Races
The world of Guild Wars 2 is filled with exotic races with a deep lore and story. However, the playable races are restricted to five:
the snarky asura, the curious sylvari, the ferocious charr, the boasting norn and the resilient humans.
Asura
Brain, not brawn, will change the world.
Brain, not brawn, will change the world.
They may be short in stature, but these magical inventors are intellectual giants. Incredibly intelligent beings, the asura use their knowledge and skill with magic and crafting to assert their natural dominance. In the world of the asura, it is not the strong who survive, but the clever. Other races believe they should rule by virtue of their power and strength, but they delude themselves. All will serve the asura—in due time…
Sylvari
Magic is a river that unites us in its current.
Magic is a river that unites us in its current.
Sylvari are not born. They awaken beneath the Pale Tree with knowledge gleaned in their pre-life Dream. These noble beings travel, seeking adventure and discovery. They struggle to balance curiosity with duty, eagerness with chivalry, and warfare with honor. Magic and mystery entwine to shape the future of this race that has so recently appeared.
Human
Though in battle we fight for our homes, our gods and our queen... nothing can break our spirit.
Though in battle we fight for our homes, our gods and our queen... nothing can break our spirit.
Humans have lost their homeland, their security, and their former glory. Even their gods have withdrawn. And yet, the human spirit remains unshaken. These brave defenders of Kryta continue to fight with every ounce of their strength.
Norn
If you are bold enough, your legend will live forever.
If you are bold enough, your legend will live forever.
This race of towering hunters experienced a great defeat when the Ice Dragon drove them from their glacial homeland. Nevertheless, they won’t let one lost battle—no matter how punishing—dampen their enthusiasm for life and the hunt. They know that only the ultimate victor achieves legendary rewards.
Charr
With the clamor of anvils and the thunder of guns, we rip each day from life's teeth.
With the clamor of anvils and the thunder of guns, we rip each day from life's teeth.
The charr race was forged in the merciless crucible of war. It is all they know. War defines them, and their quest for dominion drives them ever onward. The weakling and the fool have no place among the charr. Victory is all that matters, and it must be achieved by any means and at any cost.
Tyria
Tyria is the name of both the continent and the planet where the action takes place in Guild Wars 2. It covers a vast extension of the world, with its ecosystems ranging from lush jungles to inhospitable deserts, from high mountain peaks to deep inside volcanos' magma chambers.
In the game, there are six major city hubs: five of them correspond to each race's capital cities, while the sixth city is a free one, founded by pirates and tradesmen who settled on the ruins of a previously human dwelling.
You can learn more about them by interacting with the map below.
