Guild Wars 2 Gem Store Freebies How To Claim Cosmetic Items And Game Expansions At No Cost

Guild Wars 2, the popular MMORPG developed by ArenaNet, has periodically offered free items and content through its in-game Gem Store. These promotional giveaways have included cosmetic items, utility expansions, and even game content, providing players with additional value at no cost. This article examines the various types of freebies available through the Gem Store, how to access them, and important details about eligibility and expiration dates.

Free Cosmetic Items for Suicide Prevention Awareness

In September 2020, ArenaNet partnered with Seize the Awkward, a campaign focused on suicide prevention, to offer special cosmetic items in the Gem Store. This initiative coincided with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and aimed to encourage players to reach out to friends and guildmates who might be struggling with mental health issues.

During this promotion, players could obtain two specific items at no cost: - A free T-Shirt cosmetic item - A potion that grants yellow speech bubbles

These items were available through the Gem Store for the majority of September 2020, with a deadline of September 29, 2020 for claiming them. To access these freebies, players needed to log into Guild Wars 2 and navigate to the store panel. If the items did not immediately appear in the Featured tab, players were instructed to click on the Promotion section to locate them.

In addition to the free cosmetic items, ArenaNet hosted a virtual panel in collaboration with the Ad Council titled "Build Your Guild: Make and Support Friends in Gaming." This panel took place on September 12, 2020, on the event's Twitch channel, further supporting the initiative's goal of encouraging supportive connections within the gaming community.

Free Build Storage Expansion

ArenaNet has also offered a free Build Storage Expansion through the Gem Store. This item adds an extra Build Template tab to the character it's used on, allowing players to create and swap to additional builds more conveniently. By default, each character in Guild Wars 2 has access to three Build Template tabs and two Equipment Template tabs, but this expansion provides additional flexibility.

The Build Storage Expansion functions as a one-time use item that enhances a character's customization options. Players could claim this free expansion through the Gem Store by accessing the Black Lion Trading Company (by pressing 'O' in-game) and locating the promotion among the available offers.

Free Anniversary Items

Guild Wars 2 has celebrated its milestones by offering free items to commemorate anniversaries. According to player reports, items distributed during the 10th anniversary celebration are available permanently to players who claimed them. This means these cosmetic and utility items do not have expiration dates and remain in players' inventories indefinitely.

The anniversary freebies have included various cosmetic items such as: - Outfits - Weapon skins - Back accessories - Gliders - Chair mounts - Musical instruments - Finishers

These items were typically made available for a limited time during the anniversary celebration, but once claimed, they became permanent additions to players' accounts.

Free Living World Content

Guild Wars 2 has made certain Living World content available at no cost. Specifically, Living World Season 1 is free for all players. This provides new and returning players with access to additional story content and gameplay experiences without requiring purchase.

For players seeking more comprehensive content, ArenaNet announced plans to create a Complete Collection bundle that includes: - Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns - Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire - Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons - Living World Seasons 2 through 5

This bundle was designed to improve communication about Living World unlocks to prospective players. While initially available through Steam, ArenaNet indicated plans to add it to their web store and in-game store for players with accounts created via GuildWars2.com in the near future.

How to Access Free Items in the Gem Store

Accessing free items in the Guild Wars 2 Gem Store follows a straightforward process:

1. Log into Guild Wars 2
2. Press 'O' to open the Black Lion Trading Company (the in-game store)
3. Navigate to the Gem Store section
4. Check the Featured tab first for currently promoted items
5. If the free items are not visible in the Featured tab, click on the Promotion section
6. Locate the free items and claim them

For time-limited offers, it's important to check the Gem Store regularly, as promotions may rotate or have specific expiration dates. Some free items, particularly those tied to awareness campaigns or anniversaries, may only be available for a short period.

Eligibility and Expiration Details

The free items offered through the Guild Wars 2 Gem Store typically come with specific eligibility requirements and expiration dates:

• Most freebies are available to all players with an active Guild Wars 2 account
• Some promotions may be limited to players who meet certain criteria, such as having specific expansions or account status
• Time-limited free items usually have clear expiration dates, after which they can no longer be claimed
• Anniversary and awareness campaign items often have specific deadlines for claiming (e.g., the September 2020 suicide prevention items expired on September 29, 2020)
• Once claimed, most free items become permanent additions to players' accounts and do not expire

Players should carefully read the promotion details when claiming free items to understand any limitations or requirements. For example, some items may be account-bound and cannot be traded, while others might have specific usage restrictions.

Conclusion

Guild Wars 2 has demonstrated a commitment to providing free content to its player base through various Gem Store promotions. These freebies have ranged from cosmetic items like T-shirts and speech bubble potions to functional expansions like additional build storage. Some promotions, such as those tied to suicide prevention awareness, have served charitable purposes while providing players with unique in-game items.

The availability of free Living World content, particularly Season 1 being free for all players, has improved accessibility for new and returning players. Meanwhile, anniversary celebrations have offered permanent cosmetic items that allow players to customize their characters without additional cost.

To make the most of these free offers, players should regularly check the Gem Store, particularly during awareness months and anniversaries. Understanding the process for claiming items and being aware of expiration dates ensures that players don't miss out on these valuable additions to their Guild Wars 2 experience.

As ArenaNet continues to develop new content and promotions, players can likely expect additional free opportunities in the future, further enhancing the value of their Guild Wars 2 experience.

Sources

1. AltChar - Guild Wars 2 Offers Free Cosmetics to Help Suicide Prevention
2. Guild Wars 2 - Peaceful Rainbows Homestead Sky
3. Guild Wars 2 - Get Your Free Build Storage Expansion in the Gem Store
4. Guild Wars 2 Wiki - Gem Store/Anniversary Sales
5. Guild Wars 2 - Slender Fairy Wings Backpack and Glider Combo
6. Guild Wars 2 - Studio Update: Guild Wars 2 Tenth Anniversary and Steam Launch on August 23
7. ResetEra - Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons OT