How Long Does It Take to Map Complete Guild Wars 2?

Map completion in Guild Wars 2 (GW2) is a significant undertaking for many players, offering a sense of accomplishment, exploration, and valuable rewards. The question of how long it actually takes is nuanced, depending heavily on individual playstyles and goals. A rough estimate for full map completion ranges from 12 to 15 hours for a single character, assuming focused effort without significant distractions or a need for grinding. However, this time can vary greatly. Experienced players with optimized builds, particularly Thief Deadeyes, can achieve remarkable speeds. The current world record for map completion stands at a staggering 6 hours and 48 minutes, highlighting the immense potential for efficiency. Conversely, newer players or those who prefer a more relaxed pace might spend considerably longer on the journey.

Factors Influencing Map Completion Time

The time required to achieve map completion is influenced by numerous factors. These include:

• Player Skill and Experience: Experienced players familiar with map layouts, combat mechanics, and optimal routes will naturally complete maps faster.
• Character Build and Class: Certain classes and builds are inherently better suited for fast travel and combat, impacting overall speed. For example, Thief Deadeye is particularly known for its mobility and damage output.
• Knowledge of Optimal Paths: Knowing the most efficient paths to Waypoints, Points of Interest (POIs), Vistas, and Skill Challenges significantly cuts down travel time.
• Use of Mounts and Gliders: Utilizing mounts and gliders, unlocked through gameplay or purchases, greatly enhances mobility and reduces travel time, particularly in later areas and expansions.
• Distractions and Side Activities: Engaging in side activities like events, gathering, and exploration beyond the core completion tasks will naturally lengthen completion times.
• Focus and Efficiency: A highly focused approach to just map completion, avoiding unnecessary tasks, will result in much faster times.
• Number of Characters: Map completion is character-specific. Completing all the zones on every character takes multiple map completion runs.

Understanding Map Completion Goals

Map completion requires you to achieve a number of goals within a zone. These include finding all the:

• Waypoints: These are crucial for fast travel across the map.
• Points of Interest (POIs): These represent notable locations and landmarks within the zone.
• Vistas: These are scenic viewpoints often requiring some platforming to reach.
• Skill Challenges: These test your combat or platforming skills and provide skill points.
• Hearts: Renown Hearts that are unique quests in zones that unlock vendors or services.

Rewards for Map Completion

Map completion is not just about the satisfaction of exploration. Completing a zone rewards you with:

• Experience: Which helps with character leveling.
• Coin: A valuable currency for the game.
• Items: These may include equipment, crafting materials, or other valuable resources.
• Completion Rewards: Each zone has its own specific reward at the end of the tasks.

Additional Considerations for 100% Completion

While map completion is a large component of “100% Completion” of GW2, it’s by no means the only part. If we’re talking about true 100% completion including all aspects of the game, that time skyrockets to approximately 1877 hours. This involves completing everything the game offers:

• All map completion with each character.
• All story mode completion, including the Personal Story, Living World, and expansions.
• All dungeons, fractals, and raids.
• All achievements and collections.
• All cosmetic collection of items, dyes, gear skins, mounts, gliders, and legendary equipment.

Achieving 100% completion in this sense is a significant time investment and is typically a goal for dedicated, long-term players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the current world record for map completion in GW2?

The current world record for map completion in GW2 is 6 hours and 48 minutes, achieved by a player using a Thief Deadeye build.

2. Is map completion account-wide or character-specific?

Map completion is character-specific. Each character must individually complete the maps to receive the associated rewards and completion.

3. What are the benefits of map completion?

Map completion provides experience, coin, and items. It also unlocks vendor rewards, transmute charges, and specific map rewards.

4. What is the fastest class/build for map completion?

The Thief Deadeye is widely considered one of the fastest classes for map completion due to its mobility and high damage output. Certain classes also excel at exploration.

5. Can I complete maps faster with mounts and gliders?

Yes. Mounts and gliders significantly improve travel speed and make reaching Vistas and POIs much easier. Acquiring these is highly recommended for efficient map completion.

6. Is it worth buying Living World Season 3 for map completion?

Living World Season 3 is generally considered worth purchasing for its unique maps, developing masteries, and interesting content.

7. What is the longest achievement in GW2?

The Longest Glide achievement, requiring a long, uninterrupted glide in Tangled Depths, is one of the longer achievements to complete.

8. How does character level affect map completion rewards?

Experience earned from completing low-level zones is reduced for higher-level characters. However, the other completion rewards remain the same.

9. What is the current max level in GW2?

The maximum character level in Guild Wars 2 is 80. Characters will scale down in lower-level areas.

10. What should I do after reaching level 80?

Once you reach level 80, you can complete the personal story, explore elite specializations, gear up for endgame content, tackle dungeons and fractals, begin raids and strike missions, go for achievements, start leveling alts, or explore any other aspect of the game.

11. Is there an easy way to level up another character quickly?

The best way to level an alt is by using experience boosts and playing through the main story line with some map completion and exploration mixed in.

12. How many expansions does Guild Wars 2 have?

Currently, there are four released expansions: Heart of Thorns, Path of Fire, End of Dragons, and Secrets of the Obscure. A fifth expansion is planned.

13. Do I need to buy expansions to access Living World content?

You need to own the associated expansion to play Living World content for episodes you unlock on your account.

14. What is the “endgame” in Guild Wars 2?

The “endgame” in GW2 is diverse, focusing on cosmetics, achievements, community, legendary equipment, fractals, raids, and exploring challenging content.

15. Is Guild Wars 2 still an active game in 2023?

Yes, Guild Wars 2 is still an active game with a substantial player base. The game continues to receive updates and expansions.