Hero

FAQ & Acronyms

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where do I train?
Check the Hero Discord (link at the very bottom of this page (footer)) to find specific map rotations for each specific zones!Q: What's stronger between Axe and Sword?
Axe. Axe has an additional +5% damage. This is just damage, not final damage.Q: Do I go 1-handed or 2-handed?
Heroic: 2-handed.
Interactive: 1-handed (can use 2-handed for the early game until the Arcane Umbra weapon).Q: Does Hero need a cooldown hat?
No, in GMS it's still better to run 3 lines of STR% on your hat.
In Interactive worlds you can technically go for -CD for more survivability/comfortability, but you will have to cast skills off cool down as quickly as possible otherwise you lose the value of having -CD on your hat.Q: Do I need to job change in order to liberate the Genesis weapon?
No.Q: Will I lose my 6th job progression if I job switch from Hero to a Paladin/Dark Knight or the other way around?
Yes, you will lose all progression besides unused Sol Erda and Sol Erda fragments.Q: How much IED do I need?
Try to obtain as much IED as possible without sacrificing other stats such as %Boss DMG or %Attack. Ideally your WSE and familiars won't have any %IED, but it's alright temporarily to reach specific IED thresholds.
● Suggested IED for CRA bosses and below: 90%+.
● Suggested IED for every boss between CRA and Hard Lotus/Damien: 93%+.
● Suggested IED for Hard Lotus/Damien and above: 96%+.
Calculate your total IED here: https://gmsmeta.com/apps/ied.html#Q: Is Hero negatively affected by high ping?
Yes, high ping can sometimes reduce the effectiveness of Instinctual Combo. Generally, high ping can make it difficult to time or react to bossing mechanics. If you're experiencing high ping (100ms+), you might consider optimizing your connection. Some players find that ExitLag can help reduce ping—just make sure to select the closest server (e.g., Oregon for GMS NA servers).NOTE: While ExitLag is generally allowed, always follow the game's Terms of Service. For example, using ExitLag to bypass the regional country block restriction is prohibited and could result in penalties.You can use our referral link to ExitLag by clicking the LINK HERE or the image below for a FREE 3-DAY TRIAL AND 50% OFF by using code ZELPEX.

Q: I don't see "Enter Text Here" in the guide but I have a question about it!
You can always join our Discord for more details/information about Hero.Q: I want to see "Enter Text Here" added to the guide, or, I want to see "Enter Text Here" changed in the guide!
You can always join our Discord to suggest changes to the guide.

Acronyms & Abbreviations

Weapon Type

Axe vs. Sword

Axe advantages:
5% damage (additive damage %, not final damge).

Sword advantages:
Job changing flexibility with Paladin.
Matching aesthetics with the class’s skills.Conclusion:
● Choose Axe if you will never play Paladin and want to maximize damage on Hero.
● Choose Sword if you don’t care about the 5% damage and prefer the matching aesthetics.
● Choose Sword if you want the ability to switch between Hero and Paladin.

Guide Note: Keep in mind that after you’ve reached 6th job and want to job switch, you will lose ALL your invested resources in the 6th job system (i.e. you will not maintain HEXA Levels). This is why we suggest going for the Axe because you’ll most likely never want to swap to Paladin anymore because of this.

One-handed (1-H) vs. Two-handed (2-H)

The choice between using a 1-H weapon and a 2-H weapon is dependent on which secondary weapon is available to you. Hero has three options: the Terminus Defender Shield, the Deimos Warrior Shield, and the Hero Medallion (via Princess No). The medallion is used with a 2-H weapon whereas the shields are used with a 1-H weapon.

Heroic:
2-H weapons will always be better than 1-H weapons.As of now, there has not been any documented drops in the Heroic server for the Terminus Defender Shield. Therefore, our realistic shield option is the Deimos Warrior Shield. Without scrolling and the improved stats of the Terminus Defender, the Deimos Shield is not strong enough to beat the innate damage multiplier of a 2-H weapon over a 1-H weapon. You can find more information about this HERE.Interactive:
1-H will be better if you use a starred and scrolled Terminus Defender Shield. As a new player it's better to start with a 2-H weapon until you are able to choose your Genesis weapon. By that time you may choose to go 1-H and use the Terminus Defender as your shield or stick with 2-H. If you are playing your Hero as a bossing mule, the 2-H route is recommended. However, if you are playing in Interactive Server with Hero as your main, the 1-H route is highly recommended by Interactive Server Heroes.Once complete, the 1-H + Terminus Defender Shield setup is >5% FD over the 2-H setup and approximately >6.5% Combat Power gain.

Guide Note/Example:
Start with 2-H weapon and the Level 100 medal.
At the start of liberation you choose one of the following: (1) 1-H + Shield or (2) 2-H + Medal(1) 1-H + Shield: This option is stronger overall and BiS but resale value is lower unless the shield is completed or nearly completed. It also requires higher funding. Use a Terminus Defender, 22*, with 15% spell traces or better (see following section). Then use the alternative IA specified in the Inner Ability section of the guide.(2) 2-H + Medal: This option has relatively lower overall damage and may be worse for long term Destiny Weapon but it has better resale value and a lower funding requirement. Use Level 100 medal.

Terminus Defender Scrolling

When using a Terminus Defender with a 1-H sword or axe, it will require scrolling. The following is an overview of the scroll options.Spell Trace:
Cost: Basically free.Prime Scroll: [WOULD NOT RECOMMEND, BASICALLY OBSOLETE]
Power: Barely better than using just Spell Traces.
Cost: 3b/scroll (40% pass rate) + 500m/guardian scroll to protect from booms.X Scroll: (5-7 att/scroll for an average of 5.2 att/slot)
Power: ~0.38fd over Spell Traces (could be higher or lower depending on scrolling RNG).
Cost: ~15b/scrollV Scroll: (6-8 att/scroll for an average of 6.2 att/slot)
Power: ~0.58fd over Spell Traces (could be higher or lower depending on scrolling RNG)
Cost: ~30b/scroll

Guide Note: Prices for scrolls are based on the current Bera prices as of 2025-08-01. Damage gains are based on feedback. YMMV.

Max Attack Speed on 1-H and 2-H

In GMS, we have the benefit of 10 attack speed cap (hard cap) compared to KMS’s 8 attack speed cap (soft cap).
● AS 8->AS 9 = ~+7% FD
● AS 8->AS 10= ~+9.5% FD.IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to break the soft AS cap, you HAVE to use a Monster Park Extreme Green Potion. Without the potion, even a 9 AS will function at the 8 AS soft cap. There are a few exceptions to this case, such as Kanna's Domain, but these are not reliable methods to list them all here.As a Hero, hard cap can be achieved with:A 2-H weapon has an average (stage 4) attack speed (AS):
● Weapon Booster (+2 AS).
● Weapon Mastery (+1 AS).
● Decent Speed Infusion (+1 AS).
● Monster Park Extreme Green Potion (+1 AS).
● Inner Ability (+1 AS).A 1-H weapon has a fast (stage 5) attack speed (AS):
● Weapon Booster (+2 AS).
● Weapon Mastery (+1 AS).
● Monster Park Extreme Green Potion (+1 AS and allows you to break the attack speed cap).
● Decent Speed Infusion (+1 AS).See the picture below to get a better visual understanding of how to achieve 10 AS.

Pet Skill Setup

Pet Skill Buff Setup

Guide Note: Hero's auto-buff skills can be slotted using only two pets; rotate Decent Holy Symbol with another skill while mobbing and rotate back while bossing. If using three pets, you're left with an extra slot. The (BLANK)* slot can be used for Decent Hyper Body (if you care to use it) or Weapon Aura. As of GMS v263, Weapon Aura can be auto-buffed. This can be useful for culvert, dojo, or instances where you won't run out of charges but not recommended for bossing.

Familiar Badges

Recommended Badge Setup

The following badges are listed in the order shown on the image above.#1: Ocean Badge = Critical Rate +1%, Damage +1%
#2: Researcher Badge = Damage +1%, Max HP +1%
#3: Labyrinth Badge = All Stat +1%, Damage +1%
#4: Holy Badge = ATT +1%, Critical Rate +1%
#5: Lion Badge = ATT +1%, Max HP +1%
#6: Apocalypse Badge = ATT +1%, ATT +2
#7A: Time Badge = 3% Chance to Recover 20HP when attacking, IED +3%, or;
#7B: Wasteland Badge = M.ATT +1%, IED +3%
#8: Mineral Badge = DEF +5, IED +3%Additional Options: Rebel Badge = Critical Rate +1%

GUIDE NOTE: There is a maximum number of lines that can be equipped at the same time. Exact values can be found here, but generally only three lines of the same stat can be equipped at the same time. If additional stats are listed in red on the right side of the UI, under "Badge Effects", they are not being counted.

Oz Rings

General Note

Generalized Bossing Guide – Oz Rings
The following recommendations on this page are based on generalized bossing scenarios. Actual performance may vary depending on individual playstyle, boss mechanics, and party composition. For optimal results, we recommend conducting a Battle Analysis (BA) to determine the best setup for your specific needs.When obtaining a grindstone your primary upgrade target is to upgrade your ROR4 to a ROR5, and your ROR5 to a ROR6. Once you have a ROR5 then aim for CONT5 and then WJ5.KMST Note: In the latest KMST the upgrade target is ROR > CONT > WJ

Only ROR3/4/5/6 Fans

Following the GMS v263 patch, Oz rings were updated to have a 120s cooldown; this matches our burst timing exactly.Ring of Restraint should be used for regular and origin bursts.Swapping to another Oz ring for additional off-burst damage or "mini-bursts" may be possible but likely inefficient. Swapping to damage rings is no longer required or recommended.

If You "Only" Have A WJ3/4/5/6

Following the GMS v263 patch, Oz rings were updated to have a 120s cooldown; this matches our burst timing exactly.If you only have a WJ ring, you should use it for your regular and origin bursts. Swapping to a damage ring between bursts is not recommended. WJ is not better than ROR. However, it is better than a simple damage ring. Once you obtain a ROR, it is recommended that you switch to using ROR.

If You "Only" Have A CONT3/4/5/6

If CONT is the only Oz ring in your possession, keep it equipped always.When using the CONT ring, try to time your attacks, such as SI+RR+HEXA BB and when you're actually bursting, in the windows where the CONT buff activates.

If You Have Multiple Rings

Once you begin obtaining Oz rings, it's recommended to keep a copy of each of the important rings: Restraint, Weapon Jump, and Continuous. Additionally, if you've got the inventory space, you can keep a copy of the Totaling and Risk Taker rings. You do not need to keep multiple levels (i.e. if you have a WJ3 and obtain a WJ4, you can get rid of the WJ3).Following the GMS v263 patch, ROR will be your main ring for 95% of scenarios.CONT should be useful for culvert rotations; possibly dojo. WJ may be useful for additional off-burst or "mini-burst" damage. Totaling and Risk Taker may be useful in min/max scenarios yet to come. However, based on the rarity of the various rings, you may as well keep them.

Link Skills

Bossing Link Skill Setup

Guide Note: the following link skills are some additional options that may help you out, or provide better damage depending on your character. Using Luminous or Kanna link skill will likely depend on your own personal IED%. Recommend using MapleScouter or other similar calculators if you are looking for the best choice for your situation. In general, we think that Luminous will beat out Kanna, marginally.

Mobbing Link Skill Setup

Guide Note: duplicate link skills, as shown in the screenshot above, have been detailed in the previous section and will not be repeated here. For clarity, this includes: Slot 0: Invincible Belief, Slot 2: Elementalism, Slot 4: Hybrid Logic, Slot 6: Judgment, Slot 10: Solus, Slot 11: Tree of Stars, and Slot 12: Wild Rage.

Guide Note: the following link skills are some additional options that may help you out, or provide better damage depending on your character. Cygnus Blessing can provide more damage than Keen Edge if you have the number of characters required. Tide of Battle can provide good damage if your rotation requires constant movement.

Hyper Skills & Stats

Hyper skills bossing passives

Advanced Combo Attack - Reinforce

Final Damage increased by 2% for each additional Combo Orb.

Advanced Combo Attack - Boss Rush

Boss Damage increases by 2% for each Combo Orb.

Advanced Final Attack - Opportunity

Activation Chance +15% for Final Attack.

Raging Blow - Reinforce

Damage: +20% for Raging Blow.

Raging Blow - Extra Strike

Number of Attacks: +1 for Raging Blow.

Hyper skills mobbing passives
(frenzy spawnrate only)

Advanced Combo Attack - Reinforce

Final Damage increased by 2% for each additional Combo Orb.

Advanced Combo Attack - Boss Rush

Boss Damage increases by 2% for each Combo Orb.

Raging Blow - Spread

Max Enemies Hit +2 for Raging Blow.

Raging Blow - Reinforce

Damage: +20% for Raging Blow.

Raging Blow - Extra Strike

Number of Attacks: +1 for Raging Blow.

Hyper stats setup suggestion for bossing

Hyper stats will depend a lot on the situation your character is in.
As a base-line I suggest you to do the following and build/change from there whatever you feel like you need, I can't really answer that question for you easily:● 10 Points in Crit Rate
● 10 Points in Crit Damage
● 10 Points in IED
● 10 Points in Boss Damage
● 10 Points in DamageHowever you could calculate what hyper stat situation most fits you at the moment at this website:
https://brendonmay.github.io/hyperCalculator/

Hyper stats setup suggestion for mobbing

Hyper stats will depend a lot on the situation your character is in.
As a base-line I suggest you to do the following and build/change from there whatever you feel like you need, I can't really answer that question for you easily:● 10 Points in Crit Rate
● 10 Points in Crit Damage
● 10 Points in EXP
● 10 Points in Monster Damage
● 10 Points in DamageHowever you could calculate what hyper stat situation most fits you at the moment at this website:
https://brendonmay.github.io/hyperCalculator/

Inner Ability

Miracle circulator strategy for rolling

Keep in mind that this is not for beginners and should only be done if you reach the mid-game or above, aim for attack speed +1 when you're just starting out since this is the most important line when going for 2-H, make sure you have several millions of honor saved up before attempting this strategy.
Focus on the thick marked text mentioned below when rolling your Bossing IA with Miracle Circulators, this roll will always be max due to this. After this you'll use your honor to roll the first line.
Guide note:
Use the following link to figure out how much honor you should be saving up for this strategy:
https://brendonmay.github.io/innerAbilityCalculator/

Best inner ability for bossing

2-H:
● Attack Speed Level +1 (most important line to aim for as a beginner so get this one asap)
● 10% Boss Damage
● 8% Damage Increase to Monster with Abnormal Status or 38% Buff Duration

Guide note:
The 8% Damage Increase to Monster with Abnormal Status or 38% Buff Duration choice can be difficult for 2-H.
I would recommend keeping whatever you get first, however if you want to min-max I would suggest going for 38% Buff Duration if your AB link isn't longer than 16 seconds without having it.
The maximum you can reach with AB link is 19.5 seconds without the Buff Duration inner line, if you reach this I would recommend going for the 8% Damage Increase to Monster with Abnormal Status instead but this is very min-maxing and both have yet to be truly tested in game against each other on an endgame Hero as of this date, this is just my own opinion and view on the case.

1-H:
● 20% Boss Damage
● 8% Damage Increase to Monster with Abnormal Status
● 38% Buff Duration

Best inner ability for training

Option 1 - Suggested:
● Drop Rate Increase +20%
● Meso Obtained +15%
● Normal Monster Damage +8% (not really important but if you like to min-max your dmg to 1shot)Option 2 (once maxed Hexa):
● Meso Obtained +20%
● Drop Rate Increase +15%
● Normal Monster Damage +8% (not really important but if you like to min-max your dmg to 1shot)Option 3 - Interactive world with Frenzy spawn rate:
● Number of enemies hit by multi-target skills +1
● Meso Obtained +15%
● Drop Rate Increase +15%

Best inner ability for boss reward room

● Drop Rate Increase +20%

Legion

Legion Board: Bossing legion setup

Cookie Cutter Legion Setup Based On Prio:
Max CritDmg > Max BossDmg > Max IED > Max Buff Duration > Max Critrate > Max Str > Max ATT
(ensure max crit rate when taking this prio into account)Focus on getting every single character that doesn't give INT or LUK, here you can find the link of all possible legion block effects:
https://maplestorywiki.net/w/Legion_System
If you are bad at knowing what to put where then use this useful site:
https://xenogents.github.io/LegionSolver/

Legion Board: Endgame bossing setup layout sample

Legion Board: Training legion setup

Cookie Cutter Legion Setup Based On Prio:
Max CritDmg > Max EXP Obtained > Max Normal Damage > Max CritRate > Max Str > Max ATT
(ensure max crit rate when taking this prio into account)Focus on getting every single character that doesn't give INT or LUK, here you can find the link of all possible legion block effects:
https://maplestorywiki.net/w/Legion_System
If you are bad at knowing what to put where then use this useful site:
https://xenogents.github.io/LegionSolver/

Legion Board: Endgame training setup layout sample

Legion Artifact: Artifact setup

Still W.I.P. but you can use below’s setup:Cookie Cutter Crystal Configuration Based On Prio:[Crystal 1 + 2] Boss damage, DMG, Crit Rate
[Crystal 3 + 4] Crit DMG, Buff Duration, IED[Crystal 5 + 6] All Stat, ATT, Final Attack (If you prefer doing more damage)
or
[Crystal 5 + 6] Drop, Meso, EXP (if you prefer farming/training)[Crystal 7 + 8] Whatever you didn't pick for Crystal 5 + 6

Crit Rate

Crit rate breakdown

● Base Rate: 5%
● Chance Attack: 20%
● Decent Sharp Eyes: 10%
● Marksman Level 200 Legion Effect: 4%
● Night Lord Level 200 Legion Effect: 4%
● Weapon Mastery: 15%Total: 58% Critical RateThe other 42% must be made up from a combination of Inner Ability, Legion Grid, Hyper Stat, Familiar Badges and/or Link skills.

Other crit rate sources

● Inner Ability: 20%
● Legion Grid: 0-40%
● Hyper Stat (levels 0-10): 0-15%
● Familiar System Ocean Badge: 1% (max cap is 3% in total)
● Familiar System Rebel Badge: 1% (max cap is 3% in total)
● Familiar System Commerci Badge: 1% (max cap is 3% in total)
● Familiar System Holy Badge: 1% (max cap is 3% in total)
● Phantom Link Skill (Level 2): 15%
● Phantom Link Skill (level 3): 20%
● Marksman Level 250 Legion Effect: 1% extra compared to Legion Effect 200 (5% in total)
● Night Lord Level 250 Legion Effect: 1% extra compared to Legion Effect 200 (5% in total)
● Explorer Bowman Link Skill (level 6): 10%
● Lynn Link Skill (level 1/2/3): 3% / 7% / 10%
● Legion Artifact: 0-20%

Basic 100% crit rate setup as a beginner

Previous Total: 58% Critical Rate● Hyper Stat (level 10): 15%
● Phantom Link (level 2): 15%
● Explorer Bowman Link Skill (level 6): 10%
● Familiar System Rebel Badge: 1%
● Familiar System Ocean Badge: 1%Total: 100% crit rate.Your goal is to get rid of the Explorer Bowman link skill first and Phantom Link second by trying to obtain the other crit rate sources mentioned by the most optimal critrate setup at the endgame critrate setup below.

Most optimal crit rate setup at endgame

Previous Total: 58% Critical Rate● Hyper Stat Level 6: 7% (or ● Legion grid 7 points: 7% or a mix of both for efficiency)
● Legion grid 1 points: 1% (or ● Familiar System Rebel Badge: 1% (max cap is 3% in total))
● Marksman Level 250 Legion Effect: 1% extra compared to Legion Effect 200 (5% in total)
● Night Lord Level 250 Legion Effect: 1% extra compared to Legion Effect 200 (5% in total)
● Familiar System Ocean Badge: 1% (max cap is 3% in total)
● Familiar System Holy Badge: 1% (max cap is 3% in total)
● Lynn Link Skill (level 3): 10%
● Legion Artifact: 20%Total: 100% crit rate.Most of the time with events there are event stats, you can put 1 point into critrate there which usually results in giving you 5% crit rate, allowing you to put less points into your hyper stats.

Important 1-4th Job Skills

Key Skills!

● Double jump skill, allows you to jump a greater distance.
● Active by double pressing your jump key.

● While toggled, there is a chance to gain a Combo Orb when attacking.
● Grants bonus Attack for each Combo Orb.
● Right-clicking the skill will toggle the visual effect on/off.Guide note:
Make sure this toggle buff is always on, it will give you final damage which is a multiplier to your total damage!

● Launch up into the air
● Can also be activated by pressing the Up Arrow Key and Attack Key together
● Right-clicking the skill will lock it, preventing input activationGuide note:
Make sure to bind this skill to a key on your keyboard and learn to use this skill, it can save you or make you able to deal damage quicker to the boss again due to it's fast movement.
You can also use War leap while you're in the air to get extra movement.
If you regular jump while also pressing this button at the exact same time it can result in you jumping higher than usually using this skill.
I suggest right-clicking the skill to prevent accidental input activation.

● You will rapidly drop to the ground once you use this skill in the air.
● Can also be activated by pressing the Down Arrow Key and Attack Key togetherGuide note:
Make sure to bind this skill to a key on your keyboard and learn to use this skill, it can save you or make you able to deal damage quicker to the boss again due to it's fast movement.

● Dash in 8-directions based on arrow key input. No key input will dash in the direction you are facing.
● A charge is stored every 4s. A maximum of two charges can be stored.
● While dashing, prevents you from being knocked back at all (Super Knockback Resistance).Guide note:
Make sure to bind this skill to a key on your keyboard and learn to use this skill, it can save you or make you able to deal damage quicker to the boss again.

● Dash forward while pushing enemies back.
● While dashing, you will not be knocked back at all (Super Knockback Resistance).Guide note:
Make sure to bind this skill to a key on your keyboard and learn to use this skill, it can save you or make you able to deal damage quicker to the boss again.

● 100% chance to pierce the enemy when attacking while skill is active.
● Decreases Accuracy by 20% and Attack Power by 30% of pierced enemy for 20 seconds.Guide note:
Make sure it’s always up (I suggest putting it on your pet's auto buff slot) for the pierced debuff for the skill Chance Attack.

● Final Damage (to pierced, incapacitated enemies): +25%
● Permanently increases your Critical Rate by 20%.Guide note:
Make sure the Scarring Sword buff is constantly applied to make sure this passive is being utilized!

● Instantly slash several times to multiple enemies in front of you.
● The final blow will always be a critical hit.
● The skill is enhanced when your combo orbs are fully chargedGuide note:
This is your main attacking skill, you'll be using it most of the time during mobbing and bossing.
Attacks such as Instinctual combo only appear when attacking with Raging blow.
This skill later on gets upgraded to HEXA Raging blow, check our 6th job page in the guide to learn more about this skill.

● Attacked enemies have a 100% to take damage every 2 sec, for 60 seconds.
● Critical Hits deal 25% more % damage to afflicted enemies. When a party member attacks, this increases by 10%.Guide note:
Make sure this debuff is up on the boss all the time, keep in mind that this does not increase your final damage or crit dmg but it just increases your own %dmg stat by 25% and the rest of your party’s dmg by 10% on critical hits.
This skill also can be used as your mobbing skill in some maps because the hitbox is way different compared to Raging blow.
This skill later on gets upgraded to HEXA Puncture, check our 6th job page in the guide to learn more about this skill.
IF TWO HEROES ARE IN THE SAME PARTY, THE BONUS DAMAGE APPLIES ONLY TO THE HERO WHO APPLIED PUNCTURE.

● Final Damage: +25%, Critical Damage: +20%.Guide note:
As of GMS v263, this skill has been converted from a toggle to a passive.

● Removes certain abnormal status effects and become immune to Abnormal Status for a few seconds
● Cooldown: 360 seconds.Guide note:
Master this skill early on—it’s essential for handling future bosses, especially in tough situations. For example, it grants immunity to the stun effect from multiple attacks in the Lotus fight, and it can help you survive many other mechanics. Practice using it frequently during bossing to understand its full potential and how it can save you in various scenarios in the future.

5th Job

Boost Nodes and Priorities and Special V-Skill info

Hero relies on two key trios, totaling 6 core skills. For optimal performance:
● Level all 6 skills to 50 as a baseline.
● Apply a +5 level boost to each to reach Level 60 across all six.Boost Node Core 1 (two of each, order doesn’t matter as long as it’s not the same main one):
● Raging Blow
● Cry Valhalla
● Final AttackBoost Node Core 2 (two of each, order doesn’t matter as long as it’s not the same main one):
● Rising Rage
● Beam Blade
● PuncturePriority for training:
● Boost Nodes (until able to one-shot)
● At least level 1 DSI and DSE and DHS (for critrate/dmg and faster attack speed and EXP)
● At least level 1 Erda Shower - Erda Fountain (level it up if it isn’t clearing the spot where you placed it down)
● Max DHS (for more EXP and Drop rate)
● Max BSB (for longer duration)Priority for bossing:
● Max Core Boost Node
● Level 1 DSI, DSE, DCO, Erda Nova and WR
● Max BSB and IC (split evenly-ish depending on your preferred playstyle)
● Max SI
● Max Weapon Aura
● Max Maple World’s Goddess Blessing
● Max Erda NovaWhich Special V-Skill to use/craft?:
● Fatal Strike

Maxed V-Matrix Sample

Hero Specific Skills

When used, fully charges your Combo and summons a soul blade near you.By default, pressing the skill key will activate the skill in the "Normal" mode and pressing the skill key with the down arrow will activate the skill in the "Stationary" mode. Right-clicking the skill will enable the "Action Customization"; this reverses the above (i.e. default is stationary, and key+down is normal).Normal
● Summons the blade behind your character. The soul blade will quickly attack when you do.
● Duration = 20sStationary
● Summons the blade on your character in the stationary state. Pressing the skill key again will move it to your new current location.
● Duration = 120sThe sword's attacks have increased %Crit Rate.
Cooldown: 120 sec.Guide Note's Guide Note:
As of GMS v263, the normal and stationary modes have been heavily split. Based on some informal foggy forest testing, during 20s of normal mode, BSB hit 33 (34-36) times for 10.7T. When used in stationary mode, during the 120s it hit 117 times for 7.7T. This was done without burst buffs. Based on this, it appears that normal mode should be used in bossing whether the boss stays still or not. As this is still new, the following information will be left until it has been verified that the above it correct.Guide note:
Fixed vs. Normal mode BSB:
This has been debated quite a bit by many others. To save the trouble, Fixed mode (planted on ground) BSB is on average more damage than attached mode (following you) BSB. BSB is ping reliant, so for those with lower ping, attached mode can result in more damage in a 40s BA, but for the majority of the populace, I would say that Fixed will consistently result in more damage.When to use Fixed or attached mode BSB:
● If the boss is stationary, use Fixed mode.
○ Examples: P1 Lucid, P3 Lucid, P3 Will, P1 Lotus, Gollux, Gloom, etc.● If the boss has low mobility AND you are required to either move/dodge frequently, use Fixed to net more overall damage because you will deal damage while dodging. This requires replacement of BSB when needed though.
○ Examples: Black Mage, P2/P3 Lotus, P1/P2 Will, Versus Hilla, Chaos Queen, Chaos Von Bon, etc.● If the boss has high mobility, if the boss mechanics makes it too difficult to reposition BSB, or in any other circumstance, use attached mode.
○ Examples: P2 Lucid, Chaos Vellum, etc.

Slices nearby enemies in half dealing tremendous damage● While casting, you are invulnerable
● Unaffected by Damage ReflectMax Enemies Hit: 15, Damage: 880%, Number of Attacks: 14, Invulnerable while casting.
Cooldown: 25 sec.Guide note:
This skill is a full-map attack (FMA) that also grants a 1.25s i-frame, use this skill to survive specific boss mechanics or take advantage of it and allowing you to continue to attack the boss.

Slashes forward several times and creates an explosion.● Upon use, briefly increases amount of %Final Damage provided by Combo Attack
● Unaffected by Damage ReflectMax Enemies Hit: 8, Damage: 275%, Attack Count: 4, Chase Cut Activation Count: 12. Afterwards, activates 5 explosion(s), which attack 5 time(s) for 550% damage.
While Combo Attack is active, upon use, increases Final Damage for 8 sec by the Final Damage bonus of the 6 Combo Orbs. Final Damage increase from Combo Orb is additive.
Cooldown: 30 secGuide note:
This is a two part skill.
The first activation will do a small amount of damage followed by the second activation that will do a large number of attacks. The damage from the skill itself is very respectable and should be used off cooldown to improve our consistent damage, however save it when your burst is almost up and then use it after you pop Instinctual Combo to have a few seconds of very high burst.
This skill grants an 8s buff that provides the same damage increase as an additional 6 combo orbs.
(+33.91% Final Damage with the passive hyper. 10 orbs = 130% Final Damage which is a 2.3x multiplier adding another 6 orbs (6x13%) from Sword Illusion would be adding .78% Final Damage making it a 3.08x multiplier when you use Sword Illusion and 3.08 / 2.3 = 33.91%)

While active, using Raging Blow will to create a 'Tear in Space'.● Increases Combo Attack stat bonuses of %Final Damage, %Boss Damage, and Attack.
● Decreases chance of obtaining Combo Orbs by 50%.Can be used if you have at least 1 Combo Orb, Duration: 20 sec.
The Combo Orb increases Final Damage, damage to bosses, and Attack Power by 20%.
Decreases the chance of charging Combo Orbs by 50%.
Tear in Space: Periodically activates a rift 3 time(s). Damage: 400%, Max Enemies Hit: 6, Number of Attacks: 6. Cannot charge the Combo Orb with the Tear in Space.
Cooldown: 120 sec.Guide note:
This is our main burst.
A majority of our damage will come from this 20s window and your buffs should be planned around it accordingly.
The description of this skill isn’t quite what you think it is, it doesn't give extra 20% fd, 20% atk, and 20% boss but instead it gives 20% of the attack, boss, and final damage that your orbs give so for example it only gives you 4 flat atk in total based on 10 combo orbs and 4% boss, etc.

Common Skills

Increases %Ignore DEF, %Final Damage, and your attacks periodically create a damaging wave.● Skill is prepared every 120 sec (up to 2 charges).HP Cost: 10%, Ignores 16% Enemy DEF for 94 sec, Final Damage: +6%.
Aura Wave (Usable Every 5 sec) - Using certain offensive skills will generate waves, inflicting 1100% damage on up to 10 enemies, 6 times.Guide note:
To maximize damage output, get two charges before you enter the bossfight and use the skill the moment it gets off cooldown, you will only have very low downtime in a long fight.

While active, increases %Damage and the stat bonuses of Maple Warrior.
Increases stat bonuses for class-wide buff skills like Maple Warrior by 400% for 60 sec, Damage: +20%
Cooldown: 120 sec

While active, gain increased Abnormal Status Resistance and cannot be knocked back at all (Super Knockback Resistance). As well, when you are hit, gain a stacking %Damage buff
HP Cost: 3% of Max HP, Duration: 18 sec, Knockdown Immunity and Status Resistance: +80
Damage increases +6% when hit, Max Stack: 5 times
Cooldown: 120 sec
[Passive Effects - STR: +30, Max HP: +1500]

Create a shield based on your %Max HP that blocks damage
When the shield expires or the Skill Key is pressed, the shield explodes damaging nearby enemies
Shield must be active for at least 2 secs before it can be detonated
HP Cost: 5% of Max HP, Creates a protective shield that blocks 21% of your Max HP as damage for 5 sec.
When the shield expires or the skill is activated again, it detonates and inflicts 1100% damage to 12 enemies 5 times.
Your shield must be active for at least 2 sec before it can be detonated.
Cooldown: 15 sec

Bind enemies in a surrounding area
Ignores Damage Ignore and Damage Reflect
HP Cost: 15% of Max HP, Damage: 330%, Max Enemies Hit: 10, Number of Attacks: 5, Bind Duration: 10 sec.
Bind Duration increases by up to 100% based on damage inflicted with Erda Nova.
Cooldown: 100 sec.

Removes certain abnormal status effects and become immune to Abnormal Status for 3 secs
HP Cost: 5% of Max HP, Cooldown: 330 secGuide note:
Learn to use this skill, it's a very strong skill that allows you to survive some boss mechanics easily.
Mainly used for the immunity in bossing such as:
● Black Mage’s Curse (Does not remove the current curse but does prevent the next one, You will still receive %HP damage from attacks.)
● Gloom’s Petrify.
● Will’s web skill lock in phase 3.

The attack has two modes depending on the keys pressed[Erda Shower] - Releases a surrounding area attack.
Can be activated by pressing the Skill Key.
The cooldown is slightly reduced upon defeating an enemy.
Max Enemies Hit: 15, Damage: 900%, Number of Attacks: 6, Cooldown reduced by 2 sec per attacked enemy
Cooldown: 40 sec.[Erda Fountain] - Places down a stationary summon that attacks whenever a fixed amount of enemies are defeated.
Can be activated by pressing the Down Arrow Key and Skill Key together.
Both skills share the same cooldown.
Right-clicking the skill will toggle a function ON/OFF that swaps the activation command for Erda Fountain and Erda Shower.
Object Summon Duration: 60 sec. Every time enemies in a map with the summoned object are defeated, the Erda released from the enemies condenses around the object.
Defeating 12 or more will release the gathered Erda, Max Enemies Hit: 10, Damage: 900%, Number of Attacks: 4
Cooldown: 60 sec.
Cooldown shared with Erdas Shower and Erda Fountain.Guide note:
Erda Fountian is the skill you will be using mainly to help you with mobbing.

Grapple onto a platform above and launch towards it[Passive]: Permanently grants flat All Stats.
Pressing the Jump Key while launching up will cancel the grapple early.
Press the skill key while you're climbing to cancel.
Cooldown: 3 sec.
[Passive Effect - All Stats: +30]

When used, teleport to a random location on the map[Passive]: Permanently grants flat Attack
Holding the Skill Key while in the air allows you to float briefly
HP Cost: 3% of Max HP. Teleport to a random location on the map.
Float for up to 5.0 sec. if you hold the key in the air
Cooldown: 20 sec.
[Passive Effect - Attack Power & Magic ATT: +30]

Release a large attack and place down a stationary summon that periodically attacks enemiesSummon stops attacking early when striking a single enemy consecutively.
Skill is obtained from Mirror World Nodestone that is rewarded from completing the Esfera storyline and as a drop from Hard Will.
Unaffected by Damage Reflect.
HP Cost: 15% of Max HP.
Spatial Collapse - Max Enemies Hit: 15, Damage: 1008%, Number of Attacks: 15, Once complete, summons True Arachnid Reflection.
True Arachnid Reflection - Duration: 50 sec, Goes into attack mode at set intervals. During attack mode, uses spider legs 10 times to deal 392% damage 8 times. If the spider legs attack one target 5 consecutive times, attack mode will end immediately. 3 sec cooldown after attack mode ends.
Cooldown: 250 sec.

Release a large attack and summons an emblem that periodically attacks enemiesSummon deals increased damage when striking a single enemy.
Skill is obtained from Mitra's Nodestone that is dropped from Hard/Extreme Seren.
Unaffected by Damage Reflect.
HP Cost: 15% of Max HP.
Mitra's Fire: summons a Flame Emblem after dealing 1650% damage up to 15 enemeis 12 times.
Flame Emblem: deals 440% damage to up to 2 enemies 6 times every 2.1 sec for 51 sec. Deals 605% damage if striking a single enemy.
Cooldown: 250 sec.

Useful Decent Skills

Increases the amount of EXP gained from enemiesDoes not stack with Holy Symbol (Bishop, 4th Job).
HP Cost: 3400, Duration: 270 sec, EXP: +35%, Drop Rate: +24%.
Cooldown: 180 sec

Attack speed +1 Level
[Passive Effect - All Stats +6]

Create a fountain which pressing the Up Arrow Key restores some %Max HPHas a fixed number of uses before the fountain disappears
If the fountain disappears early, a Vestige of Divinity is created for the remaining duration that prevents another fountain from being summoned
Does not stack with Holy Fountain (Bishop, 4th Job)
HP Cost: 5% of max HP, Duration: 60 sec, restores 35% HP when used, able to use 20 times total.
If it disappears before duration is up, Vestige of Divinity is created in the remaining time.
Cooldown: 60 sec
[Passive Effect - All Stats +6]Guide note:
Make sure to learn to use this, it will help you survive a lot more!

Temporarily grants critical rate and critical damage.HP Cost: 5% of Max HP, Duration: 270 sec, Critical Rate: +10%, Critical Damage: +8%
Cooldown: 180 sec
[Passive Effect - All Stats: +6]

Temporarily grants bonus skill levels to skills.4th Job Skills can be raised past their Master Level.
[Exception]: Beginner skills, Combat Orders, Hyper Skills, 5th Job, and 6th Job Skills.
HP Cost: 5% of Max HP, Duration: 270 sec, All Skills: +1.
Cooldown: 180 sec.
[Passive Effect - Abnormal Status Resistance: +6]

Attack Power: +20, Magic ATT: +20, Defense: +425, Max HP: +475, Max MP: +475
Does not stack with Bless (Bishop, 2nd Job) or Advanced Blessing (Bishop, 4th Job)
[Passive Effect - All Stats: +6]

6th Job

HEXA Leveling Order

HEXA Stat

Upon beginning 6th job, you will unlock HEXA Stat 1 (i.e. at level 260). To unlock the remaining HEXA Stats, you must reach the level requirement and level the previous HEXA Stat to 20.HEXA Stat 1 - Unlocks at Level 260
● MAIN STAT: ATT
● ADD'L STAT: Crit Damage, STRHEXA Stat 2 - Unlocks at Level 265
● MAIN STAT: Crit Damage
● ADD'L STAT: STR, ATTHEXA stat 3 - Unlocks at Level 270
● MAIN STAT: STR
● ADD'L STAT: Crit Damage, ATT

Example HEXA Stat 1 Setup:
● MAIN STAT to ATT
● ADDITIONAL STATS to Crit Damage and STR
● Keep leveling your Hexa Stat 1 until your MAIN STAT reaches level 3 because the cost will go up from 10 to 20 per level up.Decision point when MAIN STAT reaches level 3 of Hexa stat 1:
● Max Now: Slight damage boost to all skills.
● Delay: Focus on specific skills (for example a burst skill in order to kill a burst-focussed boss)Whether you delay or not, you should finish HEXA Stat 1 by the time the leveling order suggests starting HEXA Stat 2. Similarly, HEXA Stat 2 should to be completed prior to starting HEXA Stat 3, etc.Once the HEXA Stat has been completed, the optimal distribution should prioritize: ATT > STR > Crit Damage (or, as suggested by your Maple Scouter calculation). When you re-order your skills using the UI's "Change Stats" functional, you will likely not align to the layout as described above. Regardless, the first three HEXA Stat cores should be ABC, BCA, CAB.Guide note:
Use MapleScouter to determine the best setup for your character, you can find a youtube video explain it by clicking HERE, credits to Kobe.

Common Skills

Sol Janus:
Passive Effect: EXP Obtained
Level 30: 30% normal monster damage increase.Dusk:
Passively attacking nearby monsters when in combat.
Level 1-14 = 9 primal crystals
Level 15-29 = 10 primal crystals
Level 30 = 11 primal crystalsDawn:
Level 1-9 = 1 summon with a 60 seconds duration
Level 10-19 = 2 summons with a 70 seconds duration
Level 20-29 = 3 summons with a 80 seconds duration
Level 30 = 3 summons with a 120 seconds durationFor all levels cooldown: 60 secondsGuide note:
This skill will solve most of our mobbing issues!
Aiming for level 10 and level 20 as soon as possible will be very nice if you like to focus on mobbing and you feel like you don’t need the damage right now!
I suggest getting at least level 1 of Sol Janus after level 1 HEXA RB, HEXA RR, FE and HEXA CV however pushing further is completely dependent on your account and personal goal.
If you need more damage then focus on the order above, if you want more lazy training or exp then go for level 10 or 20 Sol Janus.
I personally enjoy Sol Janus: Dawn a lot so I can stay in one location and kill the whole map and then when I’m looting I can replace the summons.

Hexa Skills

Channels your spirit into your sword and cuts everything down.● [Swordsmanship]
● MP Cost: 1200, invincible during casting
● Applies Absolute Bind (10 second bind with a separate cooldown than our Erda Nova bind skill).
● Chase Cut occurs 12 times which attack up to 15 enemies with 472% damage 33 times
● Final strikes occurs 48 times at the end for 470% 15 times
Cooldown: 360 secUpon reaching these certain levels you’ll gain the following additional stats for this specific skill:
● Lv. 10: Ignore Defense +20%
● Lv. 20: Boss Damage +20%
● Lv. 30: Ignore Defense +30% and Boss Damage +30%Guide note:
A VERY strong skill but with a 6 minute cooldown.
Before popping it make sure you’ve popped all your buffs and then cast it instantly.

Mastery Skills

Instantly slashes several times to slice multiple enemies in front of you.Raging blow
● Sword of Burning Soul’s regular mode attack range is increased.
● The skill is enhanced when combo is fully charged.Enhanced Raging blow
● Instinctual Combo and Burning Soul Blade’s regular mode attack range are increased.Both Versions
● [Swordsmanship]
● Required Skill: Raging blow Lv. 40 Boost
● Max Enemies Hit: 8
● Attack: 4 times
● The final two attacks are always critical hits.
● Increased hitbox for both versions compared to the original skill.

Manifest the ancient warriors’ rage to destroy enemies in front of you.● 8 Lines
● Activates 4 strikes
● Max Enemies Hit: 10
● Required Skill: Rising rage Lv. 40 Boost
● Passive Effect: Hexa Raging blow’s damage is increased
● Increased hitbox compared to the original skill.Guide note:
Use this skill off cooldown with Hexa BB, except during IC bursts when you should only use Hexa RB.

Unlocking the Mastery 3 HEXA Skill will unlock both Rending Edge and HEXA Beam Blade.Hexa Beam blade
Fire a sword slash in your desired direction that tears enemies apart. You can fire it in 8 directions, and if you use the skill with the arrow keys, it will be fired in that direction.
If you use the skill consecutively, you can link to Final Beam Blade.● Required Skill: Level 20 Beam blade.
● Fire a sword slash that deals damage 5 times on up to 8 enemies.
● Beam blade's damage is increased when attacking normal monsters.
● You will prepare 1 Beam blade stack every 4 seconds and you can hold up to 2.
● If you re-use the skill within 2 seconds, the next attack will be replaced with Final Beam blade.
● Final Blade: Deals more damage 5 times on up to 8 enemies.Guide note:
Use this skill before or after Hexa Rising rage twice resulting in casting Final Beam blade, except during your Instinctual Combo's buff when you should only use Hexa Raging blow.Rending Edge
Your swordsmanship reaches its peak, leaving behind Sword Scars. Sword Scars are created when your directly attacking skills hit enemies a certain number of times.● When your own directly attacking skills hit an enemy 5 times, create a Sword Scar. Cry Valhalla, Instinctual Combo, and Spirit Calibur are counted as 1 attack for every 2 hits.
● Sword Scar: Hits up to 8 enemies, 4 times, for 3 attacks each.
● When a Sword Scar attacks 32 times, it disappears. Can only attack a single enemy up to 4 times.
● Up to 5 scars can be created; during Instinctual Combo, up to 10 scars can be created.

Unlocking the Mastery 4 HEXA Skill will unlockHEXA Cry Valhalla, HEXA Puncture, and HEXA Final Attack.HEXA Cry Valhalla
Call upon great power imbued with the will of ancient warriors.● When Hero uses Swordsmanship skills, Sword Strikes remain at the attack location for a certain period of time like afterimages to additionally attack.
● The Sword Strikes prioritize being created at the boss monster with the highest max HP.
● Common skills and 5th job skills do not activate Sword Strikes.
● Required Skill: Level 1 Valhalla.
● For 30 seconds, you cannot be knocked back by any enemy attacks and your Combo is fully charged to the maximum value.
● During the buff, gain 50 attack, 30% critical rate, 100 status resistance, and 100% elemental resistance.
● Every few seconds, activate 3 Sword Strikes that deal damage 2 times on up to 6 enemies. The Sword Strikes can be activated up to 12 times, and after they have all been activated, they will no longer appear.
● Cooldown: 120 seconds.HEXA Puncture
Concentrate your mind and swing your sword in front of you. The sword engraved in your soul through ultimate swordsmanship appears to materialize and attacks enemies.
Enemies hit are inflicted with a wound that deals damage over time and increases % damage when the hit is a critical hit.● Required Skill: Level 30 Puncture.
● [Swordsmanship]
● Deals damage 4 times on up to 8 enemies.
● When attacking normal monsters, damage is increased by 50%.
● Enemies hit take damage every 2 seconds for 60 seconds and take 26% increased damage when your hits are critical hits.
● When party members attack, the enemy takes 11% increased damage.HEXA Final Attack
There is a certain chance for an additional hit to be activated after using your directly attacking skills.● The attack will prioritize hitting the boss monster with the highest max HP.
● Required Skill: Level 30 Advanced final attack.
● [Final Attack Type Skill] chance to activate a Final Attack that deals damage 3 times.

Enhancements Skills

Boosts the final damage of each specific skill that you level up.Level 1: Final Damage: +11%
Level 9: Final Damage: +19%
Level 10: Final Damage: +25%
Level 19: Final Damage: +34%
Level 20: Final Damage: +40%
Level 29: Final Damage: +49%
Level 30: Final Damage: +60%

Skill Sequence & Rotation Setup

Skill Sequence for Bossing

Starting in the GMS v263 patch, the remainder of Hero's skills (i.e. weapon aura) were harmonized to 120s cooldowns. This means that for most players, Hero has one simple skill sequence, as shown above.For clarity, the skills are:
Impenetrable Skin > Blitz Shield > Weapon Aura > Maple Goddess Blessing > Epic Adventurer > Cry Valhalla > Burning Soul Blade > Instinctual Combo > Ring of Restraint > Terms and ConditionsThe skills are ordered by descending buff duration with impenetrable skin and blitz shield at the beginning to help with situations where you could get kicked or pushed out of ROR during burst setup. When using this skill sequence function, the following is the recommended setups.

Skill Rotation for Bossing

Basic Burst w/o Origin:
Puncture > True Arachnid Reflection > Solar Crest > [Skill Sequence] > Sword Illusion > Erda Nova > [Raging Blow]Basic Burst w/ Origin:
Puncture > True Arachnid Reflection > Solar Crest > [Skill Sequence] > Sword Illusion > Spirit Calibur > [Raging Blow] > Erda Nova* > [Raging Blow]* = cast Erda Nova after the Origin bind duration has expired, or is about to expire.

Guide Note: for both scenarios, once bind ends, you can optionally use "Aeonian Rise" (the liberated weapon I-Frame) to continue bursting safely.

Skill Sequence for Culvert

Same as above.

Basic Skill Rotation for Culvert

The following culvert rotation does not make use of any different Skill Sequences from the one listed previously. It is possible to put Epic Adventure, Maple Goddess, and a placeholder skill into one sequence to reduce cast animation.Check the #Culvert channel the Hero Discord for additional versions, information, or cooldown reduction versions that deal more damage.

Hero "Split-Origin" Culvert Rotation:
- No Cooldown Hat
- Continuous 4
- Ring of Restraint 4Pre-Culvert (In Lobby):
- Use combo orbs, potions, buffs, familiars before you start.
- Use Epic Adventure (EA) + Maple Goddess Blessing (MG)
32s Left on EA - Cry Valhalla (CV)
29s Left on EA - Burning Soul Blade (BSB) in Stationary + proc Fatal
22s Left on EA - Instinctual Combo (IC)
17s Left on EA - Proc CONT4
13s Left on EA - ENTER CULVERTCulvert:
During Countdown - WA + Re-plant BSB
112 - SI
~107 - Puncture when Boss at Stage 6
82 - SI + T&C + Origin (w/ Fatal & CONT)
60 - Puncture + EA + MG
52 - SI + Will + Seren
40 - WA
38 - Ring Swap w/ Gene
22 - BSB (Normal) + CV + T&C + IC + ROR4 + SI

Guide Note: To proc fatal, use an attacking skill but do not hit a target. To proc CONT4, use an attacking skill and hit a target.

Good Techniques to Lean & Common Mistakes

Good techniques to learn

Jumping with RB

Jump + RB RB
Minimizes attack count loss from using Raging Blow while jumping.Double Jump + RB → Bounce-back Jump RB
Maintains maximum distance using Double Jump momentum while minimizing RB DPS loss.
Allows precise pattern dodging with minimal distance while keeping RB DPS loss low.Double Jump RB → Land → Immediate Jump+Direction input → Instant RB
Note: Requires precise jump timing!

RB Backstep/Backshot

Uses Raging Blow's max range for safer positioning + minimizes Weapon Aura waste.Jump+Direction key → Opposite direction+RB
Must be executed extremely fast (inputs should be nearly simultaneous).This combos heavily with the bounce-back jump technique mentioned earlier.
Mastering this opens up many applications like:Sword Illusion Backshot
Weapon Aura Backshot

Upward Charge lets you input up to 2 skills mid-air

Holding RB during Upward Charge allows 3 skills with no delay (better DPS), but requires escape angle awareness.This technique enables relatively safe Sword Illusion + Raging Blow combos
Warning: Skills may whiff if you're not proficient with directional backshots.

Understanding and mastering Blink

Hero players must master Blink like second nature.
This isn't an advanced trick - it's fundamentals you have to master.From a DPS perspective:
Use it for precise positioning (avoid overshooting and wasting jumps).
Minimize damage downtime.

Jump + BSB (Normal/Fixed Mode Toggle)

Activated by pressing BSB and Jump keys simultaneously (jump input slightly earlier).Allows:
Quick gap-closing while minimizing BSB placing delay DPS loss.
Reduced pattern exposure when switching modes.Pro Tip:
Using with Double Jump rebound (bounce tech) improves:
Control responsiveness.
Positioning stability.

Double Jumping with RR or Erda Nova or Worldreaver

Rising Rage's long endlag makes Double Jump + Rising Rage an easy way to move while also not having issues with the recovery time.Similarly, skills with longer recovery than Raging Blow (for example Worldreaver/Erda Nova/Puncture) is also more efficient being used with this as shown below.When Double Jump isn't available:
Use the previously mentioned 'Jump + RB RB' technique instead.

Deal with the long recovery frames from the skills

Hero’s skills have extremely long recovery frames with real animation cancels, forcing us to carefully use skills while predicting boss mechanics.The standard approach (as shown below) involves:
Timing skills with pattern anticipation.
Using movement to cross behind the boss.Worldreaver also carries high risk – recommend pre-casting it before dangerous mechanics appear.

Make good use of the direction-locked movement skills

Hero's Upward Charge, Rush, and Flash Blade are direction-locked skills, they always go forward regardless of directional input.Key Advantages to using these skills while being debuffed:
✓ Works under Weakness (unable to jump).
✓ Works under Confusion (reverse controls).Important Notes:
⚠️ Attack-locked -Unable to switch OZ Rings due to it being concidered an attacking skill.
⚠️ Fixed movement - Requires boss mechanics experience for optimal positioning so you won't die.

Common mistakes

Not understanding the impact of jumping while using RB

Using Raging Blow while jumping drastically reduces your attack count (approximately 3 or fewer attacks in 10 seconds).
Unless you absolutely need to jump to avoid boss patterns, you should be planting yourself and dealing consistent DPS whenever possible.

Not frequently checking your cooldowns

Sometimes players get too focused on boss patterns or spamming Raging Blow, to the point of neglecting other skills.
While Raging Blow is your core skill, Rising Rage, Hexa Beam Blade and Sword Illusion can burst out massive damage in an instant.
Ignoring them means losing out on 1.5x~2x potential DPS off burst.
Skill alerts alone won’t always fix this, so it’s crucial to build the habit of frequently checking your cooldowns and actually using the skills together.

Not properly using your movement skills

Using Flash blade and Leap attack effectively is ideal, but if you don’t use them in the right situations you can easily die because of them.
For example, against Verus Hilla, there are times to use Flash blade and times to use Leap attack. If you just brainlessly spam Flash blade, you’ll dash into attacks and fail to counter any patterns.
In the end, this comes down to mastering boss mechanics and learning how to use these specific skills in that specific boss or watching videos of others do it and try to copy what they do.

Forgetting to use Puncture

Be sure to ALWAYS have the Puncture debuff on the boss, it lasts 60 seconds and you see the icon ontop of the boss.Puncture planning:
Pre-Buff Timing: Cast Puncture~10sec before planning to burst.
If you forgot: Use Puncture immediately when starting your burst.
When you don't see the debuff on the boss anymore: Use Puncture as soon as possible, takes priority over basically everything besides, try to just debuff it at around 55 seconds, try to get used to this timing.

Future Hero Changes

KMS(T) Patch Changes

While Global Maplestory (GMS) is "Going West" -- many/most if not all of the changes made to Hero in Korea Maplestory (KMS) will likely make their way into GMS. So far, GMS has adopted all skill and character changes made in KMS. With that said, we can see what changes are coming to Hero by keeping up to date with the KMS patch notes. GMS patch updates typically lag KMS by about 6 months.

Hero specific or relevant changes in KMS ver. 1.2.402:
FD increase for Hero: Somewhere between 9~12% FD gained.
Full translated notes english: https://orangemushroom.net/2025/04/17/kms-ver-1-2-402-skill-ui-changes-maplestory-22nd-anniversary-maple-university/Ring of Restraint
• Cooldown reduced from 180 seconds to 120 seconds.
• Level 4: The attack power/magic power increase effect is reduced from 100% to 80%.
• Level 5: The attack power/magic power increase effect is reduced from 100% to 80%.
• Level 6: The attack power/magic power increase effect is reduced from 120% to 95%.
Guide note:
ROR being 2 mins cd is amazing for us, this change basically makes us only wear this now during bosses.
CONT is a very good ring but due to our damage sources ROR will still end up being the winner.Weapon Jump S Ring
• Cooldown reduced from 180 seconds to 120 seconds.
• Level 4: The increases STR by your equipped main weapon's Attack Power increases effect is reduced from 400% to 320%.
• Level 5: The increases STR by your equipped main weapon's Attack Power increases effect is reduced from 400% to 320%.
• Level 6: The increases STR by your equipped main weapon's Attack Power increases effect is reduced from 480% to 385%.
Guide note:
Due to ROR now being 2 mins cd this ring becomes obsolete for us in most situations, if you have a grindstone then it's better to use it on ROR first but after that it's better to go for CONT and after that aim for this one but you won't really be using this ring anymore for bossing pretty much.Weapon Aura
• Cooldown reduced from 180 seconds to 120 seconds.
• Duration is reduced from 130 seconds to 94 seconds at mastery level.
• Can now be put in Pet Auto Buff
Guide note:
Finally we can now put it in our Skill Sequence which is amazing!
Please do not use this skill on Pet Auto Buff, only use it in your Skill Sequence.Leap Attack
• Action delay reduced by approximately 27%.Rush
• Action delay reduced by approximately 27%.
• Action delay is no longer affected by Attack Speed.
Guide note:
Probably will end up being a bit slower for us in GMS, but you won't notice it that much due to the action delay being reduced.Enrage
• Changed to a passive skill.
• The reduced target count penalty has been removed.
Guide note:
Insane buff to our mobbing damage, 25% final damage and 20% crit damage active permanently now without penalty!
This will also help during our bosses where we need to hit more than 3 targets with our Raging Blow for example.Cry Valhalla VI
• Sword strike interval has been reduced by approximately 36%.Burning Soul Blade
• The damage increase effect during Enrage has been removed.
• [Level 25] Normal Mode duration reduced from 72s → 19s.
• [Level 25] Normal Mode damage increased from 620% → 1355%.
• Normal Mode can now be used mid-air.
• [Level 25] Fixed Mode duration increased from 72s → 117s.
• [Level 25] Fixed Mode damage reduced from 565% → 365%.
• The mode switching feature between Normal and Fixed Mode has been removed.
• Fixed an issue where hit effects were not visible to other players.
• The skill icon for Fixed Mode now matches the Quick Slot UI properly.
Guide note:
It being 100% uptime during mobbing in INSANE! Fixed mode should always be used during mobbing.
Normal mode being compressed for bossing is also very nice, basically fits fully in a ROR5 now, it attacks very fast and also deals a lot of damage.
Normal mode should always be used during bossing.Instinctual Combo
• When the HEXA Core is unlocked, the Tear in Space’s first rift’s attack range will be increased by about 40%.
• When the HEXA Core is unlocked, the Tear in Space’s second rift’s attack range will be increased by about 25%.
• When the HEXA Core is unlocked, the Tear in Space’s third rift’s attack range will be increased by about 31%.
• If Spirit Caliber is used during Instinctual Combo, the strikes and final stikes will activate additional Soul Scar attacks that deal 82% damage on all enemies hit.
Guide note:
Nice change, however it doesn't do that much damage when used with Spirit Calibur currently, maybe in a future update they will increase this?Raging Blow VI
• Enhanced Raging Blow damage increased from 590% → 700% at master level.Rising Rage VI
• Damage increased from 270% → 297% at master level.Beam Blade VI
• Delay to chain into Final Blade reduced by approximately 75%.
• Damage increased from 462% → 508% at master level.Beam Blade VI - Final Blade
• Action delay reduced by approximately 14%.
• Damage increased from 693% → 762% at master level.Rending Edge
• The attack interval has been decreased by about 14%.
• This skill can now only hit a single enemy up to 4 times.
• The maximum number of hits has been increased from 4 to 32.Flash Blade
• Can now be used when there are no enemies nearby (no more landing directly on the mob/boss)
• Can now be used twice consecutively.Guide note:
Very nice change! Using the arrow key + Flash Blade allows you now to go any direction you want as long as the skill has at least 1 charge.
See the video below, this will boost our survivability and mobility by a LOT!

Credits to 메이플스토리맑음 for this clip.

Summary of KMS Hero players thoughts on this patch:Positive Changes:
• Burning Soul Blade (BSB) is highly praised for its damage and mobbing efficiency.
• Mobbing is smoother thanks to the Enrage passive and BSB being always active.
• Overall damage has increased (~9-12% Final Damage), reducing boss clear times (1-2 bursts, ~2-3 minutes).
• No more Oz ring switching is a welcome QoL improvement (Ring of Restraint remains better for bossing).
• Upward Charge and Leap Attack delays have been noticeably reduced.
• Hexa leveling priority has shifted—Raging Blow (RB) is now the top priority due to recent buffs.Mixed/Controversial Changes:
• Flash Blade adjustments are debated—many want a dual-mode system (tracking vs. no tracking), especially for Extreme Lotus and Limbo.
• Instinctual Combo (IC) during Origin feels underwhelming; players are requesting a damage buff.
• Flash Blade’s tracking removal has caused issues, particularly in Lotus (e.g., can’t diagonally dash to the second platform).Ongoing Debates:
• Continuous Ring vs. Ring of Restraint (ROR)—most agree ROR is better for bossing, but discussions continue.Overall, the patch has been well-received, though players hope for adjustments to Flash Blade tracking and IC’s effectiveness in Origin.

Other Resources

Changelog

October 5, 2025
- Minor site improvements & optimization.
- Updated pet skill UI screenshot and information to match.
- Updated link skill page. Updated mobbing link skill screenshot, recommendations, layout.
- Added clarification to Rending Edge and HEXA Stat.
- Added 0s culvert rotation to the skill sequence page.

September 26, 2025
- Updated link skill screenshot and added note to Sia skill for non-GMS players.
- Updated the "Skill Rotation for Bossing" and "Skill Sequence for Bossing" sections.
- Fixed typo on Hexa Stat 3 priority.
- Added Hexa-3 to 6th job upgrade order legend + list.

September 24, 2025
- Updated "Oz Ring" page for v263 update and adjustment of Oz ring cooldown from 180s -> 120s.
- Various updates to the "1-4th Job Skills" including Flash Blade and Enrage.
- Various updates to the "5th Job Skills" including Burning Soul Blade and Weapon Aura.
- Added information on HEXA Stat 3. Updated the general HEXA Stat section.
- Adjusted "6th Job" Rending Edge from max 4 hits to 32 hits.

August 21, 2025
- Added the "Other Resources" page to the site.
- Added an icon link to the "Other Resources" page in the site footer.

August 2, 2025
- Updated/modified wording and content under "1-H vs. 2-H" section on Weapon Type page.
- Updated/modified wording and content under "Terminus Defender Scrolling" section on Weapon Type page.
- Removed WIP notice on "Terminus Defender Scrolling" section on Weapon Type page.

August 1, 2025
- Creation of the "Changelog" page.
- Removed the HEXA Leveling Order notice on the 6th Job page.
- Updated 6th Job page w/ HEXA Leveling Order legend.
- Updated "Furious Edge" -> "Rending Edge" on 6th Job page.
- Removed "Furious Edge" from Acronym List.
- Added "Rending Edge" to Acronym List.
- Added "Terminus Defender Scrolling" section to the Weapon Type page w/ WIP notice.
- Added Interactive Server progression example for using 1-H and 2-H weapons.
- Minor site improvements (e.g. formatting, spelling, layout).
- Minor site optimization (e.g. elements)