With the new expansion End of Dragons, Guild Wars 2 finally got a fishing feature. In this guide, we from MeinMMO will show you exactly how fishing works and what you need it for.
What is fishing? Fishing is about catching fish in various waters to earn achievements, but also a new material: the fish fillet. To do this, you cast your fishing line into lakes or rivers and can catch the fish with a mini-game.
How do I learn to fish? You automatically learn fishing by following the story. After your crash landing in Cantha, you get to know Minister Li. After the dialogue with him and completing the story instance “Old Friends”, the mastery line “Fishing” will be unlocked automatically.
One mission later, you will receive a small tutorial from Marjory.
Fishing brings new achievements and new buff food
How does fishing work? Once you have unlocked fishing, you can equip the fishing rod at any time. You will find a new menu to the left of the skill bar below the weapon switch. Your fishing rod in its basic version only has the functions “Throw Line” and “Set Hook” to reel in the fish.
The reeling in works through a small mini-game:
- If the bobber makes a “splash” – small waves – then you need to reel in the line.
- After that, you need to use the keys “A” and “D” (or “2” and “3”) to position a yellow bar such that it captures the green bar. The green bar, in turn, moves from left to right and back.
- The rarer the fish, the faster the green bar changes direction or speed.
- If you have captured the bar long enough, you will have caught the fish.
To become a better fisherman,
- you can also customize your fishing rod. This allows you to use a special bait that improves your fishing performance.
- Additionally, there are attractants that increase your chances of catching rare fish.
- Furthermore, some fish only respond to specific baits or attractants.
- You can find a fishing supply merchant in the Eastern Wilderness in Shing-Jea.
- Moreover, you can change your fishing rod skin, which can be done through merchants and later through the gem store.
How do fishing spots work? Everywhere in the water, you will find concentrations of fish represented by a circle of waves and fish swimming inside. In these fishing spots, you have a higher chance of catching rare fish.
Some fish can only be caught in fishing spots.
What do the masteries provide? Each mastery increases your base fishing performance and thus your chances of rare fish by 20. Additionally, they provide:
- Level 1 – Triple XP while fishing and additional speed in fishing spots.
- Level 2 – You learn the ability Fisher’s Instinct, which shows fishing spots on the map.
- Level 3 – +100 fishing performance when you are well-fed (meaning you have an active buff food).
- Level 4 – +50% casting range when casting the line.
- Level 5 – Fish vendors offer new items.
In total, you need 20 mastery points from End of Dragons.
What rewards does fishing bring? All caught fish can be transformed into fish fillet with a click. You need this for buff food and also for the new legendary weapons.
Additionally, there are achievements for which you need to catch more than 1,000 different fish species. Those who have caught every fish type once will receive the title “A Kind of Big Bream” – inspired by the GW1 title “A Kind of Big Deal”.
Skiffs as help for fishing
What are skiffs? Skiffs are your own boats that you can use to go out on a lake or river to fish at certain fishing spots from there. You can also take friends along on your skiff.
Where do I get my skiff? During the story mission “Little Detours” from the second chapter, you must complete a heart on the island of Shing-Jea and are rewarded with your skiff there. This costs you 700 karma and optionally 2 provincial relinquishments from Seitung or 20 Imperial Favor (currency of the map). You should have both earned without any issues by then.
What masteries exist with the skiff? Each mastery increases your skiff’s health points by 2,500, as you can be attacked while fishing. Additionally, you learn:
- Level 1 – Increases the movement speed.
- Level 2 – You learn a skill to attack enemies in the vicinity.
- Level 3 – You can trigger a short speed boost while moving.
- Level 4 – You receive increased fishing performance when fishing from a skiff.
In total, you need 14 mastery points from End of Dragons.
If you have any questions about fishing or skiff sailing, feel free to ask them in the comments.
All guides related to Guild Wars 2 on MeinMMO can be found here:
Guild Wars 2: All Guides, Beginner Tips, and Builds Overview
