Arcane Lineage Class Tier List

This class tier list answers the weapon-shop question: which Base Class should you buy at level 5 if you want the run to last. Super Class names sit in parentheses so you can see the fork without pretending you already have it. For the later rank-up, open the Super Class list. For skills, open the roster.

Ranks assume Hard mode Trials active, a party of at least two, and a player who has read the combat guide once. Rankings reflect the September 2026 Dark and Light rebalance that shifted the Super Class meta significantly.

S — the September 2026 winners

Martial Artist (Monk / Darkwraith). Cestus damage, better blocks, and a kit that still works when you Guard a slam you have never seen. Monk holds its position as the holy fork after the rebalance; Darkwraith remains the selfish high-ceiling option.

Warrior (Berserker / Paladin). Sword passives, a stun chance on Pommel Strike, and Double Slash when you need a simple turn. Berserker took nerfs to its one-turn mega attack but still delivers explosive damage with smart HP management. Paladin remains the party anchor.

Slayer (Impaler / Saint). Serpent Strike poison plus triple hit. Swift Fighter rewards people who already dodge. After the Dark and Light rebalance, Impaler climbed to S tier — poison and holes make it one of the strongest damage dealers in the current meta. Saint remains indispensable as the sole healer.

A — solid performers after the rebalance

Wizard (Necromancer / Elementalist). Magic Missile is a second minigame. Scholar Training lets you use scrolls. Coward makes you a worse tank and a better backliner. Necromancer received significant buffs from the Dark and Light update — new summoner gear like headband and golem rune core pushed it up considerably. Elementalist keeps its robust 15% bonus damage from Master and the flexibility to mix and match gear.

Thief (Assassin / Rogue). Bleed, blind, extra gold, faster run. Pocket Sand is a party button. Assassin took notable nerfs to its damage-over-time builds, especially against certain boss types. Rogue remains primarily a farming class with little combat effectiveness outside aesthetics.

B — the September 2026 losers

Ranger (Orderly Westwood). Recent buffs improved Ranger’s stats and synergy with new gear changes. Ranger now offers reliable performance for ranged combat enthusiasts. Not a town starter — requires dagger Base Class then Orkin trainer by target range.

Why tier lists move

The Dark and Light September 2026 rebalance shook the Super Class meta hard. Impaler moved up because gear combos and consistent damage output kept it strong even after fixes. Necromancer climbed because summoner gear finally got the support it needed. Assassin dropped because DOT builds that relied on it changed.

If your Berserker solos content we called party-only, you are the sample, not the median. Publish a vod, not a comment. We retune after updates, not after one clip.

Meanwhile, buy the weapon, talk to the trainer, and take Daze. Tier letters do not dodge for you.