Running between the account bank and trading post in Lion’s Arch can be tiring. Wouldn’t it be great if the distance from trading post to bank were much shorter? Well here’s some good news, there are in fact several places around Tyria where these commonly accessed resources are placed conveniently close together. We’ve analyzed each capitol city in Tyria to determine which one offers the most convenient access to the Black Lion Trading Post Merchant and Personal Bank. Each city is ranked by shortest distance from trading post to personal bank. We measured how long it took a character moving at the default speed to travel from bank to trading post in order to provide evidence for the rankings. We have also included bonus items such as the presence of merchants, repair stations, and guild banks, although these do not factor into the rankings.

6th Place – Hoelbrak

Waypoint	Upper Balcony Waypoint
Waypoint to Bank	14.3 seconds
Waypoint to Trading Post	23.9 seconds
Bank to Trading Post	36.5 seconds
Merchant Near Bank/TP?	Yes
Guild Bank Access?	Yes
Repair Station Near Bank/TP?	No

Could it be? A city with a less convenient trading post/bank layout than Lion’s Arch? If you enjoy walking around a giant horseshoe every time you want to travel from bank to trading post, then Hoelbrak is your place. The trading post and bank are located on opposite sides of the Great Lodge and housed inside their respective buildings. Unlike most other areas, you cannot walk in a straight line between these two locations. There is a large gap in the upper balcony platform that you must walk around. On top of that, the closest Waypoint is a significant walk from both the bank and trading post. Those things aside, Hoelbrak is still one of my favorite capitol cities in Guild Wars 2.

5th Place – Black Citadel

Waypoint	Diessa Gate Waypoint
Waypoint to Bank	23.8 seconds
Waypoint to Trading Post	11.6 seconds
Bank to Trading Post	34.2 seconds
Merchant Near Bank/TP?	Yes
Guild Bank Access?	Yes
Repair Station Near Bank/TP?	No

The Black Citadel just barely edges out Hoelbrak due to having things spread out just a little less. The closest Waypoint still isn’t right beside either the trading post or bank, but it is a tiny bit closer than Hoelbrak. I’m just happy to be able to walk from one to the other in a straight line.

4th Place – Lion’s Arch

Waypoint	Trader’s Forum Waypoint
Waypoint to Bank	4.7 seconds
Waypoint to Trading Post	23.4 seconds
Bank to Trading Post	23.2 seconds
Merchant Near Bank/TP?	No
Guild Bank Access?	No
Repair Station Near Bank/TP?	No

Not much needs to be said here. Most everyone is familiar with the path from trading post to the bank in Lion’s Arch. The Waypoint does place you right beside the bank (and the Mystic Forge) and the crafting stations are nearby, but it’s still a long walk to the trading post, and those extra seconds add up! I will say that Lion’s Arch does have some of the most interesting architecture of any city in Tyria.

 

**Update** With the October 23rd update, a jumping pad is now located in front of the Bank in Lion’s Arch. If you hop on the jumping pad it will bounce you quickly across to the Trading Post. For more details check out Core Game Improvements and Tips.

3rd Place – The Grove

Waypoint	Reckoner’s Waypoint
Waypoint to Bank	6.1 seconds
Waypoint to Trading Post	10.1 seconds
Bank to Trading Post	13.8 seconds
Merchant Near Bank/TP?	Yes
Guild Bank Access?	Yes
Repair Station Near Bank/TP?	No

Now we’re really getting to the good stuff. The Grove offers a convenient Waypoint that provides quick access to both the trading post and bank. They are located a short distance across from each other on the middle level of the map.

2nd Place – Divinity’s Reach

Waypoint	Minister’s Waypoint
Waypoint to Bank	4.8 seconds
Waypoint to Trading Post	8.4 seconds
Bank to Trading Post	11.6 seconds
Merchant Near Bank/TP?	No
Guild Bank Access?	No
Repair Station Near Bank/TP?	No

We’re really getting closer now. Minister’s Waypoint in Divinity’s Reach is located right beside the bank access. A quick stroll across the street takes you to the trading post merchant. Plus there’s a Statue of Dwayna in between, if that’s your thing.

1st Place – Rata Sum

Waypoint	Accountancy Waypoint
Waypoint to Bank	1.9 seconds
Waypoint to Trading Post	1.9 seconds
Bank to Trading Post	3.8 seconds
Merchant Near Bank/TP?	Yes
Guild Bank Access?	Yes
Repair Station Near Bank/TP?	Yes

Here we are, the most convenient trading post/bank layout of any capitol city in Tyria. I guess it’s fitting that the Asura would design the most logical layout. This place has everything: Trading Post, Personal Bank, Guild Bank, Merchant, and a Repair Station. All just a stone’s throw away from each other. They’re in the same room, after all! Rata Sum’s Accountancy Waypoint blows every other capitol city out of the water. Look no further for your one-stop-shop in Guild Wars 2.