Classes Guide with Dev Class Tier Ranks (Black Desert Online) (2024)

This Class and Character Creation Guide is an overview of all of the available classes in Black Desert Online.

I have included class tier rankings based upon character creation stats visible inside the character builder.

After reading this guide, you should have a better understanding of which classes you would like to research more.

HAPPY Character Creation!!

TIP: You can create Trial Characters that are level 60. Read more details below.

Class Importance During Character Creation

Trinity Roles in BDO?
Classes in BDO are not typical of traditional MMORPG’s. For example, the “trinity” of tank, damage dealer, and healer classes are not required in BDO. Any rag tag group of adventurers will probably be successful, as long as they are the correct level and have good gear. Solo play is usually the norm in BDO, especially at lower levels. With the help of potions, any class can easily heal and regenerate power for themselves. There are plenty of group activities to take part in, but you don’t have to scrap the whole party just because you can’t find a healer or tank.

Class Balance in BDO?
IMHO there are no bad classes in BDO. Just play and have fun. Trying to always have a META class is an ongoing adventure because the developers frequently change classes to maintain class balance. Then, after a blissful nights sleep, you will wake up to a HAETA instead of META. 🙂

Character Creation Aesthetics in BDO
NOTE: The Character Creator image of the giant with the flaming mohawk was one of the winners in a past Character Creation event called Beauty and Beast. It gives you a little hint into the extreme flexibility and creative freedom players can achieve during Character Creation. You can make your character look like anything you want, from a rainbow bright complexion to a celebrity look alike. There is also a Beauty Album that allows you to sort and edit player made templates.

BDO Classes Tier List & Rankings

——— via Character Creation Stat Map ———

Classes in BDO are gender locked.

Below you will find a list of classes divided by gender in BDO, along with the class tiers and ranking stats visible during Character Creation.

For player opinion on top tier classes in PVE or PVP, skip to the bottom.

Class Tier Stats Explained

• Control: This is a measure of the difficulty in controlling the class. Classes with the highest Control tier, such as the Sorceress, are the most difficult to master. The Berserker class, on the other hand, has a very low Control ranking and is one of the easiest classes to play.
• Defense: Defense measures the class ability to take damage that hits them. Higher Defense score means this class is better equipped to take damage. Classes with the lowest Defense rank, like Ranger, receive more damage from hits.
• Combo: A Combo is a combination of key presses in a set order to perform a series of powerful moves. This ranking is a measure of the complexity of key combos available to the class. For the easiest class to play, look for classes with low Combo ranks plus low Control ranks. (like Guardian/Witch/Wizard/Valkyrie/Berserker)
• Evasion: Evasion measures the class ability to evade attacks.
• Attack: Attack measures their offensive strength.

Top Tier Classes (Max Rankings)

NOTE: these top ranking classes are according to class stat charts visible during Character Creation and not player opinion/polls.

It’s interesting to note that Ninja, with it’s female counterpart (Kunoichi) have been given top rankings in every category but defense! Do you agree with the developer’s opinion?

Click below to learn player favorites in PVE and PVP and to cast your votes.

Class Comparison of Weapons

Here is a comparison of the different classes, showcasing their weapons. Main and Subweapons are used until level 56 for most classes. After level 56, complete a questline to have access to a new weapon, allowing a new fighting style.

Best PVP Classes: 1v1

The best class for PVP is a hotly debated topic. 1v1 PVP strength is considered different than group PVP strength. The classes below are considered strong in holding their grinding location against one player and perhaps scare off a red flagger. 🙂

1. Ninja: (longest standing top tier 1v1 PVP class)
2. Sorceress

Most Recent Class Tier Rankings

I am working on a page dedicated to class tier rankings. Follow the link below to cast your vote for the best classes in BDO, depending upon several factors. Ex. Group PVP, PVE, etc.

Class Difficulty: Easiest Classes To Play

The easiest classes to play are classes with low Control and Combo tiers. These classes are Wizard/Witch, Valkyrie, and Berserker. Shai class ranks 0 in Control difficulty and has 2 in Combo. These classes have fewer complex combos and are easier to control than other classes.

If you are looking for a class that has low difficulty, also consider classes that receive the highest Defense rankings. (Warrior and Guardian have 3 out of 4 in Defense. Top ranking in Defense are Valkyrie, Berserker, and Nova.)

These class tiers are the opinion of the developers and may not suit what you consider difficult or easy to play.

IMHO, Guardian and Berserker are the easiest classes to grind with.

Best Beginner Class

Currently the top beginner friendly class, according to player polls is Guardian. I like things simple, and I have to agree. Guardian is my favorite class at the moment and easy for even my slow fingers to master. Ha!

The best beginner class is probably the easiest class to play, but maybe you’re up for more of a challenge! Do you like simple controls or enjoy mashing complex key combinations? Do you like heavy hitting attacks or speedy finesse? What’s important to you? It may not be to someone else.

Is Guardian Class right for me?
For beginners to BDO, looking for the easiest class to play, most recommend Guardian. This class boasts several benefits to beginners trying out BDO.

• Easy key combos: with just a few skills, you can tank even the most difficult bosses.
• High & Cheap Sustainability: Beginners have to worry less about using up precious inventory and weight limits on buying and carrying Mana and HP potions. (Pots are very heavy.) They are more free to focus on obtaining loot and using silver for gear. Guardians have several skills that have great combat + healing ability.
• Good Reputation: with a little research, you will find the Guardian a popular class. Tier lists report that they are high ranking in both PVE and large group PVP.

Testing a Class via Trial Characters

Testing Out a Class
Trial Characters were added in the 6th March 2019 Patch. This allows you to try out a class to see if you will like it near end game.

• Max 3 Trial Character slots. (This is separate from the Standard slots.)
• All Trial Characters are level 60
• 4,000 Skill Points.
• Trial Characters can only enter a PVE cooperative tower defence mode called Savage Rift or specific PVP areas: Battle Arena, Red Battlefield, Arena of Arsha. No Savage Rift rewards.
• NPC Haz in Battle Arena sells Trial Gear for 1 Silver. (You are given 100k to spend.)
  • [Battlefield] Exquisite Cron Meal
  • [Battlefield] Giant’s Draught
  • [Battlefield] Perfume of Courage
  • [Battlefield] Body Enhancement
• Arsha’s Chest
• Trial Weapon Box
• Ramones’s Armor and Accessories Set
• [Battlefield] Instant HP Potion (XL)
• [Battlefield] Instant MP Potion (XL)
• Buffs that can’t be used in Arena of Arsha
• Trial Character Limitations: Can’t impact Family Fame. Can’t do normal activities like Attendance Rewards, In-game Mail, Challenges (Y), Node investment, and Guild Bonuses.

Class Release Order

The following classes were released in order of first to last for North American (NA) server.

1. Musa and Maehwa classes were released for play on April 20, 2016
2. Kunoichi and Ninja classes were released for play on July 20, 2016
3. Dark Knight class was published April 2017
4. Striker class was released May 2017
5. Mystic class was released December 13th, 2017
6. Lahn class was released 23rd May, 2018
7. Archer class was released 12th December 2018
8. Shai class was released 26 June 2019
9. Guardian class was released 22 January 2020
10. Hashashin class was released 2 September 2020
11. Nova class was released 22nd December 2020
12. Sage class was released March 17, 2021
13. Corsair class was released June 30, 2021
14. Drakania class was released April 6, 2022
15. Woosa class was released Dec 14, 2022
16. Maegu class was released January 18, 2023
17. Scholar class was released December 20, 2023

Class Discord Channels

Discord Channels are live chat and talk web apps that are good sources of info, help, and current events. If you are looking for more information about a specific class, it pays to visit their Discord Channel.

BDO Class Discords:

• Musa/Maehwa
• Ninja/Kuno
• Ranger
• Sorceress
• Tamer
• Valkyrie
• Warrior
• Witch/Wizard
• Berserker
• Dark Knight & New Dark Knight
• Striker/Mystic
• Lahn
• Archer
• Shai
• Guardian
• Hashashin
• Nova
• Sage
• Corsair
• Drakania
• Woosa
• Maegu
• Scholar

Classes Official Descriptions & Videos

Image and text sources: official BDO webiste

Each class will receive their Awakening or similar event at level 56. You will be able to use a second weapon which you can switch between easily mid-combat. This means that at level 56, you can choose between different gameplay styles, or continue with an enhanced version of the skills you’ve come to know and love.

• Succession Video

CLASSES

• Warrior: Warriors are skilled fighters with both good attack and defense. Using the Sword and Shield as their main weapons, they are the best weapon-wielders among all the classes. During battle, Warriors will show off their fearlessness with storm-like barrage of melee combat moves. After Awakening, they use two-handed Great Swords to deliver devastating blows to their enemies.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Ranger: Rangers are the specialists of ranged archery attacks. Under the grace of the Sylphs, Rangers present swift movement in any situation of battle. Most of their skills are based on preventing enemies’ attempt of melee approach. The Sylph’s mystic power is the source of their ability. After Awakening, they can wield the Kamasylven Sword to use melee type attacks.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Sorceress: Sorceresses can effectively control the battlefield with dark magic by using both melee and ranged attacks. They lure enemies with ranged magic and lead them to a chaos and painful demise once they come closer. Other races revere and fear the Sorceresses. After Awakening, they can use dark magic shroud themselves in darkness, and use a giant Scythe to cut down their enemies.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Berserker: Berserkers wield monstrous double-axes as big as their own bodies. Berserkers overwhelm their enemies with their size and outrageous strength, annihilating them with ease. Although their physique makes them slow-moving, improved skills will compensate for that. After Awakening, they can use the Iron Buster to send powerful blasts at the enemy, almost like a small portable cannon.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Valkyrie: Valkyries are armed with sword, shield, and divine magic. They can use their weapons to powerful blows to their enemies. They can also use their divine magic for healing and empowering allies. After Awakening, they can use Lancia, a weapon that is even taller than a Valkyrie and greatly boosts her great offense and defense.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Wizard/Witch: Wizards/Witches are known for their prudence in battle. In exchange for the casting time delay, they can perform large-scale magical attacks. Their thorough moves will burn, freeze and shatter their enemies with the power of natural elements such as fire, ice, wind, lightning, and earth. After Awakening, They can use the Godr Sphera/Aad Sphera to gain even great control over earth and lightning, and can summon the Earth and Lightning guardians.
• [Wizard/Witch] Gameplay Video
• [Wizard/Witch] Awakening Video

• Tamer: Tamers can fight enemies at any range. With the support of Heilang, the divine beast, Tamers can perform ruthless combination attack with Heilang, or take the enemy down themselves while borrowing the divine force from the beast. After Awakening, they can use the Celestial Bo Staff to channel the divine power as the true master of Heilang.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Maehwa/Musa: Maehwas/Musas fight with oriental-style martial arts and with the blade and horn bow. Maehwas/Musas are specialists in 1-on-1 showdowns, since their fast and precise attack combos can target enormous amount of damage at once. After Awakening, they use the Kerispear/Crescent Blade to deliver lethal stabs.
• [Maehwa] Gameplay Video
• [Musa] Gameplay Video
• [Maehwa/Musa] Awakening Video

• Ninja/Kunoichi: Ninjas use sword, martial arts, and Ninjutsu. The swarm of attacks consisting of swift movement, smoke shells, and unique skills such as hiding and pulling the enemy into the middle of total chaos. With proper control, a Ninja/Kunoichi can flip the battle by discreetly raiding important figures. After Awakening, they can use the Sura Katana/Sah Chakram to attack their enemies before they even realize what’s hit them.
• [Ninja] Gameplay Video
• [Kunoichi] Gameplay Video
• [Ninja/Kunoichi] Awakening Video

• Dark Knight: Dark Knights fight with the Kriegsmesser and magic. They tend to spring up at an enemy and strikes blows with the fearsome Kriegsmesser. They can use magic for mid- and long-distance for more damage. After Awakening, they can use the Vediant to freely switch between close and ranged attacks.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Striker: Strikers are hand-to-hand combatants who attained their skills through countless street brawls. From heavy punches to powerful kicks, their martial arts skills are matchless. After Awakening, they can use the Gardbrace on their both arms, and can also summon Echo Spirits to ambush their enemies from all sides.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Mystic: Mystics are hand-to-hand combatants who attained their skills after countless years training in the East. From heavy punches to powerful kicks, their martial arts skills are matchless and elegant. After Awakening, they can channel the aura of the Sea Dragon to deliver powerful blows with the pair of Cestus on their arms.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Lahn: Lahns wield the Noble Sword and Crescent Pendulum. The Noble Sword and Crescent Pendulum are connected by a long cloth or chain, allowing Lahns to freely attack from all directions. Lahns are agile and quick on their feet, and can quickly deliver devastating attacks by swinging their Crescent Pendulum. By careful manipulation of the swinging motion, they can even deliver back attacks with the Crescent Pendulum from the front as well as various combo attacks.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Archer: The Archer, one of the sentinels of the sacred tree Kamasylve, uses his crossbow for his stylish ranged attack and skill combos. Unlike other classes, the Archer class will start off with access to both the main weapon (Crossbow) and awakening weapon (Greatbow).
• Gameplay/Awakening Video

• Shai: The Shai excels at providing buffs to their party members. While they can fight off incoming threats with their giant boomerangs, they can also avoid dangerous situations through their swift movements. Their versatility allows them to protect or heal those around them.
• Gameplay Video
• Talent Video

• Guardian: A powerful female combatant wielding a single handed battle axe and a shield. She is swift and agile while using her axe with one hand, but when using both hands, her attacks become more powerful yet slower, inflicting damage over a wider area. Her combat style is offensive rather than defensive, and becomes stronger as the battle prolongs. When awakened, she wields the Jordun filled with the holy flame, dealing powerful damage over a wide area with the power of the flame.
• Gameplay Video
• Awakening Video

• Hashashin: A melee & mid-ranged character who uses crescent-shaped Shamshir and Haladie which carries the power of the sand magic to become one with the sands and unleash unpredictable attacks. He quickly disappears from the sight of his enemies to give them mortal strikes or creates an endless sandstorm to confuse them. With his smooth yet sharp movements, Hashashin fights his enemies unceasingly without ever being consumed by the sands himself.
• Gameplay Video

• Sage wields the Kyve, made of a special substance he developed, and the magic-filled Talisman. He uses Kyve’s special ability to freely change its form to distort time and space, bringing forth powerful physical forces. Sage can inflict damage with powerful attacks from afar and interrupt foes who try to catch him off guard. Also, he can quickly re-position himself in the thick of battle and turn the odds to his favor. His versatility enables Sage to carry out multiple roles depending on what the situation calls for. Bear witness to Sage as he flips the hourglass of fate in his long-awaited return to this world.
• Succession Video
• Sage Awakening Video

• Nova: Wielding a Morning Star and shield Quoratum, which contains powers of the distorted goddess, Nova can attack from mid-range to melee. She is the last remaining heir of Calpheon’s royal bloodline that was erased along with the rise of the republic. Her shield covers her body like an iron fortress, and she can flatten distant enemies with her Morning Star. Nova’s Quoratum is also possessed by the souls of the Thornwood Guard, who follow her every word. By commanding her spirit guards to attack while she remains fortified behind her giant shield, she can effortlessly combine offensive and defensive tactics to overwhelm her enemies.
• Nova Awakening & Succession Video

• Corsair: Corsair is armed with Serenaca, a flexible blade that can change its length at will, and Mareca, the jewel of the sea that grants the bearer the power of the tides. As a melee fighter, her free-form bladework is made up of fluid combos centered around unique rope movement skills that keep her afloat. No one is quite as spontaneous as the Corsair when she glides about using her rope maneuvers only to suddenly protract her blade and strike her opponents at their most vulnerable moment. Using the mysterious powers of Mareca, Corsair can transform into a mermaid with the ability to summon gigantic waves to crush her opponents as she dances with the Dream Whales from the Lost Sea of Dreams. Like any good seafaring pirate, she can quickly move about in the water and remain submerged longer than others.
• Corsair Awakening Video

• Drakania: Upon Succession, Drakania calls upon the her fallen kin and strengthens the Shard with their sorrow, grudge, tears, and blood and sets on a quest to restore the paradise of Dragons. As she grieves deeply with their broken souls, Drakania steals even more energy to store it in her shard, from which she can deal powerful damage in succession depending on the amount stored to punish her foes. Her second heart also grows stronger, granting her the ability to absorb the harmful effects of her foes as energy and send it back to damage them instantly. With no room to escape her wrath, the image of her draconic wings will be seared into the eyes of her enemies as they breathe their last
• Drakania Succession Video

• Woosa takes back the Do Arts passed down from her master Hwadam, stolen by her older twin sister’s Do Arts, and continues down her path to enlightenment upon selecting Succession. Woosa, with firm resolve, gains the ability to absorb her enemy’s attacks, and uses the Do Energy to return the attack, ignoring the defense of non-invincible enemies. The Do Arts now resemble the path she had walked, matching their strength to hers. She can summon stormclouds and bring a storm down at the slightest command. Enemies who look down on Woosa, flying around the battlefield light as a butterfly, will be swept away by a storm of butterflies, never to return
• Woosa Succession Video

• Maegu struck a deal with a revered fox spirit, is a master of the Jwado School, who turns the world red with her spirit magic. Maegu channels various spells through the Fox Spirit Charm. She can tackle enemies from long distances, and spread a dazzling display of Fox Spirit Charms around them. Much like a fox, Maegu is cunning on the battlefield. Her swift movement allows her to dodge enemies and avoid incoming attacks. Maegu can also collaborate with the revered Fox Spirit she made a deal with, and these coordinated attacks can really put the hurt on approaching enemies.
• Maegu Succession Video

• Befitting her past in Alchemy, through particle acceleration and formulas, Ascended Scholar accomplishes any alchemist’s true desire: transmuting gold.
  Her attacks freely manipulate speed, mass, and metals of the earth for a momentous force like no other.
  Abandoning the laws and rules of matter, Scholar writes her own formula to bring her enemies to their knees.
• Scholar Combat Video