The arrival of the 6th Job advancement in MapleStory has revolutionized class balance, and Bishops are no exception. With the introduction of the HEXA Matrix system, Bishops now have access to powerful new origin skills and mastery cores that significantly enhance both their support capabilities and solo farming potential.
This guide focuses on optimizing your HEXA Matrix for Bishop, specifically addressing the debate between boosting “Angel Ray” versus maximizing “Benediction,” and identifying the best farming locations in the new Carcion region.
HEXA Matrix Priority: Damage vs. Support
One of the biggest questions for Bishops entering the 6th Job era is how to allocate their precious Sol Erda. The HEXA Matrix offers two primary avenues for growth: Mastery Cores (which upgrade 4th job skills) and Boost Nodes (which enhance 5th job skills).
1. Angel Ray Boost Node (Mastery Core)
- Priority: High for Solo Progression / Farming
- Effect: The new VI Mastery Core for Angel Ray doesn’t just increase damage numbers; it adds additional lines and hit count.
- Why choose it first? If your primary goal is to efficiently farm Sol Erda fragments in Grandis maps, you need to one-shot mobs. The Angel Ray upgrade provides the raw damage increase needed to clear high-HP mobs in Carcion and Arteria without relying excessively on cooldowns.
2. Benediction Mastery Core (Skill Core)
- Priority: High for Hard Bossing Parties
- Effect: Enhances the duration and final damage buff provided by Benediction.
- Why choose it first? If you are the dedicated support in a Kalos or Kaling party, your team relies on your burst window. Upgrading Benediction ensures your party’s damage output is maximized during bind phases.
Recommendation: For most players, we recommend unlocking the Angel Ray Mastery Core to level 1 immediately to secure the farming efficiency, then funneling resources into Benediction if you are party-focused. If you are a solo progression player, max Angel Ray first.
Best Sol Erda Farming Spot: Carcion
The new region, Carcion, offers some of the best experience and Sol Erda Fragment drop rates in the game, but the mobs are incredibly tanky.
Top Map: The Tree Where Snakes Rest
- Layout: A compact, multi-platform map that is perfect for Big Bang and Angel Ray spam.
- Strategy: Place your Fountain of Vengeance on the top platform to clear stray mobs. Use Genesis on cooldown to clear the entire screen.
- Requirement: Ensure you have at least 300 Sacred Force (AUT) to deal normal damage here.
Alternative: Sunken Ruins
- Layout: Larger horizontal map.
- Why here? If “The Tree Where Snakes Rest” is burning 0 or full, this is a solid backup. It requires more movement, so use Teleport Mastery efficiently.
Summary
- First Upgrade: Unlock Angel Ray VI (Level 1).
- Main Focus: Max Benediction for party play, or Angel Ray for farming.
- Farm Location: Carcion - The Tree Where Snakes Rest.
Optimize your HEXA Matrix wisely, and you’ll be the most sought-after Bishop in Maple World!