Many players underestimate the impact of selecting a subclass in Rune Slayer. The right choice can significantly influence your gaming experience, shaping whether you find yourself farming Imps in Balgaron Chasm or struggling for survival. To prepare effectively for PvP battles and Colosseum farming, here’s a comprehensive guide to all Rune Slayer subclasses and the steps to unlock them.
Unlocking Rune Slayer Subclasses: A Simple Guide
Unlocking subclasses in Rune Slayer involves a few straightforward steps:
- Create a character.
- Reach level 30.
- Select your subclass by clicking the Level Up button, choosing one of the available subclasses (note: each class has two options, except for Warrior and Priest), and holding Accept for 0.5 seconds.
Remember, this selection is permanent, so choose wisely! If you need assistance, we’ve prepared a detailed guide on the best Rune Slayer subclasses tailored for each class.
Top Rune Slayer Subclasses by Class
Consider subclasses in Rune Slayer as advanced specializations similar to those in WoW—more potent iterations catering to specific class fantasies. To expedite your leveling process to 30, refer to our guide on how to level up quickly in Rune Slayer and gain valuable insights to optimize your character’s build once you reach that pivotal moment.
Archer Subclasses: Your Path to Mastery
The Archer class offers two subclasses inspired by WoW’s Beastmaster and Marksmanship specializations:
Beast Tamer (Unlocks at Level 30)
- Alpha Predator – Gain the ability to tame wild creatures.
- Bestial Swiftness – Boosts movement speed while mounted.
- Feral Strikes – Your pet heals you based on its dealt damage. (Consumes 30 Focus)
Sharpshooter (Unlocks at Level 30)
- Double Tap – Ballistic Shot has a chance to trigger twice.
- Ballistic Shot – A swift projectile dealing 10 Physical DMG. (Consumes 15 Focus)
- Dragon Piecer – Fires a charged arrow piercing multiple foes for 20 Physical DMG. (Consumes 35 Focus)
Best Recommendation: Beast Tamer
Beast Tamer is the ultimate choice for Archers, especially after recent buffs that have solidified its dominance in both solo and group scenarios. With a mount speed boost enhancing mobility, your pet heals based on its damage, and the ability to tame wild creatures, the combat options available far exceed that of the Sharpshooter.
Conversely, Sharpshooter struggles with inconsistencies. Double Tap can be unreliable, Ballistic Shot’s impact is lacking, and Dragon Piecer tends to be slow, rendering it less effective in dynamic battles where rapid movement and adaptability are crucial—qualities where Beast Tamer excels.
Priest Subclasses: Focus on Healing
Interestingly, the Priest class includes only one subclass:
Cleric
- Angelic Guardian – Enhances healing effects and can revive allies. (Consumes 100 Mana)
- Divine Healing – All healing spells additionally restore your health.
- Clarity – All spells become mana-free, and temporary boosts to Critical Strike Chance occur.
Best (and Only) Option: Cleric
The lack of choice for Priest players might seem unfortunate, but Angelic Guardian provides invaluable second chances in battle, crucial for keeping allies engaged. Divine Healing enhances your survivability by restoring your health while supporting teammates.
Moreover, Clarity eliminates mana costs and augments Critical Strike chances, making it a transformative asset in high-stress encounters.
Magician Subclasses: Choose Your Arcane Path
Based on your preferred class fantasy—whether you prefer summoning demons or wielding arcane powers—you can choose between:
Warlock
- Summon Imp – Call forth an Imp using collected Souls.
- Summon Fiend – Summon a Fiend using collected Souls.
- Souls – Acquire Souls through the Soul Steal ability.
- Soul Steal – Absorb a fallen enemy’s Soul. (Consumes 100 Mana)
- Soul Link – Redirects some damage to your summoned creatures.
- Sacrifice – Dismisses your current summon and reclaims its Soul.
Sorcerer
- Arcane Explosion – Triggers a blast expending an Arcane Charge, dealing 25 Magic DMG. (Consumes 100 Mana)
- Arcane Charges – Casting spells generates Arcane Charges.
- Arcane Mend – Restores health by spending two Arcane Charges.
- Arcane Finale – Unleashes a devastating spell dealing 50 Magic DMG when fully charged. (Consumes 200 Mana)
Best Choice: Warlock
Warlock excels in practicality compared to Sorcerer, particularly in PvE where melee allies require sustained encounters. The Souls system grants ongoing resources, allowing you to summon creatures that absorb damage, ensuring consistent offense while providing protective measures. This makes Warlock an excellent complement to frontline fighters, promoting longevity and delivering a dependable offensive capability.
In contrast, Sorcerer focuses heavily on burst damage mechanics, necessitating the build-up of Arcane Charges to unleash the strongest spells. Though effective in controlled scenarios, it lacks the adaptability needed for extended battles, thus presenting challenges during tumultuous fights.
Striker Subclasses: Mastering Combat
Master hand-to-hand combat and select between:
Monk
- Spirit Burst – Releases a powerful surge of energy. (Consumes 25 Focus)
- Spirit Shift – Changes combat stance to adopt a different spirit form. (Consumes 10 Focus)
- Spirit Cleanse – Resets the cooldown for Spirit Burst post-finisher.
- Spirit Finisher – Teleport behind your target after using Spirit Shift post-finisher.
Ashura
- Asura’s Wrath – Boosts attack power based on Wrath accumulation.
- Wrath – Gains after successfully executing Asura’s Crash.
- Asura’s Crash – Teleports behind an airborne enemy and previously slams them down, dealing 5 Physical DMG. (Consumes 20 Focus)
Best Option: Monk
Monk excels across all key areas for Strikers. The Spirit Burst delivers rapid damage, Spirit Shift offers combat versatility, and Spirit Finishers introduce unpredictability and mobility that no other Striker subclass matches. The capability to chain attacks, teleport, and reset cooldowns guarantees that momentum never falters in any encounter.
Ashura, however, relies too heavily on specific conditions, rendering it less effective. Asura’s Crash necessitates an airborne enemy for successful execution, which is challenging against agile opponents. Moreover, managing Wrath adds unnecessary complexity to its effectiveness.
Warrior Subclasses: Embrace the Power
Unleash your might with heavy weapon styles by choosing among these Rune Slayer subclasses:
Sword Mastery
- Field – Creates a combat zone enabling Flicker Strike to teleport you to enemies. (Consumes 30 Focus)
- Flicker Strike – A rapid attacking move that chains to multiple enemies. (Consumes 25 Focus)
- Flux – Striking within the Field increases stacks, enhancing Flicker Strike’s chaining ability.
Berserker
- Rage – Required resource for activating Berserker skills.
- Enrage – Enters a frenetic state to amplify attack power. (Consumes 40 Rage)
- Bloodlust – Improves physical damage and Lifesteal based on lost HP.
- Blood Thirst – Executes a dual-strike restoring health and dealing 10 Physical DMG. (Consumes 20 Focus & 50 Rage)
- Blood Craze – Defeating foes increases Rage and boosts movement speed by 30% for 8 seconds.
Knight
- Shield Slam – Slams the ground with a shield, attracting enemy aggression. (Consumes 25 Focus)
- Iron Will – Absorbs incoming damage intended for nearby teammates. (Consumes 20 Focus)
- Shield Crash – Charges forward with a shield, attacking and blocking simultaneously. (Consumes 30 Focus)
- Fortress – Employing a shield skill while blocking may trigger a guard break.
- Exhaust – Temporarily lessens damage taken.
Top Choice: Berserker
Berserker is designed for overwhelming offense, excelling more than any other Warrior subclass. Blood Thirst combines damage output with healing, Blood Craze encourages aggressive play, and Enrage amplifies overall effectiveness. The capability for chaining heavy attacks while recovering health ensures a robust combat presence, marking the Berserker as a relentless force on the battlefield.
Sword Mastery aims for a more assassin-like playstyle but lacks the precision and speed required to be effective. Meanwhile, Knight, while robust defensively, operates reactively; in a game emphasizing proactivity, simply guarding and absorbing damage doesn’t secure victory—inflicting damage does.
Thief Subclasses: Stealth and Precision
Strike from the shadows with unwavering accuracy.
Ninja
- Rising Fang – Slashes upward, launching an enemy into the air. (Consumes 20 Focus)
- Shukuchi – Performs an instant dash forward.
- Rend – Lunges at an enemy, launching them upward to deal 5 Physical DMG. (Consumes 25 Focus)
- Sky Rend – Successfully hitting with Rising Fang activates Sky Rend.
Assassin
- Veil – Shrouds you in shadows.
- Gouge – Strikes a nearby enemy, blinding them and dealing 10 Physical DMG. (Consumes 30 Focus)
- Shadow Step – Moves invisibly through darkness for ambush positioning.
- Greater Initiative – Uncovering an attack while undetected greatly amplifies damage output.
Optimal Option: Assassin
Assassin stands out as the clear choice for PvP, thriving in high-pressure environments where speed and accuracy are paramount. Veil provides instant invisibility, enabling exceptional positioning and ambush opportunities. Shadow Step guarantees engagement on your terms, while Greater Initiative ensures that first strikes inflict devastating damage.
In contrast, the Ninja’s reliance on setup through Rising Fang and Sky Rend may present challenges against mobile opponents. Moreover, the absence of reliable stealth mechanics complicates repositioning in PvP, putting Ninja at a noticeable disadvantage.
In conclusion, our guide to Rune Slayer subclasses equips you with the knowledge needed to adapt and optimize your gameplay strategy, especially in light of recent updates affecting HP scaling. For further community insights, we recommend visiting the Rune Slayer Discord and checking the Trello board.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Rune Slayer Subclasses
How do I unlock subclasses in Rune Slayer?
To unlock subclasses in Rune Slayer, you must create a character, reach level 30, and choose your subclass by using the Level Up button.
What are the best subclasses for Archer in Rune Slayer?
The best subclasses for Archer are Beast Tamer and Sharpshooter, with Beast Tamer being the top choice due to its enhanced mobility and pet capabilities.
Are there any differences in Rune Slayer subclasses?
Yes, each subclass offers unique abilities and playstyles, allowing for diverse strategies tailored to individual preferences and combat scenarios.
Which magician subclass is best in Rune Slayer?
The Warlock subclass is generally considered superior due to its practical utility in PvE environments, while the Sorcerer focuses on burst damage.
What is the role of Priest in Rune Slayer?
The Priest class primarily serves as a healer, supporting teammates with restorative abilities. Currently, it has only one subclass, the Cleric.