Secondary profession

A secondary profession allows a character to learn and equip all of that profession's skills (including elites), and all attributes except the primary attribute. A character is still limited to the armor and runes of the primary profession. Taking a secondary profession doesn't affect character appearance.

The main purpose of a secondary profession is to broaden a character's range of skills. When choosing a secondary profession, it is best to pick the profession, attributes and skills that best complement your character and your playing style. For example: Fire Magic would probably be a poor choice for a warrior. Warriors have only 20 base energy points amd two pips of regeneration but many Fire skills cost 10-25 energy points. On the other hand, Earth Magic has several useful skills that cost only 5 or 10 energy or are centered around the caster.

There are no definitive secondary professions for a given primary profession. It's all a matter of playing style, and what players feel their character is lacking in.

PvP characters choose their secondary profession during PvP character creation. To play with a different secondary (or primary for that matter) profession, a new character must be created.

PvE characters choose a secondary profession during the Pre-Searing quest "A Second Profession," which must be completed before moving on to Post-Searing.

Changing professions in Prophecies
Once a character has Ascended the secondary profession can be changed by completing the appropriate quest among these:
 * The Elementalist's Path
 * The Mesmer's Path
 * The Monk's Path
 * The Necromancer's Path
 * The Ranger's Path
 * The Warrior's Path

If you change your secondary profession after the Ascension, you will not be able to use the skills of your previous profession. But the game will remember which skills you had, in the event that you decide to switch back. They will also remain unlocked for PvP characters. Skills that you learn for your new profession will also be unlocked for PvP.

Once you have changed your secondary profession, all quests targeted to unlocking skills for your new secondary profession, even starters quests, are unlocked. You can do them and therefore learn your new secondary profession's skills, gain xp, and earn items. (Generic skill quests that you have already completed do not become available, so you do get a few less skills.)

If you are a secondary Ranger and switch professions then at a later time switch back to a Ranger, you will get your pet back (at the same level as before).

Changing professions in Factions
In Guild Wars Factions, one has to acheive the status of Weh no Su to be considered "ascended" for that campaign. After completing the Nahpui Quarter (Mission), the player will be in Senji's Corner. Talking to Senji and giving him 500 gold will change your secondary profession to the one you desired. All the rules of skills and pets for the Prophecies ascension applies here as well. Changing back is free of charge. Senji does not require a quest to change your secondary profession. Senji does not charge for the initial profession change from him if your character has done that Prophacies profession change quest.