Aion 2 stigma slots open at level 22 and you get 4 in total on Global. This page covers slot levels, shard costs and sources, specializations and the stigmas top players pick. NC has published no official stigma table, so every number below comes from the Global client data or from community write-ups, and we label each one.
Aion 2 stigma slots and unlock
| Slot | Opens at level |
|---|---|
| Slot 1 | 22 |
| Slot 2 | 27 |
| Slot 3 | 32 |
| Slot 4 | 37 |
Observed Source There are no more slots after level 37. MetaBot and Wikily both read the Global client. Game8 and DaevaGuides are independent write-ups and agree.
- Every class has 13 stigma skills (104 across 8 classes). They sit in a separate Stigma tab of the Skills window, apart from the 22 regular skills.
- To unlock stigmas you need character level 22 and the third Ascension. The quest is "The One Who Hears the Voice" (same name for Elyos and Asmodians, recommended level 22). It also opens the Pantheon feature.
- The third Ascension reward gives new wings and 1 Stigma Shard, exactly enough for stigma level 1.
- A stigma only works once registered to a Stigma quickslot (default labels Quick Use 9 to 12). You cannot equip or swap a stigma in combat, and you cannot change skill presets while one is on cooldown.
- Stigmas get no extra levels from Daevanion nodes. See the Daevanion guide. Arcana skill pools also exclude them.
- Do not confuse stigma slots with specialization slots on regular skills, which open at skill levels 8, 12 and 20.
Stigma shard costs
Stigma levels 1 to 20 are paid in Stigma Shard points. The price curve is the same for all 104 stigmas.
| Stigma levels | Points per level | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 5 | 1 | 5 |
| 6 to 10 | 2 | 15 |
| 11 to 15 | 4 | 35 |
| 16 to 20 | 8 | 75 |
Client-data Source One stigma at level 20 costs 75 points. Four stigmas at level 20 cost 300. DaevaGuides and Gamers Together give the same 75, so the cost is Observed in practice, with MetaBot as the client-data origin.
- Levels 1 to 5 are cheap (5 points) and unlock the first specialization.
- Resetting a stigma refunds its shard points. The reset has its own cost, and the Global amount is not published.
How to get stigma shards
| Character level | Points gained | Total so far |
|---|---|---|
| 23 to 39 | 1 per level | 5 at L27, 10 at L32, 15 at L37 |
| 40 to 45 | 2 per level | 19 at L40, 29 at L45 |
Client-data Source With the Ascension reward that is about 30 points by level 45. That covers four stigmas at level 5 and one at level 10.
| Source | Cost or limit |
|---|---|
| Abyss Shop | 4 price steps: 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000 Abyss Points. 50 shards per step per character. |
| Nightmare Shop | 1,500 Phantasmal Fragments each, limit 35 per character. |
| Shugo Festival Shop | 300 Centuryroot Tokens each, limit 35 per character. |
| Special Growth Voucher: Stigma Shard (Bound) | Raises your total shard points to 180. Does nothing if you already have more. Level-up points count separately. |
| Achievements | 2 shards per milestone. |
| Arena and battlefield trade shops, battle pass | Listed as sources, no rates. |
| Unstable Stigma Shard (Bound) | Convert via Substance Morph. Found in normal and hard party dungeon rewards and some treasure boxes. |
The in-game guide text also says shards can come from Regional quests. See the leveling guide for how the first 29 points arrive.
Specializations and stigma level cap
Each stigma has four specializations. They unlock on their own at stigma levels 5, 10, 15 and 20, and you cannot hand-pick them. Example: Gladiator Wrath Wave gets +20% damage with more targets, then -20% Attack for 5 seconds, then 1 extra hit, then +25% Knockdown chance.
Every class has one Assault stigma on a 120 second cooldown. It hits up to 4 targets and raises Defense by up to 20% depending on targets hit.
| Item | MetaBot (client) says | DaevaGuides says |
|---|---|---|
| Cap | Skill pages show levels to 25, but only levels 1 to 20 are priced. Past 20 needs Superior Stigma Shard (Bound), 1 per stigma at launch. | Season 1 cap is 20. |
Treat 20 as the working cap in Season 1.
Best stigma per class: what top players pick
This is popularity, not a ranking. MetaBot sampled about 150 top level-45 players per class on 3 October 2026. The four picks follow the slot order 22, 27, 32, 37 and the percent is how many players used each. Pick rates will drift as the meta settles. Read your class page and the tier list before you commit shards.
| Class | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 | Slot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladiator | Zikel's Blessing (91%) | Lunge Stance (91%) | Lifestealing Blade (42%) | Rage Burst (73%) |
| Templar | Taunt (76%) | Empyrean Lord's Punishment (67%) | Battlefield Banner (65%) | Doom Shield (61%) |
| Assassin | Illusive Clone (95%) | Swift Contract (90%) | Savage Fang (77%) | Triniel's Dagger (71%) |
| Ranger | Vaizel's Authority (93%) | Bow of Blessing (87%) | Supporting Fire (75%) | Griffon Arrow (60%) |
| Sorcerer | Element Enhancement (93%) | Delayed Explosion (83%) | Fire Wall (76%) | Cold Storm (43%) |
| Spiritmaster | Summon: Ancient Spirit (96%) | Enhance: Spirit's Benediction (95%) | Jointstrike: Corrode (83%) | Flame Blessing (74%) |
| Cleric | Light of Protection (87%) | Noble Aura (79%) | Earth Punishment (65%) | Summon Resurrection (64%) |
| Chanter | Undefeated Mantra (99%) | Sprint Mantra (95%) | Power of the Storm (65%) | Marchutan's Wrath (47%) |
Client-data Source The first pick listed is also the level-first pick for that class.
Cleric Light of Protection and Chanter Undefeated Mantra (+10.5% PvE damage boost and tolerance) do not stack. The higher level applies, and Mantra wins ties. Client-data Source
Skills and stigmas carry over in a server transfer.
Not confirmed yet
These points have no reliable Global source yet. Do not plan around them.
- No official NC page for slot levels, shard prices or the level cap. An in-game check on Global is still needed.
- Whether stigma levels 21 to 25 are reachable in Season 1, and how many Superior Stigma Shards exist.
- The Global reset cost per stigma point.
- Whether the Abyss Shop shard limit is 4 steps of 50 per character (MetaBot) or unlimited (one report cited by DaevaGuides).
- Shards from levels by level 45: MetaBot and Wikily count 29 (about 30 with the Ascension reward). One creator counted 24 to 25.
- Whether the Daeva Pass pays Stigma Shards. NC's pass notice does not show them.
- Game8 says shards come mainly from Ascension quest level-ups and Trade Shops, with no costs. Unverified.
- The class pick sample is a single day (3 October 2026) and will drift.
Related guides and tools
Aion 2 stigma slots, shards and best picks FAQ
How many stigma slots does Aion 2 Global have?
4. They open at character levels 22, 27, 32 and 37. There are no more after level 37.
At what level do stigmas unlock?
Level 22, together with the third Ascension quest, The One Who Hears the Voice.
How many shards do I need to level a stigma to 20?
75 Stigma Shard points. The cost is 1 per level for levels 1 to 5, 2 for 6 to 10, 4 for 11 to 15 and 8 for 16 to 20.
How do I get stigma shards?
From level-ups (1 point per level from 23, 2 per level from 40 to 45), the Abyss Shop, the Nightmare and Shugo Festival shops, achievements, the battle pass, and Unstable Stigma Shards converted by Substance Morph.
How many stigmas does a class have?
13 per class. You equip 4 at a time.
Can I reset my stigmas?
Yes. Shards are refunded. A reset cost exists, but the Global amount is not published.
Do stigmas transfer with the character?
Yes. NC lists Skills and Stigmas as transferring in a Server Transfer.
Why do some guides say 6 slots?
Those describe the Korea and Taiwan versions, which have 6 slots. Global has 4.