Choosing the right class in MapleStory Classic can make a huge difference in how you experience the game. Some classes are great at dealing damage to a single enemy, while others are much better at clearing groups of monsters, surviving difficult fights, or helping their party. Because of this, I don’t think looking at damage numbers alone is enough to decide which class is the best.
In this MapleStory Classic tier list, I’ll go through all 10 second-job classes available at level 70 and explain what makes each one worth playing. We’ll look at their damage, grinding potential, survivability, mobility, range, and overall usefulness so you can get a better idea of what each class brings to the table.
Keep in mind that this is a practical ranking based on the supplied level 70 benchmark data, along with the strengths and weaknesses of each class. Your experience can change depending on your build, equipment, skill choices, and whether you’re playing solo or with a party. I’ve also included Islander as a separate option, since it follows a very different playstyle from the regular second-job classes.
MapleStory Classic Tier List – Best Second Job Classes
Here is my overall tier list for the second-job classes. I’m considering both combat performance and how useful each class feels during regular gameplay, rather than simply putting the highest single-target DPS class at the top.
| Tier | Classes | Why I Ranked Them Here |
|---|---|---|
| S Tier | Fighter, Bandit, Cleric | Strong damage or exceptional utility, with each offering a different reason to choose them. |
| A Tier | Page, Hunter, Assassin, Spearman | Solid combat options with good damage, survivability, or mobility, depending on the class. |
| B Tier | F/P Wizard, I/L Wizard, Crossbowman | Useful classes that have some clear strengths but also face trade-offs in damage, efficiency, or versatility. |
| Special Tier | Islander | A challenge-focused choice that doesn’t fit into normal combat rankings. |
This is my general recommendation for players who want a straightforward starting point. It isn’t an official ranking, and the order within each tier isn’t meant to suggest that one class will always outperform another. For example, Cleric can be an excellent choice for party play even though its single-target damage is much lower than Bandit’s.
S Tier Classes
1. Fighter – Best All-Round Warrior Choice
My rating: S Tier
Fighter is one of the strongest choices if you want a straightforward melee class that can deal serious damage without relying on complicated mechanics. Its biggest advantage is its combination of single-target damage, area damage, and solid physical survivability.
At level 70, the supplied benchmark gives Fighter around 4,202 single-target DPS and 13,287 AoE DPS. Those are excellent results, especially if you spend a lot of time grinding groups of monsters. Fighter also has respectable physical effective HP, making it a comfortable option for players who prefer fighting enemies up close.
Another thing I like about Fighter is that it doesn’t need to specialize in only one type of encounter. It can handle regular grinding and focused damage reasonably well, so you aren’t constantly switching your entire approach depending on what you’re fighting.
The main downside is that Fighter needs to stay close to enemies. Players who prefer attacking from a distance may find the playstyle less comfortable, and equipment choices matter when balancing damage against defense.
Best for: Players who enjoy melee combat, consistent damage, and a strong balance between single-target and AoE performance.
2. Bandit – Best Single-Target Damage
My rating: S Tier
If your main goal is to deal as much damage as possible to one enemy, Bandit deserves serious consideration. According to the supplied level 70 benchmark, Bandit reaches 5,469 single-target DPS, the highest unconditional single-target result among the listed classes.
This makes Bandit particularly attractive for focused combat and encounters where you need to bring down one enemy quickly. Its Savage Blow damage gives it a strong identity, and it is an appealing option for players who enjoy an aggressive melee playstyle.
Bandit also has access to Steal, although its short success-only buff should be treated as a separate best-case scenario rather than guaranteed damage. I would judge the class primarily on its normal damage instead of assuming that every favorable effect will always be active.
The biggest drawback is that Bandit doesn’t lead every category. Its AoE benchmark is substantially lower than Fighter’s, so it isn’t automatically the best choice for every grinding situation. Its close-range combat style is also something to consider if you prefer safer ranged attacks.
Best for: Players who want top-tier single-target damage and enjoy fast, aggressive melee combat.
3. Cleric – Best Support and Party Utility
My rating: S Tier
Cleric is a class I’d recommend to players who care about more than just damage numbers. Its single-target DPS is relatively low in the supplied benchmark, but it brings something that pure damage-focused classes cannot offer in the same way: healing and useful party support.
Heal makes a real difference when you’re trying to sustain yourself or help a group stay alive, while Bless provides useful support for party members. These abilities give Cleric a distinct role that isn’t captured by looking at DPS alone.
Cleric also performs particularly well in the right matchup. Against undead enemies, Heal can become an offensive tool, and the supplied benchmark models its AoE damage using Heal against five undead targets. This means the class can perform very differently depending on what you’re fighting.
The obvious disadvantage is that Cleric doesn’t compete with Bandit or Fighter in ordinary single-target damage. If you only care about defeating one enemy as quickly as possible, other classes will generally be more appealing.
Still, I think Cleric is one of the most useful choices for players who want a supportive playstyle, better sustain, and a meaningful role in a party.
Best for: Support-focused players, party grinders, and anyone who values healing and utility over raw damage.
A Tier Classes
4. Page – Strong Defense and Reliable Combat
My rating: A Tier
Page is a solid choice for players who like the Warrior playstyle but want to approach combat with a little more emphasis on durability and flexibility. It offers respectable damage, good physical survivability, and a straightforward melee combat loop.
The supplied benchmark puts Page at approximately 4,015 single-target DPS and 11,080 AoE DPS. These numbers are competitive, although they fall behind Fighter in both categories.
One of Page’s biggest advantages is its defensive potential. The benchmark’s shield configuration reduces its single-target DPS to around 3,305 but increases its physical effective HP from roughly 4,520 to 7,590. That’s a meaningful trade-off for players who prefer taking less physical damage over maximizing their offensive output.
I wouldn’t automatically choose the shield setup for every situation, though. If your goal is to maximize damage, the standard weapon configuration is the better reference point. The shield option makes more sense when survivability is your priority.
Page may not be the most exciting class for everyone, but it’s a dependable choice for players who enjoy close-range combat and want the option to invest more heavily in defense.
Best for: Players who prefer durable melee combat and want to balance damage with survivability.
5. Hunter – Great Ranged Damage and Grinding Potential
My rating: A Tier
Hunter is a strong option if you prefer dealing damage from a distance instead of standing directly beside every enemy. Its ranged attacks make it easier to approach encounters on your own terms, and its benchmark performance is competitive across both single-target and AoE damage.
At level 70, Hunter reaches around 4,088 single-target DPS and 11,811 AoE DPS in the supplied data. That’s a respectable combination, particularly for players who want a class that can handle regular grinding without sacrificing too much focused damage.
Range is one of Hunter’s biggest advantages. Keeping some distance between yourself and enemies can make combat more comfortable, especially when you’re learning enemy patterns or fighting in areas where positioning matters.
However, ranged combat doesn’t mean you’ll never take damage. You still need to manage positioning, enemy approaches, and your available resources. Hunter also doesn’t have the same physical effective HP as the Warrior options in this comparison.
Overall, I think Hunter is an excellent choice for players who enjoy traditional ranged combat and want a class that performs well in more than one damage category.
Best for: Players who like ranged attacks, flexible grinding, and dealing damage without constantly fighting at close range.
6. Assassin – Best Mobility and Ranged Single-Target Option
My rating: A Tier
Assassin is a class I’d seriously consider if mobility and range are important to you. Its Lucky Seven skill gives it a strong single-target damage option, and the supplied benchmark records around 4,266 single-target DPS.
That puts Assassin behind Bandit in the listed single-target results, but it still performs very well. Its approximately 400-pixel single-target range and access to Haste make it particularly attractive for players who want to move around quickly while maintaining offensive pressure.
I also like that Assassin offers a different experience from the other ranged classes. Rather than focusing on the traditional Bowman style, it combines ranged attacks with a mobility-oriented playstyle that can make grinding feel more dynamic.
Its main weakness is that it doesn’t have the same AoE damage performance as the strongest Warrior options in the benchmark. Players focused on clearing large groups as quickly as possible may prefer another class.
Even so, Assassin is a strong pick if you value movement, range, and focused damage more than raw AoE output.
Best for: Players who want strong single-target damage, excellent mobility, and a ranged combat style.
7. Spearman – A Strong Warrior With Good AoE Damage
My rating: A Tier
Spearman is another good option if you enjoy Warrior combat but want a class that performs well when fighting multiple enemies. Its damage numbers are respectable, and its physical survivability gives it a comfortable place among the melee choices.
The supplied benchmark puts Spearman at approximately 3,651 single-target DPS and 9,875 AoE DPS. These results don’t beat Fighter or Page in every category, but they still make Spearman a viable choice for regular grinding.
What makes Spearman appealing is its ability to combine melee damage with a solid area-damage option. If you’re planning to spend a lot of time fighting groups of monsters, that versatility can be more useful than specializing entirely in single-target attacks.
The downside is that Spearman doesn’t stand out as the strongest class in any of the main damage categories shown here. Its mobility and support ratings also aren’t particularly impressive compared with the classes that specialize in those areas.
I’d still recommend it to players who like the Warrior playstyle and want a dependable class without needing to chase the highest possible single-target damage.
Best for: Players who want a durable melee class with solid AoE damage and a traditional Warrior feel.
B Tier Classes
8. F/P Wizard – Strong AoE Damage With Matchup Potential
My rating: B Tier
F/P Wizard is worth considering if you enjoy magic-based combat and want to focus on hitting multiple enemies. Its benchmark shows approximately 2,666 single-target DPS and 10,253 AoE DPS, so its main appeal is clearly its area-damage performance rather than its single-target damage.
The class becomes more interesting when you account for elemental matchups. Against enemies weak to supported elemental spells, its damage can improve, making the right target selection an important part of getting the most out of the class.
This is one reason I wouldn’t judge F/P Wizard entirely by its neutral benchmark. The numbers provide a useful baseline, but actual performance can change depending on the enemies you’re fighting and the skills available in your build.
Its main drawback is that it doesn’t have the physical durability of a Warrior and can require more attention to positioning and resource management. Its neutral single-target damage is also relatively low compared with the leading melee and ranged options.
If you enjoy magic classes and like choosing targets based on their weaknesses, F/P Wizard can still be a fun and useful option.
Best for: Players who enjoy elemental magic, AoE grinding, and exploiting favorable enemy matchups.
9. I/L Wizard – Excellent Mobility and Multi-Target Control
My rating: B Tier
I/L Wizard is another interesting option for players who prefer magic over physical combat. Its neutral benchmark shows around 2,518 single-target DPS and 6,221 AoE DPS, which puts it below several other classes in raw damage.
However, damage isn’t the only reason to consider this class. Thunder Bolt can hit multiple targets, while Teleport provides mobility that changes how you move around maps and approach grinding.
Those abilities make I/L Wizard appealing if you enjoy a more mobile, ability-focused playstyle. Being able to reposition quickly can be useful during regular gameplay, even when your damage numbers aren’t at the top of the chart.
The biggest downside is that its neutral damage performance is relatively modest compared with the stronger physical classes. You may also need to pay more attention to MP consumption and skill usage when grinding for extended periods.
I would put I/L Wizard in B Tier for this general ranking, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad class. Players who value mobility, multi-target attacks, and magic-based combat may enjoy it more than some higher-ranked options.
Best for: Players who enjoy Teleport, multi-target magic, and a mobile playstyle.
10. Crossbowman – A Solid Ranged Option With Some Trade-Offs
My rating: B Tier
Crossbowman is a reasonable choice if you want to play a ranged Bowman class but prefer its particular weapon style. It has respectable damage, reaching approximately 3,879 single-target DPS and 9,766 AoE DPS in the supplied benchmark.
Those numbers are certainly playable, but they don’t put Crossbowman ahead of Hunter in the same comparison. Hunter records higher single-target and AoE DPS, while both classes receive the same range rating in the supplied data.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid Crossbowman. If you enjoy its weapon style and the way its skills feel, it can still be a perfectly good class for regular grinding and ranged combat.
The main reason I’ve placed it in B Tier is that its benchmark doesn’t reveal a clear advantage over Hunter in the categories being compared. Players who want to optimize purely around these numbers may prefer Hunter, while those who enjoy Crossbowman’s style may be happier sticking with it.
Ultimately, your preferred combat feel matters too. A class you enjoy playing consistently can be a better personal choice than one that looks slightly better on paper.
Best for: Players who prefer crossbows and want a straightforward ranged class for regular combat.
Special Tier
11. Islander – Best for a Challenge Run
My rating: Special Tier
Islander deserves its own category because it doesn’t follow the same progression or combat expectations as the other classes. Instead of becoming a regular second-job character, you’re choosing a challenge-focused playstyle that deliberately avoids the normal class progression.
The supplied benchmark doesn’t provide comparable damage, survivability, mobility, range, or support values for Islander. That means it wouldn’t be fair to assign it a normal combat tier based on the same measurements used for the other ten builds.
If you’re looking for the easiest way to maximize combat performance, Islander isn’t the recommendation I’d make. But if you enjoy unusual challenges, slower progression, and doing things differently from the usual MapleStory experience, it can be a fun option.
For me, Islander is less about competing with Fighter or Bandit and more about choosing a different kind of adventure.
Best for: Experienced players, challenge runners, and anyone who wants something different from normal job progression.
Which MapleStory Classic Class Should You Choose?
If you’re still unsure which class to pick, I’d narrow the decision down to what you actually want from the game.
- Best single-target damage: Bandit, with 5,469 benchmark DPS.
- Best balanced Warrior damage: Fighter, with strong single-target and AoE results.
- Best support option: Cleric, thanks to Heal and Bless.
- Best ranged mobility: Assassin, with Lucky Seven, Haste, and excellent range.
- Best traditional ranged choice: Hunter, with competitive single-target and AoE damage.
- Best defensive Warrior option: Page, particularly when using a shield.
- Best elemental magic option: F/P Wizard, especially against favorable elemental matchups.
- Best mobile magic option: I/L Wizard, thanks to Teleport and multi-target attacks.
- Best challenge pick: Islander, for players who want a different progression experience.
Final Thoughts
Personally, I wouldn’t choose a MapleStory Classic class based on one damage number alone. Bandit is the standout choice for single-target damage in the supplied benchmark, while Fighter offers a strong balance of single-target and AoE performance. Cleric is also worth serious consideration because its support abilities give it value that raw DPS cannot fully measure.
For ranged players, Hunter and Assassin are both strong options, although they appeal to slightly different playstyles. Page and Spearman are worth considering if you prefer the Warrior route, while F/P Wizard and I/L Wizard offer a more magic-focused experience with their own strengths and weaknesses. Crossbowman is still a viable choice if you enjoy its style, and Islander is there for anyone who wants a challenge rather than a conventional class.
At the end of the day, the best class for you is the one that matches how you want to play. Use the damage numbers as a guide, consider how much you value survivability and mobility, and don’t ignore party utility when making your decision. A class that fits your playstyle will usually be more enjoyable in the long run than one you picked just because it sits at the top of a tier list.
