How Many Hours Does It Take to Complete Guild Wars 2?

The question of how long it takes to “complete” Guild Wars 2 (GW2) is a complex one, as completion can mean different things to different players. Focusing solely on the main story objectives will take you approximately 83 hours. However, truly experiencing all that GW2 has to offer, striving for 100% completion, will require a considerably larger time investment, potentially around 1877 hours. This extensive playtime encompasses exploring the vast open world, completing all map areas, mastering challenging dungeons and raids, and engaging with the ever-evolving living world story. This time frame can vary greatly depending on individual play style, experience, and chosen activities. Guild Wars 2 can be a lifelong journey.

Understanding “Completion” in Guild Wars 2

Before diving into the specifics of playtime, it’s crucial to define what we mean by “completion.” In GW2, there are several layers to consider:

• Main Story Completion: This involves completing the personal story and the main story arcs of each expansion. It’s the most straightforward path through the game’s narrative.

• Map Completion: Achieving 100% map completion in each zone requires visiting all points of interest, completing all hearts (renamed renown hearts), uncovering all vistas, and conquering all hero challenges.

• Achievement Completion: GW2 boasts a vast achievement system, with thousands of achievements spanning various aspects of the game. Completing these achievements is a significant time sink.

• Collection Completion: Many items in GW2 are tied to collections. Gathering all the items required for a particular collection can be a lengthy process.

• Endgame Content Mastery: This includes mastering fractals, raids, strikes, and other challenging endgame activities, often requiring significant gear investment and skill development.

• Cosmetic Completion: For some, completion means acquiring all the desired cosmetic items, such as armor skins, weapon skins, and mounts.

Time Estimates for Different Aspects of Guild Wars 2

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the time commitment involved in different aspects of GW2:

• Main Story: As mentioned earlier, the main story can be completed in around 83 hours. This assumes a focus on the story missions and minimal side activities.

• Map Completion: Completing all maps in the game is a significant undertaking. Expect to spend 12-15 hours per map, depending on the size and complexity of the zone.

• Leveling to 80: Reaching the level cap of 80 can take 50-100 hours for your first character, depending on your playstyle and use of experience boosters. Subsequent characters can be leveled more quickly thanks to various account-wide bonuses.

• Elite Specializations: Unlocking and fully training an elite specialization requires a significant investment of hero points, which can take time to acquire.

• Fractals: Mastering fractals, particularly high-tier fractals, requires significant time and dedication.

• Raids: Raids are the most challenging PvE content in GW2. Learning the mechanics and coordinating with a raid team can take a considerable amount of time.

Factors Affecting Playtime

Several factors can influence how long it takes to “complete” GW2:

• Playstyle: Players who enjoy exploring every nook and cranny of the world will naturally take longer than those who rush through the main story.

• Experience: Experienced GW2 players can often complete content more quickly than newcomers.

• Build: Certain professions and builds are better suited for specific tasks, such as map completion or fractals.

• Group Play: Playing with friends or joining a guild can significantly speed up progress, especially for challenging content like dungeons and raids.

• Use of Boosters: Experience boosters and other consumables can accelerate leveling and other progress.

FAQs About Guild Wars 2 Playtime

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the time commitment involved in GW2:

1. How long does it take to level a character to 80 in GW2?

   Leveling to 80 can take anywhere from 50 to 100 hours for your first character, depending on your playstyle and the methods you use. Using experience boosters and participating in events can speed up the process.

2. How long does it take to map complete GW2?

   Map completion varies from player to player and region to region. Without rushing, full map completion can take around 12-15 hours per map, depending on the player and their profession/build.

3. Is Guild Wars 2 time-consuming?

   GW2 can be as time-consuming as you want it to be. You can spend a few hours a day focusing on specific goals, or dedicate significant time to exploring all the game has to offer. As long as you maintain a healthy balance with real-life responsibilities, the time commitment is manageable.

4. What do you do after level 80 in GW2?

   After reaching level 80, you can work on your elite specializations, explore expansion content, participate in fractals and raids, complete achievements, and collect cosmetic items. The possibilities are endless!

5. Is Guild Wars 2 paid to win?

   No, Guild Wars 2 is not considered pay-to-win. While you can purchase gems with real money to buy items from the gem store, these items are primarily cosmetic or provide convenience. They do not offer a significant competitive advantage.

6. How far can you get in Guild Wars 2 without paying?

   You can play the core Guild Wars 2 game for free and reach level 80. However, you will need to purchase expansions to access expansion content, elite specializations, and certain features.

7. Is GW2 raiding hard?

   Raids are the most challenging PvE content in Guild Wars 2. They require strong teamwork, coordination, and knowledge of class mechanics and boss encounters.

8. What are the easiest classes to level in GW2?

   Classes like Reaper Necromancer and Mechanist Engineer are often considered easy to level due to their strong damage output and survivability.

9. What is the best way to make gold in Guild Wars 2?

   There are many ways to make gold in GW2, including participating in meta events, trading post flipping, converting currency, running fractals, and selling crafting materials.

10. What is the maximum agony resistance (AR) in GW2?

    The maximum agony resistance required for Fractals of the Mists at scale 100 is 150.

11. What is the luck limit in GW2?

    The maximum Magic Find from luck alone is 300%, costing 4,295,450 luck.

12. What is the fastest movement speed in GW2?

    The maximum movement speed is capped at 400 units per second, translating to 136% of base out-of-combat speed, but 190% of base in-combat speed.

13. What is the world record for GW2 map completion?

    As of today, the world record is approximately 6 Hours 48 Minutes.

14. Is there a monthly fee for Guild Wars 2?

    No, Guild Wars 2 does not require a monthly subscription. You can play the core game for free or purchase expansions for additional content.

15. How many character slots do you get in Guild Wars 2?

    Every purchased account starts with five character slots. Free-to-play accounts start with two. You can purchase additional slots up to a maximum of 69.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the amount of time it takes to “complete” Guild Wars 2 is highly subjective and depends on your individual goals and playstyle. Whether you’re a casual player who enjoys exploring the world at your own pace or a hardcore completionist who wants to conquer every challenge, GW2 offers something for everyone. So, dive in, explore, and enjoy the journey! Remember that the experience and community are also important, as researched by the Games Learning Society and shared on GamesLearningSociety.org. Happy gaming!