What Should a New Player Expect When Starting Guild Wars 2?

Guild Wars 2 is super flexible with how you want to play. Whether you want to rush to max level, farm for legendary weapons, take part in festivals, or enjoy PvP like World vs World, it’s got you covered. The world is huge and there’s always something happening. It can feel a bit overwhelming at first because of all the possibilities, so a good idea is to try out a few different characters and styles to see what clicks for you before settling in. Also, the exploration is really rewarding; climb, find secret spots, and participate in world events to get into the spirit of the game.

Try not to approach Guild Wars 2 like you would a traditional MMO such as FFXIV. It’s a bit different and has its own pace. Think of it more like Skyrim where exploration takes center stage. The game encourages you to wander around and find your own adventures rather than following a rigid storyline at all times. All classes and races are good choices, so just pick whatever looks fun to you—there’s no real ‘wrong’ pick. The story content unlocks gradually as you level up, so no rush. You can play the core game for free and reach max level that way, but there are some restrictions that mainly limit advanced features and expansions which open up later content, mounts, and more. No need to buy expansions until you’re at level 80 unless you want the extras sooner.

Welcome to Tyria! The game’s world is beautiful and packed with a ton of areas to discover, even without buying expansions. You can easily sink in hundreds of hours just with the core content. As you progress, you’ll find expansions add lots of new things like mounts, raids, and elite specializations. But no need to rush those purchases — take your time and enjoy the journey. And yes, players here tend to be really helpful and friendly, so don’t hesitate to ask around if you’re ever stuck or confused.

If you’re new and just starting out, take time to explore the maps. Guild Wars 2 is more than just questing; the world design encourages climbing, finding hidden caves, and jumping into random events. The game isn’t about following a storyline linearly but experiencing the world as a whole. Joining events as they pop up makes everything feel lively and social. Also, the in-game community tends to be super friendly and helpful, so don’t hesitate to ask questions or reach out to players if you get stuck.

As someone who switched from FFXIV to Guild Wars 2, I can say they feel very different in playstyle and pace. GW2 focuses a lot on open world exploration with tons of dynamic events and group content scattered all over. Combat is quicker and more action-focused, with dodge rolls and movement abilities playing a big role. Once you hit level 80, the whole world really opens up — you aren’t locked out of content by story gates. Plus, the game has a ton of collectibles and things to hunt for if you enjoy that side of gameplay. PvP is available in both structured matches and large-scale battles called World vs World, which are massive and chaotic. Overall, it feels like you’re building your own adventure instead of following a strict path. Just relax, explore, and let the game surprise you!

One of the standout things about Guild Wars 2 is its combat system—super fluid and skill-based. Unlike some MMOs where gear is king, here a great player with decent gear can easily outperform someone with the best gear but less skill. Plus, the world itself is gorgeous and full of surprises. The community is generally really welcoming too, which makes exploring way more fun. The progression is pretty horizontal, so you won’t feel stuck grinding for gear forever, and fashion (or “fashion wars”) is a big thing if you like customizing your look. Just a heads up though, mounts are only available with the expansions, so if you’re used to having mounts from the start, that might be a bit different.