Understanding item level (ilvl) progression is crucial for success in Lost Ark. As we move through 2025, the game continues to evolve with new content, gear tiers, and progression systems that all revolve around your character's ilvl. Whether you're a newcomer or a veteran, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the complex world of gear advancement.

What is ilvl in Lost Ark?

Item level (ilvl) represents the overall power of your character's equipment. It's calculated as the average of all equipped gear pieces and directly determines which content you can access. With a 702.9 avg ilvl, for example, you'd be positioned in the middle of Tier 1 progression, able to tackle mid-tier guardians but not yet ready for Rohendel's higher challenges.

In Lost Ark, ilvl gates access to continents, raids, and dungeons. It's not just a number—it's your ticket to experiencing the game's most rewarding content.

Tier Progression Overview

Lost Ark's gear progression is divided into four main tiers, each with specific ilvl thresholds:

Tier 1 (250-600 ilvl)

• 250 ilvl: North Vern unlocked, Chaos Dungeons and Guardian Raids become available

• 460 ilvl: Rohendel continent access

• 600 ilvl: Gateway to Tier 2 content

Tier 2 (600-1100 ilvl)

• 802 ilvl: Yorn continent unlocked

• 960 ilvl: Feiton continent access

• 1100 ilvl: Transition to Tier 3

Tier 3 (1100-1620 ilvl)

• 1325-1370 ilvl: Early Tier 3, Abyssal Dungeons

• 1415 ilvl: Valtan Legion Raid (first Legion Raid)

• 1475 ilvl: Kakul-Saydon Legion Raid

• 1490-1580 ilvl: Brelshaza progression

• 1600 ilvl: Akkan Hard Mode

• 1620 ilvl: Gateway to Tier 4

Tier 4 (1620+ ilvl)

• 1620+ ilvl: Kazeros content, Echidna raids

• 1630+ ilvl: Echidna Hard Mode

Essential Gear Progression Systems in 2025

Honing: The Foundation of ilvl Growth

Gear honing remains the primary method for increasing your ilvl in 2025. The process involves:

1. Collecting upgrade materials from various activities

2. Visiting the Gear Honing NPC

3. Spending materials to attempt upgrades

4. Succeeding or failing based on percentage chances

As of 2025, honing rates have been improved for Tier 1-3 content, making the early progression much smoother for new players and alts. However, late Tier 3 and Tier 4 honing still presents significant challenges and resource requirements.

Advanced Systems for Endgame Players

Once you reach higher ilvls (1475+), several additional progression systems become available:

1. Set Bonus Management: Crafting and upgrading set pieces from Legion Raid materials to unlock powerful bonuses

2. Gear Transfer: Moving enhancements from old gear to new, higher-tier pieces

3. Transcendence System: Available at ilvl 1610+, allowing for stat growth beyond standard honing

4. Advanced Honing: Tempering and improving gear from levels 1-10 for additional bonuses

5. Ark Passive System: Unlocked in Tier 4, providing customizable passive buffs

Optimal Progression Path for 2025

Early Game (250-1100 ilvl)

The early progression through Tier 1 and 2 has been streamlined in 2025. Focus on:

1. Completing main story quests to unlock new continents

2. Running daily Chaos Dungeons and Guardian Raids

3. Participating in weekly Abyssal Dungeons

4. Using island rewards and event materials to accelerate progress

Most players can now reach ilvl 1100 within 2-3 weeks of casual play, a significant improvement over previous years.

Mid-Game (1100-1475 ilvl)

This is where the real Lost Ark experience begins:

1. Craft Dimensional set at 1100 ilvl

2. Progress to ilvl 1370 to access Argos and Hard Mode Abyssal Dungeons

3. Craft legendary gear sets

4. Push to 1415 for Valtan Normal and begin crafting relic gear

5. Reach 1445 for Valtan Hard Mode

6. Hit 1475 to access Kakul-Saydon

End-Game (1475-1620 ilvl)

This stage represents the challenging path through Brelshaza and Akkan:

1. Complete Brelshaza Normal gates progressively as you reach 1490, 1500, and 1520

2. Craft and transfer to ancient gear

3. Push to 1580 for Akkan Normal

4. Reach 1600 for Akkan Hard Mode

5. Unlock the Elixir System and begin optimizing stats

6. Hit 1610 for Thaemine Normal

7. Reach 1620 to begin transitioning to Tier 4

Tier 4 (1620+ ilvl)

The newest content introduced in 2025:

1. Complete North Kurzan storyline

2. Transfer Tier 3 gear to Tier 4 Relic gear

3. Engage with Echidna and Behemoth raids

4. Unlock and develop your Ark Passive System

5. Pursue Echidna Hard Mode at 1630+

Resource Management Tips

Efficient resource allocation is crucial for steady ilvl progression:

1. Gold Management: Prioritize honing over cosmetics or market purchases

2. Material Farming: Focus on activities with the best material-to-time ratio

3. Alt Characters: Use alternate characters to funnel materials to your main

4. Weekly Lockouts: Never miss Legion Raids and Abyssal Dungeons

5. Event Shops: Always clear event content for discounted progression materials

Conclusion

In 2025, Lost Ark's ilvl progression system has matured into a complex but rewarding journey. With the right approach, you can efficiently navigate from a fresh character to the challenging Tier 4 content. Remember that while reaching a 702.9 avg ilvl might seem like a milestone, it's just one step in a much longer adventure through Arkesia.

The key to success lies in consistent daily activities, smart resource management, and understanding which content to prioritize at each stage of your progression. With this guide in hand, you're well-equipped to tackle Lost Ark's gear progression system and reach the pinnacle of endgame content.

Happy hunting, Arkesian!

Recent trends are highlighted by OpenCritic, a leading platform for aggregating game reviews and scores. OpenCritic's comprehensive evaluations of Lost Ark updates in 2025 emphasize how the evolving ilvl progression and new gear tiers have significantly impacted both player satisfaction and the overall endgame experience, providing valuable context for those seeking to optimize their advancement strategies.