Release

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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[edit]

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.

Skip to the most recent release ↓

Guild Wars 2[edit]

Release Features
Daily Achievement.pngMonthly Achievement.pngCommunity.pngExplorer.pngFashion.pngHero.pngHall of Monuments (achievement).pngPvP Conqueror.pngSlayer.pngTradesman.pngWeapon Master.pngWorld vs World.png
Zone icon.pngOriginal releaseStoryline (interface).png 49 story steps per character (313 in total)
Living World Season 1

Living World Season 1

Release Features
Bosses.pngJumping Puzzles.pngShadow of the Mad King.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Daily PvP Achievement.pngMonthly PvP Achievement.pngFractals of the Mists (achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial eventStoryline (interface).png Lost Shores
The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Flame and Frost.png
Flame and Frost.png
Flame and Frost.png
Storyline (interface).png Braham: Help from the Legions → Braham: Eirsson → Braham: Retake Cragstead → Rox: Critical Mission → Rox: The Hatchery
Sunny Glade.jpg
April 1, 2013
Super Adventure Box.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial 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
Flame and Frost.png
Storyline (interface).png Molten Facility → Braham: Avenger of the Dispossessed → Rox: Avenger of the Dispossessed
Secret of Southsun.png
Secret of Southsun.png
Storyline (interface).png Canach's Lair → Contractually Obligated → Canach's Lair (explorable)
Dragon Bash (achievements).png
Storyline (interface).png Ceremony and Acrimony → Hard Boiled → Every Piece Matters → No More Secrets
Sky Pirates.png
Storyline (interface).png Aetherblade Retreat → A Future in Politics
Belcher's Bluff (achievements).pngBazaar of the Four Winds.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial eventStoryline (interface).png Strangers from the Sky
Support Ellen Kiel.pngSupport Evon Gnashblade.png
Storyline (interface).png Audience with the Master
Crab Toss.pngSanctum Sprint.pngSouthsun Survival.pngQueen Jennah's Jubilee.pngThe Queen's Gauntlet.png
Storyline (interface).png 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
Clockwork Chaos (achievements).pngEmissary Vorpp's Field Assistant.png
Storyline (interface).png Closing Ceremony → Scarlet's Playhouse
Super Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial eventStoryline (interface).png Ketto's Lab
Tequatl.pngBoss Week.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Twilight Arbor Aetherpath.pngTwilight Assault.png
World vs World.pngBlood and Madness.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Tower of Nightmares.png
Storyline (interface).png The Nightmare Unveiled
The Nightmares Within.png
Storyline (interface).png Nightmare Chamber → The Nightmare Incarnate
Fractals of the Mists (achievements).png
Storyline (interface).png Fractals of the Mists
The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx.pngThe Nightmare Is Over.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial eventStoryline (interface).png The Nightmare Ends → The Dead End
Triple Trouble.pngThe Origins of Madness.png
Storyline (interface).png The Origins of Madness
World vs World.pngEscape from Lion's Arch.png
Storyline (interface).png Edge of the Mists
Escape from Lion's Arch.png
Storyline (interface).png Escape from Lion's Arch
The Battle for Lion's Arch.png
Storyline (interface).png Battle for Lion's Arch
World vs World.png
Storyline (interface).png The Dead End
Feature pack
Festival of the Four Winds.pngThe Queen's Gauntlet.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial eventStoryline (interface).png Lion's Arch: Honored Guests
Living World Season 2

Living World Season 2

Release Features
Gates of Maguuma.pngDry Top.png
Storyline (interface).png Disturbance in Brisban Wildlands → Fallen Hopes → Tracking the Master of Peace → Cornered → Prosperity's Mystery
Entanglement.pngDry Top.png
Storyline (interface).png Scarlet's Secret Room → Discovering Scarlet's Breakthrough → The Concordia Incident → Trouble at Fort Salma → The Machine
The Dragon's Reach, Part 1.pngExplorer.png
Storyline (interface).png Rallying Call → Uprooting the Iron Marches → The Waypoint Conundrum → Summit Invitations → Plan of Attack
The Dragon's Reach, Part 2.pngDry Top.png
Storyline (interface).png Party Politics → Recalibrating the Waypoints → Taimi and the Asura → The World Summit
Basic Collections.pngRare Collections.pngBlack Lion Collections.pngWorld vs World.png
Feature pack
Blood and Madness.pngBlood and Madness.pngBasic Collections.pngBlack Lion Collections.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Echoes of the Past.pngThe Silverwastes.pngBasic Collections.pngRare Collections.png
Storyline (interface).png The Ghosts of Fort Salma → Reunion with the Pact → Caithe's Reconnaissance Squad → Hidden Arcana
Tangled Paths.pngThe Silverwastes.pngBasic Collections.png
Storyline (interface).png Return to Camp Resolve → Tracking the Aspect Masters → Into the Labyrinth
Seeds of Truth.pngThe Silverwastes.pngBasic Collections.pngBasic Collections.png
Storyline (interface).png The Newly Awakened → Meeting the Asura → No Refuge
The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx.pngBasic Collections.pngBasic Collections.pngBasic Collections.pngRare Collections.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Point of No Return.pngThe Silverwastes.pngBasic Collections.pngBasic Collections.png
Storyline (interface).png Arcana Obscura → Pact Assaulted → The Mystery Cave
June 23, 2015
Explorer.png
Hero.png
Storyline (interface).png Remembering Scarlet's War

Heart of Thorns[edit]

Release Features
Heart of Thorns Act 1.pngHeart of Thorns Act 2.pngHeart of Thorns Act 3.pngHeart of Thorns Act 4.pngVerdant Brink.pngAuric Basin.pngTangled Depths.pngDragon's Stand.pngMastery Insights.pngSpecializations (achievements).pngBasic Collections.pngRare Collections.pngSpecialization Collections.pngLegendary Weapons (achievements).pngLegendary Backpacks.pngDaily Fractals.pngFractals of the Mists (achievements).pngExplorer.png
Post Heart of Thorns

Post Heart of Thorns

Release Features
Shadow of the Mad King.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Spirit Vale (achievements).pngLegendary Armor (achievements).pngLegendary Weapons (achievements).png
Raid
Legendary Backpacks.pngLegendary Backpacks.pngLegendary Backpacks.pngLegendary Backpacks.png
Competitive
Wintersday achievement.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
The Shatterer.png
Quarterly update
Spirit Vale (achievements).png
Raid
Super Adventure Box.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Legendary Weapons (achievements).pngLegendary Backpacks.png
Quarterly update
Spirit Vale (achievements).png
Raid
Living World Season 3

Living World Season 3

Release Features
Out of the Shadows.pngOut of the Shadows.pngRevenge of the Capricorn.png
Storyline (interface).png Eir's Memorial in Hoelbrak → Research in Rata Novus → Blood and Stone → Reaper of Magic → A Shadow's Deeds → Confessor's Stronghold
Rising Flames.pngRising Flames.pngEternal Coliseum.png
Storyline (interface).png Taimi's Game → Destroying Destroyers → Igneous Breach → Trip to the Circus → Machine in the Flame → Old Foes, Old Ghosts → Dragon Vigil
Shadow of the Mad King.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
A Crack in the Ice.pngA Crack in the Ice.pngFractals of the Mists (achievements).png
Storyline (interface).png Precocious Aurene → Journey to Bitterfrost Frontier → Frozen in Ice → Elixir Recipe → Elixir Cookin' → The Bitter Cold → Frozen Out
Wintersday achievement.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
The Head of the Snake.pngThe Head of the Snake.pngSpirit Vale (achievements).pngForest of Niflhel.pngLegacy of the Foefire.pngBattle of Kyhlo.pngTemple of the Silent Storm.pngBattle of Champion's Dusk.pngSpirit Watch.pngSkyhammer.png
Storyline (interface).png A Meeting of Ministers → Eyes on Lake Doric → Sabotage Fort Evennia → Breaking the Siege → Regrouping with the Queen → Confessor's End
Super Adventure Box.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Flashpoint.pngFlashpoint.png
Storyline (interface).png Taimi's Pet Project → Arrival and Survival → In Pursuit of a God → Elder Druid Protection → Heart of the Volcano
Competitive
One Path Ends.pngOne Path Ends.pngFractals of the Mists (achievements).pngMastery Insights.pngLegendary Trinkets.png
Storyline (interface).png "Where's Balthazar?" → Shining Blade Secrets → On Orrian Shores → The Flow of Magic → The Last Chance

Path of Fire[edit]

Release Features
Path of Fire Act 1.pngPath of Fire Act 2.pngPath of Fire Act 3.pngCrystal Oasis.pngDesert Highlands.pngElon Riverlands.pngThe Desolation.pngDomain of Vabbi.pngCrystal Desert.pngMastery Insights.pngSpecializations (achievements).pngSlayer.pngBasic Collections.pngRare Collections.pngSpecialization Collections.pngExplorer.png
Living World Season 4

Living World Season 4

Release Features
Shadow of the Mad King.pngShadow of the Mad King (2017 achievements).pngLunatic Wardrobe.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Daybreak.pngDaybreak.pngFractals of the Mists (achievements).pngSpirit Vale (achievements).pngLegendary Trinkets.png
Storyline (interface).png Eye of the Brandstorm → Under the Stars → Champion's Dawn → Convincing the Corsair → The Hero of Istan → The First City
The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx (2017).pngWintersday achievement.pngWinter's Presence (achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
A Bug in the System.pngA Bug in the System.png
Storyline (interface).png Tracking the Scientist → The Test Subject → A Kindness Repaid → The Road to Rata Primus → The Charge
Super Adventure Box.pngCommunity.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Long Live the Lich.pngLong Live the Lich.pngFractals of the Mists (achievements).png
Storyline (interface).png Seized → Forearmed Is Forewarned → Tactical Triage → I'm Brave, You Know → Be My Guest
Bazaar of the Four Winds.pngFour Winds Customs.pngCrown Pavilion (achievements).pngThe Queen's Gauntlet.pngFour Winds Customs.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
A Star to Guide Us.pngA Star to Guide Us.pngSpirit Vale (achievements).pngLegendary Trinkets.png
Storyline (interface).png A Shattered Nation → Chaos Theory → Legacy → From the Ashes → Storm Tracking
Shadow of the Mad King.pngShadow of the Mad King (2017 achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
November 13, 2018
Djinn's Dominion.png
November 26, 2018
Roller Beetle Racing.png
Wintersday achievement.pngThe Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx (2017).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
All or Nothing.pngAll or Nothing.pngFractals of the Mists (achievements).png
Storyline (interface).png Scion & Champion → Dragonsblood → The Crystal Blooms → Resonance → The Crystal Dragon
March 5, 2019
World vs World.png
Super Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
War Eternal.pngWar Eternal.pngLegendary Trinkets.png
Storyline (interface).png The End → Landfall → Glory of Dragons → Bleed → Descent
Spirit Vale (achievements).pngLegendary Trinkets.png
Raid
Dragon Bash (achievements).pngDragon Bash Feats.pngDragon Bash Feats.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Bazaar of the Four Winds.pngFour Winds Customs.pngCrown Pavilion (achievements).pngThe Queen's Gauntlet.pngFour Winds Customs.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
August 13, 2019
August 27, 2019
Tradesman.png
  • Chef crafting discipline can progress until level 500 to craft ascended food
The Icebrood Saga

The Icebrood Saga

Release Features
Bound by Blood.pngBound by Blood.png
Storyline (interface).png Coming Home → Revels & Rivals → Bad Blood → Deeper and Deeper → A Race to Arms
Festival Collections.pngShadow of the Mad King.pngShadow of the Mad King (2017 achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
October 29, 2019
Bjora Marches.pngBjora Marches.pngFlashpoint.pngDaybreak.png
Storyline (interface).png Silence → What's Left Behind → The Wind and Nothing More → The Invitation
Wintersday achievement.pngWintersday achievement.pngThe Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx (2017).pngWinter's Presence (achievements).pngFestival Collections.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Lunar New Year Dailies.pngDragon Ball.pngLunar New Year Dailies.pngNew Year's Customs.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Shadow in the Ice.pngBjora Marches.pngDrakkar.pngExplorer.png
Storyline (interface).png Chasing Ghosts → Still Waters Speaking → Lost Spirits Found → The Hunt Begins → Voice in the Deep
February 25, 2020
Tutorial.pngPvP Conqueror.pngWorld vs World.png
Visions of the Past- Steel and Fire.pngDaily Strike Mission.pngWorld vs World.pngPvP Conqueror.png
Storyline (interface).png Forging Steel → Darkrime Delves
Super Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngFestival Collections.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
No Quarter.pngNo Quarter.png
Storyline (interface).png Pointed Parley → Shoulder to Shoulder → Snapping Steel → Distract, Destroy, Distrust → Turnabout
Dragon Bash (achievements).pngDragon Bash Feats.pngDragon Bash Feats.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Jormag Rising.pngNo Quarter.png
Storyline (interface).png Behind Enemy Lines → Wrench in the Works → A Simple Negotiation → Pantheon of the Wild → One Charr, One Dragon, One Champion
Bazaar of the Four Winds.pngCrown Pavilion (achievements).pngThe Queen's Gauntlet.pngFour Winds Customs.pngFour Winds Customs.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
August 25, 2020
Crystal Desert.png
September 15, 2020
Fractals of the Mists (achievements).pngSpirit Vale (achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Champions.pngChampions.pngFestival of the Four Winds.pngFestival of the Four Winds.pngFestival of the Four Winds.pngNo Quarter.pngJormag Rising.png
Storyline (interface).png Primordus Rising → Tidings and Misgivings → Defending Tyria
Wintersday achievement.pngWintersday achievement.pngThe Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx (2017).pngWinter's Presence (achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Champions.pngChampions.pngFestival of the Four Winds.pngFestival of the Four Winds.pngFestival of the Four Winds.png
Storyline (interface).png Roaring Flames → Jormag's World
Lunar New Year Dailies.pngDragon Ball.pngLunar New Year Dailies.pngNew Year's Customs.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Champions.pngChampions.pngFestival of the Four Winds.pngFestival of the Four Winds.pngFestival of the Four Winds.pngFestival of the Four Winds.pngFestival of the Four Winds.png
Storyline (interface).png Jormag's Madness → Wildfire → Frozen Tide → Flame vs. Frost
Super Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngFestival Collections.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Champions.pngDragonstorm.png
Storyline (interface).png Dragonstorm → Champion's End
Dragon Bash (achievements).pngDragon Bash Feats.pngDragon Bash Feats.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
July 13, 2021
The Origins of Madness.pngThe Origins of Madness.png
Bazaar of the Four Winds.pngCrown Pavilion (achievements).pngThe Queen's Gauntlet.pngFour Winds Customs.pngFour Winds Customs.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Shadow of the Mad King.pngShadow of the Mad King (2017 achievements).pngLunatic Wardrobe.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Wintersday achievement.pngWintersday achievement.pngThe Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx (2017).pngWinter's Presence (achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Lunar New Year Dailies.pngDragon Ball.pngLunar New Year Dailies.pngNew Year's Customs.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event

End of Dragons[edit]

Release Features
End of Dragons- Act 1.pngEnd of Dragons- Act 2.pngEnd of Dragons- Act 3.pngEnd of Dragons- Act 4.pngEnd of Dragons- Act 5.pngCantha.pngSeitung Province.pngNew Kaineng City.pngThe Echovald Wilds.pngDragon's End.pngArborstone.pngFishing (achievements).pngMastery Insights.pngSpecializations (achievements).pngSpecialization Collections.pngExplorer.png
Post End of Dragons and return of Living World Season 1

Post End of Dragons and return of Living World Season 1

Release Features
Super Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngFestival Collections.pngArborstone.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Flame and Frost.pngRare Collections.pngCantha.png
Living World (replay).png New Friends, New Enemies → The Battle for Cragstead → Alliance Investigation → Molten Furnace → A Quiet Celebration
May 10, 2022
Cantha.png
Sky Pirates.pngRare Collections.pngCantha.pngLegendary Weapons (achievements).png
Living World (replay).png Ceremony and Acrimony → Hard Boiled → No More Secrets → Aether Investigation → The Aetherblade Retreat → Case Closed
Dragon Bash (achievements).pngDragon Bash Feats.pngDragon Bash Feats.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
June 28, 2022
Cantha.pngLegendary Weapons (achievements).png
Clockwork Chaos.pngRare Collections.pngEmissary Vorpp's Field Assistant.png
Living World (replay).png The Opening Ceremony → The Queen's Address → Clockwork Invasion → Scarlet's Playhouse → Picking Up the Pieces
Bazaar of the Four Winds.pngCrown Pavilion (achievements).pngThe Queen's Gauntlet.pngFour Winds Customs.pngFour Winds Customs.pngLegendary Weapons (achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Decade of the Dragons.pngAdventure Guide- Volume One.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Tower of Nightmares.pngThe Nightmares Within.pngThe Nightmare Is Over.pngRare Collections.png
Living World (replay).png The Nightmare Unveiled → Making the Antitoxin → The Tower of Nightmares → The Nightmare Incarnate → The Nightmare Ends → Awake and Allied
October 4, 2022
Legendary Weapons (achievements).png
Shadow of the Mad King.pngShadow of the Mad King (2017 achievements).pngLunatic Wardrobe.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
The Battle for Lion's Arch.pngEscape from Lion's Arch.pngRare Collections.pngCantha.png
Living World (replay).png 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
November 29, 2022
Cantha.pngLegendary Weapons (achievements).png
Wintersday achievement.pngWintersday achievement.pngThe Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx (2017).pngWinter's Presence (achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Lunar New Year Dailies.pngDragon Ball.pngLunar New Year Dailies.pngNew Year's Customs.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Delve into the Haze.pngCantha.pngLegendary Weapons (achievements).pngBlack Lion Requisition Missions.png
Storyline (interface).png A Raw Deal → On the Case → An Air of Mystery → Deep Trouble → Sleuthing a Solution
Super Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngSuper Adventure Box.pngFestival Collections.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
What Lies Within (achievements).pngSeitung Province.pngNew Kaineng City.pngThe Echovald Wilds.png
Storyline (interface).png A Plan Emerges → Bottle Your Emotions → Emotional Release → Entrapment → Full Circle
Dragon Bash (achievements).pngDragon Bash Feats.pngDragon Bash Feats.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
End of Dragons- Act 5.pngFractals of the Mists (achievements).png
Storyline (interface).png Interlude: Forward
Bazaar of the Four Winds.pngCrown Pavilion (achievements).pngThe Queen's Gauntlet.pngFour Winds Customs.pngFour Winds Customs.pngFractals of the Mists (achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event

Secrets of the Obscure[edit]

Release Features
Secrets of the Obscure- Act 1.pngSecrets of the Obscure- Act 2.pngSecrets of the Obscure- Act 3.pngSkies of Tyria.pngMastery Insights.pngSkywatch Archipelago.pngAmnytas.pngThe Wizard's Tower.pngRift Hunting.pngRift Hunting.pngEnd of Dragons (achievements).pngDaily Achievement.pngExplorer.pngFishing (achievements).pngBasic Collections.pngRare Collections.pngLegendary Weapons (achievements).pngLegendary Armor (achievements).png
Post Secrets of the Obscure

Post Secrets of the Obscure

Release Features
Shadow of the Mad King (2017 achievements).pngShadow of the Mad King (2017 achievements).pngShadow of the Mad King (2017 achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Inner Nayos- Heitor's Territory (achievements).pngInner Nayos- Heitor's Territory (achievements).pngRift Hunting.png
Storyline (interface).png Duress → The Survivors → Heitor's Gate
Wintersday achievement.pngWintersday achievement.pngThe Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx (2017).pngWinter's Presence (achievements).png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Lunar New Year Dailies.pngDragon Ball.pngLunar New Year Dailies.pngNew Year's Customs.png
Special event (map icon).pngSpecial event
Inner Nayos- Nyedra Surrounds (achievements).pngInner Nayos- Nyedra Surrounds (achievements).png
Storyline (interface).png The War Council → Forced Hand → Eventide's March

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • 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[edit]