Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure
“A new chapter unfolds in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, the fourth expansion for the award-winning MMORPG Guild Wars 2. Soar through the skies to combat the strange and otherworldly forces emerging through rifts to devastate Tyria. The adventure continues through three major story and content releases to follow. A self-contained story with its own resolution will play out at launch. Later releases will seamlessly pick up where the launch arc concluded and tell the rest of the expansion's story. Additional features and updates across the game are planned for release every quarter.
Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure is the fourth expansion pack for Guild Wars 2. It was announced on March 22, 2022,[1] and the title, features and trailer were revealed on June 27, 2023.[2] The release date will be on .
A beta event for new combat features became available to all players from June 29 to July 2, 2023, with a beta for the Expanded Weapon Proficiency coming later this year[3]: see the beta page for detailed info.
Purchasing
The expansion is available through the online store and the in-game Black Lion Trading Company panel.
- External source — creating a new account or upgrading an existing account requires the redemption of the serial code
- In-game panel — upgrading an existing account will automatically be applied to the account used to purchase the upgrade
- Editions available
- Standard Edition ($24.99 / €24,99 / £20.99)
- Deluxe Edition ($49.99 / €49,99 / £42.99)
- Ultimate Edition ($74.99 / €74,99 / £64.99)
Items | Standard | Deluxe | Ultimate |
---|---|---|---|
Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure (expansion) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Shared Inventory Slot | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Max Level Boost | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Additional Character Slot | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Astral Ward Feathered Raptor Skin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
"Magic Juggle" Emote Tome | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Identity Repair Kit | 0 | 1 | 1 |
4000 Gems ($50 / €50 / £42.50 value) | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Upgrading to Deluxe Edition
Players who have bought the Standard version of the expansion can choose to upgrade to the Deluxe version via the Black Lion Trading Company for 2400 . You cannot upgrade to Ultimate from either Standard or Deluxe.
Pre-purchasing
Pre-purchase became available on June 27, 2023 and accounts that pre-purchased any edition received:[4]
Features
Plot
- Основная статья: Secrets of the Obscure story
Related external links
In the quiet that follows the events of Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons, a new force rises to threaten Tyria. As you fight back against Kryptis invaders from the Mists, you'll uncover the answers to mysteries that have haunted Tyria from the time of the original Guild Wars. Ancient rivalries come into play—the world is at risk. While we've relied on the aid of our allies in many adventures to date, it's time for you to find your footing in a darker, more mysterious side of the world.
Now that the Elder Dragon cycle is "over," Tyria is blood in water. The Mists are watching.
Locations
- Fractured archipelago[5]
- Skywatch Archipelago[6]
- Amnytas[6]
- The Wizard's Tower hub[6]
- Third explorable zone in a future update.[6]
Combat Features
- New gameplay and combat features
Related external links
Weaponmaster Training
“Up until now, you could only equip each elite specialization’s weapon by locking yourself into that elite specialization’s trait line. But what if you could charge into the fray as a hammer-wielding holosmith or control the battlefield as a firebrand with a longbow?
- Every profession can now use their elite specialization weapons without having the corresponding elite specialization equipped or trained.
- Guardian: Axe (main hand), sword (off hand), longbow
- Revenant: Shield (off hand), greatsword, short bow
- Warrior: Dagger (main and off hand), pistol (off hand), torch (off hand)
- Engineer: Mace (main hand), sword (main hand), hammer
- Ranger: Dagger (main hand), hammer, staff
- Thief: Scepter (main hand), rifle, staff
- Elementalist: Sword (main hand), warhorn (off hand), hammer
- Mesmer: Axe (main hand), dagger (main hand), shield (off hand)
- Necromancer: Pistol (main hand), torch (off hand), greatsword
Expanded Weapon Proficiency
“To round off our combat systems updates, we’re granting each profession proficiency with an additional weapon. Like we said earlier: getting to play with a new weapon and changing out your first five skills is one of the most impactful parts of an elite specialization for many players. The weapons and weapon skills we’re introducing to each profession in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure are meant to satisfy that same itch of a new skillset—we just focused on making these weapons fit in with the existing trait lines.
- Nine new weapons, one for every profession, are expected to be made available with the second major release after launch.
Mounts
- One mount originally from Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire is available, via an alternate acquisition method:
Masteries
- Heart of the Obscure[7] — a tool that allows characters to hunt and close Kryptis rifts, open special doors and reward chests, create ley lines, and others.
- Astral Ward[7] — As the Kryptis invade Tyria, players will be able to join a band of treasure hunters and adventurers known as the Astral Ward to help protect the world, undertaking monster hunts and bounty contracts throughout the game to rank up and earn new rewards and abilities.
- Advanced Flight Masteries[6] — for Skyscale, new flight Masteries are built to complement existing mastery lines, usage of leylines and updrafts.
- The new Mastery line also includes previous skyscale abilities like Air Rescue and Wall Launch. As a bonus for dedicated players, training both Masteries will unlock bonuses for those skills
- Complete the entire Mastery track to unlock a demonic skyscale mount skin for your collection.
- Fourth mastery line in the first major release
Advanced Flight Masteries | ||
---|---|---|
Tier | Effect | Bonus from Both Mastery Tracks |
1–Air Rescue 2.0 | Grants Air Rescue | Air Rescue grants Bond of Vigor |
2–Fireball | Grants an aerial flame attack while mounted on the skyscale | |
3–Wall Spring 2.0 | Grants Wall Launch | Upgrades Wall Launch to charge faster and launch farther |
4–Wind Beneath Your Wings | Flying mounts can use updrafts | |
5–Combat Launch | Gain the ability to mount your skyscale in combat | |
6–Ley-Line | Acclimation | Flying mounts can use ley lines |
7–Rising Spirits | Updrafts regenerate the skyscale’s flight meter |
*Names are subject to change.
Equipment
Related external links
- New armor sets and skins — Rift Hunter armor, Astral Ward armor, with a demonic set available in a later release.[8]
- New weapon sets and skins —
- New legendary armor set to be added in the second major release[8] — Obsidian armor
- Relics — a new category of equipment, available at level 60, offering bonuses previously available to 6th Rune slots
- Rune rework — removal of the 6th Rune slot, will give stat bonuses instead
- New skyscale skin — available after unlocking the skyscale through the expansion
Group Content
Strike Missions
- Two strikes at launch, with challenge modes available in subsequent releases[7]:
Fractals of the Mists
- One fractal and challenge mode[7]
Other features
- Wizard's Vault[8] — a new streamlined rewards system, including a new currency Astral Acclaim, which can be exchanged for rewards of your choosing, such as skins, Gem Store items, gold, legendary crafting materials, and more
- New minis, emotes, infusions
- New guild decorations
- New fish for fishing[8]
Bestiary
Additional releases
- Three major quarterly updates[6]
Gallery
- Screenshots
- SotO screenshot 02.jpg
- SotO screenshot 03.jpg
- SotO screenshot 04.jpg
- SotO screenshot 05.jpg
- SotO screenshot 06.jpg
- SotO screenshot 07.jpg
- SotO screenshot 08.jpg
- SotO screenshot 09.jpg
- SotO screenshot 10.jpg
- SotO screenshot 11.jpg
- SotO screenshot 12.jpg
- SotO screenshot 13.jpg
- Screenshot "Wizards Vault".jpg
- SotO screenshot "Skyscale".jpg
New skin for the Skyscale.
- Wizards Tower Sized.jpg
Wizards Tower Sized
- Secrets of the Obscure story background.jpg
Kryptis looming over the Wizard's Tower.
- SotO screenshot 14.jpg
Skyscale attack against an elemental.
- SotO screenshot 15.jpg
- SotO screenshot 16.jpg
- Concept art
- Cosmic Tower concept art.jpg
- Demon concept art (SotO).jpg
Kryptis concept art.
- Map art concept.jpg
- Map Art Sketch concept art.jpg
Skyscale Concept Art
- Raptor concept art (SotO).jpg
Raptor Concept art
- Travel Room concept art.jpg
- Concept art Wizard Griffon.png
Wizard Griffin concept art
- "Obsidian armor" concept art.jpg
"Obsidian armor" concept art
- Kryptis-Modular.png
Kryptis concept art
- Wallpapers
- AsuraIsland Sketch wallpaper.jpg
- Kryptis Art wallpaper.jpg
Kryptis concept art.
- Secrets Obscure wallpaper.jpg
Concept art of the Pact Commander, Zojja, and a strange being, for the Secrets of the Obscure expansion.
Trivia
- Indigo Linde has the title of Narrative Lead on the expansion.[12]
- Maclaine Diemer has composed some of the music for the expansion.[13]
External links
- Official Website
- Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure – Expansion Announcement trailer, Youtube.com
- Announcing Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, GuildWars2.com
- Combat in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, GuildWars2.com
- A New Chapter Begins in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, GuildWars2.com
- New Rewards in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, GuildWars2.com
- Studio Update: Spring 2023, GuildWars2.com
- After the Dragon Cycle, GuildWars2.com
- First Contact: The Kryptis and Rift Hunting, GuildWars2.com
- Первая информация о следующем дополнении от датамайнеров!, GuildWars-2.ru
- Анонс и подробности дополнения Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, GuildWars-2.ru
- Участвуйте в бета-тесте Weaponmaster Training с 29 июня по 3 июля!, GuildWars-2.ru
- Реликвии в Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, GuildWars-2.ru
- После Цикла Драконов, GuildWars-2.ru
- Первый контакт: Криптис и Охота за Разломами, GuildWars-2.ru
- Previews and interviews
- Guild Wars 2 formally announces fourth expansion, Secrets of the Obscure, launching August 22, Massivelyop.com
- The next Guild Wars 2 expansion releases this August, and will finally answer an 18-year-old mystery, Pcgamer.com
- EXCLUSIVE: First Look At Felicia Day's Guild Wars 2 Return As Zojja, ScreenRant.com
- Guild Wars 2's latest expansion has a "more adult voice" thanks to Elden Ring and Dungeons and Dragons, Techradar.com
References
- ↑ ArenaNet Studio Update: The Future of Guild Wars 2, GuildWars2.com
- ↑ Announcing Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, GuildWars2.com
- ↑ Combat in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, GuildWars2.com
- ↑ Prepurchase Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure
- ↑ After the Dragon Cycle, Guildwars2.com
- ↑ 6,0 6,1 6,2 6,3 6,4 6,5 Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure official site, Guildwars2.com
- ↑ 7,0 7,1 7,2 7,3 7,4 A New Chapter Begins in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, Guildwars2.com
- ↑ 8,0 8,1 8,2 8,3 New Rewards in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, Guildwars2.com
- ↑ 9,0 9,1 Guild Wars 2 formally announces fourth expansion, Secrets of the Obscure, launching August 22, Massivelyop.com
- ↑ Studio Update: Spring 2023, GuildWars2.com
- ↑ Tweet by that_shaman, Twitter.com
- ↑ Tweet by Indigo Boock, Twitter.com
- ↑ Tweet by Maclaine Diemer, Twitter.com