Lost Ark Gems Guide: Basic Information About Gems and How to Get Them

TL;DR

  • Gems come in two types: triangular damage gems and circular cooldown reduction gems with tier-specific names
  • Unlock gems by completing the final Yorn quest at ilvl 600, then equip up to 11 gems per character
  • Level 10 gems provide 40% damage boost or 20% cooldown reduction per skill
  • Prioritize damage gems on your highest-impact skills for maximum DPS improvement
  • Avoid wasting resources by understanding gem fusion mechanics and strategic placement

The gem system represents a cornerstone of character progression in Smilegate’s Lost Ark, allowing players to significantly enhance their combat effectiveness through strategic customization of active skills. This comprehensive guide provides essential knowledge for optimizing your gem setup to maximize performance in endgame content.

Basics of Gems in Lost Ark

Gem Types and Shapes

Lost Ark features two distinct gem categories that serve complementary combat functions. Damage Increase gems, identifiable by their triangular shape, directly boost the offensive output of your skills. Cooldown Reduction gems, distinguished by their circular form, decrease the time between skill activations, enabling more frequent ability usage.

Tier-Specific Naming Conventions

As you progress through the game’s tiers, gem nomenclature evolves to reflect their power level. In Tier 2 and Tier 3 content, damage gems are classified as Azure gems and Annihilation gems respectively. Cooldown reduction gems transition to Farsea gems in Tier 2 and Crimson Flame gems in Tier 3, maintaining their functional specialization while indicating their enhanced potency.

Quest Requirements

Accessing the gem system requires completion of specific story progression. You must finish “the finial quest,” which serves as the concluding narrative chapter in the Yorn region, accessible once you reach item level 600. This milestone typically requires 15-20 hours of gameplay from character creation, depending on your efficiency and prior knowledge.

Equipment Mechanics

Once acquired, gems can be equipped through multiple methods. You can either directly click on gems from your inventory interface or utilize the drag-and-drop functionality within the dedicated Gem Tab. Each character possesses capacity for 11 distinct gems, allowing comprehensive skill enhancement across your primary abilities.

Slot Limitations

Strategic gem placement is governed by specific constraints. Individual skills can accommodate only one damage gem and one cooldown gem simultaneously. This limitation necessitates careful prioritization of which abilities receive which enhancements based on your class specialization and playstyle preferences.

Level Progression Benefits

Gem enhancement follows a progressive scaling system with maximum potential at level 10. Each upgrade tier provides incrementally greater benefits, with endgame gems delivering substantial combat advantages. A fully upgraded damage gem at level 10 increases skill damage by 40%, while a max-level cooldown gem reduces skill wait time by 20%.

Advanced Optimization Strategies

Optimizing your gem configuration requires understanding several advanced principles. Damage gems typically provide greater overall value than cooldown gems for most DPS-focused builds. Prioritize placing your highest-level damage gems on skills with the greatest impact on your rotation and those with naturally longer cooldowns where percentage reductions yield more absolute time savings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many players inadvertently undermine their effectiveness through common gem management errors. Avoid distributing high-level gems evenly across all skills; instead concentrate your best gems on your primary damage-dealing abilities. Don’t overlook the importance of cooldown gems for skills with critical utility functions or those that enable important combos.

With 11 available gem slots, the cumulative effect of high-level gems creates a substantial power differential in endgame content. This system becomes increasingly crucial as you tackle challenging raids and high-level dungeons where optimized performance separates successful from struggling players.

Gem Level

Damage Increase

Cooldown Reduction

1

3%

2%

2

6%

4%

3

9%

6%

4

12%

8%

5

15%

10%

6

18%

12%

7

21%

14%

8

24%

16%

9

30%

18%

10

40%

20%

Action Checklist

  • Complete the final Yorn quest at ilvl 600 to unlock gem functionality
  • Identify your primary damage-dealing skills for gem prioritization
  • Equip damage gems on high-impact abilities and cooldown gems on utility skills
  • Focus on leveling damage gems first, especially for your main rotation skills
  • Consult the gem level table to understand progression benefits and plan upgrade priorities

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