Get ready, brave souls, because the Shadow of the Mad King festival has officially returned, and this year’s haunting begins today! Log in now for spine-chilling thrills, eerie adventures, and a host of new tricks and treats waiting to be uncovered. You’ll have until November 5 to indulge in all the fiendish fun—so sharpen your wits and prepare to devour candy corn by the handful. Let’s descend into the madness, shall we?

New for 2024!

It’s time to go trick-or-treating! You can earn daily and weekly achievements by ringing a Haunted Bell in another player’s homestead or guild hall. Each visit rewards you with bonus trick-or-treat bags, so make sure to stop by and enjoy some festive fun!

Get ready to deck out your homestead in spooky style! This Halloween season, we’re introducing brand-new decorations that will bring all the eerie vibes to your space. From the new Antique Bell and Haunted Bell to the Gargoyle and Flame-Bearing Gargoyle, you’ll have everything you need to transform your homestead into the ultimate haunted haven.

Whether you’re hosting friends or just setting the mood for trick-or-treaters, these new decorations will make your place the most frightful stop this Halloween!
Guild hall decorations from past years’ Shadow of the Mad King festivals will also be available to purchase in the form of Homestead Recipe Book: Halloween, volumes 1–9. Make sure to talk to the homestead vendor, Deft Lahar, in Lion’s Arch during the festival to purchase your spooky homestead decorations!

Something wicked this way comes! The Wizard’s Vault is bursting with Halloween-themed challenges, pointing you toward all the eerie activities on offer. Collect that astral acclaim and claim your well-earned rewards!

Where to Go

Start by checking your in-game mail for a letter from Magister Tassi, which contains an Invitation to the Mad Realm. Use this to travel between the mortal world and the twisted realm of Mad King Thorn.

Lion’s Arch serves as the heart of Halloween festivities in Tyria. You’ll find portals to Lion’s Arch in every major city for players level 35 and above or for anyone who owns a Guild Wars 2 expansion.

For those who can’t access Lion’s Arch directly, fear not! You can still find haunted doors in locations like the Village of Shaemoor or Smokestead. These spooky portals are guarded by Lunatic Boatmasters, who will happily ferry you to the Mad Realm’s horrors. Don’t forget to explore the haunted doors scattered throughout Kessex Hills and Gendarran Fields—trick-or-treating opportunities await!

What to Do

As Halloween looms, the capricious spirit of King Oswald Thorn breaks free to wreak havoc in Tyria while daring adventurers to cross into his Mad Realm.

Lion’s Arch: The city is transformed into a nightmarish vision filled with ghoulish decorations and a haunted atmosphere. Every two hours, Mad King Thorn himself will challenge players to a twisted game—obey his commands (but only when he says “Your Mad King says”) and win keys to unlock his treasures!

Mad King’s Labyrinth: Explore the dark and winding maze of the Mad King’s Labyrinth—battling hordes of twisted creatures, racing your mounts, and trick-or-treating for bags stuffed with ghoulish goodies. Be wary, though—dreadful enemies like the Grand High Viscount of Candy Corn and the terrifying Labyrinthine Horror stalk these shadowy halls.

Mad King’s Clock Tower: For thrill-seekers, the original heart-pounding jumping puzzle returns. Race against the rising miasma below! Or, if you prefer a slower pace, test your skills on the Stopped Clock Tower variant.

Ascent to Madness: Ready for the ultimate showdown? Face Mad King Thorn himself in this spine-chilling dungeon encounter, available to players of all skill levels.

Mad King’s Raceway: Race through creepy courses on your mounts or rent a steed and join time trials or head-to-head races.

Minigames: Speak to a Lunatic Boatmaster to jump into the frenzied chaos of Reaper’s Rumble or the survival horror of Lunatic Inquisition.

Rewards

As you face the horrors of the Mad Realm, you’ll be rewarded with trick-or-treat bags full of seasonal delights. Stock up on candy corn, the festival’s primary currency, which can be exchanged for all sorts of spooky goods: miniatures, armor skins, recipes, and more!

For the fashion-forward, don’t miss out on the Clawing Shadow Plate, a reward for completing the annual Halloween Rituals achievement. Plus, if you missed the Clawing Shadow Greaves or Clawing Shadow Gloves from previous years, they’re available for purchase from vendors in exchange for candy corn.

The new Candy Core weapon set awaits those who complete either the Halloween Rituals or Weekly Halloween Festivities achievements. Powered by the essence of candy corn itself, these sinister weapons are sure to make you the envy of every ghoul in Tyria!

Do you dare to open your trick-or-treat bags? You might just find one of three new bloody weapons, including the fearsome Sanguine Shield, Sanguine Staff, and Sanguine Focus.

And don’t forget—new Halloween-themed decorations are also up for grabs, perfect for turning your guild hall or homestead into a haunted haven!

We hope you have a frightfully good time this Halloween season, and be sure to share your most spine-chilling moments with us. Let the madness begin!