There is no wrong way to level in Guild Wars 2. You’re free to roam wherever your interests take you. Taking your time to complete every zone is encouraged and rewarded. But, having said that, there are going to be players like me who want to blitz through those early levels as quickly as possible. For us, there is one thing above all others that will help us level quickly: Speed!
“If you ain’t first, you’re last!” — Logan Thackeray
Thanks to the waypoint system it’s already pretty quick and easy to get around in the world of Tyria, but there’s a catch: you have to discover those waypoints first. Since there are no mounts to speak of, that means a lot of running. Any time that can be shaved off in the gaps between waypoints, renown hearts, and dynamic events, all adds up when it comes to leveling. If you’re one of the first players into the 15-25 zones, moving faster can mean gathering and selling iron ore while everyone else is selling copper. The wider the gap between you and the pack, the more profitable it becomes. You’ll be wearing all the coolest-looking gear long before your friends, and isn’t that what MMOs are all about?
That’s where the Swiftness boon comes into play. It increases your movement speed by 33%, stacks in duration, and works on land and in water. It can help you catch up to an enemy or escape overwhelming odds. It will dramatically speed up your leveling process.
Some professions have weapons which provide it, some have utility skills, and some have both. Some are reliable, while some are random. Whatever your profession, if you want to go fast, you’re going to need have Swiftness.
Lucky for you, I’m here to tell you how with a list of sources by profession.
Don’t worry, though. If you feel your chosen profession doesn’t provide enough Swiftness, you can always take up cooking and make a Bowl of Simple Salad. It gives a chance to proc Swiftness after each kill, and is the vegan-friendly option for endless slaughter!
GUARDIAN
Staff – Symbol of Swiftness *Includes Allies
Shout – “Retreat!” *Includes Allies
Shout – “Save Yourselves!”
Elite – Smiter’s Boon (with Tome of Wrath) *Includes Allies
WARRIOR
Warhorn – Charge *Includes Allies
Shout - “I Will Avenge You!”
Elite – Signet of Rage
Inspire - holding a banner *Includes Allies
Traits – Furious Speed (10% chance on critical hits)
ENGINEER
Healing - Elixir H (randomly)
Kit - Drop Stimulant (with Med Kit)
Kit - Elixir F (with Elixir Gun) *Includes Allies
Elixir - Elixir B
Elixir - Toss Elixir B (randomly) *Includes Allies
Traits - Infused Precision (50% chance on critical hits)
RANGER
Warhorn - Call of the Wild *Includes Allies
Shortbow - Quick Shot
Utility - Storm Spirit *Includes Allies
Elite - Rampage As One
Traits - Tail Wind (upon weapon swap)
THIEF
Traits - Expeditious Dodger (upon dodging)
Traits - Hard to Catch (when disabled)
Traits - Thrill of the Crime (when stealing)
ELEMENTALIST
Dagger (Off-Hand) - Updraft
Staff -Windborne Speed *Includes Allies
Healing - Glyph of Elemental Harmony (when attuned to air)
Utility - Glyph of Lesser Elementals (when attuned to air)
Traits - Elemental Attunement (when attuning to air) *Includes Allies
Traits - Evasive Arcana (upon dodging while attuned to air)
Traits - Inscription (when using a glyph while attuned to air)
Traits - Zephyr’s Boon (upon application of auras)
MESMER
Staff – Chaos Storm (randomly) *Includes Allies
Focus – Temporal Curtain *Includes Allies
Trident - Siren’s Call (randomly) *Includes Allies
NECROMANCER
Warhorn - Locust Swarm
Focus - Reaper’s Touch *Includes Allies
Spear - Deadly Feast
Utility - Spectral Walk


Elementalist - Traits - Air Magic - Adept Level - IV = One With Air
"You move 5% faster every 10 seconds you are attuned to air. Maximum of 25% bonus movement speed"
So, on paper, taking movement into account... an Elementalist has the highest probability of reaching 80 first.
As a staff Elementalist, if you lay down Static Field (lightning combo field) and use a blast finisher (e.g., Eruption, Arcane Wave), you will grant Area Swiftness. Between that, Windborne Speed, and Glyph of Elemental Harmony, I could maintain Swiftness almost permanently from basically level 1.
@Ross Very good point Ross! Thanks for including it.
There is also the trait Speedy kits in the tools line. "Gain swiftness for 5 seconds when ever you equip a kit. This effect cannot trigger more then once every 5 seconds."
@ObliviousPrime Great catch! Also it doesn't look like it has a combat restriction either, making it viable to bursts of speed when running from place to place.