It’s official – Lost Ark now has more than 20 million downloads worldwide! If you haven’t started playing yet, now’s the perfect time to dive in. First, make sure that you get your Steam Wallet Codes here. You can use them to make in-game purchases.
And don’t forget to check out our Lost Ark Guide – All You Need to Know About Lost Ark – for more details on the game.
While we cover a lot in our guide, we only briefly touch on the classes you can choose from. Let’s take a closer look at Lost Ark’s basic and advanced classes.
A Few Things to Know
Before we get into the classes, here are a few important things to know:
- Classes are gender locked. For example, the Sorceress advanced class is female-presenting, and the Paladin is male-presenting. You cannot switch their genders.
- Classes are like other MMO/ARPGs. There’s a bit of magic, some melee and ranged hunter-like classes. But each advanced class has its flair and appeal.
Lost Ark Classes
Like other ARPG games, Lost Ark has several base classes that allow you to either deal damage, heal or tank. In addition, these base classes have advanced classes that have more specialized attacks.
Throughout the game, you’ll be taking on hordes of enemies, but you’ll also have the option of challenging other players in PvP arenas. So, it’s important to choose your class wisely based on your preferred playstyle.
Assassin
Assassins strike before the enemy has a chance to react. These melee characters harness dark power and fight demonic with demonic. There are two advanced assassin classes: Deathblade and Shadowhunter.
Gunner
The gunner class uses advanced weapons and bows to take down enemies with precision. These sharpshooters deal their damage from afar. There are four specialized gunner classes: Gunslinger, Sharpshooter, Artillerist and Deadeye.
Mage
If you’re a lover of magic and mystical classes, mages are the right choice for you. These ranged characters can cast damaging spells, support allies or even heal. There are two special classes of mages: Sorceress and Bard.
Martial Artist
Martial artists are agile and quick, allowing them to deal a combination of attacks at deadly speeds. There are four advanced classes of martial artists: Soulfist, Scrapper, Striker and Wardancer. If you’re a fan of ninja-like classes, the martial artist may be a good fit for you.
Warrior
Warriors are formidable opponents who deal devastating blows, protect their allies or switch between offensive and defensive as necessary. If you’re the type of player who likes to be on the front lines, the warrior class may be a good fit for you. There are three advanced warrior classes: Berserker, Gunlancer and Paladin.
Lost Ark Advanced Classes
Each of the above base classes has specialized classes. Some have more than others. Let’s take a look at each sub-class.
Assassin: Deathblade
The Deathblade class uses three swords and chaos energy to attack their foes. They deal swift, deadly combo attacks with their longsword and dual swords to take down enemies.
Deathblades are the traditional assassin class. They get in and out of a fight without so much as a scratch. If you enjoy playing rogue-like classes, you’ll love this class.
While deadly, Deathblades can’t take too many hits. If you’re a fan of PvP, you may want to choose to be a Shadowhunter instead due to their higher survivability.
Assassin: Shadowhunter
The Shadowhunter can shapeshift into different demonic forms, unleashing chaos on their enemies. Once their inner demons have been unleashed, these deadly assassins are incredibly destructive while gaining increased movement speed and health.
Shadowhunters have some more defensive abilities, like the Identity Skill that gives you increased speed and more tank-like stats.
Gunner: Artillerist
Artillerists bring the big guns to the field – literally. What they lack in mobility they make up for in damage and heavy armour. With attacks like Gatling Gun, Flamethrower and Missile Barrage, Artillerists can change the game with their AoE abilities.
Many players believe that Artillerists are one of Lost Ark’s most enjoyable classes to play. They’re suitable for both PvE and PvP thanks to their fun abilities.
Gunner: Deadeye
Deadeye is a flexible class with an arsenal of three weapons: a rifle, handgun and shotgun. They’re equipped to handle just about any situation thrown at them. They excel in both PvE and PvP situations.
In a PvE scenario, Deadeye relies on mobility and crowd control to change the tide of the match. For PvP, it’s all about damage and mobility.
Gunner: Gunslinger
The Gunslinger has a gun for every occasion, and they can switch between each one in a heartbeat. At long range, Gunslingers are a deadly opponent, and because they’re quick on their feet, they’re hard to catch.
The Gunslinger wields three guns: a shotgun, dual pistols and a sniper. You can switch between these weapons in deadly combos that can take enemies down.
Gunslingers thrive in PvP situations, but they can be equally useful in PvE. Maximizing damage and mobility is key.
If you prefer to play solo, Gunslingers are a great choice. They have a 10% crit buff that extends to both themselves and those in their group.
Gunner: Sharpshooter
The Sharpshooter is a ranged class that uses mechanical bows to attack. They have high survivability and great agility, which makes them great for both PvE and player-versus-player situations. In addition, they can exploit enemy weaknesses with their custom arrows, allowing them to turn the tide in any encounter.
For those who prefer bows over guns, the Sharpshooter is the right choice. In PvE situations, Sharpshooters can choose builds that prioritize survivability. In PvP scenarios, damage takes priority.
Mage: Bard
Bards use magic to heal their allies or deal damage to their foes. They may not deal massive damage like some other classes, but they are excellent for support. You won’t be at the heart of the battle, but you will help keep your allies alive.
If PvP is your primary playstyle, then you may want to avoid choosing a Bard. They’re great for PvE content because of their ability to heal, but they lack the damage and survivability to make them a good fit for player-versus-player combat.
Mage: Sorceress
The Sorceress wields powerful magic from three elements (fire, lightning and ice) and can deal AoE damage. They can dominate on the battlefield thanks to their potent magic.
Like glass cannons, Sorceresses can devastate enemies from afar, but they’re vulnerable to melee attacks. However, with the right build, they can thrive in PvE and PvP scenarios.
Martial Artist: Scrapper
The Scrapper wields a heavy gauntlet that uses inverse energies to deal constant damage. Scrappers have great mobility, attack power and defensive abilities, making them a truly well-rounded class.
In PvE situations, it’s best to choose a build that maximizes damage while still prioritizing survivability. For PvP, it’s all about damage, especially with AoE attacks.
If you enjoy playing both PvE and PvP content, you can easily create a hybrid build that allows you to seamlessly switch between the two.
Martial Artist: Soulfist
Soulfists can switch between melee and ranged attacks with ease, making them deadly foes. This advanced class channels Adamance, a special kind of energy that powers their abilities. Soulfists can retreat to safety when needed while still dealing devastating damage to their enemies.
If you want to play a class that can take out enemies from afar and still deal massive damage up-close, Soulfist is a good fit for you.
Martial Artist: Striker
The Striker is a quick-moving melee class with an acrobatic fighting style. Aerial combos and elemental skills make this a fun class to play. The Striker’s mobility is hard to beat, and their damage is impressive.
Strikers are at home in either a PvP or PvE setting. They can easily deal bursts of damage and scurry away before the enemy has a chance to retaliate.
If you enjoy melee classes, you’ll have fun playing a Striker.
Martial Artist: Wardancer
Wardancer combines classic martial arts skills with elemental power. They build and store elemental energy and unleash it at just the right time to deal lethal attacks on those around them. Wardancers have excellent mobility, but they can also deal high damage.
Wardancers can take out enemies at close range using magic-infused melee attacks.
In PvE scenarios, Wardancers can deal a lot of damage while buffing their teammates. In PvP situations, mobility and damage allow them to easily take out enemies.
Warrior: Berserker
Berserkers are an offensive class with the power to take out groups of enemies with their AoE attacks. They’re one of the top DPS classes in Lost Ark, both for PvE and PvP.
While Berserkers can take a few hits, they’re not tanks. They’re vulnerable to melee attacks, but they can still hold their own. They can also buff themselves and their allies. For example, Berserkers can increase damage by 12%.
The class is suitable for both PvE, PvP and hybrid playstyles. In PvP scenarios, it’s best to choose a build that mixes heavy damage with greater mobility. For PvE, it’s all about the damage – and Berserkers deal plenty of it.
If you’re new to Lost Ark and ARPGs in general, Berserkers are a great choice because they can deal heavy damage while still being able to survive.
Warrior: Gunlancer
Gunlancers are the tanks of the warrior class. Their shields and defensive stances make them the first line of defence against the enemy. Sure, their gun lance is a powerful weapon, but their strength lies in their ability to protect their allies.
If you like taking on the role of a protector (a.k.a. a tank), the Gunlancer is the class for you.
Tank classes may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to PvP, but in arenas, Gunlancers are top class. Their ability to excel in both PvE and PvP makes them a great choice for players who enjoy both aspects of the game.
But for arenas, builds should be focused more on offensive abilities rather than defensive.
Warrior: Paladin
Paladins channel the power of the gods into their offensive and defensive abilities. Along with holy skills, they can also buff the team, provide support and deal devastating attacks on enemies.
Paladins are one of the few classes in Lost Ark that can heal, so their role is invaluable for both PvE and PvP scenarios. They may not top the damage meters, but they will be a welcome sight in any group.
Choosing the Right Class for You
With so many class options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re first playing Lost Ark. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your class:
- What is your playstyle? Do you prefer to play PvE or PvP? Keep this preference in mind because some classes are better for each type of gameplay.
- What type of attacks do you prefer? Do you like to be on the front lines of the action, or do you prefer to attack your foes from afar? Your preference – if you have one – will help narrow down your choices to melee or ranged classes.
- Do you like magic? If so, you may prefer characters that use magic or elemental attacks.
- Do you like supporting your team? If you have more of a helpful nature, you may prefer playing a supporting role or even as a tank. Support classes help heal and buff, while tanks protect their allies from enemies.
If you’re having trouble choosing a class, keep these points in mind. They’ll help you narrow down your choices to find the one you’ll enjoy playing the most.
Don’t Miss Out on the Fun and Action in the Lost Ark Game!
Now that you know a little bit more about the classes in Lost Ark, it’s time to start playing. Choose one that best fits your playstyle.
For more tips on how to play each class and walkthroughs, watch streamers on YouTube or Twitch. They can help you stay on top of the latest updates and playthroughs, like the newly released story and endgame content.
