Guild Wars 2 Finally Lets You Play as Tengu—But There’s a Twist!

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Summary

  • Guild Wars 2 introduces the Avian Aspect helm cosmetic, transforming any character into a Tengu-like bird person for $5.
  • Tengu, enigmatic bird-like humanoids in Guild Wars lore, are unlikely to become playable due to technical challenges.
  • The Avian Aspect offers a customizable and lifelike cosmetic alternative for fans wishing to play as Tengu in Guild Wars 2.

In Guild Wars 2, they’ve introduced a fresh cosmetic helmet called the Avian Aspect. This item enables players to metamorphose any character into a figure resembling a Tengu bird person. Although it doesn’t introduce a new playable Tengu race, this fully-animated cosmetic serves as an excellent stand-in for playable Tengu in Guild Wars 2.

Instead of its forerunner, Guild Wars 2 offers multiple playable species, such as the beastly Charr, the vegetative Sylvari, and the versatile Norn. Yet, since the game began, fans have expressed a strong desire to embody the Tengu, the mysterious bird-like beings that were present in the original version of the game.

Even though Tengu characters haven’t been officially introduced in the game, fans can still immerse themselves in that fantasy with a new cosmetic item for Guild Wars 2. Called the Avian Aspect, this helm transformation gives any playable race a bird-like head complete with animated beak and eyes. With four customizable dye slots, the Avian Aspect can make characters of any race, profession, or gender look like Tengu-like creatures. You can grab the Avian Aspect from the Gem Store for 400 gems, which is roughly $5. Once you have it, you can apply it to your characters as many times as you like.

Who Are the Tengu in Guild Wars 2?

As a devoted enthusiast, I’ve always been captivated by the enigmatic Tengu warriors, whose rich legacy is deeply rooted in the eastern-inspired land of Cantha. However, conflicts preceding and during the events of Guild Wars 1 led many Tengu to seek refuge in the northern realm of Tyria. Fast forward to Guild Wars 2, most Tengu residing in Tyria were secluded within the Domain of Winds. Characters like Izu Steelshrike and Kalidris Sparrowhawk emerged as valuable allies across the main game, Heart of Thorns, and the Icebrood Saga. The upcoming expansion, End of Dragons, brings us back to their homeland of Cantha, where Tengu are prominently present in various zones, acting both as friends and adversaries.

It’s unlikely that Tengu will become a playable character in Guild Wars 2 due to the extensive work required. Apart from models and animations, creating a Tengu character would necessitate numerous new quests, a starting zone, and voice acting for both male and female characters across every expansion and Living World update in the game’s history. Although it could technically be done, the Avian Aspect might be the closest representation fans will have of playable Tengu in Guild Wars 2.

In a fresh update for its expansion “Janthir Wilds,” Guild Wars 2 has just released Repentance. This new patch brings forth the Mistburned Barrens, an area showcasing the charred remnants of the Mursaat city, Bava Nisos – a place rich in lore that fans of the original Guild Wars might be eager to explore, especially since they can now interact with Tengu characters. If you haven’t tried out the sequel yet, it may be worth giving it a go!

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2025-03-25 23:02