Blade & Soul Classic is a game that has captivated players with its intricate combat system, rich lore, and diverse class options. With seven playable classes to choose from, each offering unique playstyles and party utility, deciding which class to main can be a daunting task. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of each class, ranking them based on their strengths, weaknesses, and overall utility in both solo and group content. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of Blade & Soul, this guide will help you make an informed decision on which class to play at launch.

1. Assassin: The Stealthy Damage Dealer

The Assassin is widely regarded as the best damage dealer in Blade & Soul Classic. This class excels in stealth-based DPS playstyles, allowing players to deal massive damage while remaining undetected by enemies. One of the Assassin's most significant advantages is its ability to "cheese" early bosses by staying in stealth, preventing them from aggroing. This makes the Assassin an excellent choice for players who want to focus on dealing damage without worrying about drawing aggro from the tank.

Key Features:

Stealth Mechanics: Assassins can bypass many early-game challenges by staying in stealth, making them ideal for solo content and boss fights.

Blue Buff: One of the most sought-after party utilities, Blue Buff increases critical damage for the entire party. This buff is so powerful that parties often prioritize having at least one Assassin.

Party Utility: Assassins bring additional utility to the table, including a party-wide invincibility frame (i-frame) and a "taxi service" ability that allows them to teleport the entire party past trash mobs, saving time in dungeons.

Why Play Assassin?

If you enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay and want to be a valuable asset to any party, the Assassin is an excellent choice. Its combination of stealth, damage, and utility makes it one of the most versatile classes in the game.

2. Summoner: The Versatile Support

The Summoner is a unique class that relies on a familiar (a cat) to assist in combat. This class is perfect for players who enjoy a mix of DPS and support roles, as the Summoner's cat can taunt enemies, resurrect fallen allies, and pin down knocked-down enemies to extend DPS windows.

Key Features:

Familiar Mechanics: The Summoner's cat can act independently, providing additional DPS and utility without requiring direct input from the player.

Party Stealth: Similar to the Assassin, the Summoner has a party-wide stealth ability that can be used to avoid boss mechanics.

Team-Wide Healing: The Summoner is the only class with team-wide healing, making it invaluable for smoother dungeon runs.

Why Play Summoner?

The Summoner is an excellent choice for players who want to contribute to their party while maintaining a relatively easy-to-play style. Its range and support capabilities make it a favorite among beginners and veterans alike.

3. Blade Dancer: The Selfish DPS

The Blade Dancer is a melee DPS class that focuses on dealing damage without bringing much utility to the table. While it may seem like a selfish class, the Blade Dancer does have a few tricks up its sleeve, such as a grab ability that extends CC (crowd control) duration, allowing the party to deal more damage.

Key Features:

Hongmoon Block: The Blade Dancer's most important utility, Hongmoon Block, allows the party to resist up to three instances of damage within five seconds. This ability is crucial for skipping major boss mechanics.

Grab Utility: The Blade Dancer's grab ability is superior to other classes, making it a valuable asset in party play.

Why Play Blade Dancer?

If you enjoy straightforward, high-damage gameplay and don't mind being a bit selfish, the Blade Dancer is a solid choice. However, its utility is often overshadowed by other classes, so it may not be the best option for players who want to bring more to the table.

4. Blade Master: The Ultimate Tank

The Blade Master is widely considered the best tank in Blade & Soul Classic. This class is designed to take on the role of the party's primary tank, requiring players to study boss patterns and manage aggro effectively.

Key Features:

Stance Management: The Blade Master has two stances (normal and draw) that must be managed carefully to maximize damage output while tanking.

Hongmoon Block: Like the Blade Dancer, the Blade Master has access to Hongmoon Block, making it an essential class for high-level content.

Spammable Block: The Blade Master's block ability is highly spammable, making it easier to survive boss mechanics.

Why Play Blade Master?

If you enjoy taking on a leadership role in parties and have a knack for studying boss patterns, the Blade Master is the class for you. Its combination of tanking capabilities and utility makes it one of the most important classes in the game.

5. Kung Fu Master: The Offensive Tank

The Kung Fu Master is another tank class, but it leans more towards offensive playstyles. This class is significantly harder to play than the Blade Master, requiring players to manage buffs, animation cancels, and boss patterns simultaneously.

Key Features:

Searing Palm: The Kung Fu Master must maintain the Searing Palm buff, which adds complexity to its rotation.

Blue Buff: Like the Assassin, the Kung Fu Master has access to Blue Buff, making it a valuable asset in parties.

Offensive Tanking: The Kung Fu Master is designed to deal more damage than the Blade Master, making it a great choice for players who want to tank while still contributing to DPS.

Why Play Kung Fu Master?

If you're looking for a challenge and enjoy complex rotations, the Kung Fu Master is the class for you. Its offensive capabilities and tanking utility make it a strong choice for experienced players.

6. Force Master: The Easy Ranged DPS

The Force Master is one of the easiest classes to play in Blade & Soul Classic. As a ranged DPS, the Force Master can avoid many boss mechanics that melee classes struggle with, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Key Features:

Projectile Shield: The Force Master has a unique party utility that blocks projectiles, providing additional protection for the team.

Ice Block: Similar to Hongmoon Block, the Force Master's Ice Block prevents damage for the entire party, making it useful for skipping boss mechanics.

Simple Gameplay: The Force Master's rotation is straightforward, consisting of spamming left and right clicks.

Why Play Force Master?

If you're new to Blade & Soul or prefer a more relaxed playstyle, the Force Master is an excellent choice. Its range and simplicity make it a great option for players who want to focus on dealing damage without worrying about complex mechanics.

7. Destroyer: The Bot Class

The Destroyer is often considered the least versatile class in Blade & Soul Classic. While it has a few utility skills, such as a grab and a stone shield, it doesn't bring much to the table compared to other classes.

Key Features:

Spin to Win: The Destroyer's spin ability is useful for grouping trash mobs in dungeons, but it doesn't offer much in terms of party utility.

Limited Utility: The Destroyer's grab ability is outclassed by the Blade Dancer, and its stone shield is often unnecessary if the party is playing well.

Why Play Destroyer?

The Destroyer is a fun class for players who enjoy straightforward, melee combat. However, its lack of utility and the prevalence of bots using this class may make it less appealing to some players.

Final Thoughts

Blade & Soul Classic offers a diverse range of classes, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. While some classes, like the Assassin and Blade Master, are more versatile and sought-after in parties, every class brings something unique to the table. Ultimately, the best class for you is the one that aligns with your preferred playstyle and interests. Whether you're a stealthy Assassin, a supportive Summoner, or a tanky Blade Master, Blade & Soul Classic has something for everyone. So, which class will you choose at launch? Let us know in the comments! 
As an avid Blade & Soul NEO Classic player, I'm passionate about helping others succeed in this incredible game. If you found this guide helpful, be sure to join the MMOexp community for more tips, strategies, and updates. Whether you're looking for advice on optimizing your build, mastering PvP, or more BnS NEO Classic Divine Gems, the MMOexp community has you covered.