Aion 2 classes: which one to pick as a beginner

Aion 2 launches on 5 October on PC, and the first real decision comes before you even set foot in Atreia: picking a class. NC’s free-to-play MMORPG offers eight of them at its Western launch, from tank to healer by way of ranged damage specialists. This guide draws on the official class descriptions and on the analysis MeinMMO published on 18 September, based on the Korean version of the game. It won’t replace trying things yourself, but it should stop you from committing to a demanding class without realising it.

At a glance

The eight Aion 2 classes at launch

At its Western launch, Aion 2 offers the Gladiator, Templar, Assassin, Ranger, Chanter, Cleric, Sorcerer and Spiritmaster. The names carry over from the original Aion, and each class has a clear job within a group. MeinMMO’s class guide adds that a ninth class, the Brawler, already exists in the Korean version and is expected to reach the West later, with no date announced.

First, some good news for the undecided. According to MeinMMO, class balance in the Korean version is in a very good place, with no class dominating every situation and none that’s unplayable. The site’s advice is to pick the class that appeals to you most, instead of hunting for whichever looks strongest on paper.

The game itself is going big. On its Steam page, NC pitches Aion 2 as an MMORPG where the sky is the battlefield, with a war between two factions across a world thirty-six times larger than the original’s. It runs on Unreal Engine 5 and is coming to PC only.

The easiest classes to start with

If you’re new to MMORPGs, the Templar is the safest pick. The official description quoted by MeinMMO casts it as a guardian who stands like a fortress wall and controls the fight with an unbreakable shield. MeinMMO rates its beginner suitability as “very high”, because its heavy armour forgives a lot of mistakes. The trade-off is fairly low damage, which makes solo levelling a little sluggish, though any group will happily take you in.

Close behind comes the Gladiator, whose beginner suitability the site rates as “high”. This frontline fighter wields a huge two-handed sword, soaks up hits well and damages several enemies at once. It can also step in as an off-tank and heal itself through lifesteal. Its main weakness is reach, since it only deals damage when enemies are within range of its blade.

For those who’d rather heal, the Cleric has the best group healing and protection spells in Aion 2, again according to MeinMMO. Its strong self-healing makes solo questing very relaxed. Be aware, though, that its damage is the lowest in the game, and the site reports that some rewards in the Korean version were handed out based on damage dealt, which hurt healers. Whether the Western version will share that problem is still unclear.

The classes to save for later

At the other end of the scale, the Assassin takes experience. MeinMMO calls it the “glass cannon” of Aion 2: it deals huge damage in a short burst from stealth, but it can’t take many hits and its area damage is weak. The site considers it unsuitable for beginners, as it demands quick reflexes and precise positioning.

The Spiritmaster fights alongside summoned spirits and uses effects that wear enemies down over time. According to MeinMMO, it currently seems to have the highest damage potential after recent balance changes, but managing its pets and tracking all its effects can overwhelm a newcomer in chaotic fights. The Sorcerer pairs heavy area damage with crowd control, which may make it the quickest class for levelling. You have to keep an eye on your mana and avoid getting hit, though, as it goes down fast.

The Ranger and the Chanter sit somewhere in between. The Ranger attacks from range and sets traps, with MeinMMO rating it “medium” for beginners because it relies heavily on positioning and gear. The Chanter supports its group with auras and buffs, heals a little and holds its own in melee. It levels faster than a Cleric when playing solo, but lacks the healing needed for the hardest content.

Before you create your Aion 2 character

The launch is happening in two stages. Since 2 October, Founder’s Pack owners have had advanced access, according to NC’s announcement on the Aion 2 Steam page. The pack stays on sale until 5 October at 16:00 BST, after which the game opens to everyone for free. The first days brought some account issues, which NC says it partly fixed on 1 October.

If you’re still torn, try the class that tempts you most through the first few levels, as MeinMMO suggests. Online survival fans heading into another big world might also want our piece on Dune: Awakening landing on PS5 and Xbox with a solo mode, and for another recent release, our Deadlock beginner’s guide follows the same idea: understand your role before anything else.