How Does Character Progression Work in ArcheAge Chronicles Early Access?

ArcheAge Chronicles entered Early Access on Steam on November 3, with Early Access period expected to last 9–12 months. Regular updates will be released throughout this period.

This game is significantly different from its predecessor, ArcheAge. Not only does it feature more detailed graphics, but its gameplay has also undergone substantial changes. If you are new to Auroria, here are some essential things you should know before getting started.

Classes and Weapons

ArcheAge Chronicles currently features four classes and eight weapons during Early Access. Each class has access to two weapons, and every weapon comes with its own Trait Tree. Weapons determine more than just your character's appearance. They also define your combat style, available skills, and how you approach different enemies.

• Warrior: Uses Longsword and Greatsword.
• Ranger: Uses Longbow and Hatchet.
• Berserker: Uses Axe and Shield or Warhammer.
• Mage: UsesElemental Staff and Wave Sword.

Each class can equip both of its available weapons simultaneously and switch between them at any time. Since every weapon has its own skills, combos, and animations, switching weapons essentially gives you an entirely different combat style, allowing you to adapt to changing combat situations.

The current four classes are only the starting point. According to the development roadmap, the full version will introduce a third weapon for each class, further expanding combat styles and build diversity.

Quests, discoveries, and Points of Interest provide most of your experience. Repeatedly killing random monsters is not necessarily the most efficient way to level up.

You should prioritize main quests to progress through the world and unlock new content. Along the way, complete nearby side activities and discoveries whenever possible instead of making separate trips for the same rewards.

Pay attention to NPC dialogue and environmental hints. Not every interesting activity comes with a conventional quest marker, and some discoveries can lead you to hidden objectives and rewards.

When entering a new area, take a moment to look around. If there are nearby ruins, collectibles, chests, or other worthwhile Points of Interest, try to clear them before moving on.

Additionally, killing monsters in PvP channels reportedly provides around 10%–15% bonus experience in the current Early Access version. However, since monster kills are not the primary source of experience anyway, and you may encounter hostile players in PvP channels, this does not automatically make them the fastest leveling option.

Exploration Rewards

Exploration is a natural way to strengthen your character as you progress through the world. There are many Points of Interest that provide direct character upgrades. For example, Nui Tears can be handed in at a Nui Statue to increase your maximum health.

Chests may contain equipment, crafting materials, ArcheAge Chronicles gold, and rare crafting recipes. Even if another player has already opened a chest, you can still claim your own rewards. However, each character can only open it once.

Hersander's Tower presents puzzles that require you to find specific items. Finding the correct offering within the area rewards you with a unique accessory and unlocks Hereafter Challenge, a timed encounter against an empowered boss.

Field Bosses can drop equipment, accessories, and special crafting materials that ordinary monsters may not provide. If your character is strong enough or you can team up with other players, these bosses are well worth challenging.

Traits

The Trait system is one of the more interesting aspects of character progression, as it has a major impact on how you play your class. Unlike attribute points, Trait Points are not earned through leveling up.

Instead, you need to find Raven's Callstones scattered throughout the world. These stones are usually guarded by powerful enemies or bosses. Some can be discovered naturally while exploring, while others are hidden or tied to specific quests.

After defeating the enemy guarding a Callstone, you can interact with it to obtain Trait Points and invest them in your Weapon Trait Tree.

Every weapon has its own unique Trait Tree. For example, Warrior's Longsword and Greatsword have completely different trees.

These trees contain minor passive bonuses, new skills, and skill upgrades. Some upgrades can even change the visual appearance, damage, or other effects of existing abilities. Since Trait Trees branch into different paths, you can develop your character around your preferred playstyle.

As a result, even players using the same class and weapon can have noticeably different combat styles and gameplay experiences depending on how they allocate their Trait Points.

Tempering

While finding better equipment is one way to improve your character, the Tempering system allows you to strengthen your existing weapons and armor by improving their stats without immediately replacing them.

To temper your equipment, visit a Blacksmith, select the item you want to upgrade, and use Tempering Stones, the required materials, and gold to complete the process.

Tempering materials can be obtained through regular gameplay, and some World Bosses also provide opportunities to collect them. In the current Early Access version, Throne of Hidden Dungeon is a good farming location where you can collect both Weapon and Armor Tempering Stones.

Tempering is not guaranteed to succeed. The first upgrade appears to have a 100% success rate, but the success chance decreases as you continue tempering the same equipment.

However, a regular failure will not destroy your equipment. Your enhancement level remains unchanged, but each attempt still consumes the required Tempering Stones and gold.

Crafting

Crafting provides another way to improve your equipment, although the selection of craftable weapons is currently quite limited. This system may be expanded further in future updates.

Crafted weapons are extremely powerful. Although they may fall slightly short of equipment dropped by Dungeon Bosses, their damage output is better than that of most other weapons, making them well worth crafting.

Although ArcheAge Chronicles is an MMORPG, the development team's goal is to make the solo experience just as enjoyable as playing in a group. As a result, mandatory social elements from the original game, such as large-scale PvP and territory conquest, have been removed. If this type of gameplay appeals to you, ArcheAge Chronicles is definitely worth trying.