This guide contains a list of abbreviations and acronyms that players will encounter during Guild Wars 2. If you find an acronym missing from the list, please leave a comment below and I'll add it.
 
This guide can be used with the Finder Function (, such as CTRL +F on Windows).
 
 

General Game

• GW2 – Guild Wars 2.
• GW – Sometimes GW1. Guild Wars, the original game.
• HoT – The Heart of Thorns expansion
• PoF – The Path of Fire expansion
• EoD – The End of Dragons expansion
• LWS – Living World Season
• IBS – Icebrood Saga
• ArenaNet, developers of Guild Wars 2 is ANet – ArenaNet
• AP – Achievement points
• DR – Diminishing Returns, an anti-farming or botting measure
• GPH – Gold an hour
• IP – Internet Protocol. Each instance of a map.
• MO – Mike O'Brien, an ArenaNet employee. Not to be confused avec Mursaat Overseer.
• PvE – Player against Environment
• PvX – Player against Anything. A person who does PvE and PvP.
• Pug – Pickup group, a group made up of random players
• r – Sometimes rdy. Stands for ready.
• Rep – Represents a guild
• RP – Roleplay
• TP – Trading Post
• Train – Players working together to complete a variety of tasks as a team.
• Taxi – Joining an additional instance of a map

 
 
 

Open World

• PoI – Point of Interest map completion goals
• HP – Hero Points map completion goals
• Heart – Renown Hearts or Tasks map completion objectives
• WP – Waypoint map completion goals
• Meta – A collection of events that are connected, usually reward a lot more items
• VB – Verdant Brink map
• AB – Map of Auric Basin
• Tangled Depths map by TD
• EotN – The Eye of the North hub
• LA – Map of the Lion's Arch
• BC – Black Citadel map
• DR – Divinity’s Reach map
• GH – Guild Hall
• Lab – Sometimes Laby the Mad King's Labyrinth
• Akili – An event at the Domain of Istan
• Pala – Palawadan is the meta event in Domain of Istan
• DBS – Death Branded Shaatterer world boss in Jahai Cliffs
• Gerent – The Chak Gerent meta Event in Tangled Depths
• Octo – The Octovine meta-event in Auric Basin
• Mat – The Wyvern Matriarch boss at Verdant Brink
• Pat – The Wyvern patriarch boss in Verdant Birink
• Frogs – The Kill Cotoni & Huetzi boss event at Verdant Brink
• Tetrad – A boss event at Verdant Brink
• SI – Serpent’s Ire meta event
• TT – Triple Trouble boss in the world
• Teq – Tequatl, the Sunless World boss
• RIBA – Red, Indigo, Blue, Amber. A silver farm train with gold in the Silverwastes.
• SAB – Super Adventure Box
• A*S – Antique Summoning Stones, a product from End of Dragons
• Ecto – Globs Of Ectoplasm, a crafting materials
• MC – Mystic Coins, a crafting materials
• Pre – A pre-event before a popular event
• Champ – Champion level mobs
• Vet – Veteran level mobs
• DRM – Dragon Response Missions From the Icebrood Saga
• DSD – Refers the Deep Sea Dragon
• JP – Jumping Puzzle
• MF – Magic Find
• MF – Sometimes Forge the Mystic Forge
• Node – A resource, similar to an Ore Vein.

 
 
 

Dungeons

• AC – Ascalonian Catacombs is the first dungeon on Plains of Ashford
• CM – Caudecus’s Manor, Queensdale's second dungeon (, not to be confused or CM – Challenge mote (below)
• TA, sometimes Arbor – Twilight Arbor is the third dungeon within Caledon Forest
• SE – Sorrow’s Embrace is the fourth dungeon at Dredgehaunt Cliffs
• CoF – Citadel of Flame – The fifth dungeon of Fireheart Rise
• HotW – Honor of the Waves is the sixth dungeon of Frostforge Sound.
• CoE – Crucible Of Eternity, the seventh Mount Maelstrom dungeon
• Arah – The Ruined City of Arah is the eighth dungeon on Cursed Shore.
• p is commonly referred to as p1, or p2, or p3, or even p4 – Path. It refers to specific versions in explorable mode of dungeons
• Story – This is the story mode version of a dungeon that unlocks explorable paths
• U, sometimes upward, forward/upward or u/f, – The first path in Twilight Arbor
• F, sometimes forward, forward/forward – The second path in Twilight Arbor
• Aetherpath, sometimes Aether, or AP – The third path in Twilight Arbor
• Experienced players are able to move quickly through dungeons, sometimes at speed, or even faster.

 
 
 

Fractals of the Mist

• FotM, sometimes frac, or fractals – Short for Fractals of the Mist
• Fractal – Refers only to specific levels, such Urban Battleground
• Scale – This refers to the difficulty level of FotM
• T – T1 – T2, T3, T4, or T4 – FotM Tiers
• rec – Recommended, The Daily Recommended Fractals
• CM – Challenge Mode, or Mote, also known as CM 98/99/100 for those specific fractals.
• AR – Agony Resistance, armor upgrade necessary for high level fractures
• F&P, sometimes P+F, Potions and Food
• UF, sometimes UFE – Unstable Fractal essence, rewarded starting at CM 98 and 99.
• ess – Unstable Cosmic Essence, reward starting at CM 100, used for kill proof
• DoD – Defier Of Doubt, title earned by completing CM 100. Used as kill proof
• DwD – Dance with Demons, title taken from CM 100 achievement, used as kill proof
• LNHB – Leaves No Heroes Behind – title for completing CM99, used as kill proof

 
 
 

Raids

• W is commonly referred to as W1, W2…W7 – Wing, specific raid map including bosses
• Wing 1, W1 Spirit Vale
• Wing 2, W2 Salvation Pass
• Wing 3, W3- Stronghold of Faithful
• Wing 4, W4- Bastion of the Penitent
• Wing 5, W5 Hall of Chains
• Wing 6, W6 – Mythwright Gambit
• Wing 7, W7 – The Key of Ahdashim
• VG – Vale Guardian is the first boss of Wing 1
• Gorseval – Second boss of Wing 1
• Sab – Sabetha, third boss of Wing 1, Sab – Sabetha, the Saboteur
• Sloth – Slothasor (sometimes referred to as Cave Monster), is the first boss of Wing 2.
• Trio – Bandit Trio is also known as Protect the caged prisoners prisoner camp and sometimes "Berg Zane and Narell". It is the second boss of Wing 2.
• Matthias Gabriel, Matt, is the third boss of Wing 2.
• Escort – Sometimes keep an escort. Glenna escorts, Siege The Stronghold, McLeod. The first boss of Wing 3.
• KC – Keep Construction, the second boss at Wing 3
• TC – Sometimes castles, an encounter in Wing 3
• Xera – The third boss at Wing 3
• Cairn – Cairn the Indomitable, the first boss at Wing 4
• MO – Mursaat Underseer, second boss of Wing 4
• Sam – Samarog is the third boss of Wing 4.
• Deimos – Sometimes referred to as Saul. He is the fourth boss of Wing 4.
• SH, Desmina, Soulless Horror, the first boss at Wing 5
• River, RoS – River of Souls, the first encounter of Wing 5
• Statues – Statues of Grenth – The second encounter of Wing 5.
• Dhuum – The Voice in the Void VoiV, the second boss in Wing 5
• CA – Conjured amalgamate, the first boss at Wing 6
• Largos – Twin Largos and Nikare, Kenut, the second boss in Wing 6
• Q1 – Qadim is the third boss of Wing 6.
• Adina – Cardinal Adina is the first or second boss at Wing 7.
• Sabir – Cardinal Sabir is the first or second boss at Wing 7.
• Q2 – Also known as Qadim 2, QtP or QTPie, Qadim The Peerless is the third boss of Wing 7.
• LI, sometimes LD – Legendary Intelligences or Legendary Divinations, rewards for killing raid bosses. Low Intensity is not to be confused.
• FC – Clear and clear, killing all bosses in a wing

 
 
 

Strike Missions

• Strike – Shorthand to describe a strike mission
• EZ3 – Easy 3. This refers to the three easy Icebrood Saga strikes missions: Fraenir of Jormag and Voice of the Fallen as well as Claw of the Fallen.
• Pass – The Shiverpeaks Pass strike operation
• Bears – Sometimes Koda and Claw, Voice: Voice of the Fallen, Claw of Fallen strike mission
• Fraenir – Fraenir of Jormag strike mission
• WoJ – Sometimes whispered, the Whispers of Jormag strike mission
• Aetherblade – Sometimes Aether, the AetherbladeHideout strike mission
• Junkyard – Annka, the Xunlai Jade Junkyard strike missions
• KO – The Kaineng Overlook Strike Mission
• HT – The Harvest Temple strike missions

 
 
 

Cross Content

• CM – Challenge Mode, or Mote, a tougher version of a fight
• KP – Kill proof is an item or title that shows you have worked for a boss before
• Daily – Daily achievements that are different every day that will award bonus loot when you complete specific objectives
• EXP – Experienced
• LFG – Looking to find a group
• LFM – Looking for More
• LFT – Looking to form a team
• LFR – Looking to raid

 
 
 

Skills and traits

• DPS – Damage per second
• CDPS – Condition damage per section
• Boons – Sometimes buffs. Temporary, beneficial, positive effects
• Conditions – Sometimes DoTs. Temporary, harmful, negative effects
• Condi – Shorthand for conditions
• Quick – Quickness is a boon that improves ability speed
• Alac – Alacrity – A boon that reduces ability cooldowns
• Stability – A boon that prevents crowd control
• CC – Crowd control. Abilities that slow down, knockdown, etc
• Res – Sometimes rez, resurrect
• Precast – Casting skills and abilities in advance, usually to stack boons
• CD – Cooldown, the time it takes to recharge a skill
• AA – Autoattack
• ICD – Internal Cooldown, the time between attacks for an ability that attacks multiplely
• Boonstrip – Skills that remove boons enemies
• Veil – Mesmer’s Veil ability that grants stealth
• AoE – Area Of Effect
• AotJ – Ashes of the Just Firebrand Skill
• AP – Assassin's Presence (, not to be confused) with Achievement Points)
• CA – Celestial Attar, a Druid mechanic
• EA – Empower Allies is a Warrior trait
• Epi – Epidemic is a Necromancer ability
• FA – Fresh air, an Elementalist trait
• FGS – Fiery Greatsword is an elementliast elite ability
• GotL – Grace of the Land – A Druid trait
• Port – Portal Entre is a Mesmer ability
• PS – Phalanx Strength is a Warrior trait
• RI – Righteous Instincts, a Guardian trait
• RR – Righteous Rebel. A Renegade trait

 
 
 

Specializations

• Spec – Specializations that are specific to a profession
• Professions – The official Guild Wars 2 class name
• dh – Dragonhunter
• Firebrand – fb
• wb – Willbender
• slb – Soulbeast
• vindi – Vindicator
• holo – Holosmith
• dd – Daredevil
• de – Deadeye
• chrono – Chronomacer
• virt – Virtuoso
• harb – Harbinger
• bsw – Bladesworn

 
 
 

Construction

• LI – Low Intensity. Not to be confused with Legendary Intelligence
• Alacrage – Alacrity Mirage
• Alacrigade – Sometimes AlacRen or Alacrity Renegade
• BS – Banner Slave
• CFB – Condition Firebrand
• CQB – Condition Quickbrand
• HB – Sometimes HFB or Healbrand
• CFB – Condition Firebrand
• Chronotank – Chronomancer tanking build
• HK – Hand Kiter
• HS – Sometimes, HSc, Heal Scourge
• Hmech, sometimes called hm – HealMechanist
• Ham – Heal AlacrityMechanist
• hcata – Heal Catalyst
• hat – Heal alacrity temperst
• qharb – Quickness Harbinger
• qcata – Quickness Catalyst
• alacmech – Alacrity Mechanist
• miralac – Alacrity Mirage
• alacren – Alacrity Renegade
• psb – Power Soulbeast
• charb – Condition Harbinger

 
 
 

Player vs Player

• PvP – Player vs Player
• SPvP – Structured Player against Player
• HotM – Heart of the Mists – The PvP lobby
• Spawn – Where your team begins in a map
• Conquest – 5v5 – 3 capture points
• Node – The capture points on Conquest maps
• Home – The nearest node to your team’s spawn
• Far – The farthest point from your team's spawn.
• Mid – The middle point in a map
• Beast – Svanir, or Chieftain Utahein on the Forest of Niflhel Map
• Lord – The Red or blue lord on the Legacy of the Foefire Map
• Orb – The orb that you capture in Spirit Watch map
• Meditation – The Meditation of Stillness & Meditation of Tranquility are the channeling objectives for the Temple of the Silent Storm map
• Treb – The Trebuchet on the Battle of Khylo Map
• Laser – Sometimes cannon, Skyhammer, or Skyhammer. The special capture point on the Skyhammer map
• Bell – Sometimes cannons. This is the special capture point on the Revenge of the Capricorn Map.
• Sword – The Sword of Reaping special object in the Eternal Coliseum Map
• Shield – The Shield of Life special item on the Eternal Coliseum Map
• Champ – The Mist Champions during the Battle of Champion’s Dusk map
• Ninja – Capturing one point without the other team being aware
• Group – All members of the team come together
• Rotate – Moving between capture points
• Defend – Sometimes bunker. Sit on one capture point to keep it
• Cap – Capture a capture point
• AT – Automated Tournaments
• Decap – Take a capture point out of enemy control and remove it from your hands without fully capturing it

 
 
 

World vs. World

• WvW – World vs World
• Bomb – The squad that uses every skill to defeat the enemy
• Bait – Tricking an enemy group into using bomb
• Juke – Moves quickly in a direction and returns to the original location
• Water – Filling water fields with abilities and putting them down
• Smoke – Thieves are using smoke fields to stealthene.
• Stealth – Cast stealth abilities such as Mesmer Veil on the squad to stealth.
• Pull – Use pull abilities to grab enemy player
• Lines – Guardians using Staff skill 5
• Stack – The whole group that forms tightly on top of one another
• Pirate ship – A group that uses completely diversified characters
• Flip – Capturing an Objective
• PvD – Player against door, players attacking the gates
• Outer – The outermost, or first set, of walls in a keep
• Inner – The innermost or the second set of walls within a keep
• Bay – Sometimes fire. The westernmost point on WvW maps.
• Hills – Sometimes air. The easternmost point on WvW maps.
• Garri – Garrison is the northernmost Keep on WvW maps
• Camp – Supply Camps
• Yak – Supply Dolyaks
• NWT – Northwest Tower
• NET – Northeast Tower
• SWT – Southwest Tower
• SET – Southeast Tower
• NWC – Northwest Camp
• NEC – Northeast Camp
• SWC – Southwest Camp
• SEC – Southeast Camp
• SMC – Stone Mist Castle at the Eternal Battlegrounds
• EBG – Eternal Battlegrounds
• BL – Borderlands
• DBL – Desert Borderlands
• ABL – Alpine Borderlands
• EotM Edge of the Mists
• GBL – Green Borderlands
• BBL – Blue Borderlands
• RBL – Red Boderlands
• OS – Obsidian Sanctum
• Fog – A fog activator that applies chill to enemies within an objective
• Airship – An airship activator that bombards enemies in SMC
• EWP – An emergency waypoint activator that creates a temporary routepoint
• AC – Arrow Cart siege gear
• Ram – Flame Ram siege equipment
• Cata – Catapult siege equipment
• Treb – Trebuchet siege equipment
• Bal – Ballista siege equipment
• Golem – Siege Golem siege equipment
• Sup – Supply used for construction and repair
• Zerg – Groups of players typically 20+ and ungained
• Blob – A group of players typically 20+, organized
• Havoc – A smaller group of players who focus on capturing smaller objectives
• Roamer – A single player who roams the map
• Duel – Two players competing against each other
• RI – Righteous indignation, invulnerability of an objective boss after being captured
• CT – Contested
• OJ – Orange swords
• CD – Cool down
• Tag – The commander
• Rally – Gather at a particular location
• Push – Attack a particular location
• Wipe – Completely kill an entire enemy group
• Rush – Run to a location quickly without stopping
• Snipe – Target an enemy and burst their down by range. Usually done by rangers focusing longbow strikes on an enemy commander (, looked down upon)
• Inc – Incoming, an opponent group is running towards you
• GvG – Guild against guild, often organized and planned fights
• Bag – Bags of loot drop from killing enemies
• PPT – Points per tick
• PPK – Points per Kill

 
 
 

Gaming Culture

• afk – Away from the keyboard
• brb – Be right back
• gtg – Sometimes, g2g. Gotta go!
• wb – Welcoming back
• bio – You can leave the computer to use the bathroom.
• Discord, a popular VoIP software, is Disc – Discord.
• Mat – Materials used in crafting
• FPS – Frames per second
• DLC – Downloadable content
• HUD – Heads Up Display
• UI – User Interface
• NPC – Non-Playable Character

 
 
 

Conclusion

Let me know if you have any questions or if an acronym is missing from the list. I will be happy to help you.
 
 
You can also check out my YouTube channel, which has lots of Guild Wars 2 content.
youtube.com/Athis – [youtube.com]
 
 
 
Here's a recommendation video:
 
 

 
 

 
 
I hope you enjoy the Guide we share about Guild Wars 2 – List of various acronyms & Terms; if you think we forget to add or we should add more information, please let us know via commenting below! See you soon!