There are several different codes you can redeem to unlock items and upgrades in the game:
- Game Serial Code: Used to upgrade your account from a free-to-play account, add expansion packs, and unlock additional features when creating or upgrading your account.
- Gem Codes: Unlocks gems for you to use in the in-game Gem Store. You can learn more about where to purchase and how to redeem gem cards in this article.
- Item Codes: On occasion, special items such as miniatures or other in-game rewards are unlocked using a promotional serial code.
While game codes can be redeemed when setting up or managing your ArenaNet account, gem and item codes are redeemed within the game itself with a little assistance from the Black Lion Trading Company.
How to Redeem A Guild Wars 2 Code
Redeeming Game Codes
If you have not created an ArenaNet account yet, you can use your code to create a new account here.
If you purchased Path of Fire, Heart of Thorns, End of Dragons, or Secrets of the Obscure and want to add it to an existing account, you can do so via your Account Management page:
- Sign in to the Account Management page using your ArenaNet account.
- Click the REDEEM A CODE button on the 'Overview' page.
- Enter or copy and paste your code into the Enter Registration Code field.
- Hit SUBMIT to redeem the code and add it to your account.
You’ll see your upgrade the next time you log in with that account. If you are logged in when you redeem the code, you may need to exit and re-enter the game before the new content appears.
Please note: The only way to upgrade your Guild Wars 2 Steam account with a new expansion game code is to purchase the expansion directly from Steam (within your Steam account).
Redeeming Gem Codes
Gem codes can come from special promotions or from gem cards sold by our retail partners. You can redeem gem codes in the game by following these steps:
- Log in to Guild Wars 2 with the account where you want to unlock gems.
- Open the Black Lion Trading Company panel. The default hotkey is [O]. You can also click the lion icon (
) in the upper left corner of the game screen.
- Click the "Redeem Code" link in the upper left corner of the Store homepage.
- Enter or copy and paste your gem code into the field that reads: "Please enter your Gem code"
- Click Redeem.
Gems are delivered automatically once the code is successfully redeemed.
Please note: Gem card codes cannot be redeemed in-game (or on the site) for Guild Wars 2 accounts that were created on Steam. If this changes, the information will be updated here.
Redeeming Special Item Codes
Similar to gem codes, most special item and promotional codes can be redeemed in-game via the Black Lion Trading Company. However, there are some that can only be redeemed via the website (from your ArenaNet Account). If one method is giving you issues when redeeming a code, please try the other.
Here’s how to redeem a code in-game:
- Log in to Guild Wars 2 with the account where you want to unlock the item.
- Open the Black Lion Trading Company panel. The default hotkey is [O]. You can also click the lion icon in the upper left (
- Click the "Redeem Code" link in the upper left corner of the Store homepage.
- Click the "Redeem Item Code" button.
- Enter or copy and paste your gem code into the field that reads: "Enter your code"
- Click Redeem to receive your item!
Redeemed item codes will usually send the item via a mail message, which should arrive immediately upon redeeming the code.
If you encounter any issues when attempting to redeem a code in-game, please try redeeming the code on the site following these steps:
- Sign in to the Account Management page using your ArenaNet account.
- Click the REDEEM A CODE button on the 'Overview' page.
- Enter or copy and paste your code into the Enter Registration Code field.
- Hit SUBMIT to redeem the code and add it to your account.