Mage Guide for MapleStory Artale
This guide has been a long time coming, and I'm excited to finally share everything I've learned. With that out of the way, let's get into the guide — we're going to cover everything from level 1 to endgame.
Starting (Level 1-8)
When you first make your character, you'll need to roll your stats. Your goal is to roll as close to 13 INT as possible. This might sound time-consuming, but in Artale, rolling high stats is way easier than in the original MapleStory. If you can't get a perfect roll, it's not a big deal — you can always use AP Resets later. But if you want to save MapleStory Artale mesos in the long run, it's worth trying for that high INT roll now.
Once your character is created, you'll start on Maple Island. You'll want to stay here and grind until level 8. As you level, put your Skill Points (SP) into Snail Throw first — max that out by level 3 — and optionally Nimbo Feet or Recovery. Nimbo Feet increases your speed a bit, while Recovery helps you regen HP. Most people just use potions, but if you're short on mesos, Recovery isn't a bad pick.
All your Ability Points (AP) should go into INT. You'll hear this a lot throughout the guide, but going luckless (putting zero points into LUK) is the best way to build a Mage early on. INT gives you 1 magic attack per point, which is a very direct increase in power. It also gives more MP per level and better accuracy than LUK. The only real argument for LUK is if you're a Cleric and want more consistent Heal damage, but overall, stacking INT is just better in every other situation. It gives you higher damage, more MP, and better hit rates — no reason not to do it.
First Job Advancement (Level 8)
After hitting level 8, head to Ellinia and talk to Grendel the Old to become a Magician. Your next move should be buying your first weapon: a Wooden Wand from the weapon shop in Ellinia. You can also pick up the level 8 Mage armor if you want, but it's optional and kind of expensive early on.
This Wooden Wand is going to be your only weapon for a while — you'll be using it until level 40. That might sound rough, but being luckless means you're locked out of the early staves that require LUK. Still, trust me, it's worth it for the extra damage from INT.
When you're stocking up on potions, only buy blue (MP) pots at this stage. Ellinia sells them for cheaper than other towns, so always restock there.
Grinding Spots (Level 8-20)
Once you're geared up, head to Slime Tree to grind. You'll want to stay here until around level 12 or 13. At this point, you're still using Snail Throw for damage because in Artale, Snail Throw doesn't require snail shells and does a flat 40 damage when maxed. That makes it stronger than Energy Bolt for a little while.
As for SP allocation in the first job, here's the optimal route:
1. 1 SP into MP Recovery first, so you can start working towards Max MP Increase.
2. Max Max MP Increase ASAP — this is crucial. If you delay maxing this skill, your MP will be permanently lower compared to someone who did it right away.
3. After that, max out Magic Claw.
4. You can completely skip Energy Bolt unless you want it early on.
Around level 12, you can move to a better grind spot. In Henesys, behind a treehouse is a map filled with Orange Mushrooms. This map is great for levels 12 to 15 or 16. These mushrooms also drop 10% Shoes for Jump scrolls, which can be sold on the Auction House for a few hundred mesos — a solid way to make early money.
Gearing at Level 15+
Once you hit level 15, if you have extra mesos, you can start improving your gear a bit. The best upgrade at this point is to pick up Single Earrings (a level 15 common item) and scroll them with INT scrolls. If you're rich, go for 60% scrolls and try to get a few points of Magic Attack this way. If you're not quite there yet, don't worry — this is optional and can be done later.
You can also go to the armor store in Kerning City and grab Gushin Shoes, which give +2 speed. It's a minor upgrade but can help with travel and grinding efficiency. These shoes are good enough to last until you get better gear in the level 30–40 range.
New Grind Spot (Level 15-21)
Once you're level 15 or 16, head right of Henesys to a map filled with pigs. This is your next grinding area and it'll serve you well until level 20 or 21. The exp is solid and the mobs die quickly with Magic Claw, which you should have by now if you've been following the SP guide.
If you get bored or want to switch it up at around level 18, there are some alternatives you can try, such as green mushrooms or even hunting quests that give decent rewards. But pigs will be your most straightforward grind path.
General Tips and Advice
1. Don't use Magic Guard unless you're fighting bosses. It's tempting, but Magic Guard converts HP damage into MP damage, and MP potions are way more expensive than HP pots. Save your money and keep Magic Guard off for normal grinding.
2. Keep all your AP in INT. Resist the temptation to put anything into LUK unless you know what you're doing and are planning for a specific build later on.
3. Potions are cheaper in Ellinia. Always stock up there when possible.
4. Consider scroll investments only if you're financially stable. Things like INT earrings, Gushin Shoes, and Magic Attack gloves are great, but not worth bankrupting yourself over early on.
What's Next? (Level 30 and Beyond)
Once you get closer to level 30, your options open up more and things start getting a bit more exciting. You'll get your second job advancement and choose between Fire/Poison Mage, Ice/Lightning Mage, or Cleric. Each path has its own playstyle and goals, but the core Mage tips from this guide still apply:
• Keep stacking INT
• Grind efficiently
• Upgrade gear when possible
• Use the Auction House to fund scrolls and pots
Fire/Poison Mages tend to be great for mobbing and dealing consistent damage over time, while Ice/Lightning Mages are incredible for mob control thanks to freezing skills. Clerics are a bit different — they excel at support, have super cheap sustain due to Heal, and level fast in undead-heavy areas. I'll be covering those job advancements in future guides.
Final Thoughts
Mages in Artale are one of the strongest and most consistent classes for new and experienced players alike. By going luckless and focusing on INT, you unlock high damage potential right from the beginning. While you do have to make some sacrifices (like not upgrading your weapon until level 40), the benefits in terms of damage, MP gain, and accuracy are worth it.
Hopefully, this guide helps you understand the fundamentals of playing a Mage in Artale. I'll be working on follow-ups that cover second job progression, optimal gear paths for later levels, and endgame goals. Until then, thanks for reading and happy grinding!
MMOexp MapleStory Artale Team