Guild Wars 2 is folding Living World seasons 3–5 into its expansion purchases from October 13, 2026. Existing owners of the relevant expansions will automatically unlock missing episodes, and season 2 is now free in the base game for players with a level 80 character, according to the studio's announcement.
For returning players, access to the later seasons now follows the expansions you already own. ArenaNet has ended individual Living World season sales, removing the separate episode purchases previously needed to complete the seasons associated with those expansions.
Which expansions unlock each season?
Seasons 3 and 4 are now included in the Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns and Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire bundle. Players who already own both expansions will automatically receive any missing episodes from these seasons.
The Icebrood Saga, also known as season 5, is included with Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons. Existing End of Dragons owners will likewise have their missing episodes unlocked automatically.
Seasons 1 and 2 are free in the base game, though season 2 requires a level 80 character. The change therefore gives base-game players access to that season once they meet the level requirement, while access to seasons 3–5 remains tied to the corresponding expansions.
Recent purchases qualify for gem refunds
Players who bought Living World content after September 12, 2026 will receive an automatic refund in gems equal to the value of that content. The announced eligibility wording does not establish how purchases made on September 12 itself will be handled.
Eligible purchases of Guild Wars 2 Elder Dragon Saga—Complete Collection also qualify for partial refunds covering the Living World portion. The refund is tied to the content concerned; ArenaNet has not announced a fixed amount for every buyer.
If your refund has not arrived by October 15, ArenaNet asks you to contact [email protected]. That is the point at which to seek help with a missing refund, rather than a deadline for purchase eligibility.
The collections change alongside season access
The updated Elder Dragon Saga bundle brings together Heart of Thorns, Path of Fire and End of Dragons, plus Living World seasons 3, 4 and 5. Its contents now reflect the new links between those expansions and seasons.
The new Astral Ward Saga bundle contains Secrets of the Obscure, Janthir Wilds and Visions of Eternity. The updated Complete Collection includes all six Guild Wars 2 expansions and Living World seasons 3–5, with seasons 1 and 2 available free. Expansions remain available to purchase individually, so players can still buy them separately rather than choose a collection.
For players completing an existing library, Steam applies dynamic bundle pricing that accounts for content already owned. This makes the account's existing purchases relevant to the price shown for a bundle.
The bundles include the character slots and shared inventory slots normally associated with their expansions. However, slots attached to an expansion you already own are not granted again. Completing a collection can add missing content without duplicating those previously received benefits.
Starter Pack additions also go to previous buyers
The Starter Pack receives a Copper-Fed Salvage-o-Matic, 5 Teleport to Friend items and 2 additional Black Lion Chest Keys. Previous buyers will receive the added items automatically through in-game mail.
If the items have not arrived by October 15, ArenaNet asks those buyers to contact [email protected]. The additions extend to existing purchasers, so they can check their in-game mail for delivery.
For eligible expansion owners, the immediate benefit is access to missing Living World episodes without another episode purchase. Anyone considering a collection should compare its contents with their account: Steam's dynamic pricing recognises existing content, while expansion slots already granted will not be awarded a second time.
See also our Guild Wars 2 game page.
