What is Annihilate and Why Does It Matter?
Annihilate is a devastating skill with a high damage output, making it crucial for Templars, who tend to be tanky but need a burst of power to finish off tougher enemies or control a fight. The goal when leveling up Annihilate is simple: you want to increase the damage it deals, unlock powerful effects, and make sure you’re ready to use it at the right time in battle.
The key to making Annihilate truly effective is to invest time in its progression. But how exactly does that work?
How Do I Level Up Annihilate?
There are several ways to level up Annihilate. As with most skills in Aion 2, leveling up involves a combination of gameplay mechanics. Let’s break them down.
1. Skill Mastery Points
The first and most straightforward way to increase Annihilate’s level is through Skill Mastery Points. These points are earned as you level up your character, or by using Stones of Wisdom. These stones can be used to increase the level of your skills in the Skills Menu (press K to access it). However, regular mastery points will typically cap your skill at level 10.
This is where things start to get a little more advanced. To push beyond that, you’ll need to look at other systems.
2. The Daevanion Board
Once your skill reaches level 10, you’ll need to use the Daevanion Board to go further. This is where you can unlock additional levels for your active skills. You can access the Daevanion Board via the U key on your keyboard.
On the Daevanion Board, you'll find blue nodes that directly raise the level of your active skills, including Annihilate. These nodes are not unlocked right away, so you’ll need to focus on unlocking the appropriate sections of the board by progressing through the game’s other content.
3. Gear Soul Imprinting
Another method of boosting Annihilate’s level comes through Gear Soul Imprinting. This involves enchanting your equipment, which may grant bonus levels to certain skills, including Annihilate. Depending on the tier of gear you have, these bonuses can be quite significant.
Higher-tier gear often provides randomized stats that can include boosts to skill levels. If you want to level up Annihilate quickly, investing in high-quality gear or working on gear upgrades will be helpful.
4. Arcana Cards
Finally, Arcana Cards are another way to boost the level of Annihilate. These cards come from Transcendence Dungeons and can be equipped in sets of five. Each set grants further level increases to specific skills, including Annihilate.
To make the most of Arcana Cards, you’ll want to focus on acquiring full sets and making sure they’re the correct ones to provide the boosts you need for your skills.
What Are the Critical Skill Thresholds for Annihilate?
As you level up Annihilate, you’ll unlock key milestones that provide significant gameplay enhancements. Understanding these thresholds can help you plan when to use your points and resources efficiently.
Level 8: First Enhancement Slot
At level 8, you unlock your first enhancement slot for Annihilate. This means you can start modifying how the skill works, either by boosting its power or adding extra effects that change how you can use it. These enhancements are crucial for adapting Annihilate to your specific playstyle.
Level 12: Second Enhancement Slot
At level 12, you unlock the second enhancement slot. By this point, Annihilate becomes a much more flexible ability, offering multiple ways to customize its usage. The damage increases, and the ability starts to feel much more impactful in longer fights.
Level 15/16: Third Enhancement Slot and Major Gameplay Effects
The third milestone comes around levels 15 or 16, where you unlock a third enhancement slot. At this point, Annihilate undergoes significant changes. You may gain powerful effects such as movement while casting or even self-healing when you use the skill. These upgrades can significantly change how you approach combat, allowing you to adapt and stay mobile during key moments.
What’s the Best Strategy for Using Annihilate?
While leveling up Annihilate is crucial, how and when you use it is just as important. In practice, Annihilate is often “locked” behind certain enemy status effects. For example, it’s common to need a stun or knockdown on an enemy before you can use it for maximum damage.
However, if you're facing a boss or want to ensure that you can use Annihilate regardless of status effects, there’s a talent that you can choose to give you a 5%-7% activation chance. This talent allows you to use Annihilate even if the enemy isn't stunned or knocked down. Keep in mind that while this is useful, it’s not guaranteed and can sometimes feel inconsistent.
To truly master Annihilate, it’s about knowing when to push for the big hit and when to wait for the right moment.
Should I Focus on Annihilate or Other Skills?
It depends on your playstyle. If you're primarily playing as a Templar, Annihilate is one of your key abilities for dealing heavy damage. That said, don't neglect your other skills. Templars have a wide range of abilities, many of which can complement Annihilate. Balancing your skill points across your other abilities while focusing on Annihilate is essential for becoming a well-rounded player.
Can I Buy Aion Kinah to Speed Up My Progress?
If you’re looking to speed up your progression, you might consider buying Aion Kinah from U4N. Kinah is a vital in-game currency that can help you purchase high-level gear, Stones of Wisdom, or even Arcana Cards. While it's not necessary to buy Kinah to level up your skills, it can certainly make the process faster and give you a leg up in upgrading your equipment and buying materials for soul imprinting.
Leveling up Annihilate in Aion 2 is all about understanding the systems in place and knowing how to utilize them efficiently. By using Skill Mastery Points, progressing through the Daevanion Board, upgrading your gear, and equipping the right Arcana Cards, you can maximize Annihilate’s potential and make it a devastating tool in your arsenal.
As you push Annihilate to higher levels, remember to consider the timing and conditions under which you use it. Properly managing your enhancements and talent choices can give you the edge you need to dominate in both PvE and PvP.
​kinah | TW Asmodians & Baba​