Ark Passive Breakpoints

Once you are familiar with the Ark Passive System and have defeated Aegir, you would naturally start wondering when you should enable this system. The answer to this is uniquely tailored to your character and all of its aspects, from Accessories and Engravings, to Combat Level and Enlightenment Point Potions. However, there are a few universal breakpoints that you can use to determine whether you should start using Ark Passive or not, based on what your character currently has access to.

Item Level 1660 - 1679

Being under Item Level 1680, you only have access to Relic Accessories, which limits your Enlightenment tree to Tier 3 class nodes. This means you have to rely more on Evolution nodes in order to gain power.

Case One

This setup offers access to one Tier 3 Evolution node, and will generally be slightly weaker than a Tier 3 setup, but there are cases where it would break even. The advantage lies in no longer having to deal with Relic Set effects for some classes, as well as having access to Enlightenment side nodes, which may offer valuable quality of life effects.

Case Two

This setup offers full access to Tier 3 Evolution nodes, and is generally the point where most classes break even with their Tier 3 setups. This baseline does not give you access to Enlightenment side nodes, but you can unlock one once you reach Combat Level 67.

Case Three

This setup offers full access to Tier 2 and Tier 3 Evolution nodes, resulting in a stronger build than Tier 3 setups. This baseline does not give you access to Enlightenment side nodes, but you can unlock one once you reach Combat Level 67. If you are at this point and have reached Combat Level 69, you should shift a Tier 2 Evolution node into Tier 4, as they are generally significantly stronger.

Item Level 1680+

Having access to Ancient Accessories allows you to use Tier 4 Enlightenment class nodes, which often offer powerful effects and alter the way your build functions. This power spike generally means you can transition earlier.

Case One

This setup offers access to one Tier 3 Evolution node, and will generally break even with a Tier 3 setup, but there are cases where it would be slightly stronger. Another advantage lies in no longer having to deal with Relic Set effects for some classes, as well as having access to Enlightenment side nodes, which may offer valuable quality of life effects.

Case Two

This setup offers full access to Tier 3 Evolution nodes, and is generally the point where most classes become stronger than their Tier 3 setups. This baseline does not give you access to Enlightenment side nodes, but you can unlock one once you reach Combat Level 68*.

*Some classes may choose side nodes instead of level 2 on their Tier 4 class node, depending on how strong it is.

Case Three

This setup offers full access to Tier 2 and Tier 3 Evolution nodes, resulting in a stronger build than Tier 3 setups. If you are at this point and have reached Combat Level 69, you should shift a Tier 2 Evolution node into Tier 4, as they are generally significantly stronger.

Supports

Support classes are a unique case, requiring 3 Aegir Gear Pieces in order to transition, regardless of their access to Enlightenment points. This is because without 90 Evolution points, the Goddess of Blessings + Passionate Dance combination is significantly weaker than the Tier 3 Yearning Set.

Summary

• Clear Kazeros Raid: Aegir and obtain Tier 4 Ancient Gear.
• Obtain Enlightenment Point Potions through horizontal content.
• Obtain and refine Tier 4 Accessories.
• Use the provided setup breakpoints to test and decide when to transition into an Ark Passive setup!

Credits

Written by Raeinor