Guild Wars 2 Shadow of the Mad King 2026 is live until November 3
GW2 Halloween 2026 runs until Nov 3: how to reach the Mad Realm, the Fog Machine weapon, Plush Mad King Backpack, Labyrinth, Clock Tower and Ascent to Madness.
Update, Oct 20: the Twitch Drops campaign for Shadow of the Mad King ended on October 18. The festival itself runs until November 3.
Update, Oct 16: the Mad King Twitch Drops campaign ended on October 18 at 11:59 a.m. PT (3:59 p.m. Brasília time). The campaign is over. Source: @GuildWars2.
Shadow of the Mad King 2026 is live in Guild Wars 2 through November 3. ArenaNet flipped the festival on October 13: Lion’s Arch is haunted again, the Mad Realm is open, and this year’s rewards (Primeval King’s Wrappings, Fog Machine weapon choice, Plush Mad King Backpack, Mini Longhaired Black Cat, and new homestead decorations) are available now.
Cover image: ArenaNet
How to get in
- Mail: open the Invitation to the Mad Realm from Magister Tassi.
- Lion’s Arch: hub for level 35+ or anyone who owns a Guild Wars 2 expansion. Major cities have portals to LA.
- No LA access: haunted doors in the Village of Shaemoor or Village of Smokestead, plus more in Kessex Hills and Gendarran Fields. Lunatic Boatmasters ferry you into the Mad Realm.
What to do while it’s up
- Lion’s Arch: every two hours Mad King Thorn runs his game. Only obey when he says “Your Mad King says…”; winners get keys to his treasure.
- Mad King’s Labyrinth: combat, mount races, trick-or-treating; watch for the Grand High Viscount of Candy Corn and the Labyrinthine Horror.
- Mad King’s Clock Tower: classic jumping puzzle, plus the Stopped Clock Tower variant.
- Ascent to Madness: fight Mad King Thorn; open to all skill levels.
- Mad King’s Raceway: mount time trials and head-to-heads (rentals available).
- Minigames: Reaper’s Rumble and Lunatic Inquisition via a Lunatic Boatmaster.
New rewards this year
- Complete the (Annual) Halloween Rituals meta for the Primeval King’s Wrappings headpiece and your choice of a Fog Machine weapon.
- Spend Candy Corn Cobs (and other materials) on the Plush Mad King Backpack and Mini Longhaired Black Cat.
- Talk to Deft Lahar in Lion’s Arch for new guild/housing decorations: Plush Zhaia, Plush Mad King, Foreboding Raven Tree, Foreboding Raven Roost.
Gem Store (through November 3)
- Halloween items such as the Witch’s Outfit are 20% off.
- Black Lion Chest updated with a guaranteed Evon Gnashblade Trick-or-Treat Bag and a chance at the Flowing Sand Cape.
- New Autumn Garden Homestead Package for 800 gems.
- Mad King Homestead Sky and Mad King Conjured Doorway remain available.
First steps in the event
- Log in and open Magister Tassi’s Invitation to the Mad Realm in your mail.
- Start the (Annual) Halloween Rituals meta early. It is the path to this year’s exclusive headpiece and Fog Machine weapon.
- Stock Candy Corn Cob materials if you want the backpack or mini.
- Finish everything before the festival ends on November 3.
Worth reading next: Guild Wars 2: Nexus of Eternity Legendary Mode is live with a World First race that ended October 17.