Map

The map (M) is the full-screen user interface element used to orient players and to enable instant travel using waypoints. The map shows a character-centered overhead view, presenting general information and markers that indicate nearby locations, events, and the character's most recent travel path. Characters can continue to move while the map is open.

The compass shares much of the same information as the map as part of the heads-up display. Players can communicate with party members by drawing on the map and/or the compass (Hold SHIFT+Left-click), or display a red 'alert' marker (SHIFT+Left-click); you can also add your own personal markers (ALT+Left-click, which can be removed by a further Left-click on them). Commanders can place additional markers.

Each zone has its own set of waypoints, skill challenges, vistas, renown hearts and points of interest. Hovering the mouse pointer over a zone's name will display a popup with your completition track for this zone. If the player successfully discovers all of them in a zone, they are rewarded with a map completion bonus, giving them an item gift (usually Transmutation Stones), a number of experience points, a bonus in coins (not given to players for completing major cities' maps), two random Masterwork / Rare / Exotic items, and 40 of a useful, zone-level appropriate, crafting material. When the player has completely explored all of the zones, they are awarded with 2 Gifts of Exploration, an item required for the creation of a legendary weapon.

Map icons

When you explore Tyria the map will show you various information in the form of map icons.

Basic icons

Icon	Description
	This icon indicates the position of your character on the map. The dotted path behind this icon indicates the movement of the character through the zone, fading over time.
	Party members and allies show up as these dots.
	Fallen allies or player characters are located with these icons. The blue skull indicates a fallen player character.
	Your personal storyline is marked on the map with these green icons. The star shows your next destination, the arrows indicate a path you could take to reach this destination.
	Dynamic events appear in every explorable zone in Tyria. These icons are often accompanied by orange outlines and arrows painted on the map to indicate the scope or the direction of an event. The icon broadly describes the nature of the event, from fighting a certain enemy, claiming a location, protecting a person/item or gathering something.

Map Completion

The following map icons show your progress with towards map completion. Icons on the left indicate what how many objectives you have completed in the zone you currently in, and in the world.

An empty icon means that there is still something to find. A filled icon means that you have completed the task or already visited the location.

Icon	Description
	Renown Hearts or Hearts for short indicate NPCs that are in need of assistance, and which can offer services to characters that have helped them.
	Points of interest are locations that can be discovered through exploration. All you need to do is approach the point of interest to get the credit.
	Waypoints are unlocked like points of interest. Once unlocked you can teleport yourself to the waypoint for a small fee.
	Skill challenges are locations where challenges can be completed to earn skill points.
	Vistas are interactive objects located in the world which trigger an associated cinematic. They appear as a column of light with a map of Tyria floating near the ground. Vistas are usually hard to reach.

NPC Services

Major cities usually offer every service available in the game, except for scouting of course. Settlements and outposts, which can be found all across the world, may offer some but usually not all services.

Icon	Description
	Scouts are NPCs which will temporarily unfog parts of the map and mark nearby hearts and other map icons.
	Master craftsmen are found in all major cities as well as smaller settlements around Tyria. The icon represents what crafting profession the NPC will teach and what kind of crafting material you can buy there. Usually all eight different master craftsmen stand together and a corresponding crafting station is right next to each of them.
	Vendors are found almost everywhere around the world, they accept coins or karma and sell various goods depending on the icon. A helm indicates an armor merchant, sword a weapon merchant. The other symbols do not indicate that these vendors sell anything specific, but you often can buy gathering tools and salvage kits from them.
	Laurel vendors are special vendors that accept Laurels as currency. Laurels are rewarded from completing daily or monthly archivments.
	Repairmen and anvils are found around the world and even in dungeons. Here you have the opportunity to fix broken equipment.
	Trading post NPCs allows you to pick up items and coin you've bought or earned from the Black Lion Trading Company.
	Banker let you access the account vault which can also by accessed via a crafting station.
	Professional trainers are often found together like master craftsmen. They sell the Adept's, Master's and Grandmaster's Training Manual, which unlock the corresponding trait tier.
	Commander trainers sell the Commander's Compendium which allows the consumer to become a Squad Commander.
	Heralds provide information on the latest occurrences in the living story of Tyria.

Guild Services

The services listed here are NPC services which are related to guilds.

Icon	Description
	Guild Registrars allow you to create and manage guilds.
	Guild Banker let you access the Guild Vault from the guild you are currently representing if you have permission to use it.
	Guild Commendation Trader exchange a combination of coins and guild commendations for a variety of items.

World and Structured PvP

There are some map icons which are only found in PvP areas especially the Heart of the Mists.

Icon	Description
	The PvP Browser allows you to join Structured PvP matches.
	The Tournament Master allows you to join PvP tournaments and also accepts your Tournament Tickets.
	Glory Vendors will accept your Glory in exchange for PvP gear.
	The PvP Instructor works like a scout. He will point out important locations and persons.
	The Combat Masters in the Heart of the Mists are marking training opportunities. The Underwater Combat Master is in charge of underwater training. The Siege Master will allow Siege Weapon training.
	The PvP Locker serves as the bank for PvP equipment which is looted from the reward chests.
	Capture points can be found in World versus World PvP as well as Conquest maps. These icons change their color to indicate which team currently holds the point. If no team holds the point it is neutral and the color is grey.

Other map icons

Icon	Description
	Dungeons are instances based around team play.
	Temples are found instead of Hearts in the Ruins of Orr. Near the temple marker certain meta events occur and a karma merchant will sell exotic gear.
	Asura gates and ships allow cheap fast travel around Tyria. Every major city has at least one asura gate and they are sometimes found in explorable zones. Ships are only found in Lion's Arch and Southsun Cove.
	Waypoints, dungeons and temple may become contested. This could be due to a dynamic event, a battle, or anything that makes it a dangerous place to spawn. As long as something is contested the associated functionality will not be available for the player until the area is clear again.
	Personal waypoints are there to mark certain locations on tha map for party members. However, some NPCs will place personal waypoints on your map to point out certain landmarks or other interesting places.
	Activities are mini games which can be found in major cities, but sometimes appear in other locations. Most of them are only available for a limited time. The only activity that is permentently part of the game is Keg Brawl.
	Special events are marked by a golden star. These events are only available for a limited time and may be reoccuring or one time only events. Holiday events however are marked with a symbol associated with that specific holiday.
	Commanders can display this icon to show where they are on a map.
	Tunnels, elevators, ramps, and stairs that lead upwards or downwards are noted with these icons in cities or dungeons.

See also

• Compass
• Location
• Tyria