Environmental hazard

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Gwwlogo.png The Guild Wars Wiki has an article on Environment effect.

Environmental hazards are areas that apply damaging effects to players that attempt to cross them, often proving fatal within seconds. The skimmer mount specializes in helping players safely navigate some of such hazards.

Bitter cold[edit]

Bitter cold

The bitter cold of Bitterfrost Frontier requires a Thaw Elixir to survive. It slows movement to a walk in addition to dealing damage.

Effects
Location
Shiverpeak Mountains
Related achievements

Blizzard[edit]

The Fraenir of Jormag summons a massive blizzard around the Jora's Keep at Bjora's Marches for an Icebrood attack.

Effects
Locations
Shiverpeak Mountains
Related Achievements

Bjora Marches.png Whisper in the Dark: Friendly BreakupsDestroy 20 ice shards trapping allies. (3Achievement points)

Boiling sea[edit]

Boiling sea

Perhaps due to the corrupting influence of the nearby Elder Dragon Primordus, the sulphuric sea water that floods the cavern of Draconis Mons is deadly to swim in. A skimmer will prevent you from taking damage.

Effects
Locations
Ring of Fire
Related achievements

Branded spikes[edit]

Branded spikes

Abuzz with branded electricity, branded spikes can be found within the Dragonbrand in the Crystal Desert. A skimmer can be used to avoid taking damage.

Effects
Locations
Crystal Desert

Brandstorm[edit]

View of the sky within the Brandstorm

The Brandstorm is a large conduit of energy in the sky above the Dragonbrand, left behind by Kralkatorrik as he swept through eastern Tyria and Elona. Many dangers can be found within, from lightning strikes to flying branded creatures.

Despite raging throughout the entirety of the Dragonbrand, only the storms in certain regions present a hazard to players. While grounded, players will be struck by lightning every few seconds, dealing damage and occasionally burning. The strikes are spaced far enough apart that you will often leave combat just long enough to mount up before being struck again. Being airborne, under cover, or mounted on a skimmer will render you immune to this effect.

The Living World Season 4 story step "Eye of the Brandstorm" also forces players to deal with the hazards of the Brandstorm, but uses mission-specific mechanics instead of the effect described here.

Effects
Locations
Crystal Desert
Shiverpeak Mountains

Fire[edit]

Fire

Fire, like lava, deals damage and inflicts Burning.png Burning when touched. Unlike lava, however, these effects cannot be avoided with a skimmer.

Effects
Locations
Crystal Desert
Heart of Maguuma
Shiverpeak Mountains

Lava[edit]

Lava

Lava is molten rock that can usually be found within the depths of Tyria or spilling from volcanoes. Lava Elementals and Destroyers frequently spawn within. It causes burning, but can be traversed safely with a skimmer.

Effects
Locations
Ascalon
Crystal Desert
Kryta
Maguuma Jungle
Ring of Fire
Ruins of Orr
Shiverpeak Mountains
The Mists

Poison haze[edit]

Poison haze
Mordrem vines

The Heart of Maguuma is host to deadly poisonous hazes, which can sometimes be found seeping from toxic Mordrem vines. Mastery of Itzel Poison Lore is required to safely enter the haze.

Effects
  • No effects with the mastery unlocked.
  • Noxious Gas.png Poison Haze — upon entering poison haze without the mastery
  • Noxious Gas.png Poison Vines — upon entering Mordrem vines without the mastery
Locations
Heart of Maguuma

Quicksand[edit]

Quicksand
Disambig icon.png This article is about the environmental hazard. For other uses, see Quicksand (disambiguation).

Quicksand is an especially deadly hazard, as it slows movement, dazes, and drains endurance in addition to dealing damage—so once you fall in, you're unlikely to make it back out. These effects can be avoided with a skimmer.

Effects
Locations
Crystal Desert
Maguuma Wastes
Related achievements

Radiation[edit]

Radiation gas

Polluting the environment with radiation is an Inquest speciality. It will quickly kill the subject.

In the case of Rata Primus in the Sandswept Isles, the introduction of radiation was intentional (the "decontamination protocol") to attempt to quell the Awakened incursion.

Effects
Locations
Maguuma Jungle
Crystal Desert

Sulfurous haze[edit]

Sulfurous haze

The Desolation is infamous for its inhospitable yellow sulfurous haze, which has poisoned the land since Abaddon was cast down by the other gods at the Mouth of Torment. No mortal can survive crossing it without a mount; historically, Junundu were used for this purpose, though today many explorers prefer a skimmer.

Effects
Locations
Crystal Desert

See also[edit]