The character creation process is relatively simple, yet features a relatively large quantity of available options to choose from in order to create a unique character. Each profession has a different ‘base’ appearance and options vary quite a bit from profession to profession, although each happens to have a relatively similar amount available. An example of what is meant by base appearance, the necromancer is naturally lanky and dark; its available options reflect that general aura and hence mostly evil/sinister appearing options are set. An example of this lies in the necromancer’s hairstyles available are a Mohawk, dreadlocks, spiked hair etc. In comparison, the monk has very ‘friendly’ looking options and no matter what a player attempts to do, he/she will be hard pressed to create an evil looking monk character. While on the other hand, a necromancer almost always looks evil and can almost never appear friendly. Skryer is the best place for anybody to start to find the best guides and strategies for Guild Wars.

The categories, which can be altered for character customization purposes, are as follows (options within each category vary greatly from profession to profession):

• Gender – Not too complicated of an issue, each profession has two different options: male or female. Each gender brings along a very different set of facial appearances and set of hairstyles (appears to be a larger variety available to female characters, purely based on observation).
• Hairstyle - Great variety of hairstyles available for each profession, should be suitable for all tastes. Some have a few neat features such as being able to sway in the wind and move up and down as characters move around. Others have interesting accessories such as a crown of sorts, blades (hair pin). Styles vary from crew cuts, Mohawks, ponytails to dreadlocks.
• Face – Limited quantity of differing facial appearances. Depending on the profession being used, facial appearance may include facial hair including, but not limited to moustaches and beards.
• Skin Color – Each profession has its own distinct skin color. That is to say that no profession has the same set of skin colors, although some look awfully similar. Wide variety for each, from very dark to ghostly pale and everything in between ( but don’t worry, you will not be seeing anything which would be unnatural, such as an alien green looking Necromancer)
• Size – Players do not have direct control upon the height and weight, but rather can alter the size ratio of their character. Hence a small character is slimmer than a tall character as the ‘weight’ or size is always proportional to the height.
• Hair Color – Each profession has a variety of hair colors to choose from, even certain flamboyant colors such as the Elementalist’s Pink.

Sadly, Guild Wars does not have any races available except humans. Although, this does not play against the quality of the game. There has also been mention of the possibility of the implementation of other guilds as more chapters (expansions) are released at a later point.

There are a few rules which are enforced upon names; players can only create character names which have two different words in them (ie, John Doe). The first letter of each word is capitalized and no numbers or special characters may be used. Multiple characters can have the same first or last names, but no character can have the same exact name. Ex of a correct name: John Doe Jr, Hilary Rodam Clinton. Instance of an illegal name: Me212, ^Me. Illegal names cannot be created as the character creation screen only allows the formats presented above, hence there is no possibility in making an error accidentally creating an illegal name.

Players wishing to play a game with extremely high character level caps may a bit disappointed as the cap is of level 20. After reaching this point, the character reaches what is referred to as ascension, as attributes can no longer be acquired (reach 250 points) yet characters are still quite capable of acquiring many more skills after reaching the level cap, but obviously the difficulty of doing so through leveling means becomes more and more difficult as time goes on.

The following are the statistical values used by characters:

• Health – Determines how much damage a character can withstand before falling.
• Energy – The higher the greater the ability to cast skills. (As energy is require for the use of most skills)
• Armor – The higher the armor rating, the lower the damage which can be induced upon the character.

If a character dies (and it will happen, trust me), do not fear as nothing is permanently lost. The character does not lose any experience, items nor anything of that sort. But rather, for the specific game the player is in (pvp or pve), the character will suffer a death penalty which in turn reduces the maximum amount of health and energy available to the character. This death penalty can be reduced by slaying other players or creatures and it will completely disappear as soon as your character leaves the mission.

The inventory system is rather simple, as it does not feature a socketed character doll. But rather, players can choose what equipment they wish their character to wear by merely double clicking upon an item within their inventory. All items take up one slot and with 49 slots available, there is more than enough room to carry all the goodies found within a mission. Certain items stack and hence take up less space within the inventory.