The finale is nearly upon us in ArenaNet's buy-to-play MMO Guild Wars 2, with the second last Living Story content update now live to players. The newest update brings the battle between longtime villain character Scarlet Briar to the neutral city of Lion's Arch, and destruction seems to be her only path.

Lion’s Arch is under attack! The Lionguard is scrambling to protect citizens and evacuate the city. The attack from Scarlet’s armies left Fort Marriner heavily damaged and the Gate Hub Plaza in ruins. No corner has been spared, resulting in burning destruction, toppled boat buildings, broken bridges, and scorched fields. And a deadly miasma is spreading across the city, gaining lethality until the survivors are forced to retreat. Somewhere above it all, Scarlet watches the destruction, waiting for the moment when the final step of her plan can come to fruition.

Those logging in above level 30 will be greeted with an explosive cinematic showing the attack on Lion's Arch, with anyone below that level seeing the cinematic when entering Lion's Arch for the first time.

This content update will have players tasked with evacuating Lion's Arch and getting refugees to safety, while fighting alongside the Lionguard. Many of Scarlet's most formidable allies, like the charr of the Flame Legion and the Aetherblade sky pirates, will wreak havoc across Lion's Arch, while much of the city will be rendered uninhabitable by deadly miasma poison.

The update will also come with the usual new features, like the Captain's Airship pass that lets players access the airship and all of its shops and facilities from any PvE map, the new Zodiac armors, and the Ascalonian-Leader finisher that summons Ascalonian spirits to overwhelm enemies.

For full details check out the patch notes, and good luck in fighting back against this villainous attack.