Guild Wars 2

I sometimes see people saying “looking for more fotm” and I assume those are dungeon or instance groups.

My question is: What are the basics of joining a group for a dungeon?

Is there a prefered level to start dungeoning (ie 80)?

Will I be automatically taken to the dungeon when we have enough people, or do I need to know the location to portal there?

What are fractals?

Thank you in advance for helping me on this subject!

P.S. How do I leave dungeons? And how do I leave WvW without logging out?

Fotm= Fractals of The Mist and is a dungeon
Dungeons can be started anytime, but most effectively at around level 30 Your personal story should show you the first dungeon.
Fractals are different levels of the Fotm
You can leave WvW by returning to the spawn point and using the Lion’s Arch Asura gate.
Don’t know any of the rest.

Graeme Fisk.1542:

My question is: What are the basics of joining a group for a dungeon?

Tell the /map chat that you’re looking for a group for a particular dungeon, most often done as, “LFG AC Story”, or some variation thereof. If someone lists that they’re looking for members (LFM, or, LF#M), then it’s courteous to whisper that person and tell them you’re interested. Technically, you can self-invite to their party, but I wouldn’t do so unless their shout out specifies that you should.

It’s important to know whether you’re running Story or Explorable mode. You have to complete the story mode of each dungeon before you can run Explorable mode. Explorable is more difficult, includes multiple path options, and gives better loot. But, it also can require a higher level for entrance.

Graeme Fisk.1542:

Is there a prefered level to start dungeoning (ie 80)?

Depends on the Dungeon. Ascalon Catacombs open up at level 30 for story mode. Each new dungeon opens up 10 levels after the last, until level 70 where they become more frequent. Explorable mode generally opens up 5 levels after the story mode.

Here’s a complete list of dungeons and their entry levels.

Graeme Fisk.1542:

Will I be automatically taken to the dungeon when we have enough people, or do I need to know the location to portal there?

When someone in your group enters the dungeon, it will allow all players in the dungeon’s zone to enter with them. You don’t necessarily need to walk into the portal yourself, but you can’t come in from anywhere in the world.

Graeme Fisk.1542:

What are fractals?

Fractals of the Mists. Unlike other dungeons, you can enter fotm at any level, and you’ll be brought up to level 80 for the duration of the dungeon. Also, unlike other dungeons, only explorable mode exists, and it consists of dungeon “levels”. You’ll start at level 1, and each time you successfully complete the dungeon, you gain a level. Everyone in the group needs to run the same level (which will soon change). As you might expect, as the dungeon levels raise, the dungeon gets more difficult, but drops better loot.

Fractals are currently the only place to earn Ascended gear, which is the tier between Exotic and Legendary.

Graeme Fisk.1542:

P.S. How do I leave dungeons? And how do I leave WvW without logging out?

When the dungeon is finished, you’ll see a little door appear above your minimap, much like in your personal story. Or, leaving the group will portal you to the entrance directly. You can leave WvW by entering the Lion’s Arch asura gate, or by jumping into the sPvP mists, and entering the Lion’s Arch gate there.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you both! You’ve been very generous in helping me.

If you’re not 80, be prepared to get kicked out of at least some dungeons groups. Many people don’t like running with sub-80’s, especially in the lower dungeons like AC Explorable where lvl 80 groups can steamroll the content and don’t really want to be slowed down.

its good to note that as of now gw2lfg.com is the best way of finding a dungeon group be it for story mode, explore mode, or fractals

LithePanther.5027:

If you’re not 80, be prepared to get kicked out of at least some dungeons groups. Many people don’t like running with sub-80’s, especially in the lower dungeons like AC Explorable where lvl 80 groups can steamroll the content and don’t really want to be slowed down.

This is both depressing and irrational.

On the other hand, if someone is willing to kick you for being at-or-above the dungeons required level, but not yet level 80, they probably aren’t the sort of person you want to spend two hours with anyway.

Well then you certainly wouldn’t want to spend time with me, because I absolutely refuse to run dungeons with sub-80’s, although since I always run with a guild group it’s not often that it becomes an issue.

One thing I find handy is to msg the person organizing a group and ask them if they’re willing to take a rookie. Even at level 80, there are dungeon paths that I haven’t done, and some times, the best way to learn is to do the dungeon with people who have. Groups that don’t want someone without experience won’t take you, but honestly, I have a hard time recalling a group that didn’t take me on and help me learn the ropes. Do your best, be attentive and ask questions if you’re unsure, it goes a long way.

You don’t have to have done story mode in order to do explorable mode, as long as the first person to enter the dungeon has done story mode, you can ‘tag along’ without having done it yourself. Many people feel held back from doing explorables because they have not done story, but it is not required.

Dungeons can be a good way to level a character as you get a significant amount of XP from a single dungeon path (most of a level.)

Finally, FotM will up-level you to level 80, and I’ve had a guild mate complete FotM lvl 1 at level 26…. but he had a very difficult time finding a group willing to take him for FotM lvl 2. FotM was designed to challenge lvl 80 characters, and while it will scale you up, it does not unlock skills or trait points and you may find it a less than rewarding experience if you go to early.

Cheers in dungeons friend, and good luck to you!

I am a level 72 Human Ranger and have yet to go into a dungeon knowingly in my story line. Where did I miss this ?
I do recall a dungeon around Beetlerun but did not go in. How would I form a group to go in here and do I need 4 ?

SteveK.5827:

I am a level 72 Human Ranger and have yet to go into a dungeon knowingly in my story line. Where did I miss this ?
I do recall a dungeon around Beetlerun but did not go in. How would I form a group to go in here and do I need 4 ?

When you reach the level for a dungeon you should get in game mail, briefly explaining the story of the dungeon and with a button that says ‘show me’ which will show you where the entrance is.

Dungeons are designed for parties of 5, you can look for groups in Lions Arch or use gw2lfg.com. If you want to do a specific dungeon you can chat in /map (in lions arch, or the zone that has the dungoen) “LFG Dungeon [insert name] [Story or Explorable mode].” You can also look for people who are looking for more or "LFM / LF#M for [Insert dungeon name] and message that person to join the group.

Another note — if you are doing out loud notices of interest in dungeons, change your phrasing every time. Type it out in full, add in emotes, something. There is a draconian anti-spam suppression that after as little as 3 repetitions (sometimes just 2!) keeps you from talking for a while.

Very annoying if your RP character has a signature phrase, I must say.

Ah yes thanks, I remember deleting that mail lol.
Do we need some type of dungeon finder like WOW ? I won’t be hanging around forever waiting for a group of 5 I will give you the strong tip !

SteveK.5827:

I am a level 72 Human Ranger and have yet to go into a dungeon knowingly in my story line. Where did I miss this ?

Contrary to their name, Story mode dungeons have nothing to do with your Personal Story. They’re just a different event within the dungeon area. Don’t worry, you didn’t miss anything.

SteveK.5827:

Do we need some type of dungeon finder like WOW ? I won’t be hanging around forever waiting for a group of 5 I will give you the strong tip !

Technically, a Looking For Group panel already exists. In the current state it’s a bit useless, at best. The developers are developing a new LFG system to replace the current one, and it will hopefully get released within the next few months. As for now, you just have to stay patient and hang around town.