How to start playing Lineage 2 Essence — a beginner's guide
Lineage 2 Essence is the same Lineage 2, but without long class transfer quests, with auto-hunting and a fast start: in your first evening you can reach Lv. 40 and the second class transfer. Below is what to do in the first hours so you don't waste time.
First steps
- Choose a class by role, not by picture In Essence, each race starts with its starting class and changes profession at levels 20 and 40 right in the character window, without quests; the third profession comes at level 76. See what comes of it in the guide which class to choose and in the classes section.
- Turn on auto-hunt right away The auto-battle button (the icon next to the skill bar) makes the character pick targets, attack, and use skills and potions from the set slots on its own. Set up: auto-attack, 2–3 skills, HP potions and soulshots — and the character levels while you read the guide.
- Take buffs from the Adventurer Guide Every town has NPC, who buffs characters for free up to a certain level — at the start this doubles leveling speed. Check the buffs every 20 minutes or set auto-repeat.
- Do the starting quests and missions Quests in the starting zones give the first levels, soulshots, potions and equipment. Daily missions (the mission window) are the main source of rewards after level 20.
- Do not hoard junk You need adena for soulshots, potions and the first equipment; sell everything you do not wear NPC or through the shop.
Where to level in the first hours
Starting zones of all races and the first Lv. 1–19 locations (the recommended level is shown by the game itself):
- Basic Training Zone — Lv. 2–15
- Lands of Light — Lv. 2–20
- Forgotten Snowlands — Lv. 2–20
- Hill of Hope — Lv. 2–15
- 1st Training Grounds — Lv. 2–15
- Quiet Plain — Lv. 2–15
- Valley of Heroes — Lv. 5–10. The area between Pa'agrio Temple and the Orc Village. It also serves as a place of spirit worship.
- Talking Island (west) — Lv. 8–19. The western side of Talking Island. This is its mountainous, wooded part, where the Elven Ruins are located.
Next — follow the plan leveling in Essence by level: zones, quests and class transfer at every stage.
What's important to know in Essence
- No profession quests Class changes at 20, 40 and 76 are done through the character window. The freed-up time goes into leveling.
- Equipment by grade Weapons and armor are divided into grades D, C, B, A, S and higher; each grade has sets with bonuses. Switch to a new grade when you can wear the whole set.
- Zones with a recommended level Every hunting zone has a level range in which monsters give normal experience and are not too dangerous. Full list: Essence hunting zones.
- Raid bosses by level The first bosses are available at levels 20–30 in a party; the list with levels and zones is in the raid bosses section.
- Check the drop on the site Each monster page shows what it drops, and each item page shows who drops it. Handy when you need a specific crafting resource.
