Beta

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Disambig icon.png This article is about beta tests run by ArenaNet pre-release. For the Asura Personal Story quest, see Beta Test.

Guild Wars 2 entered the beta testing stage in December 2011. There were several types of beta events:

  • Closed beta (CB) — These are invitation-only tests; discussion of their content is protected by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
  • Beta weekend events (BWE) — All players that pre-purchased Guild Wars 2 may participate. Players may share media and impressions from these events.
  • Stress tests — These are not true events, but are really just short testing sessions usually lasting a few hours to test the performance of game servers. NDAs are selectively applied to this type of beta event.
  • Open beta (OB) — These are completely open tests where every player of Guild Wars 2 in good standing may participate, even those who have not pre-purchased the associated expansion or are on a free-to-play account. Also classified by ArenaNet as 'Preview Weekend Experience'.

Janthir Wilds[edit]

Spear Beta Event: June 27, 2024 –— June 30, 2024[edit]

Skills
  • The skills available in the beta are as follows:
# Skill Activation.png Tango-recharge-darker.png Description

Guardian icon small.png Guardian

1 Daybreaking Slash.png Daybreaking Slash 0.5½ Swing your spear, sending out a wave of light in front of you that damages enemies and heals allies.
2 Helio Rush.png Helio Rush 1 2 Charge forward with your spear, striking enemies and healing allies you pass through. Upon striking an enemy, your next spear attack is illuminated.

Illuminated. Allies you pass through are healed for more and gain boons. Enemies you strike take bonus damage and are inflicted with conditions.

Allies at full health are not affected by this skill.

3 Gleaming Disc.png Gleaming Disc 0.75¾ 12 Spin around, striking enemies around you. After a short delay, a shock wave of light burst forth from your position, damaging enemies and granting might to allies. Your next spear attack is illuminated when striking an enemy with the initial spin.

Illuminated. The shock wave additionally deals more damage and inflicts conditions on enemies and grants boons to allies.

4 Solar Storm.png Solar Storm 0.75¾ 15 Throw a spear above the targeted point. The spear explodes, raining shards that damage enemies and remove conditions from allies. Your next spear attack is illuminated if you are within range of your own shards.

Illuminated. More shards are produced. Removing conditions from allies also heals them.
Damage is reduced per target each time they are struck by this skill.

5 Symbol of Luminance.png Symbol of Luminance 0.5½ 20 Symbol. Places the Symbol of Luminance on the ground, knocking back enemies on initial cast. While active, the symbol grants boons to allies and inflicts conditions on enemies. While standing within the symbol, your spear attacks are automatically illuminated and do not consume the illuminated effect when used. Resistance granted by this skill can only be granted once per interval.

Illuminated. While the symbol is active, all other spear skills are illuminated, even if you move out of the range of the symbol.

Revenant icon small.png Revenant

1 Abyssal Fire.png Abyssal Fire 0.75¾ Hurl your weapon at your foe. If you are in close range, swing your weapon at them instead. Striking a foe reduces the cooldown of Abyssal Raze once per skill use.
1 Abyssal Fire.png Abyssal Strike 0.5½ Hurl your weapon at your foe. If you are in close range, swing your weapon at them instead. Striking a foe reduces the cooldown of Abyssal Raze once per skill use.
2 Abyssal Force.png Abyssal Force 0.5½ 6 Hurl your weapon toward your foes, inflicting area damage and conditions on targets struck. Striking at least one foe causes Abyssal Raze to receive a large recharge reduction.
3 Abyssal Blitz.png Abyssal Blitz 0.5½ 10 Dash in a direction and slightly recharge Abyssal Raze while leaving portals in your wake that detonate when foes walk over them.
3 ChainAbyssal Blitz.png Blitz Mines Drop mines behind you as you dodge.
4 Abyssal Blot.png Abyssal Blot 1 15 Unleash gravitational Mist forces on your targeted area that initially pulls foes toward the center. Abyssal Raze's cooldown is reduced for each target you attempt to pull.
5 Abyssal Raze.png Abyssal Raze 0.75¾ 1 Attack foes in the target area, inflicting them with conditions. Gain stacks of Crushing Abyss for each target struck, up to the maximum.

Warrior icon small.png Warrior

1 Mighty Throw.png Mighty Throw 0.5½ Throw a spear at your enemy that shatters on contact, scattering shards that damage enemies around the initial target.
2 Maiming Spear.png Maiming Spear 0.5½ 5 Throw a spear at a targeted location, damaging and inflicting conditions on opponents in the area and causing an aftershock after a short delay. The aftershock deals more damage to the opponent closest to the epicenter.
3 Disrupting Throw.png Disrupting Throw 0.5½ 10 Throw a spear that pierces foes in a line, immobilizing them. The first enemy struck by this skill is additionally dazed.
4 Spearmarshal's Support.png Spearmarshal's Support 0.5½ 15 Mark a single target; after a short delay, bombard the target with spears that deal more damage to the marked target and continue to track their location.
5 Spear Swipe.png Spear Swipe 0.75¾ 20 Jump up and evade attacks, then swipe forward, sending a wave of air in front of you that pushes you backward, knocks enemies back, and reflects projectiles. The first enemy struck is launched instead of knocked back. Evading an attack reduces the cooldown of this skill.
F1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngHarrier's Toss.png Harrier's Toss 0.5½ 8 Burst. Jump up and throw a spear at your targeted location, dealing damage in an area. Damage dealt is increased with adrenaline level, and the opponent closest to the epicenter takes additional damage.

Berserker icon small.png Berserker

F1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngWild Throw.png Wild Throw 10.75¾ 5 Primal Burst. Throw several piercing spears that inflict vulnerability in quick succession.

Engineer icon small.png Engineer

1 Puncturing Jab.png Puncturing Jab 0.5½ Stab your foe, inflicting bleeding. Inflict vulnerability if your target is focused.
1 ChainRending Strike.png Rending Strike 0.5½ Swing your spear, inflicting bleeding. Inflict vulnerability if your target is focused.
1 ChainAmplifying Slice.png Amplifying Slice 0.75¾ Strike your foe, refreshing your focus and bleeding your target. Inflict vulnerability if your target is focused.
2 Conduit Surge.png Conduit Surge 0.5½ 6 Leap toward your target, unleashing intense energy on the area if you strike them. Your primary target becomes the focus of your other skills. If a focused target dies, this skill is refreshed.
3 Lightning Rod (engineer spear skill).png Lightning Rod 12 Prime your lightning rod to deal damage to nearby enemies. Focused enemies receive extra punishment. Gain charges for your Electric Artillery skill.
3 ChainElectric Artillery.png Electric Artillery 0.5½ 1 Hurl your charged rod at a foe, immobilizing them. Foes take increased burning duration and vulnerability stacks based on your lightning rod's charge.
4 Roiling Skies.png Roiling Skies 1 15 Charge the earth with electricity, launching focused foes and stunning others.
5 Devastator.png Devastator 1 20 Traverse the area and unleash lighting[sic] around you, directly targeting focused foes a number of times.
5 ChainDevastator.png Focused Devastation Repeatedly strike your foe, inflicting conditions.

Ranger icon small.png Ranger

1 Drake's Swipe.png Bee's Sting 0.75¾ Throw your spear.
1 Drake's Swipe.png Drake's Swipe 0.5½ Chain. Swing your spear. If your enemy is far away, use Bee's Sting instead.
1 ChainWyvern's Lash.png Wyvern's Lash 0.5½ Chain. Strike with your spear, crippling your foe. If your enemy is far away, use Bee's Sting instead.
1 ChainCheetah's Strike.png Cheetah's Strike 0.75¾ Heave your spear, gaining swiftness if you strike an enemy. If your enemy is far away, use Bee's Sting instead.
2 Mongoose's Frenzy.png Mongoose's Frenzy 1 5 Swipe at enemies in front of you, cleaving them.
2 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngWolf's Onslaught.png Wolf's Onslaught 1 5 Stealth Attack. Slash enemies in front of you, then follow up with a powerful blow.
3 Falcon's Stoop.png Falcon's Stoop 0.75¾ 7 Fling your spear at your enemy, dealing heavy damage. Damage is increased against immobilized, disabled, or defiant foes.
3 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngOwl's Flight.png Owl's Flight 0.75¾ 7 Stealth Attack. Reveal yourself and throw your spear. The spear is wider and unblockable, and it pierces.
4 Warclaw's Engage.png Warclaw's Engage 0.75¾ 15 Leap to a target location, damaging nearby enemies. Deal more damage to foes below the health threshold.
4 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngPredator's Ambush.png Predator's Ambush 0.75¾ 15 Stealth Attack. Leap to a target location, dazing enemies. Deal increased damage to foes below the health threshold.
5 Panther's Prowl.png Panther's Prowl 0.5½ 0.5½ Conceal yourself in the brush, gaining stealth. Gain Hunter's Prowess, allowing you to a Stealth Attack even when revealed.
5 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngSpider's Web.png Spider's Web 0.5½ 20 Stealth Attack. Throw out a net, damaging and immobilizing enemies on impact. Foes in the net are crippled. Your pet becomes excited for the hunt, gaining superspeed.

Untamed icon small.png Untamed

1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngRavager's Abandon.png Ravager's Abandon 0.75¾ Unleashed Ambush. Release a wave of corruption in front of you, damaging enemies and spawning spores under targets struck.

Thief icon small.png Thief

1 Barbed Spear.png Barbed Spear 0.75¾ Swing your spear. If your enemy is far away, throw your spear instead.
1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngAshen Assault.png Ashen Assault 10.5½ Stealth Attack. Attack foes in front of you with a series of strikes, making the vulnerable. The final strike inflicts damaging conditions. If this skill follows a Finisher skill, it grants initiative.
2 Mantis Sting.png Mantis Sting 0.5½ Lead Attack. Cripple your foe with a quick strike.
2 ChainEntangling Asp.png Entangling Asp 0.75¾ Follow Up. Poison your foe with a sweeping strike. Movement impaired foes are immobilized.
2 ChainFalling Spider.png Falling Spider 0.75¾ Finisher. Strike nearby enemies, inflicting multiple conditions. Deal more damage and inflict additional conditions against controlled and immobilized foes.
3 Unsuspecting Strike.png Unsuspecting Strike 0.75¾ Lead Attack. Leap at your foe and inflict conditions. Inflict additional stacks against foes above the health threshold.
3 ChainVampiric Slash.png Vampiric Slash 0.5½ Follow Up. Strike your foes and siphon health from them. Siphon additional health from vulnerable foes.
Striking an enemy with a follow-up attack enables finisher attacks.
3 ChainShattering Assault.png Shattering Assault 0.5½ Finisher. Strike foes in front of you and remove boons from them, then enter stealth. Remove additional boons from weakened foes.
4 Distracting Throw.png Distracting Throw 0.5½ Throw a spear that inflicts conditions on your target. If this strikes a movement-impaired foe, it also inflicts daze. If this skill follows a Finisher skill, it counts as a lead attack and grants a bonus to outgoing damage for a duration.
5 Shadow Veil.png Shadow Veil 2 Block the next incoming attack. If you block an attack, heal yourself. If this skill follows a Finisher skill, it blocks additional attacks.

Deadeye icon small.png Deadeye

1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngMalicious Ashen Assault.png Malicious Ashen Assault 10.5½ Stealth Attack. Attack foes in front of you with a series of strikes, making them vulnerable. The final strike inflicts damaging conditions. If this skill follows a Finisher skill, it grants initiative. Consumes all malice when striking your mark to inflict torment and increase the damage dealt.

Elementalist icon small.png Elementalist

Fire Attunement Fire Attunement
1 Flame Spear (elementalist spear skill).png Flame Spear 0.75¾ Throw a spear of flame at your foe.
2 Blazing Barrage.png Blazing Barrage 0.5½ 6 Unleash a volley of blazing spears, damaging foes in the area.
3 Seethe.png Seethe 0.5½ 15 Gain boons. Your next spear skill deals increased damage.
4 Meteor.png Meteor 0.75¾ 20 Conjure a meteor at the target location, damaging enemies. Enemies at the center of the impact take increased damage.
5 Etching- Volcano.png Etching: Volcano 0.25¼ 25 Etch a spell into the ground that creates a violent eruption. Using a number of other skills within this etching completes the spell, unlocking its full potential.
5 ChainLesser Volcano.png Lesser Volcano 0.75¾ Create a violent eruption that damages foes.
5 ChainVolcano.png Volcano 0.75¾ Create a violent eruption that damages foes.
Water Attunement Water Attunement
1 Restorative Spear.png Restorative Spear 0.75¾ Throw a spear of water at your foe that heals you when it strikes.
2 Ice Beam.png Ice Beam 1 6 Chill enemies with a beam of ice.
3 Ripple.png Ripple 0.75¾ 15 Evade attacks and remove conditions from yourself. Your next spear skill recharges faster.
4 Undertow.png Undertow 0.5½ 20 Conjure a whirlpool at the target location, pulling enemies in. Enemies at the center of the whirlpool are slowed.
5 Etching- Jökulhlaup.png Etching: Jökulhlaup 0.25¼ 25 Etch a spell into the ground that invokes a glacial flood. Using a number of other skills within this etching completes the spell, unlocking its full potential.
5 ChainLesser Jökulhlaup.png Lesser Jökulhlaup 0.75¾ Invoke a glacial flood that damages enemies. Heals for each target struck.
5 ChainJökulhlaup.png Jökulhlaup 0.75¾ Invoke a glacial flood that damages enemies. Heals for each target struck.
Air Attunement Air Attunement
1 Lightning Javelin.png Lightning Javelin 0.75¾ Launch a spear of lightning that makes your foe vulnerable.
2 Fulgor.png Fulgor 0.75¾ 6 Create a storm of lightning that inflicts damage over time to affected foes.
3 Energize.png Energize 15 Gain superspeed. Your next spear skill always critically strikes.
4 Twister.png Twister 0.75¾ 20 Conjure a twister at the target location, making foes vulnerable. Foes in the center of the twister are lifted into the air.
5 Etching- Derecho.png Etching: Derecho 0.25¼ 25 Etch a spell into the ground that summons an intense windstorm. Using a number of other skills within this etching completes the spell, unlocking its full potential.
5 ChainLesser Derecho.png Lesser Derecho 0.75¾ Summon an intense windstorm that damages and dazes foes.
5 ChainDerecho.png Derecho 0.75¾ Summon an intense windstorm that damages and dazes foes.
Earth Attunement Earth Attunement
1 Stone Strike.png Stone Strike 0.75¾ Toss a light spear of stone to bleed your foe.
2 Earthen Spear.png Earthen Spear 0.75¾ 6 Hurl a heavy earthen spear that cripples your foe.
3 Harden.png Harden 15 Gain barrier. Your next spear skill inflicts daze.
4 Fissure.png Fissure 0.75¾ 20 Create a fissure at the target location, crippling foes. Foes at the center of the fissure take increased damage and are weakened.
5 Etching- Haboob.png Etching: Haboob 0.25¼ 25 Etch a spell into the ground that creates a violent eruption. Using a number of other skills within this etching completes the spell, unlocking its full potential.
5 ChainLesser Haboob.png Lesser Haboob 0.75¾ Unleash a devastating dust storm that damages and debilitates enemies.
5 ChainHaboob.png Haboob 0.75¾ Unleash a devastating dust storm that damages and debilitates enemies.

Weaver icon small.png Weaver

Fire AttunementWater Attunement Fire + Water Attunement
3 Frostfire Ward.png Frostfire Ward 15 Dual Attack. Gain fire and frost aura. Reduce the recharge of your primary attunement.
Fire AttunementAir Attunement Fire + Air Attunement
3 Galvanize.png Galvanize 12 Dual Attack. Gain might and superspeed. Reduce the recharge of your primary attunement.
Fire AttunementEarth Attunement Fire + Earth Attunement
3 Fiery Impact.png Fiery Impact 15 Dual Attack. Gain stability. Reduce the recharge of your primary attunement.
Air AttunementWater Attunement Air + Water Attunement
3 Elutriate.png Elutriate 20 Dual Attack. Remove a damaging and a nondamaging condition from yourself. Reduce the recharge of your primary attunement.
Water AttunementEarth Attunement Water + Earth Attunement
3 Soothing Burst.png Soothing Burst 20 Dual Attack. Heal yourself. Reduce the recharge of your primary attunement.
Air AttunementEarth Attunement Air + Earth Attunement
3 Shale Storm.png Shale Storm 18 Dual Attack. Create a brief storm of whirling rocks that destroy projectiles. Reduce the recharge of your primary attunement.

Mesmer icon small.png Mesmer

1 Psycut.png Psycut 0.5½ Slash your spear in front of yourself. Gain might per target struck.
1 ChainPsystrike.png Psystrike 0.5½ Rend your foe with an upward swing. Gain might per target struck.
1 ChainMind Pierce.png Mind Pierce 0.75¾ Deliver a finishing thrust, breaking your opponent's mind and inflicting weakness.
2 Mind the Gap.png Mind the Gap 0.5½ 5 Clone. Swing your spear in a circle, dealing increased damage to foes in the outer edge. Striking with the outer edge will always deal a critical hit. Create a clone and gain Clarity if you hit an enemy. If you are empowered, gain might.
3 Imaginary Inversion.png Imaginary Inversion 0.75¾ 10 Cleanse conditions and evade while preparing a strong attack. If you successfully evade, heal yourself. Healing is improved if you have Clarity.
4 Phantasmal Lancer.png Phantasmal Lancer 0.5½ 12 Phantasm. Dash at your foe, removing boons from them. Leave a phantasm at your initial location that will launch a spear at your target, dealing heavy damage and crippling targets. If your phantasm strikes a crippled target, immobilize them instead. If you have Clarity, summon an additional phantasm.
5 Mental Collapse.png Mental Collapse 0.75¾ 20 Teleport to your target and release a cascade of psychic energy, damaging nearby enemies. Refresh your Mind the Gap skill. Stun foes struck if you have Clarity.

Mirage icon small.png Mirage

1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngFractured Glass.png Fractured Glass 1 1 Ambush. Pierce targets in front of you in a flurry of blows, leaving them vulnerable.

Necromancer icon small.png Necromancer

1 Dark Slash.png Dark Slash 0.75¾ Chain. Slash your foes with your spear.
1 ChainDeadly Slice.png Deadly Slice 0.5½ Chain. Slice foes in front of you with your spear.
1 ChainSinister Stab.png Sinister Stab 0.75¾ Stab foes and chill them. Gain a soul shard if you strike a foe.
2 Perforate.png Perforate 1 8 Attack foes in front of you with a series of strikes, consuming any active soul shards. Deal additional damage against foes below the health threshold.
3 Addle.png Addle 0.25¼ 12 Daze your target and gain life force and soul shards. If your target is using a skill, the daze duration is extended and you gain additional life force and soul shards. If you have a number of soul shards above the threshold when you activate this skill, your target is also immobilized.
4 Isolate.png Isolate 0.5½ 18 Throw a spear at your target. If it strikes a foe, it inflicts conditions and you may reactivate to teleport to that foe.
This skill recharges when exiting death shroud.
4 ChainDistress.png Distress Teleport to the foe marked by Isolate, recharge Perforate, and gain soul shards. Gain additional soul shards if there are no other enemies nearby.
5 Extirpate.png Extirpate 1 20 Perform a wide swing that removes boons from foes. Gain soul shards and might for each target struck.


  • Beta characters had several items automatically in their inventory upon creation. These items are as follows:
Beta Character Limitations
  • Progress is not carried over from beta characters to live characters.
  • Beta characters cannot access the Black Lion Trading Company, including the trading post.
  • Beta characters cannot mail gold or items.
  • Beta characters cannot enter guild halls.
  • Beta characters cannot participate in ranked PvP matches.
Notes
  • All core game and Elder Dragon Saga expansion zones are discovered with waypoints, including Living World zones.
    • Secrets of the Obscure maps are not discovered but may be accessed if you own the Secrets of the Obscure expansion.
  • Beta characters can access all Elder Dragon Saga expansion zones, even if the account does not own them.
  • Living World zones can be accessed only if the account owns them. Otherwise, the character will get teleported to Lion's Arch instead.

Secrets of the Obscure[edit]

Weaponmaster Training Beta Event: June 29, 2023 –— July 2, 2023[edit]

The weekend of June 29–July 2, 2023, the Weaponmaster Training will be available for beta testing. Anyone with a Guild Wars 2 account in good standing—including Play for Free accounts—can create a beta character and take the changes out for a spin to see how they feel.

  • Beta characters had several items automatically in their inventory upon creation. These items are as follows:
Beta Character Limitations
  • Progress is not carried over from beta characters to live characters.
  • Beta characters cannot access the Black Lion Trading Company, including the trading post.
  • Beta characters cannot mail gold or items.
  • Beta characters cannot enter guild halls.
  • Beta characters cannot participate in ranked PvP matches.
Notes
  • All maps are discovered with waypoints, including expansion and Living World zones.
  • Beta characters can access all Elder Dragon Saga expansion zones, even if the account does not own them.
  • Living World zones can be accessed only if the account owns them. Otherwise, the character will get teleported to Lion's Arch instead.

Expanded Weapon Proficiencies Beta: November 28, 2023 —— December 3, 2023[edit]

Prior to the third major release of Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, during the second major release, there will be a beta week event featuring the new Expanded Weapon Proficiences. The following are the new weapon proficiencies available to be trialed during the beta event:

Skills
  • The skills available in the beta are as follows:

Ranger icon small.png Ranger — Mace[edit]

# Skill Activation.png Tango-recharge-darker.png Description
1 Germinate.png Germinate 0.5½ Chain. Strike with your mace.
1 ChainBurgeon.png Burgeon 0.5½ Chain. Slam your target.
1 ChainCultivate.png Cultivate 0.75¾ Swing an uppercut at your target, crippling them and granting vigor to nearby allies. Gain Nature's Strength if you hit an enemy.
This skill cannot activate Force of Nature.
2 Flourish.png Flourish 0.75¾ 6 Strike the earth, damaging nearby enemies and healing nearby allies. The ground flourishes in response, repeating stronger effects after a delay. Gain Nature's Strength if the initial strike hits an enemy.
3 Oaken Cudgel.png Oaken Cudgel 0.75¾ 12 Imbue your mace with verdant energy and then leap to your target. Stun enemies and grant nearby allies protection. Gain Nature's Strength if you hit an enemy.
4 Thistleguard.png Thistleguard 0.5½ 12 Envelop yourself in thorns, striking nearby enemies and gaining stability for a brief duration. Gain additional bonuses and Nature's Strength if you strike an enemy.
5 Wild Strikes.png Wild Strikes 10.75¾ 20 Repeatedly slam the ground, damaging nearby enemies. The final slam does increased damage, dazes enemies, and grants Nature's Strength.

Untamed icon small.png Untamed[edit]

1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngRampant Growth.png Rampant Growth 0.75¾ Unleashed Ambush. Strike the ground with your mace, creating a cascade of verdant growth that immobilizes targets struck and heals nearby allies. Gain Nature's Strength if you hit an enemy.
This skill cannot activate Force of Nature.

Thief icon small.png Thief — Axe[edit]

# Skill Activation.png Tango-recharge-darker.png Description
1 Spinning Axe.png Spinning Axe 0.5½ Throw an axe that bleeds enemies and leaves a spinning axe on the ground.
1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngCunning Salvo.png Cunning Salvo 0.5½ 1 Stealth Attack. Throw an axe that explodes when it hits a target, crippling nearby enemies. Gain initiative if you strike an enemy.
2 Venomous Volley.png Venomous Volley 0.75¾ Throw a fan of poisonous axes that leaves spinning axes on the ground.
3 Recall Axes.png Recall Axes (without offhand) 0.5½ Pull spinning axes to your target. Axes deal increased strike damage, and enemies struck by a number of axes will be immobilized.
3 Harrowing Storm.png Harrowing Storm (with offhand Dagger) 0.5½ Teleport behind your target and drag any spinning axes back at your target. Returning axes also inflict torment, and enemies struck by a number of axes will be immobilized.
3 Orchestrated Assault.png Orchestrated Assault (with offhand Pistol) 0.5½ Pull spinning axes to your target. Axes deal increased strike damage, and enemies struck by a number of axes will be immobilized.

Deadeye icon small.png Deadeye[edit]

1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngMalicious Cunning Salvo.png Malicious Cunning Salvo 0.5½ 1 Stealth Attack. Throw an axe that explodes when it hits a target, crippling nearby enemies. Gain initiative if you strike an enemy. Consumes all malice when striking your mark to inflict poison with a duration equal to the consumed malice.

Guardian icon small.png Guardian — Pistol[edit]

# Skill Activation.png Tango-recharge-darker.png Description
1 Through the Heart.png Through the Heart 0.5½ Fire a piercing shot that inflicts bleeding.
2 Peacekeeper.png Peacekeeper 10.5½ 6 Fire a beam of searing light that damages and burns all enemies in its path.
3 Symbol of Ignition.png Symbol of Ignition 0.25¼ 12 Symbol. Create a symbol that ignites when you strike an enemy inside it or shoot a projectile into it, damaging and burning enemies inside it. If the symbol is ignited by a projectile, it enchants that projectile to burn its target.
4 Hail of Justice.png Hail of Justice 10.25¼ 1 Shoot a volley of rapid-fire piercing shots that inflict bleeding and cripple.
5 Jurisdiction.png Jurisdiction 2 20 Charge up a ball of blue flame and activate this skill again to fire it. The ball damages, burns, and knocks targets it hits a short distance. Deals bonus defiance bar damage when fully charged. Projectile behavior changes slightly based on charge level.
5 ChainFire Jurisdiction.png Fire Jurisdiction Fire the Jurisdiction projectile.
5 ChainFire Jurisdiction.png Detonate Jurisdiction Detonate the Jurisdiction projectile.

Warrior icon small.png Warrior — Staff[edit]

# Skill Activation.png Tango-recharge-darker.png Description

Warrior icon small.png Warrior

F1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngPath to Victory.png Path to Victory 0.5½ 8 Burst. Carve a path to victory, dealing damage to enemies in front of you while healing and granting regeneration to nearby allies.
1 Balanced Strike.png Balanced Strike 0.5½ Chain. A balanced staff strike.
1 ChainReverse Strike.png Reverse Strike 0.5½ Chain. A follow-up reverse-handed staff strike.
1 ChainInspiring Whirl.png Inspiring Whirl 0.75¾ Whirl your staff, damaging nearby enemies and inspiring allies.
2 Valiant Leap.png Valiant Leap 0.75¾ 8 Leap to the targeted location, empowering allies and damaging enemies. Gain adrenaline if you affect another ally.
3 Line Breaker.png Line Breaker 10.75¾ 12 Charge to the target location. When you arrive, heal nearby allies and grant them boons while debilitating nearby enemies.
4 Snap Pull.png Snap Pull 0.75¾ 12 Quickly snap your staff to pull enemies in and make them vulnerable.
5 Bullet Catcher.png Bullet Catcher 2 20 Focus your mind on the battle, blocking incoming attacks. After activating this skill, Defiant Roar becomes available for a short duration. Blocking attacks empowers Defiant Roar.
5 ChainDefiant Roar.png Defiant Roar 0.5½ Unleash a defiant roar, healing nearby allies and granting them resolution. Blocking attacks with Bullet Catcher grants bonus healing per block, up to 3 stacks.

Berserker icon small.png Berserker[edit]

Berserker icon small.png Berserker

F1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngRampart Splitter.png Rampart Splitter 0.5½ 5 Primal Burst. Slam your staff on the ground, sending a shock wave forward that damages and immobilizes enemies while inspiring nearby allies, healing and granting regeneration to them.

Revenant icon small.png Revenant — Scepter[edit]

# Skill Activation.png Tango-recharge-darker.png Description
1 Serene Slash.png Serene Slash 0.5½ Condense Mists energy into a solid form to strike enemies in front of you.
1 ChainAcerbic Cut.png Acerbic Cut 0.5½ Slash at enemies again with Mists energy. Grant boons to allies after striking an enemy.
1 ChainMotivating Whirl.png Motivating Whirl 0.5½ Whirl around, damaging enemies and granting barrier to allies if an enemy is struck.
2 Blossoming Aura.png Blossoming Aura 0.75¾ 8 Envelop target friend or foe with energy from the Mists. The energy explodes outward after a short delay or when manually detonated, granting barrier to nearby allies. The amount of barrier granted increases over time. If targeting an enemy, the aura also deals damage over time, and it does additional damage when the aura explodes based on how long the aura lasts.
3 Otherworldly Bond.png Otherworldly Bond 0.75¾ 8 Form a tether through the Mists to a target ally or enemy. The strength of the tether increases over time. You can only be tethered to one target at a time, and the link is severed if you are too far away from your target or when you swap weapons.
3 ChainOtherworldly Attraction (enemy).png Otherworldly Attraction 0.5½ Release the tether, pulling the tethered enemy toward you and applying vulnerability to them.
3 ChainOtherworldly Attraction (ally).png Otherworldly Attraction 5 Release the tether, shadowstepping toward your tethered ally and granting barrier to allies in the surrounding area.
3 ChainDeactivate Otherworldly Bond.png Deactivate Otherworldly Bond Disable the tether.

Engineer icon small.png Engineer — Short bow[edit]

# Skill Activation.png Tango-recharge-darker.png Description
1 Arc Detonator.png Arc Detonator 0.5½ Fire an arrow equipped with an electric module that discharges when striking your target, shocking them and two nearby enemies with an electric blast.
2 Essence of Animated Sand.png Essence of Animated Sand 0.75¾ 8 Fire an arrow equipped with a payload that explodes enchanted sand on impact, granting barrier and might to allies.

Chain Reaction. The next short-bow skill in the radius will grant additional might to allies.
2 ChainTemp icon (red).png Detonate Essence of Animated Sand Manually detonate your trap.
3 Essence of Living Shadows.png Essence of Living Shadows 0.75¾ 15 Fire an arrow equipped with a device that spreads shadow magic across the ground on impact, healing and removing conditions from allies with the initial detonation, and healing allies with each pulse afterward.

Chain Reaction. The next short-bow skill in the radius will remove additional conditions from allies.
3 ChainTemp icon (light blue).png Detonate Essence of Living Shadow Manually detonate your trap.
4 Essence of Liquid Wrath.png Essence of Liquid Wrath 0.75¾ 20 Fire a volley of arrows equipped with a payload that spreads magical flames across the ground on impact, granting boons to allies on the initial detonation and leaving a fire field.

Chain Reaction. The next short-bow skill in the radius will grant additional protection to allies.
4 ChainTemp icon (teal).png Detonate Essence of Liquid Wrath Manually detonate your trap.
5 Essence of Borrowed Time.png Essence of Borrowed Time 0.75¾ 25 Fire a row of arrows equipped with a device that envelops an area with chronal magic on impact, stunning enemies and applying superspeed to allies.

Chain Reaction. The next short-bow skill in the radius will daze enemies hit.
5 ChainTemp icon (green).png Detonate Essence of Borrowed Time Manually detonate your trap.

Mesmer icon small.png Mesmer — Rifle[edit]

# Skill Activation.png Tango-recharge-darker.png Description
1 Friendly Fire.png Friendly Fire 0.75¾ Shoot an illusionary bullet that heals nearby allies on impact.
2 Journey.png Journey 0.5½ 5 Clone. Shoot a bullet through a portal. It reappears above the target location and explodes, damaging enemies and healing allies. Create a clone if you hit an enemy or ally.
3 Inspiring Imagery.png Inspiring Imagery 0.75¾ 12 Throw an inspiring beacon to a target location. The beacon will explode after a short duration, granting boons to nearby allies. The beacon can be detonated early to heal allies and damage enemies.
3 ChainAbstraction.png Abstraction Detonate your beacon, debilitating enemies and bolstering allies.
4 Phantasmal Sharpshooter.png Phantasmal Sharpshooter 0.75¾ 1 Phantasm. Create a phantasm that shoots a bullet at your target, stunning them.
5 Singularity Shot.png Singularity Shot 0.5½ 20 Shoot a bullet at a target location that explodes upon arrival, granting resistance and barrier to allies. A singularity lingers at the impact point.
5 ChainDimensional Aperture.png Dimensional Aperture Collapse your singularity, creating a single-use portal that will teleport the user to your current location. Increase the cooldown of Singularity Shot.

Mirage icon small.png Mirage[edit]

1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngEffervescence.png Effervescence 0.25¼ 1 Ambush. Spray invigorating magic, damaging enemies and healing allies.

Necromancer icon small.png Necromancer — Sword[edit]

# Skill Activation.png Tango-recharge-darker.png Description
1 Enervation Blade.png Enervation Blade Chain. Fire a wide piercing projectile from your blade. Heal if a target is struck. Healing is reduced for each target beyond the first.
1 ChainEnervation Echo.png Enervation Echo 0.5½ Chain. Fire another wide piercing projectile from your blade.
1 ChainDeathly Enervation.png Deathly Enervation 0.75¾ Fire an even wider piercing projectile that inflicts chill.
2 Ravenous Wave.png Ravenous Wave 0.25¼ 6 Send a wave of necrotic energy cascading toward your target. Gain life force if you hit an enemy. Reactivate this skill to inflict additional damage on all targets hit by the wave.
2 ChainSatiate.png Satiate 0.5½ Sacrifice health to inflict additional damage on all targets hit by the wave, dealing additional damage to targets below the health threshold.
3 Path of Gluttony.png Path of Gluttony 0.75¾ 10 Dash forward, releasing dark energy on nearby targets. Damage enemies hit and heal per target hit with reduced healing beyond the first. This skill can be reactivated to dash again.
3 ChainGorge.png Gorge 0.75¾ Sacrifice health to dash again. Corrupt boons on enemies struck.
4 Hungering Maelstrom.png Hungering Maelstrom 1 16 Create a dark maelstrom that deals damage, inflicts vulnerability, and steals health. Reactivate this skill to inflict additional damage and conditions on all targets hit by the maelstrom.
4 ChainGormandize.png Gormandize 0.5½ Sacrifice health to inflict additional damage and conditions on all targets hit by the maelstrom.
5 Devouring Visage.png Devouring Visage 0.75¾ 20 Fire an orb of death magic that explodes on impact, inflicting fear on enemies. Gain life force for each target struck. Reactivate this skill to drain the strength of all enemies struck by the explosion.
5 ChainConsume.png Consume 0.5½ Sacrifice health to drain the strength of your enemies, inflicting weakness while granting might to yourself for each target affected.

Elementalist icon small.png Elementalist — Pistol[edit]

# Skill Activation.png Tango-recharge-darker.png Description
 Fire Attunement.png Fire Attunement
1 Scorching Shot.png Scorching Shot 0.5½ Burn your foe with a blazing bullet.
1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngElemental Explosion.png Elemental Explosion 0.5½ Shoot all of the elemental bullets. Gain an aura based on your current attunement.
2 Raging Ricochet.png Raging Ricochet 0.5½ 6 Fire a bullet that bounces to nearby enemies. Gain might for each target struck.

If you have a fire bullet, consume it to increase your outgoing condition damage for a duration. If not, create a fire bullet.
3 Searing Salvo.png Searing Salvo 0.5½ 12 Fire a shot that explodes into fragments of fire when it hits the ground.

If you have a fire bullet, consume it to gain a fire aura. If not, create a fire bullet.
 Water Attunement.png Water Attunement
1 Soothing Splash.png Soothing Splash 0.5½ Shoot a bullet of water. Heal for each unique condition on the enemy.
1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngElemental Explosion.png Elemental Explosion 0.5½ Shoot all of the elemental bullets. Gain an aura based on your current attunement.
2 Frigid Flurry.png Frigid Flurry 10.25¼ 5 Fire a volley of icy bullets that inflict bleeding.

If you have an ice bullet, consume it to heal for each strike. If not, create an ice bullet.
3 Frozen Fusillade.png Frozen Fusillade 0.5½ 15 Fire a shot that freezes the ground underneath it, creating an area that speeds up allies while slowing enemy movement.

If you have an ice bullet, consume it to cause the frozen ground to shatter when it expires. If not, create an ice bullet.
 Air Attunement.png Air Attunement
1 Electric Exposure.png Electric Exposure 0.5½ Electrify your enemy, making them vulnerable.
1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngElemental Explosion.png Elemental Explosion 0.5½ Shoot all of the elemental bullets. Gain an aura based on your current attunement.
2 Dazing Discharge.png Dazing Discharge 0.25¼ 8 Fire a shot that dazes your foe and leaves them vulnerable.

If you have an air bullet, consume it to reduce the cooldown of your next pistol skill. If not, create an air bullet.
3 Aerial Agility.png Aerial Agility 0.5½ 12 Dash then fire a quick shot. If the shot hits, you can dash again for a short time.

If you have an air bullet, consume it to remove inhibiting conditions at the start of the dash. If not, create an air bullet.
3 ChainAerial Agility (chain).png Aerial Agility 0.5½ Dash then fire a quick shot. If the shot hits, you can dash again for a short time.

If you have an air bullet, consume it to remove inhibiting conditions at the start of the dash. If not, create an air bullet.
3 ChainAerial Agility (dash).png Aerial Agility 0.5½ Dash again.
 Earth Attunement.png Earth Attunement
1 Piercing Pebble.png Piercing Pebble 0.5½ Bleed your foe with sharp stone.
1 Chain Arrow Toolbelt.pngElemental Explosion.png Elemental Explosion 0.5½ Shoot all of the elemental bullets. Gain an aura based on your current attunement.
2 Shattering Stone.png Shattering Stone 0.5½ 6 Fire a shot that shatters into multiple shards.

If you have an earth bullet, consume it to enhance your next few attacks to inflict bleeding. If not, create an earth bullet.
3 Boulder Blast.png Boulder Blast 0.5½ 12 Fire a shot that bleeds and immobilizes your foe.

If you have an earth bullet, consume it to gain barrier when striking an enemy. If not, create an earth bullet.

Weaver icon small.png Weaver[edit]

Fire AttunementWater Attunement Fire + Water
3 Frostfire Flurry.png Frostfire Flurry 1 15 Dual Attack. Fire multiple bullets of fire and ice, inflicting conditions.

If you have a fire bullet, consume it to gain fire aura. If you have an ice bullet, consume it to cause the ice shots to inflict additional conditions.
Fire AttunementAir Attunement Fire + Air
3 Purblinding Plasma.png Purblinding Plasma 0.5½ 12 Dual Attack. Fire a ball of plasma that explodes when it hits, striking enemies behind the target.

If you have a fire bullet, consume it to create an area of fire beneath the initial target. If you have an air bullet, consume it to reduce the cooldown of this skill.
Fire AttunementEarth Attunement Fire + Earth
3 Molten Meteor.png Molten Meteor 0.5½ 12 Dual Attack. Bombard your foe with a meteor that inflicts multiple conditions.

If you have a fire bullet, consume it to cause the shot to explode when it strikes an enemy, damaging other enemies in the blast. If you have an earth bullet, consume it to inflict additional bleeding.
Water AttunementAir Attunement Water + Air
3 Flowing Finesse.png Flowing Finesse 0.75¾ 12 Dual Attack. Evade backward and grant yourself boons.

If you have an ice bullet, consume it to gain frost aura. If you have an air bullet, consume it to gain superspeed.
Water AttunementEarth Attunement Water + Earth
3 Echoing Erosion.png Echoing Erosion 0.5½ 15 Dual Attack. Bleed your foe with bullets of ice and stone.

If you have an ice bullet, consume it to heal yourself. If you have an earth bullet, consume it to grant yourself barrier.
Air AttunementEarth Attunement Air + Earth
3 Enervating Earth.png Enervating Earth 0.75¾ 12 Dual Attack. Fire a quick shot that debilitates your target.

If you have an air bullet, consume it to also inflict daze. If you have an earth bullet, consume it to also inflict bleeding on your target.
Equipment
  • Beta characters had several items automatically in their inventory upon creation. These items are as follows:
Beta Character Limitations
  • Progress is not carried over from beta characters to live characters.
  • Beta characters cannot access the Black Lion Trading Company, including the trading post.
  • Beta characters cannot mail gold or items.
  • Beta characters cannot enter guild halls.
  • Beta characters cannot participate in ranked PvP matches.
Notes
  • All maps are discovered with waypoints, including expansion and Living World zones.
  • Beta characters can access all Elder Dragon Saga expansion zones, even if the account does not own them.
  • Living World zones can be accessed only if the account owns them. Otherwise, the character will get teleported to Lion's Arch instead.

End of Dragons[edit]

Elite Specialization Beta Events[edit]

Four elite specialization beta events were available to all players, including free to play players. During each beta event, players were given access to three beta character slots that allowed them to create fully equipped level 80 beta characters that could access a selection of the then current iterrations of the upcoming End of Dragons elite specializations to try them in existing PvE, World vs. World, Player vs. Player, and open-world content.[1]

Beta Character Limitations
  • Progress is not carried over from beta characters to live characters.
  • Beta characters do not share normal account-wide inventory with non-beta characters, e.g., wallet, shared inventory slots, and bank access.
  • Beta characters cannot access the trading post.
  • Beta characters cannot mail gold or items.
  • Beta characters have access to a copy of your account's Legendary Armory. Legendary items newly added to your Legendary Armory while a beta event is in progress will not be usable by beta characters during that beta event.
  • Beta characters cannot enter guild halls as of August 17.
  • Beta characters cannot participate in ranked PvP matches as of September 21.

Beta Event 1: August 17, 2021 — August 21, 2021[edit]

During this beta event players had access to the three elite specializations for the Mesmer, Necromancer and Guardian.

Beta Event 2: September 21, 2021 — September 25, 2021[edit]

During this beta event players had access to the three elite specializations for the Revenant, Warrior and Elementalist.

Beta Event 3: October 26, 2021 — October 30, 2021[edit]

During this beta event players had access to the three elite specializations for the Thief, Ranger and Engineer.

Beta Event 4: November 30, 2021 — December 4, 2021[edit]

During this beta event players had access to all elite specializations and to the Siege Turtle.[2][3]

Path of Fire[edit]

Preview Weekend Events[edit]

BWE1 — August 11, 2017[edit]

Access to the second Guild Wars 2 expansion, Path of Fire is open to all players in good standing on the weekend of August 11-13, 2017 with the first open-world map (Crystal Oasis) and the new Mount system being shown off to all players.

BWE2 — August 18, 2017[edit]

Access to the new Elite specializations included with Path of Fire will be granted to all players in good standing on demo characters in both PvP and WvW game modes on the weekend of August 18-20, 2017.

Heart of Thorns[edit]

Closed beta tests[edit]

CBT1 — March 24, 2015[edit]

Access to the first Heart of Thorns closed beta was granted to a selected few pulled from the pool of existing players and additional users who were signed up for the newsletter.[5]

This beta allowed players to explore limited areas in Verdant Brink in Heart of Maguuma as well as play a demo of the first story instance. The revenant was a playable-profession.

CBT2 — May 26, 2015[edit]

Guaranteed access to this closed beta was granted to players who received a Portal to the Heart of Maguuma between April 28 and May 10, 2015 and some players who signed up for the newsletter also received access.

This beta was similar to the previous version, with additional areas and activities of Verdant Brink unlocked. The Mastery interface was redesigned and the story instance was extended.

Stronghold tests[edit]

Events for the structured PvP game mode feature the Battle of Champion's Dusk.

Desert Borderlands tests[edit]

Events for the World versus World Desert Borderlands are limited to invited players only.

Beta weekend events[edit]

Accounts that have pre-purchased Heart of Thorns gain access to each Beta weekend event.

BWE1 — August 7-10, 2015[edit]

The first public Beta Weekend Event was from August 7 at 19:00 to August 10 at 19:00

BWE2 — September 4-6, 2015[edit]

The second public Beta Weekend Event was from September 4 at 19:00 to September 6 at 6:59

  • Beta characters (4 slots) were available to accounts that have prepurchased and can play in every game mode, gaining access to:
  • Stronghold was active for all players

BWE3 — October 2-4, 2015[edit]

The third public Beta Weekend Event was from October 2 at 19:00 to October 4 at 6:59

Other pre-release events[edit]

  • Revenant Test Weekend (July 10-13, 2015) — players who pre-purchased the game gain access to the revenant profession and are able to play in all game modes

Pre-release[edit]

Closed beta tests[edit]

CBT1 — December 16, 2011[edit]

ArenaNet announced on the 14th of December, 2011, that closed beta testing would start on that Friday, the 16th. Aside from the date, nothing else was known about this first closed beta event. [6]

CBT2 — February 17–19, 2012[edit]

The test in February was the first widely-publicized closed beta; various members of the media were invited to take part.[7] While the non-disclosure agreement surrounding was not lifted[8], select members of the press were allowed to talk about their experiences with the beta starting on Monday, February 20. The following is a partial list of their reports:

Closed beta registration[edit]

On the 22nd of February, ArenaNet offered players the opportunity to register to participate in future beta events; they received over 1 million applications in a little over 48 hours.[9] Registration has since closed; invitees to future closed beta tests will be chosen from the original pool.

CBT3 — March 23—25, 2012[edit]

The third closed beta event included selected members of the press and a large number of players selected from the registration pool above. Testing followed a similar pattern to the second. Although invited players were covered by the NDA, individual publications were cleared to release relevant media beginning on March 26.

This event concluded with an Inquest Invasion of Divinity's Reach.

Beta weekend events[edit]

For access to the client or for troubleshooting common issues with installing or running the client, refer to Getting Started.

Beta weekend events ran between noon Pacific time on the designated Friday and ended at 11:59 p.m. Pacific on the following Sunday. Participation in all public beta events was guaranteed to those who pre-purchased Guild Wars 2.[10] Additionally, ArenaNet selectively invited additional players who registered for beta testing for one or more such beta events. The beta testing registration was announced on February 22, 2012 and was opened for 48 hours.[11]

Beta weekend events were not restricted by non-disclosure agreements; players are free to share their experiences.

BWE1 — April 27–29, 2012[edit]

The first Beta Weekend Event began on Friday, April 27, at noon PDT (UTC-7) (start time for other timezones) and ended on Sunday, April 29, at 11:59 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) (end time for other timezones).

Special codes were handed out to visitors of PAX East 2012. These were handed out on cards that contained three codes saying "One for you, and two for your buddies." These codes allowed access into the first Beta Weekend Event only.

See also:

BWE2 — June 8-10, 2012[edit]

The second Beta Weekend Event began on Friday, June 8, at noon PDT (UTC-7) (start time for other timezones) and ended on Sunday, June 10, at 11:59 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) (end time for other timezones). Shortly before the event, ArenaNet published a list of known issues.

Notable features & changes[edit]
  • Notable changes:
    • Characters created during the first BWE were still available for this event, allowing players to continue through to higher level areas. Like the previous BWE, only charr, human and norn races were available for character creation.
    • Transfers between worlds were free until halfway through the event (June 10, 6PM PDT). For the second half, transfers required payment of 1800 Gem and could only be made once.
    • Every account received 500 Gem for free and each was offered an additional 2,000 Gem for providing a valid credit card. (Unspent gems from the original BWE did not carry forward).[13][14]
    • Updated the PvP reward system for Structured PvP and added automated 5v5 tournaments.
    • Several junk items were removed and replaced with the Deleted Item object.
    • The feature where dye seeds were taken to an NPC to grow for 24 hours has been removed. Players could now double-click on the item to gain its benefits.
    • Added tiers to both utility skills and elite skills as well as the trait system. Players were required to re-assign their points in these areas from the last BWE.
    • The Black Lion Trading Company out of Lion's Arch officially took over operations of the Gem Store, Currency Exchange, and Trading Post.
    • Other systems such as combat, chat, key-binding and the user interface also saw notable changes.
  • Additional content:
  • Servers/connectivity:
    • Doubled the number of available home worlds from 48 to 96; several European-based servers were designated as French or German.
    • Updated the overflow system to reduce the likelihood of ending up in an overflow and to make it easier for groups to stay together.

The Beta Weekend finale took place on June 10, 11:20pm PST, where the branded minions of Kralkatorrik invaded the Plains of Ashford during the simultaneous events Repel the invading dragon forces and Destroy and corrupt everything in your master's image. If a player was killed by one of the branded, they would turn into one themselves. Subsequently, characters would receive a set of five skills to use and had their affinity changed to hostile, allowing them to attack unaffected characters.

BWE3 — July 20-22, 2012[edit]

ArenaNet announced[15] on June 28, 2012 that the third and final Beta Weekend Event would take place from Friday, July 20 at noon PDT (UTC-7) (start time for other timezones) and end on Sunday, July 22, at 11:59 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) (end time for other timezones).

Notable features & changes[edit]
  • All characters and account data were wiped before this event, except for the contacts list.
  • Some worlds, such as Kaineng and Sharpe's Corner, were not available for selection during this beta, resulting in increased populations on the remaining worlds.
  • The Gem Store allowed gems to be purchased, either directly with a credit card or through PayPal.
    • Any gems purchased during BWE3 will be re-credited to your account on launch.
  • Additional content:
  • The weekend concluded with the finale "Hunger Royale" in which players were split into teams. They were given supplies and food, but after the food ran out, they were left with a debuff that slowly killed you of hunger.
See also

Stress tests[edit]

Stress tests were minor beta tests that ran for a limited time (less than 24 hours). They focused on collecting data about server performance and testing improvements to the game's infrastructure. Public stress tests were open to all players who have pre-purchased a copy of Guild Wars 2.

  • An invitation-only, closed stress test took place on 13th of April, 2012.[16]
  • The first public stress test was on 14th of May, 2012, from 11 AM - 6 PM PDT (-7 GMT).[17]
  • The second stress test was on 27th of June, 2012, originally scheduled from 10 AM - 2 PM PDT (-7 GMT)[18] but extended to 10 AM - 3 PM PDT (-7 GMT).[19]
  • The third stress test was on August 2nd, 2012, from 12 PM - 4 PM PDT. [20]
  • The fourth stress test was on August 9th, 2012, from 12 PM - 4 PM PDT. [21]
  • The fifth stress test was on August 10th, 2012, from 4 PM - 8 PM PDT. [22]
  • The sixth stress test was held on August 12th, 2012, from 11 AM - 12 PM PDT. [23]
  • The seventh stress test was held on August 15th, 2012, from 12 PM - 4 PM PDT. [24]
  • The eighth stress test was held on August 21st, 2012, from 12 PM - 4 PM PDT, but was extended to 6 PM PDT. [25]
  • The ninth stress test was held on August 22, 2012, from 9:10 PM PDT - 10:10 PM PDT. [26]
  • The tenth stress test was held on August 23, 2012, from 1:20 PM PDT - 2:20 PM PDT. [27]

Gallery[edit]

Character selection mark

Trivia[edit]

  • ArenaNet sometimes referred to their non-closed beta events as public beta events, indicating that they were open to the general public who pre-purchased the game.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Prepurchase Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons
  2. ^ End of Dragons First Look
    Josh Davis: The fourth event is going to include all nine elite specializations and the siege turtle.
  3. ^ Guild Wars 2 Live: Fall and Winter 2021, Guildwars2.com
  4. ^ November 30, 2021
  5. ^ Upcoming Heart of Thorns closed beta tests
  6. ^ AMA about professions, on Reddit
  7. ^ Guild Wars 2 Limited Beta Test Begins Today! by Martin Kerstein, ArenaNet blog
  8. ^ Forum post regarding the press beta dates, GW2Guru
  9. ^ Innovative Guild Wars 2 Gameplay Piques Gamers' Interest NCSoft press release
  10. ^ Forum post noting pre-purchase benefit by Martin Kerstein, GW2Guru
  11. ^ Beta testing registration announcement
  12. ^ Choosing and Transferring Worlds in Guild Wars 2, ArenaNet Blog
  13. ^ AMA question on gem balances, reddit
  14. ^ The Big Beta Weekend Preview, ArenaNet blog
  15. ^ Blog post announcing release date and final beta, on Arena.net
  16. ^ Official tweet on the first stress test
  17. ^ Stress test announcement on Facebook
  18. ^ Help Us Stress Our Servers on June 27
  19. ^ Official tweet
  20. ^ Stress test announcement on Facebook
  21. ^ Stress test announcement on Facebook
  22. ^ Stress test announcement on Facebook
  23. ^ Stress test announcement on Facebook
  24. ^ Stress test announcement on Facebook
  25. ^ Stress test announcement on Facebook
  26. ^ Stress test announcement on Facebook
  27. ^ Stress test announcement on Facebook
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