GW1 character modes: Reforged, Melandru’s Accord and Dhuum’s Covenant
Last reviewed: 24 October 2026.
Creating a Guild Wars 1 character now involves more choices than the character’s profession and campaign. Here are the important differences between Reforged Mode, Melandru’s Accord and Dhuum’s Covenant. These character rules are separate from a mission’s Normal Mode or Hard Mode difficulty.
Reforged Mode: updated content and pacing
ArenaNet moved Reforged Mode into beta on 27 May 2026 and enabled it by default for new characters. You can opt out during character creation and switch it on or off later at a Shrine to Godly Accoutrements.
Reforged includes additional guidance for new Prophecies characters and access to Reforged-specific content. Our GW1 dungeon briefing explains the important pre-Searing and post-Searing additions.
Melandru’s Accord: a self-sufficient character
Added on 28 January 2026, Melandru’s Accord restricts outside assistance: player trading, picking up other players’ drops, shared Xunlai storage and skill tomes are among the restricted features.
Choose it at character creation. It cannot be added to an existing character later. The February update allows you to abandon it at a shrine.
Dhuum’s Covenant: for characters who have never died
The February shrine rules allow a character who has never died to opt into Dhuum’s Covenant after creation. A character can also abandon the covenant. Check this choice carefully if you want to maintain a death-free character.
Where can you change these choices?
Shrines are available in Ascalon City, Lion’s Arch, Kaineng Center and Kamadan. Their rules differ: being able to toggle Reforged Mode does not mean Melandru’s Accord can be added later.
What about Veteran mode?
The May update describes a planned Veteran mode to preserve the pre-Reforged experience once Reforged leaves beta. That is a future plan in those notes, not an additional released option announced by that update.
Before ordering items or services
Melandru’s trading restrictions matter for delivery. Check your character’s active modes and contact live chat before ordering if your character has Melandru’s Accord or another restricted mode.