Aion 2 Leveling Guide: 1–45 the Fast Way

How long does it take to reach 45?

Slower isn't worse: doing more side content on the way leaves you a bit stronger at 45 (All Things How). The global level cap is 45. Korean guides talk about 50 — that's a later version of the game.

The rule: gold quests, greens only for the gates

• Gold (yellow) quests are the main story (Episode). They give the most EXP and walk you through every zone. Alt+1…9 auto-runs to the matching quest on your tracker.
• Green quests are zone side quests (Regional, Journal J). Do them when the story stops.
• Don't grind mobs in one spot — Game8 calls it too unreliable. Kill what's in your way.

Elyos start in Poeta and move on to Verteron, Asmodians in Ishalgen and Altgard. The route is the same for every class.

Ascension gates at 22 and 32 — how to clear them fast

At 22 and 32 the story asks you to fill the Ascension Gauge to 100% before the next gold quest appears. Skycoach, All Things How and Aragon all name these two levels (aLuckyRO says 22 and 33).

Fastest ways to fill the gauge:

1. Green quests, easiest first. Higher-level quests don't give more gauge (Game8), and one quest is just under 5% (VGC). Gold quests add to it too, so a handful of greens is usually enough.
2. Sealed Dungeons (solo mini-dungeons under a question mark on the map) — less gauge, but skill points and Daevanion crystals.
3. Strongholds (enemy camps) — the least gauge, but belt enhancement scrolls.

The easiest way to never get stuck: if a green quest is on your path, do it right away. Once the gauge is full, do the Ascension quest (all of them are in "Dream Crossroad") immediately — it gives wings and unlocks new systems.

Sources: Skycoach (levels), Game8 Ascension Quests (rewards).

The route, level by level

1–12: learning the ropes

• Set which item rarities you loot (Settings → Combat → Looting) and turn off camera shake. The full "first five minutes" settings list is on every class page under Campaign — e.g. Templar.
• Your first wings come around level 5. Use them from your bag and equip them in the wings window (Alt+C).
• Gathering (Essence Extraction) works from level 10: pick up the ore and herbs on your route and the skill levels itself (space4games checked it on the global client and MetaBot lists gathering among the first unlocks; Game8's "level 45" most likely comes from the Taiwanese version, where that's the case).
• Redeem the launch code while it's still active — details in your first week.

12–22: Daevanion and the first dungeon

• At 12 the Daevanion board opens (nodes with stats and skill levels). Spend crystals right away: every point is +1 item level for good. Your class guide's Daevanion tab shows which way to go; how the board works is in the Daevanion guide.
• Spend skill points by your class plan — e.g. Cleric, Sorcerer, Gladiator.
• At 20 you can enter Krao Cave (the first group dungeon, Exploration mode). Clear it with the story but don't open the end chest — Odyle Energy only starts charging at 22 anyway, and it's worth far more after 45.
• Passing a Sealed Dungeon or Stronghold? Do it: a Sealed Dungeon gives 2 Daevanion crystals and 2 skill points, a Stronghold gives 2 belt scrolls.

22–32: stigmas and the second gate

• Stigmas (extra skills) unlock at 22, with slots at 22, 27, 32 and 37. Which ones to take is in your class guide, e.g. Assassin or Chanter; levelling them up is in the stigma guide.
• Odyle Energy starts at 22: 15 every 3 hours, cap 560. You don't need to manage it yet.
• Urugugu Canyon opens at 28 in Exploration mode (ExpCarry, Skycoach) — same deal: clear it, leave the chest.
• Take your quest amulet and belt to +10, then use Substance Morph to upgrade their rarity. Unequip them from every gear preset first. These are the only two levelling items that stay with you for a long time.

32–45: Fire Temple and the home stretch

• Fire Temple opens at 35 in Exploration mode (ExpCarry). Again: clear it, don't open the chest.
• couga54: in Act 4 (around 33+) side quests and solo dungeons become worth it again because they give better gear.
• At 45, finish the story — don't stop at the level. The last quests give your gold class weapon, the Ascension Bracelet and the best wings.

What to pick up on the way, and what to leave for 45

Sources disagree on side content now vs after 45: couga54, space4games and aLuckyRO say "after 45", Game8 and several videos say "on the way". The argument for "on the way": at 45 mobs in old zones scale up to your level, so that content gets harder (Aragon, Taiwanese players). For a new player the sensible middle ground is what's on your route, plus greens for the gates.

What not to do while levelling

• Don't salvage or sell gold items, even for other classes — you'll need them later to reroll stats. More in 20 things the game doesn't tell you.
• Don't enhance quest gear past +10: up to +10 it always succeeds, beyond that it's a gamble on gear you'll replace.
• Don't slot expensive Manastones into temporary gear.
• Don't open the Duty tab in your Journal before 45 — a known bug then keeps your Duty missions hidden until the day after you hit 45 (a fix was listed for 5 Oct, not confirmed).

New term? Everything is in the glossary. What to do the moment you hit 45 is in the first week plan.