Guild Wars 2 Beginners Guide 2024

Welcome to Guild Wars 2! Whether you’re a new player or returning after a long break, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started in 2024. From choosing the best launcher and expansions to exploring the leveling and gearing systems, we’ll cover all the essentials to make your journey through Tyria as enjoyable as possible.

 

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Choosing Between Steam and ArenaNet Launchers

 

 

If you’re brand new to Guild Wars 2, you can create your account through either Steam or the official ArenaNet launcher. Both options work well, but if you’re a returning player with an existing ArenaNet account, you’ll need to use the ArenaNet launcher to access your old account. Functionally, there’s no significant difference between the two launchers, so go with whichever is easiest for you.

 

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Are Expansions and Living World Seasons Worth It?

 

Yes, the expansions and Living World episodes provide a huge amount of value, including new storylines, areas, masteries, and endgame content. The Heart of Thorns, Path of Fire, End of Dragons, and Secrets of the Obscure expansions add unique areas, gameplay mechanics, and important progression options like gliding and mounts. If you can afford them, purchasing expansions will enrich your gameplay and open up more possibilities as you progress. The Living World episodes are also valuable for the extra content and rewards they provide.

 

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Choosing a Class (Profession)

 

In Guild Wars 2, classes are referred to as “professions,” each offering unique gameplay styles and skills. Start by choosing whichever class appeals to you the most, as all professions are viable in endgame content. If you’re looking for an easier start, Necromancer (with Reaper specialization), Engineer (using Mechanist), or Revenant (with Herald) are popular choices for beginners due to their versatility and ease of play. However, the best choice is the one that looks the most exciting to you!

 

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Race and Background: Does It Matter?

 

Your choice of race in Guild Wars 2 is mainly cosmetic and affects your character’s background and early story missions. This choice allows you to explore different story paths and immerse yourself in the game’s lore. There are no performance advantages tied to any race, so pick based on the aesthetic or story background you prefer.

 

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Leveling to 80

 

The goal is to reach level 80, and there are multiple ways to level up. You can complete maps, participate in event trains, play through the story, or use Tomes of Knowledge. New players are encouraged to try map completion and experiment with different weapons and skills while following the core story. This approach will give you a solid understanding of the world, mechanics, and your character’s capabilities.

 

Spending Hero Points

 

As you level, you’ll accumulate Hero Points, which you can spend on unlocking skills and traits. The points earned from leveling alone are enough to unlock all “core” skills, so you can’t make a wrong choice. It’s often helpful to start by unlocking signets for passive bonuses, but feel free to try various skill paths and see which combinations work best for you.

 

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Reaching Level 80 – Now What?

 

Congratulations on reaching level 80! Now that you’ve hit max level, you’re ready to start gearing up, progressing through the story, and exploring endgame content.

 

Gearing Up

 

Your first priority should be to get some exotic gear from the Trading Post. This gear is affordable and will give your character a significant power boost. Many players recommend Berserker stats (Power, Precision, Ferocity) for general use as it’s effective in many game modes.

 

Completing the Story

 

The story can be completed in any order, but some players prefer starting with Path of Fire for access to mounts like the Raptor. Others choose to play through the story chronologically to experience the lore. Following the story will unlock additional areas and masteries and provides context for the game world.

 

Working Toward Ascended Gear

 

Ascended gear is the next tier after exotic and is often the final goal for players who want to maximize their power. Ascended equipment can be obtained through various activities, including PvP, World vs. World (WvW), fractals, crafting, and the new Wizards Vault feature. Find the method that suits you best, as there are many options available.

 

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Setting Your Own Goals

 

In Guild Wars 2, there’s no prescribed “endgame,” so set goals that motivate you. For example, you might aim to craft a legendary weapon, complete map exploration, or earn special armor or weapon skins. Establishing personal goals gives direction and purpose to your gameplay and opens doors to different areas of content and potential friendships along the way.

 

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Inventory Management

 

Managing inventory can be overwhelming for new players, so here are some key tips:

 

• Upgrade Bag Space: Bags can be purchased, crafted, or found as loot. They help prevent running out of space, especially during lengthy gameplay sessions.
• Deposit All: Use the “Deposit All” button in the inventory panel to move crafting materials to material storage, freeing up space without cluttering your bank.
• Sell Junk: Sell junk items, indicated by gray icons, to NPC vendors using the “Sell Junk” button.
• Salvaging and Trading Post: Gear items that aren’t valuable enough to sell on the Trading Post should generally be salvaged for crafting materials.

 

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Taking Your Time

 

There’s no need to rush in Guild Wars 2. The leveling process is fast compared to other MMOs, but taking your time lets you fully enjoy the vast world and its lore. Avoid using your level-80 boost on your first character to learn the systems organically. The game’s early content is well-designed, introducing new gameplay mechanics at a steady pace, so savor the journey.

 

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Using the Wiki

 

The Guild Wars 2 Wiki is one of the best resources in the game and is fully integrated into the game’s chat feature. Type “/wiki” in chat to open the main page or “/wiki [item/achievement/NPC name]” for specific information. Whenever you come across an item or mechanic you’re unsure about, the wiki is just a click away.

 

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Gliding and Mounts

 

If you own expansions, unlocking gliding and mounts is a game-changer. Heart of Thorns grants access to gliding, while Path of Fire gives mounts. Mounts and gliding improve travel efficiency, though some players prefer delaying these unlocks to enjoy the game’s natural challenges. The Raptor mount unlocks automatically at level 10 if you own Path of Fire, while gliding requires Heart of Thorns or other expansions for full functionality.

 

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Joining a Guild

 

Joining a guild early on can significantly enhance your experience by providing access to community events, group content, and a sense of camaraderie. A good guild will help with dungeons, world bosses, and even higher-end content like fractals and raids. Guilds also provide helpful resources and guild hall boosts that increase gold and experience gain.

 

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The Wizards Vault

 

The Wizards Vault, introduced in the Secrets of the Obscure expansion, is a replacement for the old login rewards system. This feature offers daily, weekly, and seasonal objectives across different game modes. Completing these tasks rewards Astral Acclaim, which you can use to buy skins, currency, and ascended gear. Customize the tasks to match your preferred playstyle—PvE, PvP, or a mix.

 

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Exploring Achievements

 

Achievements in Guild Wars 2 are more than just milestones; they provide tangible rewards like items, titles, and even gems (premium currency). Achievement points contribute to permanent account bonuses, such as increased experience and gold find, which apply to all characters. Tracking achievements can be a fun and rewarding way to experience hidden or challenging content in the game.

 

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GladiatorBoost’s Guild Wars 2 Boosting Services

 

If you’re looking to progress faster or need help with challenging content, GladiatorBoost offers a range of services tailored for Guild Wars 2 players. With our Guild Wars 2 Boosting Service, you can gain support for power leveling, PvE or PvP builds, and even map completion. For players needing in-game currency, we also provide options to buy Guild Wars 2 gold securely, allowing you to access the game’s best items, mounts, and upgrades without the grind.

 

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Final Thoughts: Set Your Own Adventure

 

In Guild Wars 2, the best journey is the one you design for yourself. Set personal goals, find a supportive community, and take advantage of the resources available to you. Whether you aim to craft a legendary, explore every map, or simply enjoy the game’s unique story, Guild Wars 2 offers countless paths to explore and milestones to achieve. Happy adventuring, Daeva!