Things You Can Leave Until Later
Things You Can Safely Ignore
Guild Wars 2 offers far more activities than you need to do. You do not need to learn or complete everything right away.
What can wait while you are leveling
Before level 80, focus on getting comfortable with the story and combat. You can learn the systems below as you need them.
Replacing gear while leveling
Equipment from level-up and activity rewards is usually enough. Save your gold for level 80 gear instead of spending heavily on low-level upgrades. If your main weapon is far below your current level, though, a cheap replacement can make combat easier. Salvage or sell equipment you no longer use.
Crafting
Crafting can be enjoyable, but you do not have to start immediately. Buying materials to level it can cost a lot of gold, which is scarce early on. You can start after level 80 when you have more to spare.
Build optimization
Try skills and traits that interest you. You cannot refund Hero Points spent on training, but leveling provides enough to learn every core skill and trait. You can freely change which learned skills and traits you equip while out of combat.
The combo system
Combo fields and finishers add another layer to combat, but you do not need to master them immediately. You can explore the open world first and learn combos as you get more comfortable with group content.
Map completion and hearts
You do not have to complete every map or heart. Pick them up naturally as you explore. If you are unsure what to do while leveling, start with this guide.
Content you do not need to rush into
Guild Wars 2 has many activities. Some are easier to approach once you are comfortable with the basics, and there is no need to start them all at once.
Structured PvP (sPvP)
You can start PvP before level 80; character and equipment attributes are normalized for the mode. If competitive play interests you, explore builds in the lobby and try unranked matches. You can also get comfortable with PvE combat first and try PvP later.
World versus World (WvW)
Try WvW when large battles or sieges interest you. If you need a Gift of Battle for legendary crafting, progress its WvW reward track.
Fractals and raid encounters
Approach these after reaching level 80, preparing suitable equipment, and learning your build. That makes the experience smoother for you and your party.
Currencies and items: common mistakes
Some early rewards have useful purposes later. If you do not yet know what you want to spend them on, keep them for now.
Decide what you need Mystic Coins for
They are used for legendary equipment and Mystic Clovers. Keep them if a legendary is your goal; selling some to fund your first equipment set is also an option.
Choose your first trinkets before spending laurels
Laurels come from the Wizard's Vault chest for six weekly objectives, AA exchanges, achievement point rewards, and other sources. They buy ascended trinkets, recipes, and more. Check that a trinket offers your desired stats before buying it. If you have no use for laurels yet, save them.
Managing the fear of missing out
Taking a break leaves your character's level and existing equipment intact. If missing rewards worries you, keep these points in mind:
Each completed Wizard's Vault objective earns AA. The daily completion chest requires four of five objectives; the weekly chest requires six of eight. The ten laurels come from the weekly chest, but you can also buy laurels with AA you have earned. Do what fits your time.
Living World seasons can be purchased with gems later. Playing slightly out of order does not prevent you from progressing. Focus on what you are enjoying now.
Annual festivals such as Halloween, Wintersday, and Lunar New Year return each year. You may have another opportunity next year, or be able to buy tradable items on the Trading Post.
Choose one clear goal
If the number of options feels overwhelming, pick one thing you would like to do now.
You can choose between story, exploration, equipment collecting, and competitive play. If you are unsure where to start, choose a piece of equipment you want or a story you would like to finish.
Your goal can be small: “Get my first full exotic set,” “Finish the personal story,” or “Try every skill on my profession.” Having a goal makes it easier to decide what to do today.
Being able to leave things until later means you can focus on one thing now. A legendary goal can give map completion a purpose; a fractal goal can make build optimization useful. As your goals change, more of these systems will become relevant.
It is fine to have plenty left to learn. You do not need to learn years of content at once; start with the activities you are enjoying now.