Lost Ark: Best PvE and PvP Classes

Following on from our previous post on how to buy lost ark gold, we're bringing you the best classes guide.

Lost Ark has a chunky selection of distinct classes, so if you're struggling to pick we've put together a guide on the best Lost Ark classes for different playstyles and how they fare in PvP and PvE.

Lost Ark class tier list

For quick reference on the best classes in Lost Ark, we've created a quick list of the best classes for both PvE and PvP content:

The best PvE classes are:

    • S Tier: Bard, Gunlancer, Sorceress
    • A Tier: Berserker, Paladin, Gunslinger, Artillerist, Wardancer
    • B Tier: Shadowhunter, Sharpshooter, Deadeye, Deathblade
    • C Tier: Striker, Deadeye, Soulfist, Scrapper

The best PvP classes are:

    • S Tier: Bard, Deathblade, Gunslinger
    • A Tier: Paladin, Gunlancer, Deadeye, Sorceress, Wardancer
    • B Tier: Striker, Soulfist, Sharpshooter, Shadowhunter, Berserker
    • C Tier: Scrapper, Artillerist

Which Lost Ark Class should you choose?

Here's a detailed breakdown of each class and its respective subclasses that will help you find the best class for you.

1. Warrior

The melee-focused Warrior is slow but has more health than any other class and deals solid damage, too. Subclasses include:

1). Berserker (Male)

The Berserker is a relatively simple melee DPS class based around building up your Runaway gauge – once activated, you're much stronger and faster.

2). Paladin (Male)

The Paladin is a support class focusing on increasing your team's damage. Having at least one support in each PvE party is recommended.

3). Gunlancer (Male)

A DPS class with two types of attacks, blue and red. Blue generates shields, whereas red does burst damage. The Gunslinger is tanky and offers a lot of utility in PvE; you can interrupt boss channels and synergizes well with DPS teammates.

2. Martial Artist

This class is the fastest unit on the battlefield, dishing out strong melee damage in bursts and avoiding it with quick movements. The Martial Artist advanced classes are:

1). Wardancer

The Wardancer uses powerful elemental moves.

2). Striker

The Striker subclass focuses on devastating aerial combo attacks.

3). Scrapper

The Scrapper subclass draws on unique energy to obliterate foes with burst damage.

4). Soulfist

The Soulfist can rapidly switch between melee or ranged moves to adapt to any situation.

3. Gunner

The Gunner is Lost Ark's range-focused class, able to take down enemies before they ever get close. Subclasses include:

1). Artillerist

The Artillerist subclass fills a fire support role by bombarding foes with barrages from huge cannons.

2). Gunslinger

The Gunslinger subclass has multiple different guns and can switch between them quickly, making them very versatile.

3). Deadeye

The Deadeye is similar to the Gunslinger but is stronger up close and weaker at long range.

4). Sharpshooter

The agile Sharpshooter can avoid melee attackers well and uses a bow to land critical hits in combat.

4. Mage

Mages have less health than the other classes but make up for it with their extremely powerful ranged magic abilities. The Mage advanced classes are:

1). Sorceress

The Sorceress subclass is ideal for people who want to maximize their damage potential.

2). Bard

The Bard is perfect for folks who wish to support their team by healing and buffing allies.

5. Assassin

The Assassin class is very similar to the Martial Artist class, though some differences. Assassins are slower than Martial Artists, deal more damage per hit, and do bonus damage by getting critical hits. The Assassin advanced classes are:

1). Deathblade

The Deathblade uses three blades and excels when chaining multiple moves together.

2). Shadowhunter

The Shadowhunter is a shapeshifting rogue that weaves magic crowd control abilities and strong melee attacks.

Lost Ark best PvE classes

Here's a look at Lost Ark's top PvE classes:

1. Bard

Being able to last long in tough engagements is crucial in high-level MMO PvE. Since the Bard can protect themselves and their teammates with strong healing abilities and powerful buffs, having one in your party is always a good idea.

2. Gunlancer

If the Bard is the go-to support class, the Gunlancer is the tank at the tippy top of the mountain. With a huge amount of health, DPS, and abilities that allow you to halt enemy attacks immediately, the Gunlancer is a brilliant pick if you want to hold the line for the rest of your party.

3. Sorceress

Provided the class is supported by frontline melee fighters that draw aggro, the damage that a Sorceress can put out is massive. Pick Sorceress and watch your damage numbers skyrocket.

Lost Ark best PvP classes

Here's a look at Lost Ark's top PvP classes:

1. Bard

The Bard class is just as effective in PvP as in PvE. The healing and buffs that Bards provide are often the difference between a victory and a defeat in PvP, so you should always have one in your group.

2. Deathblade

An excellent class for PVP, the Deathblade is a monstrous foe to run into thanks to the sheer amount of mobility and damage output present in their kit. If you're a fan of moving fast and slicing your way through an enemy's life bar, then the Deathblade is a fantastic choice.

3. Gunslinger

The Gunslinger is a PvP demon with a ton of single target attack moves that will decimate them at a high level and keep a reasonable distance away from most melee attacks from opponents. The Gunslinger is fine for PvE too, with its barrage of attacks, range, and mobility.

That's everything you need to know about best PvE and PvP classes in Lost Ark – time to step into the game and try them out for yourself. To stay up to date with the latest game guides, news, and reviews, follow here.