Blade & Soul - Class Guide for New Players - 14 Classes & What to Play (2024)

Blade & Soul’s combat was fun and unique since its launch back in 2012, and it manages to keep both traits in 2019! Every class has a unique playstyle, making it impossible to not fall in love with at least one of them 😍, and offering great replayability, to an otherwise.. content-less MMORPG.

There is no gender-lock here fortunately, but there is a “race-lock”, meaning not all races can become all classes. I wouldn’t say it’s restricting at all though, mainly because the 3 races look too much alike (Jin, Gon, Yun), and Lyn, the.. child race makes for some more variety, offering 2 unique classes of their own as well, for all you loli lovers out there 😁!

Before you decide your main class, make sure to check out all the BnS races too, and the relevant restrictions on the table below:

Assassin

Class Description: Assassins utilize agility, cunning, and unique stealth techniques to catch opponents off-guard. Using traps and lighting-fast attacks, disciplined Assassins can eliminate their opponents before they have time to counter.

Eligible Races: Jin, Lyn
Weapon: Dagger
Role: DPS
Difficulty: Expert

Assassin Play Style:The Assassin’s stealth skills and quick combos are best in the hands of an experienced player. Use Stealth to get the drop on your enemies. A Smoke Screen can provide cover for your allies.

Attack:
Enhance Party:
Protect Party:
Defense:
Range:
Crowd Control:

Definitely one of the most complex and rewarding BnS classes, Assassins control the battlefield through Lightning and Void elemental damage, and well-timed combos. They can use Stealth during fights, and employ a wide array of CC spells that can confuse their enemies, and make them shine in PvP.

Pros

• Stealth & Decoy Stance
• A lot of Crowd Control Abilities
• Unique in PvP

Cons

• Timing & Position Counts
• High Skill Cap (a pro for some people)

Astromancer

Class Description: Astromancers use Orbs to harness the power of the heavens. Their mastery over reality allows them to teleport across the battlefield and dazzle their opponents with radiant energy.
Eligible Races: Lyn
Role: DPS
Difficulty: Hard
Astromancer Play Style: Use Constellate to channel the radiant energy of the cosmos or generate Nimbus to harness the charge of a lighting storm. The mystical power of Polarity increases Mystic damage for you and your allies.
Attack:
Enhance Party:
Protect Party:
Defense:
Range:
Crowd Control:

Blade Dancer

Class Description: Blade Dancers use quick sword strikes to carve through opponents. These versatile warriors can deploy their inner chi to cripple a single foe or unleash whirling attacks to take out several enemies at once.

Eligible Races:Lyn
Weapon: Lynblade (identical to Sword)
Role: DPS
Difficulty: Hard

Blade Dancer Play Style:The Blade Dancer’s versatility and all-around strength make them an asset to any group. Use Phantom Grip to grab and throw an enemy into the air. Call forth a Flock of Blades to protect yourself or strike down your opponent.

Attack:
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Range:
Crowd Control:

Similar to Blade Masters, but tailored for the Lyn race, Blade Dancers offer tremendous damage output, for the expense of defensive capabilities. They also “rent” a lot from Force Masters, making them a very rewarding hybrid class, where resource management and positioning will determine the fight’s outcome.

Pros

• Blade Master & Force Master hybrid
• Great DPS & Mobility
• Stacking Buffs

Cons

• Resource Management
• Low Defense

Blade Master

Class Description: Blade Masters are balanced fighters who wield their swords with surgical precision. Their versatility allows them to both evade enemy attacks and cut down their foes with devastating accuracy.

Eligible Races: Yun, Jin
Weapon: Sword
Role: Tank
Difficulty: Hard

Blade Master Play Style:The Blade Master is a versatile option well suited for both beginners and experts. The Block skill can effectively mitigate incoming attacks. The Blade Call skills can target distant opponents.

Attack:
Enhance Party:
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A quite versatile class, Blade Masters focus on dealing Fire & Lightning damage with their sword, while having a balanced offensive / defensive playstyle depending on the situation.

Pros

• Two different stances (Basic & Draw Stance).
• High attack speed, many blocks & evades.
• Balanced offensive & defensive skills.
• Strong solo & easy PvE rotation.

Cons

• You will be expected to tank in dungeons (not a con per se..)
• Relies on evading, not armor.

Destroyer

Class Description: Wielding enormous axes, Destroyers are front-line fighters capable of cutting their way through the middle of any melee. Destroyers use brute strength to absorb attacks, pick up their opponents, and annihilate multiple assailants at once.

Eligible Races:Gon
Weapon: Axe
Role: Support
Difficulty: Normal

Destroyer Play Style:Thanks to their above-average endurance, the Destroyer is a reliable and dependable choice. Use Grab to hold an opponent and let your allies dish out damage. Use Stone Shield to defend yourself from attacks.

Attack:
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Always in the front lines, Destroyers make for the best stopping power in BnS. They take advantage of stunned opponents with their signature Grabs, and oh are they full of stuns!

Pros

• Stuns, dazes & knockdowns.
• Low threat generation.
• Can take a lot of damage.

Cons

• A bit slow.
• Require strategy, more than fast reactions. (though some of us prefer that!)

Dual Blades

Coming Soon

Force Master

Class Description: Harnessing their inner chi, Force Masters manipulate the elements to assault their enemies from afar, torching them with flames, freezing them with ice, and unleashing blasts of concentrated energy to keep them at a distance.

Eligible Races:Gon, Lyn, Yun
Weapon: Bangle
Role:DPS
Difficulty: Normal

Force Master Play Style:The Force Master’s powerful ranged skills require careful Focus management to be successful. Use Phantom Grip to grab and throw an enemy into the air. Deploy a Divine Veil to protect nearby allies.

Attack:
Enhance Party:
Protect Party:
Defense:
Range:
Crowd Control:

Force Masters are the mages of BnS, and they fill the role just fine! Great dynamic combat moves and quick-swapping between Fire and Ice skills, they definitely won’t disappoint caster fans!

Pros

• Amazing Single Target & AoE damage.
• Good crowd control skills & debuffs.
• Great range & mobility.

Cons

• Positioning is very important, with limited escape options.
• PvP needs a lot of skill.

Gunslinger

Class Description: Gunslingers use dual pistols and grappling hooks to unleash devastating combos and support their allies.

Eligible Races: Jin, Lyn, Yun
Weapon: Pistols
Role: DPS
Difficulty: Easy

Gunslinger Play Style:The Gunslinger uses rapid-fire ranged attacks and a grappling hook to take ownership of the battlefield. Use your grappling hook to move into the air, dodge attacks, and ambush your opponents. Let out an Alpha Call to enhance the abilities of your allies.

Attack:
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Gunslingers are a special type of class in MMOs, and their fans won’t be disappointed. You can make it rain bullets from afar with an impressive speed, and use your reflexes to stay out of harm’s way. They also use a unique grappling hook, that can prove very helpful in both offensive and defensive situations.

Pros

• Guns
• Grappling Hook
• Easy to Play

Cons

• Low CC
• Low Defense

Kung Fu Master

Class Description: Kung Fu Masters are living, breathing weapons capable of destroying opponents with nothing but their own physical prowess and a pair of armored fists. These agile melee fighters specialize in counter-attacks and grappling.

See Also

How Do I Manage My Quicken Subscription?

Eligible Races:Jin, Gon, Yun
Weapon: Gauntlets (identical to Bracers)
Role: Tank / DPS
Difficulty: Expert

Kung Fu Master Play Style:The Kung Fu Master depends on expertly-timed counterattacks. Best for experienced players. Use Counter skills to block and damage the attacker. Use Grapple to lower the guard of an opponent and dish out massive damage.

Attack:
Enhance Party:
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Range:
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The “pro” class of Blade & Soul, Kung Fu Masters are hard to learn & hard to master, but those willing to put it the training will be greatly rewarded! Their playstyle is based around counter-attacks that lead to long combo chains with great damage output, so knowing your opponents is crucial to your success.

Pros

• High Skill / High Reward
• Deadly in 1v1
• Counter-Attacks & Big Combo Chains

Cons

• Timing Counts
• Game Knowledge Required

Soul Fighter

Class Description: Soul Fighters combine the Kung Fu Master’s close-range ferocity and the Force Master’s long range elemental attacks. By switching stances, these warrios can adapt theirs skills to any fight.

Eligible Races:Jin, Gon, Yun
Weapon: Bracers (identical to Gauntlets)
Role: DPS / Support
Difficulty: Easy

Soul Fighter Play Style:The Soul Figther is perfect for veteran players who want to balance melee and ranged attacks. Use the Focus Chi skill to instantly recover your chi and use strong combo attacks. Use Chi Burst to heal yourself and your allies.

Attack:
Enhance Party:
Protect Party:
Defense:
Range:
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The only class that excels in both ranged & melee combat, Soul Fighters change stances according to the situation, and can use their Chi to unleash devastating attacks. They are a hybrid class, using the Force Masters’ control abilities, in tandem with the Kung Fu Masters’ reactive moves, while being easier to learn than both.

Pros

• Party Heals & Resurrection
• Great DPS & Mobility

Cons

• Weak in Solo Fights

Summoner

Class Description: Summoners harness the power of nature to control and attack foes. They also conjure and command powerful Familiars who will fight tooth and claw to keep their masters from harm.

Eligible Races:Lyn
Weapon: Staff
Role: DPS / Support
Difficulty:Very Easy

Summoner Play Style:The presence of a protective Familiar makes Summoners perfect for novice players. Use Huzzah! to transfer your health to your Familiar. Use Seed Shroud to protect yourself and nearby allies.

Attack:
Enhance Party:
Protect Party:
Defense:
Range:
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While Summoners are the easiest class you can play when starting out, it doesn’t make them any less important. Your summoned familiar will tank for you, while you will make sure to support it and hinder your enemies. Self / party heals will keep you alive, and help you make a big impact in group play.

Pros

• Most beginner-friendly class
• Solid Ranged DPS & CC
• Party Heals

Cons

• Easy to Learn, Hard to Master

Warden

Class Description: Wielding massive greatswords, Wardens are resilient melee fighters capable of absorbing punishment and unleashing it on their foes. Building themselves into a frenzied rage, Wardens protect and enhance their allies, shake off incoming attacks and debuffs, and cut down all who would stand in their way.

Eligible Races: Jin, Gon, Lyn
Weapon: Greatsword
Role: Tank
Difficulty: Hard

Warden Play Style:The Warden utilizes several different stances to absorb punishment and deal out devastating attacks. Use Blade Ward in combination with your Resilience to resist damage and status effects. Unlock powerful combat abilities for yourself and your allies with Soul Flare.

Attack:
Enhance Party:
Protect Party:
Defense:
Range:
Crowd Control:

The latest class to be introduced in BnS, Wardens wield massive greatswords, and can tank a great deal of damage / CC, only to later unleash it on their foes. They have great maneuverability in the battlefield, letting them change priorities based on their teams’ needs.

Pros

• Almost Immune to CC
• Great Positioning Capabilities
• Offensive Party Buffs

Cons

• Requires Leading Skills

Warlock

Class Description: Warlocks use charms and incantations to unleash a wide array of powerful attacks. They use a Thrall and energy from the Spirit Realm to barrage enemies or strengthen allies.

Eligible Races:Jin, Lyn
Weapon: Razor (identical to Daggers)
Role: DPS / Support
Difficulty: Normal

Warlock Play Style:The Warlock has something for everybody, with skills that are effective at any distance. Use Leech to unlock other skills and replenish your Focus while stealing it from the enemy. Summon a Thrall to serve as your powerful ally on the battleground.

Attack:
Enhance Party:
Protect Party:
Defense:
Range:
Crowd Control:

Warlocks are medium ranged casters, that focus on summoning and debuffing. They are amazing at party play, offering a global cooldown reset as well as “awakening” various abilities of their party members. They are weaker in solo scenarios, as they require good management to come out on top.

Pros

• Great Party Buffs
• Summons & Debuffs

Cons

• Hard in Solo Fights

Zen Archer

Class Description: Zen Archers use multiple attacks and powerful combos to rain down arrows on their opponents. Armed with a bow, mobility, and unique control skills, these versatile fighters can keep their composure in any scenario.

Eligible Races: Jin, Yun
Weapon: Bow
Role: DPS
Difficulty: Hard

Zen Archer Play Style: You can light up your enemies with the Fireworks skill. Charge up Storm Bolt to inflict devastating damage on unsuspecting enemies.

Attack:
Enhance Party:
Protect Party:
Defense:
Range:
Crowd Control:

The Zen Archer follows the classic “ranger” MMO archetype, so bow fans will definitely have a lot of fun obliterating enemies from afar! Delivering high DPS while staying out of focus won’t be easy though, so expect for extremely active gameplay and combo mashing to get the most out of your class.

Pros

• Big single-target damage
• Good Knockback
• Positioning

Cons

• Challenging Combos
• Glass Cannon

It’s worth mentioning that the difficulties have been taken from the in-game character creation, since the official site’s information is outdated.