Best PvE Class in Lost Ark 2025: Meta Guide, Builds & Tier List

PvE content in Lost Ark continues to evolve in 2025 with new Legion Raids, Abyssal Dungeons, and gear progression systems. For both new and veteran players, choosing the right class for PvE is critical to success in endgame content. This guide outlines the best PvE classes in Lost Ark 2025, based on tier rankings, raid utility, damage output, survivability, and community consensus.

Whether you’re grinding through chaos dungeons, clearing Guardian raids, or competing in top-tier Legion raids, this updated Lost Ark PvE tier list 2025 will help you find the right class and PvE build.

S-Tier PvE Classes: Top Choices for Raids & Dungeons

Paladin – Raid Essential Support

Role: Support

Why S-Tier: Paladins are unmatched in providing shields, healing, and attack buffs in PvE. Their utility is crucial in every Legion raid and Abyssal dungeon.

Strengths:

• Strong stagger and weak point support

• Reliable AoE heals and mitigation

• Easy to learn for new support players

Recommended PvE Build:

• Stats: Swiftness / Specialization

• Engravings: Blessed Aura, Awakening, Heavy Armor

• Tripods: Holy Protection, Heavenly Blessings, Godsent Law

Bard – High Utility Support

Role: Support

Why S-Tier: Bard provides healing, attack power buffs, and excellent identity meter generation. Slightly more complex than Paladin but incredibly valuable.

Strengths:

• Highest raw healing output

• AoE shielding and AP buffs

• Required in many speed-clear raids

Recommended PvE Build:

• Stats: Swiftness / Specialization

• Engravings: Desperate Salvation, Expert, Awakening

• Tripods: Wind of Music, Sonic Vibration, Guardian Tune

Arcanist – DPS Ace (Emperor/Empress Builds)

Role: Ranged DPS

Why S-Tier: Arcanist’s skill expression and consistent damage have placed her at the top of recent raid charts. She excels in burst phases and has strong AoE.

Strengths:

• Incredible synergy with supports

• Fast card generation

• Versatile for Chaos and Legion content

Recommended PvE Build:

• Stats: Crit / Specialization (Emperor) or Swiftness (Empress)

• Engravings: Emperor’s Edict or Empress’s Grace, Adrenaline, Grudge

• Tripods: Celestial Rain, Return, Secret Garden

Artillerist – Tanky AoE Powerhouse

Role: Ranged DPS

Why S-Tier: Known for massive AoE and excellent survivability, Artillerist shines in both solo and group PvE, especially in Chaos and boss-heavy raids.

Strengths:

• Top-tier stagger and destruction

• Long-lasting turret uptime

• Good synergy with Paladin/Bard

Recommended PvE Build:

• Stats: Swiftness / Specialization

• Engravings: Firepower Enhancement, Barrage Enhancement, Grudge

• Tripods: Air Raid, Flamethrower, Multiple Rocket Launcher

Deathblade – Agile Raid DPS

Role: Melee DPS

Why S-Tier: High uptime, mobility, and frequent burst windows make Deathblade a favorite among speed-clear raid comps.

Strengths:

• Excellent orb identity uptime

• Reliable AoE for mob packs

• Engages and disengages easily

Recommended PvE Build:

• Stats: Crit / Swiftness

• Engravings: Remaining Energy, Ambush Master, Grudge

• Tripods: Blitz Rush, Spincutter, Moonlight Sonic

Sorceress – Burst Mage

Role: Ranged DPS

Why S-Tier: Despite recent nerfs, Sorceress maintains top-tier burst potential in Legion Raids and excels in dealing AoE and single-target damage.

Strengths:

• Massive AoE clears

• High damage during synergy windows

• Scales well with group support

Recommended PvE Build:

• Stats: Crit / Specialization

• Engravings: Igniter, Grudge, Precise Dagger

• Tripods: Doomsday, Punishing Strike, Explosion

Summoner – Zone Control Queen

Role: Ranged Pet DPS

Why S-Tier: Dominant in AoE scenarios and great for newer players, Summoner excels in both mob clearing and raid support roles.

Strengths:

• Flexible pet control

• Consistent DPS in movement phases

• Good synergy with support buffs

Recommended PvE Build:

• Stats: Specialization / Crit

• Engravings: Master Summoner, Keen Blunt Weapon, Grudge

• Tripods: Sticky Moss Swamp, Pauru, Ancient Spear

A-Tier PvE Classes: Strong Picks with Niche Utility

These classes are powerful in experienced hands or situational encounters.

• Berserker – High burst but lacks uptime vs mobile bosses

• Gunlancer – Exceptional stagger and shielding but low damage

• Destroyer – Big-hitting but slow animations require timing

• Reaper – High risk, high reward melee burst class

• Sharpshooter – Buffed in 2025, viable ranged option

• Striker – Fast melee with combo chains, good raid uptime

• Machinist – Solid DPS with transformation utility

Lost Ark PvE Class Comparison Chart

How to Choose the Best PvE Class for You

Choosing the right class depends on your preferred role, mechanical skill, and content focus.

• New players: Paladin, Summoner

• Solo Chaos/Dungeons: Artillerist, Sorceress

• Raids: Arcanist, Bard, Deathblade

• Group synergy: Paladin, Bard, Summoner

• High mechanics: Reaper, Arcanist

Lost Ark PvE Builds 2025: Optimized Examples

Paladin Support Build

• Stats: Swiftness / Specialization

• Engravings: Blessed Aura, Awakening

• Combo: Godsent Law > Holy Protection > Wrath of God

Arcanist (Empress) Build

• Stats: Crit / Swiftness

• Engravings: Empress’s Grace, Grudge, Adrenaline

• Rotation: Return > Celestial Rain > Secret Garden

Artillerist Build

• Stats: Swiftness / Specialization

• Engravings: Firepower Enhancement, Grudge

• Combo: Air Raid > Napalm Shot > Homing Barrage

Patch Forecast & PvE Meta Outlook

As of June 2025:

• Gunlancer buffs likely in July—focus on improved uptime and raid shielding

• Sorceress received minor AoE nerfs in May but still holds her ground

• Summoner may receive identity tweaks to improve PvE rotation

• Reaper usage increasing in top Korean PvE comps

We expect more raid-specific buffs and reworks as the next Legion content launches this summer.

Conclusion

For PvE in Lost Ark 2025, Paladin, Bard, Arcanist, Artillerist, Deathblade, Sorceress, and Summoner define the S-tier landscape. These classes offer the best combination of raid utility, damage consistency, and group synergy. While A-tier options remain strong in the right hands, sticking with a top-tier class can smooth your PvE progression and make content farming more efficient.

Experiment, refine your builds, and keep an eye on upcoming balance changes to stay at the top of the Lost Ark PvE meta.