MapleStory Ark Skill Build Guide

Ark is part of the Flora group of classes in MapleStory that can switch to Specter State mode to defeat mobs and bosses. Ark plays by gaining Spectra using normal attacks and then transform those skills into much more powerful versions once Specter State is activated. Ark is a Pirate that uses the Knuckle weapon and Abyssal Path as sub weapon.

• Ark Overview
• Ark First Job Skill Build
• Ark Second Job Skill Build
• Ark Third Job Skill Build
• Ark Fourth Job Skill Build
• Ark Hyper Skill Build
• Ark Fifth Job Skill Build
• Changelog

Ark Overview

Ark was released in patch v196 in GMS July 2018 and is part of the Flora classes, which also includes Illium and Adele. Ark is all about building up Spectra and managing the character so that Ark can be in Specter State for as long as possible. Many of Ark skills will change to be incredibly powerful during Specter State and become underwhelming in normal state (Flora state).

Ark is a fun class to play and is rather simple to manage. Despite it having a unique mechanic, it's actually incredibly easy to understand. Mobbing in Specter State is extremely overpowered and fun- the problem is it doesn't last for very long, so you will be switching from feeling like a super overpowered to then feeling like your skills could all do with a buff. Damage wise they are a sound class to play, especially with it being one of the more modern classes to play.

Bossing is all about managing your Specter State to make sure you give optimal DPS to your party, whilst simultaneously getting your Flora state buffs up. In Flora State you can use your charge attacks and use Spell Bullets to cast specific buffs that will increase Ark's damage. You get different charge attacks in your Job Advancements, and can get them all cast at the same time with proper management. In 5th job they get access to Abyssal Recall, which is a 10-second iframe!

• Weapon: Knuckle
• Job: Pirate
• Class: Flora
• Shared Cash Shop Inventory: Illium, Adele, Ark
• Legion Block: +STR (10/20/40/80/100)
• Link Skill: Solus (+13% Damage in combat state)
• Primary Stat: Str
• Inner Ability: Passive Skills: +1

Ark First Job Skill Build

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

• Ominous Nightmare (+1), Basic Charge Drive (+1), Spell Bullets (+1)
• Mystic Leap (MAX)
• Basic Charge Drive (MAX)
• Ominous Nightmare (MAX)
• Spell Bullets (MAX)
• Mystic Arts Mastery (MAX)

In first job, Ark has no control over the Specter State. It will randomly happen when you use Ominous Nightmare. You should max Mystic Leap early on for map mobility. Basic Charge Drive is your spammable skill (no cooldown) and you should use Spell Bullets to activate the buff it gives you when they fill up in your Spectra diamond charge UI. In Specter State you can spam Ominous Nightmare until your Spectra runs out.

Skill Description & Overview

Ark Second Job Skill Build

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

• Scarlet Charge Drive (+1), Knuckle Mastery (+2)
• Knuckle Mastery (5)
• Knuckle Booster (6)
• Knuckle Mastery (MAX)
• Physical Training (MAX)
• Scarlet Charge Drive (MAX)
• Impending Death (MAX)
• Unstoppable Impulse (MAX)
• Knuckle Booster (MAX)
• Initiate Fusion (MAX)

In second job you get control over when you can switch to Specter State with the Master Corruption skill. Use this to toggle between the two states; if your Spectra Diamond empties, you will not gain any Spectra for 20 seconds, so it's always best to keep an eye on it to prevent longer cooldown between states. Scarlet Charge Drive can be used to rush enemies- but like your other charge skills, it provides a buff when you use it with Spell Bullets. Each time you use Scarlet Charge Drive you gain a diamond in your Diamond UI; this corresponds to the number of "bullets" you shoot out when you use Spell Bullets (from 1st job). You should be trying to get all your buffs into your Diamond UI at once before activating Spell Bullets.

Impending Death is a toggle skill that activates only in Specter State- it will act like Spell Bullets and fire death orbs towards mobs near you when you attack enemies. Knuckle Booster should be maxed early on to get that better attack speed boost.

Skill Description & Overview

Ark Third Job Skill Build

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

• Vivid Nightmare (+1), Gust Charge Drive (+1), Advanced Fusion (+1)
• Vivid Nightmare (MAX)
• Advanced Fusion (MAX)
• Gust Charge Drive (MAX)
• Mystic Arts Training (MAX)
• Innate Arts Training (MAX)
• Creeping Terror (MAX)
• Vengeful Hate (MAX)

In third job your main attacking skill gets upgraded to Vivid Nightmare. You get a new charge skill called Gust Charge Drive that requires you to be in the air to use (it's buff gives +1 attack speed, so it's best to keep this one up). Your other skills get damage upgrades and you also get a hold down skill called Creeping Terror and Vengeful Hate increases the chance to deal extra damage on targets hit by your Impending Death skill from second job.

Skill Description & Overview

Ark Fourth Job Skill Build

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

• Endless Nightmare (+1), Knuckle Expert (+1), Advanced Mystic Arts (+1)
• Endless Nightmare (MAX)
• Knuckle Expert (MAX)
• Battle Frenzy (MAX)
• Advanced Mystic Arts (MAX)
• Complete Fusion (MAX)
• Advanced Innate Arts (MAX)
• Hero of the Flora (MAX)
• Blissful Restraint (MAX)
• Abyssal Charge Drive (MAX)
• Floran Hero's Will (MAX)

Ark is one class that doesn't have hundreds of skills to manage, and as you can see, fourth job there are not many skills you need to worry about. Your main attacking skill gets its final upgrade to Endless Nightmare. You get lots of passive buffs for your other skills with Advanced Mystic Arts and Advanced Innate Arts adding more damage. Battle Frenzy gives you a big 20% final damage boost , Blissful Restraint is a 10 second bind and Abyssal Charge Drive is useful for bossing as it gives a % boss damage buff when you use it with Spell Bullets.

Skill Description & Overview

Ark 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.

• Reinforced Battle Arts
• Guardbreak Arts
• Boss Rush Arts
• Enhanced Spectra Healing
• Enhanced Spectra State
• Endless Agony
• Divine Wrath
• Charge Spell Amplifier

Ark 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.

Ark's Nodes should include:

• Abyssal Recall
• Infinity Spell
• Devious Nightmare
• Endlessly Starving Beast
• Trio: Basic Charge Drive, Ominous Nightmare, Impending Death
• Trio: Creeping Terror, Gust Charge Drive, Unstoppable Impulse
• Trio: Scarlet Charge Drive, Abyssal Charge Drive, [FREE]

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
• True Arachnid Reflection

Skill Description & Overview

Changelog

17/03/2021 - First update