Aion Classic Rifting and PvP Guide
Aion Classic’s PvP system is built around a fundamental world design: Asmodians and Elyos live on opposite sides of Atreia and are at war. The Abyss is the main contested PvP zone between factions, while rifts are temporary portals that open in normal leveling zones and allow enemy-faction players to invade your territory.
The Factions
- Asmodians — Dark-winged, based in Asmodae (northern hemisphere)
- Elyos — Light-winged, based in Elysea (southern hemisphere)
Players choose one faction at character creation and stay in it. You cannot play the other faction on the same server (in Aion Classic’s original server rules).
How Rifts Work
Rifts are temporary rifts in the world that open periodically at specific locations in normal leveling zones. When a rift opens:
- Players from the enemy faction can enter your zone through it
- Rift locations are fixed and known — experienced players know where rifts open
- Rifts stay open for a limited time, then close
Rifting refers to the act of entering enemy territory through a rift, typically to hunt enemy players for Abyss Points.
PvP Mechanics During Rifting
When an enemy-faction player enters your zone via a rift, they appear as red-named enemies. You can attack them anywhere in the zone (even in normal questing areas). This creates a mix of world PvP with PvE questing.
For players leveling through zones, rifts mean you need to be alert. Enemy rifters often target lower-level players for easy kills.
Rifting Tips
- Check rift timers (community Discord/fan sites track them)
- Rift in groups for safety — solo rifting is risky
- Target farming areas where players are focused on mobs, not PvP
- Exit through the rift before it closes or you’ll be trapped in enemy territory
The Abyss
The Abyss is the dedicated PvP zone between the two faction homeworlds. It has:
- Lower Abyss — Large open zone with floating islands; accessible at level 25+
- Upper Abyss — Higher-level content, more valuable objectives
- Balaurea — The central continent accessible through Abyss rifts
In the Abyss, all players from the opposing faction are enemies. A third faction — the Balaur (NPC dragon lords) — also occupies the Abyss and attacks both Elyos and Asmodian players.
Abyss Fortresses
The Abyss has fortresses that factions can capture and hold. Controlling fortresses gives your faction:
- Buffs to all players of that faction
- Access to special vendors inside the fortress
- Abyss Points bonuses from fortress-related quests
Fortress sieges happen at scheduled times and involve large player groups from both factions fighting for control.
Abyss Points and PvP Ranks
Abyss Points (AP) are earned by:
- Killing enemy-faction players (AP scales with their rank and level)
- Completing Abyss quests
- Participating in fortress sieges
Abyss Points determine your PvP Rank:
| Rank | AP Threshold | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Soldier 1 | Starting rank | — |
| Soldier 5 | ~7,000 AP | — |
| Centurion 1 | ~72,000 AP | — |
| Centurion 5 | ~375,000 AP | — |
| Star Officer | Higher AP tiers | — |
| General | Very high | — |
| Governor | Top rank | Faction leader |
Higher ranks unlock access to rank-exclusive gear sold at the Abyss Store for AP. This gear is among the best available at each tier and is highly coveted.
Losing Abyss Points
When an enemy kills you in PvP, you lose a portion of your Abyss Points. Higher-ranked players lose more points on death. This creates real stakes in Abyss PvP — a series of deaths at a high rank can cost significant progression.
The Abyss Store
The Abyss Store (accessed from the Abyss Captain NPC) sells:
- Rank-exclusive armour and weapons (best-in-slot for many classes at mid-game)
- Stigma Enchantment Stones (for Stigma enhancement)
- Consumables (buffs and healing items specific to PvP)
Higher-rank items require corresponding AP investment.
Open World PvP Tips
- Always fly at max altitude in the Abyss — many players patrol at lower altitudes; staying high gives you more time to react
- Watch your position — being too far from the rift exit when ganked means dying without escape
- Group with others for Abyss quests — solo players are prime targets
- Farm rank AP early — rank determines your gear access ceiling
- Use defensive consumables before contested areas — mana potions and HP elixirs matter in PvP
- Know when rifts open in your zone — being caught unaware by a rifter is the most common way to die while questing
PvP Classes in Aion Classic
Some classes are naturally better in PvP:
- Assassin — High burst, stealth approach; can kill isolated targets instantly
- Sorcerer — High magical damage, crowd control; glass cannon in PvP
- Chanter — Support-heavy; strong group PvP support, buffs, interrupts
- Gladiator — Sustained melee DPS; good in prolonged fights
- Cleric — Hardest to kill; excellent self-sustain but limited killing power without support
