Presents, New Rewards, and a Raid Change, Wintersday is Back in Guild Wars 2

Guild Wars 2 is back in the holiday spirit with this year’s Wintersday event. Today’s new update adds the event, along with new rewards and surprises, as well as some fixes and some news for raiders.

Wintersday is live through January 2nd, and Divinity's Reach is festively decorated for the occasion. Find Toymaker Tiixx and collect gifts daily and to check out the festival. Throughout Tyria, there are presents bearing surprises (good and bad). There’s also an event quest via a letter from Orphan Laine, sending you on a scavenger hunt. Once unlocked, the quest can be completed anytime.

There are a number of activities to keep you in the Wintersday spirit, including mount racing,  a rhythm game challenge, a snowy battlefield for Snowball Mayhem in the position of your choice, and the return of Donation Drive. For the latter, you can buy rolls of wrapping paper and combine them with items you earn from other activities. Once you have the wrapped gifts, you can give them to orphans you find in Divinity’s Reach.

Tixx welcomes you to his workshop to help him keep things running in Tixx’ Infinirarium holiday dungeon. Help stop the malfunctioning toys and machinery.You can also lend some help by defending Tixx’ gift dolyaks who are making deliveries in the holiday tower defense game, Toypocalypse.

For level 80 players, pick your squad and  take on a seasonal challenge against Freezie in Strike Mission: Secret Lair of the Snowmen. Finally, iif you’re good at jumping puzzles, Winter Wonderland awaits.

This year’s rewards include the Plush Weapon set, which you can earn by completing the Wintersday Traditions meta-achievement. They may look soft and cute, but your skills will be just as deadly with the Ginger Shortbread Short Bow or the Gingerbread Speargun. Other rewards include the Mini Plush Fox, and new themed decorations for your homestead or guild hall.

For raiders, Mount Balrior, the eighth GW2 raid wing, have Emboldened Mode and Call of the Mists applied starting today. This should make the raid more doable with these group bonuses and additional rewards for your efforts.

Full details are in the event announcement and the notes for today’s update.