Lost Ark flaunts quite a few classic MMORPG classes, but also features some new and unique classes for players to enjoy throughout their gaming journey. The Wardancer class is one of these special types, dancing her way onto the battlefield with a flurry with epic punches and twisting kicks. But, it will take some time before you see the Wardancer’s true potential.
Wardancer Class Overview
The Wardancer is an advanced class within the Martial Artist main class and is a fantastic choice for any player who loves epic combo moves and miraculously lethal stunts. She is a high mobility class, equipped with a range of hard-hitting attacks that deal consistent damage over time rather than massive damage all at once.
While she may be more feeble and weak compared to other classes, her high mobility means she can often dodge incoming attacks. Create two setups for you to switch between as you level up, and try to create a build for Chaos Dungeons and Cube as well as a build for Raids after you hit level 50.
Wardancer Abilities
It’s important to note that the Wardancer is almost identical to the Striker class in many ways, as she is a sort of female variation. But, there are quite a few differences to note throughout gameplay, many of which concern her abilities and skills.
She inflicts some great back attacks and has quick movement speed, which makes for a really exciting gameplay experience for those who love Lost Ark‘s combat mechanics. The Wardancer also offers some great advantages to parties as well, as she buffs and boosts allies’ mobility.
This class does lack AoE damage and skills overall, but she makes up for it with her high mobility and other attacks. Her single target attacks can do wonders with the right approaches and playstyles.
The main challenge when playing with the Wardancer class is the fact that her effectiveness relies on landing perfect combos – which is quite skill intensive. Players need to learn how to manage the Wardancer’s cooldowns to ensure consistent damage and mastery over each skill.
Wardancer Identity Skill
The Wardancer‘s Identity gauge uses Esoteric Orbs, and striking enemies with normal attacks will fill these orbs over time. Unlike other classes that unleash an empowered force or go into a temporary enhanced state once their gauge is filled, the Wardancer class can expend orbs to cast Esoteric skills.
When viewing the Wardancer’s skills, you will see that casting some skills will cost a certain amount of Esoteric Orbs. These skills may be referred to as ‘spenders’ by Lost Ark players, and they are far more powerful than normal Wardancer skills.
The Wardancer relies on punchy combos and mobility, and her skills are Back Attacks which will demand more precise positioning, although an accurate attack has the potential to inflict some catastrophic damage. So, managing the mechanics of these attacks will take some practice and patience.
Wardancer Awakening Skill
It will take some time and solid Lost Ark grinding before you can unlock the Wardancer‘s Awakening skills. You will first need to complete the Main Questline until you reach Vern city, after which you will meet Beatrice who will ask you to visit her in Trixion.
Below are the Wardancer Awakening skills and how you can choose which Awakening skill would be best for your preferred Wardancer build:
Fist of Dominance
This Awakening Skill will cause the Wardancer to fly around, unleashing 6 strikes followed by an explosive strike. Incoming damage is also reduced by 80% while the attack is active. Using this build is the most popular setup for the Wardancer at the moment.
Flash Rage Blow
This Awakening Skill will cause the Wardancer to dash forward, charge up, and release a massive shockwave. This is less popular for the Wardancer’s best build, as although it can be useful, standing still to charge up without any protective effects can be understandably dangerous in most cases.
Wardancer Leveling Guide
When it comes to leveling up the Wardancer class in Lost Ark, the entire process can be somewhat straightforward and fast. While she lacks AoE that would typically speed up leveling through defeating mobs quickly in general, she has relatively low cooldown times on mobility skills that actually speed up traverse time.
Gear & Combat Stats
Focus on equipping the highest item level gear possible throughout the leveling process. Also, focus on Swiftness for even more movement speed (especially if you choose the First Intention Awakening Skill), as well as reduced casting time and faster skill cooldowns.
Prioritize the Crit and Specialization Combat Stats, as this will increase the Wardancer’s overall damage and clear speed. Since the Wardancer will take longer to clear out mobs at lower levels, these stats will be crucial for increasing the speed of the entire leveling process.
Best Class Engravings
Unlocking the Wardancer’s Class Engravings will take some time and gameplay, but they’ll be incredibly valuable in the endgame. Below are the Wardancer’s Class Engravings as well as their uses:
Esoteric Skill Enhancement
This Class Engraving will increase the maximum number of Esoteric Orbs to 4 and will increase the amount of damage dealt based on how many Esoteric Orbs are available for use. This build would be better suited to players who want their Wardancer to unleash massive bursts of damage using Esoteric Skills.
First Intention
This Class Engraving will disable the Esoteric Orb gauge. But, it will also significantly increase the amount of outgoing damage overall. This build would set the Wardancer’s Esoteric Skills aside, opting to take advantage of maximized normal attack rotations for consistent damage.
Both Class Engravings would be ideal throughout the leveling process, as well as within endgame encounters. The preference is 50/50 here, depending on your preferred playstyle, but players will need to ensure that their gear setup is aligned properly.
Generic Engravings
Generic Engravings can be acquired from Engraving Books, or from items such as necklaces, rings, or earrings. The Wardancer’s most suitable generic Engravings will depend on your playstyle as all of them may have certain pros and cons.
Below are the most useful generic Engravings for the Wardancer class:
- Master of Ambush: Increases Back Attack damage, which is indispensable for Wardancer.
- Raid Captain: Increases damage based on movement speed, complimenting the Wardancer’s Wind’s Whisper skill.
- Grudge: Increases all outgoing and incoming damage. It’s super powerful when maxed since the incoming damage increase is flat across all levels.
Continue The Main Story
Continuing the Main Questline will be the best way to get levels as quickly as possible in Lost Ark. You will have to face a ton of enemies and mobs along the way, which will reward you with some great XP.
In addition to the XP gained from enemy encounters, players can expect to receive some bonus XP for each quest after it’s completed. Completing the Main Questline is also vital for unlocking the Wardancer’s most powerful skills, as well as gaining access to some awesome in-game activities.
Skill Point Allocation
Allocate Skill Points to gain Tripods for the Wardancer’s most effective skills, depending on where you’re at in the game. You’ll be able to switch out skills as needed based on the needs of the encounter or the needs of your team.
Below are the most notable Skill Tripods for the Wardancer class, as well as how to manage them as you grind towards level 50:
- Level 12: Lightning Kick and Triple Fist (4 points each) for damage.
- Level 20-21: Moon Flash Kick (20 points) for damage and gap closer; Sleeping Ascent Celebration (20 points) for mobility and AoE damage.
- Level 25: Wind’s Whisper (48 points) for damage.
- Level 30-31: Lightning Kick (48 points) for damage and mobility.
- Level 35: Swift Wind Kick (20 points) for AoE clearing.
- Level 38: Sweeping Kick (48 points) for single target burst with some AoE, remove points from Swift Wind Kick if needed.
- Level 41-45: Moon Flash Kick (48 points) for increased damage, speed and critical strike chance self-buff, remove points from Flash Heat Fang when able to max Moon Flash Kick.
- Level 48: Esoteric Skill: Call of the Wind God (20 points) for AoE Clearing.
Players can also choose to spend Skill Points on Seismic Strike before level 35, as this can help clear out mobs. The Skill Points from Sleeping Ascent Celebration and Swift Wind Kick can be removed if you need to max out a skill while leveling.
Wardancer Gameplay Tips
Although every player’s experience with the Wardancer will differ depending on build, setup, and preferred playstyle, there are a few fundamental aspects to consider overall.
Attack From The Back
The Wardancer class offers many benefits when you go for a back attack-type playstyle. Her mobility comes in handy in these instances, and her abilities typically inflict the most damage possible when unleashed from a rear standpoint.
Not only will rear attacks have a bigger potential for more damage with the Wardancer, but it’s typically safer as well. The Wardancer may be bold in her moves, but she is still relatively weak to damage from enemies – attacking from the back will lower the odds of getting hit.
Use Combat Buffs Before Attacking
Although the Wardancer is speedy and swift to land blows on her foes, it’s still important to give her a helping hand wherever possible. Make sure to use Roar of Courage before you enter combat with opponents or enemies, as this will ensure that you start off with a buff and will have the skill ready again after cooldown somewhere within the middle of the battle.
Dungeon Bosses With Wardancer
Taking on bosses with the Wardancer class is quite straightforward, as she is primarily a single target damage-based class. Swap out the Tier 2 Tripod of Moon Flash Kick with Single Strike for bursting dungeon bosses.
Extra Mobility
The Wardancer is already quite fast with her movement and attacks, but it wouldn’t hurt to make her even faster if you want to level up as quickly as possible. Increasing mobility will especially help you travel faster when you’re not mounted.
Below are the Wardancer’s highly mobile skills:
- Lightning Kick
- Phoenix Advent
- Moon Flash Kick
Defeating Mobs With Wardancer
While the Wardancer may not have the AoE skills that are typically used to run through mobs, she can still clear them out well enough. Group monster packs together and mow them down by continuously attacking and regenerating your Esoteric Skill gauge.
While gaining mastery of the Wardancer’s skill rotation will take some time, it will result in some massive damage once you get the hang of it. The Wardancer will require some dedication and commitment from Lost Ark players, but the effort will definitely be worth it!