Lion's Arch

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Disambig icon.png This article is about the current version of the city. For the original version of the city, see Memory of Old Lion's Arch. For the city during Scarlet's attack, see The Battle For Lion's Arch.

Lion's Arch, built upon the wreckage of the Krytan City of the same name, has grown and prospered in the years since the rise of the Orrian Dragon. Founded by pirates and dependent on trade, the city has become a common ground for all the races of Tyria.

— In-game description

Lion's Arch (sometimes shortened to LA) is a coastal city zone in the Kryta region. It is the most diverse and cosmopolitan city in Tyria, a melting pot where all races gather and trade. It owes no allegiance to any race or nation, but stands on its own – and does so by virtue of its active navy, its financial strength, the intelligence and cunning of its leaders.

Lion's Arch figures prominently in the game's storyline. One of the main themes of Guild Wars 2 is bringing together disparate, even opposed groups in order to fight a greater enemy: the Elder Dragons. Alone, no race will survive their awakening. Only together can the races of Tyria survive. Nowhere in Tyria is that belief more strongly held than the city of Lion's Arch.

As the cultural and economic hub, Lion's Arch serves as the central focus of holidays and festivities such as Halloween. During Halloween, Mad King Thorn walks the streets of Lion's Arch telling jokes, and the city is full of spooky, dark, and pumpkin decor.

Getting there[edit]

Note that Free to play accounts can only access Lion's Arch at level 35.

  • From Gendarran Fieldsportal in the southeastern part of the map, south of the Waypoint (map icon).png Cornucopian Fields Waypoint.
  • From Lornar's Pass — portal in the central western part of the map, south of the Waypoint (map icon).png Durmand Priory Waypoint.
  • From Bloodtide Coast — portal in the northern part of the map, north of the Waypoint (map icon).png Archen Foreland Waypoint.
  • From capital cities:
    • Black Citadelasura gate on the ledge northwest of the Imperator's Core, near the Waypoint (map icon).png Ligacus Aquilo Waypoint.
    • Divinity's Reach — asura gate in the southeastern part of the District Promenade, the central area of the city, near the Waypoint (map icon).png Palace Waypoint.
    • The Grove — asura gate in the Marshaling Field on the top layer of the city, the closest waypoint is Waypoint (map icon).png Upper Commons Waypoint.
    • Hoelbrak — asura gate in the Peeta's Gate, western part of the city, near Waypoint (map icon).png Peeta's Waypoint.
    • Rata Sum — asura gate on the top level in the northern part of the city, near Waypoint (map icon).png Magustan Court Waypoint.
  • From Lion's Arch Aerodrome — portal in the northern part of the map.
  • From Memory of Old Lion's Arch — using the Lion's Pride Gizmo in old Lion's Arch to travel to the modern version of Lion's Arch.
  • Southsun Cove — asura gate in the southeastern part of the map, near Waypoint (map icon).png Pearl Islet Waypoint.
  • Arborstone — asura gate in the southeastern part of the map, on the second level.
  • The Wizard's Tower — portal in the eastern part of the Outer Ring, at Point of interest (map icon).png Lion's Arch Connector.
  • Using portals or portal managers in most of the lounges, accessible by purchasing a pass in the Gem Store.

History[edit]

Early years[edit]

Lion's Arch went through multiple changes over the years since its days as the capital of Kryta in the original Guild Wars to its current incarnation as a free city in Guild Wars 2.

City of Pirates[edit]

Many of the buildings in the city were made from shipwrecks.

In 1219 AE, the Elder Dragon Zhaitan woke from its slumber. The Rising of Orr created a great flood which destroyed and completely submerged the old capital. The ruins of Lion's Arch were utilized as a safe harbor by ships looking to escape the horrors of the sea.

A decade later, in 1230 AE, the wreckage of old Lion's Arch was slowly turned into a refuge for Corsairs and other pirates, smugglers, and other independent vessels. Shanty towns were created, and as the waters slowly receded, a settlement formed that owed no allegiance to Kryta. This settlement was unified by a human named Cobiah Marriner, who fought against the scourge of Orr alongside charr, asura, norn, and any other race that would lend their vessels to the cause. Out of that staunch and allied front, the city of Lion's Arch was reborn.

For generations, the people of Lion's Arch were on the front line of the war with Zhaitan, the dragon of Orr. Their city was destroyed, only to be rebuilt in defiance of the Elder Dragon's power. The elite Lionguard built a fortress on Claw Island, a small body of land in the harbor, in order to defend against Zhaitan's attacks. No ship sails from their docks without a wary eye south toward the dark waters of the undead. They live each day with the knowledge that they are a bastion against the destruction that the Elder Dragon would bring—regardless of whether or not the other nations of the world recognize, or care about, their ongoing struggle.

For decades, Lion's Arch has been run by the Captain's Council, a committee of wealthy merchants and sea captains. Those who wish to take an active hand in the city's governance must prove themselves regardless of their race and heritage. They must be respected as a noted ship commander, and they must have contributed to the city's growth or health. If they are seen as a leader in the city, then they may purchase one of the seats on the Captain's Council—when one becomes available. This system of political governance leads to a great deal of one-upmanship among the local captains and on the council itself.

Battle for Lion's Arch[edit]

Lion's Arch during Scarlet's attack.

In 1327 AE, after months of preparation, the arch-villain Scarlet Briar descended on Lion's Arch with all of her deadly forces. The city was razed and the smoldering husk of the proud port city was occupied, and it was weeks before the siege was broken. After days of battle, Scarlet was slain in the skies above the city aboard her airship, the Breachmaker.

Word of Scarlet's demise has spread like wildfire throughout the wards of the city. With renewed vigor, the heroes of Lion's Arch, the Lionguard, and Order forces have driven out the remainder of Scarlet's armies, their morale and ranks shattered. Cheers and celebrations erupted at the refugee camps and nigh across all of Tyria. All the while, the Breachmaker—the enormous airship looming over Sanctum Harbor—continued to drill uncontrollably before it mysteriously exploded a few days after hitting a magical leyline which was Scarlet's target. The resulting blast caused the pieces of the Breachmaker to be flung out across the city—mostly concentrated around the harbor but with debris landing as far out as the Farshore Ward and scarring the landscape. With the pieces being so immensely large, the resultant rebuilding of Lion's Arch was taking place around these seemingly immovable chunks of metal.

New Lion's Arch[edit]

Lion's Arch finished its rebuild in 1328 AE. Parts of The Breachmaker were molded into new metal used to build several new structures, such as an aerodrome, a fortress, turrets, a new harbor with a shipyard amongst others. Some of the new buildings and structures are based on sea creatures and the city now has more of a maritime flair than the previous pirate flair. Several points of interest also had their names modified or replaced. The previously destroyed waypoint in Fort Marriner was restored and is now usable. Many citizens and services were moved including those for guilds that are now at Guild Initiative Headquarters.

In 1330 AE, many elonian refugees flee to Lion's Arch due to Balthazar wages war against the Elder Dragons in the Crystal Desert.

Unique features[edit]

Lion's Arch is unique among the cities of Tyria since it is the central trade and cultural hub. It has features not found in other cities:

Locations[edit]

Area Area objectives
Bloodcoast Ward
Waypoint (map icon).png Bloodcoast Ward Waypoint
Vista (map icon).png 1 Vista
Commodore's Quarter
Waypoint (map icon).png Commodore's Quarter Waypoint
Point of interest (map icon).png Captain Kiel's Office
Point of interest (map icon).png Order of Whispers Headquarters
Personal waypoint (map icon).png Consortium Headquarters
Eastern Ward
Waypoint (map icon).png Gate Hub Plaza Waypoint
Point of interest (map icon).png Coriolis Plaza
Point of interest (map icon).png The Vaults
Asura gate (map icon).png Arborstone Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Black Citadel Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Divinity's Reach Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Hoelbrak Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Rata Sum Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Southsun Cove Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png The Grove Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png The Wizard's Tower Portal
Farshore Ward
Waypoint (map icon).png Cavern Waypoint
Waypoint (map icon).png Farshore Waypoint
Point of interest (map icon).png Tokk's Mill
Vista (map icon).png 1 Vista
Fort Marriner
Waypoint (map icon).png Claw Island Portage Waypoint
Waypoint (map icon).png Fort Marriner Waypoint
Point of interest (map icon).png Mist Portals
Point of interest (map icon).png Vigil Centerhouse
Asura gate (map icon).png Heart of the Mists Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Green Alpine Borderlands Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Red Desert Borderlands Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Blue Alpine Borderlands Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Eternal Battlegrounds Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Edge of the Mists Asura Gate
Asura gate (map icon).png Obsidian Sanctum Asura Gate
Personal waypoint (map icon).png Claw Island Portage
Grand Piazza
Point of interest (map icon).png Lion's Court
Vista (map icon).png 1 Vista
Hooligan's Route
Point of interest (map icon).png The Undermarket
Vista (map icon).png 1 Vista
Inner Harbor
Point of interest (map icon).png Captain Theo Ashford Memorial Bridge
Point of interest (map icon).png Deverol Gardens
Vista (map icon).png 2 Vistas
Puzzle tango 20.png Troll's Revenge
Postern Ward
Waypoint (map icon).png Eastern Ward Waypoint
Waypoint (map icon).png Guild Buff Waypoint
Point of interest (map icon).png Guild Initiative Headquarters
Vista (map icon).png 1 Vista
Puzzle tango 20.png Urmaug's Secret
Personal waypoint (map icon).png Lion's Shadow Bed and Breakfast
Sanctum Harbor
Point of interest (map icon).png Macha's Landing
Point of interest (map icon).png Moorookoo Village
Point of interest (map icon).png Moran Memorial
Point of interest (map icon).png Old Lion's Arch
Point of interest (map icon).png Phoenix Roost
Point of interest (map icon).png Wreckage of the Breachmaker
Vista (map icon).png 2 Vistas
Personal waypoint (map icon).png Diverse Ledges
Personal waypoint (map icon).png Phoenix Dawn
Sharkmaw Caverns
Puzzle tango 20.png Weyandt's Revenge
Trader's Forum
Waypoint (map icon).png Trader's Forum Waypoint
Point of interest (map icon).png Black Lion Trading Company HQ
Point of interest (map icon).png Frog Pond
Point of interest (map icon).png Mystic Plaza
Western Ward
Waypoint (map icon).png Sanctum Harbor Waypoint
Waypoint (map icon).png Western Ward Waypoint
Point of interest (map icon).png Crow's Nest Tavern (Captain's Council)
Point of interest (map icon).png The Free Market
Vista (map icon).png 2 Vistas
Personal waypoint (map icon).png Trader Jikk's
White Crane Terrace
Waypoint (map icon).png Diverse Ledges Waypoint
Point of interest (map icon).png Durmand Priory Research Site
Point of interest (map icon).png Field of the Fallen
Point of interest (map icon).png Shuttered Gate
Personal waypoint (map icon).png Maeva's house

Interactive map[edit]

Pets[edit]

Juvenile Armor Fish
Juvenile Blue Jellyfish
Juvenile Krytan Drakehound
Juvenile Lynx
Juvenile Pig
Juvenile Shark

Diving location[edit]

  • At the very top of the lighthouse (west of Point of interest (map icon).png Phoenix Roost) right next to the Vista

Jumping puzzles[edit]

Historical

Gallery[edit]

Screenshots
Before Living World Season 1
Primary article: Memory of Old Lion's Arch#Gallery
During Scarlet's attack
Primary article: The Battle For Lion's Arch#Gallery
During Living World Season 2
Concept art
Historical loading screens
Holiday loading screens
Previous maps

Related achievements[edit]

Notes[edit]

Trivia[edit]

  • Internally at ArenaNet, this area was known as "Valley_Arch."
  • The composite image in the loading screen includes parts of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest, including one of its iconic lions.
  • Story instances from the Personal Story that take place on Lion's Arch use the original appearance of the city, prior to the events of Living World Season 1. Further, a sepia filter is added which can be disabled by turning post-processing off. This sepia filter also affects the cinematic that welcomes players to their chosen Order; players might wish to disable post-processing to watch the original cinematics without the filter.

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

Gwwlogo.png The Guild Wars Wiki has an article on Lion's Arch.