Sealed Play

Sealed Deck or Sealed Play is a game type used in contests that involves limiting the tools and powers available to each player in a controlled fashion. In theory, this forces players onto a level playing field in which no one has a particular advantage or disadvantage over the other; the game play and style of each will be affected by the limits built in to the Sealed Deck. The name derives from sealing an actual deck of cards before beginning a game, e.g. for Magic: The Gathering's "limited" play.

Originally, ArenaNet offered Sealed Play as a card competition with actual cards at game conventions and other venues; the rules are posted on the official site. Players get a selection of skill cards, possibly randomly chosen, from which they create their builds. Currently, no tournaments are running that uses this format.

In an October 2009 update, ArenaNet introduced the Codex Arena into Guild Wars, which limits the skills available to each player. Each player or team is allowed to create any build for their profession within those limits.