How the Lineage 2 class system is built
Lineage 2 does not hand you a finished class on day one. You pick a race, start as a Fighter or a Mystic, and then specialise through a series of class transfers as you level. What you can become depends on the race, and the number of options depends on which chronicle you play.
That last point matters when you pick a private server. A server on Interlude offers a different class list from one on a Classic or later build, so read this page first, then browse the Lineage 2 private servers that match the chronicle you want.
- Playable races
- 7
- Class transfers (Interlude)
- 3
- Later final step
- Awakening
Human, Elf, Dark Elf, Orc, Dwarf, Kamael, Ertheia
at levels 20, 40 and 76
introduced with Goddess of Destruction
The seven races and what they are known for
Wikipedia lists seven races. Each starts in its own home zone, for example Talking Island for Humans, and each has a different feel. Two of them, Dwarves and Kamael, can only start as Fighters. The rest can choose between a fighter path and a mystic (magic) path.
| Race | Known for | Starting options |
|---|---|---|
| Human | Balanced stats | Fighter or Mystic |
| Elf | Dexterity, movement and casting speed, weaker offense | Fighter or Mystic |
| Dark Elf | Higher magic and melee attack | Fighter or Mystic |
| Orc | Higher HP and MP, slower movement | Fighter or Mystic |
| Dwarf | Strong melee and master craftsmen | Fighter only |
| Kamael | Winged humanoids with gender-specific job classes | Fighter only |
| Ertheia | Female warriors with two unique classes and separate quest lines | Their own line, see below |
Class transfers: levels 20, 40 and 76
Before level 20 you are an unspecialised Fighter or Mystic. The three transfers then turn you into a named profession and unlock new skill sets. On retail-style rules each step is a quest; many private servers shorten or remove them.
| Step | Level | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Starting class | 1 | Fighter or Mystic, chosen at character creation |
| 1st class transfer | 20 | Pick a first specialisation at your race's Grand Master |
| 2nd class transfer | 40 | Complete a class quest and earn Mark items, or buy the transfer with them |
| 3rd class transfer | 76 | A quest that asks for rare items such as the Book of Giants |
| Awakening | 85 (later chronicles) | Final advancement, covered below |
Awakening and what it changes
Awakening is the final advancement on later chronicles. Wikipedia's chronicle table names the first Goddess of Destruction update "Awakening", released in North America on 30 November 2011. According to the community Lineage 2 Wiki, a level 85 character on a third class naturally awakens into one destined class, and a Stone of Destiny lets you pick a different one. Ertheia go through a separate step called the 3rd Liberation instead.
For private servers the practical meaning is simple: if you want Awakening classes, you need a server on a Goddess of Destruction era build or later. If you want the three-transfer experience, High Five, Interlude and most Classic builds stay with it. The versions explained in our hub guide show which is which, and the Classic servers follow the official staged line.
“There are three versions of Lineage II currently available - Classic/Legacy, Aden/Essence and Live/Main.”
Which chronicle added which class feature
The class system grew with the game. Using the North American release dates from Wikipedia's chronicle table, this is when the main class-related pieces appeared.
| Chronicle | NA release | Class-related change |
|---|---|---|
| Interlude (CT0) | 11 Apr 2007 | Three-transfer system at 20, 40 and 76; no Kamael or Ertheia yet |
| The Kamael (CT1) | 11 Dec 2007 | Adds the Kamael race, fighter-only with gender-specific job classes |
| Awakening (GD1) | 30 Nov 2011 | Introduces Awakening, the final advancement |
| Ertheia (EP1) | 30 Jul 2014 | Adds the Ertheia race and its two unique classes |
One more term you will meet is the subclass: an extra class that one character can train alongside the main class. Noblesse, by contrast, is a separate status that qualifies you for the Olympiad. Both are defined in the glossary.
Lineage 2 Revolution is a different class system
Searches for Lineage 2 classes often land on the mobile game, Lineage 2 Revolution, which has its own much shorter tree. If you are reading a Revolution guide, do not apply it to a PC private server.
PC Lineage 2 versus Lineage 2 Revolution
PC Lineage 2 (what private servers run)
- Seven races over the game's history
- Fighter or Mystic start, then transfers at 20, 40 and 76
- Awakening on later chronicles
- Class list depends on the chronicle
Lineage 2 Revolution (mobile)
- Races shown: Human, Elf, Dark Elf, Dwarf
- Three base classes: Warrior, Rogue, Mystic
- Specialised class unlocked at level 31 through class change quests
- Not what private servers on this site run
How private servers bend the class rules
Servers differ in how strictly they follow the retail class tree. The table shows real examples from servers we have checked, with what each one says about its own class or progression system.
| Server | Build | Class-related feature |
|---|---|---|
| Melior | Classic Kamael 4.0, x3 | Original six races and 34 class options, staged content unlocks |
| L2 Crossover Reborn | High Five, x10 EXP | Multiskill: pick any race and profession and learn skills from every class |
| Dark Dragon New Era | High Five (Chronicle 2.6), x2 | One-click class change and Dragon self-buffs |
| L2Etina | Interlude, x30 | Faster subclass path |
| L2 Spirit Reborn | Interlude, x1000 | Characters start at level 80 with no tutorial phase |
Choosing a class before you download
- 1
- 2
Match your play time
A fighter path is usually the easier solo start. Group-oriented support roles shine in sieges and parties, which matter most on PvP worlds. See PvP-focused servers for the fast ones.
- 3
Read the rates and shop
Rates decide how long each transfer takes. Our rates guide explains the multipliers and the glossary defines terms like subclass and Olympiad.
- 4
Check the server is alive
Look at the status page and recent news posts before you install a client.
