Let’s be real, if you like the idea of nuking people from the sky and staying just barely out of melee range, Elementalist might be your soulmate in Crystal of Atlan. This guide is your all-in-one blueprint for mastering Elementalist in both PvP and PvE. I’ll walk you through the builds, combos, and gameplay tips I’ve picked up after way too many matches (and a few bruised egos). Whether you’re farming Abyssal Purgatory or climbing the PvP ladder, Elementalist brings a flashy, floaty, and satisfying experience with the right setup.
Ultimate Elementalist Guide | PvP & PvE
The Elementalist is an advanced class unlocked at Level 60 and is built for players who prefer smart positioning and long-range dominance over face-tanking chaos. With 17 active skills (3 finishers + 14 regular), it offers a toolkit loaded with large AoEs, single-target nukes, and some spicy buffs.
This class is great for those who like controlling fights from a distance but still want options to handle surprise close-range situations. While it doesn’t offer heals like Warlock, it makes up for it with burst, zoning, and some truly stylish mid-air plays.
How Elementalist Works
The Elementalist’s signature trick? It’s all about those Thundercore spheres. You build them up by using different abilities, and thanks to a sweet passive called Thundercore Drive (unlocked at Level 45), the more spheres you’ve got floating around, the faster your skills cooldown. Basically, having max Thundercore spheres means you can spam your spells without waiting forever.
Now, Lord of Thunder is your go-to move to instantly max out those spheres, slashing the cooldown on everything. Pair that with quick hitters like Icy Thrust and Vortex, both already lightning-fast, and you’re chaining combos like a boss, keeping your enemies locked down and barely able to breathe. Throw in some heavy-hitting AoE attacks, and you’ve got an Elementalist that dishes out serious damage almost effortlessly. Honestly, it’s one of the most satisfying playstyles when you get that rhythm going.
Elementalist Jump Tech (Why He’s Fun)
A huge part of Elementalist’s kit revolves around air-casting. Most of his powerful skills get better when used mid-air.
- Thunder Core Conversion: If you cast it mid-air, it auto-aims and becomes instant.
- Punishment of Frost: Also insta-cast mid-air and locks onto targets.
- Meteor: Basically an aerial nuke with huge knockback.
You don’t even need the 6-point Thunder Core charge skill. Just double jump, cast, and enjoy full power. It’s super fun to pull off.
Best Skill Build (For PvP & PvE)
Here’s the setup I run that focuses on low cooldowns, Thundercore synergy, and Lord of Thunder abuse (yes, in the fun way).
| Row I | Row II |
|---|---|
| Vortex | Icy Thrust |
| Thunderbolt Bird | Punishment of Frost |
| Falling Stars | Spiritual Harness – Thunder |
| Lord of Thunder | Lava Eruption or Ionic Barrier |
| Arcane – Inferno (Finisher) | Arcane – Primordial Implosion (Finisher) |
Icy Thrust and Vortex are the backbone of your rotation. Vortex pulls enemies in, perfect for setting up your AoE chain. Icy Thrust hits hard, comes back fast, and pairs beautifully with air-casting for PvP disruption.
My favorite AoEs? Falling Stars and Spiritual Harness – Thunder, they chunk mobs and players. Just be mindful of their cooldowns; even with Thundercore helping out, you’ll want something spammable in between. That’s where Thunderbolt Bird and Punishment of Frost come in handy.
For defense and personal preference:
- Go Lava Eruption if you’re feeling aggressive.
- Pick Ionic Barrier if you need more survivability.
Or mix it up depending on your day. Want some movement? Throw in Lightning Blade for a sneaky dash + damage setup. It’s your world, electrocute how you want.
Additional Info About Skills (Things You Should Consider on Your Build)
One cool trick with Thundercore Conversion is that if you jump up and use it mid-air, you instantly hit max damage without needing to charge it first. No Thunder Core buildup required, pretty clutch, right?
Now, real talk about PvP: this build kinda struggles with agility. You’re missing a solid engager or escape, so I highly recommend picking up Lightning Blade. It gives you that dash you desperately need to close gaps or get out of sticky situations.
The downside? This class barely has any super armor or strong movement skills, which makes it pretty rough in higher rankings. Honestly, it feels kinda fked when you’re up against top-tier players who punish every little mistake. But hey, with some smart play and patience, you can still make it work!
Icy Thrust vs Ionic Barrier in PvP
Personally, I always go with Icy Thrust over Ionic Barrier in PvP, and here’s why. First off, Ionic Barrier just feels too situational. Sure, it gives a bit of defense, but its armor break is weak and honestly not worth banking on in most matchups. Second, the Mana Surge + Falling Stars combo has way better damage output compared to pairing Mana Surge with Ionic Barrier. It’s more consistent and just hits harder.
Third, and this is my favorite part, Icy Thrust is amazing at messing up aerial plays. If your opponent tries to hover or dash through the air and you’re within range, just toss out an Icy Thrust. Since it homes in, there’s a good chance it’ll catch them mid-air and totally ruin their landing or dash. Super satisfying.
Lastly, the cooldown for Icy Thrust is really short, which is a huge deal in PvP. If you knock someone back with something like Falling Stars, you can immediately follow up with Icy Thrust without having to risk dashing in and exposing yourself. It’s just a reliable, low-commitment option that fits a reactive playstyle really well.
Skill Rotation – Keep the Sparks Flying
Here’s the ideal sequence I like to run:
Lord of Thunder → Vortex → Thunderbolt Bird → Icy Thrust → Vortex → Punishment of Frost → Icy Thrust → Falling Stars → Vortex (again) → Spiritual Harness – Thunder → Icy Thrust
Think of it like a rhythm: activate Lord of Thunder (your damage amp), then cycle between pull > AoE > poke > AoE. Every time Vortex is up, use it, it’s your setup spell. And in between all that? Spam basic attacks! They don’t interrupt casting, and every bit of extra damage helps.
When Lord of Thunder ends (12 seconds), reassess:
- Still healthy? Pop your finisher and keep the combo going.
- Need a breather? Kite out, heal, and prep for the next loop.
This setup feels smooth, and once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.
Stat Priority – Magic and Crits, Please
Let’s talk gear, because your spells are only as good as your stats. The Elementalist is all about MATK (Magic Attack). Stack that whenever you can. Then prioritize MCrit (Magic Crit) for extra spice. Here are your Best-in-Slot picks (Bis):
- Sacrasilver Staff – The golden standard for Elementalists. Offers high MATK and MCrit.
- Get it by farming 300 Magitrite Particles.
- Miragegold Staff – The upgrade. Needs your Sacrasilver + 300 Magitrium.
- Stardust Wand / Staff of the Holy Dragon – Solid picks from Epic Elementalist Shards (2000 needed).
- Evolutions like Frostfire Stardust Wand and Effie of Blessings are also great, and can be pushed to EX variants via HexChess Raid.
Basically: Don’t ignore gear synergy. If your boots boost Punishment of Frost, run that skill. If your chest piece empowers Lava Eruption, toss it into your bar. Your gear should work with your rotation, not against it.
Wrap-Up: Playstyle Matters Most
You can copy builds all day, but what really matters is how you play. This guide gives you the foundation to become a lightning-flinging menace, but don’t be afraid to tweak things depending on your comfort, matchups, and gear.
Personally, I love Icy Thrust over Ionic Barrier in PvP:
- Better for breaking airborne enemies.
- Great follow-up when the enemy’s knocked far.
- Low cooldown = consistent pressure.
- And it homes in mid-air, aka free tracking.
But that’s just my take. Experiment and find your rhythm. The Elementalist rewards creativity, so make it yours. If you’re serious about mastering the Elementalist, it’s definitely worth diving into how Elemental Damage works in Crystal of Atlan. Understanding the nitty-gritty behind those sparks and blasts will seriously level up your game, and make you feel way more in control of your damage output. Trust me, once you get this down, everything just clicks.
