To access the Hidden Garden jumping puzzle in Guild Wars 2, you must first complete a specific event: defeat one of the four Keeper champions that periodically spawn across the Mount Maelstrom zone. Once a Keeper is defeated, a temporary portal to the Hidden Garden will open at their location.
Understanding the Hidden Garden Access
The Hidden Garden is a challenging yet rewarding jumping puzzle situated in the Mount Maelstrom zone. Unlike many other jumping puzzles with always-open entrances, the Hidden Garden requires a specific in-game event to be completed before its entrance becomes available.
Locating the Hidden Garden
The Hidden Garden itself is located generally east of the Infinite Coil Reactor in the Mount Maelstrom zone. However, its direct entrance is only revealed upon the successful completion of a dynamic event.
The Keeper Event: Your Key to Entry
The core mechanic for entering the Hidden Garden revolves around defeating one of the four "Keepers." These are champion-level enemies that spawn in various locations throughout Mount Maelstrom. Each Keeper event is distinct, but the reward — a portal to the Hidden Garden — is the same.
Here's how the process works:
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Monitor Events: Keep an eye on your map for active events in Mount Maelstrom. Specifically, look for events involving the Keepers. These events typically involve defeating the Keeper and their summoned minions.
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Locate a Keeper: The four Keepers and their general spawn locations are:
- Keeper Jonez: Often found in the northern part of Mount Maelstrom, around the Broken Coast Waypoint.
- Keeper Mauzz: Frequently spawns in the southwestern area, near the Irondock Shipyard Waypoint.
- Keeper Ooroo: Can be found in the southern or southeastern regions, close to the Oxbow Isle Waypoint.
- Keeper Valdam: Generally appears in the southeastern section, sometimes near the Branded Mine area, southeast of the Infinite Coil Reactor Waypoint.
You can often find their event chains marked on the map with an orange circle and an event description.
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Defeat the Keeper: Participate in and successfully complete the event to defeat one of these champion Keepers. They are tough enemies, often requiring multiple players to take down effectively.
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Enter the Portal: Immediately after a Keeper is defeated, a temporary blue-green portal will appear at the location where the Keeper fell. This portal acts as the entrance to the Hidden Garden jumping puzzle. Be quick, as the portal only remains open for a short duration!
Tips for Successfully Entering the Hidden Garden
- Map Awareness: Regularly check your map in Mount Maelstrom for active events. The Keeper events are dynamic and can pop up at any time.
- Join a Group: Due to the champion status of the Keepers, it's highly recommended to join other players. Look for players in map chat organizing for "Keeper runs" or simply head to an active event and join the fray.
- Fast Travel: Have Mount Maelstrom waypoints unlocked to quickly travel to a Keeper event once it appears.
- Time Management: The portal is temporary. Once a Keeper is down, move swiftly through the portal to enter the jumping puzzle before it despawns.
By following these steps, you can successfully gain access to the Hidden Garden and attempt its unique challenges.
