Time: 2025-11-29 by mmojugg Game: Guild Wars Reforged Guide Tags: Guild Wars Reforged Beginner

Reaching level 20 in the pre-Searing Ascalon tutorial area unlocks the prestigious Legendary Defender of Ascalon title, a badge of dedication for players who master the early game. This guide breaks down the most efficient path, drawing from hands-on experience across multiple characters. Whether you're a newcomer exploring the zone or a veteran chasing rare titles, these steps maximize XP gains while minimizing frustration.
If you're gearing up for this grind, consider bookmarking this page for quick reference and stopping by our Guild Wars Reforged Shop to grab essentials like reforged gold, items, or boosting services to ease your journey.
Start by collecting basic armor from collectors scattered across pre-Searing towns. While the Vanguard buff from daily quests overrides armor stats at level 10, early pieces provide a quick leveling boost and unlock progression quests. Aim for at least level 2 to access the next phase.
Focus on Fort Rurik collectors first:
Chest armor: Trade 5 Oak Hearts from mobs behind the northern gate.
Legs: 3 Spider Legs from spiders outside the gate or in catacombs.
The standout item is the class-specific headpiece from a hidden cave collector, traded for 50 Iris Flowers (red ground pickups nearby). It grants +1 to your primary rune, bumping skills like Smite Prayers from 7 to 9 points early on—a game-changer for sustain.
Armor Piece | Location | Materials Needed | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
Chest | Fort Rurik | 5 Oak Hearts | Minor defense boost |
Legs | Fort Rurik | 3 Spider Legs | Slight armor increase |
Head (All Classes) | Hidden Cave near scales | 50 Iris Flowers | +1 Rune bonus (essential) |
Other pieces are optional for completionists, but prioritize the head for long-term tutorial stays.
From Ascalon City, accept "To the Rescue" from Prince Rurik at level 2. Exit the city, follow Rurik (use auto-run by targeting him), and clear mobs along the path. Summon your imp via /bonus (Game of the Year edition item) to tank—position it to draw aggro while you contribute damage.
Key: Do not complete the quest. Return to town, abandon it in the quest log, re-accept, and repeat. Each run yields ~500 XP at low levels, hitting level 6 in 6-15 runs depending on your pace. Stay alive for full XP; the imp handles most threats.
This loop is the fastest early progression, building familiarity with mechanics.
Shift to the gated Northlands area behind Ascalon's walls. Pull the lever for a 20-second window to enter—time it precisely.
Inside:
Summon your imp (fire weakness exploits Charr).
Accept "Across the Wall" quest to recruit Ben (NPC helper) without finishing it.
Grind Oak Hearts first for XP and drops, then tackle Charr packs.
Charr hit hard—use line-of-sight (LOS) tactics:
Hide behind trees, mountains, or walls.
Cast spells through obstacles (melee classes adapt with positioning).
Pull small groups; wait for patrols to pass.
Target bosses like Smoke Skin or Blaze Skin for bonus XP and rare drops (salvage kits, Charr hides).
Repeat full clears until level 14. Expect deaths—learn from them. Ben aids initial packs but may not survive.
Charr Farming Tips | Strategy | XP Reward |
|---|---|---|
Initial Packs | Imp + Ben tank, attack from safety | High per kill |
Patrols | Wait for turnaround, LOS pull | Steady gains |
Bosses | Isolate, spell through walls | Massive + loot |
Pro Tip: Hold all quests until level 16 to preserve massive XP bonuses later.
Locate Lieutenant Langmar for daily quests (resets ~5 PM CEST). Prioritize "Farmer Hamnet":
Head to Fours Fair.
Kill only the first two bandits (raiders/mages).
Walk out/in town, type /resign to respawn at outpost without death penalty—keeps XP.
Net ~128 XP per run (drops to 32 at level 16, but quest backlog compensates). Grind to level 19 (1k XP shy), then complete the full quest for town chat glory—expect congrats after the effort.
At exactly level 16, turn in all accumulated quests (wiki lists them) for an XP explosion. Finish dailies daily to close the gap.
Level Milestone | Action | Estimated Runs/Grind |
|---|---|---|
14-19 | Bandit pairs + /resign | 100s for steady XP |
16 | All quests | Instant jumps |
19-20 | Full Hamnet | 1 final run |
Never turn in quests pre-level 16—XP penalties hurt.
Imp is mandatory; /bonus anytime.
Scale grinding optional for pouches.
Patience pays: Full area clears teach zone mastery.
This path demands time (days to weeks), but the title and drops make it rewarding.
No, headpiece only is vital post-level 10 due to Vanguard buff. Others speed early levels.
Daily bandit runs: 100-300 loops, accelerated by level 16 quests. Play 1-2 hours daily.
Respawn nearby; no major penalty. Use LOS and imp to minimize.
Yes, but casters excel with wall-piercing spells. Melee: Heavy LOS reliance.
They grant huge XP multipliers—turning early forces pure grinding.
You've got the blueprint to claim Legendary Defender of Ascalon. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more Guild Wars Reforged insights.
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