One of the aspects that players have enjoyed so far in Lost Ark is the variety of classes available. Like many RPGs, gamers can choose between certain specializations that impact the weapons, items, and abilities they can use, as well as their overall playstyle. While there are only five base classes, players can further specialize with subclasses that allow them to fully customize their characters. Picking a class is an important step, and is a decision that many players don’t take lightly. It’s a good idea to read up on certain classes before committing to one, especially with a class like a Gunner that has four further specializations.
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The Gunner Class
As its name would suggest, the Gunner class uses ranged weapons (both technologically advanced firearms and more traditional weapons like bows) to inflict damage on enemies. Gunners focus on dealing precise damage mostly from afar but have a range of attacks that mean that they don’t necessarily have to be on the fringes of the fight to make an impact. In comparison to other Lost Ark classes like Assassins, Gunners have more of a reliance purely on their weapons as opposed to more varied abilities and combat approaches.
Some of Lost Ark’s classes, like the Warrior class, are categorized by things like high health stats and slow mobility, despite the various subclasses that offer a degree of deviation. The Gunner class is more adaptable and changeable within its subclasses and offers more variety for players looking to focus on ranged attacks. For instance, the Gunslinger is extremely quick and nimble but balances this with a fragile physique, whereas the Artillerist’s attacks pack a massive punch, but they’re not as light on their feet. Once a player has chosen the Gunner class, there are still decisions to be made when it comes to exactly how they want to play and what abilities they think will complement their personal playstyle best.
The Four Subclasses
There are four different subclasses within Lost Ark’s Gunner class – Gunslinger, Artillerist, Deadeye, and Sharpshooter. While all of them mostly focus on ranged attacks, they handle very differently. Gunslingers are nimble and versatile, with a “gun for every occasion” which they are able to switch between quickly, and they’re responsive and agile in combat. However, although they may be able to unload a whole lot of fast-paced fury on enemies, they won’t stand up well against a direct onslaught. They can hit foes with debuffs thanks to the move Eye of Twilight, and all of their other abilities focus on firing shots with various damages and additional perks.
The Artillerist brings out the big guns – literally. One of Lost Ark’s more powerful classes, their specialty is massive amounts of firepower, and they make a formidable combatant. While lugging around large firearms may make them less mobile, they more than make up for it with the power and might of their huge mechanical launchers and other high-damage weapons. With moves like Missile Barrage, an Artillerist can deal masses of destructive damage on the battlefield. With the choice to use Gatling guns, shotguns, and even a flamethrower, this subclass is all about muscle when it comes to weaponry.
The Deadeye subclass is another flexible and versatile choice. They make use of their triple-wielding approach with a high-risk high-reward playstyle. With an arsenal that includes a double handgun, shotgun, and rifle, Deadeyes are able to select the best weapon for any given combat situation. By being able to optimize their damage depending on who they’re coming up against, Deadeyes are effective fighters that can throw grenades with the Death Fire ability or bombard their enemies with a volley of bullets in Meteor Stream.
The final subclass for a Gunner is the Sharpshooter – a more traditional ranged fighter similar to other classes found in fantasy MMORPGs like World of Warcraft. Instead of firearms, Sharpshooters use mechanical bows with customized arrows that offer different abilities and methods to take out antagonists. Unlike the Gunslinger, they combine their agility with high survivability and use stealth to stalk the battlefield and pick out enemy weaknesses. Golden Eye is a move that allows them to summon hawks that circle combatants to create a whirlwind, sucking in players to cause damage and sending them flying afterward. Blade Storm sees Sharpshooters hurling blades at foes rather than the usual flurry of arrows, showing multiple ways that they can cause damage.
Lost Ark is available now on PC.
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