Can you get the episodes for free for logging in even if you DON'T own the expansion?

[Moiraine.7158]

I've been logging into the game regularly for some time, but I don't own Heart of Thorns or Path of Fire. Will the episodes be unlocked once I purchase the expansions?

Thanks in advance.

[Westenev.5289]

As far as I know, yes - F2P and Vanilla players unlock the episodes, but can't play them until they get the respective expansions. At least, that's how they explained it to us at the start, and I'm not quite sure where to dredge up quotes.

 

EDIT:

Logging into the game between the two dates listed would unlock the related episode for free (as opposed to buying it in the Gem Store). You can unlock the episodes even if you do not own Heart of Thorns, but you must have the expansion in order to play them."

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Living_World_Season_3

 

"Logging into the game between the two dates listed would unlock the related episode for free (as opposed to buying it in the Gem Store). You can unlock the episodes even if you do not own Path of Fire, but you must have the expansion in order to play them."

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Living_World_Season_4

[Moiraine.7158]

I appreciate you looking into it! Thanks very much! :)

[Ellegon Mcleod.5931]

Just from experience. I did not own HOT but was able to get credit for some of the season 3 episodes so yep they should be sitting waiting for the day you buy the expansions. When got HOT and Pof I was able to play the sessions I had logged in for and only had to buy the ones I missed.

[Danikat.8537]

I can also confirm this works. My free account has all of Season 3 and episode 1 of Season 4 unlocked, ready for the day I find a copy of HoT/PoF cheap enough to justify upgrading it.

[Inculpatus cedo.9234]

My account gets a notice that the Episode is unlocked (and ready to access when I have purchased the necessary Expansion) whenever I first log in after release of said new Episode. I would imagine all accounts get that notice.