Run

In Guild Wars, Running is when a player or team of players runs through explorable areas rather than fighting the monsters in that area. Active participation is not usually required from the players "being run". A run differs from a ferry in that runs take players to locations that can be reached physically, rather than through special access areas.

The general MMORPG term "run" can also mean what most people refer to in Guild Wars as farming, (i.e., killing certain monsters for items or clearing certain areas repeatedly to gain experience or other bonuses).

Note: The availability of runs between outposts is largely restricted to Tyria, as in Elona and Cantha most outposts are closed until you have completed the primary quests or missions to reach them.

Motivation
When runners enter the portal to a new area (i.e. zone), all party members (whether dead or alive) are moved to the next area. The same thing happens at the end of a cinematic. If the goal is to resurrect the other party members, the runner can activate a resurrection shrine and then die within its range to have all party members resurrect at that location.

A run allows lower-level players to access crafters and skill trainers earlier than they would normally be able to. Potential benefits of this include having maximum armor in a low-level area, capturing elites early on, or skipping ahead in the storyline. However, the low-level players usually end up in a higher-level area, making it difficult for them to participate in a group.

Players can also run to complete certain quests or missions (e.g. deliver an item or perform infusion) without fighting monsters along the way. This can be a quicker alternative to fighting through a zone.

Professions
Runners often choose warrior as their primary profession with monk or ranger as their secondary profession. These characters can use Sprint, have the highest armor rating, can wear absorption armor and runes, and can heal themselves. Monk/Rangers using Spell Breaker and ranger stances, as well as Dervishes using Vow of Silence, are also popular profession combinations for running. Many other effective profession combinations are possible, especially since the addition of pve skills such as Dwarven Stability and "I Am Unstoppable!", which can be used by any profession. The Ranger's additional armor against Elemental damage helps in many places. There are also quite a few Ranger Assassin runners that use the Ranger stances such as Escape with the Assassin's Dash and Death's Charge. Another popular combination for Southern Shiverpeak runs is a Dervish with an Assassin secondary, combining Vow of Silence with Death's Charge and Dash. Recently, many Assassins have started using "perma-Shadow Form".

Common Runs

 * Some popular runs in Tyria are:
 * From Ascalon City to Piken Square to Yak's Bend or Lion's Arch or Beacon's Perch
 * From Yak's Bend to Lions Arch to Beacon's Perch
 * From Beacon's Perch to Droknar's Forge (The Droknar Run)
 * From Beacon's Perch to Gates of Kryta or Lion's Arch
 * From Lions Arch to Ascalon City
 * From Lions Arch to Sanctum Cay, Beacon's Perch or Temple of the Ages
 * From Henge of Denravi to Maguuma Stade
 * From Bergen Hot Springs to Temple of the Ages or Beetletun, and in reverse
 * From The Amnoon Oasis to Augury Rock (see The Amnoon Oasis to Augury Rock)
 * From Augury Rock to the mission locations in the Crystal Desert, see the Ascension guide
 * From Thunderhead Keep to Marhan's Grotto
 * From Iron Mines of Moladune to Copperhammer Mines
 * From Copperhammer Mines to Granite Citadel
 * Some popular runs in Cantha are:
 * From Cavalon to Bai Paasu Reach, Eredon Terrace, Breaker Hollow, Jade Flats (Luxon) and Aspenwood Gate (Luxon)
 * From House zu Heltzer to Aspenwood Gate (Kurzick), Saint Anjeka's Shrine, Lutgardis Conservatory, Brauer Academy and Jade Flats (Kurzick)

Payment
Many runners require payment for their services. The payment amount and timing varies depending on the run. The runner may request that the money be shown (i.e. in the trade window without actually giving the money) before the run is made to prevent scamming. Whether hiring another player to run you, or running a group of players yourself, you should watch out for scams.

Keep the following points in mind when you decide to charge/pay for a run:

Runners

 * Asking players to pay "on arrival" is inviting the opportunity to be scammed. Insist that players pay at an early zone prior to the destination or, on longer runs, halfway.  Once you have reached an outpost, there is no incentive for the player to pay besides honesty and good will. (If the one being run refuses you pay, you can report the matter to ANet for dishonest trade, but this is unlikely to result in any gain for you.)

Players seeking runs

 * Do not pay up front for a run. If you pay up front, the runner has no incentive to run you to your destination.  Insist that payment be made in the explorable area prior to the destination, or if possible, at the destination. At most, offer to pay half at a half-way point.
 * Familiarize yourself with the going rates for a run to your destination. If you've regularly seen a run priced at 1000 gold, do not pay 3000 for it. Sometimes simply looking at the other runners advertising at that time might not tell you a normal price.
 * "Guaranteed arrival" and "pro-runner" are subjective terms that shouldn't be taken literally. A runner may be very skilled at making a particular run, but do not pay more just because arrival is purportedly "guaranteed." At the same time, just because a runner is giving a "test-run" doesn't mean that they aren't skilled and won't get you where you want to be.
 * Beware of claims that a particular run now costs more because the running build was nerfed. Check the game updates to see if a build has been rendered less effective. If the runner is unwilling to run for what you're willing to pay, wait for another runner.
 * It is often a good idea to inform your runner if you are working towards the Survivor title. Some runs, such as the popular "Droks" run, require special measures to ensure that the players being run do not die en route.

Tip: Dying while others run you offers a convenient way to watch the runners and see how they do what they do. Simply click on the surviving runner's name in the Party List and observe. You can see what skills they're using if you watch the bar at the center of the top of the screen. Be sure to check with your runner prior to dying, as some runs, particularly in missions, require payment shortly before completion.

Additional notes

 * For Running guides see Guides. For a general guide on running, see Running guide.
 * "Run" is occasionally used in a broader sense to refer to a single trip through a mission, explorable area, or quest, such as a "farming run".
 * "Run" is also used to describe the build that you are using (i.e. "I'm running (this build)").