Guild Wars 2

so me and my friend hit level 80, and we started to go into maguuma, but i feel like nothing was really explained to us in game on how or what is going on. its like we got thrown into a war zone and are expected to survive.

Is there a guide somewhere that helps us understand it a bit? because we are kind of just flailing around trying to understand how the place works, and trying to figure out how to level our mastery efficiently

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Verdant_Brink
There is a similar page for each map.
http://dulfy.net/2015/11/09/gw2-hot-maps-timer-famme/
To see where in each cycle each map is.

Each map has an event cycle. You can follow event chains from their start in each main area (lots of xp from that). VB has 5 major areas, each with its own chain, which if completed during daylight advances the map tier for rewards. At nightfall events become more localized; camp defenses, supply escorts, collecting supply to increase the fortifications, and after 20 minutes choppers come down to camps under pact control to get you up to fight the five bosses. Take all of them out and do other events and the map gets T4 and you get a bladed coat.

Just to consolidate a bit, there is an Event Timer on the front page of the Wiki, as well.

Good luck.

Also, if you’ve just hit level 80 I assume you’re new to the game. That means you’ve missed Living Story seasons 1 and 2, which follow after the personal story of defeating Zhaitan and lead up to the story that plays out in Heart of Thorns. During that time all the characters of your group are introduced and fleshed out (some more than others). So if it feels like the story comes out of nowhere, this is why.

You can still play season 2, but you need to buy it from the gemstore. People who were active at the time of season 2 could unlock it for free by logging in, and ANet has now made it accessible to everyone, but at a price. Season 1 is no longer in the game, though Magister Ela Makkay can give you a very cut down summary of what happened but it barely scratches the surface. Ela can be found at the Durmand Priory Research Site in Lion’s Arch.

A little advice on masteries. All of the must-have basic navigation abilities are 1-2 points totaling 8 points. I recommend unlocking the following abilities before anything else: gliding, bounce mushrooms, updrafts, exalted markings, and Nuhoch wallows. They won’t get you 100% map completion, but you can reach the vast majority of objectives.

I’ll be happy to show you guys around in game. I’m told I’m a pretty good tour guide. If you’re on a US server, send me an in game whisper.

I’m a terrible tour guide but I will portal you up from the floor when you fall to your death after I accidentally forget you only have basic mastery and can’t make the glides like I can..

Also playing on US servers but at UK times if that helps.

Deadnoz.7905:

…we started to go into maguuma, but i feel like nothing was really explained to us in game on how or what is going on. its like we got thrown into a war zone and are expected to survive.

I’m pretty sure this is how most of the Pact members felt.