Guild Wars 3 Launch: 4 Playable Species Confirmed

At launch, Guild Wars 3 will offer players four playable species, with additional options planned for later. ArenaNet says the character and species system is built to be expanded over time, while keeping the game’s stats and mechanics the same across all playable choices.

What species you’ll get at launch

In a new update, the studio confirmed that four different playable species will be available when the MMORPG launches. Some are familiar from earlier Guild Wars games, while one is brand new.

Humans
Asuras
Kodans (playable for the first time)
One undisclosed species, described as “fallen into oblivion” and tied to Orr’s past

Why these species fit the setting

Guild Wars 3 takes place long before the first two Guild Wars titles. ArenaNet points out that this timeline already includes populations known from earlier entries:

In the Tyria of that era, Humans and Asuras are present, with Humans tied to the Tyria portrayed in the first Guild Wars and Asuras tied to the underground artisans established in Guild Wars 2.
In addition, Kodans have appeared in prior lore but will be playable in Guild Wars 3 for the first time. Within the setting, they’re framed as protective of Tyria’s spirits.
The MMORPG’s narrative role involves the player joining the Gardevaels, who are tasked with preserving Orr’s magical spirits—an alignment ArenaNet suggests supports why Kodans are among the launch options.

How ArenaNet plans to add more species after release

Beyond the four launch choices, the studio says it will continue adding new playable species as the MMO is operated post-launch. The key point is that the system is designed from the start to make that expansion feasible.

Playable characters and species are designed to be extensible so new additions can be introduced later.
Early story content is shared: regardless of species, characters start with the same narrative setup as Gardevaels and face the same initial plot challenges.
No species-specific starting zones or scenarios: because the early narrative is common, the studio indicates there won’t be separate starting areas or tailored scenarios for each playable species.
Later updates can introduce both known and new peoples, whether they originate from existing Tyria lore or are entirely new.

Will species change gameplay power?

ArenaNet also states that “statistics and mechanics” will be identical for all playable species. That means players won’t be choosing a species for an advantage based on numbers or system differences; instead, species choice is positioned as a way to reflect the character’s “history and identity,” letting players pick the option that best matches the kind of hero they want to play.