Welcome back, everyone! In this article, I’m excited to dive into the 2024 Class Tier List for one of the most engaging games out there, featuring a rich assortment of classes and masteries. Today, we’ll explore which options can maximize your damage output among other advantages. Initially, it’s important to understand the structure of class organization: each game pack comprises five primary classes, each containing three subclasses.
It’s useful to view the primary classes as broad categories while treating the subclasses as the specific roles you’ll adopt. For instance, if the Necromancer ranks S tier and catches your interest, you’ll find it under the Acolyte primary class. Choosing your character involves selecting Acolyte as your primary class and Necromancer as your specific Mastery subclass. Let’s unpack these options further, ensuring clarity as we go.
Introduction to Sentinel Mastery
Delving into the Sentinel class, we uncover three specialized Mastery SL subclasses: the Void Knight, Forge Guard, and Paladin. Positioned within the B tier, the Void Knight distinguishes itself through its mastery of void damage and exclusive void support capabilities. Unique among its peers, the Void Knight does not engage in traditional melee combat; instead, it leverages a void-based affliction known as Time Rout, which boosts damage output when not using a shield.
A notable feature of the Void Knight is the ‘Echo’ ability, which cleverly duplicates a previously used skill shortly thereafter. While primarily aligned with melee tactics, the Void Knight’s adaptability allows it to excel in throwing skills as well, making it a formidable contender for crafting powerful void spell-based strategies within the Sentinel framework.
Details on Paladin and Forge Guard
Shifting focus to the Paladin subclass, which is notably placed in the A tier, this mastery excels in its specialized approach to fire-based damage, showcasing abilities like ignite. It is also adept in healing, blocking, and boosting both armor and health stats, and it even incorporates bleed and lightning damage into its arsenal. The Paladin’s standout ability to augment adaptive spell damage when wielding a shield makes it an exceptionally sturdy spellcaster build.
On the other hand, the Forge Guard, assigned to the B tier, is primarily defined by its focus on physical damage and the management of the bleed ailment. This mastery accommodates a variety of combat styles, from wielding two-handed weapons to the classic sword-and-shield technique. Additionally, it includes numerous passive nodes specifically designed to improve thrusting attacks. The defensive capabilities of the Forge Guard are enhanced by bonuses that significantly elevate armor and resistance, ensuring robustness in battle.
Introduction to Mage Mastery
Within our detailed look at the Mage class, we encounter three fascinating subclasses: the Sorcerer, Spellblade, and Runemaster, each staking a claim within the prestigious A tier. The Sorcerer is the archetype of the classic spellcaster, renowned for its prowess in casting powerful ranged spells that create extensive elemental area-of-effect (AOE) impacts. This mastery skillfully manipulates fire, lightning, and cold elements, providing a broad spectrum of attack strategies.
While the Sorcerer’s critical strike damage may not reach the peaks of the Spellblade, its formidable warding abilities effectively balance this, ensuring sustained combat effectiveness. The subclass is further empowered by mastery bonuses that notably amplify mana capacity and spell damage, solidifying the Sorcerer’s status as a powerhouse in magical combat.
Spellblade Mastery Overview
Located within the C tier, the Spellblade Mastery emerges as a unique hybrid within the melee spellcaster category. This subclass skillfully integrates melee combat with magical abilities, crafting a dynamic and compelling playstyle. Central to the Spellblade’s repertoire are elements like fire, lightning, and cold, aligning closely with the Sorcerer’s elemental variety but surpassing it in terms of ward generation—a vital trait for surviving the front lines of battle.
Spellblades excel at priming their attacks with one skill before unleashing a powerful burst from another, optimizing the tactical use of energy for maximum impact. This approach to combat suits players who favor a gameplay style that revolves around careful resource management and spectacular, high-impact results.
Rune Master Specialization
Promoted to the A tier, the Rune Master excels in the artful manipulation of elemental energies to forge potent rune-based spells. This mastery grants players the capability to set runes that mirror the elemental attributes of their chosen skills. Employing a method known as runic invocation, these runes can be activated to selectively enhance and determine the effects of spells.
The diversity and power of these spells are intricately linked to the rune configurations employed, which consider both the variety and order of elemental runes involved. With the potential to craft up to 40 distinct spells through various rune combinations, the Rune Master offers an expansive suite of strategic possibilities, cementing its status as a class of considerable complexity and adaptability in its magical repertoire.
Acolyte Class Insights
Ascended to the A tier, the Rune Master demonstrates mastery in the nuanced control of elemental energies to create formidable rune-based magic. This mastery enables players to arrange runes that reflect the elemental properties of their specific skills. Utilizing a technique termed ‘runic invocation,’ these runes can be triggered to selectively amplify and shape the outcomes of spells.
The scope and potency of these spells hinge on the configurations of runes utilized, which account for both the diversity and sequence of elemental runes. Capable of generating up to 40 unique spells from assorted rune combinations, the Rune Master provides a vast array of strategic options, solidifying its role as a class marked by significant depth and flexibility in its magical endeavors.
Necromancer Mastery Details
Raised to the S tier, the Necromancer is recognized as the archetypal minion-based class. As conjurers of the undead, Necromancers possess the extraordinary skill to call forth extensive armies of minions. These summoned forces vary, ranging from large groups of less powerful entities to smaller numbers of highly destructive minions, each with the ability to create chaos independently. Furthermore, Necromancers can strategically sacrifice their minions to trigger a variety of powerful effects, adding layers to their tactical gameplay. This flexibility in minion management enables a versatile and effective approach to combat, establishing the Necromancer as a dominant presence on any battlefield.
Necromancer’s Minion Capabilities
The Necromancer is not only adept at summoning but also skilled in augmenting her minions, creating a vibrant and interactive playstyle that adapts well to multiple strategic contexts, including area control tactics. Her minions deliver a broad spectrum of damage types, broadening the versatility of her build options. Additionally, these minions are capable of enhancing the Necromancer’s own offensive prowess and durability. Improved mastery bonuses provide a greater quantity of skeletons or skeletal mages, substantially boosting the overall damage inflicted by her minions.
Introduction to the Warlock Subclass
The third subclass of this class, the Warlock, is currently in development and eagerly awaited. Updates and comprehensive details will be provided upon its release. Initial insights indicate that the Warlock will explore the deeper, darker aspects of the Forbidden Arts, harnessing abilities to control and deteriorate the spirits of adversaries through persistent curses and sinister hexes.
Overview of the Primalist Class
Turning our attention to the intriguing Primalist class, we discover three specialized Mastery SL subclasses: Beast Master, Shaman, and Druid. Positioned within the B tier, the Beast Master views his minions not just as tools, but as cherished partners in battle. These companions come equipped with unique active skills that are accessible to players even when cooldowns aren’t active. In stark contrast to the Necromancer’s more disposable minions, the loss of a Beast Master’s companions carries both strategic and emotional weight.
These fallen companions can be resurrected, underscoring the Primalist’s distinctive ability to forge deeper connections with his allies, thereby boosting their longevity and effectiveness in battle. The Beast Master’s hallmark strategy involves the application of “aspects”—potent enhancements—that bolster both himself and his companions, elevating their combat capabilities and flexibility. Moreover, this subclass is adept at dealing significant physical and poison damage, making it well-suited for both controlling and directly confronting enemies.
Shaman and Druid Subclasses
Continuing our examination of the Primalist class, we delve into the Shaman, positioned in the C tier. Renowned for his mastery over totems, the Shaman also excels in spellcasting. His expertise lies in harnessing the elemental forces of cold and lightning, supplemented by a variety of physical techniques.
These abilities can be executed through totems, which serve dual purposes: they can either deal direct damage or enhance the potency of spells, melee attacks, or provide support to allies. The Shaman benefits from mastery bonuses that reduce the mana costs associated with totem deployment, improve attunement, and bolster elemental resistance while totems are active.
We then shift our attention to the Druid, an elite S tier subclass within the Primalist framework. The Druid is distinguished by its remarkable transformational abilities, allowing it to assume unique forms such as a bear, sprout, or swarm blade. These transformative powers are exclusive to the Druid and introduce distinctive gameplay elements, making the Druid a crucial choice for those who wish to explore dynamic and adaptable combat strategies.
Druid Mastery Flexibility
The Druid’s ability to transform goes beyond simple shape-changing; each altered form grants specific enhancements that boost effectiveness in battle. Capable of dealing a variety of damage types—physical, poison, cold, and lightning—the Druid is adept at handling diverse combat situations. Moreover, this mastery fortifies the Druid’s durability with bonuses that elevate health and mana, alongside significant damage reduction when transitioning out of a transformed state, thereby reinforcing the Druid’s standing as a powerful combatant on the battlefield.
Introduction to the Rogue Class
We conclude our class overview with the Rogue, the fifth and final class category in our analysis. The Rogue is divided into three Mastery SL subclasses: the Blade Dancer, Marksman, and the Falconer, which is still under development. Highly ranked in the A tier, the Blade Dancer is designed as the quintessential stealthy, ninja assassin, equipped with dynamic abilities like hurricane and SM grenades.
Notably, this subclass features shadow daggers, an element that ensures a critical hit with every use. Specializing primarily in physical and poison damage, the Blade Dancer also demonstrates proficiency with fire damage enhancements. Defensively, the Blade Dancer is equipped with exceptional dodge and glancing blow capabilities, surpassing those of the Marksman and skillfully mitigating the risks inherent in its aggressive approach to combat.
Details on Marksman and Falconer
Advancing beyond the Blade Dancer, the Marksman also claims a spot in the A tier, distinguishing itself as a specialist in long-range warfare. Unique to the Rogue class, the Marksman excels with bows and quivers, employing a potent mix of skills such as multi-shot and hail of arrows, along with a suite of other distinctive tactical maneuvers. The versatility of this subclass is notable, with a broad array of supported damage types—physical, poison, fire, lightning, and cold—making it an excellent choice for players dedicated to mastering ranged combat techniques.
Wrapping up our discussion on Rogue subclasses, we eagerly await the introduction of the Falconer, still in the pipeline and expected to revolutionize gameplay dynamics. Early insights portray the Falconer as a tactical genius, adept at setting cunning traps and controlling a powerful bird of prey. This avian ally is designed to bolster the Falconer’s strategic options, diving across the battlefield to disrupt opponents and secure tactical advantages. Detailed updates and more comprehensive insights will be shared once this subclass is officially launched, enhancing the Rogue class’s strategic repertoire.
Thank you for diving into our guide! Discover our exceptional Last Epoch boosting services and elevate your gaming experience with our top-tier boosts.
Last Epoch Tier List | What Is The New Best Class & Masteries After Update?