A Mini Guide to choosing your Maplestory Class

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Please Note that the main content is in the first 7 Post of this thread, and not just the First post

Updates: Under Construction !!! Currently updating Individual Class information
More to come: Will be add a Comparison Table in the future

Click Spoiler for Post Tempest Patch Damage%/Sec and Class Overall Ranking

Spoiler 

*Credits to XenoPhobia for this awesome banner !*

Background Information:
With the influx of many new classes like Mercedes, Demon Slayer, and revamping of classes like Aran, Evan, Resistance, I've decided to make a mini guide for all who are still wondering which class to choose. And yes, I will keep this thread updated base on any job changes.
Ultimately, I hope this thread helps those that are still wondering which Maplestory class to choose. Enjoy 

Thread History
V2.1: Added Contribution for Dual Blade 9/3/13
V2.0: Added Contribution for Mihile 6/3/13
V1.9: Added Contribution for Cannon master 20/2/13
V1.8: Added contribution for Captain 25/11/12
V1.7: Added quote & contribution for Marksman, Mercedes, Battle Mage, Shadower, Bishop, Viper, Phantom, Evan 18/11/12
V1.6: Added Zen to the List(Not info) 8/10/2012
V1.5: BowMaster Info 28/9/2012
V1.4: Paladin Info 28/8/2012
V1.3: Aran Info 19/08/2012
V1.2: Dark Knight Info 15/08/2012
V1.1: Created template for job information, Hero info 14/08/2012
V1.0: Creation of the thread, 13/08/2012

 A little about myself and my mechanic: JunXMech  
I was one of the old players, starting at around 2007 with spearman, hermit, quit for around 3 years before returning during the "Big Bang" Patch, where the Resistance classes was being rolled out. I played Wild hunter, but grew tire of its playstyle, large hitbox and frailness. And I started playing Mechanic on the 1st day it was release, which was 1 month after wild hunter was released. It was something fresh, with 100% stance and a rush-mob skill right from lv10, it was an awesome feel. But it was being bandwagon badly, every where you go, there were mechanics spamming drill rush and hammer and no cool down rock n shock. I thoroughly enjoyed the gameplay, which was why I remain loyal to my mechanic when more than half the mechanic got wiped out after the chaos patch's nerf for mechanic. Throughout the patches, from leveling by hunting at werewolf, papu/zak, to Lion Heart Castle PT System, to Stronghold PT System, to current PQ system, I grew to be greatly attached to my mechanic, with its gameplay and uniqueness.
And my mech turned out to be my very first Lv200 Character in Maplestory  On 11th of May 2012, few days before legend patch.
But of course, Lv200 isn't the only goal out there in maplestory, I will touch on that later.

 The "Trick" to choosing a Class in Maplestory  

Basically, when choosing a class, NOBODY, I repeat, NOBODY can tell you which class to play.
You create a thread, list your criteria, Even if a class fits all your criteria, it doesnt mean that that is the class for you, as gameplay simply can't be describe in words at times, and differ from player to player depending on playstyle and skills and funding.

And let me repeat a very important point.
There is no such thing is a weak class, just different classes for different purpose.

And remember, Nexon(developer of Maplestory) tactic is to revamp classes on a regular basis. Meaning no matter how strong or how weak a character is, it will not be the same story after a revamp.
So, Always, ALWAYS, choose a class that you LIKE, because the gameplay doesn't change even after a revamp, understand ?
Because how strong it is, will always be relative to other classes.

And another point about maplestory is that, funding is actually the most important factor in determining whether your character will be strong or weak.
Funding can be from different source, either from trading in game, or MTS, or from your own wallet.
And of course, how you fund your character is another story.

 Whats your Goal in Maplestory ? 
Just another question for you all to ponder about.
Is it for Bossing ?
Is it just a class for you to chill with your friends and explore maple world ?
Is it a PVP class ?
Is it just a class that trains fast and can hit lv200 as soon as possible ?

Lockon88, on 14 August 2012 - 02:45 AM, said:

Although there is no pure job role in maplestory, as most of the class is a mix of here and there or with some good party skill.
MapleStory is not a solo rpg, you need to party with people to play/fight strong bosses, unless you can pump few hundred K's of real $.
So know/love your role and you will play happily and sorry about the bandwagon, you can never avoid it.

Here is a nice video featuring All jobs in Maplestory.
It includes(after resistance, Legendary Heroes Revamp), Pirate/Thief, DB revamp, Phantom Release and up till Mikhail Release.
Its 40 mins long, have a nice watch, nice background music too !


Okay, After watching the video, I shall teach you how to research(LOL) on your class.


 Guide to researching for a Class  

Basically, the key work is Research, Research, Research.

Basically there are a few sources.
To check for updates in maplestory:
For MapleSEA: http://maple.asiasoftsea.com/updates/ << But do note that patch note are usually not up until few days before the actual patch
For GMS/KMS: 
Orange Mushroom's Blog
shakar96 | The GMS & KMS Blog
KMS is basically around 10~12 months ahead of MSEA, so you can plan in advance if you want.
We have an "Other Maplestory Service" above our General Discussion Page here, but there isn't really an "in charge" so its quite messy.

To check for gameplay
Simply go to http://www.youtube.com/, and type something like "Maplestory Demon Slayer Lv120 Training" or "Maplestory Mercedes Solo Zakum".
But do note that people who usually post their video is because they funded their character to have high dmg and hp, thats why they are in a sense "showing off" their character, so don't be dishearten if your damage differs greatly from those in the videos.

For indepth Discussion or forums
BasilMarket's Forum << Basically a forum for GMS players, quite alot of indepth discussion going on there.
South Perry Forum

For Accurate Data and Game Mechanics
South Perry's Homepage << Yeah, south perry is still the place for that.

Another easier way to search for class discussion is basically just
Type "Maplestory Mercedes VS Demon Slayer" in your google search engine, and click on those Basilmarket links.




 List of Classes in Maplestory 
Please click on the name of the class for easier link to its information.(In progress)

Spoiler 

::Adventurers::
>Warrior<
Hero
Paladin
Dark Knight

>Magician<
Arch Mage (Fire/Poison)
Arch Mage (Ice/Lightning)
Bishop

>Archer<
Bow Master
Marksman

>Rogue<
Shadower
Night Lord
Dual Blade

>Pirate<
Captain
Viper
Zen<Exclusive MSEA Class>

>Cannoneer<
Cannon Master

::Legendary Heroes::
Aran
Evan
Mercedes
Phantom
Luminous (Unreleased in MapleSEA Yet)


::The Resistance::
Battle Mage
Wild Hunter
Mechanic
Demon Slayer 

::Cygnus Knight
Mihile

::Nova Race::
Kaiser (Unreleased in MapleSEA Yet)
Angelic Burster (Unreleased in MapleSEA Yet)

-Final Comparison Table will be added in the future-