Guild Wars 2 is heading to a tropical paradise this October with its sixth expansion, Visions of Eternity, and ArenaNet’s design choices signal a big shift: actual gameplay innovation, not just shiny maps.
At its core, Visions of Eternity is all about new elite specializations. ArenaNet has been teasing nine of them—one per class—with hints like Mesmers wielding instruments, Rangers controlling birds, Guardians wielding spooky lanterns, and Elementalists summoning fiery fox spirits. These aren’t just cosmetic tweaks—they’ll reshape buildcrafting and combat roles, offering new DPS, healing, or boon support across the board. A beta test for these specs runs from August 20–27, giving players a chance to experiment before the full launch.
But let’s talk paradise. The new story unfolds on Castora, a lush island beset by the Inquest’s magical machinations. Players will explore two brand-new maps at launch—with two more to follow later—as they confront a cult of Asuran mad scientists. And yes, that means a beachside Homestead plot, complete with shared layout support so you can brag about your beachfront cottage without re-decorating.
The expansion also gives player mounts and equipment a tropical makeover. The Skimmer mount gets a major overhaul, and underwater play gets a comedic nod in the form of a legendary aquabreather—perfect if you ever wanted to gasp for breath while snorkeling in Tyria.
ArenaNet’s approach to rollout shows a clear lesson learned: quality over quantity. Instead of leaning hard on map or story bloat, the expansion’s first post-launch update will focus on QoL improvements, with the heavier content (raids, new legendary gear, extended story) reserved for quarters two and three. In fact, future updates will include a new raid, a legendary ring, accessory, and another weapon—keeping players busy well into 2026.
Launch is set for October 28, 2025, with preorders open now across Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate editions. ArenaNet’s endgame roadmap suggests a steadier pace, so hopefully Visions of Eternity won’t fizzle out like its predecessor did late-stage.
