Guild Wars 2

Choose your next step in Tyria

Still deciding? Read whether GW2 is worth playing in 2026 for costs, access and the current support picture. The casual PvE review is the separate personal verdict.

Ready to play? Start with the beginner guide, follow the story and expansion order, or find a specific task in the GW2 guide directory. Compare the nine professions before choosing a build for your mode.

The story guide covers the October 2026 Living World access changes. For which expansion to buy first, use the worth-it guide above; for chapter sequence, use the story guide.

Related comparison: what WoW Forever’s horizontal progression means beside GW2. This is cross-game analysis, separate from the GW2 news feed.

Guild Wars 2 is ArenaNet’s MMORPG set in Tyria. Its free core game campaign takes a character to level 80, with no subscription. You explore maps, join dynamic events and world boss fights, gather materials and craft equipment. Character customization starts with your race and profession; later, your weapons, traits and skills shape the build. Expansions add campaigns, maps and systems such as mounts and masteries. Choose a guide above when you want the details.

Races and story in Tyria

Your personal story begins as a human, norn, charr, asura or sylvari. The campaigns take you across Central Tyria, the Maguuma jungle, Elona, Cantha and later regions. For the actual route through those campaigns, use the story order guide without plot spoilers. For character inspiration, try the race quiz.

How Guild Wars 2 plays

Combat happens in real time: move while attacking, dodge incoming hits and use weapon skills alongside your profession’s own mechanic. At max level, horizontal progression keeps equipment relevant while masteries and builds broaden what your character can do. The beginner guide explains the first steps; the class overviews explain what changes between professions.

PvE, structured PvP and World vs. World

In PvE, explore the open world, join cooperative events or tackle instanced content with a group. Structured PvP offers small-team matches; World vs. World centres on larger battles, keeps and supply routes. Our player-fit guide helps you choose a mode; the build library gives you setups for it.

Videos via YouTube · they only load when you press play.

Guild Wars 2 hub FAQ