Unbeknownst to most, picking a subclass inRune Slayeris probably the most important factor determining how your endgame will go. I didn’t believe it at first, but it can really be the difference between farming Imps in Balgaron Chasm and playing a dying simulator. To help you prep for PvP and Colosseum farming, I present to you our guide to allRune Slayersubclasses, and how to unlock them.
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How to Unlock Rune Slayer Subclasses
To unlock subclasses inRune Slayer, you’ll need to do the following first:
This process is the same for all classes, but keep in mind the choice is permanent and there’s no crying over spilled milk if you change your mind later on. Thankfully, we have you covered with a guide on the bestRune Slayersubclasses for each class.
Best Rune Slayer Subclasses for Each Class
Think of subclasses inRune Slayerlike specializations in WoW—more powerful versions of the base class, appealing to a specific part of the class fantasy. To get to level 30 ASAP, don’t forget to use our guide onhow to level fast inRune Slayerand save some valuable time. Once you get that fateful ding, follow our tips and get the most meta build.
Archer Subclasses
In terms of available subclasses, Archer takes inspiration from the Beastmaster and Marksmanship specs in WoW:
Sharpshooter(Unlocks at Level 30)
Best Pick: Beast Tamer
Beast Tamer has become the definitive choice for Archers. The latest buffs solidified it as an unstoppable force in both solo and group play. Yourmount speed boostmakes mobility effortless, yourpet heals you based on its own damage output, and—most importantly—you cantame wild creatures, expanding your combat potential far beyond what a Sharpshooter could ever hope for.
Sharpshooter, in comparison, remainsstagnant and unreliable.Double Tap is inconsistent,Ballistic Shot lacks impact, andDragon Piecer is too slow to be practical. The class struggles in dynamic fights where movement and adaptability are key—exactly where Beast Tamer thrives.
Priest Subclasses
For some reason, Priest only has a single subclass, so I hope they add a DPS-based one, too.
Cleric
Best (and Only) Pick: Cleric
I don’t whether the fact that Priest players get NO CHOICE whatsoever is more sad or hilarious. Regardless,Angelic Guardian provides a second chance in battle, ensuring that key allies stay in the fight.Divine Healing rewards you for supporting your team by restoring your own health, eliminating the typical healer fragility.
And then there’sClarity, which completely removes Mana costs while boosting Critical Strike Chance—a game-changer in high-pressure encounters.
Magician Subclasses
Depending on your class fantasy (demon summoning maniac vs arcane powerhouse), you can choose between:
Sorcerer
Best Pick: Warlock
Warlock offers far more practical utility than Sorcerer,especially in PvE contentwhere melee allies rely on sustained engagement. TheSouls systemprovides continuous resources, allowing you to summon creatures that take damage for you, deal consistent pressure, and absorb enemy attacks. This makes Warlock anideal pairing for frontline fighters, as it ensures longevity while also providingsolid offensive presence.
Sorcerer, by contrast, istoo focused on burst damage, requiring Arcane Charges to be built up over time before unleashing its strongest abilities. While that might work in a controlled setting,it lacks the adaptability needed for prolonged fights.
Striker Subclasses
Master combat beyond simple hand-to-hand strikes and take your pick between:
Ashura
Best Pick: Monk
Monkexcels in every aspect a Striker should.Spirit Burstallows for rapid damage output,Spirit Shiftgrants combat versatility, andSpirit Finishersadd a level of unpredictability and mobility that no other Striker subclass can match. The ability tochain attacks, teleport, and reset cooldownsensuresmomentum remains constantin any encounter.
Ashura, on the other hand, istoo conditional to be reliable.Asura’s Crashrequires an enemy to be airborne before it can be executed, making it situational andhard to land consistently. Wrath stacks feel like an unnecessary extra layer of resource management, further limiting effectiveness.
Warrior Subclasses
Wield heavy weapons with new combat styles and choose between these threeRune Slayersubclasses:
Knight
Best Pick: Berserker
Berserkeris built for one thing—overwhelming offense, and it does that better than any other Warrior subclass.Blood Thirstprovides both damage and healing,Blood Crazerewards aggressive play with movement speed and resource regeneration, andEnrageamplifies all of it. The ability to chain powerful attacks while recovering health ensureshigh combat uptime, making Berserker a relentless force on the battlefield.
Sword Mastery, on the other hand,tries to play like an Assassin but lacks the precision and speed to pull it off effectively.At the same time, Knight,while defensively solid, is ultimately a reactive playstyle in a game that rewards proactivity. Guarding and absorbing damage doesn’t end fights—dealing damage does.
Assassin
Best Pick: Assassin
Assassin is theclear choice for PvPand excels in high-pressure scenarios where speed and precision are everything.Veilprovides instant invisibility, allowing for unparalleled positioning and ambush potential.Shadow Stepguarantees engagement on your own terms, whileGreater Initiativeensures that landing the first strike results in devastating damage output.
Ninja, in contrast,relies too much on setup.Rising Fang and Sky Rendrequire careful execution, making them difficult to use effectively against mobile opponents. Thelack of direct stealth mechanics also makes it harder to reposition in PvP scenarios, leaving Ninja at a clear disadvantage.
Roll the end credits, as we’ve reached the end of our list of allRune Slayersubclasses. Now that you know how to get and optimize them, you and your guildies will have no problem adapting to the HP scaling that came with the latest update. If you need a bit more insight from the community, check out theRune SlayerDiscord and Trelloboard.
