since the game's release alot of systems have been entirely overhauled and same for progression (not loot character development wise). it is fairly unrelaistic to truly get into detail about everything that has changed for especially returning players.
the game is very lenient on its free to play elements and mostly only things your truly locked out of would be expansion content. but one thing many like guild wars for is that their isnt a gear treadmill as they for mmos where theres a ever growing climb of better loot for every new content etc. anything from original guild wars 2 content is still user firendly for the latest content unless your looking into fractals/raids.
so you may ask what is people like about this well their is hundreds of armors etc in the game that can be mixed and match and come from all sorts of systems (special vendors/special events/achievements/story content etc etc. and thats what most go for seeing what they can mix up etc.
the game is also one of the only mmos i can safely say recives so much new content outside of expansions so frequently. the game has a system called living season which is an ever growing content and with every new season chapter their is a whole now story campaign and normally a new map to explore fillied with events special items/skins ahievements etc. if you also login anytime during that season chapter is active you will get that chapter for free forever, if you miss it you can purchase it in store.
the game has its own wiki updated by arenanet and the community all the time, their is a handy page that lists everything regarding patches in a convenient and readable way without overloading info Release - Guild Wars 2 Wiki (GW2W)
heres a nice breakdown of main updates since september 2019
as you can see around every 3 months is their is a new content drop indicated by the green star icon
![](https://i.imgur.com/EMjCOlb.png)
with path of fire we saw the introduction of mounts into guild wars
![](https://i.imgur.com/lPWbzqr.png)
the mounts are useable in all old content prior to path of fire which makes for some fun and also some breaking of maps which we all love.
Raptors:
are hardy and swift, and surprisingly easy to train due to their intelligence. They can cross great distances in a single leap, making them the favored mount of many of the desert's denizens. Travelers are advised not to leave the city of Amnoon without obtaining a raptor companion.
It is the first mount available to players upon reaching the Crystal Desert. The Raptor can jump further than any other mount, being able to jump across large gaps. While mounted on a Raptor, you gain 100% increased movement speed.
springer's:
Their long ears and wiggly noses are charming, but the springer's greatest strength is their ability to make jaw-dropping vertical leaps. Traveling merchants and couriers use them to cross sheer cliffs in the Crystal Highlands, shaving weeks off their journeys.
Skimmers:
are graceful creatures native to the Elon River. They live above water, breathing through large air sacs as they float above the surface. While they cannot truly fly, they can hover for short distances at a height of several norn, making them indispensable for crossing large areas of treacherous quicksand or sulfur.
Jackals:
are elusive, magical creatures formed of shifting sands and given shape by magical runes. They can dissipate into sand to teleport short distances and dash through sand portals. The djinn of the Desolation create and tame them; prove yourself a worthy trainer, and you may befriend one.
there is a few other mounts but those ill keep suprise
Elite Specializations:
![](https://i.imgur.com/IfEAbcm.png)
In contrast to core specializations, which merely modify how certain skills and effects work, choosing an elite specialization fundamentally changes the way a given profession plays by altering or expanding on the base profession mechanic and providing access to a new weapon, healing skill, elite skill and a set of utility skills of the same skill type. All core profession skills, weapons and specializations will still be available while an elite specialization is equipped.
Training an elite specialization is basically the same as a core specialization, however there are a few requirements:
- You must own the respective expansion
- The character must be level 80
- All core skills and specializations must be fully trained
End Of Dragons Expansion news:
![](https://www.pcinvasion.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/gw2-eod-kuunavang_feature-800x400.jpg)
arenanet also just announced the newest expansion which is taking place in cantha region. this should bring back alliances like in original, it will also involve underwater combat (the jade sea has melted compared to when we was there in guild wars 1) they have entirely overhauled underwater combat and the expansion has more changes their and some underwater mounts. (none of this stuff has been released yet info wise but i have some inside info i did say back in march this was coming to steam later this year )
title reference is from this