Guild Wars 2’s New WvW Borderlands Map Beta Is Now Live

Posted on by

Guild Wars 2’s first beta test for its new World vs. World borderlands map is live as of November 10, giving WvW players an early look at a battlefield inspired by Ascalon before and during the Searing. The beta runs through December 8.

For the duration of the test, all borderlands maps have been temporarily replaced by the new map, so players should have plenty of chances to see how it plays in real matches. ArenaNet is stressing that this is still an early gray-box version, meaning unfinished art and layout changes should be expected.

The main goal right now is feedback. The team is looking at navigation, objective placement, where fights naturally happen, and how the terrain affects both squad play and roaming. Players are being asked to share impressions on the official World vs. World forums.

The update also brings several WvW system changes alongside the map test:

  • The War Score system is leaving beta with the WvW reset on Friday, November 13.
  • Scoring has been adjusted to put more weight on PvP actions such as kills and revives.
  • Defending and upgrading objectives will still reward active contribution.
  • New skirmish rewards are available now.
  • New match rewards begin with the November 13 reset.
  • WvW is getting streamlined auto-loot and an “Upgrade All” button for WvW abilities.

ArenaNet says it’ll keep monitoring War Score after the reset and make further adjustments if needed. For now, WvW players have nearly a month to test the new borderlands map and help shape what it becomes.

Further reading: Official Guild Wars 2: The New World vs. World Borderlands Map Beta Is Live!