In comparison to the vanilla Guild Wars series, Guild Wars 2 will feature various playable races to choose from. This article contains a brief overview of those new races based on what is currently known about them upon this time of writing.

Humans
Humans are the only playable race in the vanilla Guild Wars series. Although the are predominantly present in the vanilla series, their strength and power as a race has been diminished in Guild Wars 2. For example, the kingdom of Ascalon will have fallen in Guild Wars 2, with the remaining Ascalonians fleeing for Kryta and the last Ascalonian Vanguard stronghold. It is believed however that the human race will be considered "diminishing in strength and power" storywise, not necessarily gamewise - logically due to balance issues.

Charr
The mortal enemies of the Ascalonians in Guild Wars Prophecies and Guild Wars: Eye Of The North. In the beginning of the Guild Wars saga, the Charr used to worship the Titans as their gods. This Titan worshipping was forced upon them by the Charr Shaman caste - in order for this caste to remain in power and unite the various Charr warbands. Throughout various points in the Guild Wars saga, it is revealed to the Charr that the Titans are no gods at all. Instead, the Titans used the Charr to have the kingdom of Ascalon destroyed - it is suspected that Abaddon or another evil deity has something to do with this.

After the Titans have been proven not to be gods, the Charr turn to the Destroyers in Guild Wars: Eye Of The North as their new gods. Ironically, the Destroyers turn the Charr at the end of the game. With the Charr society crumbling apart due to these disappointments in their choice of religion, the Charr have concluded that there are no gods dedicated to the Charr. And so they will become a playable race in Guild Wars 2: having destroyed and occupied the former kingdom of Ascalon, and no gods to lead them.

Norn
The Norn race is said to be closely related to the Human race. Although they are far taller than the average human, they resemble a Viking-like culture. In Guild Wars: Eye Of The North, they live in the far northern areas of the Shiverpeaks as hunters. Unlike Humans however, they do not obey to a central government or king. The Norn will be one of the playable races in Guild Wars 2, carving out their own place in the world.




Asura
Although very short creatures, these are highly intelligent and arrogant as such. They used to reside in extended tunnel networks connecting all of Tyria. But as the Great Destroyer began to send his agents up towards the surface, the Asura were forced to relocate to this very same surface. Unlike other races, the Asura generally do not choose sides in wars. Instead, they vigorously guard their extended tunnel network and utilize it for trade purposes between the nations - thus cutting themselves into a handsome profit without getting their own hands dirty. Because the other races are basically constantly fighting each other, the Asura believe they are elevated above the other races: the taller beings on the planet are there to serve the Asura.

Sylvari
Coming from the Latin "Silva" meaning "forest", the Sylvari were born on a peaceful island known as Ventari's Sanctuary. There, isolated from all the other races who occupy themselves with fighting each other, the Sylvari developed into a young race of nature spirits. Currently, it is unknown whether the Sylvari will have both male and female playable characters as the current lore persists in referring to "she" when mentioning Sylvari.