This Lost Ark F2P guide is easy to follow if you don’t want to end up in a “pay to win” scenario. All you have to do is apply the right strategy – just like the in-game combat. The highly stylized MMORPG is one part beat ‘em up, one part Diablo, and all over-the-top.
While the game is free-to-play, it can feel super grindy and exclusionary like other similar games. But in reality, the game gives players lots of ways to accrue in-game currency, get unique pets and cosmetics, and look overpowered as heck for end-game content.
Here are 9 tips for your Lost Ark F2P guide.
You can respec characters for free
Let’s start with a basic, but fantastic quality of life tip for the Lost Ark F2P guide: respeccing character skills. Spending skill points doesn’t need to feel like a huge deal in Lost Ark as you can do as much as you want.
However, reskinning your character requires Appearance Customization Tickets. Similarly, you need a Character Name Change Ticket to rename a character. Adopt and experiment with skills all you want, but definitely take your time with appearances and names.
Take advantage of the two free passes
Players earn their first Power Pass by completing the main storyline. Using the first one on another character automatically nets you another Power Pass sent to your inbox. What’s so good about it? Power Passes unlocks an ability called the “Adventurer’s Path” specifically designed to get characters to level 50 quickly.
Not only do you skip cutscenes, but you also become more familiar with the class, performing excellent combos and getting ready for late-game content. At the end of the path, players get end-game level equipment, as well.
Note: Lost Ark doesn’t allow accounts to have more than two Power Passes currently. As with skins and names, be certain that you are using the pass on a character you want to spend a ton of time playing as.
Do dailies and weekly tasks
Completing quests that reset on a schedule is a critical part of any MMORPG. Everyone familiar with any kind of MMO knows that completing daily quests goes a long way. You can get in-game currency (gold), experience points, and other relevant boons from them. With Lost Ark, this is no different.
However, you’ll need to know when the resets are in order to maximize your advantages.
What is the weekly reset time in Lost Ark?
Lost Ark weekly quests reset at 10 AM UTC on Thursday every week. This time correlates to the following times across the world:
- Central Europe: 11 AM CT
- Europe West: 11 AM CT
- South America: 7 AM
- US East: 5 AM ET
- US West: 2 AM PT
What is the daily reset time in Lost Ark?
The daily reset in Lost Ark is at the same time as the weekly reset, but every day instead of just Thursdays. For clarity, here are the times again:
- Coordinated Universal Time: 10 AM
- Europe West: 11 AM CT
- South America: 7 AM
- US East: 5 AM ET
- US West: 2 AM PT
Do not sell equipment but dismantle it
If you’re looking to make the most in terms of profits in an MMORPG, selling your old gear is never really the best idea. It’s almost always better to melt down the gear to get the materials from it.
With Lost Ark, this is also the case. Players can easily dismantle gear using the hammer icon in your inventory.
Use your work energy for trade skills everyday
As with Guild Wars 2 and other MMORPGs, players have skills they can level up in-game. Lost Ark has the following skills available:
- Mining
- Logging
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Excavating
You can only access these after playing the game for a decent amount of time. Moreover, players only get a certain allotment of Work Energy for the day. Leveling these skills is one of the best ways to earn in-game currency.
Activate triports and use mounts
Having active teleportation locations is crucial in any massive online game. For Lost Ark’s Triports, you’ll need to physically activate them by interacting with them to make them work. They do require in-game currency to use, though, so it isn’t always the best option if you’re looking to min/max your Gold usage.
Mounts can be very useful here when traveling distances. In fact, the game provides you with one just after completing the prologue. All of them have different rarities and speeds, so be conscious of that when picking one up.
Build rapport with NPCs for chests
As with games like Dragon Age and Persona, the player can build relationships with NPCs in the game. But instead of just romancing someone, you get prizes and gifts, too. This includes currencies, cards, and useful resources.
Not only can this help you level up faster, but it can help you avoid having to buy more cards which can get costly in the endgame.
Move past low XP mobs
Prioritizing engagements and the use of materials is a no-brainer here. While taking out trash mobs is fun in games like Diablo 3, it can be a bit of waste in Lost Ark. After leveling even a little, it starts to take hundreds of thousands of XP points to level.
Save your combat for mobs that matter and for those that give you more XP. It’s the best way to make your time investment pay off well.
Get free Lost Ark loot with Prime Gaming
Prime Gaming gives away new packs every month from free in-game cosmetics, bundles with multiple items, or even free games. Since Lost Ark only launched in the U.S. thanks to Amazon, it makes sense that players with Amazon Prime accounts get to reap additional benefits with Prime Gaming.
For now, players can pick up one Battle Item Pack with a total of six listed on the webpage. You can get things like a crystalline aura, amethyst shard packs, or battle chests for utility, healing, or offense-based items.
