Hearts, waypoints, vistas, POIs, and hero challenges
Map objectives advance your completion percentage and earn experience, items, and achievements. Visit waypoints to unlock them, and choose from several activities to complete hearts.
Map objectives at a glance
Each map has objectives to discover or complete. Open the world map (M) to see incomplete objectives shown as empty icons.
Renown heart 
Waypoint 
Vista 
POI (Point of Interest)
Hero challenge Renown hearts
Hearts are local tasks. Enter the area around a heart NPC to see a list of activities. Do those activities to fill the progress bar.
After you complete the heart, its NPC becomes a karma vendor. Spend karma on the equipment, materials, food, or other items they offer.
Ways to fill a heart
Killing enemies is only one option. Other activities can often fill the bar faster.
On entering a heart’s area, its progress bar and activity list appear on the right. Try the listed activities and choose one that fills the bar efficiently. If a nearby event overlaps with the heart, do both together.
Repeatable hearts: complete them again each day
Normal core Tyria hearts are completed once per character. A new character starts them afresh. In regions with repeatable hearts, such as Path of Fire, the same character can complete them again each day.
Repeatable hearts can award karma, experience, currencies, or other rewards each day. You can include them in a daily routine.
Completed repeatable hearts become available again at the daily reset: 00:00 UTC.
Waypoints
Waypoints are travel destinations. Click an unlocked waypoint on the world map and confirm to travel. Double-clicking skips the confirmation. Fees depend on travel distance and character level.
They start locked. Approach a waypoint to unlock it. Even after unlocking it, you cannot use it while in combat or while the destination is contested.
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Unlocked (blue) | Click and confirm, or double-click, to travel. Fees depend on distance and character level. |
| Locked (gray) | A waypoint you have not visited. Travel there to unlock it. |
| Contested (red) | Blocked by a PvE event, WvW battle, or similar situation. You cannot pay extra to use it; choose another nearby waypoint. |
The Siege Turtle from End of Dragons carries two players. When its driver uses a waypoint within the same map, to a location that allows mounts, the passenger travels with them and can unlock that waypoint. A friend with many waypoints can drive you between their unlocked destinations, saving you the walk.
Vistas
Vistas are scenic viewpoints marked by a triangular map icon. Interact with one to watch a short cinematic of the area.
Many vistas are high up, so you may need to jump or climb. Some need only a short trip up stairs; others have a route resembling a small jumping puzzle.
A vista shows an icon as you approach. If you cannot find the route up, try /wiki [area name] vista to look for directions.
POI (Points of Interest)
Points of interest are notable locations marked by a diamond (◆) on the world map. Like waypoints, they are discovered automatically when you approach. No interaction is needed.
POIs include places in cities, dungeon entrances, important buildings, and other landmarks. You will discover many as you explore.
Hero challenges
Complete a hero challenge to earn hero points (HP), which train skills and traits. Hover over hero challenge icons on the world map to locate them.
| Region | Hero points | How to complete them |
|---|---|---|
| Core Tyria | 1 HP | Varies: commune with a place of power, fight, use an item, talk to an NPC, or complete another task. |
| Expansion maps | 10 HP | Communing, combat, or other tasks. A group is recommended for the harder combat challenges, especially in Heart of Thorns. |
Hero point trains (HP trains) are player-organized groups that complete a series of hero challenges. Groups training elite specializations mainly visit expansion regions. Look for “HP Train” in LFG. Fully training one elite specialization costs 250 HP, equivalent to 25 expansion challenges awarding 10 HP each. Check the advertised region and required movement abilities before joining.
Scout NPC
Scouts are guide NPCs found around the world. Find a Scout marker on the map and speak to the NPC.
A scout introduces nearby hearts and landmarks on the map. Speaking to one can help you decide where to explore.
Finding a scout when you enter a new area helps you get an overview of the region.
Hidden places
Guild Wars 2 maps contain many hidden spaces: behind waterfalls, in caves, along underground passages, or at the end of jumping puzzles.
In Guild Wars 2, exploration is an activity in its own right. Take time to look around: unexpected events, hidden areas, and views are part of the experience.