Shadow of the Mad King is Back in Guild Wars 2 - Go Trick or Treating in Tyria and Enter the Mad Realm

Starting today, it’s Shadow of the Mad King time once more in Guild Wars 2. The Halloween decorations, the Mad Realm’s activities, and rewards are back, but this year is different – you can go trick or treating in Tyria. 

This standout new feature means that you can go trick or treating by visiting other players’ homesteads and guild halls and ring a Haunted Bell to earn yourself some daily and weekly achievements and some trick or treat bags. With the recent arrival of homesteads, Halloween is the perfect opportunity to add some new decorations. This year, that Haunted Bell, Antique Bell, the Gargoyle, and Flame-Bearing Gargoyle can add some spooky touches to your homes If you stop by the homestead vendor to pick them up. Additionally, returning decorations from past years’ events are available for purchase in the new Homestead recipe book: Halloween, volumes 1-9. 

Of course, the being Shadow of the Mad King, it’s time to enter the Mad Realm and take on challenges like Mad King’s Clock Tower (or the returning Stopped Clock Tower), Ascent to Madness, a game of Mad King says in the haunted Lion’s Arch, Mad King’s Raceway, and even Mad King’s Labyrinth. All of these have their own rules, which should be familiar if this isn’t your first go at the event. From jumping puzzles to head to head races, to following instructions from the Mad King, You can win trick or treat bags and eventually exchange your candy corn for goodies of a different kind, including returning items.

For goodies of a very different kind, there’s a new Candy Core weapon set (fueled by candy corn) for those who complete Halloween Rituals or weekly Halloween festivities achievements. Completing a Halloween Rituals achievement will also get you brand new Clawing Shadow Plate. The trick or treat bags might also bear one of three new weapons: Sanguine Focus, Sanguine Shield, or Sanguine Staff. 

Shadow of the Mad King is on now through November 5th.