Range

Range is a property of many game mechanics and skills that defines the distance at which a mechanic is effective or a skill can successfully connect to its target. Distance is defined in terms of units, which are essentially equivalent to inches. The radius or area of effect defines the area over which a skill's effects are applied.

•  Range is used by most skills, skills without a range normally take effect at the user's position.
•  Radius is used by skills with circular area of effect which displays the radius of the area of effect created from its centerpoint.

Attack range

Attack skills that target an enemy directly will miss and deal no damage should the target be outside the maximum indicated range. Area of effect skills will not technically miss, but they will not hit either unless they are targeted at the location of targets or if the targets move to the area of effect during its duration.

Most attacks can be activated even if the user is not in appropriate range; however, some skills which specifically target an enemy (such as most shadowstepping skills) cannot be activated outside of the attack range. To indicate that a target is out of range, a red bar appears below the skill icons on the skill bar. Activating any skill while out of range and moving closer to the target while the skill is still being activated allows the skill to hit normally as long as the target is in the range when the skill would connect.

Attacks commonly defined as melee attacks made with martial weapons such as axes or swords can hit multiple foes at once, provided they are within the range of the attack used, effectively allowing skills like Sever Artery or Wrathful Strike to properly trigger their effects for each foe hit by the attack; however, this varies greatly depending on the particular skill used. Most melee attacks can hit up to three enemies if they are close enough to each other and the attacker.

Ranged attacks that produce projectiles can miss due to the need to travel to their target; they can become obstructed by terrain or destroyed by specific skills which block or reflect projectiles. Projectile attacks can also hit other enemies instead of their intended target; piercing attacks can circumvent this restriction and will hit any enemies behind or in front of the initial target, providing they are within the maximum range of the attack.

Related traits

Traits that increase radius

• Writ of Persistence (Honor) — Symbols are improved and heal allies.
• Bulwark (Dragonhunter) — Shield of Courage gains increased radius and duration.
• Righteous Rebel (Renegade) — Kalla's Fervor reduces the damage you receive from conditions. Orders from Above lasts longer and affects a larger area.
• Grenadier (Explosives) — Increase the throw velocity and blast radius of grenades. Using a healing skill casts Lesser Grenade Barrage.
• Burning Rage (Fire) — Sunspot inflicts burning, and its radius is increased. Your condition damage is increased.
• Sand Savant (Scourge) — Summon only one shade at a time. This greater shade has a modified recharge. Influence a larger area with shade skills. A greater shade counts as three shades for related traits.

Weapons by range

The following table displays the ranges for skill 1 on each weapon. Note that skills 2-5 may have larger or smaller ranges than those shown here. Also note that off-hand weapons (including one-handed weapons equipped to the off-hand) are not included here.

The most common ranges are 130 (for most "melee" attacks) and 1200 (for most "long-range" attacks). The only weapons in this table with more than 1200 range are the Ranger's longbow and Deadeye's rifle (while Kneeling), with 1500. (The engineer Elite Mortar Kit also has 1500 range.)

Weapon		Skill 1 range
		Guardian	Revenant	Warrior	Engineer	Ranger	Thief	Elementalist	Mesmer	Necromancer
Main-hand	Axe	130		130		900	900		130	900
	Dagger			130		130	130	400 600 300 300	1200	130
	Mace	130	130	130	130	130
	Pistol	900			900		900	900		900
	Scepter	900	300				900	900	900	900
	Sword	130	130	130	130	130	130	130	130	900
Two-handed	Greatsword	130	130	130		130			1200	130
	Hammer	130	1200	130	130	130		600 130 600 130
	Longbow	1200		1200		1500
	Rifle			1200	1200		1200 1500		1200
	Short bow		900		900	900	900
	Staff	1200	130	130		1200	130	1200	1200	1200
Aquatic	Harpoon gun			1200	1200	1500	1200
	Spear	600	600	150		150	150		150	150
	Trident	1200	1200					1200	1200	1200

Notes

The Guild Wars Wiki has an article on Range.

• The June 23, 2015 update removed many individual traits that affected the range of skills.
• Some bundles have the range significantly larger than common weapons. For example, range of Fire Missile shot from the portable Pact Bazooka is 2000, and range of Ghostbore Shot from the static Ghostbore Cannon is 10400.