Following our previous summer roadmap, we’d like to give you a high-level look at our plans for Guild Wars 2 for the remainder of the year.
Gameplay Systems UpdatesOctober 4 Profession Balance Update
Following our most recent balance update preview, we’ve taken in some of your feedback and made adjustments to the upcoming competitive-focused October 4 profession balance update. We plan on continuing to offer previews of our profession balance updates and using your valuable feedback to help inform our balance decisions. We’ll have the final notes available on the official Guild Wars 2 forums on October 4.
October 14 WvW World Restructuring Beta 6
The sixth beta event for phase one of the WvW World Restructuring feature will take place from October 14 through October 21. The beta event will begin and end with each region’s respective weekly World vs World match reset. If you’re unfamiliar with this feature or our plans for it, you can learn more about it here.
During the beta, you’ll be able to select one of the new WvW-exclusive War Machine weapon skins for completing an achievement tied to beta participation. We’ll also be bringing back the Call of War special event. Earn increased WvW rewards including double WvW experience, increased WvW reward track progress, and a bonus to magic find while in WvW.
The World Restructuring system allows you to play WvW with a guild of your choice while the beta event is active. The in-game option found in the WvW menu that allows you to select a WvW guild will be available on October 7. You must make your guild selection by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time (UTC-7) on October 13 or you may be matchmade as an individual for the beta event (i.e., you and your guild will be placed on different teams).
November 29 Profession Balance Update
With our October 4 update, we focused primarily on our competitive game modes. Going forward, we’d like our future profession balance updates to contain changes relevant to all game modes. We plan on having a preview for this update available for public feedback on the official Guild Wars 2 forums a few weeks before the update releases. We’ll be following the conversation and adjusting our plans as needed.
Jormag and Primordus Legendary Variants
Following our previous Aurene-based legendary weapon skin variants, we have two more skin types coming this year inspired by the Elder Dragons Jormag and Primordus. After binding an Aurene-based legendary weapon to your Legendary Armory, visit Leivas at Aurene’s Enclave in Seitung Province to unlock the collection The Legendary Facets of Aurene and begin working on acquiring these new skins.
You’ll be able to begin unlocking the Jormag legendary skin variants in the October 4 update and the Primordus legendary skin variants in the November 29 update.
Extra Life
For the sixth year in a row, Team ArenaNet will be supporting Extra Life! We have a variety of exciting in-game and out-of-game events planned during this year’s 24-hour Game Day stream. Join us in supporting Children’s Miracle Network on November 4!
Festivals
The Shadow of the Mad King event returns! Tyria’s annual Halloween festivities will be active from October 18 to November 8, and available to all players level 10 and above. A new set of rewards will be added, including brand-new weapons, minis, and guild hall decorations!
Wintersday is fast approaching! The Crown Pavilion in Divinity’s Reach will be snowed in once more from December 13 to January 3. Earn new weapon skins and minis while you fight the rogue toys of Tixx’s Infinirarium or fight your friends in the “capture the flag”-style Snowball Mayhem!
Living World Season 1 Return: Battle for Lion’s Arch
The fifth and final episode of Living World Season 1, “Battle for Lion’s Arch,” will return to Guild Wars 2 on November 8. This will be a permanent addition to the game, free to all players. With the release of “Battle for Lion’s Arch,” we’ll also be adding a new Strike Mission to the game: Old Lion’s Court.
For players looking for a greater challenge, a challenge mode version of Old Lion’s Court will be released with our November 29 update.
Fall/Winter Roadmap
Here’s a brief overview of our major release dates through the end of the year.
October 4—Competitive Profession Balance Update, Jormag Legendary Weapon Skin Variants
October 14—WvW World Restructuring Beta 6
October 18—Shadow of the Mad King
November 4—Extra Life Game Day
November 8—Living World Season 1 Episode 5: “Battle for Lion’s Arch,” Strike Mission: Old Lion’s Court
November 29—Profession Balance Update, Primordus Legendary Weapon Skin Variants, Strike Mission: Old Lion’s Court Challenge Mode
Don’t miss the next episode of the Guild Wars 2 Art Show livestream, where our ArenaNet Creative Partners show their latest Guild Wars 2-inspired work, discuss art techniques, and hang out in chat. Let’s celebrate art together!
The Guild Wars 2 Art Show
Wednesday, September 28 at noon Pacific Time (UTC-7) Hosts:Kata Kemi and Paul Canavan
A beautiful flower preserved in ice is a statement of eternity. This frozen staff will fortify your look.
Discounts
For the next two weeks, we’re offering a 20% discount on the following items:
Copper-Fed and Silver-Fed Salvage-o-Matics Tired of stopping in the middle of RIBA to go pick up some more salvage kits? Tire no longer! Salvage at your leisure with these unlimited salvage kits.
Build and Equipment Template Expansions If you’re the person with a build for every situation, we’ve got something special for you. Expand your combat options with these discounted template slots!
Returning this Week
Starting this Friday, look for the following items to return to the Gem Store at a 20% discount:
Abaddon’s Glider
Crystal Arbiter Glider
Cube Matrix Glider
Cute Demon Wings Backpack and Glider Combo
Desert King Backpack and Glider Combo
Electromagnetic-Descender Glider
Eternal Mandala Backpack and Glider Combo
Exalted Glider
Giant Shuriken Backpack and Glider Combo
Golden Feather Wings Glider Combo
Hawk Wings Glider Combo
Inquest Overseer Chair Glider Combo
Ironclad Glider
Legion Jetpack Backpack Glider Combo
Magic Carpet Glider Combo
Stained Glass Wings Backpack and Glider Combo
Super Adventure Glider
Super Cloud Glider
Super Holo-Copter Glider Combo
Tanglewood Backpack and Glider Combo
Timekeeper Glider
Available Now in the Gem Store!
Log into Guild Wars 2 and press 'O' to access the Black Lion Trading Company for these great offers and more!
Don’t miss the next episode of the Guild Wars 2 Art Show livestream, where our ArenaNet Creative Partners show their latest Guild Wars 2-inspired work, discuss art techniques, and hang out in chat. Let’s celebrate art together!
The Guild Wars 2 Art Show
Wednesday, September 21 at noon Pacific Time (UTC-7) Host:Changer The Elder
Don’t let the spiky look of this siege turtle intimidate you—it’s a fierce ally to ride into battle, but it will be sweet tempered toward your friends!
Devil-Rending Greataxe Hammer Skin
Red stained and fear inducing, this greataxe will make your ruthless side come alive. The same can’t be said about the foes in your path.
What’s in Stock
Returning Today
For the next two weeks, we’re offering 20% off on Character Slot Expansions.
We’ve got a few special items returning this week.
Season 1 Memory Box—Flame and Festivals
Season 1 Memory Box—Scarlet vs. Lion’s Arch
Each box contains three items from Living World Season 1 and a guaranteed Black Lion Commemorative Sprocket that can be exchanged for various items.
Returning This Week
Check out the Gem Store over the next week for the following items:
Mad Scientist Outfit
Slayer’s Outfit
Ironclad Outfit
Nature’s Oath Outfit
Gwen’s Attire
Pirate Captain’s Outfit
First Follower Desmina Outfit
Forged Outfit
Inquest Exo-Suit Outfit
Mist Stranger Outfit
Mage Knight Outfit
Primal Warden Outfit
Lyssa’s Regalia
Balthazar’s Regalia Outfit
True Assassin’s Guise Outfit
Marjory’s Shrouded Outfit
Infused Samurai Outfit
Exemplar Attire Outfit
Spring Promenade Outfit
Crystal Savant Outfit
Astral Scholar Outfit
Elegant Canthan Outfit
Shiro’s Legacy Outfit
Available Now in the Gem Store!
Log into Guild Wars 2 and press 'O' to access the Black Lion Trading Company for these great offers and more!
The fourth episode of Living World Season 1 is now playable for free in your Story Journal! Living World Season 1 content is back in Guild Wars 2 for the first time since 2013, along with new and returning rewards and achievements. Episodes are free, permanent additions to the base game and available to all players.
New trouble is growing in Kessex Hills. Carefully hidden by magic, the krait have been working tirelessly on a terror unlike anything seen before in Tyria. Marjory Delaqua and Kasmeer Meade are investigating the illusory curtain that’s cloaking part of Viathan Lake, and they need your help! What secret lies behind the veil?
Don’t miss the next episode of the Guild Wars 2 Art Show livestream, where our ArenaNet Creative Partners show their latest Guild Wars 2-inspired work, discuss art techniques, and hang out in chat. Let’s celebrate art together!
The Guild Wars 2 Art Show
Wednesday, September 14 at noon Pacific Time (UTC-7) Host:DiesVitae
Please join us this Friday, September 16 at 12:00PM Pacific Time (UTC-8) on the official Guild Wars 2 Twitch channel for a preview of the October 4 profession balance update!
We’ll have Skills and Balance Team Lead Cal “cmc” Cohen and Associate Game Designer Roy “Roy” Marks on stream to walk you through the details of the upcoming changes. Following the stream, we’ll be posting the full balance preview notes on our official forums. We’re looking forward to reading your feedback!
As we mentioned last week, the October 4 balance update will be primarily focused on improving combat balance in the WvW and PvP game modes. After October 4, our next major profession balance update will drop on November 29.
As a small teaser ahead of our stream on Friday, we have prepared a carefully cropped screenshot for you:
<p><a href="//d3b4yo2b5lbfy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1fa4647d72banner.png"><img src="//d3b4yo2b5lbfy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1fa4647d72banner.png" alt="" width="590" height="248" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-51884" srcset="https://d3b4yo2b5lbf...47d72banner.png 991w, https://d3b4yo2b5lbf...ner-768x323.png 768w, https://d3b4yo2b5lbf...ner-590x248.png 590w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" /></a><br />The fourth episode of Living World Season 1 returns on September 13! Next week, visit your Story Journal to join Marjory and Kasmeer’s investigation into the dark tower looming over Kessex Hills . Climb the tower. Unveil the nightmare. </p> <p>Living World Season 1 content is free for all players, permanently. Complete the original episode achievements and new achievements to earn unique rewards, including the new Antitoxin Gloves!</p> <p>This release includes a new instanced group encounter, the Tower of Nightmares. Enter with a premade squad or take on the tower’s challenges in a freely joinable public instance.</p>
