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Lightning & curses · skills & build planner

Arcanist

A lightning and dark caster who alternates the two schools for extra damage. Storm gives reach and chain lightning, Grave curses enemies and heals you from the damage you deal, Sigil offers prepared ground, close pressure and Runic Step, and Aether supports mana, recovery and a brief casting window.

Arcanist
How the Arcanist works
Innate trait

Resonance

Alternate lightning and dark spells: after one deals health damage, cast the other school within four seconds for 4% more direct damage, building up to 12%. Repeating a school resets it.

Skill points

You earn 1 skill point (SP) for every character level from level 2, up to 354 SP at level 355. Each skill has ranks; every rank costs SP and needs a minimum character level. Levelling up never upgrades a skill on its own.

Branches & ultimates

Each of the four branches starts with an entry skill. Deeper skills need a prerequisite and some SP already spent in the same branch. Every branch ends in an ultimate, and you can learn at most 2 ultimates. You can spend in all four branches.

Synergies

A synergy connects two learned skills and changes how they work together. You unlock synergy slots at levels 30, 100 and 200. Connecting one uses an Arcanist Charm; disconnecting is free.

Resetting

An Amnesia Potion refunds purchased skill points and clears your synergies, so you can rebuild. Utility ranks use the same SP budget and have their own level and prerequisite requirements. Basic Attack is free.

Good to know about the Arcanist
  • Alternate lightning and dark spells to build Resonance. After dealing health damage with one school, cast the other within four seconds: each alternation adds 4% damage, up to 12%, and repeating a school resets it.
  • Chain lightning jumps to nearby enemies. Its target limit includes the first enemy; later jumps deal reduced damage.
  • Life steal heals you based on health damage dealt, with no limit per cast.
  • Mana Shield is a separate paid utility. Shield Mastery reduces its mana cost per absorbed hit. Reaching zero mana ends the spell; recovering mana afterwards does not revive it.
  • Direct spell damage comes from the spell's own hits. Damage over time, companion attacks and secondary chain hits are separate effects.
Test your build

Arcanist build planner

Pick a character level, then learn skills. Click a skill to read it, double-click to learn a rank, right-click to refund one. Share your build with the link button.

Build planner

36 skills · 16 synergies
Reference

Every Arcanist skill

Descriptions are the in-game text. Rank values are shown for every rank; bold numbers change at that rank. "% base" means a percentage of the skill's base formula for your character.

Storm

Lightning reach, penetration and bounded chain coverage

9 skills
Electric MissileActive · 3 ranks · from level 10

Fire a lightning missile at an enemy.

Electric damage

Requires: none

Rank123
Character level102035
Skill points489
Mana cost252525
Range8 m10 m12 m
Cooldown3 s3 s3 s
Damage100% base104% base108% base
Maximum enemies111

Synergies: Conductive Missile

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Electro StrikeActive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Send a lightning strike through enemies in a straight line.

Electric damage

Requires: Electric Missile rank 1 · SP already spent in Storm: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Mana cost303030
Range2.9 m2.9 m2.9 m
Cooldown8 s8 s8 s
Damage100% base105% base110% base
Maximum enemies124

Synergies: Forked Current

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Static SurgePassive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Increase the critical chance of your direct Arcanist spell hits.

Requires: Electric Missile rank 1 · SP already spent in Storm: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Primary direct critical chance added+2 pts+4 pts+6 pts

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ElectrocutionActive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Fire lightning that jumps between nearby enemies. Later hits deal 65% of the spell's base damage.

Electric damage

Requires: Electric Missile rank 1 · SP already spent in Storm: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Chain hit damage65% base65% base65% base
Maximum enemies345
Range8 m9 m10 m
Cooldown12 s12 s12 s
Mana cost505050
Chain hop range3 m3.5 m4 m
Damage100% base100% base100% base

Synergies: Forked Current

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Conductive SealActive · 3 ranks · from level 30

Hit an enemy with lightning and mark them for six seconds. Your next direct lightning hit against them deals bonus damage.

Electric damage

Requires: Electro Strike rank 1 · SP already spent in Storm: 12

Rank123
Character level304565
Skill points4914
Duration6 s6 s6 s
Maximum enemies111
Range8 m9 m10 m
Cooldown12 s12 s12 s
Mana cost252525
Next electric-hit damage bonus12%16%20%
Damage35% base35% base35% base

Synergies: Conductive Missile, Storm Conduit

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Energy BeamActive · 3 ranks · from level 35

Send a narrow lightning beam through enemies in a line.

Electric damage

Requires: Electro Strike rank 1 or Electrocution rank 1 · SP already spent in Storm: 12

Rank123
Character level355075
Skill points61524
Mana cost808080
Range10 m12 m14 m
Cooldown15 s15 s15 s
Damage85% base85% base85% base

Synergies: Focused Beam

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ThunderActive · 3 ranks · from level 30

Strike a chosen area with lightning after a short warning.

Electric damage

Requires: Electrocution rank 1 · SP already spent in Storm: 12

Rank123
Character level304565
Skill points4914
Area radius2 m2 m2 m
Range9 m9 m9 m
Cooldown12 s12 s12 s
Mana cost656565
Damage70% base85% base100% base

Synergies: Grounded Thunder

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Storm MasteryPassive · 2 ranks · from level 45

Increase the damage of your direct lightning hits, excluding chain jumps.

Requires: Energy Beam rank 1 or Conductive Seal rank 2 or Thunder rank 2 · SP already spent in Storm: 24

Rank12
Character level4580
Skill points840
Electric spell damage bonus6%12%

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StormfrontUltimate · 1 rank · from level 60

After a warning, strike a chosen area with three lightning pulses, one second apart.

Electric damage

Requires: Storm Mastery rank 1 · SP already spent in Storm: 47 · Counts toward the 2-ultimate limit.

Rank1
Character level60
Skill points12
Warning delay0.75 s
Cooldown70 s
Tick interval1 s
Mana cost140
Range10 m
Pulses / shots3
Area radius3.5 m
Damage85% base

Synergies: Storm Conduit

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Grave

Owned dark setup, curse pressure and bounded life recovery

9 skills
Phantom MissileActive · 3 ranks · from level 10

Fire a dark missile at an enemy.

Dark damage

Requires: none

Rank123
Character level102035
Skill points489
Mana cost252525
Range9 m9 m9 m
Cooldown3 s3 s3 s
Damage100% base112% base124% base
Maximum enemies111

Synergies: Lingering Phantom

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Fractured BonesActive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Send piercing bones through enemies, damaging and slowing them.

Dark damage

Requires: Phantom Missile rank 1 · SP already spent in Grave: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Slow strength (%)152025
Cooldown10 s10 s10 s
Range7 m7 m7 m
Applied status duration2 s2 s2 s
Mana cost404040
Damage80% base80% base80% base

Synergies: Fractured Wave

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Soul SiphonPassive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Your direct dark spell hits restore health based on damage dealt.

Requires: Phantom Missile rank 1 · SP already spent in Grave: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Life stolen (%)234

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Reaper WaveActive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Send a wave of dark magic through enemies.

Dark damage

Requires: Phantom Missile rank 1 · SP already spent in Grave: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Mana cost555555
Range6 m7 m8.5 m
Cooldown12 s12 s12 s
Damage90% base90% base90% base

Synergies: Fractured Wave

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Withering HexActive · 3 ranks · from level 30

Strike an enemy with dark magic, then curse them for five hits: 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 damage, 30 seconds apart. The first tick occurs after 30 seconds. Curse damage does not scale with your stats and cleansing removes the remaining ticks.

Dark damage

Requires: Fractured Bones rank 1 · SP already spent in Grave: 12

Rank123
Character level304565
Skill points4914
Ticks / charges555
Maximum enemies111
Range8 m9 m10 m
Cooldown12 s12 s12 s
First curse tick damage222
Tick interval30 s30 s30 s
Mana cost303030
Damage30% base30% base30% base

Synergies: Lingering Phantom, Soul Harvest

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Necrotic ExplosionActive · 3 ranks · from level 35

Cause a dark explosion at a chosen spot after a short delay.

Dark damage

Requires: Fractured Bones rank 1 or Reaper Wave rank 1 · SP already spent in Grave: 12

Rank123
Character level355075
Skill points61524
Area radius2 m2.5 m3 m
Range8 m8 m8 m
Cooldown18 s18 s18 s
Mana cost858585
Damage70% base70% base70% base

Synergies: Branded Ruin

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Soul BrandActive · 3 ranks · from level 30

Strike an enemy and mark them for six seconds. Your next direct dark hit against them deals bonus damage.

Dark damage

Requires: Reaper Wave rank 1 · SP already spent in Grave: 12

Rank123
Character level304565
Skill points4914
Cooldown12 s12 s12 s
Maximum enemies111
Range8 m8 m8 m
Mana cost252525
Next dark-hit damage bonus12%16%20%
Duration6 s6 s6 s
Damage30% base30% base30% base

Synergies: Branded Ruin

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Grave ResonancePassive · 2 ranks · from level 45

Your direct dark spells deal more damage to enemies affected by your Withering Hex.

Requires: Necrotic Explosion rank 1 or Withering Hex rank 2 or Soul Brand rank 2 · SP already spent in Grave: 24

Rank12
Character level4580
Skill points840
Dark damage bonus against your hex8%16%

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SouleaterUltimate · 1 rank · from level 60

Send a powerful dark projectile through up to three enemies. Heal for 25% of the health damage dealt.

Dark damage

Requires: Grave Resonance rank 1 · SP already spent in Grave: 47 · Counts toward the 2-ultimate limit.

Rank1
Character level60
Skill points12
Healing from health damage dealt25%
Maximum enemies3
Range9 m
Cooldown70 s
Mana cost140
Damage210% base

Synergies: Soul Harvest

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Sigil

Prepared ground, close pressure and finite wards

9 skills
Arcane PulseActive · 3 ranks · from level 10

Release a lightning pulse that damages and briefly slows enemies around you.

Electric damage

Requires: none

Rank123
Character level102035
Skill points489
Slow strength (%)151515
Cooldown5 s5 s5 s
Area radius2.5 m3 m3.5 m
Applied status duration2 s2 s2 s
Mana cost303030
Damage40% base40% base40% base

Synergies: Runic Withdrawal

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Binding SigilActive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Place a magic circle that lasts six seconds and arms after half a second. It slows each enemy it catches for two seconds, once per enemy.

Requires: Arcane Pulse rank 1 · SP already spent in Sigil: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Applied status duration2 s2 s2 s
Arming time0.5 s0.5 s0.5 s
Mana cost353535
Range8 m8 m8 m
Area radius2 m2.5 m3 m
Slow strength (%)202530
Duration6 s6 s6 s
Cooldown14 s14 s14 s

Synergies: Grounded Thunder, Sealed Detonation

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Intense HealingActive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Restore your health.

Requires: Arcane Pulse rank 1 · SP already spent in Sigil: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points4914
Healing100% base105% base110% base
Cooldown4 s3 s3 s
Mana cost706560

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Runic LanceActive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Fire a quick electric lance at one enemy. Deals direct damage without granting a ward or preparing another spell.

Electric damage

Requires: Arcane Pulse rank 1 · SP already spent in Sigil: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Mana cost404040
Cooldown18 s18 s18 s
Maximum enemies111
Damage110% base120% base130% base
Range8 m8 m8 m

Synergies: Piercing Conclave

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Runic DetonationActive · 3 ranks · from level 30

Cause a dark explosion in a small area.

Dark damage

Requires: Binding Sigil rank 1 · SP already spent in Sigil: 12

Rank123
Character level304565
Skill points4914
Area radius2 m2 m2 m
Range8 m8 m8 m
Cooldown12 s12 s12 s
Mana cost505050
Damage55% base70% base85% base

Synergies: Sealed Detonation

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Cryptic ConclaveActive · 3 ranks · from level 35

After a warning, strike a chosen area with three pulses of dark magic, one second apart.

Dark damage

Requires: Binding Sigil rank 1 or Runic Lance rank 1 · SP already spent in Sigil: 12

Rank123
Character level355075
Skill points61524
Damage30% base30% base30% base
Mana cost808080
Pulses / shots333
Cooldown20 s20 s20 s
Tick interval1 s1 s1 s
Area radius2.5 m3 m3.5 m
Range9 m9 m9 m

Synergies: Piercing Conclave

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Runic StepActive · 3 ranks · from level 30

Step straight toward your aim by up to 3/3.5/4 metres. Haste does not increase the distance. Bodies, walls and floor boundaries stop travel. Roots and stuns prevent or stop the step; it grants no immunity or protection.

Requires: Runic Lance rank 1 · SP already spent in Sigil: 12

Rank123
Character level304565
Skill points4914
Mana cost656565
Cooldown22 s22 s22 s
Range3 m3.5 m4 m

Synergies: Runic Withdrawal

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Mystic ConfluencePassive · 2 ranks · from level 45

Increase direct damage from Arcane Pulse, Runic Lance, Cryptic Conclave, Runic Detonation and Shockwave by 6/12%. Does not strengthen other branches, periodic damage, healing or Mana Shield.

Requires: Cryptic Conclave rank 1 or Runic Detonation rank 2 or Runic Step rank 2 · SP already spent in Sigil: 24

Rank12
Character level4580
Skill points840
Direct Sigil damage bonus (%)612

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ShockwaveUltimate · 1 rank · from level 60

Release three lightning pulses around your casting position, one second apart, damaging and briefly slowing enemies.

Electric damage

Requires: Mystic Confluence rank 1 · SP already spent in Sigil: 47 · Counts toward the 2-ultimate limit.

Rank1
Character level60
Skill points12
Cooldown75 s
Applied status duration2 s
Tick interval1 s
Mana cost150
Pulses / shots3
Area radius5 m
Slow strength (%)30
Damage75% base

Synergies: Resonant Shock

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Aether

Mana, mobility, self recovery and a finite casting window

9 skills
Shield MasteryPassive · 3 ranks · from level 10

While your Mana Shield spell is active, damage it absorbs costs 10/15/20% less mana by rank. Requires the Mana Shield utility; the Mana Shield Ring alone is unaffected.

Requires: none

Rank123
Character level102035
Skill points489
Mana Shield absorption cost reduced (%)101520

Synergies: Shielded Recovery

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Arcane DisruptionActive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Interrupt an enemy spell that has not yet released. Deals no damage and applies no lingering stun or silence. Requires a living, reachable enemy within six meters that is currently casting; control-immune targets are unaffected.

Requires: Shield Mastery rank 1 · SP already spent in Aether: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Mana cost404040
Cooldown20 s18 s16 s
Range6 m6 m6 m
Maximum targets111

Synergies: Disrupted Attunement

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Arcane EconomyPassive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Reduce the mana cost of Arcane Disruption, Overchannel and Intense Healing.

Requires: Shield Mastery rank 1 · SP already spent in Aether: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Support mana-cost reduction5%10%15%

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Mana AttunementPassive · 3 ranks · from level 20

Increase your mana regeneration.

Requires: Shield Mastery rank 1 · SP already spent in Aether: 4

Rank123
Character level203045
Skill points41220
Mana every 4 s4812

Synergies: Disrupted Attunement, Ascendant Return

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Soul TitheActive · 3 ranks · from level 30

Spend mana to pull life back from the grave and restore a large amount of your health. Scales with your magic level.

Requires: Arcane Disruption rank 1 · SP already spent in Aether: 12

Rank123
Character level304565
Skill points41220
Healing70% base75% base80% base
Cooldown8 s6 s4 s
Mana cost120120120

Synergies: Shielded Recovery

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OverchannelActive · 3 ranks · from level 35

Prepare your next ordinary damaging spell within six seconds to release 25/35/45% sooner. Saves at most 0.4 seconds and leaves at least 0.1 seconds of wind-up. Recovery, damage and projectile travel stay unchanged. Excludes ultimates, healing and utility. The preparation is consumed when the attack starts, even if it is cancelled.

Requires: Arcane Disruption rank 1 or Mana Attunement rank 1 · SP already spent in Aether: 12

Rank123
Character level355075
Skill points61524
Mana cost404040
Cooldown18 s18 s18 s
Duration6 s6 s6 s
Wind-up reduced (%)253545

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Spell FocusActive · 3 ranks · from level 30

Increase the damage of your next direct Arcanist attack spell cast within six seconds. The bonus is spent when you cast, even if you miss.

Requires: Mana Attunement rank 1 · SP already spent in Aether: 12

Rank123
Character level304565
Skill points4914
Mana cost252525
Duration6 s6 s6 s
Cooldown16 s16 s16 s
Next direct-hit damage bonus12%16%20%

Synergies: Resonant Shock, Focused Beam

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Scholarly ConfluencePassive · 2 ranks · from level 45

Increase your maximum mana, based on your vocation and level before equipment bonuses.

Requires: Overchannel rank 1 or Soul Tithe rank 2 or Spell Focus rank 2 · SP already spent in Aether: 24

Rank12
Character level4580
Skill points840
Maximum mana bonus5%10%

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Arcane AscendanceUltimate · 1 rank · from level 60

For eight seconds, increase your direct lightning and dark spell damage by 15%, halve your Arcanist combat spells' mana costs and shorten their wind-ups by 35%.

Requires: Scholarly Confluence rank 1 · SP already spent in Aether: 47 · Counts toward the 2-ultimate limit.

Rank1
Character level60
Skill points12
Mana cost100
Duration8 s
Cooldown80 s
Mana-cost reduction50%
Primary direct damage bonus15%
Wind-up reduced (%)35

Synergies: Ascendant Return

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Utility spells

7 spells

Buy each rank from the same skill-point budget as your tree skills. Utility spending does not open branch gates. Basic Attack is free; reaching a level does not automatically buy a utility rank.

  • Firestarter1 SP per rank · Level 1

    Light a fire for cooking.

  • Create Light1 SP per rank · Ranks at levels 10, 25, 40, 55, 70 · after Firestarter

    Create a light to illuminate your surroundings.

  • Cure Poison1 SP per rank · Level 10 · after Light Healing

    Remove poison from yourself.

  • Soulfeed1 SP per rank · Level 10 · after Firestarter

    Create food.

  • Light Healing1 SP per rank · Level 10

    Restore a small amount of your health.

  • Mana Shield1 SP per rank · Level 10

    For 15 seconds, all damage you take drains your mana instead of your health, one mana per damage. The shield breaks for good when your mana runs out. Costs 20 mana, 30s cooldown.

  • Utility Haste2 SP per rank · Ranks at levels 15, 25, 40

    Increase your movement speed by 10/15/20% for 30 seconds. Costs 60 mana each cast. Recasting refreshes the duration without stacking speed or banking time. Costs 2 SP per rank.

Thyranya is in pre-alpha. Skill values can change between updates. This page is generated from the current game data.