Black Desert has so many choices in class, spec, and builds, and knowing which one you want to go for at different gear levels can be daunting and overwhelming. Combine that with the generally overwhelming nature of learning how everything even works and, to be frank, the absurd amount of misinformation out there, it can take time to grasp what even to do. This will be an attempt to help with the very first step: Choosing a class.
I want to preface all this by saying you do not have to stick with only one class. With seasons happening regularly, you can “timepiece” another character, which is a literal copy+paste of your level and skill points. Additionally, leveling is not too relevant past level 61, and between exp-focused grind spots, power leveling, specific questing chains to help you get there, and the like, you will have no trouble getting there. Lastly, different classes are good at other things. For example, a good class in early-game PvE may not be the best at large-scale PvP. For the purpose of this article, I will only cover most PvE.
Why you’re choosing a class: It is of utmost importance to ask yourself what you’re looking for in a class. Do you want to test your skill with rapid and nuanced movement and high APM? Do you want to watch a movie while you grind? A slow bloomer that excels in endgame? Or just something that hits the character fantasy spot? It’s truly up to you, and even if you wind up not liking your choice, it’s a fairly low commitment to make a change, so feel free to explore at will.
I will make a point about pve grinding specifically: Gear is the ultimate factor when it comes to your pve performance. Yes, I’d be lying if I told you that the meta is balanced and you can play any class. The truth of the matter is that there are some decent discrepancies between classes when it comes to grinding, though this can vary depending on the grind spot in question. That said, if you feel that you would enjoy Black Desert for longer if you chose a class over something that performs better, then you should play the one you enjoy. Almost every class can do well, with at least a few players pulling great numbers in most spots. I would strongly suggest deferring to specialists in that class for more detailed information.
Do note that you may see the same class in multiple categories due to different specs changing different things about the character or because they are hybrid or have multiple aspects about them that fulfill said archetypes.
If you’re trying to play what you enjoy:
Archetypes
Shields/Swords: Warrior, Valkyrie, Dark Knight (succession), Nova, Drakania, Guardian (succession)
These are your typical sword and/or board class. Warrior is what you’d expect from an MMO Warrior class; Valkyrie is close to a Paladin as you’ll get. Nova can play either extreme, being a slow but ridiculously tanky summoner, or an extreme speedster, able to zip around a map easily.
Spellcasters: Witch, Wizard, Maegu (succession), Woosa, Sorceress (succession), Sage, Dark Knight (Awakening)
From your traditional RPG mage to summoned swords and flashy purple stuff to time-skipped cubes of cubical cube doom, the spellcasters have a ton of variety to them. They all have no issue in the AoE department, and your mobility consists of blinks and
Assassins: Ninja, Kunoichi, Maegu (awakening), Sorceress (awakening), Hashashin
The assassins in Black Desert are typically mobile, slippery, snappy, and can burst enemies down quickly. They can also be squishy and might lack a longer range, but you’ll be right at home if you’re looking for the quick and deadly type.
Duelists: Lahn (awakening), Nova (awakening), Corsair, Tamer, Musa, Maewha, Tamer
The duelists are unique in that they typically have speedy playstyles, or otherwise have abilities exclusive to them. Lahn, for example, can glide very long distances without taking fall damage, Corsair has extra abilities on and in water, and Awakening Nova can zip around at breakneck speeds with little rival.
Brawlers: Berserker, Striker, Mystic, Guardian (awakening)
The brawlers are capable of dealing damage while easily staying in the fray, whether through a large health pool, stacking evasion (late game), or having incredible sustain. If you want to fight, keep fighting, and live to tell the tale, pick one of these.
Rangers: Archer, Ranger
The Rangers are the typical bow-and-go classes you’d find in any MMO. While there are fundamental differences between Archer and Ranger, and even Awakening and Succession Ranger, bow lovers should gravitate towards one.
Support: Shai, Valkyrie
There isn’t much in the support department in Black Desert, but Shai and Valkyrie are the closest ones. Shai is the only one that could be considered a true full support, but even then, you’re expected to deal damage in PvE all the same. Valkyrie definitely isn’t a true support, but it has a ton of useful and beneficial party buffs.
If you’re trying to play the flavor of the month/meta/are just reading garmoth.com without context:
Best classes: Widely considered to be the overall best-performing classes at multiple points, if not every point, in Black Desert:
- Succession Woosa
- Succession Berserker
- Awakening Nova
- Succession Hashashin
- Succession Ninja
Great: Fairly close to the best classes. Strong in most areas, might have slight weaknesses in kit, grinding spots, or any place where someone will cherry pick a weakness and throw away the whole list because they make 3% less trash or whatever.
- Succession Musa
- Succession Lahn
- Succession Maegu
- Succession Guardian
- Archer
- Shai
- Awakening Striker
- Awakening Musa
- Succession Tamer
- Succession Sage
- Succession Warrior
- Awakening Witch
- Awakening Ranger
Good: Solid picks, might be more niche, e.g. only strong at specific grind spots, but will still pull their weight (These are the classes that aren’t as popular, and surely no one will say one of these is much stronger than listed because this list is that serious…right?)
- Awakening Hashashin
- Awakening/Succession Sorceress
- Succession Striker
- Awakening Guardian
- Awakening/Succession Dark Knight
- Awakening Valkyrie
- Awakening Lahn
- Awakening Woosa
I know some classes aren’t listed here, and it isn’t because they’re necessarily bad. I do not know enough about them to form an educated opinion, and I would sooner refer you to a content creator or Discord for that class (though I implore you to do that regardless!). One resource that I would highly recommend is Choice's PvE and PvP tier list.
Regardless, always do your research in the classes you’re interested in. The most important thing to realize is that unless you’re trying to min-max everything possible, the best class you can choose is the one that’ll keep you playing for longer. It can be very easy to go head first, picking a metaclass, then quitting a month later because you didn’t really look into the perceived 2nd or 3rd best class that you may have enjoyed more. As previously said, you can always switch things up and have ways to progress, even if your class may not be the best.
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