Hey, Guild Wars community,

With the final content update for Guild Wars 2®: Janthir Wilds™ now live, we’ve officially wrapped our fifth expansion, which is the second built under the annual release model we introduced in early 2023.

Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds tested how we tell stories, evolve systems, and deliver meaningful updates on a faster, more consistent schedule. Some things landed well. Others, not as much.

Just like we did after Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure™, we’ve been listening to your feedback and acting on it. In this blog, we’ll share how those lessons are shaping our next expansion and the changes you can expect to see. This will give you helpful context as we unveil our next expansion next week.

Over the past nine months, Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds brought a wide range of new experiences to Tyria.

Across nineteen story chapters and four new open-world maps, the narrative explored the aftermath of the Elder Dragon era through a more grounded and political lens. Your choices helped shape the balance of power in a world learning to live without that existential threat and uncovered ancient secrets best left buried.

We brought spears to land combat—our first new terrestrial weapon type since the game’s launch—along with a new set of relics that deepened build crafting and expanded playstyle customization.

Our endgame offerings grew as well. You took on the game’s first new raid in over five years, complete with challenge and legendary modes. We also introduced a new Convergence encounter and a fractal dungeon with its own challenge mode, adding more variety and goals for PvE-focused players.

Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds also marked the arrival of Homesteads, a major feature that brought player housing to the game. That was paired with a rework of the decoration system, updates to the warclaw mount, two new legendaries, tons of new armor and weapon sets, Wizard’s Vault refreshes, and a long list of quality-of-life upgrades.

In PvP, we built something new with your help. The Push game mode began as a prototype and evolved through multiple public betas, shaped directly by player feedback. Co-developing a competitive mode in a live environment is rare, and we’re proud of what it represents. The final version launches later this summer, and we hope it sets a precedent for future community-driven efforts.

Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds delivered a lot in a short amount of time. That momentum was only possible because of your passion, creativity, and honest feedback.

Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds launched in August of last year, followed by three quarterly updates. After the first of those updates arrived in November 2024, we heard consistent feedback from the community: the additional story content felt too short, and the lack of a new open-world map made the update feel noticeably light. Similar reactions to story scope followed the second and third releases, signaling that the pacing and structure of these releases could better align with your expectations.

For our next expansion, we’re refining that structure to give each update more depth and impact. The first quarterly release after the expansion’s launch will not include new story or map content. Instead, it will focus on updates to core systems and longstanding features. This approach gives us the space to revisit foundational elements of the game—improvements that support the long-term health of Guild Wars 2 and reflect the design philosophy outlined in the “Building Smarter, Not Bigger” section below.

By focusing on story and map development in the second and third quarterly updates, we’re able to make those releases more robust and satisfying. Each will introduce a larger, more content-rich map and a longer, more fully developed story than what players saw in the equivalent Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds updates. While the total amount of story content across the expansion is increasing modestly, the bigger benefit is how much more meaningful each individual release will feel, along with the scope improvements to the open-world maps.

This approach allows for more complete and satisfying story arcs, and it results in a net increase in total content delivered over the course of the expansion.

One of our biggest priorities right now (and likely for years to come) is untangling years of accumulated system complexity. That means streamlining overlapping features, reducing technical debt, and reinforcing what makes Guild Wars 2 shine. This complexity doesn’t just slow us down behind the scenes. It also makes onboarding harder for new and returning players, even in areas designed for seasoned adventurers like endgame PvE.

Over the past two expansions, we’ve shifted away from stacking new systems on top of old ones. Instead, we’re focusing on sustainable upgrades to the game’s foundation.

Features like the Wizard’s Vault didn’t just offer something new; they replaced daily achievements and login rewards with a streamlined, modern alternative. Weaponmaster Training and relics were built to expand existing build systems. Homesteads and the decoration system overhaul also improved guild halls. We also updated core mount systems during both expansions, with refinements to the skyscale in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure and improvements to the warclaw in Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds. Each change was designed to strengthen features you already use and love.

Support for newly introduced features doesn’t end at launch. Since the Homesteads feature debuted, we’ve continued to expand and refine the system with new decorations and quality-of-life improvements, including an increase to the overall decoration cap in the final Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds release, “Absolution.” In our upcoming July 15 release, we’re doubling the decoration area limit from 200 to 400. This directly addresses one of the most common requests we’ve heard from you. You can also expect to see continued support for the Homesteads feature in our next expansion as we build on this foundation.

These kinds of changes may not always grab headlines, but they make the game easier to understand, easier to maintain, and more enjoyable to play. Just as importantly, they reflect what many of you have asked us to do: focus less on introducing entirely new systems and more on refining and modernizing what we already have. That’s a direction we believe in, and one we’re proud to continue as we build the next chapter of Guild Wars 2.

Over the past two expansions, we’ve expanded options for combat by giving you more tools to customize your builds and play your way. Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure introduced new weapon proficiencies for every profession and separated relics from runes to deepen build crafting. The addition of Weaponmaster Training was also a major step forward in allowing players to freely mix and match elite specialization weapons across builds, and the addition of land spears offered a new weapon for every profession to use.

With our next expansion, we’re taking the next step. Elite specializations are making a return, this time designed to work together with the flexible build crafting system we’ve been refining over the past few years. However, these new specializations won’t come with dedicated weapons. Instead, each one introduces unique profession mechanics, a new trait line, utility skills, an elite skill, a healing skill, and distinct playstyles without locking you into a specific weapon or equipment loadout.

These new specializations are designed to feel fresh, fun, and unique to Guild Wars 2 while building on the systems you already know and love. We’ll have much more to share soon.

The launch of the Mount Balrior raid wasn’t just a development milestone for us—with both legendary and challenge modes, it was a long-awaited return for players eager to take on high-end group content. It marked a turning point in our ongoing effort to revitalize endgame PvE.

Over the past few years, we’ve focused on delivering meaningful, replayable encounters across both raids and Strike Missions. Most recently, we returned to our encounter design roots with Kinfall, a new fractal designed in direct response to player feedback. With Kinfall, we stepped back from the raid-like complexity of recent fractals and focused instead on creating a streamlined, repeatable experience that captures the feel of early favorites. The challenge mode arrived a few weeks later, offering both accessibility and satisfying difficulty.

Looking ahead, we’ll continue to expand endgame content—including new encounters complete with challenge and legendary modes. But just as important as adding more is making that content better, more approachable, and more rewarding to return to.

In the first quarterly release of our next expansion, that means unifying raids and Strike Missions into a more consistent structure, improving onboarding for newer players, reworking parts of the UI, streamlining rewards, and investing in systems that help group content feel easier to step into and more meaningful to stick with.

We want Guild Wars 2‘s endgame to be something anyone can grow into, whether you’re joining your first organized group or aiming to master every challenge we throw your way.

Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds helped us learn where to push harder, where to simplify, and how to better listen to the needs of our players. Your feedback didn’t just resonate with us; it reshaped how we’re thinking about the game and how we’re building what’s coming next.

Mark your calendar—you’ll get your first look at the next expansion on July 15. Thanks again for your passion, your support, and your belief in this world—and in the people who bring it to life.

See you next week,

Josh Davis, Game Director

P.S. Thanks for reading this far. Here’s another teaser for your troubles.

We’re celebrating the warmer weather with the Guild Wars 2® summer sale! Explore past adventures and experience the latest expansion, Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds™, now on sale for the first time!

From June 26 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (UTC-7) to July 10 at 9:59 a.m. Pacific Time (UTC-7), you can take advantage of special deals on Guild Wars 2 expansions. Invite a friend to join your adventures, or expand your account with the features of a new expansion. Even if you’ve never played before, it’s the perfect time to begin your journey in Tyria!

The following discounted items are available now on the official Guild Wars 2 website, with some of the same exciting deals on Steam! For those looking to add the Living World™ series to your collection, you can find them on sale for 30% off in the in-game store. The summer sale is not currently available on the Epic Games Store.

Head north to the wilderness of Janthir—a dangerous land that was once home to the strange mursaat and their White Mantle sycophants. Befriend the lowland kodan who reside there and learn the secrets of wielding a spear on every profession. Your journeys will lead you to own your own homestead, engage in a challenging new raid, and forge a bond with a warclaw mount with new abilities!

Both Standard and Deluxe editions of the Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds expansion are now available at a 20% discount.*

In a world finally safe from the Elder Dragons’ corruption, new threats rise to seek power. Embark on an epic journey and uncover the mysteries of the Wizard’s Tower as you defend the skies against incursions from the Mists. Unlock access to weapons that were previously exclusive to elite specializations for each profession and an updated path to unlocking your skyscale mount.

Both Standard and Deluxe editions of the Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure expansion are now available at a 30% discount.*

The future of Cantha is now. The dragon cycle that has sustained and blighted Tyria for ages is collapsing. Mortal hearts and choices will define this moment in history—and echo into the future forever. Unlock new elite specializations, Masteries, and more, including access to fishing and skiffs.

Both Standard and Deluxe editions of the Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons® expansion are now available at a 40% discount!*

Experience the entire dragon cycle saga from beginning to end with Guild Wars 2—The Complete Collection. This bundle contains an entire decade’s worth of content! Included Guild Wars 2 Living World® Seasons 2–5 and the first three expansions:

• Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns®
• Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire®
• Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons

You’ll also get two Level-80 Boosts, allowing you to instantly level up two characters and jump straight into our latest content, with two Shared Inventory Slots to easily share items with every character on your account.

The Complete, Deluxe, and Standard editions of the Elder Dragon Saga Collection are discounted by 50% for the length of the sale. Note: only the Complete edition of the Elder Dragon Saga is available through the Steam store.

Unlock mounts, gliding, and more with the first two expansions for Guild Wars 2. This package grants you access to a new profession, the revenant, as well as eighteen elite specializations to change the way you play. Experience the joy of movement with the best mounts in MMOs.

This expansion bundle is available now at a 60% discount!

Now is the perfect time to experience the game that started it all! The original Guild Wars and all its expansions and editions are discounted by 50%. This includes the recent Guild Wars: The 20th Anniversary Masterpiece Collection, which includes all three campaigns (Prophecies™, Factions™, and Nightfall™), the Guild Wars : Eye of the North™ expansion, and the Bonus Mission Pack.

Premium items like Xunlai Storage Panes, costumes, unlock packs, and more are all available at a 50% discount as well. Head over to the original Guild Wars site to take advantage of the sale!

Fill your Hall of Monuments and unlock bonus items and titles that transfer to Guild Wars 2!

Our expansion sales are also available from the following third-party retailers:

Americas:

• Guild Wars 2 Steam
• Guild Wars Steam
• Nuuvem
• Hype Games (Brazil)

Europe:

• Guild Wars 2 Steam
• Guild Wars Steam
• CDgalaxis (Hungary)
• Gameliebe (Germany)
• Gamecardsdirect (EUROPE)
• Gamecardsdirect (France)
• Gamecardsdirect (Netherlands)
• Key4you (Czech)

*Deluxe packages for Guild Wars 2 are not available through the Steam store.

The Dragon Bash festival has returned to Hoelbrak! Starting today and running until July 8, the norn capital has once again transformed into a celebration of defiance, laughter, and a whole lot of piñata smashing!

Dragon Bash is open to players of all levels, and it’s packed with activities you can jump into right away. From brawling with holographic dragons to betting on moas, there’s something for every kind of adventurer. And of course, there’s a fresh batch of rewards to earn, including the new Raven-Blessed Visage, the Sacred Raven’s weapon set, and more! Check out the full release notes for all the details for today’s festival!

No festival is complete without prizes, and Dragon Bash is packed with them. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick daily objective or diving deep into the full event, there are plenty of ways to earn new rewards and celebrate the season.

The (Annual) Dragon Bash Feats meta-achievement returns for another year of festival traditions. By finishing this year’s meta-achievement, you’ll earn the Raven-Blessed Visage, a striking avian helm imbued with the solemn power of the raven. In case you missed them, rewards from previous years can be purchased from the Dragon Bash merchant.

In addition, a new weapon set passed down from norn ancestry is now available. Earn your choice of the Sacred Raven’s weapon collection by progressing through the meta-achievement with additional selections available through the (Weekly) Dragon Bash Festivities achievements.

Three new Uncrowned Legend’s weapons—warhorn, trident, and greatsword—have also been added as rare drops from dragon coffers, but they can also be purchased from Sparking Stone, a Dragon Bash weapons vendor in Hoelbrak. Brandishing these storied armaments in battle will give your foes pause!

Beyond achievement rewards, this year’s Dragon Bash introduces a host of new collectibles and decorations. The Mini Golden Labrador makes its debut as a heart-melting festival companion, ready to follow you across Tyria with tail wags.

For decorators and builders, Deft Lahar is visiting Hoelbrak for the festival and has a variety of homestead-tailored recipes for purchase. Six new homestead recipe books are available, each unlocking homestead versions of popular Dragon Bash-themed guild hall decorations. Titled Homestead Recipe Book: Dragon Bash, Volumes 1 through 6, these collections are perfect for bringing a bit of the festival home.

Additionally, five new decorations will be available for both homesteads and guild halls. You can add warmth with the classic Norn Brazier, construct dramatic layouts with the Norn Stair, and bring rugged northern charm to your space with the Norn Structure and Norn Stone Structure. The centerpiece, the Raven Hall, offers a majestic architectural touch worthy of honoring Tyria’s enduring resilience.

Special Dragon Bash-themed objectives will be added to the Wizard’s Vault for the duration of the festival. These limited-time tasks will guide you toward festive content while helping you rack up Astral Acclaim for even more rewards.

The Dragon Bash festival is located in Hoelbrak. Check your in-game mail for an Invitation to Dragon Bash, and double-click the item to teleport instantly to Hoelbrak. The festivities can be found all over the city.

When you enter Hoelbrak, the entire city will be decorated for Dragon Bash! New activities are also available during this time. There are dragon piñatas all over the city, and you can smash them to obtain zhaitaffy, the main currency used in this festival. So, get to smashing all those candy-hoarding dragons!

If you’re looking for something fast and fiery, you can spend time betting on the moa racing! Choose your favorite feathery friend and cheer for them. If you’re teamwork oriented, the Dragon Arena is made just for you! Destroy mighty holographic dragon champions with other players.

There are also two adventures available in the city: Piñata Bashing and Time Trial: Dragon Bash Rally. The latter will allow you to race through the city with a time limit. An event variant where you can compete against others will also pop up from time to time. If you don’t have a roller beetle, you can rent one from a nearby race coordinator. Piñata Bashing is a more rigorous version of dragon smashing, with a time limit and special skills.

Finally, there is the Hologram Stampede located outside Hoelbrak. This event will occur in Wayfarer Foothills, Dredgehaunt Cliffs, Lornar’s Pass, and Snowden Drifts. On the right side of your screen, you can check where it will happen next. In each round of the stampede, you’ll have to destroy as many holograms as possible by activating hologram devices spread across the map. This is a public event, and you’ll have help from other players also participating in your map!

Dragon Bash ends on July 8, so make sure you log in and bash and smash those dragons!

Salutations, Tyrians. My name is Gerard Ledda, and I am a game designer here at ArenaNet. We’re always listening to your feedback, and we’ve been hard at work on some game updates that you’ve been asking for. Today, I’m here with the inside scoop on some quality-of-life updates that are coming in next week’s Guild Wars 2®: Janthir Wilds™ release, “Absolution.” These changes are designed to alleviate pain points, add convenience, and—most importantly—free up precious inventory space!

The Wizard’s Portal Tome is a new item that will store many of the teleportation devices you’ve earned in game, condensing more than 30 items into a single inventory slot! This tome will work much like the Living World season portal tomes, giving you a list of available destinations to choose from.

When “Absolution” releases on June 3, you can visit Astral Ward Medic Miyrna either in Bloodcoast Ward in Lion’s Arch or in the new map, Bava Nisos, to pick up a new side story achievement, Work Hard for Now. Completing that side story will reward you with the Wizard’s Portal Tome, and the Teleportation Gizmos Collector collection will track the teleportation devices that you’ve earned. Then, just bring the Wizard’s Portal Tome wherever you go, and you can free up all that inventory space!

Over the years, we’ve added many portable exchangers—commonly called “gobblers”—to the game that allow players to convert items and currency to more valuable materials. Over time, these gobblers have become so plentiful that they themselves clog up inventory space. The Wizard’s Gobbler is our solution to this problem, allowing you access to multiple exchange items without having to fumble with them individually.

Like the Wizard’s Portal Tome, a collection will track over 20 portable exchanger and gobbler items as you unlock them and offer their functionality in a single item. Visiting Lion’s Arch will retroactively update your progress if you have the item in your inventory, have completed the respective achievement, or have met other conditions. This will determine which options you can access when using the Wizard’s Gobbler. All Guild Wars 2 players can access the Wizard’s Gobbler by heading to Hooligan’s Route in Lion’s Arch and purchasing it from the charr vendor Gharr Leadclaw.

We’ve heard that your bag and bank slots are overflowing with rift essence, and we’ve got a solution coming next week!

Fine, masterwork, and rare rift essence can be converted into a wallet currency beginning June 3. You’ll be able to convert the essence yourself by consuming it or by visiting Rift Researcher Adam at Moon Camp Covert in Lowland Shore or the Rift Hunter Lounge in the Wizard’s Tower. He will be able to mass convert your essence into a wallet currency for free. Recipes, vendor costs, and rewards of rift essence will all be updated to reflect this change.

We’ve also heard your feedback about the challenge of acquiring research notes. After the next update, all crafting disciplines will have access to a new crafting recipe called Peer Reviewed Research. This item does not have a crafting rating requirement, so even novices can make it. When crafted, it grants 150 research notes!

We’ll be adjusting the purchase limits of provisioner tokens from faction provisioners in Central Tyria and Heart of Maguuma from one purchase a day per tab to seven purchases a week per tab. You’ll be able to buy the same number of items, but in one trip instead of seven!

During your adventures, you might have accumulated a surplus of Hero’s Choice Chests, and when you finally decide which item to select from them, you were faced with a difficult choice. You could open them one at a time through a time-consuming series of clicks, or you could use a bulk exchange vendor but lose out on some of the valuable loot inside.

With the release of “Absolution,” you can trade Hero’s Choice Chests and karma to the respective exchange vendors in Dragon’s Stand, Eye of the North, Arborstone, the Wizard’s Tower (requires Wayfinder Mastery), or Lowland Shore. You’ll then receive the guaranteed item in addition to a new Commander’s Choice Chest, which allows bulk selection of your choice of items. This functions like the Janthiri Renown Chests and Mistburned Renown Chests.

Finally, players will be able to double the decoration cap in their homestead from 1,000 to 2,000 after “Absolution” is live next week! Deft Lahar will sell decoration limit increase services to raise the cap by 500, and players can train the Grandmaster Handiworker Crafting tier for another 500.

Deft Lahar will also have new home instance nodes in his inventory, allowing players to purchase new gathering nodes for their homesteads or home instances.

“Absolution” is just around the corner, and we can’t wait for you to experience these new quality-of-life updates. See you in Tyria!