Release

A release is a major game update that introduces new content and/or features, ranging from expansion launches and quarterly releases to annual festivals and important feature updates. The releases are often accompanied by other changes to the game, such as bug fixes, profession balance changes, new activities, and themed items in the Gem Store.

List of releases

This is an overview of all releases and other similar content updates since the original game's launch. Balance changes, Gem Store updates, Current Events and Side Stories, individual items and other similar smaller additions are not included on this page. More details can be found on the features page instead.

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Guild Wars 2

Release

Features

August 28, 2012 Guild Wars 2

Original release 49 story steps per character (313 in total) Player versus Environment game mode: Open world explorable zones in Ascalon, Kryta, Maguuma Jungle, Ruins of Orr, and Shiverpeak Mountains regions with dynamic level adjustment Dynamic events and meta events, hero challenges, renown hearts, activities, mini-dungeons, jumping puzzles Personal story featuring branching story missions Eight dungeons with story and explorable modes World versus World game mode: Eternal Battlegrounds, Alpine Borderlands, Obsidian Sanctum zones Structured PvP game mode: Battle of Kyhlo, Forest of Niflhel, Legacy of the Foefire, Raid on the Capricorn conquest arenas Professions: elementalist, engineer, guardian, mesmer, necromancer, ranger, thief, warrior Build and combat mechanics: skills, traits, equipment, effects, boons, conditions Achievements, currencies, crafting and gathering systems Guild system First generation of legendary weapons

Living World Season 1 Living World Season 1
Release	Features
October 22, 2012 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Halloween event, featuring Haunted Doors, Mad King's Labyrinth zone, Reaper's Rumble and Lunatic Inquisition activities, Mad King's Clock Tower jumping puzzle and Ascent to Madness dungeon Costume Brawl activity Modus Sceleris and Skritt Burglar events Tribulation Caverns, Hexfoundry Unhinged, Hidden Garden and Coddler's Cove jumping puzzles Forsaken Halls and Vexa's Lab mini-dungeons and many new exploration achievements
November 15, 2012 The Lost Shores	Special event Lost Shores Southsun Cove map, including many new events and Under New Management and Skipping Stones jumping puzzles Fractals of the Mists dungeon consisting of several fractals, explorable chunks of Tyria's history in the Mists Temple of the Silent Storm map in Structured PvP Ascended rings and back items Infusion upgrade components
December 14, 2012 Wintersday: The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx	Special event Wintersday event, featuring Snowball Mayhem, Bell Choir Ensemble and Toypocalypse activities, Winter Wonderland jumping puzzle and Tixx's Infinirarium dungeon Breakout events in WvW
January 28, 2013 Flame and Frost: Prelude	Laurel currency Ascended amulets Guesting
February 26, 2013 Flame and Frost: The Gathering Storm	Guild missions, along with new currencies Guild Merits and Guild Commendations Spirit Watch map in structured PvP Ascended accessories
March 26, 2013 Flame and Frost: The Razing	Braham: Help from the Legions → Braham: Eirsson → Braham: Retake Cragstead → Rox: Critical Mission → Rox: The Hatchery World Experience Removal of culling in WvW
April 1, 2013 Super Adventure Box	Special event Super Adventure Box, an activity reminiscent of old school platformers with a special skill set and pixel enemies, featuring Exploration and Normal Modes of World 1
April 30, 2013 Flame and Frost: Retribution	Molten Facility → Braham: Avenger of the Dispossessed → Rox: Avenger of the Dispossessed Molten Facility temporary dungeon Custom Arenas and Spectator Mode in structured PvP
May 14, 2013 The Secret of Southsun	Crab Toss activity Stealth Disruptor and Supply Removal Traps in WvW
May 28, 2013 Last Stand at Southsun	Canach's Lair → Contractually Obligated → Canach's Lair (explorable) Canach's Lair temporary dungeon Island Control meta event and Karka Queen boss fight Angvar's Trove guild puzzle
June 11, 2013 Dragon Bash	Ceremony and Acrimony → Hard Boiled → Every Piece Matters → No More Secrets Dragon Bash festival with the Dragon Ball Arena and permanent Moa Racing activities
June 25, 2013 Sky Pirates of Tyria	Aetherblade Retreat → A Future in Politics Two Aetherblade sites: the Aetherblade Retreat temporary dungeon and the Not So Secret jumping puzzle Torment condition
July 9, 2013 Bazaar of the Four Winds	Special event Strangers from the Sky Labyrinthine Cliffs zone with the floating sanctuary of Zephyr Sanctum Achievement rewards Belcher's Bluff and Sanctum Sprint activities Skyhammer map in structured PvP
July 23, 2013 Cutthroat Politics	Audience with the Master Support your candidate in the Captain's Council election Candidate Trials, Aspect Arena and Southsun Survival activities
August 6, 2013 Queen's Jubilee	Opening Ceremony The Crown Pavilion is opened, featuring a gladiatorial arena celebrating the human spirit along with the challenging solo boss fight arenas of the Queen's Gauntlet Wallet to hold all account currencies Champion and daily dungeon rewards Daily activity rotation Solo arena queue in structured PvP
August 20, 2013 Clockwork Chaos	Closing Ceremony → Scarlet's Playhouse Scarlet's Playhouse temporary dungeon Scarlet's minion invasions Removal of culling in PvE
September 3, 2013 Super Adventure Box: Back to School	Special event Ketto's Lab Repeat of the Super Adventure Festival, updated with World 2 and the extremely difficult and punishing Tribulation Mode Magic Find is removed from equipment and made into an account bonus, which can be increased by achievement rewards and filling the Luck bar Weaponsmith, Artificer and Huntsman crafting disciplines can progress until level 500 to craft ascended weapons
September 17, 2013 Tequatl Rising	Special event Defeat Tequatl the Sunless event is completely redesigned Ruins of Power added to the Borderlands in WvW Looking For Group tool added to the Contacts panel
October 1, 2013 Twilight Assault	One of the paths in explorable Twilight Arbor is replaced by the new Aetherpath
October 15, 2013 Blood and Madness	Special event Halloween event returns World vs. World Season 1 (October 18 – December 6)
October 29, 2013 Tower of Nightmares	The Nightmare Unveiled Tower of Nightmares appears in Kessex Hills Antitoxin Spray healing skill available for all professions
November 12, 2013 The Nightmares Within	Nightmare Chamber → The Nightmare Incarnate Tower of Nightmares is now open
November 26, 2013 Fractured	Fractals of the Mists New fractals: Thaumanova Reactor, Molten Furnace, Aetherblade, Captain Mai Trin Boss and Molten Boss Mistlock Instability in higher levels of Fractals of the Mists
December 10, 2013 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event The Nightmare Ends → The Dead End Repeat of the Wintersday festival Kessex Hills updated with the collapse of the Tower of Nightmares Armorsmith, Leatherworker and Tailor crafting disciplines can progress until level 500 to craft ascended armor New healing skills for every profession
January 21, 2014 The Origins of Madness	The Origins of Madness Triple Trouble meta event dealing with the three-headed Amber, Cobalt and Crimson Great Jungle Wurm Twisted Marionette Weapon Test meta event concerning the Twisted Marionette
February 4, 2014 The Edge of the Mists	Edge of the Mists Edge of the Mists map in WvW
February 18, 2014 Escape from Lion's Arch	Escape from Lion's Arch Lion's Arch is under attack by Scarlet's forces
March 4, 2014 Battle for Lion's Arch	Battle for Lion's Arch The miasma has dissipated from Lion's Arch; take it back from the control by Scarlet's alliances Scarlet's Prime Hologram boss event and Scarlet's End
March 18, 2014 Battle for Lion's Arch: Aftermath	The Dead End The siege of Lion's Arch has ended WvW Spring Tournament 2014 (March 28 – May 30)
April 15, 2014 April 2014 Feature Pack	Feature pack Trait system redesign, 40 new traits Ferocity attribute for increasing critical damage, rune and sigil effects updated Account-wide dye unlocks and wardrobe for armor and weapon skins Account-bound world experience, legendary and ascended equipment PvP reward tracks, PvP Locker merging with the wardrobe Megaserver system for all PvE zones and Heart of the Mists
May 20, 2014 Festival of the Four Winds	Special event Lion's Arch: Honored Guests Repeat of Festival of the Four Winds in Labyrinthine Cliffs and the Crown Pavilion

Living World Season 2 Living World Season 2
Release	Features
July 1, 2014 Gates of Maguuma	Disturbance in Brisban Wildlands → Fallen Hopes → Tracking the Master of Peace → Cornered → Prosperity's Mystery Story Journal for Living World storylines Prospect Valley in Dry Top and Tangle Root in Brisban Wildlands
July 15, 2014 Entanglement	Scarlet's Secret Room → Discovering Scarlet's Breakthrough → The Concordia Incident → Trouble at Fort Salma → The Machine Uplands Oasis, Unswept Uplands, Cavern of the Shining Lights and Treadrock Uplands areas in Dry Top Ambrite weapons
July 29, 2014 The Dragon's Reach: Part 1	Rallying Call → Uprooting the Iron Marches → The Waypoint Conundrum → Summit Invitations → Plan of Attack Mysterious Vine back item scavenger hunt
August 12, 2014 The Dragon's Reach: Part 2	Party Politics → Recalibrating the Waypoints → Taimi and the Asura → The World Summit Challenger Cliffs area in Dry Top Cultivated Vine and Mawdrey + Mawdrey II scavenger hunts Maguuma Wastes Reward Track in Structured PvP
September 9, 2014 September 2014 Feature Pack	Feature pack Account-bound and colored commander tags Global guilds and megaserver improvements Standard enemy models and Glorious Reward Track in Structured PvP Crafting and leveling refinements Miniatures and finishers moved to the wardrobe Collection achievements Trading Post user interface redesign WvW Fall Tournament 2014 (September 12 – October 10)
October 21, 2014 Blood and Madness	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival Halloween Reward Track in Structured PvP Currency Exchange user interface redesign
November 4, 2014 Echoes of the Past	The Ghosts of Fort Salma → Reunion with the Pact → Caithe's Reconnaissance Squad → Hidden Arcana The Silverwastes zone Carapace and Luminescent armor sets (obtainable over this and following 3 story releases)
November 18, 2014 Tangled Paths	Return to Camp Resolve → Tracking the Aspect Masters → Into the Labyrinth Sharp Valley and Tangled Labyrinth areas in The Silverwastes Silverwastes Reward Track in Structured PvP
December 2, 2014 Seeds of Truth	The Newly Awakened → Meeting the Asura → No Refuge Far Silverwastes and Quarrel Gully areas and Retrospective Runaround jumping puzzle in The Silverwastes Structured PvP matchmaking, ladder, dishonor and map selection improvements
December 16, 2014 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival: festivities have moved to Divinity's Reach introducing Grawnk Munch and For the Children! (Star of Gratitude scavenger hunt) Reworked daily achievement system, login rewards World vs. World Sneak Attack event (until January 13)
January 13, 2015 Point of No Return	Arcana Obscura → Pact Assaulted → The Mystery Cave Vinewrath Tangle area in The Silverwastes with the Mordrem Vinewrath meta event
June 23, 2015	Trait system revamped into specializations Lion's Arch rebuilt after Scarlet's attack
July 28, 2015 Season 1 History Lesson	Remembering Scarlet's War Recap video of Living World Season 1

Heart of Thorns

Release

Features

October 23, 2015 Heart of Thorns

Expansion16 story steps Prologue: Rally to Maguuma → Torn from the Sky → Establishing a Foothold → The Jungle Provides → In Their Footsteps → Prisoners of the Dragon → Prized Possessions → City of Hope → The Predator's Path → Strange Observations → Roots of Terror → The Way In → Buried Insight → Sign Cutting → Bitter Harvest → Hearts and Minds The Heart of Maguuma jungle region: Verdant Brink, Auric Basin, Tangled Depths and Dragon's Stand zones Adventures Mastery system for Heart of Thorns and Central Tyria Gliding movement mechanic, Itzel, Exalted and Nuhoch Lore unlocking various mechanics and vendors in the jungle Pact Commander Mastery and Mentoring Badge, Legendary Precursor Crafting Mastery and collections, Fractal Attunement Mastery Revenant profession Elite specializations: Dragonhunter, Herald, Berserker, Scrapper, Druid, Daredevil, Tempest, Chronomancer, Reaper Structured PvP: Stronghold game mode and Mist Champions World versus World: Desert Borderlands map, Shield Generator and reworked structure upgrades Guild halls (Gilded Hollow and Lost Precipice), scribing, reworked guild currencies, upgrades, chat and missions Fractals of the Mists fractal selection and scaling rework Map bonus rewards Bladed, Leystone, Mistward and Ornate Guild armor, Heart of Thorns weapons Alacrity combat effect, defiance bar, action camera mode

Post Heart of Thorns Post Heart of Thorns
Release	Features
October 23, 2015 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival
November 17, 2015 Spirit Vale	Raid Spirit Vale wing of the Forsaken Thicket raid, raid masteries Enhanced squad UI Legendary axe Astralaria, pistol HOPE, and staff Nevermore
December 1, 2015 PvP Leagues	Competitive PvP League season and division system Guild Challenger League Legendary back item The Ascension
December 15, 2015 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival
January 26, 2016 Winter 2016 Quarterly Update	Quarterly update Gliding allowed in central Tyria The Shatterer event revamped Squad markers and lieutenants Lunar New Year festival
March 8, 2016 Salvation Pass	Raid Salvation Pass wing of the Forsaken Thicket raid, expansion of raid masteries
March 31, 2016 Super Adventure Festival	Special event The return of the Super Adventure Box, with new additions, including Fancy Furniture Coins and daily achievements
April 19, 2016 Spring 2016 Quarterly Update	Quarterly update Reward improvements for Heart of Thorns maps Level-80 Boost World vs. World linking Legendary short bow Chuka and Champawat, and back item Ad Infinitum Lion's Arch Aerodrome (raid lobby) Daily and Daily Fractals achievement changes Scribing adjustments
June 14, 2016 Stronghold of the Faithful	Raid Stronghold of the Faithful wing of the Forsaken Thicket raid, expansion of raid masteries Experimental Envoy armor

Living World Season 3 Living World Season 3
Release	Features
July 26, 2016 Out of the Shadows	Eir's Memorial in Hoelbrak → Research in Rata Novus → Blood and Stone → Reaper of Magic → A Shadow's Deeds → Confessor's Stronghold Bloodstone Fen zone, Counter Magic mastery Chaos Isles Fractal Revenge of the Capricorn Structured PvP map
September 20, 2016 Rising Flames	Taimi's Game → Destroying Destroyers → Igneous Breach → Trip to the Circus → Machine in the Flame → Old Foes, Old Ghosts → Dragon Vigil Ember Bay zone, Thermal Propulsion mastery Eternal Coliseum Structured PvP map Legendary mace Eureka
October 18, 2016 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival
November 21, 2016 A Crack in the Ice	Precocious Aurene → Journey to Bitterfrost Frontier → Frozen in Ice → Elixir Recipe → Elixir Cookin' → The Bitter Cold → Frozen Out Bitterfrost Frontier zone, Koda's Flame mastery Nightmare Fractal (normal and challenge mode) Legendary shield Shooshadoo
December 13, 2016 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival
February 8, 2017 The Head of the Snake	A Meeting of Ministers → Eyes on Lake Doric → Sabotage Fort Evennia → Breaking the Siege → Regrouping with the Queen → Confessor's End Lake Doric zone Bastion of the Penitent raid Thaumanova Reactor Fractal reworked Spectral Aid mastery unlocking the Channeled Agony downed state skill Refined Envoy armor, Legendary rifle The HMS Divinity
March 30, 2017 Super Adventure Festival	Special event Repeat of the Super Adventure Box special event
May 2, 2017 Flashpoint	Taimi's Pet Project → Arrival and Survival → In Pursuit of a God → Elder Druid Protection → Heart of the Volcano Draconis Mons zone, Oakheart's Reach mastery Legendary torch Flames of War, and legendary Perfected Envoy armor
June 6, 2017 June 2017 Competitive Feature Pack	Competitive World versus World: Skirmish reward tracks, Mistforged Triumphant Hero's armor, legendary back item Warbringer, UI and LFG updates Structured PvP: Automated Tournaments, new PvP lobby, 2v2 arena Hall of the Mists, updated Courtyard mechanics (since June 20)
July 25, 2017 One Path Ends	"Where's Balthazar?" → Shining Blade Secrets → On Orrian Shores → The Flow of Magic → The Last Chance Siren's Landing zone, Siren of Orr mastery Shattered Observatory Fractal (normal and challenge mode) Legendary hammer Sharur, sword The Shining Blade, and accessory Aurora Ammunition skill mechanic (since August 8)

Path of Fire

Release

Features

September 22, 2017 Path of Fire

Expansion15 story steps Sparking the Flame (Prologue) → Sparking the Flame → Blazing a Trail → Night of Fires → The Sacrifice → Crystalline Memories → Hallowed Ground → Facing the Truth → The Way Forward → The Departing → Bringing Out the Archon → Enemy of My Enemy → Beast of War → To Kill a God → Small Victory (Epilogue) The Crystal Desert region: Crystal Oasis, Desert Highlands, Elon Riverlands, The Desolation, and Domain of Vabbi zones Windswept Haven guild hall Mounts and their masteries: raptor, springer, skimmer, jackal, and griffon Elite specializations: Firebrand, Renegade, Spellbreaker, Holosmith, Soulbeast, Deadeye, Weaver, Mirage, and Scourge Bounties Bounty Hunter's, Elonian, Funerary, Spearmarshal's and Warbeast armor, Path of Fire weapons Barrier combat mechanic

Living World Season 4 Living World Season 4
Release	Features
October 17, 2017 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival, including Lunatic Inquisition
November 28, 2017 Daybreak	Eye of the Brandstorm → Under the Stars → Champion's Dawn → Convincing the Corsair → The Hero of Istan → The First City Domain of Istan zone, Volatile Magic Resonance mastery Twilight Oasis Fractal Hall of Chains raid Astral and Stellar weapons, legendary focus The Binding of Ipos
December 12, 2017 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival
March 6, 2018 A Bug in the System	Tracking the Scientist → The Test Subject → A Kindness Repaid → The Road to Rata Primus → The Charge Sandswept Isles zone Bond of Life mastery unlocking the Bond of Life mount skill Legendary dagger Claw of the Khan-Ur
March 29, 2018 Super Adventure Festival	Special event Repeat of the Super Adventure Box special event
June 26, 2018 Long Live the Lich	Seized → Forearmed Is Forewarned → Tactical Triage → I'm Brave, You Know → Be My Guest Domain of Kourna zone Roller Beetle mount and its associated mastery track Deepstone Fractal Legendary warhorn Verdarach
July 24, 2018 Festival of the Four Winds	Special event Return of the Festival of the Four Winds, with new bosses in the Queen's Gauntlet, races and treasure hunt
September 18, 2018 A Star to Guide Us	A Shattered Nation → Chaos Theory → Legacy → From the Ashes → Storm Tracking Jahai Bluffs zone and the Sun's Refuge personal instance Mythwright Gambit raid Bond of Vigor mastery unlocking the Bond of Vigor mount skill Elegy and Requiem armor, legendary scepter Xiuquatl
October 16, 2018 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival, with returning Reaper's Rumble and the new Mad King's Raceway
November 13, 2018	Djinn's Dominion and Asura Arena structured PvP arenas Target Painter trick and Target Painter Trap in World versus World Rune and sigil salvaging
November 26, 2018	Roller Beetle Racing
December 11, 2018 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival, with the new Secret Lair of the Snowmen temporary raid-like instance
January 8, 2019 All or Nothing	Scion & Champion → Dragonsblood → The Crystal Blooms → Resonance → The Crystal Dragon Thunderhead Peaks zone Siren's Reef Fractal, Mistlock Instabilities revamp Bond of Faith mastery unlocking the Bond of Faith mount skill Dragonsblood and Heroic Dragonsblood weapons, legendary longbow Pharus
March 5, 2019	Warclaw mount
March 28, 2019 Super Adventure Festival	Special event Repeat of the Super Adventure Box special event, with new seasonal adventures Unidentified Gear system expanded outside of the Path of Fire zones
May 14, 2019 War Eternal	The End → Landfall → Glory of Dragons → Bleed → Descent Dragonfall zone Skyscale mount and its associated mastery track Mist Shard and Blossoming Mist Shard armor, Weapons of the Scion, legendary greatsword Exordium Legendary accessory Vision (since May 28)
June 11, 2019 The Key of Ahdashim	Raid The Key of Ahdashim raid Legendary ring Coalescence
June 25, 2019 Dragon Bash	Special event Return of the Dragon Bash festival: festivities have moved to Hoelbrak and include the new Dragon Arena, Piñata Bashing, Hologram Stampede, and Dragon Bash Rally time trial and mount race
July 30, 2019 Festival of the Four Winds	Special event Return of the Festival of the Four Winds Legendary Rune and Sigil
August 13, 2019	Auric Span 2v2 structured PvP map, Mist Lord's weapons
August 27, 2019	Chef crafting discipline can progress until level 500 to craft ascended food

The Icebrood Saga The Icebrood Saga
Release	Features
September 17, 2019 Prologue: Bound by Blood	Coming Home → Revels & Rivals → Bad Blood → Deeper and Deeper → A Race to Arms Grothmar Valley zone Shiverpeaks Pass strike mission
October 15, 2019 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival
October 29, 2019	Build and Equipment Templates
November 19, 2019 Whisper in the Dark	Silence → What's Left Behind → The Wind and Nothing More → The Invitation Eastern half of the Bjora Marches zone Raven Attunement, Resilience, Valor and Vigilance Essence Manipulation masteries 3 new strike missions: Voice and Claw of the Fallen, Fraenir of Jormag, and Boneskinner Ancient Boreal and Restored Boreal weapons
December 17, 2019 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival
January 14, 2020 Lunar New Year	Special event Repeat of the Lunar New Year special event, with new seasonal activities
January 28, 2020 Shadow in the Ice	Chasing Ghosts → Still Waters Speaking → Lost Spirits Found → The Hunt Begins → Voice in the Deep Western half of the Bjora Marches zone Expansion of Raven Attunement and Essence Manipulation masteries Drakkar world boss and Whisper of Jormag strike mission Illuminated Boreal weapons, Raven Ceremonial armor and Weapons of the Broken Voice
February 25, 2020	Swiss Tournaments and PvP mini-seasons Warlord's armor and Guildrider Warclaw skin
March 17, 2020 Visions of the Past: Steel and Fire	Forging Steel → Darkrime Delves Eye of the North upgradable strike mission hub, Forging Steel strike mission Replayable Living World Season 1 missions Cragstead, North Nolan Hatchery, Canach's Lair and The Nightmare Incarnate Charr Legion and Steel Warband weapons, Stone Summit armor and Runic armor WvW legendary rings Slumbering Conflux and Conflux, PvP legendary amulets Slumbering Transcendence and Transcendence
April 14, 2020 Super Adventure Festival	Special event Repeat of the Super Adventure Box special event, with a new Super Adventure Hub adventure and Glitched Adventure weapons
May 26, 2020 No Quarter	Pointed Parley → Shoulder to Shoulder → Snapping Steel → Distract, Destroy, Distrust → Turnabout Southern half of the Drizzlewood Coast zone United Legions Waystation Synchronization and expansion of Essence Manipulation masteries Strike Mission: Cold War Tengu Echo weapons, Stormcaller weapons and Bear Ceremonial armor
June 23, 2020 Dragon Bash	Special event Return of the Dragon Bash festival, with new Imbued Holographic weapons
July 28, 2020 Jormag Rising	Behind Enemy Lines → Wrench in the Works → A Simple Negotiation → Pantheon of the Wild → One Charr, One Dragon, One Champion Northern half of the Drizzlewood Coast zone Expansion of United Legions Waystation Synchronization masteries Flight of the Eagle Spirit, Arena of the Wolverine and The Ox's Yoke adventures Dominion Tribune weapons, Charged Stormcaller weapons and Empowered Boneskinner weapons
August 11, 2020 Festival of the Four Winds	Special event Return of the Festival of the Four Winds with new Sun-Blessed Zephyrite weapons
August 25, 2020	Skimmer mount can dive underwater
September 15, 2020	Sunqua Peak Fractal (normal and challenge mode)
October 13, 2020 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival
November 17, 2020 Champions Chapter 1: Truce	Primordus Rising → Tidings and Misgivings → Defending Tyria Dragon Response Missions: Brisban Wildlands, Gendarran Fields, and Metrica Province Dragon Slayer masteries Dragon Slayer and Volcanic Stormcaller weapons
December 15, 2020 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival
January 19, 2021 Champions Chapter 2: Power	Roaring Flames → Jormag's World Dragon Response Missions: Fields of Ruin, Thunderhead Peaks, Lake Doric, and Snowden Drifts Azure and Crimson Dragon Slayer weapons
February 2, 2021 Lunar New Year	Special event Repeat of the Lunar New Year special event, with new seasonal activities
March 9, 2021 Champions Chapter 3: Balance	Jormag's Madness → Wildfire → Frozen Tide → Flame vs. Frost Dragon Response Missions: Caledon Forest, Bloodtide Coast, and Fireheart Rise Tengu, Fiery Dragon Slayer and Icy Dragon Slayer weapons
April 6, 2021 Super Adventure Festival	Special event Repeat of the Super Adventure Box special event, with new seasonal activities
April 27, 2021 Champions Chapter 4: Judgment	Dragonstorm → Champion's End Dragonstorm world boss instance
June 22, 2021 Dragon Bash	Special event Return of the Dragon Bash festival
July 13, 2021	Return of the Twisted Marionette Legendary Armory
August 31, 2021 Festival of the Four Winds	Special event Return of the Festival of the Four Winds with new Sun-Blessed Zephyrite weapons
October 5, 2021 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival
December 14, 2021 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival
January 25, 2022 Lunar New Year	Special event Repeat of the Lunar New Year special event, with new seasonal activities

End of Dragons

Release

Features

February 28, 2022 End of Dragons

Expansion16 story steps Convergence → Old Friends → Outreach → Your Kind of People → Can't Trust a Pirate → The Scenic Route → The Future in Jade → Deepest Secrets → Fallout → To Catch a Spider → Empty → In the Name of the Law → Weight of the World → Extraction Point → The Only One → The Cycle, Reborn The region of Cantha: Seitung Province, New Kaineng City, The Echovald Wilds, and Dragon's End zones The Isle of Reflection guild hall Arborstone lobby, and the Arborstone Revitalization mastery track that upgrades it Four strike missions: Aetherblade Hideout, Xunlai Jade Junkyard, Kaineng Overlook, and Harvest Temple Elite specializations: Willbender, Vindicator, Bladesworn, Mechanist, Untamed, Specter, Catalyst, Virtuoso, and Harbinger Siege Turtle mount and its masteries, as well as a new way to unlock the raptor and springer mounts Fishing and skiff piloting, and their masteries Jade Bots mechanic and masteries Third generation of legendary weapons, themed after Aurene New armor and weapon sets

Return of Living World Season 1 Return of Living World Season 1
Release	Features
March 29, 2022 Super Adventure Festival	Special event Repeat of the Super Adventure Box special event with new Hardlight and Retro-Forged weapons
April 19, 2022 Flame and Frost	New Friends, New Enemies → The Battle for Cragstead → Alliance Investigation → Molten Furnace → A Quiet Celebration Updated re-release of Flame and Frost from Living World Season 1 Aetherblade Hideout strike mission challenge mode
May 10, 2022	Xunlai Jade Junkyard strike mission challenge mode
May 24, 2022 Sky Pirates	Ceremony and Acrimony → Hard Boiled → No More Secrets → Aether Investigation → The Aetherblade Retreat → Case Closed Updated re-release of Dragon Bash 2013 and Sky Pirates of Tyria from Living World Season 1 Kaineng Overlook strike mission challenge mode Variant of the third generation of legendary weapons, themed after Zhaitan
June 7, 2022 Dragon Bash	Special event Return of the Dragon Bash festival with new Dragonbone weapons
June 28, 2022	Harvest Temple strike mission challenge mode Variant of the third generation of legendary weapons, themed after Mordremoth
July 19, 2022 Clockwork Chaos	The Opening Ceremony → The Queen's Address → Clockwork Invasion → Scarlet's Playhouse → Picking Up the Pieces Updated re-release of Queen's Jubilee and Clockwork Chaos from Living World Season 1
August 2, 2022 Festival of the Four Winds	Special event Return of the Festival of the Four Winds with new Sun-Blessed Zephyrite weapons Variant of the third generation of legendary weapons, themed after Kralkatorrik
August 23, 2022 Guild Wars 2 10th Anniversary	Special event Decade's armor and Dragon Decade weapon skins Updated New Player Experience Steam release
September 13, 2022 Tower of Nightmares	The Nightmare Unveiled → Making the Antitoxin → The Tower of Nightmares → The Nightmare Incarnate → The Nightmare Ends → Awake and Allied Updated re-release of Tower of Nightmares, The Nightmares Within and their epilogue in Wintersday 2013 from Living World Season 1 Return of the instanced group encounter, the Tower of Nightmares
October 4, 2022	Variant of the third generation of legendary weapons, themed after Jormag
October 18, 2022 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival with new Chained weapons
November 8, 2022 Battle for Lion's Arch	The Twisted Marionette → Connecting the Pieces → Escape from Lion's Arch → The Battle for Lion's Arch → Battle on the Breachmaker → Scarlet's End → After the Battle → Dawn of the Next Journey Updated re-release of The Origins of Madness, The Edge of the Mists, Escape from Lion's Arch, Battle for Lion's Arch and its epilogue, and Lion's Arch: Honored Guests from Living World Season 1 New public instance: The Battle For Lion's Arch Old Lion's Court strike mission New lobby: Memory of Old Lion's Arch Lion's Champions and Aetherized Prototype weapons
November 29, 2022	Old Lion’s Court strike mission challenge mode Variant of the third generation of legendary weapons, themed after Primordus
December 13, 2022 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival with new Snowdrift weapons
January 10, 2023 Lunar New Year	Special event Repeat of the Lunar New Year special event with new Firework weapons

Post End of Dragons Post End of Dragons
Release	Features
February 28, 2023 What Lies Beneath	A Raw Deal → On the Case → An Air of Mystery → Deep Trouble → Sleuthing a Solution Eastern part of the Gyala Delve zone Luxon Hunter's weapons Variant of the third generation of legendary weapons, themed after Soo-Won Deep Research: additional story journals released between March 14 and May 16
March 28, 2023 Super Adventure Festival	Special event Repeat of the Super Adventure Box special event with new Generation One weapons
May 23, 2023 What Lies Within	A Plan Emerges → Bottle Your Emotions → Emotional Release → Entrapment → Full Circle Western part of the Gyala Delve zone Energized Luxon Hunter's weapons and Special Ops armor New adventures, including Swift Skiffs Time Trials, Siege Stampedes, and Jade Bot Rallies
June 6, 2023 Dragon Bash	Special event Repeat of the Dragon Bash festival with new Dragonrender weapon set
June 27, 2023 Interlude	Interlude: Forward Conclusion of the Elder Dragon Saga. Silent Surf Fractal Manifest weapons
July 18, 2023 Festival of the Four Winds	Special event Return of the Festival of the Four Winds, with the new Sun-Grown and Bazaar-Traded weapons Silent Surf Fractal challenge mode

Secrets of the Obscure

Release

Features

August 22, 2023 Secrets of the Obscure

Expansion11 story steps Prologue: Uncertain Times → Commander without a Cause → Hell Breaks Loose → Mother of Stars → Voices beyond the Veil → The Missing Facet → Tower of Secrets → Mabon's Fate → Into the Obscure → The World Spire → Treachery The Horn of Maguuma region: Skywatch Archipelago and Amnytas zones and The Wizard's Tower lobby Two Strike Missions: Cosmic Observatory and Temple of Febe Wizard's Vault reward system and Astral Acclaim currency, replacing generic Daily achievements and log-in rewards Weaponmaster Training: all weapons previously available only to elite specializations unlocked for use by the entire profession New way to unlock the skyscale mount, and Flight Training masteries upgrading the skyscale and griffon mounts Rift Hunting Heart of the Obscure Research and Astral Ward masteries, improving rift hunts as well as rewards and traversal in the new region Relic upgrade components split off from runes Astral Ward and Rift Hunter armor, and Secrets of the Obscure weapons

Post Secrets of the Obscure Post Secrets of the Obscure
Release	Features
October 17, 2023 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival with new Grim Machine weapons and a new Stopped Clock Tower activity
November 7, 2023 Through the Veil	Duress → The Survivors → Heitor's Gate Heitor's Territory in the Inner Nayos zone Convergences group instances, and the Inner Nayos mastery track Cosmic Observatory strike mission challenge mode Oneiros-Spun armor
December 12, 2023 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival with new Sacred Solstice weapons
January 30, 2024 Lunar New Year	Special event Repeat of the Lunar New Year special event with new Fortunate weapons
February 27, 2024 The Realm of Dreams	The War Council → Forced Hand → Eventide's March Nyedra Surrounds in the Inner Nayos zone Expanded Weapon Proficiency, giving new weapons to each profession: guardian pistols, revenant scepter, warrior staff, engineer short bow, ranger maces, thief main-hand axe, elementalist main-hand pistol, mesmer rifle, and necromancer swords Sky-Chak Striker ranger pet Temple of Febe strike mission challenge mode Legendary Obsidian armor, and the Legendary Relic Extended Astral Ward Mastery
April 16, 2024 Super Adventure Festival	Special event Repeat of the Super Adventure Box special event with new Golem-Buster weapons
May 21, 2024 The Midnight King	Desperate Measures → The Eleventh Hour → Sovereign of Nayos Citadel of Zakiros in the Inner Nayos zone Juvenile Spinegazer ranger pet Lonely Tower Fractal Tier 2 legendary Suffused Obsidian armor Extended Astral Ward Mastery
June 4, 2024 Dragon Bash	Special event Repeat of the Dragon Bash festival with new Sacred Crystal weapons Lonely Tower Fractal challenge mode
July 30, 2024 Festival of the Four Winds	Special event Return of the Festival of the Four Winds with new Sandswept weapons

Janthir Wilds

Release	Features
August 20, 2024 Janthir Wilds	Expansion The Janthir region: Lowland Shore and Janthir Syntri zones Spear weapon on land, available for every profession Homesteads, account-wide personal customizable instance in Hearth's Glow New way to unlock the warclaw mount, and reworked warclaw skills both in PvE and WvW New ranger pet — Warclaw Janthir Wilds mastery tracks New armor sets, weapons and skins New relics

Three major quarterly updates will follow the release Janthir Wilds, including:

• New zone in the second and third updates
• New raid in the first update, with challenge mode and legendary challenge mode in the second update
• New fractal in the third update
• New legendary spear and backpack
• New PvP mode planned for beta testing

Post Janthir Wilds Post Janthir Wilds
Release	Features
October 15, 2024 Shadow of the Mad King	Special event Repeat of the Halloween festival, with new Candy Core weapons and new decorations for the Guild hall and Homesteads
November 19, 2024 Godspawn	Trial and Error → Battle's Eve → Balrior Peak Mount Balrior raid Convergence: Mount Balrior group instances Extended Homesteading New legendary spear — Klobjarne Geirr New Blood Moon weapons and Sea-Glass Wave weapons New decorations for the Homestead and new recipes
December 10, 2024 A Very Merry Wintersday	Special event Repeat of the Wintersday festival with new Plush weapons and new decorations for the Guild hall and Homesteads

See also

• Release/Features – In-depth list of new features in each release
• Special event
  • Living World Return – Series of bonus events highlighting previous story releases
• Story summary
• Upcoming changes and features

Notes

• When a new release launches, ArenaNet publishes official release notes on the Game Update Notes forum in a new post. Subsequent patches are added to the post for the most recent major content update, which has almost always been an official release.
• The company generally refers to non-release updates as hot fixes, updates, or patches.
• Releases are generally launched at approximately Tuesday 09:00 America/Los_Angeles, or 09:00 Seattle time, giving Arenanet the full work day to fix any release bugs.

External links

• Releases on official site
• Game Update Notes forum