Posted on by Harry Brown

Lost Ark New Player Guide: Conquer Arkesia on EU Central (2023)

Lost Ark New Player Guide: From Zero to Hero

So you’ve just started your adventure in the world of Lost Ark and you’re feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. This guide will provide a roadmap to help you navigate the early stages of the game and set you on the path to becoming a seasoned hero.

Choosing Your Region and Server

Before diving in, it’s crucial to select the right region and server. For the optimal experience with a large active player base, EU Central is highly recommended. US East and US West are also good choices.

While server choice is less critical for raiding (which is cross-server), opting for a high-population server like Kadan, Thirain, Zinnervale, Neria, Asta, or Trixion (EU Central) can be beneficial for guild activities and finding consistent party members.

Finding Your Class and Starting Your Journey

Lost Ark offers a diverse roster of classes, each with unique playstyles and strengths. Don’t feel pressured to follow the current "meta" – choose a class that resonates with you, as every class is capable of conquering the game’s most challenging content.

Resist the urge to use your Powerpass immediately. While tempting, delaying its use will allow you to learn the game’s mechanics organically. Progressing through the main story from levels 302 to 1302 at your own pace will familiarize you with your chosen class, keybinds, combat, and essential game systems like Stagger, Destruction, and Counter. You can always use the Powerpass on an alternate character later.

Embracing the Story and Honing Your Gear

As you embark on your journey with Armen, prioritize completing all available quests, especially those marked with a purple "!". These quests not only provide valuable rewards but also unlock additional content later on.

Honing is the process of upgrading your gear to higher item levels, and it’s essential for progressing through the game. You’ll be introduced to this system in Shushire after reaching item level 302. Utilize Chaos Dungeons and event Guardian Raids to acquire honing materials.

Here’s a quick rundown of the item level progression:

  • 460 ilvl: Required to reach Rohendel
  • 600 ilvl: Required to reach Yorn
  • 802 ilvl: Required to reach Feiton
  • 960 ilvl: Unlocks important content (details in-game)
  • 1100 ilvl: Required to reach Punika
  • 1340 ilvl: Required to reach South Vern
  • 1445 ilvl: Required to reach Rowen

Gathering Honing Materials

Upgrading your gear requires a steady supply of materials. Here are the primary ways to obtain them:

  • Daily Login Rewards and Events: Take advantage of these freebies!
  • Islands: Explore the numerous islands scattered across the world. The Lost Ark Maxroll Island Guide provides a comprehensive resource for maximizing your island rewards, including Island Tokens.
  • Chaos Dungeons and Guardian Raids: These are your primary sources of honing materials. Prioritize completing Chaos Dungeons daily and Guardian Raids every three days to benefit from double loot rewards.
  • Towers: Shadespire and Fatespire offer valuable materials and skill points.
  • Auction House: While generally not recommended for gear before reaching 1415 ilvl due to Pheon costs, the Auction House can be useful for other items like Accessories, Jewelry, Ability Stones, and some skins.

Side Content That Matters

While the allure of reaching the endgame is strong, don’t neglect these crucial side activities:

Mastering Gold and Silver

Lost Ark’s economy relies on both gold and silver. Here’s how to keep your coffers full:

  • Una’s Tasks: Completing 70 Una’s Tasks weekly grants Una’s Tokens, which can be exchanged for gold from the Gold Shop NPC (marked with a gold icon on the map).
  • Gathering Skills: Utilize your gathering skills (Mining, Fishing, Hunting, etc.) to collect resources that can be sold on the Auction House for a profit.
  • Legion Raids: Participating in Legion Raids (starting at 1415 ilvl with Valtan) rewards gold for defeating bosses.
  • Lopand Island: This island offers three quests that involve delivering supplies to major ports (Shushire, Arthetine, and Vern), rewarding a significant amount of silver. Utilizing Bifrosts (Alt + W) can greatly expedite these quests.

Navigating the Endgame

Once you reach the endgame, several new systems and activities become available:

Mastering Mechanics

Understanding and mastering key combat mechanics like Stagger, Destruction/Weak Point, and Counter is crucial for success in Legion Raids and other challenging content. The in-game Training Area (accessible through the Guide button in the bottom right corner of the screen) provides a safe environment to practice these mechanics. You can also find helpful video guides on YouTube, such as this one on Stagger, Weak Point, & Counter Mechanics.

Useful Keybinds

Familiarize yourself with these keybinds to navigate Lost Ark’s interface efficiently:

  • Alt + Q: World Content
  • Alt + D: Codex
  • Alt + C: Cards
  • Alt + W: Bifrosts
  • Alt + U: Guild
  • Alt + J: Una’s Tasks
  • Alt + E: Presets (for switching between builds)

Embrace the Journey

This guide provides a solid foundation for your Lost Ark adventure, but the best way to learn is to dive in and experience the game firsthand. Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them. And remember, the most important tip is to have fun!

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