Aion 2 class starter overview

What the data can and cannot tell you

Official-sample 2026-10-18

Each class has the same number of sampled characters, so none of the shares below is a popularity figure. The class summary itself says that equal samples mean the data shows relative strength among high-power characters, not how many people play a class. We also read only the first result pages of the character search, so even the sample is not random.

Combat power is the number NC shows on the character page. Its formula is not published, so it is a good way to compare characters of the same class and a weaker way to compare classes. Where we compare classes, treat small gaps as noise.

Combat power by class

Official-sample 2026-10-18

The pool column covers every level 45 character of the class that we could read (about 399 per class). The top group column covers the 200 strongest of them, which is the group the rest of our data describes.

Official-sample 2026-10-18 Sample: n=1,600 characters (top 200 per class), sampled 2026-10-18. The pool is larger than the top group.

Cleric has the highest top group median (67,128) and Templar has the lowest (63,610). The spread between them is 6% of the lower figure. For the whole pool, Cleric leads at 59,383 and Templar trails at 51,619.

Who supplies the strongest characters

Official-sample 2026-10-18

Our class summary also asks a different question: if you pool all classes and take the highest combat power characters, how many come from each class? Because every class contributes the same number of candidates, the answer reads as relative strength at the top end. The table gives the share among the top 100 and top 1,000 characters, and the ratio of the top group median to the pool median.

Official-sample 2026-10-18 An equal split would be one eighth of each. Read it as relative strength, not popularity.

Gladiator and Chanter share the largest share of the top 100 (18%) and Templar and Ranger share the smallest (8%). The top 100 is a small slice, so its shares move more than the top 1,000, where the range is 10.1% to 14.3%. Gladiator, Assassin and Spiritmaster share the biggest gap between their top group and their pool (1.3 times), which suggests the strongest players there are further ahead of the typical player than in Chanter and Cleric (1.1 times).

Gear demands at the top

Official-sample 2026-10-18

Every class wears a class-bound main hand and shared armor, so gear demand shows up mostly as enchant level. The table gives each class's main hand median enchant, its average armor median and the average share of Daevanion boards opened.

Official-sample 2026-10-18 Daevanion openness is the class average of the share of board nodes open.

All eight classes sit at the same main hand median enchant, +10. Across all classes the pooled main hand median is +10. The spread is small, so no class is clearly cheaper to gear in this data. For the stones and rules see the enchanting guide, and for where each slot is filled from see the gear progression route. The Daevanion guide explains the boards.

Stigma norms by class

Official-sample 2026-10-18

We looked at how many Stigma slots strong characters have filled, and which Stigma is most equipped. The Stigma guide explains how they work.

Official-sample 2026-10-18

Every class most often has 4 Stigma slots filled, and the share of characters with four or more filled ranges from 70% to 92%. That is a good target for a level 45 character: fill the slots first, then optimise the choice.

Class by class starter notes

Official-sample 2026-10-18

Each note comes from the tables above and links to the pages that go deeper.

Gladiator uses a greatsword, and Spiritforged Greatsword is its most worn main hand. The median level 45 Gladiator in the readable pool has 52,347 combat power, and the median in the analysed top group is 65,892. 4 Stigma slots is the most common setup (76%), led by Rage Burst. Read the Gladiator build, the PvP build and the skill list next.

Templar uses a longsword, and Spiritforged Longsword is its most worn main hand. The median level 45 Templar in the readable pool has 51,619 combat power, and the median in the analysed top group is 63,610. 4 Stigma slots is the most common setup (86%), led by Doom Shield. Read the Templar build, the PvP build and the skill list next.

Assassin uses a dagger, and Spiritforged Dagger is its most worn main hand. The median level 45 Assassin in the readable pool has 53,209 combat power, and the median in the analysed top group is 66,626. 4 Stigma slots is the most common setup (78%), led by Illusive Clone. Read the Assassin build, the PvP build and the skill list next.

Ranger uses a bow, and Spiritforged Bow is its most worn main hand. The median level 45 Ranger in the readable pool has 55,110 combat power, and the median in the analysed top group is 66,941. 4 Stigma slots is the most common setup (68%), led by Vaizel's Authority. Read the Ranger build, the PvP build and the skill list next.

Chanter uses a staff, and Spiritforged Staff is its most worn main hand. The median level 45 Chanter in the readable pool has 56,723 combat power, and the median in the analysed top group is 65,002. 4 Stigma slots is the most common setup (79%), led by Undefeated Mantra. Read the Chanter build, the PvP build and the skill list next.

Cleric uses a mace, and Spiritforged Mace is its most worn main hand. The median level 45 Cleric in the readable pool has 59,383 combat power, and the median in the analysed top group is 67,128. 4 Stigma slots is the most common setup (90%), led by Light of Protection. Read the Cleric build, the PvP build and the skill list next.

Sorcerer uses a spellbook, and Spiritforged Spellbook is its most worn main hand. The median level 45 Sorcerer in the readable pool has 55,566 combat power, and the median in the analysed top group is 66,837. 4 Stigma slots is the most common setup (79%), led by Element Enhancement. Read the Sorcerer build, the PvP build and the skill list next.

Spiritmaster uses a orb, and Spiritforged Orb is its most worn main hand. The median level 45 Spiritmaster in the readable pool has 51,782 combat power, and the median in the analysed top group is 66,103. 4 Stigma slots is the most common setup (82%), led by Enhance: Spirit's Benediction. Read the Spiritmaster build, the PvP build and the skill list next.

How to choose (editorial)

Editorial 2026-10-19

• Pick the class you enjoy. The top group medians differ by 6% between the highest and lowest class, which is narrow.
• Do not read share of the top 100 as a verdict. Gladiator and Chanter lead and Templar and Ranger trail, but the slice is small.
• Compare gear work across classes. The spread is small, so expect similar work.
• Check weapon type. The most worn main hands come in these types: Greatsword, Longsword, Dagger, Bow, Staff, Mace, Spellbook and Orb. Try one in play if you can.
• Then read the class page. Start with the class list and the builds index.

After you choose, follow the beginner guide for the first days, the leveling guide for the route, and first gear setup once you are level 45. Weapons are covered in weapon choices by class.

Not confirmed yet

These points have no reliable Global source yet. Do not plan around them.

• The combat power formula, so cross-class comparisons are rough.
• How many people play each class. Our samples are equal per class by design.
• Which class is easiest to learn, because no data measures playstyle.
• Whether the strongest characters of each class use the same builds that suit new players.
• How classes change with future patches. These numbers refresh daily and can move.

Related guides and tools

• All classes
• Class builds
• Tier list
• Beginner guide
• Best class for solo
• Class stats

Aion 2 class starter overview FAQ