Start dungeons from the Lion's Arch NPC
Screenshot: DeployableLover
steps
- Go to Lion's Arch when you do not know where a dungeon entrance is.
- Speak to the dungeon transportation NPC.
- Use that NPC to open dungeon teleport access.
- Teleport to the dungeon you want to run instead of searching for the entrance manually.
The dungeon transportation NPC is the practical starting point for Guild Wars 2 dungeon access because it can open the ability to teleport to any dungeon in the game.
How do I access dungeons in Guild Wars 2?
steps
- Use the dungeon transportation NPC in Lion's Arch when you need a route into a dungeon.
- Enter story mode first if you are new to dungeons.
- Complete a dungeon's story mode to unlock that dungeon's explorable mode.
- Join explorable mode through a party member if that party member has completed the story mode and enters the dungeon first.
Story mode is the straightforward first access path. Explorable mode has an access requirement, but you can still enter it through a qualified party member who starts the instance first.
Story mode and explorable mode
comparison
Story mode
Story mode is the beginner-friendly dungeon path. It presents the dungeon story and is the mode to pick when you want to move through the instance at a slower pace.
Explorable mode
Explorable mode is the follow-up path after story access is handled. It is the mode tied to harder dungeon runs, collections, achievements, and better rewards.
Each dungeon has these two mode types, but they do not serve the same purpose. Story mode is for learning the dungeon and seeing its story context. Explorable mode is for runs where the group expects the harder version of the content.
What story mode is for
Choose story mode when you want the dungeon story
Pick story mode for your first run of a dungeon. It lets you experience the overarching story between the dungeons, and that story ties into the Personal Story.
Story mode also fits a slower run. You can usually watch dungeon cutscenes all the way through, and if you skip a cutscene, that does not skip it for everyone else.
Veteran party members who join story dungeons generally know that the run may include time for cutscenes, exploration, and story pacing.
What explorable mode is for
Choose explorable mode when you want the harder dungeon path
Run explorable mode after the story-mode access requirement is covered. This mode is typically harder than story mode, and veterans commonly run it for collections and achievements.
If you have not completed the story mode yourself, enter with a party member who has completed it and lets the group in first.
Explorable mode is not the best first stop for a new dungeon runner. Use it when your group is ready for the harder version or when you are specifically chasing dungeon-related collections and achievements.
Dungeon rewards
Core dungeons as older endgame content
Core dungeons are original endgame content and are now relatively out of date. They can still give gold and rewards.
For difficulty, separate the two modes clearly. Story mode is the better starting point, while explorable mode is the harder option once access is unlocked or a qualified party member opens the instance first.
In this series
- Guild Wars 2 Beginner Tips: A Calm Start Guide for New Players
- Deposit materials and use all
- Guild Wars 2 Social Help: Groups, LFG, Friends, and Commanders
- Guild Wars 2 Leveling Guide: Early Builds and Open-World Exploration
- Guild Wars 2 Interface Shortcuts: UI Tips New Players Should Know
- Selling Junk in Guild Wars 2: Vendors, Salvaging, and /wiki
- Guild Wars 2 Gear Progression: What to Upgrade While Leveling and at 80
- Guild Wars 2 Character Creation: Race, Profession, Server, and First Choices
- Guild Wars 2 Inventory Management: Identify, Salvage, and Deposit Gear
- Movement and combat basics
- Level 80 progression systems
- Guild Wars 2 Expansions Features: Mounts, Gliding, Elite Specs, and Story
