Finding the best Lost Ark classes is a pivotal decision that can shape your gaming experience. To help you make the selection, this tier list guide offers valuable insights into the best classes tailored to various playstyles, be it for beginners looking to ease into the game, fierce PvP combatants, or dedicated PvE enthusiasts.
WHAT IS THE BEST CLASS FOR BEGINNERS IN LOST ARK?
In Lost Ark, choosing the right class is crucial for new players. Here’s a tier list for beginners to help you make an informed decision based on your playstyle and preferences.
S TIER
Paladin: A support class that focuses on keeping the team alive during challenging encounters. This class is highly sought after, making it easy to find groups for content. Ideal for players who enjoy a supportive role.
Berserker: A slightly tanky melee class with slow, hard-hitting skills. Easy to play but challenging to master. Mayhem mode provides constant burst damage and significant damage reduction, making it an excellent choice for newcomers.
Artillerist: A tanky ranged class capable of dealing substantial damage without complex mechanics. It is ideal for beginners looking to balance survivability and damage output.
Sharpshooter: A formidable class for beginners who have a keen eye for precision and want to focus on dealing raw damage. As a marksman with a mastery of ranged weaponry, Sharpshooters excel in delivering devastating attacks and are known for their impeccable accuracy.
Sorceress: A ranged caster class that excels at dealing damage from a safe distance, making it an excellent choice for players who prefer staying out of harm’s way.
Deathblade: An agile class, well-suited for beginners seeking a mobile and high-damage playstyle in Lost Ark. With a swift and deadly approach, the Deathblade excels in delivering powerful strikes while maintaining excellent mobility on the battlefield.
Shadowhunter: An exceptional choice for beginners seeking a versatile and engaging class in Lost Ark. With its straightforward playstyle and decent damage output, it offers an excellent learning curve for new players.
Scrapper: An adaptable and versatile class that provides a comfortable entry point for beginners in Lost Ark. Offering two distinct playstyles, the Scrapper is characterized by its balanced and consistent damage output in the long run.
Aeromancer: Its straightforward playstyle is easy for newcomers to grasp, and it offers resilience and adaptability, forgiving new players for their mistakes. This class provides room for growth as beginners gain experience, making it a great choice for those starting their gaming journey.
A TIER
Destroyer: A formidable choice for beginners in Lost Ark who seek a straightforward yet impactful class. This slow but hard-hitting class offers a unique blend of durability and devastating damage potential, making it well-suited for those who prefer a more straightforward playstyle.
Gunlancer: A super tanky DPS class with good survivability and the ability to protect allies. They play differently than most classes due to having a backstep instead of a directional dodge. Popular in group content.
Machinist: While it may not fall into the top tier for newcomers, it offers a unique playstyle that can be highly rewarding for those looking for a fresh and captivating experience.
Summoner: With its straightforward mechanics and potent summon-based abilities, it provides an accessible and powerful experience for newcomers.
Bard: With its exceptional support abilities and the potential to turn the tide of battles, the Bard is a rewarding class for those who enjoy playing a crucial role in a team.
Soulfist: While it may present some unique challenges, its formidable power and engaging mechanics make it a rewarding choice for those looking for a distinctive gameplay experience.
Wardancer: This class offers a dynamic and engaging experience while maintaining a reasonable learning curve. With its unique mechanics and versatile playstyle, it presents an ideal blend of challenge and accessibility for new players.
Glaivier: This class is not the most straightforward for new players, but it offers a distinct playstyle and can be an exciting choice for those who appreciate versatile combat mechanics.
Artist: This class is not recommended for novice players due to its unique and somewhat complex mechanics, which may be challenging for those just starting their journey in the game.
B TIER
Deadeye: While a formidable class in the right hands, it is far from a suitable choice for beginners in Lost Ark. Its high difficulty, squishy nature, and complex mechanics make it an unfortunate candidate for those just starting their journey in the game.
Gunslinger: Despite its potential for great damage and utility, it is not recommended for beginners due to its high skill floor, complex mechanics, and challenging gameplay.
Arcanist: It’s a class that may pose some challenges for newcomers, making it more suitable for those who are comfortable with the game’s mechanics and are seeking a unique and strategic gameplay experience.
Reaper: This class, known for its stealthy teleports and poison-based attacks, can be demanding for those just starting their adventure in the game.
Striker: While not the most beginner-friendly class in Lost Ark, it holds a unique appeal for those who enjoy a fast-paced, brawler-style gameplay experience.
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TOP PVP CLASSES IN LOST ARK
Upon hitting Level 50, Lost Ark’s action-packed PvP arena opens up. The difference between PvE and PvP rankings is noticeable, as classes effective in PvE might not excel in PvP. Here’s a list of top PvP classes in Lost Ark to aid you.
S TIER
Paladin: A balanced PvP subclass, the Paladin deals substantial damage while offering strong support for the team, combining damage, healing, and valuable buffs.
Gunslinger: This class is renowned for her versatile arsenal of weapons, enabling long-range attacks regardless of the opponent’s distance. Her speed makes her an exceptional choice for swiftly eliminating elusive foes.
Deathblade: Known for its high-mobility actions, Deathblade keeps opponents off balance with rapid, repeated attacks. Although its base attack damage is lower, its quick and relentless assault makes it a powerful PvP choice.
Shadowhunter: She transforms into a formidable demonic form for enhanced PvP performance. This subclass delivers damaging attacks and requires precise timing and charging to maximize damage.
Artist: This unique class employs a brush and canvas, utilizing both direct and indirect methods of combat. Their direct attacks, though not devastating, disrupt and disorient enemies. What truly sets them apart is their ability to summon beasts through their paintings, adding complexity to engagements.
A TIER
Destroyer: With an arsenal of skills that offer plenty of shielding, it becomes a formidable presence in one-on-one encounters. Its high damage potential can make it a challenging opponent to face.
Artillerist: While appealing with massive machine guns, artists need help with slow or low-damage attacks and more agility. They can be effective in close combat with proper support but require coordination.
Bard: This support class specializes in providing shields, buffs, and healing to allies, making them a valuable addition to any team. However, their position in the A Tier is due to the challenge of mastering precise timing and skill placement, making them more suitable for dedicated players who appreciate the strategic nuances of support in PvP battles.
Sorceress: She wields a wide range of spells, making her a formidable DPS character in PvP. However, she’s relatively squishy and demands mastery for effective play, making her an A-tier choice.
Summoner: This class relies on summoning allies to disrupt and deal damage. Their immobility and straightforward playstyle limit their versatility, but they excel in creating chaos and supporting team strategies.
Reaper: This true assassin class offers stealth, teleports, and poison-based attacks, providing agility and damage in a unique package. However, their fragility makes them a challenging choice, demanding skilled play.
Glaivier: This class offers versatility with its weapon-swapping mechanics and the ability to charge three bars for significant damage. While not at the top of the tier list, Glaivier’s accessibility and a useful counter-skill for raids make it a respectable choice for PvP battles.
Striker: This class relies on passive abilities and is more effective with team support. Their aerial attacks can disrupt enemies, but their solo potential is limited.
Wardancer: Wardancer excels in close combat with passive damage skills but lacks substantial solo damage output. It works well in a team setup when combined with other high-damage subclasses.
Aeromancer: Specializing in melee damage, the class excels at swift ability canceling, giving it an edge in one-on-one combat. It also boasts the longest AFK duration in its tier, providing strategic advantages. However, it falls short of the S tier due to its limited versatility.
B TIER
Berserker: While the Berserker excels in PvE content due to its massive damage potential and ease of use, its performance in PvP is less remarkable.
Gunlancer: This class struggles primarily due to its slower and more predictable playstyle, which agile and mobile opponents can exploit. Its strength lies in its tankiness, allowing it to sustain damage, but this advantage could be more impactful in the fast-paced, dynamic environment of PvP.
Deadeye: This class is placed in the B tier for PvP in Lost Ark due to its high damage potential, but it comes with a significant drawback. Its fragility and reliance on shotgun skills make it a challenging choice for PvP. Success with the Deadeye demands exceptional skill management and positioning.
Machinist: Its innovative dual-character mechanics offer an interesting twist in PvP, but it lands in the C Tier due to limited effectiveness and moderate damage output. While it provides unique gameplay, it struggles to compete with higher-tier PvP classes.
Sharpshooter: This class uses a unique bow and arrow weapon for long-range attacks, but mastering it can be challenging. Consider other short-range heroes for a more straightforward PvP experience.
Arcanist: While it has the potential to deal significant damage, its reliance on stacking mechanics, inconsistent damage output, and lack of support abilities make it less competitive in fast-paced PvP scenarios.
Scrapper: This class offers versatility with the “Shock build” and “Taijutsu” options, providing competitive damage in extended engagements. However, a learning curve involving a different Mana Bar and some reliability issues place the Scrapper in the B-tier.
Soulfist: Soulfist struggles in PvP due to extremely slow cooldowns and charging times. It offers powerful burst attacks but requires long charging periods, making it less versatile and harder to utilize effectively.
All Lost Ark characters
Lost Ark’s extensive class system is divided into five umbrella categories which, in turn, are subdivided into a whole host of different Advanced Classes.
The title’s five base classes are:
- Assassin
- Gunner
- Mage
- Martial Artist
- Warrior
- Specialist
From here, after completing the tutorial and reaching Level 10, you will be given the option to choose an Advanced Class, honing in on which specific playstyle you’re looking to go for.
All Lost Ark Advanced Classes
The main allure of Lost Ark is its vast array of Advanced Classes. From the spell-weaving Sorceress to the fearsome Shadowhunter that skulks in the shadows, there’s a lot to wrap your head around.
Below are each of the five main classes and their Advanced Classes, as well as a brief overview of what each one does:
Assassin
| Advanced Class | Description |
| Deathblade | Deathblade is an assassin class that uses a total of three swords that they wield alongside the power of chaos to swiftly slash their foes. The fast-paced combo attacks from the light dual swords and longsword overpower enemies, leading to death by a thousand cuts. |
| Shadowhunter | Shadowhunters prefer to beat the demons at their own game—they can shapeshift into powerful demonic forms to unleash chaotic power. When their inner demon is unleashed, Shadowhunters get access to incredibly destructive powers and increased health and movement speed. |
| Deathblade is an assassin class that uses a total of three swords that they wield alongside the power of chaos to swiftly slash their foes. The fast-paced combo attacks from the light dualswords and longsword overpower enemies, leading to death by a thousand cuts. | The melee damage dealer class Reaper has a variety of class engravings that allow them to play either burst-oriented or sustained damage. They may either give damage continually or turn invisible to set themselves up for a devastating strike. |
Gunner
| Advanced Class | Description |
| Artillerist | Artillerists believe in firepower and lots of it, blasting their enemies with some of the biggest guns under the sun. They may not be the most mobile fighters, but they make up for their lack of agility with huge mechanical launchers and other hard-hitting weapons, heavy armor, and incredible destructive force. |
| Deadeye | With their flexible triple-wielding playstyle and brash attitude, you might mistakenly suppose that this rough-and-tumble rogue has a death wish. They do, but don’t worry — it’s just for their opponents. They can choose the most effective weapon from an arsenal that includes a double handgun, shotgun, and rifle. |
| Gunslinger | With a gun for every occasion and the ability to switch between them quickly, Gunslingers are deadly opponents at any range. Light on their feet thanks to their catlike reflexes, Gunslingers are hard to pin down — and quick to unload a flurry of shots on any unwary foe. |
| Sharpshooter | Sharpshooters are ranged attackers who use mechanical bows with special arrows that have custom effects. Their high survivability and agility keep them in the fight for the long haul, and their stealthy machinations are excellent for exploiting enemy weaknesses. |
| Machinist | The Scouter (Machinist) is a particularly special class; in addition to dealing a lot of damage with a drone and a submachine gun, it can also change into Iron Man and switch to using lasers. Machinists may zone opponents and search for allies from a great distance by using their untargetable drone, or they can utilize it to safely apply skills on the boss. |
Mage
| Advanced Class | Description |
| Arcanist | Focusing on burst damage at close ranges, the Arcanist is one of the best offensive choices for your combat party. Additionally, her high mobility comes in extremely handy for survival. Despite the fairly high skill cap, the Arcanist is ideal for scenarios where low cooldown abilities can be effective. |
| Bard | Virtuosos of the Liane harp, Bards can evoke soothing serenades to heal their team — or unleash a chorus of pain on their unfortunate foes. Their attack power is rather low, but their ability to support allies makes them a harmonious part of any team. |
| Sorceress | The Sorceress wields powerful magic based on three elements with spells that can deal area damage. They can easily handle multiple enemies helping them dominate the battlefield. |
| Summoner | The Summoner is the best option if you’ve ever desired to command legendary monsters to unleash mayhem on the battlefield with you. Summoners will rely on their summons to deal damage, giving them greater leeway to choose how they play while having a similar array of ranged classes to other mage classes. |
Martial Artist
| Advanced Class | Description |
| Glavier | The Glaivier has two distinct skill sets, each one is represented by one of her weapons, the spear, and the glaive. The best way to leverage her eloquent, yet deadly form of martial arts is to find balance between her two stances. |
| Scrapper | Armed with a heavy gauntlet, Scrappers draw on two inverse forms of attack energy that feed off each other to deliver nonstop destruction. With excellent attack, defense, mobility, and lasting power, they’re well balanced enough to throw enemies off their guard. |
| Soulfist | The Soulfist switches between melee and ranged attacks, which can be used together for explosively powerful combos. They channel a special energy called Adamance, which they can imbue into abilities or use to sustain themselves through fights. |
| Striker | Striker is a martial arts class that attacks enemies like a strong wind. Since he is equipped with a variety of physical skills with fast movement, he displays splendid aerial combos after hitting enemies quickly, and uses powerful elemental skills to turn the battle. |
| Wardancer | Not merely masters of martial arts, Wardancers augment their lightning-quick fighting skills with elemental power. They can store up elemental energy to unleash in devastating attacks and gravity-defying maneuvers. |
Warrior
| Advanced Class | Description |
| Berserker | Berserkers are always powerful warriors, with their high-damage greatsword attacks and potent defense, but when they enter their burst mode, they’re all but unstoppable. In this heightened state, they gain increased attack and movement speed and unlock a special skill that delivers a world of hurt to their enemies. |
| Destroyer | The Destroyer is a formidable character, with their ability to control gravity they are a great asset to any group. Part of a team or solo – their solid foundation makes them able to withstand a barrage of attacks, handle crowd control, and wield their deadly hammer inflicting damage. |
| Gunlancer | As the first line of defense, Gunlancers take the brunt of enemy attacks with their defensive stance and battlefield shield to keep the rest of their party safe. While their gun lance is a formidable weapon, their true value derives from their ability to protect allies and absorb damage like a sponge. |
| Paladin | Paladins have a direct line to the powers of the Gods, channeling their ancient might into potent offensive and defensive moves alike: They can use holy skills and buffs with the holy book to support their team from behind, or wield a sword and bring punishing skills to bear on the frontline. |
| Slayer | As Berserker’s feminine counterpart, the Slayer possesses some of his abilities and is also part of his character. But because their class engravings are different, her gameplay ends up being completely different from his. She deals melee damage, moves quickly, has quick animations, and has a wide range of abilities. Because of this, she’s an easy class to play, even if you have to shift positions to counter back attacks. |
Specialist
| Artist | The Artist is a multipurpose support who can paint holy monsters to help her battle enemies or call them to her aid. She doesn’t have a lot of damage, but her skills rely on supporting allies with different heals and buffs. |
| Aeromancer | Aeromancer is a good, reliable DPS class with a powerful burst potential. It comes with two powerful engravings, each with a well-understood playstyle. The skills of an Aeromancer are divided into two categories: weather and umbrella. Your skill set will change based on the engraving that you have selected. |
TOP PVE CLASSES IN LOST ARK
Here’s a PvE tier list to help you determine which class might be the best fit for your preferred playstyle and role in Lost Ark.
S TIER
Paladin: Its unique blend of support and damage skills makes it invaluable for endgame content. With the ability to boost party survivability and enhance damage output, the Paladin is a crucial asset.
Artillerist: This class is a damage-dealing powerhouse, known for its explosive damage output. With the unique ability to summon turrets and a tanky nature, it’s a top choice for experienced players who appreciate strategy and high damage potential.
Arcanist: Renowned for its unmatched raw damage output, versatile playstyle, and high skill ceiling, it excels in dungeons and raids. With unique stacking mechanics and an element of unpredictability, it offers both challenge and incredible potential, making it a top choice for players seeking PvE dominance.
Bard: While not a top choice for active combat, Bard shines as a support and healer class. It’s the only healer in Lost Ark to offer allies protection, healing, and defensive skills. Best suited for team play.
Sorceress: In PvE, the Sorceress secures her spot in the coveted S Tier with her exceptional spellcasting prowess. She offers two distinct builds, allowing players to choose between sustained DPS and burst damage. While mobility is a challenge, her ability to unleash devastating magical attacks makes her a top choice for clearing PvE content swiftly and efficiently.
Summoner: Masters of commanding powerful summons, they deliver devastating damage to raid bosses and challenging foes. Their summons provide consistent high DPS, making them valuable team members. With a straightforward playstyle suitable for both beginners and veterans, Summoners are a top choice for conquering tough PvE challenges.
Deathblade: This class is an agile and highly efficient assassin in Lost Ark, claiming its spot in the S Tier for PvE. With outstanding damage output, superb mobility, and versatile playstyles, it excels in group encounters. Its accessibility and ease of mastery make it a top choice for players of all levels.
Artist: This class excels in PvE and secures its S Tier position with exceptional single-target healing and versatile support. Whether facing relentless boss mechanics or controlling the flow of battles with ranged AoE skills, the Artist ensures party success in the most demanding scenarios.
A TIER
Berserker: While not the fastest class, its raw power and straightforward playstyle make it an accessible choice for newcomers. With the right builds, the Berserker delivers impressive AoE damage, making it a reliable damage dealer in group content.
Destroyer: This class, while not the top choice for PvE, offers a unique blend of durability and damage. With its exceptional shielding abilities, it provides strong defensive support for the party. Its straightforward playstyle is relatively easy to grasp, making it a solid pick for those seeking a dependable PvE option. While not the flashiest, the Destroyer’s ability to control the battlefield and maintain a steady presence sets it apart.
Gunlancer: Renowned for its exceptional durability and the ability to face bosses head-on, it’s a sturdy option for solo and group play. While not a top damage dealer, Gunlancers provide solid defense and reliable support in PvE scenarios, making them a dependable choice for tackling endgame content.
Gunslinger: A solid DPS class for solo play, Gunslingers offer increased crit buffs and swift movement. However, they require careful use due to their glass cannon nature.
Deadeye: This is similar to Gunslinger but with fewer features. They offer a 10% crit buff and work well in PvE, especially in the melee range. However, they have a steep learning curve.
Reaper: This class excels with unique stealth and poison-based abilities, offering both burst and sustained DPS options. However, its squishiness in high-level encounters requires expert control, making it better suited for experienced players who enjoy a challenge in PvE.
Shadowhunter: She offers an additional damage buff but lacks unique features in top-tier subclasses. Her transformation abilities don’t significantly impact their effectiveness.
Glaivier: This class earns its place in the A tier for PvE due to its versatility and supportive capabilities. This fast-paced spear-wielding class is known for its unique weapon-swapping mechanics and a valuable counter-skill, making it a solid choice for group encounters.
Scrapper: Despite a unique Chi gauge and decent defense, Scrappers have sluggish cooldowns and are outperformed by other classes in the current PvE meta. They are suitable for early levels but face challenges later on.
Soulfist: She struggles to excel in a specific role and needs more damage and versatility. There are better choices for players looking for a clear specialization.
Striker: He excels in delivering incredible damage through aerial attacks. His high crit chance and damage output make him a flashy choice for PvE.
Wardancer: This class is agile, deals significant damage, and provides buffs to allies, enhancing their critical chance and attack speed. However, they lack unique features in the PvE meta and are better suited for experienced players.
B TIER
Machinist: In PvE, this class lands in the B Tier due to its unconventional gameplay style. Managing two characters simultaneously can be complex, and while it offers strong damage potential, it’s not the most straightforward class. Players seeking a more traditional PvE experience may find other classes more appealing.
Sharpshooter: Known for staggering and damage output, Sharpshooters are effective at a distance but struggle in close combat.
Aeromancer: This class wields an Umbrella to conjure illusion powers and manipulate the weather. They dazzle with effects like wind, storms, and hail, creating a captivating show on the battlefield. However, their combat effectiveness is limited compared to higher-tier classes, often prioritizing spectacle over sheer power.
Primary Source: https://overgear.com/guides/lost-ark/the-best-classes/
Secondary Source: https://www.dexerto.com/lost-ark/all-lost-ark-characters-advanced-classes-1757394/