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Unlike character parameters, base stats remain the same throughout the game. However, they can be adjusted using bonuses from equipment sets and special tattoos. In this article, we will take a closer look at how tattoos help change base stats.

Dyes and Tattoos in Lineage 2 – Dyes and Symbols: A Complete Review

Each race in the game has a unique set of basic characteristics - STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIT, MEN. These parameters directly affect the main indicators of the character and his effectiveness in battle.

Paints and tattoos in Lineage 2: stats

CON – increases the maximum amount of HP and CP, as well as the speed of their recovery, increases resistance to Shock, Bleed, Poison and Weight Limit (the number of items carried).

DEX – increases the speed of physical attack, increases the chance of causing critical damage with a physical attack, increases the character’s movement speed, increases the chance of shield protection, increases the character’s accuracy and dodge.

STR – increases the character’s physical attack.

 INT - increases the power of magic attack, as well as the power of critical magic attack. Increases the chance of passing negative spells and debuffs.

MEN – Increases the maximum amount of MP of the character, as well as the speed of MP recovery. Increases the magical defense of the character, as well as resistance to negative spells and debuffs. Reduces the chance of interruption of spell casting when attacked by an enemy.

WIT - increases the speed of casting magic spells, as well as their recharge. Increases the chance of a critical hit with a magic attack.

You can apply and remove a tattoo from any NPC Symbol Maker in any city. You can usually find it in Magic Shop. It is worth noting right away that there is a limit on the effectiveness of all tattoos in the game. The maximum effect you can get is +5 units of one parameter, you can find out more in this article.

Characters under level 20 cannot make tattoos. From level 20 to 40, characters can only make two tattoos from regular paints. And only upon reaching level 40 and receiving a second profession, characters can make three tattoos from improved paints.

All tattoos made before receiving the second profession will be automatically washed off.

To get a tattoo you need to bring it to the NPC Symbol Maker 10 identical paints and pay for his work. The cost of the service is 10% of the price of the paints plus city tax. When making tattoos, be sure to consider your play style, since tattoos for PvP and PvE are very different, in this article we will analyze several options.

For example: we make a tattoo on + DEX – CON. We need to buy and bring NPC Symbol Maker 10 Greater Dye Of DEX (base price in the store 396 000 Adena), the cost of the tattoo service will cost even more 36 000 Adena.

To remove a tattoo, you need to contact the NPC Symbol Maker and select the remove tattoo function. The cost of the service in our case is also 36 000 Adena. After washing off the tattoo, NPC Symbol Maker will return half of the paints to us - 5 Greater Dye Of DEX .

For the services of improved paints, which we buy from the Merchant of Mammon, the price is correspondingly higher, since the paints are more elite and more expensive.

Note
There are two types of paints, the example we discussed above is related to regular paints that can be bought in the store. Improved paints can be obtained from monsters by spoiling or bought from the Merchant of Mammon in necropolises for Ancient Adena.

As you may have noticed, regular paints give us a positive effect of +4, but in return they take away 5 units of basic characteristics. It is best to make, of course, improved tattoos. They give and take away the same number of basic characteristics, for example:

Greater Dye Of DEX

Greater Dye Of STR

When applying tattoos, keep in mind that there are restrictions for applying tattoos for each class. In order not to waste money on buying paints, pay attention:

+ CON, + STR, + DEX - can be applied by absolutely all professions in the game.

+  INT, + MEN – can only be applied by the following professions: Human Wizard, Sorcerer, Necromancer, Warlock, Elven Wizard, Spellsinger, Elemental Summoner, Dark Wizard, Spellhowler, Phantom Summoner.

+  INT, + WIT – can only be applied by the following professions: Human Wizard, Sorcerer, Necromancer, Warlock, Elven Wizard, Spellsinger, Elemental Summoner, Dark Wizard, Spellhowler, Phantom Summoner, Warrior, Human Knight, Paladin, Rogue, Gladiator, Warlord, Dark Avenger, Treasure Hunter, Hawkeye, Elven Knight, Temple Knight, Swordsinger, Plainswalker, Silver Ranger, Palus Knight, Assassin, Shillien Knight, Bladedancer, Abyss Walker, Phantom Ranger, Orc Raider, Orc Monk, Destroyer, Tyrant, Scavenger, Artisan, Bounty Hunter, Warsmith.

+ MEN, + WIT – can only be applied by the following professions: Human Wizard, Sorcerer, Necromancer, Warlock, Elven Wizard, Spellsinger, Elemental Summoner, Dark Wizard, Spellhowler, Phantom Summoner, Cleric, Bishop, Prophet, Elven Oracle, Elven Elder, Shillien Oracle, Shillien Elder, Orc Shaman, Overlord, Warcryer.

The combinations listed can only be applied in pairs, as indicated above. For example:

You play as a Destroyer, you can get a tattoo +  INT – WIT, or + WHITE – INT. You can not get a tattoo + WHITE – MEN, or + MEN – WIT.

Dyes and tattoos in Lineage 2: some examples

1. Standard tattoo option for battle mages: Sorcerer, Necromancer, Spellsinger, Spellhowler.

PvE option:

+4  INT – 4 MEN

+4  WIT – 4 MEN

+4 CON – 4 STR 

PvP option:

+4  INT – 4 MEN

+4  WIT – 4 MEN

+1 WIT – 4 MEN or +1 INT – 4 MEN

In the first option, for farming mobs, we chose to add more HP to the character, in the second option for PvP, we suggested making a third tattoo for casting speed, so that skills would cool down faster, or for the power of a magical attack and the power of a magical crit, and also to better withstand negative spells/debuffs. Each case is unique and individual, there is no clear choice, everything depends on the situation and style of play.

2. Tattoo variant for dagger professions: Treasure Hunter, Plainswalker, Abyss Walker.

PvE option:

+4 STR – 4 CON

+4 DEX – 4 CON

+1 STR – 1 CON

Here we took a bias towards damage dealt to monsters. We increased the power of physical attack, crit chance, attack speed and everything that is needed for fast farming.

PvP option:

+4 CON – 4 STR 

+4 DEX – 4 STR 

+1 DEX – 1 STR 

In this case, we cut the physical attack completely, because it does not affect the strength of the strike of the ability of daggers. But at the same time, we made a tattoo to increase HP and endurance, as well as increased attack speed, running speed and dodge. An ideal tattoo option for these professions in PvP.

Please note:
The maximum increase in the base stat with a tattoo is limited to +5. For example, if you apply a +3 and +4 tattoo, the total bonus will still be +5, not +7. However, the stat can be further enhanced with bonuses from equipment. For example, a combination of a +4 tattoo STR / -4 CON and Plated Leather Set (set bonus +4 STR) will give a total increase of +8 STR / -4 CON. The optimal choice of tattoos is those that compensate for the losses from the set at the expense of less important characteristics for your class.

Paints and tattoos in Lineage 2 are a powerful tool for customizing the characteristics of a character to suit your playstyle. They allow you to enhance key parameters, but require a thoughtful approach, because for each improvement you have to sacrifice something.

Experiment, choose the best combinations and achieve maximum efficiency on the battlefield!

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