEROOT FRUIT (Repeatable)
GOAL: Protect the harvesters as they collect spikeroot fruit. Saraid plants mortar
LEVEL: 7 turrets and can also
supply you with the seeds
Description: Keep Harvester Calla and Harvester Eyal safe while they gather needed to grow them.
spikeroot fruit. The two set a pace that is easy to keep up with, until they walk right There is a maximum number of turrets you can have down at once; make sure there
into aggressive enemies. Like most harvesters, they tend to focus on what they’re are at least three turrets up at all times.
looking for and not the dangers nearby. In addition to the wildlife that the harvesters
directly upset, there are several waves of scaled drakes that take a direct interest. The turrets will deal significant damage to the brutes as they advance, but the
These kills count toward the area task, so you get a double bonus. thralls move too quickly. Make the thralls your primary targets. Use ranged attacks
and Knockback (if you can) to keep the thralls from destroying the turrets. You
Keep the harvesters in sight; they take sharp turns and can duck out of sight very need those turrets to keep the brutes back; they have high hit points and deal high
quickly if you’re not careful. You only have to protect them until they harvest the 10 damage, so they are a real threat.
fruits of the current crop.
463
THE ATTACK (Repeatable) MABON WAYPOINT CENTER
GOAL: Defend the settlers from the undead horde.
Waypoint, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Salvage Merchant,
SERVICES:
LEVEL: 8 Scout (x2), Karma Weaponsmith (Weeping Isle)
Brigid’s Waypoint (S), Town of Cathal Waypoint (NW),
TRAVEL:
Description: If Saraid Titan’s Staircase Waypoint (E/NE)
cannot defeat the HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings
undead outside of Brigid’s
Overlook, you’ll have
to fight them inside the
settlement. Eight waves
of undead need to be
defeated, while six settlers
need to be defended.
Take a moment to activate the mortar pods surrounding the settlement (they
become turrets once activated). Holding the undead at the entrance to town and
letting the mortars pound them is your best bet. Hold the line!
Once the Overlook is safe, move west and help the soundless villager on the north Mabon Market is a crossroad for several merchants and an asuran researcher. The
side of Bay Haven. merchants’ guards make this small point of civilization fairly safe, and the merchants
do good business with travelers and adventurers alike. This is one of the last safe
SOUNDLESS AND ALONE (Repeatable)
havens between the Grove and Kraitbane…and that’s because of adventurers like you.
GOAL: Help the soundless villager return home.
LEVEL: 8 Start by backtracking a little and heading southwest to Weeping Isle, where you
can help the soundless. Helping them leads you north from the Weeping Isle to
Description: A soundless villager stands on the north side of Bay Haven, looking attack the Nightmare Court. Once the soundless are in a better position to defend
longingly at her home to the north. Escort her along the road toward Mabon themselves, swing back by Mabon Market to sell.
Waypoint. Three waves of enemies greet you along the way. All three waves can be
seen and engaged before the soundless villager actually gets to them.
The first wave is composed of three skales, while the second and third waves are from
the Nightmare Court. Use your most damaging attacks to end the enemies quickly, as
you’ll have time for them to recharge between the fights. After the three waves have
been defeated, the soundless villager runs on ahead, and your task is done. Follow the
road to Mabon Waypoint; this will be your hub for a bit.
You can then decide whether you are interested in helping the hylek at Sperrins
Waypoint. It’s a bit out of the way, but if the fights have been difficult, you might
want the extra experience. To help the hylek, jump to Brigid’s Waypoint and travel
east to Sperrins Waypoint; you can return to Mabon Market after you are finished.
464
WORLD
HELP THE SOUNDLESS (Renown Task) Follow Talaith as she

GOAL: Help the soundless. fights her way northwest
into the camp. At the top
LEVEL: 8
of the camp are three
Description: The soundless have been ousted from their lands by the Nightmare prisons with soundless in
Court, and there is a lot needed to be done to help them get back on their feet. them. Destroy the doors
You can repair fishing nets and traps (which reveal enemies), cull the wave rider to set them free and start
population (underwater combat), help divers (by reviving them underwater), and the final stage of the
fend off Nightmare Court raids (on land). event. With the prisoners
free, it’s time to get Talaith back home. Escort her back toward the Weeping Isle and
then jump back to Mabon Waypoint. If you’re heading to Sperrins Waypoint to help
the hylek, you can save a little copper by jumping straight to Brigid’s Waypoint and
traveling east.
HARASS THE NIGHTMARE COURT (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Tovar harass the Nightmare Court.
LEVEL: 9
TARNISHED COAST
Description: The Nightmare Court will never let the soundless be without the
proper encouragement. It’s a lucky thing you’re good at this kind of diplomacy. Kill
anything that looks nasty, free prisoners, and destroy turrets. Basically, it’s the same
stuff you’re already doing to help Talaith. Nice!
As long as you are comfortable underwater, that’s the best way to go here. There
are nets and traps to fix, enemies to kill, and allies to revive. If you aren’t used to
underwater combat, or
want to learn more of
your abilities, this is a
good time to practice.
Despite appearances,
the water isn’t that
dangerous; land is close
by, and the water isn’t
very deep. Spend your
time circling around Weeping Isle, repairing nets and traps while killing wave riders
and saving divers.
SPERRINS WAYPOINT EAST SIDE
GET THEM BACK (Repeatable)
SERVICES: Waypoint
GOAL: Help Talaith liberate soundless prisoners.
TRAVEL: Brigid’s Waypoint (W)
LEVEL: 9
Description: The Nightmare Court isn’t willing to let the soundless go. They’ve
captured some of the unfortunate citizens. Follow Talaith to the north into the
Nightmare Court’s base and keep her alive long enough to free the prisoners. There
are turrets all over this place, and Talaith is more concerned with her liberation
mission. The turrets do incredible damage. It’s up to you to destroy the turrets before
they kill you. The good news is that you can revive Talaith when she drops.
North of Sperrins Waypoint is the home of the Zopatl Tribe. As one of the few friendly
hylek villages, it’s a shame they have to compete with the krait for room to live.
465
THE ZOPATL TRIBE (Renown Task) Though Hanto is in the middle of Caledon Forest, there is a remarkable lack of sylvari
GOAL: Help Atzintli and the Zopatl Tribe battle the krait. here. That’s because Hanto exists through a trade agreement between the tengu and
the asura. The asura have agreed to construct a gate that the tengu can use to trade.
LEVEL: 10
This is a huge deal, as the tengu don’t generally leave their city, and they have closed
Description: This hylek village is under attack by the hostile krait. Your job is to fight the doors to all outsiders.
the krait, rescue captive hylek, and repair territory markers. If krait are close to the
This would be a wonderful arrangement if the asura were actually building a gate.
village entrance, use the hylek poison turrets for some safe fun. Your best bets are to
They’re not. Their research is along an entirely different arc and the constant skritt
grab territory markers, revive fallen hylek, and fight the few krait that are on the surface.
attacks aren’t helping. See what you can do about lightening the burden of defense
If you’re having difficulty finding targets, venture into the water for the captives. Be
before continuing on. Before heading east to Titan’s Staircase, run west and grab the
careful, though: the krait are dangerous foes, and the water is very deep. You might not
Caledon Haven Waypoint. This will come in handy in the future.
want to go it alone. When you are finished here, jump back to Mabon Waypoint.
CARAVAN WORK (Repeatable)
GOAL: Guard the mosshearts carrying Widd’s research.
DEEP WATER
LEVEL: 11
Your character cannot drown, but deep water can still be very
dangerous. If you are not careful, you can find yourself under Description: Just east of the waypoint, Researcher Widd has work for you. Guard his
attack from several directions, including above and below. Travel caravan as it travels north. Several waves of skritt attack throughout the journey. The
carefully whenever you enter deep water and clear everything normal skritt are not the problem. The skritt saboteurs, however, are a real concern.
around you to avoid unpleasant ambushes. They run at the caravan with lit bombs. The bombs inflict a lot of damage if they hit
the caravan. Fortunately, the skritt saboteurs show up on your minimap, and you can
take the damage if you kill them before they reach the mosshearts. The wonderful
news about this event is the skritt you fight here also count toward the task below.
HANTO TRADING POST CENTER

SERVICES: Armorsmith HYPERAGGRESSIVE SKRITT (Renown Task)
Mabon Waypoint (S), Titan’s Staircase Waypoint (SE), GOAL: Help Zippti study the hyper-aggressive skritt.
TRAVEL: Caledon Haven Waypoint (W)
LEVEL: 11
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Mushrooms, Herb Patches
Description: The skritt
have infested the Ruins
of the Unseen and are
far more aggressive than
normal. If caravan work
is available, this task
almost completes itself.
If it is not, head north up
the road from Mabon
Waypoint and watch for the break in the ruins to the west. Move into the ruins and
start fighting the skritt. Watch for shiny tracking devices and piles of gears on the
Jump back to Mabon Waypoint to begin your journey to Hanto Trading Post.
ground. Activate the tracking devices and knock over the piles of gears for added
Researcher Widd has some research he needs to get to Hanto. Speak with him to
completion while you battle the skritt.
begin the escort. Keep pace with the mosshearts and make your way to Hanto
Trading Post.
466
WORLD
TRACKING DEVICES (Repeatable) TITAN’S STAIRCASE WAYPOINT EAST SIDE

GOAL: Collect data cores from tracking devices for Apprentice Vee.
SERVICES: Waypoint, Weaponsmith, Salvage Merchant
LEVEL: 12
TRAVEL: Hanto Trading Post (W)
Description: Apprentice HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Root Vegetables

Vee has work while
you’re in the Ruins of the
Unseen fighting skritt.
Grab the data cores from
the corpses and turn
them in to Vee whenever
he passes by. You can
also collect them from
shiny tracking devices (on the ground). As this is a contribution event, keep track of
Vee and turn in if the event is near finishing. Once you get to Hanto Trading Post,
things can go a bit wrong, as the skritt don’t appreciate how the asura do research.
The tengu don’t trust the sylvari (or the rest of the world). A huge wall protects them
TARNISHED COAST
M.A.D. WORK (Repeatable) from the ravages of the other races. Although they won’t let you in, you can cross the
bridge and speak with Swift Arrow for a Skill Challenge.
GOAL: Protect the M.A.D. from skritt while Dekkti works.
LEVEL: 11 Swift Arrow challenges you to a duel to teach you how to evade. Many of his attacks
knock you down, so be ready. Don’t use attacks that take time to charge up; he won’t
Description: The asura have set up a machine called the M.A.D., which affects the
give you the opportunity. Once you put Swift Arrow in his place, head north and help
skritt. What could possibly go wrong? Waves of skritt teem from the ruins and attack
the hylek deal with the krait. There will be a good bit of underwater combat in the
the outpost. Much like the caravan escort, the skritt saboteurs are the real problem.
next few tasks.
The other skritt engage the defenders and swing at the M.A.D., but the saboteurs head
straight for the machine and explode for considerable damage. Luckily, the saboteurs SAVE THE HYLEK (Renown Task)
show up on the minimap, allowing you to intercept them. Keep the saboteurs away and
GOAL: Help Yoal weaken the krait and recover kidnapped hylek.
fight off the other skritt as you have time. When all your work here is done, follow the
LEVEL: 11
road southeast to Titan’s Staircase Waypoint.
Description: The krait have taken the water territory along the Dominion of Winds.
Killing krait and freeing hylek within this stretch of water will work toward completing
the task. To free the hylek, simply destroy the cages holding them. Attacking a cell
alerts nearby krait to your presence. As you save prisoners, keep your eyes open for
hylek chests. These have items stolen by the krait, which you can return to Yoal. As
you’re dealing with the krait, move northeast to rescue Cueyatl.
BUILDING A BETTER PATH

Though you aren’t ready for the fights in the northwest just yet,
follow the road west and activate the Caledon Haven Waypoint
before you head southeast to Titan’s Staircase. This will save you a
lot of travel time later.
467
CUEYATL’S ESCAPE (Repeatable) DEFEND THE QUAGGANS (Repeatable)
GOAL: Help Cueyatl escape the krait. GOAL: Defend the Soggorsort quaggans from krait slavers.
LEVEL: 11 LEVEL: 12
Description: Cueyatl Description: Eight waves of krait slavers attack Soggorsort. These come from several
has been captured and directions and attack the villagers. The villagers who need to be defended have shields
is being held in one of over their heads. You fail if 10 villagers are captured at any one time. The good news is
the deeper sections of that captured villagers show up on your minimap (as a pair of tied hands). Defeating
the krait area. Break her the slaver that grabbed them and cutting the captive free counts as a full rescue.
cage and escort her back
to the surface. She’s very Find an area where several villagers can be easily seen, and set up a defense. The
vulnerable and can go more mobile and comfortable you are underwater, the larger this area can be. Kill the
down quickly. Be ready slavers quickly and keep villagers from being taken to succeed. If you fail, the event
to revive her. Once she’s on land, witness how distrustful her camp is. Follow Cueyatl below becomes available. If you succeed, swim north to Kraitbane Haven Waypoint.
back to the edge of the water and help her prove a point.
CUEYATL’S PLAN (Repeatable)

GOAL: Bring krait skins to Cueyatl.
LEVEL: 11
Description: Cueyatl
wants to prove to
her camp that not all
outsiders are evil. Help
her show the others that
your people and hers can
band together against
a common enemy: the FREE THE QUAGGAN (Repeatable)
krait. Head into the water GOAL: Free quaggan slaves from Slaver’s Deep.
and start killing krait for their skin. This is a contribution-based event, so be ready to run LEVEL: 13
back if someone else finishes it. If you’re having trouble finding targets, remember that
hitting a cell calls nearby krait. For a single player, getting 11 skins completes the event. Description: Watch for Jubjup. She can be found swimming around and asking for
help. She’ll point you north, in the direction of Slaver’s Deep. You need to destroy 10
Follow Cueyatl back to the camp and watch what happens when she presents the cells for victory. Hitting the cages upsets nearby krait, and they’ll attack you (this is
evidence to the others. You’re let into the camp! A weaponsmith and a merchant are almost identical to freeing the hylek in other tasks). Swim north to Slaver’s Deep and
up the ramp. Time to enjoy the fruits of your labors! free the quaggan. When you’ve finished, continue north to Kraitbane Haven Waypoint.
HELP THE QUAGGANS (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Fisher Leudap support the fishers of Soggorsort.
LEVEL: 12
Description: You need to light fishing lanterns, check quaggan traps, and kill krait.
Killing poisonous urchins also counts. The urchins and lanterns can be on several
ledges along the walls. Find a ledge or the floor and follow it for a bit. This gives
you the opportunity to find poisonous urchins and traps while letting you see any
lanterns near the floor. Kill krait as you see them and revive any dead fishers.
468
WORLD
KRAITBANE HAVEN WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE HAMLET OF ANNWEN WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE
Waypoint, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith, Equipment SERVICES: Waypoint
SERVICES: Repair, Salvage Merchant
Kraitbane Haven Waypoint (N), Lionguard Waystation
TRAVEL:
TRAVEL: Kessex Hills (NE), Hamlet of Annwen Waypoint (S) Waypoint (W)
Copper Ore (Abundant Underwater), Root Vegetables, HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Mushrooms
HARVESTING INFO: Berry Patches, Lettuce (Abundant to the North)
Building outside fortified walls is seldom advisable, but someone always does it.
The people of this small village sit within sight of Kraitbane Haven, but they are too
far away for help to arrive in a timely fashion. Give Annwen a hand before heading
northwest into the estuary. There are a number of Orrian undead waiting to ambush
anyone who happens to get too close. See what you can do to limit their ability to do
so before following the road west to Lionguard Waystation Waypoint.
TARNISHED COAST
This fortified keep stands at the edge of Treemarch Estuary and near Slaver’s Deep.
The guards work day and night to keep the krait from encroaching any further into
the estuary.
Clear the krait and then speak with Lionguard Kady, who patrols around the outside
of Kraitbane Keep. Something is wrong in the Hamlet of Annwen. Head south to
check it out. LIBERATION! (Repeatable)
SLAVER’S DEEP (Renown Task) GOAL: Liberate the Hamlet of Annwen from hylek invaders.
GOAL: Assist Lionguard Hester in weakening the krait of Slaver’s Deep. LEVEL: 13
LEVEL: 13 Description: While the Hamlet of Annwen is very large and there are an incredible
number of hylek attackers involved, you do not need to kill all of them. Each hylek
Description: This job requires you to defeat krait, rescue slaves, and put slave
killed reduces the overall morale by 10%; thus, you only need to kill 10 attackers.
remains to rest. This occurs mostly underwater. If you aren’t comfortable underwater,
Avoid rushing in and trying to kill them in large groups, as several of the hylek can
head east. There is a construct rising out of the water with krait and slaves on it. There
Stun you for several seconds. If you have any utility or healing traits that remove
isn’t enough to finish the event, but it gets you very close and thus minimizes how
conditions, this can do a great deal to mitigate this. If you do not, you’ll have to soak
much time you spend underwater. Those at home underwater can just dive down
the damage until you can act again. With Annwen liberated, move northwest toward
and start clearing the area.
the Treemarch Estuary.
TOUGH FIGHTS?
The Treemarch Estuary is some of the higher-level content
in Caledon Forest. If you have any difficulty with it, skip the
following repeatable and task (“Undead in Treemarch Estuary”
and “Wyld Hunt”). Instead, head to Lionguard Waystation
Waypoint; complete the repeatables there before coming back.
469
UNDEAD IN TREEMARCH ESTUARY (Renown Task) SAVE THE TREES (Repeatable)
GOAL: Help Lionguard Messina cull the undead of Treemarch Estuary. GOAL: Protect local mosshearts from fire imps.
LEVEL: 14 LEVEL: 12
Description: This is very straightforward and can be completed while assisting the Description: South
Wyld Hunt. If the following repeatable is not available, move north into the estuary of the waypoint, fire
and watch for any of the Orrian undead. The waterways are the best place to find imps are attacking the
targets. There are noxious mosshearts in the area.
mushrooms to be There are four mosshearts
destroyed and undead total, and you need to
in abundance. Watch for keep at least one of them
any downed Lionguard, alive for 6 minutes. The
but be wary, as some of mosshearts can mostly
the bodies are undead fight the imps off, but the imps light the mosshearts on fire. Keep an eye out for
lying in wait for a gourds around the area to put out the flaming mosshearts. The damage over time by
kind heart. the fire will eventually kill these gentle tree creatures.
WYLD HUNT (Repeatable) STOP THE FIRES (Repeatable)

GOAL: Help the Wyld Hunt Valiants clear undead from Treemarch Estuary. GOAL: Clear the fire imp population and extinguish their fires.
LEVEL: 14 LEVEL: 12
Description: Clear three Description: Fire imps

locations and revive the are setting the entire
fallen valiants. Once you region ablaze. Kill 10
revive the valiants, follow imps and extinguish 6
them from one Orrian fires. This repeatable
spider den to the next. is just south of the
The last location has a waypoint, almost
veteran abomination, impossible to miss.
several thralls and brutes, Around the trees are
and three undead grubs—lots of poison! Be sure to have an ability to clear poison gourds to pick up and use to douse the fires. You have to put the gourd down to
conditions or let the valiants take the brunt of the attacks. When this is done, flee fight, so keep a gourd until you’re ready to engage an imp. Once the forest is safe,
south back to the road or jump to the Kraitbane or Hamlet of Annwen Waypoint jump back to Caledon Haven Waypoint.
and continue your journey into Lionguard Waystation Waypoint.
CALEDON HAVEN WAYPOINT NORTHWEST OF CENTER
LIONGUARD WAYSTATION WAYPOINT NORTH OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint, Salvage Merchant, Equipment Repair
SERVICES: Waypoint
Falias Thorp Waypoint (N/NW), Town of Cathal
TRAVEL:
Kraitbane Haven Waypoint (E), Hamlet of Annwen Waypoint (W), Lionguard Waystation Waypoint (N/NE)
TRAVEL: Waypoint (E), Caledon Haven Waypoint (S), Wychmire
Waypoint (NW) HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Mushrooms
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Mushrooms There isn’t much at Caledon Haven Waypoint, but it may have been a while since you
last visited a merchant or repaired your equipment. Do so before heading on. To the
west is Town of Cathal Waypoint, an armorsmith, and the pass to Metrica Province.
At a crossroad near the Wychmire Swamp, there is little excess at Lionguard Waystation.
The guards keep watch over the wooden palisade and do their best to make a safe
place for travelers to stop. To the south, fire and forest are mixing in an unhealthy way. To the northwest is Falias Thorp. This bastion of defense is often under attack, and
Deal with the fires before jumping to Caledon Haven Waypoint: you’ll be back. the Falias Thorp Waypoint is rarely functional. When you’re ready to move on, make
your way north to Falias Thorp and the Wychmire Swamp.
470
WORLD
TOWN OF CATHAL WAYPOINT WEST SIDE

SERVICES: Waypoint, Armorsmith
Falias Thorp Waypoint (N), Metrica Province (Level 1-15
TRAVEL: Asura Region) (W), Caledon Haven Waypoint (E)
HARVESTING INFO: Negligible
HELP THE WARDENS (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help the wardens in Wychmire Swamp.
LEVEL: 14
TARNISHED COAST
Town of Cathal Waypoint stands at the pass between Caledon Forest and Metrica
Description: Destroy
Province. If you’re interested in moving to another zone, now is a good time to do
summoned husks and
so. Metrica Province is home to the asura, and they have their own problems, but it
corrupted plants, fight
does make for a change of scenery (especially because the content is of similar level).
the Nightmare Court
If you’re not done in Caledon Forest, though, it’s time to head north to Falias Thorp.
and their minions, and
Either way, visit the villager for a creature book before moving on.
free prisoners. If Falias
Thorp is captured, take it
FALIAS THORP WAYPOINT WEST SIDE
first as the kills you make
SERVICES: Waypoint there will help greatly
Town of Cathal Waypoint (S), Lionguard Waystation toward completing this event. If you have Falias Thorp, head to the western part of
TRAVEL: Waypoint (E) Wychmire, where there are many summoned husks. Watch your feet, as there are
HARVESTING INFO: Negligible corrupted plants to be destroyed as you find them. As you kill your way north into
Wychmire Swamp, start swinging east as you near the completion of this task. Once
you complete it, jump to Lionguard Waystation Waypoint or fight your way there. It’s
time to take the north road from Lionguard Waystation.
LIONGUARD WAYSTATION WAYPOINT REVISITED

NORTH OF CENTER
SERVICES: Waypoint
Kraitbane Haven Waypoint (E), Hamlet of Annwen
TRAVEL: Waypoint (E), Caledon Haven Waypoint (S), Wychmire
Waypoint (NW)
HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Mushrooms
This outpost guards the area against the Nightmare Court lurking in the Wychmire
Swamp. As the primary defense of the area, Falias Thorp is often under attack or
occupied by hostile forces. If the waypoint is contested, use Town of Cathal Waypoint
as a springboard to retake the area and push into Wychmire Swamp.
RECAPTURE FALIAS THORP (Repeatable)

GOAL: Drive the Nightmare Court from Falias Thorp.
LEVEL: 13
Description: Clearing the Nightmare Court from Falias Thorp is a difficult fight,
as the enemies can enter from a few angles and your allies are mostly useless.
Revive them to keep the enemies from grouping up against you, but keep an This is your second time at Lionguard Waystation, and it’s time for the final push
eye on the defenders, as they won’t last very long against the Nightmare Court against the evil in Caledon Forest. Take the road heading north. It’s quite dangerous
without your help. and the Lionguard need help protecting travelers. Watch for Gamarien along the
road. He’s trying to scout the swamp, but he’s not strong enough to do it alone.
471
GAMARIEN (Repeatable) CHAMPION JUNGLE TROLL (Group)
GOAL: Protect Gamarien as he scouts Wychmire Swamp. GOAL: Defeat the champion jungle troll.
LEVEL: 14 LEVEL: 15
Description: Gamarien Description: Enough said, really. If you can get the jungle troll on the road, it’s a
takes a zigzagging path much easier fight (there’s more room to kite him, kill his two friends, and possibly find
through the swamp travelers to help with the
and tends to shoot at battle). If he gets off the
everything that moves. road, he heads back into
Get ready for quite troll territory.
a run as this sylvari
doesn’t walk like most
The jungle troll lives
escorts. Several skelks,
pretty deep in the
a few Nightmare Court members, and some summoned husks will be dead before
northern part of the
Gamarien finds what’s causing all the problems in Wychmire. If you are alone, jump
swamp (far north of the zone). This guy doesn’t fight fair. He can regenerate, like any
back to Lionguard Waystation Waypoint and continue north again. Do not attempt
other troll; he has two lesser trolls beside him (kill them first); and he’s in a relatively
the group event solo.
protected location (a narrow cleft in the ground). Knock him down, snare him, and
GREAT JUNGLE WURM (Group) otherwise limit his actions (through crowd control abilities) as you kite him around.
Evade his powerful attacks (he telegraphs quite a bit), and don’t let him regenerate
GOAL: Defeat the great jungle wurm.
his health. As soon as he covers himself to heal, dive in and let loose with your high-
LEVEL: 15
damage abilities.
Description: Come with friends. This enormous wurm does massive damage, has
WYCHMIRE WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE
massive health, and can fight in multiple ways. In addition to its melee attack, it also
spits barbs that cause Bleeding and Poisoning and can spew area-of-effect poison SERVICES: Waypoint
clouds at range. Should you live long enough to actually hurt the thing, it will call Lionguard Waystation Waypoint(SE), Brisban Wildlands
TRAVEL: (Level 15-25 Sylvari/Asuran Region) (W)
the summoned husks to itself and consume them to heal. Bring everyone. Once the
wurm has been defeated, jump back to Lionguard and continue north along the road. HARVESTING INFO: Copper Ore, Aspen Saplings, Mushrooms, Herb Patches
You’ve done it! Caledon is a safer place because of your hard work. Speak to Warden
Shield just north of the waypoint for a Skill Challenge and decide where to go next.
The Brisban Wildlands are just to the west; that region seems a likely proposition, and
SAFEGUARD THE ROAD (Renown Task) the people there are sure to need the help of adventurers.
GOAL: Help Lionguard Cern safeguard the road.
LEVEL: 15
DANGER TO THE SOUTH
Description: There’s a lot you can do to help here: repair warning signs, light torches,
destroy skull monuments, and drive off trolls. Though the event says to safeguard the The Twilight Arbor Waypoint is almost directly south from this
road, head off the northern side of the road as soon as possible. Warning signs and area. It’s a very dangerous spot, and heroes should only come here
skull monuments are when they’re much more seasoned. A dungeon is there, requiring a
throughout the troll area, full group of adventurers.
and you can also kill the
trolls there to make this
a very fast completion.
With the road safer, keep
following it to Wychmire
Waypoint.
472
WORLD
BRISBAN WILDLANDS
LEVEL RANGE: 15-25
TASKS: 16
WAYPOINTS: 12
SKILL CHALLENGES: 6
HARVESTING INFO: Gummo Trees (Soft Wood Logs, Soft Wood Dowels),
Herb Patches (Cucumbers), Leafy Vegetables
(Celery Stalks), Mushrooms (Chanterelle
Mushrooms), Purple Iris Flower (Purple Iris Petals),
Iron Ore (Iron Ore, Gems), Silver Ore
(Silver Ore, Gems)
SKILL CHALLENGES
> Ghostly Runner Zengrade (East of Mirkrise Waypoint, Running Around No major nation or people lay claim to Brisban Wildlands. The reaches of both the
the Ruins) (S) asura and sylvari end at the borders of this vastly untamed wilderness. Without the
> Henge of Denravi (Southwest of Mirkrise Waypoint, On a Hill Above the oversight of guardians, secret laboratories and hidden villages abound between the
TARNISHED COAST
Swamp) (S)
trees and even under the mountains. Here, the skritt and hylek are among the many
> Place of Power (South of Triforge Point Waypoint, Inside the Thaumacore who have created a place to call home.
Inquiry Center) (W)
> Lady Grimassi (South of Triforge Point Waypoint, Out in the Open) (W) Without the law and protection of the larger nations, bandits, the Inquest, and the
> Restless Arboreal Spirit (South of Seraph Observers Waypoint, Nightmare Court have also made places of their own. Here, they attack unwary
Out in the Open) (N)
travelers, steal research from asuran labs, and enslave the skritt.
> Super Shiny Thing (West of Watchful Source Waypoint,
Inside Skrittsburgh) (Center)
Seraph Observers
Waypoint
The Wendon Steps
Waypoint
The Gallowfields
Waypoint
Gnashar’s Hills
Brilitine Swath
Waypoint
Skrittsburgh
Center East End Nemeton
Highwayman’s Vale Waypoint Grove
Vandal’s Claim
Hillstead
Tunnels Waypoint
Waypoint
Triforge Point Ulta Metamagicals Watchful Source
Waypoint Waypoint Waypoint
Aurora’s
Remains
Koga Ruins
Mirkrise
Waypoint
Karston
Chambers
The Shattered Henge
Mrot Boru
Waypoint
473
WHERE DO I START?
Brisban is the level 15-25 region for both sylvari and asuran progression; therefore, you can enter
from either Caledon Forest or Metrica Province. The first several tasks are level-appropriate
no matter which entrance you come in. If you are entering through Caledon Forest, skip to
Watchful Source Waypoint and then come back to Mrot Boru. If you are entering from Metrica
Province, just keep reading.
If there are no hyleks in the village or in the water, head across the river and talk to
MROT BORU WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE
Tramma. There is an ooze cave nearby. The oozes are not naturally aggressive. Just kill
Waypoint, Merchant, Scout, Armorsmith, Equipment them and bring them back to the ooze processors near Tramma.
SERVICES: Repair, Weaponsmith (Aethervolt Lab)
Entrance to Metrica Province (Level 1-15 Asuran Region) While doing both of these activities, watch for Inactive aetheric observers. Activate
TRAVEL: (S), Watchful Source Waypoint (E), Mirkrise Waypoint (W)
these for more credit toward the task. If any Inquest show up to make trouble, they
HARVEST INFO: Herb Patches, Gummo Trees, Silver Ore, Iron Ore
can be dispatched as well.
On the border of Venlin Vale, the fort of Mrot Boru is the last bastion of asuran
control. The high walls and steep staircases keep most aggressors out but do nothing
for the more subtle enemies—and the Inquest rarely attack head-on. Watch your
pockets and your back here. Even though the citizens and their progeny run around ATTACK THE INQUEST (Renown Task)
without worry, there are daggers and spies everywhere. Help those living here and GOAL: Keep the Inquest from endangering Mrot Boru.
then take the road east to Watchful Source Waypoint to help the sylvari. LEVEL: 17
TEMP WORK (Renown Task) Description: Everyone has secret labs in Brisban. Even the Inquest have a lab. If the
GOAL: Aethervolt researchers require temporary assistants. people of Mrot Boru really knew how close it was, they’d be worried. Make a left
LEVEL: 16 before crossing the bridge north of Mrot Boru and walk down the slope. The Inquest
members are in plain view. Kill the Inquest, disable their spy transmission receivers,
Description: Here you can test pigment transmogrifiers on red hylek for Aerixx, and destroy the Inquest power generators. This task is very quick, as there are a great
collect ooze samples for Tramma, and fight any Inquest spying in the area. many targets (mobs and two types of groundspawns). Once the Inquest are suitably
set back, jump back to Mrot Boru Waypoint and head east to Aethervolt Labs. There,
Aerixx stands in a small building at the edge of the water (he’s on the road side) look for Sparkk.
across the road from Aethervolt Lab. Talk to him to get a pigment transmogrifier and
let the fun begin. The first ability is what changes the color of the hyleks. The second
does damage with a little range. Head around the building and start spraying hylek.
There are two ways to do
this, depending on your
damage output. If you
have high area-of-effect
damage, spray several
hylek while kiting them
around. Once you’ve
enraged a whole bunch,
drop the transmogrifier
and kill the maddened enemies. The upside to this is it’s faster; the downside is
that you can’t pick up the transmogrifier once you’ve dropped it (you have to get
another). However, the red hyleks will attack the blue hyleks before they attack you.
(Asura note: conclusive evidence that hyleks have color vision.)
474
WORLD
GATHERING ENERGY (Repeatable) WATCHFUL SOURCE WAYPOINT SOUTHEAST SIDE

GOAL: Gather energy for Sparkk.
Waypoint, Merchant, Scout, Armorsmith, Weaponsmith,
SERVICES:
LEVEL: 16 Equipment Repair, Karma Merchant (The Revered Terebinth)
Entrance to Caledon Forest (Level 1-15 Sylvari Region)
TRAVEL:
Description: Don’t talk to Sparkk until you’re ready to go. He won’t wait for you and (E), Mrot Boru Waypoint (SW), Wendon Waypoint (N)
he quickly heads east (out of range of the other events) to the Karston Chambers. Hunt HARVEST INFO: Gummo Trees, Herb Patches, Iron Ore, Silver Ore
cavern scutters to collect
their energy for Sparkk.
The cavern scutters aren’t
an issue alone; they’ll only
attack if you hit them
first or smack a friend of
theirs. The real dangers
in this area are the jungle
wurm hatchlings. They’re
aggressive and can burrow under the unwary. If no scutters are around, look for larvae
tails. Pull these, and one or two scutter larvae come to the surface. These have the
TARNISHED COAST
energy also. Sparkk needs 10 energy samples before he returns to his lab. The outpost of Watchful Source stands on the top of Zinder Slope. As the last
remnant of sylvari dominance in the area, there are a number of services here for
the hearty adventurer. Take time to replenish your supplies and head out to face the
WHERE’S SPARKK? dangers of the wilderness.
If someone has already started Sparkk’s event, he may not be at the PROTECT THE WYLD HUNT (Repeatable)
Aethervolt Lab. Try following the path east across the bridge and GOAL: Protect the Wyld Hunt party from the unseen hunter.
up the slope to the Karton Chambers to look for him. LEVEL: 16
Description: The
WHAT WENT WRONG? (Group) hunters are being hunted.
Where the Zinder Slope
GOAL: Destroy the malfunctioning golem.
meets the river (SW
LEVEL: 16
of Watchful Source
Description: Once Sparkk gets back to his lab, he tries to repair the broken golem. Waypoint), four Wyld
He does too good a job, and it goes nuts trying to kill everything. Its attacks are Hunt valiants are stalking
pretty mean, and it has a good bit of health, but there is plenty of room to kite an unseen hunter. The
it. Also, if you are having trouble, position the golem so it faces one of the nearby mists keep the hunter
fireflies. Once one of the golem’s cone attacks hits the firefly, the insect joins the shrouded until it strikes. Follow the valiants and wait for your moment. The hunter is
fray (and you might need all the allies you can get). With the golem now safely a veteran; it can take a lot of hits and deals heavy melee damage. Either avoid getting
broken once again, you’ve helped Aethervolt as much as possible. Head east along its attention by letting the Wyld Hunt members face it (you can let up to three of the
the road to Watchful Source Waypoint. four valiants die before the mission fails), or face it head on and kite the hunter while
the valiants kill it.
KILL NIGHTMARE SPELLBINDERS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Kill nightmare spellbinders before the skritt are enslaved at Joy’s End.
LEVEL: 16
Description: Kill six

nightmare spellbinders
as they run from
Skrittsburgh to Joy’s End.
Failure comes if any skritt
are enslaved by the time
they reach Joy’s End. The
spellbinders come in pairs
with trailing skritt slaves.
If any of the spellbinders get past you, you’ll need to race into Joy’s End to kill them
before they fully enslave any skritt.
475
THWARTING THE NIGHTMARE COURT (Renown Task) RECOVER THE REVERED TEREBINTH I (Repeatable)
GOAL: Thwart the Nightmare Court at Joy’s End. GOAL: Recover the Revered Terebinth by killing the Nightmare Court.
LEVEL: 16 LEVEL: 17
Description: South Description: Kill the Nightmare Court occupiers making a home under the
of Watchful Source branches of the Revered Terebinth. Each kill counts for 10% toward the occupiers’
Waypoint is a major force, so you need to kill 10 of them. While the enemies respawn fairly quickly, they
Nightmare Court do not restore the percentage of the occupiers. If you want to play it safe, pull the
stronghold, Joy’s Nightmare Court at the edge to you and wait for respawns (they come back pretty
End. Make them feel quickly). Once the percentage is at zero, the kennelmaster and his mastiffs join the
unwelcome by setting fire fight, but all others leave.
to the nearby brambles
(and fighting the
Nightmare Court executioners that come). You can also free prisoners as you advance
by opening nightmare bulbs. Note that killing anything or anyone associated with the
Nightmare Court counts toward this task. Mostly, you can complete this task while
you do the repeatables in the area.
RESCUE THE SKRITT (Repeatable)

GOAL: Rescue the kidnapped skritt.
LEVEL: 16
Description: Kill three jailers to access the gates and destroy all three prison gates.
Fight your way to the top of Joy’s End. Clear all enemies away from the jailers before
engaging them, as they are all veterans of the Nightmare Court. Be very careful not to
get the attention of two of them at once. Both the jailers and the prison gates count RECOVER THE REVERED TEREBINTH II (Repeatable)
toward the “Thwarting the Nightmare Court” task. With all this done, jump back to Recover the Revered Terebinth by defeating the kennelmaster and
GOAL:
Watchful Source Waypoint and start north. his mastiffs.
LEVEL: 17
Description: To get the Revered Terebinth back, you must defeat the kennelmaster
and his two mastiffs. The kennelmaster is a veteran and hits pretty hard. It’s imperative
to pull back and fight his mastiffs before engaging him. Defeat this last wave of
enemies and the Revered Terebinth is free again (the gardeners come back and the
tree becomes a karma merchant).
PROTECT THE REVERED TEREBINTH (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Leigheara protect the Revered Terebinth.
LEVEL: 17
Description: Your task

includes fighting the
Nightmare Court, freeing
prisoners from Beldame’s
Rise, and removing the
pests and stranglebloom
surrounding the Revered
Terebinth. The Revered
Terebinth is on a cliff
that must be mounted from the north side. The nightmare spiders and mastiffs in
the area are all targets, but your best course is to grab stranglebloom. Uprooting
the stranglebloom can cause termite larvae to appear (and both count toward the
completion of the task), so grab any nearby stranglebloom as you fight.
476
WORLD
PROTECT THE GARDENERS (Repeatable)

GOAL: Protect the three gardeners from the Nightmare Court.
LEVEL: 17
Description: The Nightmare Court won’t let the Revered Terebinth go without
a fight! You must protect the gardeners tending it. The gardeners aren’t really
combatants, so they need strong protection. Your best bet is to stay at the bottom of
the slope and try to grab
the the Nightmare Court
members before they
engage the gardeners. Be
very aggressive; the Court
has brought archers. As SKRITT GO BOOM! (Repeatable)
long as one gardener
GOAL: Prevent the bandits from poisoning the skritt foragers with traps.
is still standing when
LEVEL: 19
the Nightmare Court’s
TARNISHED COAST
morale reaches zero, you win the fight. Each kill counts for about 7% of the morale, so
Description: The
you need to kill around 14-15 targets. Don’t worry if one of the gardeners goes down.
poison-based mines are
They can be revived, but bringing back a defeated ally takes a fair bit of time; only do
truly nasty once they go
it between waves of enemies. With the Revered Terebinth safe for the time being,
off. Your best bet is to
travel north to Wendon Waypoint.
stop the bandits from
putting them down at
WENDON WAYPOINT NORTHEAST SIDE
all. If you are very fast,
Waypoint, Merchant, Scout, Weaponsmith, you can kill the bandits
SERVICES: Equipment Repair
before they drop more
Entrance to Kessex Hills (E) (Level 15-25 Region), than four mines (they’ll drop as many as eight mines if left alone). Each mine can
TRAVEL: Watchful Source Waypoint (S)
kill at least one skritt forager, so this puts the odds much more in your favor. Have
HARVEST INFO: Gummo Trees, Herb Patches, Iron Ore, Silver Ore
abilities ready that remove conditions, as the mines put several debuffs in addition to
Poison on you. Avoid trying to disarm a mine until you’ve killed the nearby hidden
bandit poisoner and you’ve returned to full health.
SKRITT NEED ANTIDOTE BADLY (Repeatable)

GOAL: Drive out the bandits so skritt can steal antidotes to the poison.
LEVEL: 20
Description: Many of the skritt have been poisoned by the bandits, and they need
the antidote. They know where it is, but the bandits must be driven out before the
skritt can retrieve it. The bandit hideout is at the top of the Wendon Steps, west of
the waypoint. Climb to there and start killing. Choose your targets cautiously, as the
Wendon Waypoint stands on the border of Kessex Hills and the Wendon Steps. The bandits are very close together and can deal moderate damage. Twelve or so kills will
nearby vigil camp is working hard to battle the bandits that have settled in the area. convince the bandits to hide until you leave and give the skritt enough time to get
Give them a hand defending the nearby skritt from the machinations of Willem and the antidote. Now that you’re in reasonably good standing with the skritt, it’s time to
his band of lawbreakers before heading southwest to visit a rather large skritt city. pay a visit to Skrittsburgh, to the southwest of Wendon Waypoint.
DRIVING OFF WILLEM’S BANDITS (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help the Seraph fight Willem’s bandits.
LEVEL: 20
Description: To aid the Seraph, check the bushes for bandit spies and ambushers,
return Seraph supplies to Goran, and help the local skritt population. You can also
revive downed Seraph members. Bandits don’t much like to farm or harvest, so the
vigil camp gets raided on a regular basis. Watch for bandit cutpurses (or the merchant
assistant that hasn’t been unmasked) running from the vigil with boxes of supplies.
Kill them (for credit) and pick up the dropped supplies to turn in to Goran (for more
credit). The other targets are the suspicious bushes. You get credit for both checking
the bush and killing any bandits hiding within it. If either of the repeatable events is
available, those kills count toward the completion of this task as well.
477
SKRITTSBURGH WORLD EVENT FINISH THE JOB (Repeatable)
GOAL: Clear out the destroyers from the East End hub.
SERVICES: Waypoint (x3), Weaponsmith, Armorsmith
LEVEL: 20
Wendon Waypoint (NE), Watchful Source Waypoint
TRAVEL: (SE), Mrot Boru Waypoint (SW)
Description: The
HARVEST INFO: Iron Ore, Silver Ore, Mushrooms
destroyers make one
final push and send in a
veteran giant destroyer
crab. This enemy has
substantial health, deals
moderate damage, and
can evade. Clear around
him and destroy the four
fissures first. This will give you the space you’ll need to kill him. Do not stand beside
a fissure unless you have to, and watch your health if you do. The fissures shoot out
gouts of flame to hurt anyone standing nearby. When the last of the destroyers are
The skritt have closed the gates to their city to keep their enemies out. All three down, take the wooden bridge south.
gates are under attack and will not open until the East End, Hillstead, and tunnels are
GETTING GRUB AT THE HILLSTEAD (Renown Task)
secured. While there are three tasks in the area, it’s actually the repeatable events that
secure the gates. These must be done in one sitting. If you take a break in the middle, GOAL: Help the grub farmers in Skrittsburgh Hillstead.
you may have to backtrack and redo an event or two. Start by helping at the East End LEVEL: 19
Gate. Then go south to the Hillstead Gate, and finally west to the Tunnels Gate to
Description: This requires you to collect grub meat, light torches to draw out pests,
demonstrate to the skritt that you can be trusted.
destroy faulty turrets, and protect the skritt. Kill the Nightmare Court on your way
DEFENDING THE EAST END (Renown Task) past the waypoint and southeast to Forager Sneckit (at the center of the task). There
GOAL: Help the skritt defend Skrittsburgh East End. are grubs and faulty turrets here. Destroy the turrets and harvest the grubs for their
meat. Pass Sneckit the meat you have to complete the task, and then head southwest
LEVEL: 20
from the Hillstead Waypoint to the Tunnels Gate.
Description: Defend
East End, fight destroyers,
use skritt supplies, and
bring injured skritt to
Bordekka’s base. Make a
left at the first junction
in the tunnels and
head south. Destroyers
are digging under
Skrittsburgh and need to be stopped. Watch for unconscious skritt and skritt supplies
as you go. Carrying the unconscious skritt occupies enough of your attention (and your
arms) that you can’t do anything else while holding them. Use the run-speed boost on
your ability bar and get them back to Yutatta as soon as you can. Then, return to kill the
destroyers. Continue killing destroyers on your way to the Hillstead Gate. A NIGHTMARE FOR THE SKRITT (Repeatable)
GOAL: Free Hillstead skritt from the Nightmare Court.
CLEAR THE DESTROYERS (Repeatable)
LEVEL: 19
GOAL: Clear out the destroyers from the East End hub.
LEVEL: 20 Description: Nightmare
Court spellbinders have
Description: The fury of the destroyers must be stopped. Each kill counts for 8% of
enslaved the skritt. Each
the overall fury of the destroyer invasion, so you need to kill 12 destroyers to stall the
spellbinder has enslaved
battle. Do not go further south than the destroyers until you’ve completed both of
two skritt, and all three of
these events. You won’t have to wait long for respawns; the destroyers appear very
them attack at the same
quickly. Don’t stand right
time. Find the spellbinders
on the waypoint when
on your minimap and hit
you finish this event;
them with your highest
another starts right
damage abilities at the start of the engagement. The skritt come to their senses once
after it, and a veteran
the spellbinder falls, so don’t worry about attacking them. They’ve been through
enemy appears near
enough as it is.
the waypoint.
478
WORLD
GOING THROUGH THE TUNNELS (Renown Task) MIRKRISE WAYPOINT SOUTH SIDE
GOAL: Help the skritt experimenting in Skrittsburgh Tunnels.
LEVEL: 20
TRAVEL: Mrot Boru Waypoint (E)
Description: Search through junk piles and bring undamaged baubles to Twitchok. Gummo Trees (Abundant), Herb Patches, Purple Iris
HARVEST INFO: Flowers, Silver Ore, Iron Ore
Slay any hungry wildlife and Inquest you find. With the following repeatable having
several waves of Inquest, finishing this task is pretty manageable. If the repeatable is
not available, start killing everything in sight.
TARNISHED COAST
The Durmand Priory has started a research camp deep in Brisban Wildlands.
However, they haven’t brought enough defenders to safeguard it, and now they’re
paying for it. The Inquest make constant attacks and burn down the camp whenever
possible. Grab the waypoint (you may have to liberate the camp to do so) and head
just northwest for the task.
DRIVE OUT THE INQUEST (Repeatable) HELPING THE DURMAND PRIORY (Renown Task)
GOAL: Drive the Inquest from the skritt tunnels.
GOAL: Remove threats to Durmand Priory researchers in Toxal Bog.
LEVEL: 21
LEVEL: 21
Description: This event is a bit more difficult. You need to kill all the Inquest in the
Description: Assist the priory, prevent the Inquest from draining druid husks,
highlighted area and hold it until the completion bar fills. The Inquest attack from
protect explorers in the swamp, and help them gather green stinkhorns. With so
all three connecting tunnels. If you have allies, keep an eye on as many tunnels as
many repeatable events, this task almost completes itself. Follow the events into the
possible. Try to keep a
swamp. As you go, grab stinkhorns and kill anything that looks like a good target.
ranged ally within the
bordered region, and
have others engage the
enemies outside of it.
That way, there isn’t any
interruption in holding
the area. The remaining
Inquest flee when the
area is obviously not worth the fight. Make your way into Skrittsburgh Center and
find the awaiting merchants. Once you’ve finished selling your loot and buying new
goodies, jump to Mrot Boru Waypoint. Head through the fort and west across the
Koga Ruins, toward Mirkrise Waypoint.
THE BAR ISN’T MOVING SAVE THE CAMP (Group)

GOAL: Save the camp from the Inquest golem.
When holding an area, the completion bar moves only if there are
LEVEL: 20
absolutely no enemies and at least one ally within the bordered
area. The color of the circle is red if one of these conditions is not Description: The Inquest aren’t happy, and they’ve shown their displeasure by
met. It turns blue as soon as both are met, and the completion bar sending in a veteran experimental golem to burn down the camp. For now, leave the
then begins to increase. golem and take out the Inquest first. The golem’s whirlwind has a Knockback effect;
it can keep you busy while the Inquest kill you. Don’t play their game. Kill the softer
targets first. You can let up to four tents burn before the camp fails, so you have time
to take targets slowly. With the Inquest down, move to the golem. It has a great deal
of health, but you have friends—members from the camp. If you are alone, consider
kiting the golem around while the priory members kill it. Don’t run off when it dies; it
drops something very interesting.
479
DEFEND THE DURMAND PRIORY CAMP (Repeatable)
GOAL: Defend the Durmand Priory Campsite.
LEVEL: 21
Description: If you failed to stop the Inquest golem during the “Save the Camp”
mission, the Inquest has taken the priory camp and burned the tents. Fight the
Inquest off, revive fallen
priory personnel, and
defend them while they
put the site in working
order. Five priory tents
in total need to be set
up for the researchers to
RETURNING THE ENERGY CORE (Repeatable) secure their base.
GOAL: Help the priory return the energy core to the Henge of Denravi.
LEVEL: 21 AIDING THE ARBOREAL SPIRIT (Repeatable)
GOAL: Help the Arboreal Spirit return to its husk and drive away the hylek.
Description: As the
LEVEL: 19
golem falls, an energy
core comes free. A couple Description: Your goal
of the Durmand Priory is to escort the Arboreal
researchers think they Spirit to its husk and
know something about keep the hylek away until
this object. They ask you it can revive itself. Talk
to follow them into the to the Arboreal Spirit to
swamp to test a theory. start the event. The spirit
You have three guards to help you defend the two researchers. The lifespan of the makes its way across
guards does not count toward the success or failure of the mission; you only need to the bog, angering nearly
keep the researchers alive. Keep your eyes on them at all times. Fight as close to them everything possible. Even fireflies and friendly hylek take a moment to attack the
as you can without letting them get hit by area-of-effect attacks by the enemies. Any poor thing. Defend the spirit, but don’t worry if you get a little ahead or behind. It has
kills made in Toxal Bog count toward the main “Helping the Durmand Priory” task. a good bit of health, and you monitor its condition in the event tracker. Things go a
bit pear-shaped when you get to the husk. A group of hylek have made the area their
home, and they are unwilling to let the spirit revive. You have to “persuade” them to
leave—the rough way. Each kill is worth roughly 7%, so you need 15 kills to chase off
the hylek. Melee characters should be ready for some frustration, as the spirit tends
to knock enemies away. Once the hylek have left and the spirit has vanished, head
northwest to Ulta Metamagicals Waypoint.
Once the researchers get to the middle of Toxal Bog, they kneel and pray. The
Inquest uses this as a signal to make a large push. Don’t follow the guards. The Inquest
attackers are smart, and they try to draw the guards away from the researchers.
You need to keep the Inquest off the researchers until the Denravi energy source is
charged. There are several waves of Inquest, but the first is the toughest as it has a mix
of golems and other troops. Once you get past the first wave, all the others contain
only Inquest asura. Guard the researchers until they’re done and then head west and
south. You’re already this far, so grab the Skill Challenge at the top of the waterfall and
finish the task. When you’re done, jump back and speak with the Arboreal Spirit.
480
WORLD
ULTA METAMAGICALS WAYPOINT SOUTHWEST OF CENTER

SERVICES: Waypoint
TRAVEL: Mirkrise Waypoint (S), Brilitine Waypoint (N)
HARVEST INFO: Gummo Trees, Herb Patches
HELP TEKKI DEFEND THE ASURA GATE (Repeatable)

GOAL: Help Tekki fight off creatures swarming through the Asura Gate.
LEVEL: 21
Asura are attempting to build gates in this rocky ravine. Give them a hand with their
TARNISHED COAST
research as a bit of a break. Once the research is well at hand, head north to disrupt Description: Tekki is
negotiations between the Inquest and the bandits of the region. While the idea of standing in one of the
this alliance is very frightening, it’s only in its first stages and can be dealt with. When caverns. Speak with her
you’re ready to move on, head north to Brilitine Waypoint. to help test her gate.
Tekki has had a bit of
ASSIST ULTA METAMAGICALS (Renown Task) trouble setting the gate
GOAL: Assist Ulta Metamagicals with their Asura Gate research. coordinates correctly, and
LEVEL: 20 she ends up opening it
into unfriendly territory.
Description: To assist Defend her while she closes it and attempts to try again. She gets it wrong three
Ulta Metamagicals, use times. Each time, a different type of enemy runs through, and there’s very little time
their configurators to to heal between waves.
help tune the Asura
Gates. Doing so helps The first wave is made up of griffons. Each griffon killed counts for around 12%, so
protect researchers you need to kill eight griffons in total to close the gate. Focus attacks on one griffon
from creatures and toxic at a time, as up to two griffons can attack you at once. The second gate opening
material coming from brings steam minotaurs. These hit a little harder but are very similar to the griffons.
the malfunctioning gates, You need to kill 10 minotaurs to close the gate and start the final rush.
and gathers crystals. Crystal nodes are everywhere on the ground, and they return
quickly. Start by grabbing some crystals. If you enjoy math puzzles, try the lattice
configurators. If math isn’t your strong suit, the answers are below.
> Corrupted analysis data structure. Sequence Incomplete: 4, 8, -, 32, 64, -.

Input missing data = 16, 128.
> Analyzing crystal lattice dimensions. Length: 5.8 units. Width: 3.8 units.
Calculating area = 22.04 units.
> Sample 236: Crystal lattice, refractive angle 72 degrees.
Crystal bisection underway = 36.
> Scaling configuration malfunctioning. Crystal lattice 14 units long,
22 units wide. Figure correct dimensions for scaling by 3 = 42 units long,
66 units wide.
> Crystal sample set inventory: 7 blue, 3 yellow. Crystals sampled 10 times.
Input best prediction of selecting yellow crystals = 0.3. Tekki outdoes herself on the final set. Corrupted minions pour out of the gate. This
> Sample 35: Crystal, 5 units long, 6 units wide, 2 units deep. includes icebrood wolves and norn attackers. These do more damage than the steam
Volume = 60 cubic units.
minotaurs, and as many as four enemies can move against you at once. If your area-
> Crystal samples observed with following number of sides: 3, 6, 8, 7, 10, 12, 4. of-effect attacks deal high damage, switch to them. If your single-target attacks are
Identify range of number of sides = 9.
your damage dealers,
> Crystal density: 2.99. Crystal density reduced by 5 percent = 2.84.
keep focusing fire and
heal yourself as fast as
you can. There is almost
no room to kite in here,
so it’s a “stand up and get
knocked down” fight.
481
At the end of this last wave, Tekki finally manages to finish her work with the Asura
Gate. Head out the north side of the area; you’ve now helped these asura as much
as you can.
STOP THE INQUESTBANDIT ALLIANCE (Renown Task)

GOAL: Help Peacekeeper Klodi stop the Inquest-bandit alliance.
LEVEL: 22
Description: Peacekeeper Klodi has heard disturbing rumors of a union between the
Inquest and the bandits of the region. To stop this alliance, disrupt meetings between
the bandits and Inquest, destroy Inquest turrets, and steal bandit documents and
deliver them to the Seraph.
The area north of Ulta Metamagicals Waypoint isn’t safe. There are many turrets
scattered around the area. Don’t try to run through them; they don’t deal high
BRILITINE WAYPOINT WEST OF CENTER
damage, but they are packed very close together. Kill them one at a time and make SERVICES: Waypoint, Scout
your way to the base. Ulta Metamagicals Waypoint (S), Seraph Observers
TRAVEL: Waypoint (N)
Gummo Trees, Iron Ore, Silver Ore,
HARVEST INFO: Leafy Vegetables (Abundant)
RESCUE SKRITT FROM BANDIT KIDNAPPERS (Repeatable)

There isn’t much in the way of services here. Fortunately, there’s a scout close at hand
GOAL: Rescue captive skritt from their bandit kidnappers. to tell you about nearby and faraway tasks. Speak with him for a moment and head
LEVEL: 21 northeast to Scotta’s camp. Bandits here have been harassing the area, and it’s high
time someone stopped them. When the area is somewhat safer, travel east from the
Description: This is pretty bandit camp to Hidden Lake and Seraph Observers Waypoint.
straightforward: save the
captured skritt. To do so, HINDER SCOTTA’S BANDITS (Renown Task)
kill the bandit kidnappers GOAL: Disrupt Scotta’s bandits.
before they get to the
LEVEL: 21
Inquest base. There are five
bandits leading a group of Description: It’s a simple
skritt from Skrittsburgh to proposition: kill bandits,
the Inquest base. Start the destroy or confiscate
fight by killing the ranged bandits; they deal more damage than the melee bandits, and bandit supplies, and
you need to thin their numbers quickly. With the ranged bandits down, concentrate smash bandit weapons
your efforts on the close-up attackers. Freedom for the skritt! and roadblocks. The
most dangerous part of
NOT THE SKRITT! (Repeatable)
the camp is the static
GOAL: Free captured skritt from the Inquest. defenses. Both Inquest
LEVEL: 21 turrets and bandit turrets are placed strategically. Fight your way in and start breaking
things. Avoid the tree in the center; there’s a veteran bandit rifleman nearby waiting
Description: If you failed to save the skritt before the slavers got to the Inquest base, to make your life very difficult.
now’s your chance. The Inquest has something horrible planned. In 7 minutes, the
skritt will be killed. You need to destroy the containment cell power node before
that time. The bad news is that the power node is at the back of the Inquest base, BANDITS GOTTA EAT
and it’s guarded by a veteran Inquest member. The good news is that it’s fragile. Fight
your way to it, break it, and run! Once both the Inquest and bandits are dealt with, Bandits have built their camp where a great many leafy vegetables grow.
continue north. Cooks should definitely visit this place when their bags are empty.
482
WORLD
SERAPH OBSERVERS WAYPOINT NORTH SIDE

TRAVEL: Brilitine Waypoint (S), Gallowfields Waypoint (W)
HARVEST INFO: Gummo Trees, Herb Patches (Abundant)
DEFEND THE SERAPH CAMP (Repeatable)

GOAL: Defend the Seraph camp until reinforcements arrive.
LEVEL: 22
The Seraph have set up a very small camp to keep an eye on the bandits in the area.
TARNISHED COAST
The issue is that the bandits have a larger camp and they know where the Seraph are. Description: Bandits
Help the Seraph defend their camp. are attacking the camp
in waves! Help the
If you have a moment’s respite, fight the veteran ghostly willowheart at the center
Seraph hold them off
of Hidden Lake. This fight is almost identical to that of veteran Seraph Michella.
for 5 minutes until
Head west when this area is clear. Speak with Niamh for a creature book before
reinforcements arrive. The
you enter bandit turf (south of Niamh). Clear bandits on your way west to
safest way to accomplish
Gallowfields Waypoint.
this is to sit in the middle
HOLDING THE SERAPH OUTPOST (Renown Task) of the Seraph forces and
let them attack the bandits first. Avoid the saboteurs (they’re easy to spot as they
GOAL: Help secure and maintain the Seraph outpost.
carry kegs of explosives); they do a great amount of area-of-effect damage and can
LEVEL: 22
toss you around.
Description: This task consists of helping the Seraph maintain security at their
TAKE THE FIGHT INTO BANDIT TERRITORY (Renown Task)
outpost and attend to the ghosts in the graveyard. The Seraph outpost doesn’t look
GOAL: Clear the approach to bandit territory.
like much. Immediately south of the waypoint is a small bog with aggressive enemies.
Kill the aggressive LEVEL: 23
enemies and revive the
Description: You now get to take the confrontation to the bandits. Slay any hostiles,
downed Seraph soldiers.
destroy bandit weapons, and capture breezeriders. This approach averts most of
For a noncombative
the bandits’ static defenses, but don’t let your guard down. There are bandit turrets
means to complete the
spaced all along the other sides. If you see a circle at your feet, move! There’s often a
task, the northeast edge
gunner in each turret as well as supplies nearby. Make the turret your first target, kill
of Hidden Lake is infested
the gunner, and then destroy the supplies. Kill your way west.
with ghosts. Visit the
graveyard to find how
each ghost died and help them all pass on. Once the camp is in good shape, head
west and take the fight to the bandits.
RETAKE THE SERAPH CAMP (Repeatable)

GOAL: Help the Seraph retake their camp.
LEVEL: 22
Description: The bandits have taken the Seraph camp. Use your highest damage
abilities to kill the occupying bandits quickly. You have to hold the position until the
area returns to Seraph control. Revive the fallen Seraph as you can, but do not let
enemies live inside the bordered area for long. Having multiple players on this mission
makes this manageable, as a ranged character can hold the point while melee fighters
keep the enemies from even entering the circle.
483
GALLOWFIELDS WAYPOINT NORTHWEST SIDE TRIFORGE POINT WAYPOINT WEST SIDE
SERVICES: Waypoint SERVICES: Waypoint, Merchant
TRAVEL: Seraph Observers Waypoint (E), Triforge Point Waypoint (S) Gallowfields Waypoint (N), Ulta Metamagicals
Gummo Trees, Herb Patches, Iron Ore (Abundant), Silver
HARVEST INFO: Ore (Abundant) Gummo Trees (Abundant), Herb Patches, Iron Ore,
HARVEST INFO: Silver Ore
Do not attempt to enter Fort Vandal. This area is closed and guarded by some of the
most dangerous bandits ever (level 80 champions!). Instead, go through the pass and
head south to a spy base. There is a merchant there for any final supplies you need
before you leave Brisban Wildlands for bigger and better things.
A small colony of skritt lives in the caves north of the Gallowfields. They mine shinies in
the canyon (as one should) but have been losing territory due to the increasing bandit
presence. Help them take a stand against these aggressive interlopers. Once the skritt
are in better shape, head south through the pass to the west of the bandit camp.
HELP THE SKRITT AGAINST THE BANDITS (Renown Task)

SECURE THE AREA AROUND THE CAMP (Renown Task)
GOAL: Help the skritt challenge the bandits.
GOAL: Help Valiant Mathair secure the area.
LEVEL: 24
LEVEL: 25
Description: The skritt appreciate all your help. All you need to do is kill bandits,
Description: Valiant
destroy their supplies and weapons, and assist the skritt in gathering shinies in the
Mathair needs your help
canyon. You probably already killed a few bandits on your way here, which got you
to revive fallen allies and
started on the task. Head south from the waypoint into the canyon. Be very careful
escort them to the spy
about jumping; the fall can nearly kill you. Kill the hyenas and gather relics (on the
camp in the south. As
ground) while making your way south through the canyon. Get full health before
you go, take out any
grabbing relics. Removing a relic also reveals a breezerider, and they are sometimes
hostile forces you see and
veterans. While they sound scary, they’re very squishy for veterans.
destroy bandit mines. Do
not attempt to disarm
the mines; they must be destroyed. Revive allies as you go and get a small group going
south. Your allies are much stronger as a group, and you can revive any who fall along
the way. Another option is to revive them and then let them take their own chances.
You only get credit toward the task for reviving them, not for the actual escort.
484
WORLD
Steamspur
Mountains
The Steamspur Mountains are south from norn territory. They’re warmer and more easily passable than
the northern mountain range, but the monsters living there are even more dangerous. You won’t find any
events here for low-level adventurers. Major enemies include elementals, aggressive asura, the Nightmare
Court, fierce wildlife, Orrian undead, and pirates! Many of the regions in these mountains are brightly
colored and fun to look around. Enjoy some sightseeing while you take back the coastline.
BLOODTIDE COAST
LEVEL RANGE: 45-55
Walk south from Lion’s Arch to reach
Archen Foreland the coast; this area also connects with
Momoztli Waypoint
Grounds the lower side of Lornar’s Pass (in the
Shiverpeak Mountains). Pirates and
Orrian raiders are commonplace, so
Marshwatch Haven fighting on islands and rivers is almost
Deadend Waypoint
as common as trouble on dry land. If
Waypoint
you like fighting humanoids, you’re in
Sorrowful the right place. Make sure your aquatic
Waypoint weaponry is up to snuff before coming.
Moriarity’s
Hold
Stormbluff
Waypoint
Remanda
Waypoint
Merchantman’s Strait
Risewild Hills
Laughing Gull
Waypoint
Lostwreck
Waypoint
Sanguine Bay
Firthside Vigil
Waypoint
Barrier Camp Mentecki Pass
Waypoint
Mole’s Head
Dredgehat Isle
Wraithwalker Woods
Bogside Camp
Mournful Waypoint
Waypoint
Castavall
Waypoint
Jelake
Waypoint
Whisperwill
Waypoint
485
SPARKFLY FEN
LEVEL RANGE: 55-65
Farther south from Bloodtide Coast, this region also connects with the western side
of Mount Maelstrom. Territory control is the name of the game in Sparkfly Fen. The
events are very group-friendly, and it’s a bit rough to solo some of them due to enemy
reinforcements and the difficulty of seizing areas without getting killed in the process.
If you’re trying to make your way down to Orr, go through Sparkfly Fen and look
along the southern border. You can soon reach the Straits of Devastation, and that’s
where the battle to seize Orr begins.
Orvar’s Glen
Waypoint
Braggi’s Stead
Waypoint
Fort Cadence
Waypoint
Mire
Waypoint
Saltflood Mire
Ocean’s Gullet Waypoint
Waypoint
Zintl Holy Grounds

Waypoint
Forvar’s
Waypoint
Toade’s Head Flamefrog Vale

Waypoint Waypoint
Dryground
Waypoint
Brooloonu
Waypoint
Aleem’s Penance
Waypoint
Darkweather Rise
Waypoint
Caer Brier
Waypoint
Splintered Coast Brackwater

Waypoint Waypoint
486
WORLD
TIMBERLINE FALLS
LEVEL RANGE: 50-60
Come down from the Dredgehaunt Cliffs to explore one of the most remote areas in Tyria.
Timberline Falls is a long walk from any of the civilized cities, so it’s sometimes overlooked by
players in its level range (they have an easier time going to the Iron Marches because it’s so close
to areas they’re likely to have explored already). In any event, try not to miss this area. It’s quite
lovely, and people enjoy a good drink and a fine story of adventure down there. You meet quite
a few amusing NPCs, and continuing south gets you into Mount Maelstrom, which is just an epic
place to fight once you’re appropriately leveled.
The Iron Veil

Waypoint
Krongar Pass
Waypoint
STEAMSPUR MOUNTAINS
Sector Zuhl
Foundation 86
Gentle River Waypoint
Waypoint
White Paper Hill
Waypoint
Thistlereed
Waypoint
Fionnghuala
Scratch
Valance Tutory
Waypoint
Ogduk
Waypoint
Stromkarl Heights Naui Waters

Waypoint
Eztlitl Grounds
Concordia Waypoint
Waypoint
Scale Strand
Waypoint
Gyre Rapids Nonmoa

Waypoint Waypoint
Ural’s Delve
Rankor Ruins Nonmoa Lake Coil
Waypoint Waypoint
Serpent Stones
Waypoint
Mellagan’s Grotto
Talus Waterslide
Waypoint Okarinoo
Waypoint
487
MOUNT MAELSTROM
LEVEL RANGE: 60-70
The bottom of the Steamspur Mountains is filled with elementals, asura, and underwater adventuring. This area has more vertical content than almost any other because you
can end up high above the general landscape or well beneath the waves on the eastern side of the map.
Gauntlet Gulch
Waypoint
Broken Arrow
Waypoint
Govoran Terraces
Waypoint
Crucible of Eternity
Waypoint
Ashen
Waypoint
Firebreak Fort
Waypoint
Oxbow Isle
Waypoint
Spaecia Illogica
Old Sledge Site
Waypoint
Irwin Isle
Maelstrom’s Bile Waypoint
Waypoint
Murkvale
Waypoint Magmatic
488
Ruins
of Orr
By level 70, you might start thinking you’re kind of hardcore. You’ve seen much of the world and fought a legion
of foes. However, the Orrians are in a league of their own. The things you’ll face in their corner of the world are
monstrous, brutal, and frightening. Even more than anywhere else, this is an area where you should have allies.
Bring groups (preferably with a full five characters) so you can get through as many events as possible.
STRAITS OF DEVASTATION
LEVEL RANGE: 70-75
Your entrance into Orr is along the Straits of

Devastation. Come south through Sparkfly Fen or west from the bottom end of Mount Maelstrom. In each case,
there are major events that take your group from the coastline over to the continent of Orr. Ground and naval
battles are almost constant, and these struggles push back and forth (so the lines of battle might not be the same
each time you arrive).
You can earn a pile of cash by fighting hard and going through myriad events in the straits. As always, have a good set of
normal and aquatic weapons; you’re likely to need them all.
Signal Peak
Waypoint
Bramble Pass
Waypoint
Royal Forum
Waypoint
Fort Trinity
Waypoint
Tughra
Waypoint Vesper Bell
Waypoint
Brassclaw
Waypoint
Thorn Pass
Waypoint
Rally
Waypoint
Thunderhead
Conquest Marina Waypoint
Waypoint
Lone Post
Waypoint
Sentry Steppes
Waypoint
Cathedral of Xenarius Bayt
Glorious Victory Waypoint
Waypoint
Broken Spit
Waypoint
Waywarde Way
Waypoint
489
MALCHOR’S LEAP
LEVEL RANGE: 75-80
After getting to the mainland, walk west into Malchor’s Leap. Escorts and both assault/defend events are commonplace, so this is also a great area to gain experience and
money. Keep an AoE weapon handy; you have to fight large groups quite often, especially near the various camps being set up or sieged.
Malchor’s Fingers
Versoconjouring
Waypoint
Union
Murmur Waypoint
Waypoint
Lyssa
Waypoint
Waste Hollows
Blighted Arch Waypoint
Waypoint
Drowned Brine
Tempests
Lights Waypoint
Waypoint Colonnade
Waypoint
Pagga’s
Waypoint
Doric’s Valley of Lyss

Waypoint Waypoint
Snaketail Inlet
490
WORLD
CURSED SHORE Snaketail Inlet

LEVEL RANGE: 80+
Once you’re near the end of leveling with a character,

this is one of the best places in the world. Continue
west through Malchor’s Leap, and start fighting on
the Cursed Shore. Treasure here is better than almost Pursuit Pass
Waypoint
anywhere else, short of running high-level dungeons.
You can get your character some powerful gear over Caer Shadowfain
Waypoint
time. Fight against giants, spiders, and undead, and see
if you can help the allied forces break into the southern
portion of the zone. There are good times to be had,
so long as you can survive. Slot a couple extra skills for
healing and survivability. All of these are useful in the
Cursed Shore! R&D
Waypoint
RUINS OF ORR
Penitent
Waypoint
Shelter’s Gate
Waypoint
Gavebeorn’s
Waypoint
Cathedral of Verdance
Waypoint
Jofast’s
Waypoint
Meddler’s
Waypoint
Arah
Anchorage Waypoint
Waypoint
Murdered Dreams Desmina’s Hallows

Waypoint
491
The Dungeons
of Guild Wars 2
The best test of a good PvE group is to take the players into a dungeon. Guild Wars 2 has a solid selection of dungeons, and each
one has multiple variations to keep the runs exciting and fresh. This chapter gives you a heads up for the tactics and preparation
that go into a successful dungeon assault!
Where to
Find Dungeons
Dungeons are marked on your regional maps once
you’ve uncovered their entrances. A door icon shows
up to let you know that “This is a dungeon!” Go there
and look for NPCs outside the entrance. Talk to them
to learn more about the dungeon and its backstory.
You could meet additional players this way, as people
might be hanging around to form groups.
All dungeons have their own collectible items. These

let you assemble suits of special armor and a set of
new weapons. These cool outfits are fun to collect
even if your character has outleveled the content
of the dungeon. You can always transmute the new
items and combine them with higher-level gear.
Some special dungeons aren’t available all the time. These mini-dungeons sometimes appear as a result of people’s actions in an area.
You might be working on a world event and suddenly find there is a portal to somewhere new.
DUNGEON NAME LEVEL LOCATION

RANGE
Ascalonian Catacombs 30+ Plains of Ashford (NE Side, Ascalonian Catacombs Waypoint)
Caudecus’s Manor 40+ Queensdale (NE Side, Beetletun Waypoint)
Twilight Arbor 50+ Caledon Forest (NW Side, Twilight Arbor Waypoint)
Sorrow’s Embrace 60+ Dredgehaunt Cliffs (SW Side, Sorrow’s Waypoint)
Citadel of Flame 70+ Fireheart Rise (NE Side, Flame Citadel Waypoint)
Honor of the Waves 76+ Frostgorge Sound (N, Honor of the Waves Waypoint)
Crucible of Eternity 78+ Mount Maelstrom (NE, Crucible of Eternity Waypoint)
Ruins of Arah 80 Cursed Shore (S Side, Arah Waypoint)
492
493
WHICH DUNGEON SHOULD WE RUN FIRST?
The first dungeon, in terms of level range, is the Ascalonian
Catacombs, in the Plains of Ashford. Level 30+ characters are
strong enough to complete the dungeon, and it’s located on the
northeastern side of the zone. Make sure everyone has at least
one elite skill before going in.
Story and Exploration Mode

When you first find a dungeon, it’ll be set to
story mode. Your group has to complete the area
with the help of NPCs, making the experience
somewhat easier. Afterward, you can return to
that mode or set the dungeon to exploration
mode to see higher-level enemies and new areas
of the dungeon itself.
When going through each dungeon the first

time, ask everyone to set their skills for a high
amount of survivability and group support. With
more experience, you’ll learn when and where
to throw in faster killing and additional damage,
but simply surviving each fight is the best way to
go initially. Knockdowns, Stuns, Invulnerability,
healing, damage mitigation, and kiting skills are all
extremely useful in dungeons.
Who to Bring RANGED PULLERS AND KITERS

You don’t need people exclusively dedicated to being pullers; pretty much
anyone can pull. However, it can be helpful to have someone who is good
at ranged combat. It doesn’t even matter what profession that is. Almost
all professions have
weapons and skills
that make them good
at ranged combat.
They give you the

option to wound
enemies from distance
and pull them back to
a safer area. Doing this can help you avoid adds in rooms where you aren’t
sure where to stand in order to avoid extra foes. You don’t want to fight
Don’t form parties based on character professions. That’s a common with all sorts of enemies nearby. That leads to larger encounters, greater
mistake from people who’ve played other online games of this type. In danger and chaos, and possible party deaths.
those games, it’s sensible to say, “We need one of these, two of these, and
two more of these.” But that’s not the way to do things in Guild Wars 2. Attack monsters from a distance and back away to bring them out into
Instead of bringing the right professions, bring the right people and the rooms that are already cleared. Use walls and other obstacles to break line
right tactics. of sight so the monsters come toward you even if they have ranged attacks
of their own.
494
DUNGEONS
S TO RY A N D E X P LO R AT I O N M O D E / W H O TO B R I N G
A TANK OR TWO GROUP SUPPORT
SOMEONE TOUGH
The first person to
engage an enemy
force up close is
going to get hit with
conditions and direct
damage out the
wazoo. Don’t have this
be someone with pure
damage skills. Even a
character in heavy armor will die quickly if he or she doesn’t have the right
skills to mitigate damage or evade attacks during the initial few seconds
of a fight. Whether by using Invulnerability, dodging, healing, or damage Personal healing skills and boons are good to have in dungeons, but they’re
mitigation, you need that character to take some hits. dwarfed by skills that give boons and health to your entire group. Look
through your profession’s listing of skills and find entries that are group
This process is called tanking in many games, and it’s still an important
friendly. Slot these to ensure you get the most bang for your cooldowns.
concept in Guild Wars 2. The new spin on this is that many professions can
Change to a healing skill that helps everyone. Find boons that add to the
tank. Thieves evade wonderfully, so they can kite enemies and then force
group’s survival or damage output, and make those a top priority in big fights.
them to swing at empty air if they try to stop for anything heavy. Guardians
mitigate. Rangers trade damage between themselves and their pets. There Most characters should have at least one or two skills dedicated to this role,
are all sorts of ways to tank. Remind yourself of that often. A mesmer with but you might have a character that does nothing else.
pure survivability skills is going to last longer than a warrior who’s slotted for
raw damage output.
495
RAW DAMAGE DPS
In another game,
you might take three
damaging characters,
a tank, and a healer
as a common group
configuration. That’s
really damage-heavy for
Guild Wars 2. Monsters
die quickly if you load
up on that many killers, but your people will also drop often. It’s better to have
one lethal character on hand; adding the other characters’ moderate damage
output to that usually provides a sufficient foundation for damage.
The reason for this is the flexibility of Guild Wars 2 roles. A “Healer/Group
Support” character isn’t going to be sitting in the back, doing nothing except
tossing health to his or her friends. It just doesn’t work that way. Everyone still
has damage output. As such, pure damage trades quite a bit of utility for only a
moderate increase in lethality.
Be very careful about doing this with many of your characters. It’s better to stop
before specific fights and change your skills around to match the given needs of
the battle. For example, someone lets you know that the next time is much easier
if everyone frontloads their damage and burns down a certain enemy. That’s
when you can slot your best skills for high damage. After everything cools down,
return to your normal configuration.
STAY FLEXIBLE
Groups can (and should) change their lineup to match the needs of each major
encounter. If you’re blowing through the dungeon without deaths or trouble,
then relax and stop
worrying. But when
characters start dying,
stop. Figure out what’s
going wrong and adjust
your plan accordingly.
“Our tank is getting sliced

in half the moment she
meets the enemies.” Well,
try and use a fully ranged approach to see if you can kill the enemies before all of
them arrive. Kiting might be preferable there.
“We’re getting destroyed by these conditions.” A number of professions can

counter conditions for themselves and nearby allies. See if someone, like a
guardian or necromancer, has a way to protect the group from whatever is
crimping your style.
“This boss is killing us so fast.” Talk to the group ahead of time and arrange for a
number of skills with protection and healing to be used in turn. Have the other
players on a voice communication program, if possible, to make it easier to trigger.
“All my goodies are on cooldown. Use your group heal.”
496
DUNGEONS
THE “HOLY TRINITY”

We’ve talked about the lack of hard-set roles in Guild Wars 2. In many games, there is a
W H O TO B R I N G
concept called the holy trinity, which is the union of healing, damage output, and damage
mitigation. Or, the use of healers, DPS,
and tanks to survive engagements. You
need all three of these entities to be
able to last long enough to overcome
your enemies.
Think of this mathematically.

The group has health as a resource.
Enemies do too. If damage output
is your only tool, multiple characters will likely die before you can exhaust the enemies’
entire supply of health. You’d need to possess several times the enemies’ health to avoid
this problem. Healing and damage mitigation slow the depletion of your group’s health and
spread damage around in such a way that characters are less likely to die. This ensures your
whole team’s damage output remains intact throughout an encounter.
Some people assert Guild Wars 2

does away with this model. That’s
only partly true, and it misses the
point slightly. This game attempts to do
away with absolutes. “You are the tank,
you are the healer, and you guys are here
just for damage.” Avoiding absolutes doesn’t
necessarily change the nature of a fight. You
still need to inflict damage and kill enemies.
You still have to mitigate enemy damage as much as possible. And healing? It’s never a bad thing to have!
So, while you may not need to dedicate your entire character to just one of these disciplines anymore, your
group must still possess and utilize them where applicable.
Now there are more ways to tip battles in your favor. Weapon swapping lets you switch duties in the blink of an eye.
A guardian with a greatsword can be cutting enemies in half early in a fight, when an unseen patrol suddenly joins
the encounter. Very quickly, there’s too much damage for the party to withstand more than a few seconds. The
guardian swaps to a scepter and a focus to help avoid damage long enough to kill off some of the newcomers.
Was that guardian there for DPS or damage mitigation? Yes, of course, the answer is that he was there for both.
Almost all characters will contain elements of healing, mitigation, and DPS. Each player should shift the balance of
these three elements to match the needs of the group.
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR ROLE

METHOD EASE OF USE DESCRIPTION
Weapon Swapping Instant and Easy Use this even in the midst of combat to access a wide variety of skills.
This takes only a few seconds outside of battle, and it lets you prepare
Changing Skills Moderate for specific encounters.
Useful only outside of battle, but having an entire suit with different
Armor Swapping Cumbersome bonuses can make a huge difference in survivability vs. damage output.
It’s possible to visit a trainer and get a refund for your traits. Although this
Trait Refunds Expensive can be powerful in changing your character, it’s not something to do lightly.
It’s also possible to change the way you play to make

a difference in your character’s survival. Pull away from
battle when you’re low on health, thus avoiding AoEs
and reducing the chance for enemies to attack your
character. Switch to ranged combat during risky stages
of an encounter.
497
Dungeon Summaries
If you’d like to learn about the stories for each of the dungeons, read on. There are spoilers here, so stop looking through the chapter at this point if you’d
like to avoid that.
ASCALONIAN CATACOMBS
STORY MODE
Lair of the Patriarch
Graveling Tunnels Hall of Champions
Votive Cathedral
Rockfall Chamber
Hall of Stairs
Western Chambers Eastern Chambers
Foefire’s Heart The Lover’s Crypt
Hall of Murals
Ossuary Crypts
Flooded Temple
Catacomb Entrance
Waypoint
Archive of the Resting
Durmond Priory Camp
Eir Stegalkin, the norn hero, has gone into these ancient, ghost-haunted EXPLORABLE MODE
catacombs. Rytlock Brimstone wants a group of heroes to go after her, before she
stirs up King Adelbern’s King Adelbern and his ghostly citizens have been foiled, but now, even
long-dead citizens. darker entities roam the Ascalonian catacombs.
Rytlock meets the
After Adelbern’s
heroes at the entrance
to the dungeon, defeat, the ghosts
claiming he’s here have lost their driving
to find Eir. Rytlock purpose. With the
recounts the end of decreased ghost
the Ascalonian war numbers and activity,
and the events of the Foefire (with a clear charr bias). As the adventurers a group of unknown
delve deeper into the catacombs, Rytlock complains about Eir’s foolishness, monsters (the
but on finding her, discovers she is searching for the magical sword Maegdar, “Gravelings,” as they’re
which is the twin to Rytlock’s own blade. called) have tunneled up from underneath. These creatures are thought
The pair are interrupted by the appearance of Adelbern’s Ghost, who vows to feed on both spirits and living beings. The Durmand Priory wants to
to prepare his ghostly army and eliminate the charr from Ascalon once study these dangerous creatures and, ultimately, cull their numbers. But the
and for all. Rytlock develops a plan to lure Adelbern out. Destroy all his members of the research team have differing ideas as to how to do that.
lieutenants and anger him, which will draw the dead king out to fight. You must choose the best course of action!
498
DUNGEONS
CAUDECUS’S MANOR
DUNGEON SUMMARIES
STORY MODE
UPPER FLOOR
Legate Minister Caudecus is hosting a party to celebrate the

human-charr détente in his home, Beetlestone Manor. While a
vocal opponent of Queen Jennah, Caudecus swears his loyalty
to Kryta. The minister promises to unveil a new creation by his
GROUND FLOOR personal inventor, Uzolan.
The heroes show up for a garden party at Caudecus’s Manor.

Eastern The reason for the gathering is a meeting between the queen
Tunnel Hidden and a charr ambassador, and representatives of the other
Hidden Falls Dock Trail
races are present, including Zojja. Logan is present as well, and
suspects Caudecus of plotting something. Uzolan’s invention,
a golem using asuran magic, attacks the party and kidnaps the
queen and several of the ambassadors.
Vista Lawn
The adventurers must ask the party guests for clues, overcome
Reception
Court Uzolan’s treachery, and rescue Queen Jenna from the human
Formal separatists who seek to destroy the human-charr efforts for peace.
Garden
Caudecus’s Estate
Waypoint EXPLORABLE MODE
BASEMENT
Hidden
Bandit’s Workshop
Supply Eastern Tunnel
Room
Western
Tunnel
Caudecus the Wise is currently accepting the hospitality of Queen

Jennah while repairs are being made to his manor. Others seek to
profit from the minister’s absence.
Lord Caudecus is the guest of the queen, and his mansion is being
watched over by the Shining Blade. However, bandits are also active
in the area, seeking to pillage the unprotected mansion, capture its
staff, and recover the asuran technology that Uzolan had pirated.
499
TWILIGHT ARBOR
Hall of Heart’s
Depth of Despair Remorse
The Nursery
Faolain’s Lair
Lake of Fear
Chamber of Envy
Reception Hall
Antechamber
Twilight Arbor
Waypoint
STORY MODE EXPLORABLE MODE

The Nightmare Court consists of sylvari who turned their backs on the Faolain has fled Twilight Arbor, but the evil that infects this region remains.
Pale Tree and sought their own cruel purposes in life. Their leader, Grand In her wake, other forces have now flooded in to take advantage of her foul
Duchess Faolain, makes her lair in the Twilight Arbor, surrounded by loyal magics to their own ends.
minions. They have
been kidnapping While Faolain has been defeated and driven out of Twilight Arbor, others
other sylvari for of the Nightmare Court seek to move into her domain and take over. Her
their own nefarious former allies and lieutenants conspire and compete to seize her old domain,
purposes. and control the secrets she left behind.
The players are met

at the entrance of
Twilight Arbor, a
twisted maze of rocks and roots in the Caledon Forest. This has become the
main base for Grand Duchess Faolain, who was once close to Caithe back in
the early days of the sylvari.
But Caithe has another relationship to worry about. She is attempting to

mend the gap between Logan Thackeray and Rytlock Brimstone. She has
invited both to help her, but told neither that the other was coming.
500
DUNGEONS
SORROW’S EMBRACE
DUNGEON SUMMARIES
Sorrow’s Zalten Mines
Gate
Sorrow’s
Embrace
Waypoint Citizen’s Co-operative
Mechanisms of Production
Mechanism Depot Dredge Square
The Irongorge
Inquest Base KD-4
Geothermal Access
Citadel of Vostol Redflicker Fissure
Volcanium Pit
Utility Passage
Old Summit Quarry Forgeman Chamber
STORY MODE
The dredge have claimed all former lands of the dwarves. What was once Sorrow’s Furnace, a place of
dredge enslavement, is now known as Sorrow’s Embrace. Great peril may still be found within these depths.
Zojja, pursuing clues of someone misusing her late master’s research, has gone into the depths of Sorrow’s
Embrace, which is now a center of power for the xenophobic dredge. Caithe has convinced Eir to help
rescue her, and has asked that a group of heroes come to help.
The heroes find a great dredge army massing in the depths, aided by the asuran technology of the Inquest, and further discover that the asura behind the
research is one of Zojja’s old rivals, Kudu. The players also discover why Logan and Rytlock are angry at each other, why Zojja is cruel to Eir, and why Destiny’s
Edge may never be reunited.
EXPLORABLE MODE
The Inquest have been driven out of Sorrow’s Embrace, but the politics of the dredge
have left the situation turbulent as various factions joust and position themselves for
power. Old enmities and oppressions now come to a head, and the heroes are thrust into
the middle of it.
501
CITADEL OF FLAME
Sanguine Vault
Neotheon Chamber
Western Transept
Viscous Caves
Ferric
Chamber
Altar of Baelfire
Illuminated Ashen Chamber

Nave
Molten Foundry
Daemon’s Undercroft
Mausoleum of
the Khan-Ur
Eastern Transept
Gallery of Rage
Templum Praesidium
Shrine of Sacrifice
Chamber of
Might
Gaheron’s Triumph
Devourian Stables
Entry
Waypoint
STORY MODE
The Flame Citadel is the main base of the Flame Legion, the deposed former legion of the charr. It is
here that Gaheron Baelfire plots to retake command of the charr and crush the humans.
The adventurers must fight alongside the united forces of the Pact to gain the gates of the Flame
Citadel. There, the players must contend not only with Rytlock and Logan, who threaten to gut each
other, but with the leader of the Flame Legion, Gaheron Baelfire, who aspires to ascend to godhood!
EXPLORABLE MODE
Gaheron Baelfire has been slain, but his dreams of godhood are still alive. Now the Flame
Citadel is abuzz with his followers seeking to restore their lost leader.
The Flame Legion has splintered into rival factions in the wake of Gaheron’s death, and each
has its own plan to regain the upper hand in the battle against the other legions of the charr.
Representatives of the Pact must now scramble on multiple fronts to deal with the remains of
the Flame Legion.
502
DUNGEONS
HONOR OF THE WAVES
DUNGEON SUMMARIES
UPPER DECK
Hall of
STORY MODE
Balance
Palace of
Gathering
Blessed Path
Halls of Everlasting
Thought Sanctuary Prow
Court of Measures
Honor’s
Waypoint
The Elder Dragon Jormag has driven the kodan south in
their great sanctuary ships. Now, the ship called the Honor
of the Waves lies stricken and sinking from an assault from
MIDSHIPS the dragon’s minions.
The kodan are new arrivals to this part of Tyria. A dragon

champion has crippled one of these ships, and ice minions
Stations of have invaded its halls. One of the two leaders, the Voice,
Contemplation is trapped within, and her co-leader, the Claw, must rescue
Port Hold her before she succumbs to the power of the Jormag-
Gallery of worshipping Sons of Svanir.
The Passage
Sternquarters Following her argument with Zojja in Sorrow’s Embrace, Eir
Kedge Hold has fled north, and seeks to help the Claw rescue the Voice,
or avenge her. Caithe is worried that the heroic norn will
attempt to throw her life away.
Starboard Hold
EXPLORABLE MODE
Jormag’s servants have infested the kodan sanctuary ship, Honor
LOWER HOLD of the Waves. They must be eliminated before they corrupt all
the secrets of the kodan. The Sons of Svanir are looting and
pillaging the sinking ship, and the heroes must save what they
can from the worshippers of Jormag.
Domain of the
Resplendent Fist
Geoffrey’s Tubes
Winch
Hold
Chamber of
Harmony
503
CRUCIBLE OF ETERNITY
Experimental
Lab Green
Subject
Preparation
Vaults
Psychoarcanic
Monitoring Independent
Complex Research
Sector
Experimental
Security Lab White
Checkpoint
Golemgate
Delivery Dock
Experimental Lab Red
Crucible Access
Platform
Golemetric
Diagnostics
Crucible of Eternity Thaumagolemic

Observation
Creche
Magimechanic
Alchemic Spillway Upgrade Depot
Central
Data
Repository Essence Purification Zone
Archanic Reactor
Alpha The Aquarium

Experiment
Reserve
STORY MODE
The Inquest is seeking to use the power of the Elder Dragons themselves in their desire
to dominate the other races. Unless they are stopped, they endanger all of Tyria with
their maniacal greed.
Zojja’s pursuit of Kudu and his misuse of her master’s research has led her to the
Steamspur Mountains, where a huge complex has been created by the Inquest. They
intend to siphon the
power of the dragon
minions to create their own draconic servants. The heroes and Zojja are aided by
the reunited Logan and Rytlock.
EXPLORABLE MODE
Even in victory there is danger inside the Crucible. The foulness at the heart of the
structure is reaching critical mass, and the adventurers must go in to stop it. More
504 importantly, they need to escape from the collapsing complex without losing their lives!
DUNGEONS
RUINS OF ARAH
DUNGEON SUMMARIES
STAGING AREA POINT OF INTEREST
Pact
Encampment
The Dragontooth
Defense
Draconic
Battery
THE TOWER
STORY MODE
The Elder
Dragon’s Lair The members of Destiny’s Edge have reunited. They now need to get an
airship back into the fight in order to join the assault on the Elder Dragon
Zhaitan. The war against the undead Elder Dragon resolves as every resource
is used over the skies of the City of the Human Gods.
Zhaitan’s
Last Stand
EXPLORABLE
There are great secrets
to be had in the City of
the Human Gods. The
heroes must unlock these
whispers of the past to
find out about the races
that survived before these
modern times.
505
506
INTERVIEWS
LEAH RIVERA
What was the most exciting period of development for you?
The most exciting period of development for me is initial implementation of events. The
problem solving required to tell the best story you can within a given space and still work within
the confines of the tools is a fun challenge. The moment when you finally get it sorted out and
all the characters seem alive and invested in the things around them is a great feeling!
Which areas of Tyria engage you the most, and is it their stories, monsters, or visual
appeal that mean the most?
I love everything I’ve worked on, but if I had to pick a favorite, I’d choose Cursed Shore. It’s where
everything comes together from your personal story, and because Cursed Shore is an end map, I
got to implement some brutal events!
Guild Wars 2 does an amazing job of redefining group roles. Someone can switch between
tanking, kiting, healing, and damage during a single fight. Do you think this is where the
next generation of online RPGs is heading? More player control and power, and less of
“You do this, and only this.”
I certainly hope so! I’ve never been much of an alt-aholic, but getting to play the role I feel like
playing, with the character I’m most attached to, is a great step forward for me.
What is your favorite thing to do while playing the game?

I’m an explorer at heart and that manifests most prominently in gathering! I run all over the place
mining, harvesting, and logging to my heart’s content. The beauty of Guild Wars 2 is that as I do
that, I end up finding all the little off-the-beaten-path things like hidden events, treasure chests,
veteran monsters, and other interesting things.
Early online games didn’t often have deeply developed stories; they featured breadth over
depth. Recent titles have been changing that and including a greater emphasis on the
player’s personal story. Do you think we’ll see the “single-player” narrative experience and
the social fun of online play continue to merge?
I love a solid narrative in my games and until we started development, I hadn’t noticed how
much I missed that. In other games, I end up getting so bogged down and turned around with
side quests that I lose track of what the main story is supposed to be. That eventually makes me
feel a lack of investment in the world and I end up getting bored. But with Guild Wars 2, it’s very
clear what your story line is from the get-go and it stays that way.
507
ANTHONY ORDON
The start of the public testing phases. It was awesome to see so many people eager to play the game that we’d been
making for all these years. It was even better when they started telling us what they liked and what they didn’t. Better
still was when we took that feedback and improved the game.
Which areas of Tyria engage you the most, and is it their stories, monsters, or visual appeal
that mean the most?
To me, the charr represent such a striking contrast to typical MMO half-man, half-beast races. When you play a charr,
you’re running around on four legs and roaring at your enemies. You’re on the same side as the other races, but only
in a self-serving sort of way. That’s what the charr are all about, but instead of just talking about it they really embody
it. Not just in their interactions with the player, but also with each other. The personal stories of the charr are always
putting the player into a hostile, non-welcoming environment where nobody respects you until you earn it.
Guild Wars 2 does an amazing job of redefining group roles. Someone can switch between tanking, kiting,
healing, and damage during a single fight. Do you think this is where the next generation of online RPGs is
heading? More player control and power, and less of “You do this, and only this.”
Players sometimes argue professions in Guild Wars 2 don’t have roles. This is actually true; instead of a single role,
professions give you a unique set of tools that allow you to build the role you want to play. So if you like playing
support classes, you actually have eight unique options in front of you instead of one or two. Some players have a
hard time getting past this. They look at the thief and all they can see is a damage dealer. But if you explore the thief,
you’ll find a slew of abilities that do things like blind enemies and cloak nearby allies in stealth. In the past, some game
would have taken this simple damage-prevention mechanic and built an entire “Blinder” class or something. But in
Guild Wars 2, this is just one tool in a set of many. Once you get the hang of these tools, you can even start swapping
between them and covering multiple roles in a single fight. Before you know it, you’re mastering this and you’re ready
to get really crazy and do something like take a party of five thieves into a dungeon and walk away victoriously.
The distinction that Guild Wars 2 is making is that it doesn’t limit players to a single class mechanic, nor does it give
them every mechanic simultaneously. You get a unique combination of mechanics and then you build combinations
of combinations by grouping up together. These combinations of mechanics certainly cover the existing roles. But
better yet, they allow players to creatively define new roles. It shatters the old systems that are full of single mechanic
classes while simultaneously exposing a level of depth in multiplayer combat that even the developers haven’t fully
explored yet. You don’t go backwards from this. It is the future, and it’s very exciting.
Early online games didn’t often have deeply developed stories; they featured breadth over depth. Recent titles
have been changing that and including a greater emphasis on the player’s personal story. Do you think we’ll
see the “single-player” narrative experience and the social fun of online play continue to merge?
I think the future holds more opportunities for interpersonal storytelling. MMOs are about virtual worlds and how
you and your friends affect them. The individual player needs to be able to establish an identity, but only so they
can bring that identity to the collective group that the story is about. I’m not talking about voting on conversation
options. I want to see games that react to and challenge who we are as a group.
508
I N T E RV I E W S
MATTHEW MEDINA
A game the size and scope of Guild Wars 2 has many different cycles, and I enjoyed each of them for different reasons.
But if I had to pick a favorite period, it would be the last months of development as everything begins to coalesce and
the game starts to achieve the potential we’ve all seen it have over the last several years. When you’re finally able to
play a character completely through the personal story, and all the game’s dynamic events are up and running, that’s
when you realize that this is what everyone on the team has been working towards. All the doubts and fears begin to
disappear and what you’re left with is simply the desire to load up the game and just play it!
Which areas of Tyria engage you the most, and is it their stories, monsters, or visual appeal
that mean the most?
For Guild Wars 2, the areas that engage me the most are the areas that line up with the famous landmarks and ruins
of Guild Wars: Prophecies. One of the most fun aspects for me of working on a new map was rediscovering all the
areas the map artists had put in that hearkened back to the days of following Rurik as he led his people across the
Shiverpeaks, or placing NPCs that tell the story of the breaking of the Henge of Denravi. The best of these areas, in
my opinion, would be the sunken ruins of Lion’s Arch. Long-time Guild Wars players will recognize all the familiar
landmarks, and there’s a bittersweet sense of nostalgia as you swim through areas that are now beneath the waves,
where many of our players once congregated.
Guild Wars 2 does an amazing job of redefining group roles. Someone can switch between tanking, kiting,
healing, and damage during a single fight. Do you think this is where the next generation of online RPGs is
heading? More player control and power, and less of “You do this, and only this.”
I certainly hope so! In the Guild Wars 2 manifesto video, one of our studio founders, Mike O’Brien, talked about our
desire to make a game that would appeal to players who really didn’t like traditional MMO game mechanics. That’s
me, in a nutshell. Purely as a player, I appreciate the fact that I can be so versatile as any of the eight professions in Guild
Wars 2, and I never feel pigeon-holed into a particular playstyle. If I’m tired of dual wielding as a warrior, I can switch to
a longbow and stand back for some ranged combat, or change my utility skills and create an entirely different kind of
warrior. I don’t need to log out to an alt to enjoy a taste of something different. I also like not feeling as though other
players will be turned off to adventuring with me if I’m not running an “optimal” build.

Exploring. I’m that guy who will move out from the crowd and say, “Hmm, I wonder what’s in that direction.” I gladly
put other tasks on hold so that I can run off to check out the crumbling ruins that just appeared over the horizon. I’m
not averse to combat encounters, but I feel much more rewarded from finding all the nooks and crannies in each of
the environments, and talking to as many NPCs as I can, just to hear what they have to say.
Early online games didn’t often have deeply developed stories; they featured breadth over depth. Recent titles
have been changing that and including a greater emphasis on the player’s personal story. Do you think we’ll
see the “single-player” narrative experience and the social fun of online play continue to merge?
I do. I think that, although not every player may want a “single-player” type of experience, human beings are uniquely
drawn to storytelling and playing games that allow us to take on the personality of a character we create. This is the
ultimate expression of a primal need. Game developers, and games as a medium, will continue to explore ways for us
to provide experiences which can meet these basic needs we all share. In effect, we humans are drawn to things like
art, literature, cinema, and theatre in part because they give us a sense of meaning and purpose. Melding the social
aspects of games with narrative elements provides game developers with an unprecedented opportunity to provide
players with something amazing: shared meaning. I believe strongly that these are noble goals to strive for, and that
this merging of narrative with social gameplay is already creating meaningful connections between individuals that
transcend virtual space. How much better will that get? I’m thrilled to find out!
509
DEVON CARVER
I’d have to say the most exciting time for me was the period up to and around our first beta weekend event. We had been
working our butts off to get the game ready to show to lots and lots of people and it was exciting to see everyone in the
studio focusing on the same goal, polishing the heck out of those first areas we were showing off. Everyone was playing
the game and providing feedback and just doing whatever they could to make sure we had the best game to show to
the world. It all culminated in that insane feeling the first morning when we turned on the servers and suddenly we were
playing, live, with people from all over the world. I’m not sure anything can match the feeling of playing through an area
you’ve worked on for months with people who have never seen it and just watching them have fun. That’s when you see
the extra hours and all the extra work have paid off.

It’s hard to pick just one thing in a game this large and with so many fun things to do in it, but if I had to settle on just one
thing, I’d say I really enjoy exploring the world that our artists have created. Every single map in the game has areas that are
so incredibly beautiful and cool that I just love taking the time to explore them and see all the things our amazing art team
has done. I think the first time I really noticed the scale of the central keep in one of the World vs. World maps, I honestly
couldn’t believe it. And to go from there to the depths of the ocean and back to the ruined city of Ascalon is just incredible.
If you haven’t taken the time to just soak in the things our team has put in, I’d really suggest it, because there is some jaw-
dropping stuff in the game.
MATT WUERFFEL
The polish phase. It was a chance to revisit previous work and add all the finishing touches to take things over the top. We
really got a chance to add some great stuff during polish: hidden secrets and puzzles, characters with backstories, hard to
find locations, secret events, and all the little details that make the world feel handcrafted and alive.
Which areas of Tyria engage you the most, and is it their stories, monsters, or visual appeal that mean the most?
I think the most engaging aspect for me is the sense of exploration. The artists have created an absolutely stunning world
that is exciting to delve into, and we’ve layered content over that world to create stories, context, and rewards. I always try
to find the jumping puzzles in each map, because they capture that sense of exploration in a beautiful and direct way, and
they’re areas where we can really showcase the amazing work of the art team!

Just finding other people and exploring together. It feels natural to group together because the incentives of the players are
aligned to reward social play, and I always find myself cruising around the open world with whoever is nearby.
Early online games didn’t often have deeply developed stories; they featured breadth over depth. Recent titles have
been changing that and including a greater emphasis on the player’s personal story. Do you think we’ll see the
“single-player” narrative experience and the social fun of online play continue to merge?
Combining agency, narrative, and social play in an online multiplayer game can be difficult. But playing with other people
in a massive online space while retaining that sense of individual identity can really capture the imagination—the sense that
there is a living-breathing world out there, where you can venture out and make your mark, is pretty powerful. I think we’ll
continue to see movement in that direction.
510
I N T E RV I E W S
official strategy guide
Written by Michael Lummis, Kathleen Pleet, Edwin Kern, and Kurt Ricketts
© 2012 DK/BradyGAMES, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. BradyGAMES® is a

registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. All rights reserved, including the
right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
DK/BradyGames, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

800 East 96th Street, 3rd Floor
Indianapolis, IN 46240
© 2012 ArenaNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Guild Wars 2, ArenaNet, NCsoft, the
Interlocking NC Logo, and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or
registered trademarks of NCsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property
of their respective owners.
The ratings icon is a registered trademark of the Entertainment Software Association.

All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.
Please be advised that the ESRB ratings icons, “EC”, “E”, “E10+”, “T”, “M”, “AO”, and “RP”
are trademarks owned by the Entertainment Software Association, and may only
be used with their permission and authority. For information regarding whether a
product has been rated by the ESRB, please visit www.esrb.org. For permission to use
the ratings icons, please contact the ESA at [email protected].
ISBN: 978-0-7440-1382-5
Printing Code: The rightmost double-digit number is the year of the book’s
printing; the rightmost single-digit number is the number of the book’s printing. For
example, 12-1 shows that the first printing of the book occurred in 2012.
15 14 13 12 4321
Printed in the USA.
Credits BradyGAMES Staff Acknowledgments

Title Manager Global Strategy Guide Publisher All of us at BradyGAMES offer our sincere thanks to everyone at ArenaNet for their
TIM FITZPATRICK MIKE DEGLER incredible support throughout this project. A thousand thanks to Brian Porter and
Editor-In-Chief Shawn Sharp—your tireless effort and dedication from start to finish made this
Manuscript Editor H. LEIGH DAVIS guide possible! Very special thanks to Vicki Ebberts, Daniel Dociu, Kate Welch, David
MATT BUCHANAN Campbell, Eric Flannum, Brian Cautrell, James Smith, Tristan Hall, Evan Teicheira, Jason
Licensing Manager
CHRISTIAN SUMNER King, Tim McCaughan, Cliff Spradlin, Stephen Clarke-Willson, Kevin Millard, Steve
Copy Editor
Hwang, William Fairfield, Leah Rivera, Anthony Ordon, Matthew Medina, Devon Carver,
HEIDI NEWMAN Marketing Manager
KATIE HEMLOCK Matt Wuerffel, Aaron Sebenius, Andrew Freeman, Andrew Patrick, Bob Green, Chris
Book Designers Roberts, Hugh Norfolk, Peter Larkin, and Rob Thody for your help in making this guide
Digital Publishing Manager more accurate, more thorough, easier to use, or just plain better—it has been a true
CAROL STAMILE TIM COX
TRACY WEHMEYER pleasure working with you!
Operations Manager
STACEY BEHELER Michael Lummis: I’d like to thank my team for working above and beyond the call of
Production Designers
JEFF WEISSENBERGER duty for this entire project. Katie, Ed, and Kurt all deserve the credit for this massive,
WIL CRUZ awesome guide. Black Kalagath, from the Bitplayers, was also there for us, so thanks, BK.
AREVA I’m just getting started. Without Tim Fitzpatrick, Shawn Sharp, and Brian Porter, we’d
JULIE CLARK still be dead in the water with only a half-awesome book to show for our time.
Guild Wars 2 has given us an amazing experience, and I hope that the fans enjoy this game
as much as we have. We’ll see everyone again in-game in just a few weeks. Count on it!
723
THE ELDER
DRAGONS
HAVE AWOKEN.
GUILD WARS 2
GAMING MOUSE
GUILD WARS 2
GAMING HEADSET
STEELSERIES QCK GUILD WARS 2 STEELSERIES QCK GUILD WARS 2 STEELSERIES QCK GUILD WARS 2
LOGAN EDITION LOGO EDITION EIR EDITION
WWW.STEELSERIES.COM/GUILDWARS2
©2010–2012 ArenaNet, Inc. and NC Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved. Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2, ArenaNet, NCsoft, the Interlocking NC Logo, and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCsoft
Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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10. The Dungeons of Guild Wars 2 .........................................492

Well, good! Then let us aid you. Tyria is a massive place to

Craftsmen of all types: do not despair! We have introductions to

There’s something for everyone in this book. We want to show

A New Dawn 1. Introductory Chapter

Well, good! Then let us aid you. Tyria is a massive place to

Craftsmen of all types: do not despair! We have introductions to

read that, and then move on to the next chapter.

001-003_fm_introduction.indd 2-3 8/7/12 4:58 PM

Character 2. Character Creation

Starting the Process

050-059_character_creation.indd 50-51 8/7/12 5:02 PM

3. The Mechanics of Guild Wars 2

THE CHAT PANEL

060-086_game_mechanics_a.indd 60-61 8/9/12 5:11 PM

Attribute Eﬀect Used For

136-141_professions.indd 136-137 8/7/12 5:22 PM

4. First Experiences 5. Professions

278-285_crafting.indd 278-279 8/7/12 5:24 PM

Later areas are described in far less

This chapter is organized by major

304-321_pvp.indd 304-305 8/7/12 5:28 PM

8. Player vs. Player (PvP) 9. The World

All dungeons have their own collectible items. These

DUNGEON NAME LEVEL LOCATION

492-505_dungeon.indd 492-493 8/7/12 5:30 PM

Alt Blind Combo

Group Event Knockback

L Block.” Mobs are computer-controlled characters

S Trait Book A condition that reduces damage from non-critical hits

REGIONS AND R ACE S

Charr developed morality. Through it all, they look toward

Cosmology and Geography

The Creation of the World

> Dwayna, Goddess of Life and Air (Leader of the Pantheon)

Instead, magic was almost immediately used as a weapon.

These actions had far-reaching consequences.

Because of this war, the gods left Tyria. This was

The Guild Wars

The Sinking of Orr

They had no idea what would befall them.

The Path of the Exiled

Between the White Mantle and the Shining Blade

The Quest for Ascension

Return to the Shiverpeak Mountains

Secrets and Treachery Revealed

The End of the Threat of the Titans

The Jade Wind

A Mysterious Plague and the Return of an Ancient Evil

Elona: Land of Secrets (Events of Guild Wars: Nightfall)

The Primeval and Margonite Dynasties

The Forging of a Great Alliance

The Scourge of Vabbi and the Founding of the Order of Whispers

Return to Tyria (Events of Guild Wars: Eye of the North)

Stirrings Within the Earth

Civil War in Kryta and the Rule of Queen Salma

Ascalon’s Last Stand

The Last Battle Against the Great Destroyer