The best Guild Wars 2 event of the year (if you don’t count Super Adventure Box) has arrived as of today, as the Shadow of the Mad King officially returns for Halloween 2024.
“Get ready, brave souls, because the Shadow of the Mad King festival has officially returned, and this year’s haunting begins today,” ArenaNet says. “Log in now for spine-chilling thrills, eerie adventures, and a host of new tricks and treats waiting to be uncovered. You’ll have until November 5 to indulge in all the fiendish fun–so sharpen your wits and prepare to devour candy corn by the handful. Let’s descend into the madness, shall we?”
We spy most of the usual festivities: Lion’s Arch is decorated, Mad King Says is back, you’re free to die in Mad King’s Labyrinth and Clock Tower, and the raceway and Ascent to Madness dungeon are open once again. But there are some new additions too thanks to the newly added player housing feature in Janthir Wilds: You can actually do trick-or-treating at player homesteads!
“It’s time to go trick-or-treating! You can earn daily and weekly achievements by ringing a Haunted Bell in another player’s homestead or guild hall. Each visit rewards you with bonus trick-or-treat bags, so make sure to stop by and enjoy some festive fun! Get ready to deck out your homestead in spooky style! This Halloween season, we’re introducing brand-new decorations that will bring all the eerie vibes to your space. From the new Antique Bell and Haunted Bell to the Gargoyle and Flame-Bearing Gargoyle, you’ll have everything you need to transform your homestead into the ultimate haunted haven. Whether you’re hosting friends or just setting the mood for trick-or-treaters, these new decorations will make your place the most frightful stop this Halloween!”
Right now, the easiest way to visit people’s homesteads is to just be on the lookout for players plopping down portals, then just click your way in. We’re guessing there will be lots of folks doing this for the season!
The Wizard’s Vault will also offer Halloween content, and ArenaNet has added a bunch of old Halloween guild hall deco into recipe books at the Lion’s Arch homestead vendor.
