GW2 Traits Unlocking Guide

A guide to unlocking GW2 traits in the new system introduced with the April 15 Feature Patch.

Note: Characters created before April 15 Feature Patch only need to unlock Grandmaster XIII traits for each character. However, characters created after the April 15 Feature Patch will need to unlock every single one of their traits either via gold or the unlocking methods below

Gold + Skill Points

Traits can be unlocked either with gold + skill points or via one of the listed methods below. If you chose the gold route, head to your class trainer (there is one next to the Shaemoor Waypoint in Queensdale)

10 silver + 2 skill points for each Adept Trait

50 silver + 5 skill points for each Master Trait

1g 50 silver + 10 skill points for each Grandmaster Trait

3 gold + 20 skill points for the newest Grandmaster trait added with April 15 patch

While it is costly, this method can be handy if you find the unlocking requirements for the traits annoying. If you do decide to unlock the traits by doing the required activity, make sure you take advantage of the spyglass icon to locate the location of the activity.

Trait Line One

Corresponding Trait Lines

Guardian: Zeal

Warrior: Strength

Engineer: Explosives

Ranger: Marksmanship

Thief: Deadly Arts

Elementalist: Fire

Mesmer: Domination

Necromancer: Spite

I. Complete the Obsidian Sanctum jumping puzzle.

Details SelectShow> Obsidian Sanctum is its own instance accessed via the WvW tab

Video guide: http://youtu.be/2hn2koQ2Qo4?t=1m29s

II. Capture Inferno’s Needle.

Details SelectShow> Infero’s Needle is a tower in the south portion of Edge of the Mists (WvW map)

III. Earn 100% completion in Gendarran Fields.

Level 25-35 map

IV. Defeat Rhendak the Crazed.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BGIBAAA=]

Rhendak the Crazed is inside Flame Temple Tombs (Font of Rhand) , a mini dungeon in Diessa Plateau. The dungeon only opens up when you complete Flame Legion Battles meta event which centers around Incendio Templum where the Font of Rhand Portal (where you enter the dungeon)

which centers around Incendio Templum where the Font of Rhand Portal (where you enter the dungeon) It helps to have a friend or two going into this mini dungeon as it is very difficult to solo due to the timed puzzle inside the dungeon.

Events under this meta event Defend Bloodsaw Mill from the Flame Legion (23)

Recapture Bloodsaw Mill from the Flame Legion (23)

Recover the scattered pieces of scrap metal for Savor Foulnight (23)

Defend Faint Ghostnight as he searches for a new devourer egg (23)

Defeat Hazarar Razenight (24)

Help the Night warband reach Incendio Templum (24)

Capture Incendio Templum from the Flame Legion before reinforcements arrive (25)

Prevent the Flame Legion from retaking Incendio Templum (25)

V. Earn 100% completion in Blazeridge Steppes.

Level 40-50 map

VI. Help Shining Blade Kimber defeat Kol Skullsmasher.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BK0AAAA=]

Kol Skullsmasher is a champion giant inside Hidden Ourobon in Harathi Hinterlands

Beware that this event is triggered by talking to Shining Blade Kimber outside the cave if the event is not already active.

VII. Befriend the ogre camp so they will join you as allies.

Details SelectShow> Ogre Camp is in WvW Eternal Battlegrounds – Orgath Uplands. It is a mercenary camp.

VIII. Complete the Citadel of Flame in Story Mode.

Level 70+ dungeon

IX. Find the splendid chest in Rebel’s Seclusion.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BBoCAAA=]

Rebel’s Seclusion is an area in east side of Fireheart Rise. To get to it, take the waypoint at Breaktooth’s Waypoint and you will find the entrance to the area NE of the waypoint guarded by Ascalonian ghosts and separatists.

The chest and Rebel’s Seclusion achievement is located a on top of a hill guarded by Veteran Ascalonian Enchanter.

X. Defeat the Terror-Seven Krewe Leader.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BNQCAAA=]

This is a group event that occurs in the Benthic Kelp Beds region of Mount Maelstrom

There are several events that occurs in sequence Harass Inquest workers at Aquabase Terror-Seven

Defeat the krewe leader at Aquabase Terror-Seven

Defeat Aquabase Terror-Seven’s massive pet, Fluffy

XI. Discover Death’s Anthem.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BOQGAAA=]

Death’s Anthem is a wrecked ship in the southern part of Cursed Shores.

XII. Defeat the Risen High Priest of Balthazar.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BPoCAAA=]

This event only triggers after either the North, Central or Southern Invasion of Orr reaches the Triumph Plaza (go there to see the status of the meta). It is part of the Temple of Balthazar meta requiring 20+ players to participate.

Events after one of the Invasion forces reaches the Plaza

[Group Event] Help the Pact reach the Altar of Betrayal before their morale is depleted (75)

[Group Event] Seize the Altar of Betrayal before Pact morale can be broken (75)

[Group Event] Defeat the Risen Priest of Balthazar before it can summon a horde of Risen (75) If the High Priest is defeated, the temple will remain open for 1 hr and 45 minutes until another event spawns to defend it. Successfully completing that event will give allow the temple to remain open for 1 more hour.

XIII. Defeat the Risen High Wizard and secure the Promenade of the Gods

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint – [&BB8DAAA=]

This event is part of Gates of Arah meta that opens up Arah dungeon in Cursed Shores

Events that are part of the meta Get Warmaster Chan to Shank Anchorage before the troops’ morale breaks (80)

[Group Event] Secure the Pact staging area at Shank Anchorage (80)

Collect scrap metal to help Ballistician Dexa build her siege weapon (80)

Help Crusader Angaria signal reinforcements for the assault on Arah (80)

Escort Scholar Didi to the signal flare site to summon her golem prototype for the assault on Arah (80)

[Group Event] Help the Pact seize the steps of the Promenade of the Gods (80)

[Group Event] Help the Pact capture the hall of the Promenade of the Gods (80)

[Group Event] Defeat the Risen High Wizard and secure the Promenade of the Gods (80)

Trait Line Two

Corresponding Trait Lines

Guardian: Radiance

Warrior: Arms

Engineer: Firearms

Ranger: Skirmishing

Thief: Critical Strikes

Elementalist: Air

Mesmer: Dueling

Necromancer: Curses

I. Find the splendid chest in Earth’s Gap.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BLoDAAA=]

This chest is inside a cave called Earthlord’s Gap in north part of Kessex Hills. It is at the very end of the cave. If the door to the chest is locked, you can interact with it to release trolls that will fight the bandits nearby. When the trolls die, the gate will be opened.

II. Complete Twilight Arbor in Story Mode.

Level 50+

III. Defeat Ulgoth the Modniir and his minions.

Details SelectShow> This is a World Boss event in Modniir Gorge section of Harathi Hinterlands

Spawns at the following times PDT (server time): 17:30, 22:30, 0:30, 5:00, 9:30, 14:00

IV. Earn 100% completion in Lornar’s Pass.

Level 25-40 map

V. Kill Sharky the Destroyer in Arca Lake of the Harathi Hinterlands.

VI. Defeat Elite Officer Jayne in the Brigantine Isles of Gendarran Fields

VII. Befriend the hylek camp so they will join you as allies.

Details SelectShow> Eternal Battlegrounds WvW map – Darkrait Inlet in the south (Mercenary Camp)

VIII. Find the grand chest in the Windy Cave.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BJkBAAA=]

Windy Cave is a mini dungeon near the Mistriven Wayshrine in Lornar’s Pass.

The entrance is guarded by a couple of harmless dredges but inside are super annoying oozes that knock you off ledges and bats that goes invulnerable when you fight them. If you have sprint + invisibility of some sort, you can run past most mobs and avoid most of the tedious fighting. Otherwise, consider bring a friend of two.

IX Defeat the fire shaman and his minions.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BO4BAAA=]

Fire Shaman is in Sorchlands region of Iron Marches and spawned by a group event.

X Complete the story step "Forging the Pact."

Level 62 personal story

XI Complete the Crucible of Eternity in Story Mode.

Level 78+

XII Find the grand chest near Scholar Fryxx.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypont: [&BO4CAAA=]

Scholar Fryxx is next to the Long Way Around explorer achievement west of Fort Trinity in Straits of Devastation

There are two ways of doing this. Doing this the proper way involves disabling all six datapads inside the cave within 10 minutes, which is quite difficult. There is a shorter method in which you can swim through a gap in the top left of the force field at the end of the cave.

Here is a guide for the proper way.

XIII Defeat the Risen Priest of Grenth.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BCIDAAA=]

Risen Priest of Grenth is part of Temple of Grenth meta event in Cursed Shore

Events that are part of this meta Help the Pact strike team make their way to Death’s Gaze Torch (80)

Protect Tactician Footi as she sets up her cannon (80)

See Keeper Jonez Deadrun safely to Death’s Gaze Torch (80)

Secure Death’s Gaze Torch while Explorer Ambrose completes his ritual (80)

Ensure that Keeper Jonez Deadrun reaches the Cathedral of Silence (80)

[Group Event] Use portals to fight shades, slay the Risen Priest of Grenth, and protect Keeper Jonez Deadrun (80)

Trait Line Three

Corresponding Trait Lines

Guardian: Valor

Warrior: Defense

Engineer: Inventions

Ranger: Wilderness Survival

Thief: Shadow Arts

Elementalist: Earth

Mesmer: Chaos

Necromancer: Death Magic

I. Defeat Fleshgrazer

II. Complete the story step "The Battle for Claw Island."

Level 50 Personal Story

III. Capture Stonegaze Spire

Details SelectShow> Stonegaze Spire is a tower in the NW section of Edge of Mists WvW map

IV. Defeat Victurus the Shattered and his army

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BOoBAAA=]

This is a group event in Crystalwept Groves area of Iron Marches. Victurus roam quite abit.

V. Earn 100% completion in the Fields of Ruin.

Level 30-40 zone

VI. Defeat the Giant Blood Ooze in the Challdar Gorges of Bloodtide Coast.

VII. Befriend the dredge camp so they will join you as allies.

Details SelectShow> Eternal Battlegrounds WvW map – Molevekian Delve in the NW (Mercenary Camp)

VIII. Complete Sorrow’s Embrace in Story Mode.

Level 60+

IX. Defeat Vidius Flame Tribune.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BBwCAAA=]

Part of The Battle for Buloh Crossing meta event in Fireheart Rise. If the waypoint there is contested, there is a good chance he is inside.

X. Complete the story step "The Battle of Fort Trinity"

Level 70 Personal Story quest

XI. Find the locked door at the end of the forgotten stream.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BBsDAAA=]

Forgotten Stream is a location in Cursed Shores behind the Cathedral of Verdance

XII. Defeat the Risen Priest of Melandru

Details SelectShow> Risen Priest of Melandru is part of the Temple of Melandru meta event that takes place in Cursed Shores.

Events that are part of the meta event Reclaim Gavbeorn’s Landing from the Risen (80)

Defend Gavbeorn’s Landing from invading Risen (80)

Escort Magister Izzmek to the site of the first signal beacon (80)

Escort Magister Izzmek to the site of the second signal beacon (80)

Defend the beacon until Pact reinforcements can arrive (80)

[Group Event] Escort the Pact forces to the Temple of Melandru (80)

[Group Event] Destroy the Risen Priest of Melandru (80)

XIII. Defeat the Karka Queen

Details SelectShow> World boss in Southsun Cove that spawns at 18:00, 3:30, and 9:00 US PDT

Closest Waypoint: [&BNcGAAA=]

Trait Line Four

Corresponding Trait Lines

Guardian: Honor

Warrior: Tactics

Engineer: Alchemy

Ranger: Nature Magic

Thief: Acrobatics

Elementalist: Water

Mesmer: Inspiration

Necromancer: Blood Magic

I. Complete the story step "A Light in the Darkness."

Level 55 Personal Story

II. Capture Tytone Perch.

Details SelectShow> Tytone Perch is an tower in NE section of Edges of the Mists WvW Map

III. Find the grand chest in Provernic Crypt

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BOQAAAA=]

Provernic Crypt is a mini dungeon in Gendarran Fields. You will need to find 2 rocks inside the crypt and then place them on pressure plates to open the door to the chest room next to the Champion spider.

IV. Earn 100% completion in Harathi Hinterlands.

Level 35-45 map

V. Defeat Gargantula, the spider broodmother in the Wynchona Woods of Harathi Hinterlands.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BKgAAAA=]

There is an event to free the Serphs before the event for Gargantula spawns

VI. Defeat the Krait Witch of Nonmoa Lake in Timberline Falls.

VII. Find the chest in Verarium Delves.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BMkBAAA=]

Verarium Delves is a hidden area in Sparkfly Fen and getting the chest takes a lengthy path

VIII. Find the grand chest in Arundon Vale.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BHgCAAA=]

Arundon Vale is a cave in the SE corner of Frostgorge Sound

IX. Defeat the dredge commissar

Details SelectShow> Champion Dredge Commissar is a group event in Tribulation Rift section of Dredgehaunt Cliffs. He is part of the meta event In Pursuit of Knowledge

You need to drive the dredge out of Fridgardr Lodge, Firebase Molek, Mantelet Refuge, and Grnaite Citadel before you can push the dredge back to Tribulation Rift and spawn the Commissar.

X. Complete the story step "The Source of Orr."

Level 80 Personal Story

XI. Complete Honor of the Waves in Story Mode.

Level 76+

XII. Defeat the Statue of Dwayna.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BLICAAA=]

Statue of Dwayna is part of the Cathedral of Zephyrs meta event In Malchor’s Leap.

Events that are part of the meta event [Group Event] Escort Historian Vermoth to the Altar of Tempests (79)

[Group Event] Defeat the Risen Priestess of Dwayna (79)

[Group Event] Drive Malchor to the Altar of Tempests (79)

[Group Event] Defeat the possessed statue of Dwayna (79)

XIII. Find the grand chest in the Ship of Sorrows.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BOUGAAA=]

Ship of Sorrows is a location in Straits of Devastation

Chest is inside the wrecked ship on the bottom deck but the area is infested with risen so it is a good idea to bring a friend or two.

Trait Line Five

Corresponding Trait Lines

Guardian: Virtue

Warrior: Discipline

Engineer: Tools

Ranger: Beastmastery

Thief: Trickery

Elementalist: Arcana

Mesmer: Illusions

Necromancer: Soul Reaping

I. Complete Caudecus’s Manor in Story Mode.

Level 40+

II. Kill the Foulbear chieftain and her elite guards.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BE8BAAA=]

Foulbear Chieftain is part of the group event that occurs in Hunter’s Gorge area of Fields of Ruin as part of the Ogre Wars meta event. Capture Bloodgorge Watch (33)

Kill the ogre leaders of Sapper’s Delve and hold the hill (31)

[Group Event] Assault Foulbear Kraal by killing its leaders before the ogres can rally (34)

[Group Event] Destroy Foulbear Kraal before the ogres can rally (34)

[Group Event] Kill the Foulbear Chieftain and her elite guards before the ogres can rally (34)

III. Complete the story step "Retribution."

Level 59 Personal Story

IV. Earn 100% completion in Dredgehaunt Cliffs

Level 40-50 zone

V. Defeat the Champion Ice Wurm at Posternus Caverns in Lornar’s Pass

VI. Defeat Lord Ignius the Eternal of Lornar’s Pass

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BOUAAAA=]

You must complete this chain of solo events to get this group event to pop up (Collect dwarven artifacts from False Lake for Innkeeper Klement –> Defend Klement and Fabri from pirate thieves –> Escort the asuran researchers to Vanjir’s Stead)

VII. Defeat Vexa and her golem in Vexa’s Lab

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BCYCAAA=]

Vexa’s Lab is in Fireheart Rise. It is a mini dungeon that can be soloed for the most part but for the Vexa fight it is good to bring friends.

Guide to Vexa’s Lab

VIII. Defeat the Infinity Coil Commander and capture the Infinity Coil.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BEIFAAA=]

Infinity Coil Commander is part of the group event that opens up Crucible of Eternity in Mount Maelstrom. It is part of the Toil for the Coil Meta event Slay cave trolls to stop their attacks on Gallant’s Folly (68)

Break into Infinity Coil (68)

Capture the Zhaitan research Lab (69)

Capture the Destroyer Lab (69)

Shut down the Crystal Research Lab (69)

Disable the White Zone’s lab equipment (69)

[Group Event] Capture the Infinity Coil (70)

IX. Defeat Admiral Taidha Covington

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BKgBAAA=]

Admiral Taidha Covington is a world boss in Laughing Gull Island section of Bloodtide Coast and is part of The Campaign Against Taidha Covington meta vent

She spawns at 20:30, 2:00, 7:00, 12:00, 15:30 PDT

X. Defeat the Branded Devourer Queen.

Details SelectShow> Closest Waypoint: [&BO8BAAA=]

Branded Devourer Queen.is a champion mob inside The Infestation part of Iron Marches and is part of the meta event Devouring the Brand Help the Sentinels clear a path across Lake Desolann (57)

Escort Centurion Bloodfist to Day’s Labor (57)

Defend the siege devourer while it assists the troops (57)

Free Sentinels from Branded crystals and escort them back to the main group (58)

Destroy Branded devourer nests (59)

[Group Event] Kill the Branded devourer queen (59)

XI. Defeat the Overgrown Grub.

Details SelectShow> This Grub is Eternal Battlegrounds in the Blue World’s Valley (varies depending on your server’s WvW matchup)

XII. Complete the Ruined City of Arah in Story Mode.

Level 80

XIII. Defeat the corrupted high priestess of Lyssa