Guild Wars 2: Sky Pirates of Tyria

So, you thought Dragon Bash was just another funnzy event? Well, dastardly foes used the event to execute their devious plot!

June 25, 2013

Chaos has come to Lion’s Arch and the culprits responsible for the mayhem have holed up in their hideout! Inspector Ellen Kiel spearheaded the investigation into the murder, and she’s now gathering teams of deputies to capture the perpetrator. Better sharpen your weapons and skills—this criminal promises to be a slippery eel!

Events

New Story Dungeon: Aetherblade Retreat (June 25 - July 9)

Find the hidden entrance to the Aetherblade base and take the fight to the pirates! It’ll take skill, courage, and no small measure of agility to battle your way to the Aetherblade Captain and First Mate.

Developer Livestream (June 24 @ 12PM PDT)

Take an inside look at the Sky Pirates of Tyria release with ArenaNet devs during the preview livestream on our Twitch channel on Monday, June 24 at 12PM PDT.

New Guild Wars Novel: Sea of Sorrows (Available June 25)

We’re proud to announce Sea of Sorrows, the third original Guild Wars novel by Ree Soesbee! Sea of Sorrows follows the thrilling adventures of young Cobiah Marriner, founder of the reborn city of Lion’s Arch.

>Buy the Book<

Sea of Sorrows Scavenger Hunt (Begins June 25)

In this new permanent content, retrace the steps of Cobiah Marriner. Twelve plaques have been set up to honor the history of the city and its founder. You can find clues to the plaques’ locations in Sea of Sorrows. Complete the scavenger hunt to earn five skill points. 

Aetherblade "Not So Secret" Jumping Puzzle (Begins July 1)

Introducing a new, permanent jumping puzzle! An Aetherblade airship is hidden inside a holographic mountain – find your way in, fight with the pirates inside, and prove your prowess using a pair of hard-to-find diving goggles.

Rewards

Track Down Aetherblade Caches (June 25 - July 9)

The Aetherblade pirates have hidden caches of plunder around the world in hard-to-reach locations. Scout them out to take a share of treasure and earn special achievements.

Mini First Mate Horrik

Commemorate your struggle against the Sky Pirates of Tyria with this fierce, cannon-wielding miniature companion. Finish the Against the Aetherblades achievement to win a little First Mate Horrik for your very own.

Monocle

Players who face down the deadly Aetherblade Captain will have a chance at a new, stylish Monocle. This dandy piece of Headgear is combat-ready, tradeable, and full of sophistication!

Aetherized Rewards

Your journeys through the Aetherblade Retreat will earn you a chance for items like rare salvageable materials or a new infinite tonic recipe in addition to guaranteed rare item rewards. Enduring the trials of the Not So Secret jumping puzzle will win you a set of exotic shoulderpads.

New Items in the Gem Store

Last Chance to get Dragon Bash Items

The Dragon Bash items won’t be in the Gem Store forever – you only have until July 8 to pick up a Fireworks Launcher or some Rich Dragon Coffers! Rich Dragon Coffers hold tasty candy and a chance at fireworks or rare drops like Dragon’s Jade Weapon skins or a mini Holographic Risen Knight. The Dragon Bash Mini Pack is also leaving the Gem Store soon; it won’t be available after July 15, so be sure to pick up your holographic companions before then!

New Features

Skill and Trait Balance Update

We’re introducing our largest balance patch ever in this build, which includes significant updates to traits and skills to introduce more viable build diversity. Every single profession trait line is seeing changes and we've also made updates to some less popular skills to improve their effectiveness.

Learn More

Custom Arenas and Spectator Mode are out of Beta

Custom PvP arenas allow players to host private matches and customize their map settings. This feature is leaving beta, which means that Custom Arena Starter Kits will be available for anyone to purchase in the Gem Store. Spectator Mode is also officially out of beta – together, these two features allow for practice, competitive play, and tournaments!

Mortar Mastery

Players can increase their mortar effectiveness by training in Mortar Mastery. Improvements in this line include increasing mortar blast radius, beefing up on damage, reducing skill recharge, and even adding a new skill, Mortar Barrage!

More Info

 

 

Guild Wars 2: The Last Stand at Southsun

Who ever said islands were a nice place clearly never went here...

May 28, 2013

The culprit behind the recent wildlife attacks on Southsun Cove has been revealed: the Sylvari renegade Canach.
In a fatally misguided attempt to free the new settlers from exploitation by The Consortium, Canach has turned the creatures of the island into tools of destruction. Can you and Inspector Kiel of the Lionguard stop Canach’s plot before the shores of Southsun Cove run red with blood?

New Features

Hunt Down Canach

Join Kiel for a mission to capture the deadly, desperate Canach! In this all-new story dungeon, you’ll enter Canach’s Lair on a subterranean solo mission under the island. If you defeat the elusive sylvari you’ll unlock a challenging all-new group adventure!

A Monstrous Threat

Even if you manage to capture Canach, can you also foil his master plan? Defend the new settlers on Southsun Cove from a massive final onslaught of rampaging wildlife or die trying! And beginning June 5, a hulking monstrosity joins the fray—without your help, it will destroy the settlers and everything they've built!

New Improved World XP

We’re improving the way we award World XP to World vs. World players! Now you’ll gain rewards for a much wider range of activities in the Mists – everything from destroying siege weapons, repairing walls, escort missions, and more.

Greater Variety and More Rewards in WvW

We’re adding new WvW daily achievements to the list you can choose from so you can earn World XP for playing the way you want. And every time you gain a new World rank, you’ll earn a bonus chest packed with useful WvW loot!

Dangerous New WvW Abilities

Become even deadlier in The Mists with new World vs. World abilities like Burning Oil Mastery or new ranks in Defense Against Guards!

Introducing Infusions and Ascended Gear in WvW

Now you can purchase Ascended rings and amulets and upgrade your WvW abilities with six new Infusions that give your character special WvW bonuses! Just speak to the new Laurel and Badge Merchants on each map.

WvW Matchup Changes!

World vs. World matches are about to get an injection of variety! With these changes you can look forward to facing new opponents in new matchups and testing your world’s skill against more foes!

UPDATE: Custom PvP Arenas and Spectator Mode (Beta)

We've had some great feedback from beta players that have enabled us to fix bugs and further improve these new features. We’re adding Custom Arena Time Tokens to the Gem Store so beta players can extend the time of their favorite custom arenas!

New Southsun Cove Rewards

Find your very own limited-edition Mini Reef Rider – a loyal floating friend available only until June 11! Dedicated defenders of the Southsun settlers can also earn the Settler’s Amulet, Keepsake, and Ring! Earn these rare new rewards from creatures and chests in Southsun Cove, and by playing Crab Toss!

Exclusive Southsun Items: Fervid Censer and Sclerite Karka Shell

The risks are great on Southsun Cove, but so are the rewards! Players who help keep the peace during the Secret of Southsun can earn two exclusive new back items, the floral Fervid Censer and the writhing Sclerite Karka Shell! Learn how you can earn these back items at the Fervid Censer and Sclerite Karka Shell pages on the Official Guild Wars 2 Wiki.

More Info

Guild Wars 2: The Secret of Southsun

Ah...sun, the beach, the ocean, the Ladies....what could possible go wrong.

May 14, 2013

Trouble is brewing on the tropical island of Southsun Cove.
The merchants and traders of The Consortium have given shelter to refugees driven from their lands by the Molten Alliance, but many of these new arrivals feel more like prisoners than guests. With the new settlers on the verge of rioting and someone—or something—driving the local wildlife to new heights of aggression, it’s up to you and Lionguard Inspector Kiel to quell the violence and discover the Secret of Southsun!

New Features

Keep the Peace on Southsun Cove

Inspector Ellen Kiel of the Lionguard has been tasked with restoring order to the island, but she can’t do it alone. In this all-new content, you’ll partner with Kiel to protect the settlements on Southsun Cove and uncover the source of the mysterious animal attacks!

Blow Off Steam with New Crab Toss Game!

To keep their minds off their troubles, the settlers on Southsun Cove have created a rugged new beach game: Crab Toss! In this instanced mini-game, players try to score points by capturing a hermit crab and withstanding Karka attacks. It’s fun in the sun, Southsun-style!

Introducing Traps in World vs. World

Traps are fiendish items that can be purchased from the new Traps and Tricks Outfitters on each WvW map. We’re starting with anti-stealth fields and traps that remove supply from enemy players, but in the months ahead we’ll introduce even more ways to spread mayhem in the Mists!

More Info

I don't know...I think I see a pattern. May-hem.

Guild Wars 2: Flame & Frost (Retribution)

All good things...

Chapter 4...

April 30, 2013

In secret foundries deep beneath the Shiverpeaks, the Molten Alliance forges deadly new weaponry that combine the fiery power of the Flame Legion with the iron might of the dredge. There, Alliance weapon smiths test their creations on innocent captives, perfecting their cruel technology until it is ready to unleash on all of Tyria.
In the last chapter of the Flame and Frost series, you’ll strike at the heart of the Molten Alliance with your comrades Rox the Charr and the Norn Braham. Take the battle into the enemy’s weapons facilities and defeat a final hybrid menace unlike any Tyria has ever seen!

New Features

New Story Dungeon - Molten Weapon Facilities!

Prepare for an underground raid against the Molten Alliance in our brand-new Living Story dungeon! Fight alongside Rox and Braham on this final mission against the combined forces of the dredge and Flame Legion, which culminates in a boss battle that will go down in Guild Wars 2 history!

Limited BETA - Custom PvP Arenas & Spectator Mode

Custom PvP arenas allow players to host private matches, and customize their map settings! Spectator Mode allows invited players to observe a live PvP match from within the game. On April 30, we’re rolling out both of these in limited beta. Initially, creating a custom arena will be limited to a small pool of players, but playing in custom arenas and access to spectator mode will be available to all players. (Learn More)

New World vs. World Abilities

Give your character an edge in the Mists with expanded WvW abilities. Become a battlefield menace with the brand new Arrow Cart Mastery ability! Make NPCs fear your name with five formidable new levels in the Guard Killer ability line!

New Guild Missions

Gather your guild mates for brand new challenges! Transform into Quaggan for a cool new guild rush through the icy waters of Frostgorge Sound and track down 30 new guild trek locations scattered all over Tyria!

Guild Siege Weapons and Back Banners

Deliver death on the battlefield in the name of your guild!
Now you can purchase powerful WvW guild siege weapons or fly their colors proudly with new back banners.

More Info

Whelp. It's been a fun few months. But now that this 'Book' is over. What will the next one hold. And who will be our champions.

Guild Wars 2: Flame & Frost (The Razing)

Just when you thought it was save to wonder the countryside in search of herbs...

Chapter 3...

March 26, 2013

A hybrid army erupts through fiery portals in the Shiverpeaks. A Molten Alliance between the dredge and the Charr Flame Legion has created a force powerful enough to massacre any who stand in their way. One settlement, one homestead at a time, they’re wiping out all resistance. The razing has begun.

New Features

Braham's Struggle

 As the cities struggle to handle the influx of refugees, a valiant young Norn named Braham seeks help for the besieged people of his homestead. Join Braham on his journey to find aid for those Norn who stayed behind in the foothills of the Shiverpeaks—a journey that will bring you into conflict with the deadly Molten Alliance!

 Rox's Mission

During the chaos, Rox—a Charr ranger lacking a warband—is sent on a desperate mercy mission by Rytlock Brimstone himself. Team up with this young Charr gladium as she strives to prove her worth on a dangerous errand in the midst of a war zone!

We've Been Infiltrated!

The Dredge have constructed a series of surveillance posts throughout the Diessa Plateau and Wayfarer Foothills to keep tabs on their prospective new territory. Confound the Molten Alliance’s war efforts by destroying these spy posts wherever you find them!

New WvW Progressions and Abilities

There’s never been a better time to play World vs. World! We’re adding a brand-new WvW progression system—which includes new World XP and new WvW Ranks. You can use your WvW Ranks to purchase new titles and abilities that are exclusive to WvW. We’re also rolling out new WvW achievements to help you track and plan your progress; you can keep track of them in your Achievement panel. (Learn More)

Improved World vs. World Performance

We've made vast improvements in World vs. World with the elimination of culling, a process that used to make some enemy players invisible in large groups. Beginning March 26, you’ll be able to see way more players on-screen in WvW, even in the largest pitched battles!

 New Guild Bounty Hunt Targets

More fugitives are on the run, and the Tyrian authorities need your guild to bring them in! Prepare yourself for a challenge, because these three new bounty targets are more elusive and menacing than ever. Bounty Hunt Training missions are perfect for a new or small guild looking to work their way up to bigger challenges. (Learn More)

Introducing Leaderboards

We’re excited to announce that we’ll activate Guild Wars 2 leaderboards with the release of Flame and Frost: The Razing on March 26. However, the leaderboards website won’t be visible to players until we’re sure it has stable information, which could take up to a week after the release goes live on March 26. Initially, the leaderboards will feature WvW rankings, PvP player rankings, and total achievement points.

More Info

All in all this patch is looking to be a boon for those fellow WvWers who are sick and tired of enemy players abusing the Culling. The new items added to WvW should also make it more worthwhile for players to jump into the fray and fight for their server.

Guild Wars 2: Flame & Frost (The Gathering Storm)

Last time we left off we were helping refugees. And while our help has been instrumental in saving lives...things are about to get worse.

The story unfolds...

February 26, 2013

The situation worsens for the citizens of Wayfarer Foothills and Diessa Plateau. Volunteers have eased the burden, but more refugees hobble down from the Shiverpeaks. The storm there gains momentum, but the forces of good are beginning to rally. They’re sending their heroes to defend the land and its peoples. Someone must hold back the gathering storm.

In Flame and Frost: The Gathering Storm, the second installment in this four-part series, the stakes are raised, and battles rage, in the foothills of the Shiverpeaks.

New Features 

Brand new PvP Map - Spirit Watch

This peaceful green vale, nestled between cliffside shrines to the Norn Spirits of the Wild is about to echo with the sounds of combat. In Spirit Watch, players will score bonus points by capturing the Orb of Ascension and running it to any of the three shrines on this newest PvP map.

 Team up for Guild Mission

Join your fellow guild members to take on an entirely new category of content! These missions, designed for coordinated group play, include everything from bounties to group puzzles to cross-country challenges. You’ll need to work together to complete the missions and earn new Guild Merits, which can unlock cool upgrades and rewards. It pays to be in a guild!

 Two Team Rated Play in PvP

It’s time to prove your skill! In this new type of competitive PvP, two teams of equal average rating are pitted against each other in a quick, intense match. The ratings for every member of each team is then adjusted after the match.

 Choose Your Own Daily Achievement

With our new selectable achievement system, you’ll have a chance to set new daily challenges for yourself and to choose what kind of content you want to be rewarded for playing.

And finally, best for last... 

Preview Items in the Trading Post

Try before you buy! You’ll have the ability to preview items in the Trading Post before you buy them. Simply right-click an item icon and select “Preview” to see the item equipped on your character. Check out how a weapon looks by itself, how it looks when sheathed, and how it looks when wielded by your character.

More info

Guild Wars 2: Flame & Frost (Prelude)

So apparently some new things have been happening in the land of Tyria....like literally the sky is falling.

UPDATE:
This new event, like previous, comes with it's own achievement: Living Story

Currently, one needs to assist refugees in the Diessa Plateau (Charr) and Wayfarer Foothills (Norn).

More info 

The story so far...

January 28, 2013

The sky falls and the ground shakes in the lands of the north. Charr and norn refugees crawl from the wreckage of their homes in the Wayfarer Foothills and Diessa Plateau, struggling to find shelter in the south. The call goes out for volunteers to assist the victims in this time of need, when earth and sky seem to have become the enemy…

 On to the actual game changes.

Temple of the Silent Storm Week

From January 28—February 4 the regular eight-team/three-round paid tournaments will be replaced by two-team/single-round paid tournaments in the Temple of the Silent Storm map. After the week is over, we’ll add Temple of the Silent Storm to the regular rotation of both free and paid tournaments.

Another arena... Why is it Massively Multi-player Online games want to sequester its players into small boxes? With so much control over what is done inside said box that the fighting ends up being a battle of Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots.

Improved Achievement System

We’re adding a new rotation of daily achievements to add variety and encourage you to explore the open world. You’ll get different achievements every day of the week and a new achievement tracker in the UI to make it easier to track your progress.

This seemed like a nice addition. Until you realize the new daily achievement requires you to Dodge. Now this is just plain silly.

New Achievement Laurels

You’ll earn these brand-new laurels as a reward for daily and monthly achievements!
Redeem these laurels for rewards like the new Ascended gear and Infusions!

What's this? Achievement points that actually do something?! But what can I purchase...

New Utility Infusions and Ascended Amulets

We’re adding a wide range of new gear that can be purchased with the new laurels.
With 5 new Utility Infusions and 30 Ascended Amulets to choose from, there’s something for every style of player.

More character customization? Yes, PLEASE!


Guesting

With the new guesting system, you can play with friends on other worlds in the same region (North America, Europe) without changing your homeworld. Guesting is free, but going forward there will be a gem fee for transferring home worlds, so make sure you’re on the home world you want to permanently play on before 28 January!

FINALLY! No longer shall we need to plead with our real life / other game friends to switch to our homeworld just to quest. *Does not apply to PVP

...and finally

New Store Items

It’s a new year, which means all-new items and a redesigned favorite in the Gem Store!
From Baby Quaggan Backpacks to Riding Brooms to the revamped Box o’ Fun, you’ll find it all in the Gem Store!

Can't wait to see how many Quaggan-packs are sold.

More info