ArcheAge Chronicles Character Creation Guide

Class Comes First

The class you choose decides your character's gender at launch. That makes the order important: decide on the class and its weapons before you spend time on the face. If you want a specific gender, your choice of class is limited until more options arrive.

• Warrior: male only (female Warrior coming in December 2026)
• Berserker: male only
• Ranger: female only
• Mage: female only

Why Classes Are Gender-Locked

After the September 2026 network test, players gave a large amount of feedback about gender-locked classes. The executive producer's letter acknowledged it but confirmed the lock would remain for Early Access. Many testers said they had wanted a female Warrior or a male Mage.

In October, XLGAMES confirmed it will remove gender restrictions, starting with select classes. The Steam page now lists additional gender options among the plans for full release. The goal is gender options for every class by then.

The Female Warrior Update

The first post-launch update, planned for December 2026, adds gender selection for the Warrior. The same update brings the Gladius, the Warrior's third weapon. No exact date has been announced.

Gender options will roll out one class at a time after that. XLGAMES has not said which class comes next or when. We will update this page as each class is announced.

Customization Options

Footage of the character creator shows face sculpting with several preset faces. You can also change hair style and color, skin tone, and eye and lip color. Body sliders let you adjust your build.

For Early Access, the producer's letter adds more character presets. It also adds an option to hide glasses and masks on helmet appearances, so your face stays visible with headgear on.

Your Weapon Matters More Than Your Look

Each class has two weapons at launch, and they can play completely differently. You can switch between them, so try both before deciding a class isn't right for you. Your skills are tied to the weapon, not the class name.

Read the classes guide for what each weapon does, and the tier list for community picks. If you are new to action combat, testers most often recommend the Warrior.

Demo Characters Do Not Carry Over

If you made a character in the October demo, it is gone. Demo progress was wiped, and everyone creates a new character for Early Access on November 3, 2026. That gives you a chance to rethink your class after trying them in the demo.

There is nothing you need to keep from the demo. Your stats and trait points also start from zero; see the builds guide for how to spend them.

The Pre-Order Costume

Pre-purchasing Early Access on Steam includes the Dawn Pioneer Set costume. It is one set for one class of your choice, and only one character can claim it. It becomes claimable in game from November 3.

Because only one character can claim it, choose the character you plan to main. The Early Access page lists everything else included at launch.

After Creating Your Character

The opening story quest teaches the basic combat controls, and testers recommend not rushing past it. Combat is action-based, with dodges, blocks and parries that cost stamina. Most players say it takes an hour or two to click.

From there, follow the beginner guide for your first hours in Diamond Shores. It covers stat points, gathering tools, Nui Statues and the glider.

Which Class Should You Create?

Each class plays very differently depending on its weapon. The quick summary below can help you decide before you start sculpting a face. Gender locks still apply at launch.

• Warrior (male): Longsword for parries and counters, or Greatsword for heavy Resolve-fueled blows
• Berserker (male): Axe & Shield for steady defense and Bleed, or Warhammer for Burn and stored Thunder
• Ranger (female): Longbow for ranged sharpshooting, or Hatchet for mobile close combat
• Mage (female): Elemental Staff for ranged spells, or Wavesword for frost melee

Official Trailer

▶ Official media

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