Guild Wars 2's upcoming Homesteads feature, launching with the Janthir Wilds expansion on August 20th, offers players a revolutionary approach to player housing. A sneak peek reveals a system boasting over 300 placeable decorations at launch (with 800+ planned), daily resource gathering nodes, and the ability to display alts and mounts within the personal, instanced space.
Janthir Wilds, Guild Wars 2's fifth expansion, introduces two new zones, a Warclaw mount (previously PvP-only), and the game's first new weapon type since launch – the two-handed spear. However, the Homesteads feature has quickly become a fan favorite.
Unlike traditional MMO housing systems, Homesteads in Guild Wars 2 eliminates the need for lotteries, purchases, or the threat of eviction. Accessible early in the Janthir Wilds storyline, this fully customizable system offers complete freedom of placement, allowing players to position decorations along all three axes (X, Y, and Z).
Homesteads Key Features:
- Instanced Housing: No competition for plots!
- Early Access: Unlocked early in the Janthir Wilds story.
- Unrestricted Placement: Full 3D placement control for decorations.
- Extensive Decoration Options: 300+ decorations at launch, expanding to 800+ by the expansion's end.
- Mount and Alt Display: Show off mounts, skiffs, and logged-out characters.
- Resource Gathering: Daily resource nodes (mine, logging camp, farm).
- Cosmetic Display: Armor and weapon racks for showcasing rare equipment and outfits.
Decorations will be obtainable through various methods: a new crafting system within Janthir Wilds, participation in Guild Wars 2 holiday events, and the in-game cash shop. The ability to display favorite cosmetics, including mounts and logged-out alts (who receive a rest buff), solidifies Homesteads as a player-friendly and unique addition to the MMORPG landscape. Early reactions suggest ArenaNet's claim of creating "the most player-friendly housing system in an MMORPG" is well-founded.
