~ pulling this one off the shelf ~
Tyria’s leaders are anxious about rumors of covert Inquest voyages launched in search of the island of Castora, an island so remote that it’s long been thought to be inaccessible—or even nonexistent. The risks involved prevent all but the most tenacious (and perhaps foolhardy) of pursuers from investigating the Inquest’s plan. Your race to discover the Inquest’s plot will lead you across two new open world regions at launch, each filled with magical energies and strange creatures. Two additional maps will open as the story continues over the course of a year. During your travels, you’ll unlock three new Mastery tracks, including one for your Skimmer mount that will unlock new and updated abilities. The new region also brings new adventures, collections, and thematic rewards. Players who own both Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity and Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds will be able to unlock a new Castoran Homestead map. A new elite specialization for each profession will unlock new traits, profession mechanics, and healing, utility, and elite skills. Further augment your build by acquiring new relics themed to your adventures in Castora. And work towards six legendary rewards: three new legendary weapons, plus a ring, accessory, and aquabreather. The magically infused landscape of Castora is home to all manner of strange, warped wildlife. Two of the three major updates coming in 2026 will pit players against the most powerful of the island’s denizens in Raid Encounters (including Challenge Modes and a Legendary Mode) and a new Convergence. Along with the first of the new Raid Encounters, new system updates will make raids easier to access. A Fractal with an accompanying Challenge Mode will also release with the last of the major expansion updates. New emotes, armors, weapons, recipes, and other unique rewards await those who brave the dangers of Castora, and seasonal Wizard’s Vault refreshes throughout the expansion will bring additional options for unique aesthetic rewards. To support the addition of a new Homestead map, we’re introducing two additional features. The first, the ability to freely swap between the Janthiri and Castoran maps, is helped by the second feature, Layouts. Layouts create a file you can use to save, load, share, and edit arrangements of decorations. We’ll share more about these and other features as we get nearer to the launch of Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity.
