ARKS Operatives inPhantasy Star Online 2are due for a massive overhaul as its upcomingPSO2: New Genesiscompletely revamps the game system and its graphics engine. With this free-to-play update celebratingPSO’s 20th anniversary,Phantasy Starfans will now embark on a completely new journey a millennia afterPSO2’s events.
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Essentially,New Genesistasks new ARKS Operatives to team up with the mysterious Meteorn to combat the threat of extraterrestrial Dolls. Thankfully, players still have access toPSO2’s standard array of Classes to begin their adventure. However, just how did these Classes change for the massiveNew Genesisupdate?
Updated on September 3rd, 2022, by Rhenn Taguiam:With Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesishaving recently finished its Anniversary festivities, fans of the title might want to try out the game for its new features. These include new cosmetics, new quests, and new looks for a lot of the player’s already-stunning locales. And for players about to make new characters, they might want a bit more background regarding the basePSO2 Classesin the game. These include their core skill set and recommended playstyles, especially compared to their counterparts in the original Phantasy Star Online 2 title.
Classes: Beyond The RPG Triad
Players new toNew Genesisand thePhantasy Starseries would be surprised to know that this sci-fi MMO does, in fact, have Classes. As their names imply, these Classes more or less correspond to the basic Tank-DPS-Healer triad of RPG gaming.
However, the fast-paced combat ofNew Genesisand its signaturePhantasy StarClass Mechanics make these Classes far beyond their RPG stereotypes. Here are some integral elements of Classes thatNew Genesisplayers need to remember:
Class Features
Each Class inNew Genesishas a wide range of features that make them unique from one another. Here are some of their most defining factors:
Hunter: Threat Mitigation
TheHunteris an extremely straightforward Class inNew Genesis, particularly for their penchant for close-ranged combat. Their reliance on melee makes them effective when facing enemies on the frontlines. And their particular specialization in boosting their defenses and forcing opponents to focus on them instead of their teammates gives themexcellent potential for tanking and damage mitigation.
Hunter Features
Given their penchant for short-ranged combat, a lot of Hunter skills rely on a healthy balance of building defense and sustaining offense. Players who want to use a Hunter should take note of some skills:
Fighter: High-Speed Melee
TheFighterspecializes in dealing lightning-fast attacks in melee range, serving as the primary melee DPS archetype inNew Genesis. Given their attack power, they can deal extremely high damage numbers with the right combo strings. Likewise, their movement mastery enables Fighterto escape sticky situationsto recuperate and get back into the fight.
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Fighter Features
Contrary to the more straightforward Hunter, theFighterloves to use its speed and sheer attack power to devastate foes up close - only to run as fast when they catch their attention. In turn, their skills majorly focus on either building damage or repositioning the Fighter whenever necessary. Players who want to use a Fighter should pay attention to these skills:
Ranger: Target Domination
TheRangerbrings the sci-fi aspect ofNew Genesisinto the fray with their specialization towards ranged combat. They can use a plethora of firearms andunleash ammunition of different types- allowing them to take on threats both as DPS and support units. While Hunters boast greater defense, the Ranger instead has more room for unleashing their versatile skillset.
Ranger Features
Thanks to their flexible ranged capabilities, the Ranger is a great Class to play for newcomers who want to familiarize themselves withNew Genesiscombat from a comfortable distance. However, their toolkit can enable both newcomers andPSO2savants to provide decent firepower to any team. Interested players need to take note of these Ranger skills:
Gunner: Armament Specialist
While the Ranger already has flexible ranged combat options, theGunnerfurther expands the movement option of firearm wielders inNew Genesis. Essentially, the Gunner adds more mobility opportunities to ranged combatants — allowing them to switch between their normal attacks and special skills (Weapon Actions, Photon Arts) with more ease. In turn, Gunners have more access to flashier displays of skills helping them provide more firearmsupport to the front lines.
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Gunner Features
Thanks to the Gunner’s penchant for speed, Gunners can quickly enter and exit combat with ease. Moreover, their combo-reliant DPS nature incentivizes Gunners who head straight to the frontlines and devastate opponents with their attacks. Since they have a lot of footwork options, skilled enough Gunners can pepper through enemies in no time. Players interested in the Gunner need to focus on these particular skills:
Force: Elemental Master
Unlike other damage Classes, it’s theForcethat has the most straightforward approach to combat. Thanks to their attachment to the magic damage stereotype, Force can use a plethora of magic-like spells to devastate the battlefield. Moreover, their penchant for identifying an enemy’s elemental weaknesses can help them tailor their attacks specifically to annihilate the opponents in front of them.
Force Features
Given their straightforward damage opportunities, players will love razing the battlefield with Techniques. Moreover, the sheer versatility of Techniques based on Weapon choice can help Forces become more combative or supportive. Players who want to consider using a Force will need to check out these skills:
Techter: Selfless Support
Contrary to other Classes inNew Genesis, the Techter has perhaps the most inclination towards a support role. Their specialized skills allow them to brave the frontlines to buff their allies and give much-needed aid when it comes to boosting their overall skills. This might mean sacrificing in terms of overall attack or combat prowess. However, what a Techter lacks in offense, they make up for extremely versatile options for group play.
Techter Features
Given the more support-oriented nature of the Techter, their skills more or less focus on imbuing their allies with various benefits in combat. In turn, they don’t always have as much abilities when it comes to beefing up their own offense and defense. Rather, the best Techters are able to bring out the best in their allies, especially in tricky situations. For interested players, here are some Techter skills to pay close attention to:
Braver: All-Rounded Devastation
Capitalizing on speed and precision, theBraveris the pinnacle of both short-ranged and long-ranged combat inNew Genesis. Relying on the player’s mastery of the game’s mechanics and the environment, players can quickly switch from slashing through enemies with the Katana and deterring their assaults with a Bow in almost an instant, making this the perfect hybrid physical damageClass inNew Genesis. Their strength in all ranged forms make them a great solo Class and a DPS asset in team settings.
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Braver Features
Due to their capability of tackling both close-ranged and long-ranged threats, the Braver has a myriad of abilities that allow them to adapt to any combat situation much faster than other Classes. These elements make the Braver become one of the strongest character types, both in the game andinPhantasy Starlore. Here are some of their most notable features:
Bouncer: Aerial Supremacy
Serving as a hybrid melee and casting Class, theBouncerdominates aerial combat with their Jet Boots and specializes in keeping enemies firmly rooted on the ground. They rely heavily on knockbacks, knockdowns, and stuns, with much of their toolkit revolving around dishing out fast attacks that aim to incapacitate enemies at the end of rotations. These traits make them great as both frontline DPS and backline defenders, depending on their party’s approach and playstyle as well asBattle Power in thePhantasy Startitle.
Bouncer Features
Given their supremacy in aerial combat, the Bouncer can quite literally “bounce” from one battlefield to the other. In team settings, this makes the Bouncer an ideal Class to bounce from being a defender to an attacker much faster than other Classes. Thefast-paced nature ofNew GenesisversusOnline 2makes the Bouncer’s additional mobility more apparent. Here are their other notable features:
Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesisis playable on the PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PS4
