Welcome, adventurers! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the 2023 class rankings for Black Desert Online (BDO). This guide is geared towards both new and returning players who want to understand how each class performs in the current meta. With 26 unique classes, each with two distinct styles—Succession and Awakening—there’s a lot to unpack. We’ll explore their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal roles in PvE and PvP to help you choose the class that suits your playstyle best.

Understanding Succession and Awakening

In BDO, each class has two distinct styles:

• Succession: Enhances the main weapon you start with, providing stronger abilities and a more straightforward playstyle.
• Awakening: Unlocks a second weapon with a unique set of skills, offering a different and often more complex playstyle.

Both styles have their pros and cons, and the choice often depends on your preferred playstyle and the type of content you focus on—be it grinding, dueling, or large-scale PvP.

Top Male Classes in the Current Meta

1. Berserker

• Succession: Arguably the best male class in the current meta, offering exceptional PvE capabilities thanks to high mobility and sustain. In mass PvP, its crowd control potential is unparalleled.
• Awakening: Provides more range and utility, making it highly effective in mass PvP. Both styles are top-tier, offering versatility across different game modes.

2. Warrior

• Awakening: Strong duelist with reliable PvE performance. Not as crucial in mass PvP but excels in smaller fights.
• Succession: Offers a simpler grind with some defensive utility, making it a solid pick for beginners.

3. Ninja

• Succession: Dominates in dueling scenarios with unmatched mobility and burst damage.
• Awakening: Requires more skill but offers strong PvE potential following recent buffs.

Key Insights on Caster Classes

Wizard

• Succession: A must-have in mass PvP for its support capabilities, including heals, buffs, and ranged crowd control.
• Awakening: Less popular due to mid-range limitations but still viable.

Sage

• Succession: Excels in mass PvP after recent buffs, making it a strong choice for large-scale battles.
• Awakening: Offers a unique playstyle with ranged grapple abilities, adding versatility.

Top Female Classes in the Current Meta

1. Wusa

• Succession: The best grinder in the game with unmatched PvE efficiency. Strong in mass PvP thanks to her AoE and debuffs.
• Awakening: Currently underwhelming due to slower animations and lack of protection.

2. Dark Knight

• Succession: A well-rounded class with strong dueling capabilities and decent PvE performance.
• Awakening: Recently buffed, showing promise in both PvE and PvP.

3. Valkyrie

• Awakening: A top pick for mass PvP with her defensive capabilities, heals, and buffs.
• Succession: Better suited for duels but less impactful in large-scale battles.

Tips for Choosing the Right Class

1. Consider Playstyle: Assassin classes excel in duels, while caster classes dominate in mass PvP.
2. PvE vs. PvP: Some classes are better suited for grinding while others shine in PvP scenarios.
3. Succession vs. Awakening: Choose based on your preference for simplicity (Succession) or versatility (Awakening).

Conclusion

Class balance in BDO is constantly evolving, so it’s essential to pick a class that fits your playstyle rather than chasing the current meta. Whether you prefer a straightforward grind, a tactical PvP experience, or a support role in mass battles, there’s a class for you.

Stay updated with balance changes, and happy adventuring!