DreXxiN
2022-02-07 10:47:20
For the best written resource, check maxroll’s post 50 endgame guide.
Here’s a link to the Reddit thread that contains the PDF of the above image - https://www.reddit.com/r/lostarkgame/comments/sif5oi/visual_flowchart_for_game_progression/
I’m poor, how do I make money?
Weekly goals rewards (Kudos u/Ghostray_325.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/lostarkgame/comments/sii5df/weekly_gold_reward/
You can also do repeatable content on multiple characters for resources, and a lot of the loot from raids is tradeable. Also, as mentioned later, you can sell engravings you don’t need.
Make sure to keep small stashes of gold to list items on the market. The gold will refund itself if the items you list don’t sell, so don’t worry about “wasting” it in that sense.
OTHER SUBSYSTEMS
What are lifeskills?
Gathering. You’re limited to how often you can do it. Can choose not to do it, but probably should. Here’s a good video on it from Saintone.
What are estates?
They are called Strongholds in this version. Basically, think player housing with mission tables like WoW. A better Garrison is a good way of putting it. This is worth investing into, and you don’t have to overthink it. Spend 5 minutes a day on this and just start up the long missions (though early on, you can do the ones that benefit alts like reducing mat requirements and so on.) Below is a good video on this.
Do note if you don't wish to go out and spend your limited lifeskill points in the overworld, you can do it in your estate. Make sure to lock your estate so others don't rummage through your resources.
I’m collecting cards, but I don’t like minigames.
It’s just another horizontal progression feature. When starting out, don’t overthink this (seeing a trend?). Just make sure to read them. If you want to aim for any sets, a good beginner deck is the Borea castle deck. Once again, relevant video below.
Can I enjoy endgame without dealing with convoluted subsystems? Engravings are a headache.
It’s not as bad as it appears on the surface, but certainly the most complicated subsystem in the game so we’ve left it for last. Long story short is engravings are ways to augment your right side gear by getting points into them (5 at level one, 10 at level two, and 15 at level 3). You begin by acquiring seal books, and there’s resources listed below to help find what engravings are good for your class. You can also buy these off the market and sell the ones you don’t need, earning them off various activities in the game.
The books have a rarity system, and you’ll want to read them in order (green>blue>purple etc). Do not use your engraving books right away until you know what you’re doing.
Aim to capitalize on all the positive effects with none of the negative ones. You’ll start out with a stone that has 2 engravings. You can cut the stone to “sculpt” the best possible one for you. After that, start on the neck, and so on.
Usually class engravings are really good. There’s universally good ones by role as well like Grudge being typically strong for DPS and Heavy Armor, Spirit Absorption, and Specialist being good for Support.
Before we wrap up, any “tech” I should be made aware of?
Lost Ark isn’t a very gimmicky game. It allows a ton of skill expression in terms of maintaining uptime, learning your rotation, and resolving the game’s complex mechanics. One tech that you must learn though are counterskills, of which the timing and execution vary between classes.
Here’s an excellent video on it -
