Mechanics

Dyes and Tattoos

How to change a character's base stats

Every race has a set of base stats - STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIT, MEN - that affect a character's combat parameters (the starting values for each race are in Base Race Stats). Unlike combat parameters, base stats stay the same for the whole game. They can only be changed by set bonuses and by tattoos.

Getting a tattoo

  • Tattoos are applied by Tattoo Maker NPCs, found in the magic shop or grocery store (marked Magic or Grocery on the map) of any town.
  • Tattoos are made from dyes (Dye). Bring the Tattoo Maker 10 identical dyes and pay for the work: 10% of the dyes' cost plus town tax. Then pick a spot for the tattoo - a heart or a skull on the shoulder.
  • Dyes come in two kinds: regular (Dye of ) and greater (Greater Dye of ). Regular dyes are sold in the same shop as the Tattoo Maker. Greater dyes are not sold in regular shops - they drop from monsters or are bought from the Trader of Mammon in the Necropolises.

Level requirements

CharacterTattoos
Below level 20 and the first class changenot allowed
Levels 20-40, first class2 tattoos, regular dyes only
After level 40 and the second class change3 tattoos, greater dyes only

On reaching level 40 and the second class, any existing tattoos become inactive: you will have to remove them and apply new ones suited to your character's status.

Removing tattoos

A tattoo you don't like can be removed at the Tattoo Maker. You get back half of the dyes used for it. Removal also costs money, so think ahead and consult experienced friends about which tattoo suits your character best.

PvM and PvP sets

There are 2 kinds of tattoo sets: for PvM (leveling) and for PvP (fighting other players). For some classes the difference is small, hence the endless debates about "what is best for class X". In fact, the best set is the one that fits your play style: if you love PvP, go for a PvP set; if you prefer mowing down monsters in packs solo or in a party, go for a PvM set.

Tattoo rules

  • Every tattoo that gives a "+" also gives a "-". The worst dyes give more minus than plus. The best ones are those where plus equals minus (+1/-1, +2/-2, +3/-3, +4/-4), but they cost more and are much harder to get.
  • Tattoos cannot raise a base stat by more than +5: for example, +3 and +4 tattoos together give +5, not +7.
  • Beyond that, a stat can be raised further by set bonuses. For example, a +4STR/-4CON tattoo and the Plated Leather Set (+4STR) give +8STR/-4CON. It is recommended to choose tattoos that offset a set's penalties at the expense of stats your class doesn't need.
  • Tattoos can lower a stat without limit, but it never drops to 0. The maximum minus is -18, but if the stat was 16, it becomes 1.
  • Fighters cannot get +MEN or -MEN tattoos. Healers cannot get +INT or -INT tattoos. Mages may get any tattoo.

Bonus table

The site never had a table of tattoo and armor-set combinations like the one in the Prima Guide: experimenting with different tattoo and set combinations is too expensive - the authors estimated it at about 1 billion adena.

Additional notes

From l2db.ru:

  • Besides the Trader of Mammon in the necropolises and monster drops, Greater Dyes can be bought in the Ivory Tower.
  • An example of the minus limit: if your set of tattoos gives WIT -12 and a human fighter's base WIT is 11, the stat becomes 1, not 0.

Dyes available to classes

"+" means the class can apply tattoos of this stat pair, "-" means it cannot.

ClassCON/DEXCON/STRDEX/STRINT/MENINT/WITMEN/WIT
Abyss Walker+++-+-
Bishop+++--+
Bladedancer+++-+-
Bounty Hunter+++-+-
Dark Avenger+++-+-
Destroyer+++-+-
Elemental Summoner++++++
Elven Elder+++--+
Gladiator++++--
Hawkeye++++--
Necromancer++++++
Overlord+++--+
Paladin++++--
Phantom Ranger+++-+-
Phantom Summoner++++++
Plains Walker+++-+-
Prophet+++--+
Shillien Elder+++--+
Shillien Knight+++-+-
Silver Ranger+++-+-
Sorcerer++++++
Spellhowler++++++
Spellsinger++++++
Swordsinger+++-+-
Temple Knight+++-+-
Treasure Hunter++++--
Tyrant+++-+-
Warcryer+++--+
Warlock++++++
Warlord++++--
Warsmith+++-+-
ClassTattoos
Abyss Walker, Treasure Hunterraise DEX (speed is everything for a dagger user); +MEN-WIT for protection against mages
Plains Walker+DEX-STR (speed, accuracy), +WIT-INT (casting), +CON-STR (HP)
Dark Avengersolo: +STR-DEX, +STR-CON; party tank: +CON-STR
Shillien Knight+CON-STR (to tank), +INT-WIT (helps with debuffs, but attack speed drops)
Destroyera fast-hitting tank option: Blue Wolf heavy set, +5 STR, +4 DEX, -9 CON and a good two-handed weapon
Necromancer, Sorcerer, Spellhowler+WIT-MEN (casting), +INT-MEN (magic attack speed), +CON-STR (HP)
Spellsinger1) +WIT-MEN, +CON-STR, +DEX-STR - drop the useless physical attack for speed and casting; 2) +INT-MEN, +WIT-MEN - maximum magic, but party support is a must; 3) +WIT-MEN, +INT-MEN, +CON-STR - the most popular
Silver Ranger+DEX-CON, +DEX-STR; with the Doom set - a fast-firing bow and frequent crits
Hawkeye, Phantom Ranger+DEX-CON, +DEX-STR and party support
Warcryersolo: +STR-DEX, +STR-CON; in a party and PvP: +CON-STR; in any case +WIT-MEN
OverlordNightmare set, a weapon with the Acumen SA, +WIT-MEN, +INT-MEN
Buffers and healers+WIT-MEN, +CON-STR and good cover in PvP; alternative: +MEN-WIT, +DEX-STR (more MP and speed)