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MapleStory Aran Skill Build Guide

June 12, 2024

Aran is a MapleStory warrior that utilizes skill combos to drive up their damage and perform devastating attacks. Released as part of the Maple Heroes group of characters, Aran offers players unique mechanics that are easy to learn and use when training. Aran was the first of the Maple Heroes to be released in 2009 in GMS.

Aran Overview

Aran was first released in patch 80 in 2009 as one of fire Maple Heroes. As a Warrior, Aran wields giant polearms to attack enemies, and benefits from it's unique combo gameplay. Originally, Aran gameplay relied heavily on using the Combo system to increase attack power, however, in Heroes Of Maple update, this was changed so that when you reach Aran's combo limit of 1000, you activate a special mode that allows you to go super sayan on enemies.

Aran is part of the MapleStory Heroes classes, which include: Aran, Evan, Mercedes, Phantom, Luminous and Shade.

Aran is a solid class that new players will find fun and interesting; the mechanics of this class are not hard to master compared to before and they deal solid damage to enemies. You'll find training Aran through all job advancements to be a breeze. Their attacks can usually hit multiple mobs and multiple platforms, making it an easy class to level (which is great for Legion!). Each time you use a skill with Aran, you increase your Combo count. When you get to 1000, you activate Aran's Adrenaline Rush, which increases the ability of your combo attacks for a short period. They also have great mobility to get around maps.

As a bossing class, Aran is still relatively strong when funded and can take on most end-game bosses once mechanics are nailed down. They can use Hunter's Prey as an iframe to dodge 1-hit KO attacks, although it is only available during Adrenaline Rush. During Andrenaline Rush is when you will be dealing most your damage, so getting your character to that 1000 combo is part of your aim. You have 5th job skills that extend the duration of Andrenaline Rush for even longer, making your burst damage time a lot higher.

Check our our MapleStory Training Guide to help find the fastest maps to level up your characters.

  • Weapon: Polearm
  • Job: Warrior
  • Class: Hero
  • Shared Cash Shop Inventory: Heroes: Luminous, Phantom, Aran, Shade, Mercedes
  • Legion Block: 70% chance to recover MP when attacking (2%/4%/6%/8%/10%)
  • Link Skill: Combo Kill Blessing (Combo Kill Marble EXP: +900%)
  • Primary Stat: STR
  • Inner Ability: 20% Boss Damage

Aran First Job Skill Build

You can max all of your skills in first job. Follow this build:

  • Smash Swing (+3)
  • Polearm Booster (MAX)
  • Smash Swing (MAX)
  • Combo Ability (MAX)
  • Smash Wave (MAX)
  • Body Pressure (MAX)

In order to use Smash Swing, all you have to do is use your normal attack skill button. This automatically uses Smash Swing (and the subsequent better moves from other job advancements later on). You already have a flash jump, so get Polearm Booster maxed for faster attack speed. Combo Ability will increase your damage the higher your combo count goes. Smash Swing is your combo ability; if you input the command it boosts the hit box slightly, but you're better off just spamming it.

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Smash Swing Smash Swing Calls upon Aran's muscle memory to swing the polearm 3 times in a row, hard. Main Attack Skill
Smash Wave Smash Wave Fires a burst of energy through your polearm to enemies in front. Combo Attack Skill
Polearm Booster Polearm Booster Doubles the Attack Speed of your weapon. Must have a Polearm equipped. Attack Speed Booster
Combo Ability Combo Ability Adds your attacks to your Combo Count. Increases Attack Power, Defense, and Movement Speed with every 50 counts, stacking up to 10 times. Also, passively increases your knockback resistance. Passive Buff
Body Pressure Body Pressure Surround yourself with bitingly cold air to reflect damage taken from bumping into enemies.Can be toggled On/Off Toggle Skill

Aran Second Job Skill Build

You can max all of your skills in first job. Follow this build:

  • Rolling Spin (+1), Final Charge (+1), Final Toss (+1)
  • Swing Studies (MAX)
  • Polearm Mastery (MAX)
  • Command Mastery I (MAX)
  • Rolling Spin (MAX)
  • Physical Training (MAX)
  • Final Attack (MAX)
  • Snow Charge (MAX) (buff)
  • Drain (MAX)
  • Final Charge (MAX)
  • Final Toss (MAX)

You now get access to more Combo Skills. Aran's Rolling Spin is probably best here, but you can use Final Charge to rush enemies for mobility + damage. Final Toss is good for getting to high platforms (up+attack) and Rolling Spin hits enemies all around you. But you will find that using Smash Swing is still the best attack skill for mobbing. Snow Charge is a decent buff and Drain is good for regaining health whilst attacking.

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Swing Studies I Swing Studies I Through intense study, you've perfected your polearm swing. Increases swing damage and allows you to move while swinging. Also, you now know how to link Smash Swings with other skills to deal additional damage via a polearm afterimage. This also increases the damage of other skills for a short period afterward. Passive Buff
Snow Charge Snow Charge Permanently increases damage and infuses your polearm with the powers of the ice spirit for a short time. Buff
Rolling Spin Rolling Spin Uses centrifugal force to spin your polearm in place, lifting nearby enemies. Can be resisted by some monsters. Combo Attack Skill
Polearm Mastery Polearm Mastery Increases Polearm Mastery and Speed. Passive Buff
Physical Training Physical Training Permanently increases STR and DEX through sheer physical training. Passive Buff
Final Toss Final Toss Lifts multiple enemies in front of you into the air. Airborne enemies take more damage, including enemies lifted with Judgment Draw and Rolling Spin. Can be resisted by some monsters. Combo Attack Skill
Final Charge Final Charge Charges forward, quickly knocking back enemies in your path. Can be resisted by some monsters. Combo Attack Skill
Final Attack Final Attack Chance to deliver an additional hit after an attack. Must have a Polearm equipped. Passive Buff
Drain Drain Absorbs some of the damage you dealt to the enemies as HP. Permanently increases your Max HP.Can be toggled On/Off Toggle Skill
Command Mastery I Command Mastery I Enhances the effects of Aran's Command-activated skills. Passive Buff

Aran Third Job Skill Build

You can max all of your skills in first job. Follow this build:

  • Judgement Draw (+1), Adrenaline Rush (+1), Aero Swing (+1)
  • Final Blow (MAX)
  • Advanced Combo (MAX)
  • Maha Blessing (MAX) (buff)
  • Cleaving Blows (MAX)
  • Might (MAX)
  • Adrenaline Rush (MAX)
  • Aero Swing (MAX)
  • Judgement Draw (MAX)
  • Gathering Hook (MAX)

Final Blow is your main attack skill in third job. You can use Judgement Draw, but it's not as good as Final Blow. Aero Swing improves Smash Swing so you can attack in the air. Advanced Combo ability increases your attack as your Combo increases. You now also unlock Adrenaline Rush, which is your super mode that activates for 30 seconds when you hit 1000 combo. Adrenaline Rush also improves also all your skill's damage and effects.

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Final Blow Final Blow Swing your polearm around to deal massive damage, ignoring some DEF. Learn this skill to utilize Final Blow as the 3rd hit of Smash Swing. Main Attack Skill
Might Might Permanently increases Attack Power and Defense, and allows you to knock enemies back with a small amount of damage. Passive Buff
Maha Blessing Maha Blessing Increases party members' Attack with the blessings of Maha, the spirit of the polearm. Buff
Judgement Draw Judgement Draw Slams your polearm into the ground with great force, launching nearby enemies into the air. Enemies hit directly by the polearm will be frozen and take damage over time. Can be resisted by some monsters. You can control where the polearm lands. Combo Attack Skill
Gathering Hook Gathering Hook Uses your polearm blade as a hook to gather nearby enemies in front of you.Dragon Link Activation Effect: Can be used while using the skill. Combo Attack Skill
Cleaving Blows Cleaving Blows Ignores a portion of a monster's defense and increases your damage. Passive Buff
Aero Swing Aero Swing Allows you to use Smash Swing while airborne. Use Smash Swing while jumping, and Maha will stop you from falling. You'll be able to move around, just like on the ground. Also, passively increase Smash Swing's damage. Passive Buff
Advanced Combo Ability Advanced Combo Ability Masterfully counts up your attacks in a Combo Count. Increases Critical Rate and Attack Power with every 50 counts, stacking up to 10 times. Also passively increases your Knockback Resistance, Attack Power, Abnormal Status Resistance Chance, Critical Rate, and Critical Damage. Passive Buff
Adrenaline Rush Adrenaline Rush A rush of adrenaline pushes your battle prowess to its maximum. Adrenaline Rush is not affected by buff duration increase effects and buff freezers. Passive Buff

Aran Fourth Job Skill Build

You can max all of your skills in first job. Follow this build:

  • Beyond Blade (+1), Sudden Strike (+1), High Mastery (+1)
  • Command Mastery (+1), Swing Studies II (+1), Advanced Final Attack (+1)
  • Beyond Blade (10)
  • High Mastery (10)
  • Swing Studies (MAX)
  • Beyond Blade (MAX)
  • High Mastery (MAX)
  • Sudden Strike (MAX)
  • Command Mastery (MAX)
  • Advanced Final Attack (MAX)
  • Finisher - Storm Of Fear (MAX)
  • Finisher - Hunter's Prey (MAX)
  • Maple Warrior (MAX)
  • High Defense (MAX)
  • Heros Will (MAX)

Beyond Blade is a skill you'll be using alongside Final Blow. Beyond Blade hits 3 different times, but it must be used in conjunction with Final Blow. This is when a lot of Aran players comment about key mashing, as you need to spam these two skills. You also unlock Finisher skills, which are activated only during Adrenaline Rush. Finishing Moves can only be used by inputting the command and only once per Adrenaline Rush. Command Mastery increases your damage when using the commands for Combo Skills, so learning to activate combo skills with keys is a better way to increase damage.

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Beyond Blade Beyond Blade Calls upon all of Aran's might to sweep enemies away with Maha. Can only be used linked after using the Final Blow, and you're invincible while using it. Additional Adrenaline Rush Effect: Shoots out shockwaves in front of you and behind you. Main Attack Skill
Swing Studies II Swing Studies II Through intense study, you've perfected your polearm swing and Smash Swing technique. Increases your movement speed and damage while swinging. Increases the damage of skills used after Smash Swing. The 2nd and 4th hits of Smash Swing and Aero Swing become Final Blows. Passive Buff
Sudden Strike Sudden Strike Damage dealt by Smash Wave, Final Charge, Final Toss, Rolling Spin, Judgment Draw, and Final Blow increased. Passive Buff
Maple Warrior Maple Warrior Temporarily increases the stats of all party members. Does not stack with Maple Warrior, Call of Cygnus, Nova Warrior, Hero of the Flora, President's Orders, Anima Warrior, or Rhinne's Protection. Buff
High Mastery High Mastery Maxes out Polearm Mastery while increasing Critical Damage and Attack Power. Passive Buff
High Defense High Defense A new defense technique that permanently decreases damage received from enemies and increases Max HP and DEF. Passive Buff
Hero's Will Hero's Will Hones your resolve to ignore certain abnormal status effects. Immune to Abnormal Status for 3 sec after use. Buff
Finisher - Storm Of Fear Finisher - Storm Of Fear Pummel your enemies with a series of swings so quick that your polearm becomes invisible. Forms a whirlwind around Aran, sucking in all enemies. This skill can be activated by command only during Adrenaline Rush. Command Attack
Finisher - Hunter's Prey Finisher - Hunter's Prey Charges forward to strike a powerful blow, automatically targeting the most powerful enemy in the direction of your attack. Charge the skill longer to do more damage. You're invincible while charging. This skill can be activated by command only during Adrenaline Rush. Command Attack
Command Mastery II Command Mastery II Enhances the effects of Aran's Command-activated skills Passive Buff
Advanced Final Attack Advanced Final Attack Permanently increases Attack Power. Greatly increases the damage and activation rate of your Final Attack. Passive Buff

Aran Hyper Skill Build

Hyper skills are available at level 140. You get Hyper Skill Points as you level towards 200, but not enough to max all the skills, so choose wisely. These skills mostly help increase the damage of your current skills.

  • Frenzied Swing
  • Beyond-er Blade
  • Beyond Blade Barrage
  • Piercing Beyond Blade
  • Surging Adrenaline
  • Adrenaline Burst
  • Heroic Memories
  • Maha's Domain

Aran Fifth Job Skill Build

Upon reaching level 200, you will now have access to the V Matrix, which acts as your new fifth job skills. Each class gets their own skills to use, along with boosting nodes to increase the damage of existing skills. To obtain new skills, you open up items called Nodestones, which drop from every mob in Arcane River. You have limited number of slots in your V Matrix, so you want to obtain perfect nodes for maximize your character's damage.

Aran's Nodes should include:

  • Maha's Fury
  • Maha's Carnage
  • Fenrir Crash
  • Blizzard Tempest
  • Trinode: Beyond Blade, Final Blow, Final Attack
  • Trinode: Smash Swing, Maha's domain, Hunters Prey

All 5th Job classes should try to also obtain these:

  • Decent Holy Symbol
  • Decent Sharp Eyes
  • Decent Speed Infusion
  • Erda Nova
  • Rope Lift
  • Weapon Aura
  • Freud's Wisdom
  • Impenetrable Skin
  • Maple World Goddess Blessing

Skill Description & Overview

Icon Skill Description Type
Maha's Fury Maha's Fury Maha's power flows into you, granting you enormous strength. Cooldown Attack Skill
Maha's Carnage Maha's Carnage Swing Maha around in a circle, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Andrenaline Rush does not apply. Afterimage from Swing Studies is only activated once. Cooldown Attack Skill
Fenrir Crash Fenrir Crash Swing your Polearm and call forth a mythical wolf to deliver a devastating blow. After using Beyond Blade 3rd Hit, you will not be pushed back by any enemy attacks when using Beyond Blade. Attack Skill
Blizzard Tempest Blizzard Tempest Create a blizzard that stuns enemies and calls down the Dire Wolf's Curse. Enemies hit by the blizzard will resist stuns for 90 seconds and won't be stunned by other skills, such as Blizzard Tempest, either. If Aran's direct attack skills, aside from Finisher - Storm of Fear, successfully hit enemies who are under the Dire Wolf's Curse, the curse grows stronger, whereupon falling ice chunks -- which ignore attack reflection -- will deal additional damage to enemies under the curse near that enemy and Aran. Max Level 25. Cooldown Attack Skill

Changelog

15/01/2021 - First update

Discussion

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A really solid and clean guide! I love that you included inner ability on this one.
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