Guild Wars 2’s next expansion, Secrets of the Obscure, will begin a new arc when it launches on August 22nd. ArenaNet announced the expansion today with a new teaser, details about the release, and a combat beta weekend on the way when you can preview a new system.
Back in February, ArenaNet announced that they would be pivoting to a different release schedule for Guild Wars 2, prioritizing smaller, but more frequent expansions and additional updates to support them. Now, we have the first release.
“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 cycle is “over,” Tyria is blood in water. The Mists are watching.”
Secrets of the Obscure will feature new maps “high in the skies above Tyria, testing your mettle against invaders from the Mists, and mastering new combat options”. These are new zones and the Wizard’s Tower outpost.
Oh–and you’ll have an opportunity to get a skyscale mount. The expansion adds a skyscale Mastery line, so get ready to take to the skies. There will also be several new combat changes and reworks.
There will be a combat beta weekend that will give a taste of Secrets of the Obscure. Lasting from June 29th through July 2nd, you will be able to preview Weaponmaster training, one of the brand new combat changes that will be coming in the expansion. Other combat changes on the way with the expansion include a rework of the Rune system, and a new relic system. These relics will work similarly to sixth-tier rune bonuses,and everyone will get a relic slot usable at 60.
At launch, the first arc of the expansion story will be available, with two new aerial maps, and some new gameplay features. Updates will follow quarterly with new locations, more features, and rewards. The story that is available at launch will be self-contained, with the follow-up story additions to be continuations and tell the rest of the story of the expansion.
Secrets of the Obscure is available to preorder now, with some rewards to tempt players into joining ANet for what’s next in GW2. There are three guaranteed preorder rewards included with the Standard edition–the Demon Hunter title, an Arcane Spellweaver hat skin, and your choice of Eagle Eye weapon skin–with more in the Deluxe and Ultimate editions.
Guild Wars 2 has also opened up a minisite for the expansion.
