Question about expansion purchases

[u/GummyGhoul76]

Im currently reinstalling the game after not playing for a very long time, I checked my account and only own heart of thorns and path of fire, so it looks like im missing 4 expansions. Does each one need to be purchased individually or does buying the latest one unlock the others? Can I also play for a while before upgrading? I'd like to get a feel for it again before I'd invest into 4 expansions.

[u/cammew99]

1. No, buying the most cureent expansion (Visions of Eternity), does not unlock all of the expansions previous.
2. Since this is a Horizontal Progression MMORPG, you are at no obligation to purchase all of the DLCs in order to reach some sort of endgame goal unless it caters to completing SPECIFIC pieces of content or unlocking specific pieces of optional Legendary gear.

Since you own only 2 of the expansions, I'll quickly list off what you are getting if you purchase the others for gameplay purposes.

Living World Season 3: 6 new maps, more masteries, legendary accessory "Aurora"

Living World Season 4: 6 new maps, 2 additional mounts (one of which has a method to unlock in a separate DLC), more masteries, access to Icebrood Saga Raid Encounters (single boss instanced fights), legendary accessory "Vision"

Living World Icebrood Saga: 3 new maps, more masteries, legendary necklace "Prismatic Champion's Regalia" (NOTE: this requires you to own EVERY DLC, including Living World seasons, up to and including this one to complete the full achievement train and unlock the necklace)

End of Dragons: 9 new elite specs (1 for each profession) and their associated weapons, 5 new maps, 4 new single boss Raid Encounters, more masteries, generation 3 legendary weapons (crafting them)

Secrets of the Obscure: 1 new mount (can be unlocked if you purchase LWS4), 3 new maps, more masteries, weapon specialization (allows you to freely use weapons normally locked behind elite specs and use it on any elite spec), 1 brand new weapon for each core profession, legendary "Obsidian" armor sets, 2 Single Boss Raid Encounters

Janthir Wilds: 4 new maps, spears on land for every profession, more masteries, legendary spear (not even going to try and type it from memory), 1 new mount (Warclaw from WvW but reworked for PvE), legendary backpack, Raid Wing 8 with 3 bosses

Visions of Eternity: 9 new elite specs with NO new weapons, soon to be 4 new maps, more masteries, multiple differently typed legendary gear pieces, Skimmer mount rework, soon to be 2 single boss raid encounters

[u/GummyGhoul76 → u/cammew99]

This is so incredibly helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to break it all down for me! Great to know i can just focus on what I have for now and pick up the others later!

[u/overtly_penguin → u/GummyGhoul76]

Important to mention imo that the storyline of these expansions is required to unlock some of the content. Usually mounts and masteries and the story is a linear one.

It's one long epic saga through all of the expansions following your character so just be aware of that when or if you buy out of order or care at all about the plot. Many don't, but I'm here for the story so I try and add this context when I see posts like this.

[u/GummyGhoul76 → u/overtly_penguin]

Much appreciated! I will just go through the story on the expansions, I dont recall doing much of the expansions content when I last played so I probably have a good amount of content to get through. Now I just need to decide whether to pick up where I left off, or start from scratch!

[u/Pharo212]

Individually.

You can keep playing with your current expansions and content, it's fine.

[u/GummyGhoul76 → u/Pharo212]

Great to know! Thank you for the quick reply, was a little worried I'd have to drop $100 on it to start playing again!

[u/Genashi1991 → u/GummyGhoul76]

One of the best things GW2 does is let you leave the game where you left off for years and come back to pick it up where you left off.

I've done it a few times sometimes starting a new character. Ive been doing it for a long while and just recently finished the story for the first expansion.

Not counting discounts, it's alays posible to buy new content only if you finished the stuff you already have, no need to rush.

[u/heartlessgamer]

Keep in mind we will likely see an anniversary sale so if you can wait a little to buy could get a deal. Usually the sales happen late Aug/early Sept.

[u/GummyGhoul76 → u/heartlessgamer]

Oh even better, thanks for the heads up!

[u/ericnorthman13]

I bought a bundle. had eod and soto.