Journeykin
The introduction of the Janthir Wilds expansion to Guild Wars 2 on 20 August 2024 marked a significant chapter in the ongoing evolution of Tyria. This fifth major expansion unveiled a previously unexplored region, the Janthir Wilds while deepening the lore and functionality of the Warclaw mount, now known as the Journeykin among the lowland kodan. The expansion’s narrative and mechanical additions reflect Guild Wars 2’s commitment to integrating gameplay systems with rich world-building.
The Warclaw, first introduced in 2017 as a World versus World (WvW)-exclusive mount, has undergone notable changes. Initially accessible through a collection tied to competitive play, its acquisition process was later simplified. With Janthir Wilds, the mount gained expanded utility in player versus environment (PvE) content, accompanied by a dedicated mastery track. The lowland kodan’s designation of the mount as Journeykin highlights cultural distinctions within Tyria, suggesting differing perspectives on its role. In-game narratives, such as the story step requiring players to feed a concoction to the Warclaw to earn its trust, emphasise the bond between mount and rider, transcending mere mechanical utility.
Unlocking the Journeykin involves distinct pathways depending on the intended use. For WvW, players must own the Path of Fire expansion, enter a WvW map, and spend one World Ability Point per character. Basic PvE access requires only ownership of Path of Fire and entry into a WvW map. Full PvE functionality, including the mastery track and exclusive skins, demands progression through the Janthir Wilds story, explicitly completing the chapter “Unknown Territory” and the step involving Barbed Vale’s concoction. This layered approach underscores the mount’s hybrid role across game modes.
The Journeykin’s abilities distinguish it from other mounts. Its capacity to boost nearby players’ movement speed, detect enemies, damage gates in WvW, and dismount opponents positions it as a tactical asset. The shared endurance system and independent health pool align it with Guild Wars 2’s broader mount mechanics. At the same time, the Well Rested mastery enhances endurance regeneration by 20%, illustrating the integration of progression systems. Customisation options, such as the September 2024 Panda mount skin, which transforms the Warclaw into an armoured panda with culturally inspired designs, reinforce the game’s emphasis on personal expression through cosmetic variety.
The Janthir Wilds are depicted as a region steeped in history and peril. Once inhabited by the mursaat and their White Mantle followers, the area is now guarded by the Astral Ward, maintaining its isolation. The expansion’s narrative, set in 1337 AE, follows the player’s role as a Wayfinder tasked with establishing diplomatic ties with the lowland kodan, a previously unknown branch of their race. This diplomatic endeavour forms part of the Tyrian Alliance’s broader efforts to foster cooperation following unspecified recent events.
New zones such as Lowland Shore and Janthir Syntri, alongside planned quarterly updates, offer varied content, including meta-events, raids, and legendary weapon collections. Characters like Caithe, Countess Anise, and Isgarren drive a narrative exploring themes of recovery and unity, with Caithe’s personal stakes hinting at deeper sylvari-related lore. The expansion’s mechanical and narrative layers reflect Guild Wars 2’s design philosophy, prioritising meaningful movement mechanics over simplistic traversal.
The evolution of mounts in Guild Wars 2 traces back to experimentation with movement systems in earlier expansions. Programmer Joel Helmich noted inspiration from titles like Metroid and Zelda, aiming to encourage revisiting areas with new abilities. Each mount’s unique health, stamina, and engagement skills exemplify this approach, with the Journeykin’s dual WvW and PvE roles further enriching this framework.
As Janthir Wilds unfolds through updates, the expansion reinforces Guild Wars 2’s ability to weave narrative depth with mechanical innovation. The Journeykin’s expanded role and the mysteries of Janthir itself offer players fresh avenues for exploration and engagement, maintaining the game’s reputation for layered, evolving content.
