MapleStory is a long-standing MMORPG that has maintained a dedicated player base for over a decade. One key feature that adds complexity and strategy to the game is the MapleStory Link Skills system. These unique abilities are transferable between characters, offering crucial stat boosts that can enhance your gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the game, understanding how to optimize these skills will significantly improve your overall performance.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into what Link Skills are, how to unlock them, and how to effectively use them to maximize your character’s potential.
What Are MapleStory Link Skills?
Link Skills in MapleStory are passive skills that can be transferred from one character to another, granting the recipient a powerful boost. Each job class has its own unique Link Skill, and as you level up your characters, these skills become stronger. Players can link these skills to one of their other characters, offering substantial advantages in areas such as damage output, experience gain, and survivability.
The flexibility and strategic depth offered by Link Skills are some of the reasons they have become such a pivotal aspect of MapleStory’s gameplay.
Unlock and Level Up MapleStory Link Skills
Before Link Skills can be used, they must first be unlocked. Most of these skills become available when a character reaches a specific level, typically around level 70. Once unlocked, the skills can be linked to another character on the same account.
- Leveling Up Link Skills:
The majority of Link Skills have two or three levels. The skill levels up when the character reaches higher levels. For example:- Level 1: Unlocked at level 70.
- Level 2: Achieved when the character reaches level 120.
- Level 3: Achieved when the character reaches level 210 (for most classes).
The process of leveling up Link Skills is character-based. Therefore, the higher your character’s level, the more powerful the Link Skill becomes. This encourages players to diversify their characters and invest time in leveling up multiple classes.
Best MapleStory Link Skills for Every Situation
Understanding which Link Skills to prioritize is crucial to your success. Different situations demand different skill combinations, and having a solid understanding of which skills work best in various contexts will significantly boost your character’s performance. Below is a breakdown of the best Link Skills for different gameplay aspects.
Best Link Skills for Damage Output
Dealing high amounts of damage is essential for defeating bosses and advancing through difficult levels. These Link Skills are optimized for maximizing your damage:
- Demon Avenger’s Wild Rage: This skill increases your final damage. It’s a must-have for players focusing on increasing their attack power.
- Xenon’s Hybrid Logic: Boosting all stats, this skill is especially useful for hybrid characters who rely on more than one stat to deal damage.
- Angelic Buster’s Terms and Conditions: This skill amplifies your damage for a short period, making it ideal for burst damage during boss fights.
Best Link Skills for Survivability
When it comes to staying alive in battle, a different set of Link Skills is necessary. These skills help with endurance and survivability:
- Kanna’s Elementalism: Grants bonus HP, making it one of the best Link Skills for classes with low survivability.
- Demon Slayer’s Fury Unleashed: This boosts defense, which can be a lifesaver in challenging boss fights or crowded maps.
- Shade’s Spirit Bond Max: This Link Skill grants damage reduction, making it essential for bossing.
Best Link Skills for Experience Gain (EXP Farming)
When farming experience to level up your characters quickly, maximizing experience gain is vital. These Link Skills help you gain EXP faster:
- Mercedes’ Elven Blessing: Provides an EXP bonus, which is beneficial during grind sessions.
- Aran’s Combo Ability: Another skill that increases EXP gain, making it perfect for leveling quickly.
- Evan’s Rune Persistence: This extends the duration of runes, which also contribute to faster experience accumulation.
How to Strategically Assign MapleStory Link Skill
The flexibility of Link Skills allows for strategic planning. While some players may prefer a fixed set of skills, others switch them depending on the task at hand. Below are a few strategic tips on how to best assign your Link Skills:
For Bossing
When preparing for a boss fight, it’s essential to optimize your damage output and survivability. Combining offensive Link Skills like Wild Rage and Hybrid Logic with defensive ones such as Spirit Bond Max will give you a well-rounded advantage. High-damage Link Skills allow you to deal significant burst damage, while survivability skills ensure you can withstand the boss’s attacks.
For Grinding and Leveling
During grinding sessions, the focus should be on maximizing experience gain. The Elven Blessing, Combo Ability, and Rune Persistence skills are indispensable when it comes to speeding up the leveling process. If you’re farming in maps with powerful mobs, adding survivability skills like Fury Unleashed can help maintain momentum.
For General Play
For most players, having a balanced setup that covers both damage and survivability will work best. Use Hybrid Logic for an overall stat boost, and combine it with Elementalism or Spirit Bond Max for more sustainability during everyday play. This setup allows you to be flexible, adapting to various challenges as they come.
Link Skills Tier List
Creating a tier list for MapleStory Link Skills is somewhat subjective, as it depends on a player’s objectives. However, based on versatility, power, and utility, here’s a general tier list that will help most players:
- S-Tier:
- Mercedes’ Elven Blessing
- Demon Avenger’s Wild Rage
- Angelic Buster’s Terms and Conditions
- A-Tier:
- Xenon’s Hybrid Logic
- Kanna’s Elementalism
- Shade’s Spirit Bond Max
- B-Tier:
- Aran’s Combo Ability
- Evan’s Rune Persistence
- Demon Slayer’s Fury Unleashed
How to Unlock Additional Link Skill Slots
As you develop more characters, you’ll eventually need more slots to accommodate multiple Link Skills. Initially, you’re limited in the number of Link Skills you can assign to a single character. To unlock additional slots, you’ll need to progress through specific milestones:
- Level Milestones:
As your account’s overall level increases, you’ll unlock additional slots. For example, upon reaching a total level of 120, you can unlock an additional slot. - Premium Service:
In some cases, purchasing a premium service or package can provide more Link Skill slots, but this approach may not be necessary for most players.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While the MapleStory Link Skills system offers numerous benefits, there are common mistakes that players should avoid:
- Neglecting Leveling:
Failing to level up characters that offer valuable Link Skills can hold back your account’s overall potential. Make sure to invest time in leveling up characters whose skills provide crucial benefits. - Misassigning Skills:
Assigning a skill to the wrong character can reduce its effectiveness. For instance, a high-damage skill should be given to a class that needs more attack power, not one that is already overloaded with damage. - Ignoring Utility Skills:
It’s easy to focus purely on damage, but ignoring skills that boost survivability or experience gain can lead to inefficient gameplay. Make sure to balance your choices.
The MapleStory Link Skills system provides a dynamic and engaging way to customize your characters and optimize your gameplay. By understanding the strengths of each skill and how they fit into various aspects of the game—whether it be bossing, grinding, or general play—you can significantly enhance your MapleStory experience.
Remember, the key to success in MapleStory lies in the strategic use of your resources, and Link Skills are one of the most valuable assets at your disposal.
