Guild Wars 2 Expansion 4: Where To Next? Spoilers!

After announcing a planned expansion 4 for Guild Wars 2, surely the next question must be: where would we go to next? The roadmap for Spring 2022 only laid out content up to June 2022, a couple months shy of the MMORPG’s 10th anniversary. This article will contain spoilers for any expansions / Living World seasons you may not have completed.

Veterans from the original Guild Wars might consider most of the old ground already covered, with Cantha opening up in the End of Dragons release. Perusing that_shaman’s overlay (not fully updated) of the first game’s maps to its sequel, it would suggest even Elona – coming off from Path of Fire and the subsequent Living World updates – has yet to be completely trekked through. It sounds reasonable to assume that upcoming Living World season(s) would be the link we need to set the stakes.

Until then, here are some possibilities where the Commander might crash an airship next:

ISLES OF JANTHIR

The Mursaat are Dead Dead, and so is Caudecus, but the minister did apparently try to secret himself there for reasons as yet unknown. We ourselves did also pursue an Eye of Janthir. I myself would be glad for more moments to spend with the wonderfully charming Livia should she be willing to grace me with her presence now that she may be able to retire(?). There must have been some advanced magical civilization there, so what did they know about dragon magic?

UNENDING OCEANS

While Aurene’s not granting us a third generation of aquatic legendary weapons, the depths of the seas are nonetheless an enticing locale. We already know that Soo-Won was a benevolent Elder Dragon, which would imply something else far less gracious had driven the krait and quaggan away. We also haven’t much contact with the largos, whose homelands are apparently occupied by “horrors”. Commanders are not known to have peaceful holidays.

UTOPIA

This was the name of a cancelled standalone campaign for the original Guild Wars that would have taken players to Xotecha, not of Tyria, but in the Mists. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been here – World v World regulars can also attest to this – but properly exploring this “afterlife”, “multiverse” area could be very exciting. We’ve heard how Ankka took advantage of the Mists’ workings to pursue her nihilistic views and there’s a bounty of magic in there. Who’s to say we don’t finally go back there after the “prototype” that led us into Guild Wars 2?

THE UNDERWORLD

After dying once, why don’t we go back as a living being this time like (presumably) when we hang out with Mad King Thorn? Not even in death can the Commander find peace, for better or worse, and lord knows what exactly the Eater of Souls is. Perhaps this is treading too closely to something like World of Warcraft‘s Shadowlands expansion, though the zone could perhaps see a resurrection (haha) as proper raid wings.

FAR SHIVERPEAKS

Arguably already explored in part with The Icebrood Saga, with the threat of Jormag and Primordius gone, would the Norn and Kodan, as well as the quaggans who’ve made their home in Frostgorge, be able to go back north and reclaim what’s lost? How about the Jotun, the remaining dwarves? We’ve gotten to see a mostly restored Orr, there could be room to rebuild here too.

THE GODS RETURNING

More of a concept rather than a location. After Kormir finally peaced out and left us to deal with Balthazar, the humans have had to contend with being truly abandoned by their gods. Now that most cataclysmic threats have been dealt with, would they have any reason to return to watch over Tyria? There could be something interesting brewing about seeing them leave when the world wanted their support the most, then coming back when the coast is clear-ish.

CLOSING WORDS

Now, my only experience with Guild Wars is strictly through Guild Wars 2, so I can’t say I am an authority on what ArenaNet should very definitely work on next. Still, it’s been fun reading other people’s ideas, and I’d love to join in their excitement. My very small wishlist is merely to have playable hylek, and Engineer love, and to see the continuing trend of not having my Charr’s tail clip through the myriad of coats.

It’s only been under a month since Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons‘ launch, and the expansion 4 announcement is an extremely early one as the team have admitted. Let’s take things one step at a time.

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