Choosing your class in Aion 2: what actually differs

Aion 2 launches on the Global servers with eight classes. Every character starts the same way and specialises into one of them, and both factions — Elyos and Asmodians — can play all eight. This guide sticks to what the Global client data says, so it tells you what each class is rather than which one is strongest this week.

The eight classes

Class	Role	Weapon
Gladiator	Tank & damage	Greatsword
Templar	Tank	Longsword and shield
Assassin	Melee damage	Dagger
Ranger	Ranged damage	Bow
Sorcerer	Magic damage	Spellbook
Spiritmaster	Magic damage	Orb
Cleric	Healer	Mace
Chanter	Healer & damage	Staff

The weapon is not a detail. Each class has exactly one main weapon type, and every weapon in the game is tied to the class that can wield it — the weapons list filters by class for that reason. The Templar is the only class with an off-hand: a shield.

What does not differ: base stats

This is the part most class comparisons skip. In the Global data, every class has the same base stats at every level. At level 100 that is 130 Attack Bonus, 1,000 Defence Bonus and 11,000 HP, whether you are a Templar or a Sorcerer.

So a class does not come out of the box tougher or harder-hitting. The difference between a Templar and a Sorcerer is entirely in their skills, their weapon, and what they choose to build on the Daevanion boards. That is also why the planner starts every class from the same numbers and lets the gear move them.

Skills and stigmas

Each class has around two dozen mastery skills — the ones the class comes with — and twelve or thirteen stigmas, the skills you choose. In the Global data:

• The first stigmas unlock at level 22, and stigma points start coming in at level 23.
• Skill points start at level 4, so you are levelling skills almost from the first hour.
• Many early mastery skills are learned automatically; the planner fills those in for you.

Every skill has its own page with its point cost per level, the character level each step needs, and its specialisations. Start from the class page — Cleric, for example — and follow the links.

Daevanion boards

Every class gets five Daevanion boards, opening at levels 12, 20, 30, 40 and 45. The boards carry the same names for every class — Nezekan, Zikel, Vaizel, Triniel and Azphel — but the nodes on them are the class’s own: stat nodes, and skill nodes that add a level to one of your skills.

The first four boards spend Daevanion points; the fifth, Azphel, spends a separate currency. The planner’s Daevanion tab shows each board as the grid it is and counts your points against what your level allows.

So how do you choose?

With identical base stats, choose on role first and weapon feel second:

• You want to be the one the boss hits: Templar, or Gladiator if you would rather trade some safety for damage.
• You want to deal damage up close: Assassin or Gladiator.
• You want to deal damage from range: Ranger for physical, Sorcerer or Spiritmaster for magic.
• You want to keep the group alive: Cleric, or Chanter if you want to keep hitting while you do.

Then open the class page, read three or four of its skills, and put a character together in the planner. Twenty minutes with the numbers in front of you says more than any tier list.