The veil between worlds has thinned again, and whispers of the Mad King echo across Tyria. Starting today until November 4, at noon Pacific Time (UTC-7), the Shadow of the Mad King festival beckons daring adventurers to step into a season of dark revelry. Haunted laughter drifts through the air, doors creak open to strange realms, and the scent of candy corn lingers with an unsettling sweetness. Will you answer the call before the portal closes?
Head over to our forums for the complete release notes for today’s update.
Treasures of Terror
The sweetest and most sinister of all the festival currencies, candy corn spills across Tyria once more. Gather trick-or-treat bags, trade your sweets, and claim the spoils of the season. This year’s celebration brings a host of chilling new rewards for the brave and the bold.
Complete the (Annual) Halloween Rituals meta-achievement to earn the Lunatic Jester’s Trousers, a one-of-a-kind armor piece perfect for those who dare to dance in moonlit chaos. Complete the weekly and meta-achievements to gain the new Unchained weapon set, forged with the restless energy of the Mad Realm. Finally, you can visit the candy corn vendor to purchase your very own Plush Zhaia Backpack or a Mini Candy Core Golem powered by pure sweetness.
Decorators of the macabre, your time has come. Transform your guild hall or homestead with unsettling new décor: the Festive Fall Tent, Ominous Fortress Ruins (right and left), and Ominous Fortress Buttress. Visit Deft Lahar in Lion’s Arch to secure these spectral touches.
How to Enter the Mad Realm
The path to the Mad King’s domain begins with a letter from Magister Tassi. Check your in-game mail for an Invitation to the Mad Realm. Use this to travel between the mortal world and the twisted realm of Mad King Thorn.
Lion’s Arch serves as the heart of Halloween festivities in Tyria. You’ll find portals to Lion’s Arch in every major city for players level 35 and above or for anyone who owns a Guild Wars 2 expansion.
For those who can’t access Lion’s Arch directly, fear not! You can still find haunted doors in locations like the Village of Shaemoor or the Village of Smokestead. These spooky portals are guarded by Lunatic Boatmasters who will happily ferry you to the Mad Realm’s horrors. Don’t forget to explore the haunted doors scattered throughout Kessex Hills and Gendarran Fields—trick-or-treating opportunities await!
Events of Eerie Delight
Mad King Thorn’s laughter rattles through every shadowed corner, daring mortals to dance to his tune. Embrace the eerie with activities both beloved and bizarre!
Lion’s Arch: The city is transformed into a nightmarish vision filled with ghoulish decorations and a haunted atmosphere. Every two hours, Mad King Thorn himself will challenge players to a twisted game—obey his commands (but only when he says “Your Mad King says…”) and win keys to unlock his treasures!
Mad King’s Labyrinth: Explore the dark and winding maze of the Mad King’s Labyrinth, battling hordes of twisted creatures, racing your mounts, and trick-or-treating for bags stuffed with ghoulish goodies. Be wary, though—dreadful enemies like the Grand High Viscount of Candy Corn and the terrifying Labyrinthine Horror stalk these shadowy halls.
Mad King’s Clock Tower: For thrill-seekers, the original heart-pounding jumping puzzle returns. Race against the rising miasma below! Or, if you prefer a slower pace, test your skills on the Stopped Clock Tower variant.
Ascent to Madness: Ready for the ultimate showdown? Face Mad King Thorn himself in this spine-chilling dungeon encounter, available to players of all skill levels.
Mad King’s Raceway: Race through creepy courses on your mounts in time trials or head-to-head races. Rental mounts are available if you don’t have your own.
Minigames: Speak to a Lunatic Boatmaster to jump into the frenzied chaos of Reaper’s Rumble or the survival horror of Lunatic Inquisition.
Happy Halloween
We hope you enjoy the season of spookiness and all we have in store for the community this month, including the release of our sixth expansion, Guild Wars 2®: Visions of Eternity™ on October 28!
Be sure to also check out today’s gem store blog for some new haunted items like the Graveyard Homestead Pack and the Witch Cauldron Chair!
