How to Change Weapon Skins in Guild Wars 2: A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Changing the appearance of your weapons in Guild Wars 2 (GW2) is a fundamental aspect of the game’s customization system. It allows you to personalize your character’s look without affecting their stats, adding a layer of visual flair to your adventures. To change your weapon skins in GW2, you will use the Wardrobe tab located within the Hero Panel and apply Transmutation Charges. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Open the Hero Panel: Press the default key
Hto open your Hero Panel. - Navigate to the Wardrobe: Click on the Wardrobe tab at the top of the Hero Panel. This is where all your unlocked weapon and armor skins are stored.
- Select the Equipment Slot: On the left side of the Wardrobe interface, you will see a list of equipment slots. Select the slot corresponding to the weapon you wish to change (e.g., Main Hand, Off Hand, Two-Handed).
- Choose Your Skin: The central area of the Wardrobe will display all unlocked skins for the selected slot. Scroll through the available options and click on the desired skin.
- Preview Your Selection: The skin you selected will be previewed on your character model on the right side of the screen. You can preview multiple skin changes at the same time for your whole character.
- Apply the Transmutation: Once you are satisfied with your choice, click the Apply button. This will consume one Transmutation Charge and permanently change your weapon’s appearance to the chosen skin.
That’s it! Your weapon now sports your chosen skin. This process allows you to freely customize the look of your character without worrying about impacting your combat effectiveness, letting you express your personal style in the world of Tyria. It’s important to note that the actual weapon’s stats remain the same; only its visual representation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are Transmutation Charges, and how do I get them?
Transmutation Charges are a currency used to change the appearance of your equipment in Guild Wars 2. You need them to apply new skins using the Wardrobe system. These charges can be acquired in a variety of ways:
- Completing Daily Achievements: Daily achievements often reward transmutation charges.
- Story Progression: Many story steps grant transmutation charges.
- Map Completion: Completing map exploration can sometimes provide transmutation charges.
- Gem Store: Transmutation Charges can be purchased from the Gem Store, Guild Wars 2’s premium cash shop.
- Login Rewards: Some login rewards provide transmutation charges
- Various in-game rewards: Certain in-game activities will reward you with transmutation charges.
Your current number of Transmutation Charges is displayed both in the Wardrobe tab and in your wallet at the top right of your screen.
How do I unlock new weapon skins?
You unlock weapon skins by acquiring weapons that have a unique visual appearance. Once a weapon is either account-bound or soul-bound, its skin becomes permanently available in your Wardrobe for any of your characters to use. This means you can unlock new weapon skins through a variety of means:
- Loot Drops: Defeating enemies and completing events can sometimes drop weapons with unique skins.
- Crafting: Crafting weapons often unlocks their skins.
- Trading Post: Buying weapons from the Trading Post that you don’t already have will unlock their skins.
- Black Lion Chests: These chests can contain unique weapons that unlock exclusive skins.
- Story Rewards: Many story steps provide unique weapon skins.
- Achievement Rewards: Certain achievements reward unique skins.
- World Bosses: World bosses will sometimes drop unique weapons that unlock new skins
Can I preview skins before applying them?
Yes, absolutely! The Wardrobe system allows you to preview multiple skin changes at the same time. Simply click on a skin, and it will be displayed on your character. You can preview as many skins as you wish before committing to a transmutation. This feature ensures you’re happy with your choice before spending a Transmutation Charge. You can also preview your dyes in the Dyes tab while in the Wardrobe.
Can I apply skins to items I haven’t equipped?
Yes, you can apply skins to any weapon slot regardless of whether the actual weapon is equipped or not. You can view all available weapon skins in your Wardrobe and change the appearance of equipment slots even if there is no weapon placed in that slot at the time.
Does changing weapon skins affect weapon stats?
No, changing the appearance of your weapons using transmutation has no effect on their stats or abilities. The process is purely cosmetic, allowing you to customize your character’s look without sacrificing combat power. The underlying stats of the weapon remain unchanged.
Can I revert a skin change?
Yes, you can revert a skin change by applying a new skin. You can change your equipment’s skin as many times as you wish, as long as you have sufficient Transmutation Charges. However, you cannot retrieve a Transmutation Charge after having used one to apply a skin change.
What’s the difference between a skin and an outfit?
Skins are tied to individual equipment slots, such as weapons and armor, and are applied using Transmutation Charges. Outfits, on the other hand, are a complete set that overrides your existing armor appearance. Outfits do not require Transmutation Charges to equip, and they do not affect your stats. They are often obtained through the Gem Store and are designed to give your character a cohesive, pre-defined look.
Can I change my character’s physical appearance besides weapon skins?
Yes, you can change various aspects of your character’s physical appearance using items like Self-Style Hair Kits and Total Makeover Kits. These items allow you to modify features such as:
- Height
- Physique
- Skin Color
- Markings
- Face
- Hair
- Gender
Where can I find or buy skins?
Skins are not specifically “bought” in the way that traditional items are. You unlock them by acquiring the weapons, whether they are looted, crafted, purchased on the Trading Post, or earned as rewards. However, some exclusive skins can be obtained through:
- Black Lion Chests: Random chance for unique skins
- Gem Store: Direct purchases for specific weapon skins.
- Trading Post: Some weapon skins can be purchased directly from other players.
- World vs World Skirmish Chests: Some WvW armor and weapons have skins that are only available through the WvW reward track.
- Fractals: Unique fractal weapon skins are available via specific fractal content.
- Raids: Unique raid armor and weapon skins can be obtained by completing the available raids.
Can I dye weapon skins?
Yes, you can apply dyes to weapon skins. While in the Wardrobe tab, there is an associated Dyes tab. Navigate to the Dyes tab to apply dyes to the skins of the armor and weapon pieces that you are previewing, allowing you to fine-tune the appearance even further.
What does “account-bound” and “soul-bound” mean for skins?
When an item becomes account-bound, it cannot be traded or sold to other players and becomes available for use by all characters on your account. When an item becomes soul-bound, it becomes permanently bound to the character that has equipped it and cannot be moved between characters. However, both types of bound equipment unlock the skins for use by any character on your account.
What are Exotic and Ascended weapons and how do they relate to skins?
Exotic and Ascended are tiers of equipment in GW2, with Ascended being higher tier than Exotic. These higher tier items come with better stats but will still unlock their skins the same way as other weapons. If you get an Exotic weapon, the skin will be available to your account, whether the weapon itself is actually useful to you or not.
Are there legendary skins, and how do I get them?
Yes, there are Legendary weapons and armor that have unique skins. They are not necessarily better stat-wise than Ascended gear, but they come with unique animations and visual effects. Legendary items are obtained through a lengthy crafting process that requires a lot of in-game resources and time.
Can I change the skin of my weapon while in combat?
No, you cannot change your weapon skins while in combat. The Wardrobe system can only be accessed from the Hero Panel, which is unavailable during combat situations.
Can I use a skin multiple times?
Yes, once you unlock a skin it is permanently available in your Wardrobe. You can apply that skin to multiple weapons across all your characters. You only pay for the transmutation with Transmutation Charges. You will not be re-unlocking a skin once you have it.
By understanding these aspects of the Wardrobe and Transmutation system, you can fully embrace the customization possibilities offered by Guild Wars 2, making your hero truly unique.