View source for Raid

{{quotation|[https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/game/raids Official website]|Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns™, introduces the ultimate challenge: our first raid, which is made up of three distinct raid wings. Raids are 10-player, instanced, elite dungeon content that's a challenge unlike anything we've previously released in Guild Wars 2. These raids are meant to put you and your teammates to the test and challenge you to grow your skills as Guild Wars 2 players. Raids are our answer to what skilled PvE players have to look forward to at endgame—the ultimate test to overcome and defeat.}}
{{quotation|Level 80 rewards.|Raids offer the ultimate challenge for you and nine of your friends.}}
[[File:Raid portal.jpg|thumb|[[Portal]] to enter a raid.]]

{{map icon|raid}} [[Raid]]s, or '''raid encounters''', are 10-player [[squad]]-based [[Player versus Environment|PvE]] [[instance]]s for level 80 [[character]]s. Raid wings are a sequence of boss and non-boss raid encounters.

Each encounter typically involves multiple phases with unique mechanics to test squad coordination, damage output, positioning, and player [[build]]s. Encounters may also include an ''enrage timer'' where the encounter either fails or incoming damage greatly increases when time expires.

Certain [[Mastery|masteries]] are required to participate in, complete, or simplify some encounters (see table notes). [[Downed|Downed]] allies can be revived or [[rally]], but [[defeated]] allies cannot be [[Revival|revived]] during the encounters. Unlike [[Fractals of the Mists|fractals]], [[Revive Orb]]s are disabled, along with other similar [[consumable]]s such as [[booster]]s.

Special rewards for finishing each encounter are limited to once per week, with a '''weekly reset at {{UTC time|Monday 07:30}}'''. Raid encounters can be accessed and completed in any order via the raid join UI. There are no [[waypoint]]s inside raids; instead, they use a checkpoint system which players can use to revive themselves and which most of the time resets skill recharges when everyone is defeated. The ''/gg'' [[Chat command#Group.2Fparty|command]] or one of its [[#Notes|alternatives]] can be used to restart an encounter faster.

The first raid, [[Forsaken Thicket]], was split into three different wings, with the first one released on November 17, 2015. While the corresponding wings originally told a progressing story in a specific order, each wing could be entered and completed independently. After the third wing was released, future raids were released as singular wings rather than multi-wing instances. Forsaken Thicket also introduced the first challenge mode boss encounter, a harder version with more punishing mechanics. The [[Temple of Febe]] raid encounter from ''[[Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure|Secrets of the Obscure]]'' introduced a new pinnacle difficulty setting with the legendary mode. [[Strike Mission]]s (single boss encounters) were merged with raids and were renamed as raid encounters on February 3, 2026.

== Accessing raids ==
[[File:Raid selection interface.jpg|thumb|Raid selection interface]]
Raiding is intended to require certain amount of time and dedication to learn and overcome each boss's unique mechanics, but in return it offers a large variety of rewards.

Many solo players begin their raiding journeys by joining [https://snowcrows.com/en/groups?type=Training&region= raid-training guilds or groups], learning mechanics via [[#Quickplay mode|quickplay]] raids, or by joining dedicated training groups listed in the [[Looking For Group|LFG tool]] (under ''Raids (Training)'') in order to learn the basics of each encounter and accrue [[kill proof]].

The [[Special Forces Training Area]] offers a personal instance to practice and test your abilities. It allows customizing [[effect]]s to mimic a raid environment, and will uniquely show you your DPS.

=== Availability ===
* [[#Quickplay mode|Quickplay mode]] is available regardless of [[expansion]] ownership.
* [[Festival|Festive]] raid encounters can only be accessed during their respective festival.
* [[Old Lion's Court]] is available to all players and automatically unlocked account-wide regardless of story completion.
* All other raids require their specific expansion to access.
** ''[[Heart of Thorns]]'' and ''[[Path of Fire]]'' raids are automatically unlocked upon owning the expansion.
** ''[[End of Dragons]]'', ''[[Secrets of the Obscure]]'', and ''[[Visions of Eternity]]'' encounters require completing respective story missions to ''open'', but you can still join instances opened by others.

=== Getting there ===
;Entrances providing access to all raids
* {{map icon|raid}} '''Raid — Combined''', a portal in [[Lion's Arch Aerodrome]] ({{waypoint|Aerodrome Waypoint}}).
** The Aerodrome also contains individual portals to each raid wing.
* {{map icon|raid}} [[Raid Rally Point]]s, objects in various deluxe [[lounge]]s.
* Join via the pop-up box when the raid instance is opened.
** While inside a raid instance, a different raid can be opened via the lower-right door icon → '''Select New'''.

;Entrances for specific raids
* {{GW2|20px}} [[Guild Wars 2|Core Game]]:
** {{vendor|wintersday}} [[Secret Lair of the Snowmen]] — Portal in [[Divinity's Reach]], only available during [[Wintersday]].
** {{LWS1|20px}} [[Old Lion's Court]] — The [[Strike Missions (object)|scrying stone]] in [[Lion's Arch]] and [[Arborstone]].
* {{HoT|20px}} ''[[Heart of Thorns]]'' — Respective portals in [[Verdant Brink]] (wing 1, 2, 3) and [[Bloodstone Fen]] (wing 4).
* {{PoF|20px}} ''[[Path of Fire]]'' — Respective portals in [[Lornar's Pass]] (wing 5) and [[Domain of Vabbi]] (wing 7).
** {{TIS|20px}} [[Icebrood Saga]] (requires ''Path of Fire'') — The [[Ancient Gate]] in the [[Eye of the North]], or their respective portals in [[Grothmar Valley]] and [[Bjora Marches]].
* {{EoD|20px}} ''[[End of Dragons]]'' — The [[Strike Missions (object)|scrying stone]] in [[Arborstone]], or their respective scrying stone in the open world.
* {{SotO|20px}} ''[[Secrets of the Obscure]]'' — The [[Strike Missions (object)|Strike Missions]] portal in [[The Wizard's Tower]].
* {{JW|20px}} ''[[Janthir Wilds]]'' — The portal in [[Janthir Syntri]].
* {{VoE|20px}} ''[[Visions of Eternity]]'' — Their respective portals in the open world.

== Difficulty tiers ==
[[File:Challenge Mote.jpg|100px|thumb|right|Challenge mode activates a more difficult version of the encounter]]
{{quotation|Raid selection|
;Base Difficulty
Some raids have challenge and legendary modes that will increase difficulty.}}
* '''[[#Quickplay mode|Quickplay mode]]:''' Accessed through the [[Looking For Group|Looking for Group → Raids → Raids (Training)]] and automatically pairs players to play a random raid encounter from a curated list. Player power is also increased.
* '''Normal mode:''' Standard difficulty.
** '''[[#Emboldened mode|Emboldened mode]]:''' An opt-out [[effect]] that increases player durability and power per failed attempt. Active in a different raid wing each week.
* '''[[Challenge Mote|Challenge mode]] (CM):''' Additional mechanics.
* '''Legendary mode (LM):''' Additional mechanics, additional boss health.

== List of raid encounters ==
{{Filter table|id=raid-table|mode=ONLY|filters=
f-wing¦Raid wing,
f-encounter¦Single raid encounter,
label¦Encounter type:,
f-boss¦[[File:Raid boss icon.png|20px|link=]] Boss encounter,
f-event¦[[File:Raid event icon.png|20px|link=]] Event encounter,
label¦Mode:,
f-cm¦[[File:Raid challenge mode icon.png|20px|link=]] Challenge mode available,
f-lm¦[[File:Raid legendary mode icon.png|20px|link=]] Legendary mode available,
f-qp¦[[File:Quickplay Boost.png|18px|link=]] Can appear in Quickplay mode
}}
* [[File:Raid emboldened mode icon.png|20px|link=|Emboldened is active]] [[#Emboldened mode|Emboldened is active]] / [[File:Raid call of the mists icon.png|20px|link=|Call of the Mists is active]] [[#Call of the Mists|Call of the Mists is active]] for the marked raid of the week.
{| {{STDT|pve}} data-filter-id="raid-table"
! Name !! Boss/Event !! Mastery Requirements !! Notes 
|-
! colspan="6" style="height:30px;"| {{GW2}} [[Guild Wars 2|Core Game]]
{{raid encounter table row|Secret Lair of the Snowmen|
| boss = Freezie
| difficulty = <!--unknown-->
| info = Wintersday
| col1 = icon
| date = December 11, 2018 <small>(original release)</small><ref name="Wintersday Blog">[https://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/releases/december-17-2019/ A Very Merry Wintersday 2019], GuildWars2.com</ref><br>December 17, 2019 <small>(first labeled as a strike mission)</small>
| filters = boss
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Old Lion's Court|
| file = The Battle for Lion's Arch loading screen.png
| boss = Watchknight Triumvirate/qp-cm
| boss-sub = Prototype Vermilion; Prototype Arsenite; Prototype Indigo
| difficulty = 4
| col1 = icon
| achievement = End of Dragons (achievements)
| date = November 8, 2022<br>November 29, 2022 <small>(challenge mode release)</small><ref name="Fall and Winter 2022 Roadmap">[https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/guild-wars-2-fall-and-winter-roadmap-2022/ Guild Wars 2 Fall and Winter 2022 Roadmap], GuildWars2.com</ref>
| filters = boss; cm; qp
}}
|-
! colspan="6" style="height:30px;"| {{HoT}} [[Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns|Heart of Thorns]]
{{raid encounter table row|Spirit Vale|
| wing = 1
| difficulty = 2
| col1 = icon
| icon = Glider Basics/required; Updraft Use/required
| achievement = Spirit Vale (achievements); page=Envoy Armor I: Experimental Armor
| date = November 17, 2015
| filters = wing; boss; event
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Salvation Pass|
| file = Salvation Pass loading screen.png
| wing = 2
| difficulty = 3
| col1 = icon
| icon = Updraft Use/required; Bouncing Mushrooms/required; Forsaken Thicket Waters
| achievement = Salvation Pass (achievements); page=Envoy Armor I: Experimental Armor
| date = March 8, 2016
| filters = wing; boss; event
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Stronghold of the Faithful|
| wing = 3
| difficulty = 3
| col1 = icon
| icon = Ley Line Gliding/required; Bouncing Mushrooms/required; Forsaken Thicket Waters; Forsaken Magic
| achievement = Stronghold of the Faithful (achievements); page=Envoy Armor I: Experimental Armor
| date = June 14, 2016
| filters = wing; boss; event; cm
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Bastion of the Penitent|
| wing = 4
| difficulty = 3
| col1 = icon
| icon = Glider Basics/required
| achievement = Bastion of the Penitent (achievements); page=Envoy Armor II: Refined Armor
| date = February 8, 2017
| filters = wing; boss; cm
}}
|-
! colspan="6" style="height:30px;"| {{PoF}} [[Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire|Path of Fire]]
{{raid encounter table row|Hall of Chains|
| wing = 5
| difficulty = 4
| col1 = icon
| icon = raptor/with [[Canyon Jumping]]; springer/with [[High Vault]]
| achievement = Hall of Chains (achievements); page=Coalescence I: Unbridled
| date = November 28, 2017
| filters = wing; boss; event; cm
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Mythwright Gambit|
| wing = 6
| difficulty = 4
| col1 = icon
| icon = Jackal/with [[Shifting Sands]]; Glider Basics
| achievement = Mythwright Gambit (achievements); page=Coalescence II: The Gift; page=Ultra Shiny
| date = September 18, 2018
| filters = wing; boss; cm
}}
{{raid encounter table row|The Key of Ahdashim|
| wing = 7
| difficulty = 4
| col1 = icon
| icon = Glider Basics; Updraft Use/recommended
| achievement = The Key of Ahdashim (achievements); page=Coalescence III: Culmination
| date = June 11, 2019
| filters = wing; boss; event; cm
}}
|-
! colspan="6" style="height:30px;"| {{TIS}} [[The Icebrood Saga]] <small>(Requires ''[[Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire|Path of Fire]]'')</small>
{{raid encounter table row|Shiverpeaks Pass|
| file = A Race to Arms loading screen.jpg
| boss = Legendary Icebrood Construct
| difficulty = 1
| col1 = icon
| icon = Glider Basics
| achievement = Prologue: Bound by Blood (achievements)
| date = September 17, 2019
| filters = encounter; boss
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Voice of the Fallen and Claw of the Fallen|
| file = The Invitation loading screen.jpg
| boss = The Voice and the Claw
| boss-sub = Voice of the Fallen; Claw of the Fallen
| difficulty = 1
| col1 = icon
| icon = Essence of Vigilance Tier 2
| achievement = Whisper in the Dark (achievements); Shadow in the Ice (achievements)
| date = November 19, 2019
| filters = encounter; boss
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Fraenir of Jormag|
| file = The Invitation loading screen.jpg
| boss = Fraenir of Jormag (NPC)//Fraenir of Jormag
| boss-sub = Icebrood Construct (Sanctum Arena)
| difficulty = 2
| col1 = icon
| icon = Essence of Valor Tier 2
| achievement = Whisper in the Dark (achievements); Shadow in the Ice (achievements)
| date = November 19, 2019<br>November 26, 2019 <small>(first time active in rotation)</small>
| filters = encounter; boss
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Boneskinner|
| file = The Invitation loading screen.jpg
| boss = Boneskinner (legendary)/qp/Boneskinner
| difficulty = 2
| col1 = icon
| icon = Essence of Resilience Tier 2
| achievement = Whisper in the Dark (achievements); Shadow in the Ice (achievements)
| date = November 19, 2019<br>December 3, 2019 <small>(first time active in rotation)</small>
| filters = encounter; boss; qp
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Whisper of Jormag|
| file = Voice in the Deep loading screen.jpg
| boss = Whisper of Jormag (NPC)/qp/Whisper of Jormag
| difficulty = 2
| col1 = icon
| achievement = Shadow in the Ice (achievements)
| date = January 28, 2020
| filters = encounter; boss; qp
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Forging Steel|
| boss = Ancient Forgeman
| difficulty = 3
| col1 = icon
| achievement = Visions of the Past: Steel and Fire (achievements)
| date = March 17, 2020
| filters = encounter; boss
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Cold War|
| boss = Minister of Morale
| difficulty = 2
| col1 = icon
| achievement = No Quarter (achievements)#achievement5247
| date = May 26, 2020
| filters = encounter; boss
}}
|-
! colspan="6" style="height:30px;"| {{EoD}} [[Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons|End of Dragons]]
{{raid encounter table row|Aetherblade Hideout|
| file = Strike Mission- Aetherblade Hideout loading screen.png
| boss = Mai Trin/qp-cm
| boss-sub = Echo of Scarlet Briar
| difficulty = 1
| col1 = icon
| achievement = End of Dragons (achievements)
| date = February 28, 2022<br>April 19, 2022 <small>(challenge mode release)</small><ref name="ArenaNet Studio Update: The Future of Guild Wars 2">[https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/arenanet-studio-update-the-future-of-guild-wars-2/ ArenaNet Studio Update: The Future of Guild Wars 2], GuildWars2.com</ref>
| filters = encounter; boss; cm; qp
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Xunlai Jade Junkyard|
| file = Empty loading screen.png
| boss = Ankka/qp-cm
| difficulty = 3
| col1 = icon
| achievement = End of Dragons (achievements)
| date = February 28, 2022<br>May 10, 2022 <small>(challenge mode release)</small><ref name="ArenaNet Studio Update: The Future of Guild Wars 2" />
| filters = encounter; boss; cm; qp
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Kaineng Overlook|
| file = Ministry of Security- Main Headquarters loading screen.png
| boss = Minister Li/qp-cm
| boss-sub = The Enforcer; The Ritualist; The Mindblade; The Mech Rider; The Sniper
| difficulty = 4
| col1 = icon
| achievement = End of Dragons (achievements)
| date = February 28, 2022<br>May 24, 2022 <small>(challenge mode release)</small><ref name="ArenaNet Studio Update: The Future of Guild Wars 2" />
| filters = encounter; boss; cm; qp
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Harvest Temple|
| file = The Only One loading screen.png
| boss = The Dragonvoid/cm
| difficulty = 5
| col1 = icon
| achievement = End of Dragons (achievements)
| date = February 28, 2022<br>June 28, 2022 <small>(challenge mode release)</small><ref name="ArenaNet Studio Update: The Future of Guild Wars 2" /><ref>[https://en-forum.guildwars2.com/topic/115854-update-on-the-harvest-temple-strike-mission-challenge-mode/ Update on the Harvest Temple Strike Mission Challenge Mode], forum.GuildWars2.com</ref>
| filters = encounter; boss; cm
}}
|-
! colspan="6" style="height:30px;"| {{SotO}} [[Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure|Secrets of the Obscure]]
{{raid encounter table row|Cosmic Observatory|
| file = Mother of Stars.png
| boss = Dagda/qp-cm
| difficulty = 2
| col1 = icon
| achievement = Secrets of the Obscure (achievements)
| date = August 22, 2023<br>November 7, 2023 <small>(challenge mode release)</small>
| filters = encounter; boss; cm; qp
}}
{{raid encounter table row|Temple of Febe|
| file = Hell Breaks Loose.png
| boss = Cerus/qp-lm
| difficulty = 3
| col1 = icon
| icon = Glider Basics
| achievement = Secrets of the Obscure (achievements)
| date = August 22, 2023<br>February 27, 2024 <small>(challenge mode release)</small>
| filters = encounter; boss; cm; lm; qp
}}
|-
! colspan="6" style="height:30px;"| {{JW}} [[Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds|Janthir Wilds]]
{{raid encounter table row|Mount Balrior|
| file = Mount Balrior loading screen.png
| wing = 8
| difficulty = 5
| col1 = icon
| icon = warclaw/recommended for better experiences
| achievement = Mount Balrior (achievements)
| date = November 19, 2024<br>March 11, 2025 <small>(challenge mode release)</small><br>March 25, 2025 <small>(Ura's legendary mode release)
| filters = wing; boss; cm; lm
}}
|-
! colspan="6" style="height:30px;"|{{VoE}} [[Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity|Visions of Eternity]]
{{raid encounter table row|Guardian's Glade|
| file = Shipwreck Strand loading screen.png
| boss = Kela, Seneschal of Waves/cm
| difficulty = 3
| achievement = Guardian's Glade (achievements)
| date = February 3, 2026<br>February 24, 2026 <small>(challenge mode release)</small><ref name="Arenanet Studio Update Raid System changes"/>
| filters = encounter; boss; cm
}}
{{raid encounter table row | TBA |
| boss = TBA/lm
| date = Quarterly Update 3
| filters = encounter; boss; cm; lm
}}
|}

== Quickplay mode ==
{{quotation|game|Entering quickplay will match your team with other players automatically for a quickplay raid. All quickplay raids are available regardless of expansion ownership.}}
Quickplay mode is accessed through the [[Looking For Group|Looking for Group → Raids → Raids (Training)]] and automatically pairs players to play a random encounter. The quickplay LFG tool can be used whether a player is solo, in a partial group seeking additional allies, or already partied with friends and looking for adventure. Players are affected by {{effect|Quickplay Morale}} boosting their combat stats. Quickplay raids are selected from a curated list:
* [[Aetherblade Hideout]]
* [[Whisper of Jormag]]
* [[Boneskinner]]
* [[Cosmic Observatory]]
* [[Temple of Febe]]
* [[Xunlai Jade Junkyard]]
* [[Old Lion's Court]]
* [[Kaineng Overlook]]

Non-quickplay achievements cannot be completed from quickplay raid encounters<ref name="Arenanet Studio Update Raid System changes"/>, examples include:
* Bosses don't count towards the [[Daily Raid Bounties]] achievements.
* Bosses don't count towards the [[Weekly Raids#achievement9125|Weekly Raid Encounters]] achievement.
* Completion doesn't count toward [[Vigil Emissary Chest]].
* [[Collection]] items are not rewarded:
** [[Turtle Unlock: Suiting Up]] ([[Siege Turtle]]):
*** {{item icon|Thruster Control Unit}} (Kaineng Overlook)
** [[A New Look]]:
*** {{item icon|Sample of Kryptis Possession}} (Cosmic Obervatory)
*** {{item icon|Sample of Kryptis Corruption}} (Temple of Febe)

== Daily Raid Bounties == 
{{main|Daily Raid Bounties}}
[[Daily Raid Bounties]] is a category of daily [[achievement]]s for completing specific daily [[raid]] and [[raid encounter]] bosses. The progress in these achievements resets each day with the [[server reset]]. Completing a daily raid bounty will reward players with a boss [[coffer]].
{{Daily Raid Bounties}}

== Effects of the week ==
Each week, two raid wings are assigned special effects. These rotate among the raid wings in order every week at {{UTC time|Monday 08:30}}, effectively changing one hour after the [[Server reset#Weekly reset|raid rewards reset]].

=== Emboldened mode ===
{{main|Emboldened}}
[[File:Emboldened portal icon.png|thumb|Icon displayed above raid wing portals denoting that the [[Emboldened]] [[effect]] is active in that wing.]]
{{quotation|Raid selection|[[File:Raid emboldened mode icon.png|30px]]'''Emboldened is active.''' Reduced difficulty with stacking effect on loss. Players can vote to disable by interacting with the Emboldened mote.}}
{{effect|Emboldened}} is an effect that becomes active in a new raid wing each week, effectively reducing the difficulty of each encounter by negating the heavy reliance on damage and healing. This gives players the chance to familiarise themselves with each boss's mechanics. This effect is automatically applied but can be deactivated by interacting with the [[Emboldened Mote]] near the entrance of each wing. Rewards are unaffected by Emboldened mode.

Upon entering a raid wing, players gain their first [[stack]] of Emboldened, which grants additional health, damage output, and improved healing to aid in their battle against each encounter. Each failed boss encounter attempt adds a stack of Emboldened (max 5), providing up to 100% additional health, 50% increased damage, and 50% increased healing output. This resets to 1 stack upon successfully completing the boss encounter.
{{Emboldened Mode}}

=== Call of the Mists ===
{{main|Call of the Mists (raid effect)}}
[[File: Call of the Mists portal icon.png|thumb|Icon displayed above raid wing portals denoting that the [[Call of the Mists (raid effect)|Call of the Mists]] [[effect]] is active in that wing.]]
{{quotation|Raid selection|[[File:Raid call of the mists icon.png|30px]]'''Call of the Mists is active.''' Doubles the amount of gold and experience gained from this raid.}}
{{effect|Call of the Mists (raid effect)}} is an effect that doubles the amount of gold and experience gained from raid boss kills, rotating every week between each raid wing in order of release date.
{{Call of the Mists}}

== Rewards ==
=== Currencies ===
* {{item icon|Magnetite Shard}}s are rewarded on every completion, amount depends on encounter difficulty and length.
** A couple may also be awarded upon failure, depending on progress.
** {{item icon|No Reward (Magnetite Shard)}} — If the currency cap (800) has been reached that week, killing a boss will award this instead of a currency.
** {{item icon|Gaeting Crystal}}s are instead awarded from the most recent [[expansion]]'s encounters.

=== Quickplay mode ===
Once per week per encounter:
* {{Karma|5000}}
* {{exp|48006-66675}}
{{anomaly|Accounts lacking the normally required expansion for the content may earn no experience.}}

=== Normal mode ===
Once per week per encounter:
* {{Gold|2}} <small>(doubled with {{effect|Call of the Mists (raid effect)}} active)</small>
* {{Karma|10000}}
* {{exp|200025}}
* {{item icon|Compendium of Knowledge}} <small>(with {{effect|Call of the Mists (raid effect)}} active)</small>
* One random {{rarity|exotic}} weapon or armor piece
* [[Coffer]] containing:
** {{item icon|Legendary Insight}} for crafting PvE [[legendary armor]] and [[Coalescence]].
** {{item icon|Piece of Rare Unidentified Gear}}
** [[Decoration]] tokens (commonly used as [[kill proof]])
* Chance for rewards unique to each encounter:
** [[Ascended equipment]], [[Raid weapons]] with unique skins
** [[Miniature#Raids|Miniature]]s

{{anomaly|
* Raid encounters (previously called [[Strike Mission]]s) reward other amounts of {{exp}} [[experience]].
* [[Icebrood Saga]] raid encounters reward other drops of [[equipment]] instead of an {{rarity|Exotic}}.
* [[Voice of the Fallen and Claw of the Fallen]] rewards {{gold|1}}.
* [[Kaineng Overlook]], [[Harvest Temple]], and [[Temple of Febe]] rewards {{gold|4}}.}}

=== Challenge mode ===
In addition to normal mode rewards, once per boss per week:
* {{Gold|2}}
* {{item icon|Magnetite Shard}} (10)
* {{experience|133350}}
* One random {{rarity|exotic}} weapon or armor piece
* Raid encounters introduced in ''[[End of Dragons]]'' also reward an {{item icon|Antique Summoning Stone}}
* ''[[End of Dragons]]'' and later encounters also reward their respective [[Magnificent Coffer]]

== Common Terms and Abbreviations ==
*'''Encounter''' — Refers to one boss or event. 
** "'''Raid Encounter'''" — The single-encounter instances previously called [[Strike Mission]]s were renamed when unified with [[raid]]s, but in some aspects of the game such as [[Wizard's Vault]] weekly objectives, specifying "Raid Encounter" still differentiates these from "Raid".
** "'''IBS3'''",  "'''IBS5'''",  "'''EoD4'''" — Groups of raid encounters commonly done together. See [[IBS5]].
*'''Wing''' — Used to connect the multiple bosses and events of a specific instance.
** While technically only the [[Forsaken Thicket]] was split into 3 ''wings'', the term is unanimously used for other raids.
*** It was eventually collectively used to describe all raids that existed prior to the unification of Raids and [[Strike Mission]]s.<ref name="Arenanet Studio Update Raid System changes">[https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/new-raid-encounter-quickplay-and-raid-system-improvements-coming-february-3/ New Raid Encounter, Quickplay, and Raid System Improvements Coming February 3], GuildWars2.com</ref>
** "'''w1'''", "'''w2'''", etc. — Wings are commonly shortened to w# with # being the number of the raid in release order, as shown in the [[#List of raid encounters|list]] above.
** "'''fc'''" — "Full Clear", meaning clearing every boss starting from first boss/event in that particular wing.

; [[LFG]] requirements
In addition to the specific raid, groups in the [[LFG]] tool often advertise in shorthand the requirements of the players they seek. Common codes include:
* "'''kp'''" — Players with "[[kill proof]]", items that can only be looted by someone who has defeated the boss, to prove they've already beaten it. This can include [[decoration]] tokens received from its [[coffer]], specific [[title]]s, or any of the gear (such as [[raid weapons]]) that can only be acquired by defeating the boss.
* "xx '''li'''" — Players with at least that many [[Legendary Insight]]s, to indicate raiding experience. The currency itself requires [[Kill_proof#External_links|external tools to prove]], but crafted items such as [[Perfected Envoy armor]] can be linked in chat.
* '''aheal ''', '''qdps''', etc. — Which general roles are needed. See [[abbreviations]] for more terms.
** '''tank''', '''tower''', '''pylon''', etc. — Roles requiring specialized builds for certain encounters.

; Other
* "'''/gg'''", "'''/qq'''", "'''/ff'''" — Aliases for "'''/[[resign]]'''",  [[Chat command#Group.2Fparty|chat commands]] used to concede defeat faster to reset the encounter.
* '''2 up 3 down''',  '''2 circle 3 arrow''', etc. — Assignments for which [[squad]] subgroup goes where during the encounter.
* '''1-3''', '''4''', and other numbers — (Order of) players doing mechanics, such as [[Sabetha]] cannons or [[Slothasor]] mushrooms.

== Related achievements ==
* {{achievement|Carry the Creator}}
* {{achievement|Top-Tiered Terror Toppler}}

== Notes ==
* Race specific damage bonuses on slaying sigils, e.g. the 7% bonus on [[Superior Sigil of Demon Slaying]], do not apply to raid bosses. Slaying potions, e.g. [[Powerful Potion of Demon Slaying]], get removed upon entering the raid and cannot be applied once inside.
* Many raid bosses have different lore and mechanical races, e.g. [[Vale Guardian]] is mechanically considered a plant.
* At this time players cannot use transformation tonics or potions whilst in raids.
* If the instance is held open after completion, it is possible invite other players to let them complete various [[Spirit Vale (achievements)|achievements]] such as [[Loot Finder]], [[Piecing It Together]] or [[My Hero!]].
** It is no longer possible to re-open a cleared instance after it has been left.
** Many [[:Category:Raid hidden chests|Hidden Chest]]s can also be reached by opening an instance with the final boss of the wing chosen in the Raid Select UI.

== Version history ==
{{Version history table header|table=collapsed|hidetext=y}}
{{Version history table row|2026-02-05}}
* Fixed an issue that incorrectly prevented players from entering quickplay raid encounters if they did not own the corresponding expansion.
* Fixed an issue that could cause challenge motes to become available in quickplay raid encounters after all players were defeated.
* Quickplay raid encounter squads will no longer automatically search for additional players while the party is in combat inside the encounter. This will mitigate cases that prevented players who were defeated when joining an in-progress quickplay raid encounter from having an opportunity to be revived.
* Fixed an issue that caused some quickplay raid encounter achievements and Wizard's Vault special objectives from properly progressing.
{{Version history table row|2026-02-04}}
* Fixed incorrect pricing on the [[Raid Expert's Portable Magnetite Shard Exchange]].
* Updated the Mount Balrior vendor to use [[Magnetite Shards]] instead of [[Gaeting Crystal]]s. 
* Updated the [[Mount Balrior (achievements)#Mount Balrior Raid Expert|Mount Balrior Raid Mentor]] achievements for any player who had partial progress to match the new progress requirements. 
* Fixed an issue that prevented the [[Large Chest of Vigilance]] in the [[Strike Mission: Whisper of Jormag|Whisper of Jormag]] raid encounter from being opened. 
{{Version history table row|2026-02-03}}
* A new raid encounter has been added, allowing squads of players to challenge [[Kela, Seneschal of Waves]]. This encounter can be accessed from the [[Lion's Arch Aerodrome]].
* Strike Missions have been renamed and are now [[raid encounter]]s.
* Raid encounter rewards are now on weekly cadence to match raid wing rewards.
* The Daily Strike Mission [[achievement]] category has been replaced with a daily raid boss bounty, which includes raid bosses from both encounters and wings.
* Raid encounter rewards have been updated to better reflect raid wing rewards.
* [[Prophet Shard]]s will be converted to [[Magnetite Shard]]s when first logging in after the new update, and all sources of Prophet Shards will now award Magnetite Shards.
* Raid boss Magnetite Shard values have been standardized to award one of five values depending on the commitment (difficulty and length of the encounter) across all raid bosses.
* Challenge modes will continue to reward 10 Magnetite Shards for all encounters.
* The weekly Magnetite Shard cap has been raised to 800.
* A new [[Weekly Raids]] achievement category is available in the Raids section for all of the eight raid wings as well as for all raid encounters and quickplay raids.
* New first-time completion achievements have been added for each raid wing, including a unique title for each wing.
* [[Raid Mentor]] achievements have been added for wings 1 through 7. Incrementing mentor achievements can now be completed by either raiding with players who have never defeated the boss or who have not cleared it that week for a smaller amount.
* [[Undefeated]] raid achievements have been added for wings 2 through 7.
* New [[No Downed State]] achievements have been added for each raid wing.
* A new [[Raid General]] category is available in the Raid section to help track new raid achievements that are not unique to any single raid wing or encounter.
** A Raid Mentor meta-achievement has been added to this category.
** A No Downed State meta-achievement has been added to this category.
** A new Raid God achievement has been added to this category.
** A new achievement for earning relics through quickplay raids has been added to this category.

* Several new unique raid rewards have been added that can only be obtained as extremely rare drops from their challenge mode encounters:
** [[Kenut Combat Tonic|Kenut]] and [[Nikare Combat Tonic|Nikare]] combat tonics
** [[Demonic Infusion]]
** [[Dhuumscale]] skyscale skin

* A new merchant has been added to the Lion's Arch Aerodrome that will offer one-time and weekly purchases for raid currencies.
* (Undocumented) Story progress is no longer required to self-open the [[End of Dragons]] and [[Secrets of the Obscure]] raid encounters (previously account-locked) and [[Forging Steel]] raid encounter (previously character-locked).
{{Version history table row|2023-02-14}}
* Fixed an issue that prevented encounters from resetting and raid enrage timers from appearing.
{{Version history table row|2022-10-04}}
* Fixed an issue that caused Emboldened mode to reactivate after defeating challenge mode bosses, preventing some players from receiving the correct rewards for the encounter.
{{Version history table row|2022-07-20}}
* Fixed a bug that prevented players from receiving credit for defeating challenge mode raid bosses if the Emboldened effect was removed by activating challenge mode.
{{Version history table row|2022-07-19}}
* Completing any raid encounter with [[Challenge Mote|challenge mode]] active now awards a bonus event chest containing {{gold|2}}, 10 {{item icon|Magnetite Shard}}s, 2 {{item icon|Provisioner Token}}s, bonus experience, and a random {{rarity|exotic|exotic}} item.
** This reward can be obtained once per week per encounter.
** The weekly achievement for completing 5 unique challenge mode raid encounters, Top-Tiered Terror Toppler, has been removed.
** Players will need to manually disable Emboldened from the new Emboldened mote or they will not receive Challenge Mode rewards. We are working on a fix for this and will update as soon as the fix is live.
* {{item icon|Gaeting Crystal}}s have been retired and players will automatically have any Gaeting Crystals in their possession exchanged for an equal amount of [[Magnetite Shard]]s.
* The weekly Magnetite Shard currency cap has been doubled.
* Raids and achievement rewards that previously awarded Gaeting Crystals now award Magnetite Shards.
* Merchants who previously traded items for Gaeting Crystals now accept Magnetite Shards in their place.
* The [[Qadim's Portable Magnetite Shard Exchange|Portable Gaeting Crystal Exchange]] item has been renamed Qadim's Portable Magnetite Shard Exchange.
* Legendary Divinations have been retired and replaced by Legendary Insights. You can consume your existing Legendary Divinations from your inventory to exchange them for Legendary Insights.
* Legendary Insights will now be added directly to your wallet. You can add your existing Legendary Insights to your wallet by consuming them from your inventory.
* Scholar Glenna now sells [[Gift of Prowess|Gifts of Prowess]] and [[Gift of Compassion|Gifts of Compassion]], which you can purchase for the same number of wallet-based Legendary Insights used in their Mystic Forge recipes.
{{Version history table row|2022-06-28}}
* Emboldened Mode
** Each week, one of the seven existing raid wings will be set to Emboldened mode. Upon entry, raid members will gain their first stack of Emboldened, which grants additional health, damage output, and improved healing to aid in their battle against each encounter. Each time the raid group fails a boss encounter, they’ll receive another stack of {{effect|Emboldened}}, granting players up to 100% additional health, 50% increased damage, and 50% increased healing output. Upon successfully completing the boss encounter, the stacks of Emboldened will reset.
*** Players may vote to disable Emboldened by interacting with the Emboldened mote inside each raid.
*** Activating challenge mode will disable the Emboldened effect.
* General
** Call of the Mists is no longer permanently active in the Key of Ahdashim raid.
** Call of the Mists now rotates on a weekly cadence.
*** The Raid categories in the Looking for Group tab have been updated:
*** Raids (Training): This group is for players looking to learn or teach raid encounters.
*** Raids (Experienced): This group is for players looking for other experienced individuals to clear and tackle more challenging encounters.
*** Both categories now only accept listings from players in a squad.
{{Version history table row|2022-03-29}}
* The [[catalyst]]'s [[Jade Sphere|jade sphere]] energy is now set to maximum when engaging a raid or strike boss.
{{Version history table row|2022-03-15}}
* [[Scholar Glenna|Glenna]]'s Mystic Clover weekly trade has now also been added to the Exchanges tab on the Basic Magnetite Exchange Operative in the Lion's Arch Aerodrome.
{{Version history table row|2022-02-28}}
* Magnetite Shards may now be spent to purchase up to 10 {{item icon|Mystic Clover}}s per week, at a cost of 30 {{item icon|Magnetite Shard}}s, 2 {{item icon|Mystic Coin}}s, 2 {{item icon|Globs of Ectoplasm}}, and 2 {{item icon|Spirit Shard}}s each.
{{Version history table row|2021-10-05}}
* As of September 21, the effect reset that occurs when players begin a raid or strike removes the same effects as the reset that occurs when players change [[trait]]s or [[template]]s.
* When engaging a raid or strike boss, the [[druid]]'s Celestial Energy resource is automatically set to 100%.
{{Version history table row|2020-09-15}}
* A new achievement category, {{achievement icon|Weekly Raids}}, has been added to the Raids achievement category.
* A weekly raid challenge mode achievement, Top-Tiered Terror Toppler, has been added. Players must complete five challenge-mote based raid encounters on the achievement's objective list.
{{Version history table row|2020-03-31}}
* Fixed a bug that caused several gathering tools to fail to gather materials in raids or [[Strike Mission]]s.
{{Version history table row|2019-08-28}}
* [[Ascended feast]]s can now be used in raids.
{{Version history table row|2019-06-11}}
* The Mute Player Alerts sound option will now mute the alert chime accompanying some targeted skills (mostly found in raids and story instances) and the alert chime that accompanies the application of many special action skills.
* (Undocumented) Raid bosses now award 10,000{{karma}} each when killed for the first time that week.
* (Undocumented) Raid boss rewards have been moved to [[Chest#Bonus chest|bonus chests]] and no longer require players to represent a guild to get decorations.
{{Version history table row|2019-05-14}}
* Fixed a bug that allowed continued access to the Glyph of Empowerment effect.
{{Version history table row|2018-09-18}}
* ''Path of Fire™'' raids have a new currency: {{item icon|Legendary Divination}}s.
* ''Path of Fire'' raids will use Legendary Divinations for its components instead of {{item icon|Legendary Insight}}s.
* Players who have participated in completing at least one ''Path of Fire'' raid encounter prior to this patch will be able to trade in a limited number of Legendary Insights for Legendary Divinations.
* All toy [[chair]]s can now be used in raid locations where mounts can also be used.
{{Version history table row|2018-03-28}}
* Raids: [[Mesmer]] and [[necromancer]] portals will now correctly detonate when an encounter begins.
{{Version history table row|2018-03-06}}
* Updated the Call of the Mists marker in the Lion's Arch Aerodrome.
{{Version history table row|2018-02-06}}
* New stolen skills for thieves have been added to all encounters:
** {{skill icon|Unstable Artifact}}: Shadowstep to an area and deliver a large immobilizing strike. If a downed ally is in your targeted area, you will instead [[shadowstep]] that ally to your location and partially revive them.
** {{skill icon|Detonate Plasma}}: Activate this skill to apply many boons to nearby allies.
** {{skill icon|Soul Stone Venom}}: Use a corrupted soul stone to immediately remove all conditions from nearby allies, converting each unique condition removed into an instance of Soul Stone Venom on that ally. When attacking while this venom is active, an additional strike that's sourced from the applying thief will be applied to all of your successful hits.
** {{skill icon|Throw Magnetic Bomb|Magnetic Bomb}}: Throw a magnetic bomb that continuously damages and pulls enemies to a point.
{{Version history table row|2018-01-09}}
* {{effect|Call of the Mists}} will now persist indefinitely in the most recent raid release. Additionally, Call of the Mists will now rotate every two weeks between all the previous raids.
{{Version history table row|2017-12-15}}
* Fixed a bug that prevented players from reviving in raids and fractals.
{{Version history table row|2017-11-28}}
* The Raid Mastery track, if locked, will now be hidden. This has been done to allow players who do not participate in raids to gain experience toward {{item icon|Spirit Shard}}s. Completing any encounter inside of a Heart of Thorns™ raid will unlock and make visible the Raid Mastery track.
* Various bosses now apply {{effect|Revealed}} directly to [[fixated]] targets and high-[[toughness]] targets through attacks.
* Boons, [[barrier]]s, and [[mount]]s are now removed more expediently when an event starts.
* Event failure now refills [[astral force]] for {{skill icon|Celestial Avatar|size=20}} and life force for {{skill icon|Death Shroud|size=20}}.
* The Rift Traveler Mastery has been renamed Rift Forger. Travel via Ley Rifts is now available to all players, and the Rift Forger Mastery will allow players to repair their armor.
* All bosses are no longer immune to weakness.
* Boss encounters had incongruent toughness values across the board. With a few exceptions, all encounters have had their toughness normalized.
** Vale Guardian, Keep Construct, and McLeod the Silent remain unchanged.
{{Version history table row|2017-07-25}}
* Added a [[Legendary Armor (achievements)|new achievement]] for acquiring legendary armor pieces.
{{Version history table row|2017-06-22}}
* Fixed an issue that prevented players from receiving loot from raid encounters.
{{Version history table row|2017-03-28}}
* (Undocumented) Raid boss tokens (e.g. {{item icon|Vale Guardian Fragment}}) can now be consumed to automatically add to your guild.
{{Version history table row|2017-02-22}}
* Added confirmation windows to the Exchanges tab on all raid vendors.
* Fixed a bug that prevented {{item icon|Magnetite Shard}}s from being awarded when salvaging some [[infused]] and [[attuned]] raid reward rings.
{{Version history table row|2016-08-09}}
* Fixed a bug in which hostile creatures could become invulnerable during raids.
{{Version history table row|2016-07-26}}
* Added a new chat command to assist squads in conceding defeat faster. The command instantly applies your currently equipped finisher to yourself. It can only be used in raids.
** English: /surrender /concede /forfeit /resign
** Spanish: /rendirse /renunciar /capitular
** German: /kapitulieren /resignieren /ergeben /aufgeben
** French: /capituler /abandonner /renoncer /concéder
* Added a new "Mute Dynamic Combat Music" option to the Sound Options tab. When enabled, this option will suppress the nonscripted combat music system that plays when players are in combat and below a certain health threshold. Combat music that is specifically tied to content such as quests, dungeons, raids, events, and fractals will not be affected by this option.
{{Version history table row|2016-04-26}}
* Fixed a bug that prevented party-member and squad-member health bars from displaying in PvP, WvW, and raids.
{{Version history table row|2016-04-19}}
* Added [[Lion's Arch Aerodrome]] and [[Special Forces Training Area]] as a raid lobby and training instance, respectively.
* Fixed a bug that caused map streaming [[UI]] to incorrectly appear when players attempted to enter a raid instance while in the defeated state.
{{Version history table row|2016-02-23}}
* The [[Captain's Airship Pass]] and [[Royal Terrace Pass]] can now be used from the PvP lobby, WvW, dungeons, and raids. Using these passes will cause you to lose your progress in those instances.
{{Version history table row|2016-01-26}}
* Update 3:
** When each player in a raid enters combat, their [[Boon#Boon_distribution_priority|boon prioritization]] will be locked in based on the composition of the [[Squad#Subgroups|subgroup]] they are currently in. That prioritization will not change until the player has left combat, even if their subgroup composition changes while they are in combat.
{{Version history table row|2015-12-15}}
* It's no longer necessary to leave a raid to activate Experience Boosts, Item Boosts, or Heroic Boosts.
|}

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/raids-in-guild-wars-2/ Raids in Guild Wars 2]
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/designing-challenging-content/ Designing Challenging Content]
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/raid-rewards-in-guildwars2/ Raid Rewards in Guild Wars 2]
* [https://snowcrows.com/groups?type=Training&region=Any Community-ran Raid Training Guilds]

== References ==
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{{Path of Fire content}}
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[[Category:Raids|*]]
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