Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis: Best Sub-Classes For Every Main Class

Highlights

• Players can equip two primary and secondary classes in Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis for unique benefits and gameplay options.
• In New Genesis, players should carefully choose sub-classes like Hunter or Bouncer to complement their main class and enhance survivability or damage output.
• Each class combination, such as Fighter paired with Ranger, offers different playstyles and strategies to excel in combat situations in the game.

Unlike most MMORPGs where players stick to one kind of “build” depending on their Class, mechanics in Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis adopts the fan-favorite Phantasy Star Class + Sub-Class Dynamic. As shown in both Phantasy Star Online 2 and the New Genesis sequel, this means players have the option to equip two (2) Classes and assign them as primary and secondary Classes, with characters enjoying benefits from both.

However, similar to how PSO2 has a different approach to Sub-Classes than the mainline Phantasy Star titles, so too does New Genesis. The thing is, just how do Sub-Classes in New Genesis work, and which Sub-Class works best for each of its Classes?

Updated March 10, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis providing players with quite the vibrant log-in gifts with February’s Nijisanji collab event, fans of the anime-style MMO might wonder how these new accessories and entire costumes could fit their respective builds. After all, outfits inspired by the costumes of Nagao Kei, Yorumi Rena, Amamiya Kokoro, and Matsukai Mao may be stylish, but fans can see their drip fit specific combat animations – especially in the eyes of the anime fan.

For more technical fans of the Phantasy Star Online 2 spinoff, they may want to pair their Nijisanji drip with the right Class-Subclass combination, especially as the game boasts action-packed combat. However, just which Subclasses work with which Class, and what secondary options do players have as alternatives?

1 Fighter: Best Paired With Melee Support, Ranged Options

The Fighter Can Elevate Its Melee Specialization With More Buffs, Or Options To Fight From Afar

Geared towards close combat to the extreme, Fighters favor putting themselves in dangerously close proximity to opponents to capitalize on speed and risk-heavy combat. Their Defeat Advantage and Defeat PP Advantage boost their damage against downed enemies as well as recover PP when fighting them. Given their potentially spongey nature, the perfect Sub-Class for a Fighter is something that can boost their survivability.

Sub-Class 1: Hunter

With regards to performance as a Sub-Class, the Hunter does perform rather decently when it comes to providing sustainability against tough New Genesis enemies. Its Hunter Physique provides 25-percent protection against damage for 30 seconds, whereas Flash Guard can provide 10-percent damage mitigation. These Skills are especially useful for a frontline Hunter who aims to become a tank.

Sub-Class 2: Bouncer

When it comes to pure boosts to damage output, the Bouncer can give the Fighter a significant DPS increase. At its core, the Bouncer’s kit provides the Fighter with a much-needed speed boost to the rate they apply knockdowns, therefore giving Fighters more opportunities to increase their overall damage. A Fighter/Bouncer can emphasize breaking body parts for extra damage, courtesy of Partial Destroy Advantage.

2 Ranger: Elevate Distance Control With Emergency Melee

Secure Mastery Over Distance With New Attack Options

Contrary to the close-ranged Gunner, the mid-ranged Ranger gives players breathing room to assist frontliners in close range while remaining far enough to dodge critical attacks. While not as tanky compared to the Hunter, Rangers do have excellent resistance against status ailments, courtesy of Bad Condition Ward and Bad Condition Reduction, which boosts their natural survivability. Moreover, their ability to equip Rifles allows players to access homing darts – perfect for mobbing multiple enemies up close.

Sub-Class 1: Fighter

Players with a penchant for consistently dishing out damage up close can benefit from the Fighter as a Sub-Class. At its core, Defeat Advantage provides 5-percent more damage to downed enemies, whereas Defeat PP Advantage gives players 25-percent Attack PP Recovery when attacking them. Another great perk when using Fighter for a Ranger is how its melee weapon selections offer decent counters, giving Rangers more aggressive protections when dealing with enemies up close while maintaining damage supremacy via the Phantasy Star Online 2 Combat Power system.

3 Hunter: Improve Tankiness With Damage Flexibility

Maximize Survivability With Variable Combat

One of the most melee-oriented Classes out there, the Hunter, specializes in dishing out damage up close. The fast-paced nature of its arsenal makes the Hunter perfect for mobbing, with defensive Skills such as Hunter Physique, Flash Guard, Iron Will, and Omnidirectional Guard practically boosting survivability. In turn, a good tandem for a Sub-Class would be balancing out the Hunter’s lack of a long-ranged component, making this ideal for newcomers to New Genesis.

Sub-Class 1: Fighter

Players who want to enjoy a more straightforward combat experience with melee weapons will appreciate the additional slate of Techniques the Fighter offers with its arsenal. Getting more damage (Defeat Advantage), and more PP (Defeat PP Recovery) against downed opponents is a plus, while the expanded combo options for the Fighter become more worthwhile risks with the tankiness of the Hunter.

Sub-Class 2: Gunner

Using this Class makes the Gunner suitable as a Sub-Class, primarily on extended incursions. Its own version of Attack PP Recovery gives 20-percent Attack PP Recovery, which is active all the time, and Overwhelm, which boosts PP Recovery when attacking regular foes – guaranteeing resource recovery regardless of the situation. Not to mention, having access to the Gunner’s Rifles allows Hunters to have homing darts, perfect for mobbing and taking out enemies from the safety of distance.

4 Gunner: Maximize Distanced Fighting With More Guns, More Magic

Get More DPS With Extra Ranged Damage, Expanded Magic Options

Unlike the long-distance Ranger, Gunners like to shoot their targets up close. Their need for constant aggression in New Genesis gameplay is precisely the reason why skills such as Overwhelm and Attack PP Recovery constantly give them access to more PP since the Gunner’s risky gameplay rewards them with more offensive opportunities. As such, the best Sub-Class for them should be one that further amplifies their damage potential.

Sub-Class 1: Ranger

Despite the Gunner being built precisely to be the mid-ranged counterpart to the Ranger, the latter remains its most ideal Sub-Class precisely for its Grenades and Mines. When used correctly via Rifle Grenadier and its faster CD via Sticky Bomb Quick Reload, they effectively become the main counterattack tools of the Gunner. Phase 2’s stacking benefit can transform Grenades into busted damage dealers, as players can “load” them against a boss with high resistances and then pop them off during the right window between boss attacks.

Sub-Class 2: Force

The Force remains a safe option for a Sub-Class precisely for its offensive support benefits. PP Recovery Boost alone allows players to recover more PP when out of combat, which is useful for in-between encounters. Meanwhile, Eradication PP Gain gives characters more PP when surrounded by downed or defeated enemies, again helpful after combat or even during combat. Lastly, PP Conversion is a rather nifty emergency skill to have, especially for players willing to sacrifice a bit of HP for the PP recovery speed boost – useful in high-intensity combat that needs more DPS.

There’s no question that the Force and Techter are compatible Classes, especially with their commonality in wielding the Talises. More importantly, the Force acting as the game’s long-ranged spellcaster means they have access to some of the deadliest DPS skills in the game. Such is their prowess that their Eradication PP Gain and PP Conversion constantly give them opportunities to replenish PP when outside combat or in-between encounters – ensuring they are well-equipped for the next battle.

Sub-Class 1: Bouncer

The Bouncer can make for a surprisingly effective Sub-Class for the Force should players use it correctly. The key to achieving efficiency with Force/Bouncer lies in skipping combo-based Zonde Clad and Barta Blot from the Force and instead allocating the points to the Bouncer’s Elemental Decline. This way, players can spam Photon Arts from the Force without worrying about building combos, while the Bouncer’s down-based toolkit can give players much-needed DPS whenever they secure knockdowns. Using Jet Boots and Jetsweep Jolt can transform Force/Bouncer characters into single-target juggernauts, allowing them to take on bosses more effectively.

Sub-Class 2: Techter

The Techter as a Sub-Class optimizes the Force’s toolkit that can further exploit an enemy’s elemental weakness. Super attacks like the Photon Blast are often the lifeline of DPS builds, especially against bosses, and the Techter can become a decent Sub-Class to complement this courtesy of certain Skills. At its core, the Awake Aile boosts the character’s Photon Blast Gauge growth much faster when near a boss creature. Moreover, its Weak Element Amplifier boosts the Photon Blast Gauge when hitting enemies with an element matching its weakness – making for a great combo when hitting bosses with their inherent weaknesses.

Double-Down On The Techter’s Debuffs With More Room For DPS

Compared to other Classes, the Techter specializes in providing support abilities to their allies, regardless of their nature as New Genesis characters. It’s precisely due to their Awake Aile and Weak Element Amplifier that ensures their damage is boosted against bosses and when exploiting elemental weaknesses. Not only that but using particular Techniques will grant various effects on the Techter and their allies and debilitating debuffs against enemies, making the Techter rather versatile.

Sub-Class 1: Force

Perhaps the best Sub-Class to be paired with the Techter would be its fellow magic-user, the Force. This is primarily due to the Force’s PP-focused skillset, as PP Conversion uses (PP Conversion Increase), natural PP Recovery (PP Recovery Boost), and even PP recovery on defeating foes (Killing PP Gain) can keep the Techter well-stocked with enough juice for their combos. Focusing on boosting elemental potential on Force should give the Techter a significant buff in DPS potential.

Sub-Class 2: Gunner

What’s perhaps useful for a Techter as a Sub-Class in this regard would be the Gunner. Aside from the fact that its access to Rifles gives Techters homing darts that are helpful when attacking multiple small foes at once, mechanics such as Overwhelm and Attack PP Recovery give the Techter constant incentives to get on the offensive and exploit elemental weaknesses with an emphasis on speed. It’s mobility that can heavily make up for the rather squishy nature of the Techter in the long term.

7 Braver: Engage Combat Across All Ranges, All Types

Secure Multi-Purpose Performance With More Attack Abilities, Mobility Options

If there’s any Class in the Phantasy Star universe that capitalizes on the player’s mastery of its mechanics, it’s the Braver. Equipped with the Katana and Bow, they can tap into combat at any range, provided they’re able to master their rather technical-intensive abilities. However, the Braver’s Skills such as Mighty Guard, Brave Spirit, and weapon-exclusive perks incentivize any approach players take with extra mobility and defensive options.

Sub-Class 1: Force

Players already in tune with the Braver’s level of mastery can rely on Force as a Sub-Class precisely to amplify their gameplay approach. When used with the Katana specialization, the short-ranged nature of the Braver can be enhanced with the Force’s combat-based perks such as Eradication PP Gain, as well as risk-based PP Conversion. With these perks, the Bouncer can tap into more offensive power due to the constant PP resource management.

Sub-Class 2: Slayer

The Slayer can make for an efficient Sub-Class for a Katana specialist Braver, especially with this combo’s renewed emphasis on crits. Slayers have skills that give them natural boosts to crit rate (Critical Up), boosting crit rate versus bosses (Gallant Attack Critical Up), and even getting PP Recovery during critical hits (Critical Hit PP Gain). When built properly, a DPS-heavy Braver/Slayer combo could become a glass cannon that packs enough heat to pulverize bosses despite weaker defenses – similar to a Rogue in traditional MMOs who prefer the risk of dealing extremely high damage up close.

8 Bouncer: Expand Survival Options With Movement, Extra Abilities

Capitalize On The Bouncer’s Movement Potential With More Mobility, Actions

A relatively mobile New Genesis Class that dominates the skies, the Bouncer can tap into both Soaring Blades and Jet Boots to use Photon Arts and Techniques to keep on knocking down opponents. Skills such as Defeat PP Gain, Defeat Amplifier, and Partial Destroy Advantage give the Bouncer a lot of healthy advantages when consistently downing foes.

Sub-Class 1: Braver

The base capabilities of the Bouncer surprisingly make the Braver a decent Sub-Class for the Bouncer’s capabilities. With the Braver’s defensive bonuses from Breakfall HP Gain and Mighty Guard, the Bouncer has more incentives to capitalize on their mobility without hindering their survivability.

Sub-Class 2: Hunter

Players who want to secure more survivability for mobile Bouncer plays should consider the Hunter, especially for its defensive potential. This Sub-Class can allow the Bouncer to enjoy even less damage (Flash Guard), a multi-directional attack (All Guard), and specialized combo options depending on Hunter weapons. This syncs well with the Bouncer’s Special Ability Optimization, which allows the usage of Jet Boots or Soaring Blades with melee builds.

9 Waker: Strengthen Core Performance With More Magic, Attack Options

Secure Survivability With Expanded DPS

Instead of relying on direct combat, the Waker – based on PSO2’s Summoner – specializes in summoning Familiars to do their bidding. Each Familiar they possess has different combat abilities, giving the Waker extensive control over their combat performance. They also have a rather healthy set of Skills that boost survivability, such as Retro Friends Rescue, which gives HP based on a certain percentage, or Welfare Management, which reduces damage on top of boosting Restasigne heals.

Sub-Class 1: Force

While the Waker already has an impressive slate of spellcasting abilities and offense through their summons, the Force serves as a nifty Sub-Class to fully tap into this Class’s offensive capabilities. Skills such as PP Conversion, PP Recovery Boost, and Eradication PP Gain can give the Waker constant PP supply to secure rotations without many interruptions, especially in combat zone runs that can often turn deadly when players get overwhelmed with mobs.

Sub-Class 2: Hunter

Constantly switching to Marmelo for defense can be quite the drag for a Waker, especially for players who are used to more compact combo plays to maximize their damage. The Waker unfortunately suffers in the DPS department, which means a Sub-Class like the Hunter can compensate for boosts in overall defense (Flash Guard, Omnidirectional Guard), its roster of melee weapons, and more flexible combos. Having summons out on the assist while players dish out heavy-hitting melee with a dash of survivability can secure a Waker’s survival amid tough battles.

10 Slayer: Provides A Massive Dose Of Firepower

The heavy-hitting nature of the Slayer transforms them into the more high-caliber variant of the sleeker Braver, giving players a multi-range specialist whose arsenal of weapons relies more on massive bursts of firepower instead of keen precision. Gunslash Gear incentivizes combo-building as Slayers may enjoy attack-based PP Gain, a general attack buff and even boosted crits on consistent hits. This stacks with existing crit rate boosters on base (Critical Up) or when attacking bosses (Gallant Attack Critical Up), with chances of PP Recovery on critical hits (Critical Hit PP Gain).

Sub-Class 1: Force

Among Classes featured in games in the Phantasy Star series, the Force could be a practical Sub-Class for the Slayer for its PP Recovery buffs. With the Force, Slayers can enjoy more consistent natural PP Recovery (PP Recovery Up), and more openings to get PP such as when opponents are down (Killing PP Gain). Securing this part of the Force skill tree should give the Slayer with more incentives to use their skills without worrying too much about PP Recovery management.

Sub-Class 2: Hunter

The Hunter is an ideal option to boost the survivability of the Slayer, especially for players who want heavy-hitting plays with less risk of taking too much damage. Damage reduction via Flash Guard and Omnidirectional Guard are welcome additions to the Slayer’s defensive kit, especially since the Class doesn’t have direct offerings that boost their survivability.