While the Secrets of the Obscure expansion has only just ended with a recent content update, ArenaNet is keeping the pace and is already announcing the next expansion: Janthir Wilds. Available on August 20, it will bring, among other things, new weapon skills, a new housing system and a new raid.
An unexplored region and a mysterious threat
The scenario of this new expansion following the events of Secrets of the Obscurewe will find certain actors from the previous extension, in particular the Astral Guard And Isgarren, founder of the Court of Wizards. At their side, and accompanied by a council of nations encompassing all of Tyria, the players will travel to Janthir to meet the Lowland Kodansthe ancestral residents of this fierce region, to learn more about their culture and uncover the secrets of a primal magical threat that is wreaking havoc in the wilds.
Starting August 20, two new maps located among the deltas and islands of the Janthir Wilds will be available, including Lowland Coast, home of the Lowland Kodans, and Janthir Syntri. There, rocky shores will make navigation tricky, while mystical storms and Wandering Titans – mysterious magical entities that channel the energy of the earth itself – will make the region very inhospitable. To more easily explore these new lands, players will be able to learn how to tame wild raidiafelis who can take advantage of the terrain thanks to their unique double jump ability.
Something new in war and in the city
To expand the land combat options a bit, ArenaNet will introduce a new weapon two-handed for all professions: the spear. Previously reserved for aquatic combat, this weapon can now be wielded on dry land, each profession having new skills reflecting their own way of using it, melee or at a distance. All players with an account Guild Wars 2 will be able to try the spear in the beta from June 27 to 30. And to rest from the battles, players will be able to return home since, upon launch, this expansion will introduce a user-friendly system of houses which can be personalized thanks to a new decoration interface. Players will be able to create and decorate their personal space as they wish to receive their friends.
A preview of upcoming updates
This expansion will take time to fully reveal itself since, following the same model as Secrets of the Obscure, three major updates free will complement the initial content by summer 2025. These will notably add a new card, A raid, a new game mode PvP and new rewards, including a new legendary spear and back item. As recently announced, the new map will be released in two parts : a first in the second major update, and the second in the third update. The first major update will still include content specific to the story, but on the two new maps available at release or even on other old maps. No other information is currently available on the new raid – other than that it will be focused on the Janthir Wilds bosses – or the future PvP game mode, but there is no doubt that we will learn more in the months future.
Commenting on the expansion, Guild Wars 2 lead designer Josh Davis noted:
“From the beginning, we wanted to bring together many items that had been on the community's wish list and on ours for years. Janthir Wilds demonstrates our commitment to continuing to surprise and delight our players, while enhancing the Guild Wars 2 gaming experience in unexpected ways, as well as expanding the game modes for our cooperative and competitive communities. »
Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds is now available for pre-purchase on the official website priced at €24.99, and includes a bundle of pre-purchase bonus items. The Deluxe Edition (€49.99) includes the Standard Edition bundle, as well as other exclusive items. The Ultimate Edition of Janthir Wilds ($74.99) includes items from the Standard and Deluxe editions, as well as 4,000 gems, the in-game store currency of Guild Wars 2. Additionally, to accompany the new expansion, Guild Wars 2 and all of its additional content will arrive on theEpic Games Store later this summer.