Do You Need to Finish the Main Story in Lost Ark? A Comprehensive Guide
In short, while not strictly required, completing the main story in Lost Ark is highly recommended and essentially necessary to unlock the vast majority of the game’s content. Think of the main questline as your roadmap to adventure, guiding you through continents, introducing key characters, and providing essential progression. Skipping it entirely would be like trying to assemble a complex puzzle without the picture on the box.
The Importance of the Main Quest
The main story in Lost Ark isn’t just fluff; it’s the backbone of your progression. It unlocks continents, sailing, various endgame activities, and crucial systems that make Lost Ark the game it is. While you can theoretically pay to skip portions of it using express coupons, doing so without understanding the underlying mechanics would be a disservice to your experience.
Think of it this way: the main quest teaches you how to play. It gradually introduces you to new mechanics, combat strategies, and exploration techniques. Each continent has its own unique challenges, and the story helps you prepare for them. More importantly, the main quest provides a significant source of experience and resources necessary to level up and gear up your character.
Why You Shouldn’t Skip (Initially)
- Unlocks Essential Content: The main story gates access to continents like Vern, which is crucial for progressing beyond item level 302 and accessing Tier 2 content.
- Provides Experience and Resources: Completing quests grants experience points, leveling you up and unlocking new skills. It also rewards you with materials needed for crafting, upgrading gear, and honing your character.
- Introduces Game Mechanics: The story introduces sailing, Stronghold management, Una’s Tasks, and other essential gameplay loops that form the core of the Lost Ark experience.
- Narrative Immersion: Lost Ark’s world is rich with lore and intriguing characters. The main story provides the context and narrative depth that makes the game more engaging.
- Character Leveling: Progressing through the main quest line is a major source of EXP, allowing you to reach level 50 quickly.
When Skipping Might Be Okay
There are situations where skipping parts of the main quest might be acceptable:
- Alt Characters: Once you’ve completed the story on one character, you can use Powerpasses or express event passes to quickly level up alternate characters. This is particularly useful if you want to try out different classes or playstyles without repeating the entire campaign.
- Catch-Up Mechanics: Lost Ark periodically introduces catch-up mechanics, such as Knowledge Transfers or express events, that allow players to skip portions of the story and quickly reach higher item levels. These are designed to help new players or returning players catch up with the current content.
- Paying for Convenience: Developers offer express coupons to skip stories but it costs money.
Understanding Powerpasses and Knowledge Transfers
Powerpasses and Knowledge Transfers are two ways to bypass the main questline on alt characters. A Powerpass instantly levels an alt to a certain point in the game, allowing them to start at a higher item level and access more advanced content. Knowledge Transfers, on the other hand, allow you to pay gold and time to level up an alt based on the progress of your main character. Both options can save you a significant amount of time, but they also come at a cost.
The Endgame and Beyond
After completing the main story, you’ll enter the endgame phase, which is where Lost Ark truly shines. This is where you’ll engage in activities like Chaos Dungeons, Guardian Raids, Abyssal Dungeons, Legion Raids, and various weekly tasks. These activities require a geared and skilled character, which is why progressing through the main story is so important. While the main quest line doesn’t “end”, the endgame doesn’t either. This is how Lost Ark remains fresh and relevant, and how the Games Learning Society, GamesLearningSociety.org, and other gaming communities continue to thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I skip the story in Lost Ark entirely?
Yes, you can technically skip parts of the story by using Powerpasses, Knowledge Transfers, or express event passes. However, it’s strongly discouraged for your first character as you’ll miss out on crucial progression, experience, and the gradual introduction to game mechanics.
2. What happens after level 50 in Lost Ark?
After hitting level 50 and finishing the main story quests, you unlock sailing and begin exploring new continents, completing World Quests, and engaging in endgame activities such as Chaos Dungeons, Guardian Raids, and Abyssal Dungeons.
3. How do I get from level 50 to 60 in Lost Ark?
Reaching level 60 involves completing main story quests, world quests, and endgame activities. You can also utilize the training camp at your stronghold to level up alts. Tier 3 content provides the best experience for your main character.
4. Is Lost Ark worth the grind?
Yes! Many players find Lost Ark enjoyable and worth the grind. While it can be repetitive at times, the diverse activities and engaging combat make it a rewarding experience. The game can be “pay to fast,” but paying isn’t mandatory to progress.
5. What are Una’s Tasks and why are they important?
Una’s Tasks are daily and weekly quests that provide valuable rewards, including materials, honing resources, and reputation. They are essential for character progression and should be completed regularly.
6. How many Chaos Dungeons and Guardian Raids can I do per day?
You can run Chaos Dungeons twice a day per character for optimal rewards, consuming 50 Aura of Resonance per run. Guardian Raids can also be completed daily, with rewards available based on your gear score.
7. What is the 3-day gold withholding period in Lost Ark?
Gold purchased from the Currency Exchange is subject to a three-day withholding period, during which the gold has limited uses. This is a measure to combat fraudulent transactions and protect the game’s economy.
8. What are Abyssal Dungeons and how often can I run them?
Abyssal Dungeons are challenging weekly dungeons that offer valuable rewards, including gear and honing materials. Each character can complete any Abyssal Dungeon they qualify for once a week, but each Abyssal Dungeon is locked to 6 clears per week.
9. What is item level (ilvl) and why is it important?
Item level (ilvl) is a measure of your character’s gear score and determines which content you can access. Increasing your item level is crucial for progressing through the game and participating in endgame activities.
10. What are Powerpasses and Knowledge Transfers?
Powerpasses instantly level up an alt character to a certain point, allowing them to start at a higher item level. Knowledge Transfers allow you to pay gold and time to level up an alt based on the progress of your main character.
11. What is the fastest way to level up in Lost Ark?
The fastest way to level up is by focusing on main quests, as they provide the largest XP rewards. You can also complete side quests and participate in events to gain additional experience.
12. What are the best endgame activities in Lost Ark?
The best endgame activities include Chaos Dungeons, Guardian Raids, Abyssal Dungeons, Legion Raids, Cube, Boss Rush, and various island quests. These activities provide valuable rewards and challenge your skills.
13. How long does it take to reach max level in Lost Ark?
It can take hundreds of hours to reach level 60 in Lost Ark, as the XP requirements increase significantly after level 50. There isn’t a quick way to level up after reaching level 50.
14. What is the most fun class to play in Lost Ark?
“Fun” is subjective and depends on your personal playstyle. Some popular and enjoyable classes include the Wardancer, Striker, and Sorceress. Experiment with different classes to find one that suits your preferences.
15. Is it better to dismantle or sell gear in Lost Ark?
It’s generally better to dismantle excess equipment, as it provides materials that are useful for crafting and upgrading gear. The amount of silver you get from selling gear is often negligible compared to the value of the materials you gain from dismantling.
The main story in Lost Ark is the foundation upon which your adventure is built. While skipping it might seem tempting, especially on alt characters, experiencing it at least once is highly recommended.