Picking Elyos or Asmodian is one of the first things Aion 2 asks of you, and it looks heavier than it is. Both are winged Daevas, both unlock the same eight classes, and neither comes with a secret combat edge. What the choice actually locks in is your server, your starting continent, the story you follow, and the side you fight for when the two factions collide.
Quick answer: If you are playing with friends, match their faction and server above everything else. Playing solo, pick the side whose world and story appeal to you. There is no mechanically stronger faction.
What changes between Elyos and Asmodians
The differences cluster around presentation and community, not power. Your class decides how you play in combat; your faction decides where you play and who stands beside you.
| Factor | Elyos | Asmodians |
|---|---|---|
| World tone | Brighter, radiant regions | Darker, harsher regions |
| Default wings | White, lighter shades | Darker shades |
| Example zones | Verteron | Altgard |
| Crafted gear name | Celestial Gear | Demonic Gear |
| Classes and stats | Same eight classes | Same eight classes |
Each faction runs its own main story, has its own regions with their own towns and quest routes, and spawns its own field bosses with different names, locations, and titles. Those are real differences you notice every session, but they do not make one side faster to level or stronger in a fight.
The same crafted gear may be labeled differently by faction. When using a build or crafting guide for the other side, check the item’s tier and stats instead of relying on its name.
No combat advantage on either side
The launch class pool is shared by both factions: Gladiator and Templar are joined by Assassin and Ranger, then Sorcerer and Spiritmaster, plus Cleric and Chanter. A Gladiator plays identically under Elyos or Asmodian allegiance. Neither side receives stat boosts or exclusive skills.
This means you do not pick Elyos “for PvE” or Asmodians “for PvP.” Your equipment, build, and class choice decide your strength far more than your faction banner ever will. Any tier list claiming one side is the meta pick is guessing.
Faction choice does not limit character creation: both sides offer matching physiques, facial choices, and customization controls. Asmodians are not required to have claws or talon-like feet, so you can make your preferred look without choosing a particular faction.
Factions are tied to separate servers
Aion 2 runs Elyos and Asmodians on separate faction servers. You select your faction by selecting a server, so an Elyos server creates an Elyos character and an Asmodian server places you on the Asmodian side. There is no separate quest or level requirement to join; you simply start the game as that faction.
Although the factions play on different servers, their servers are paired for PvP, including Abyss content. The enemies you encounter can come from the opposing server in your pairing, not necessarily your own server. Pairings may change, so base your server choice on where your friends play rather than on the current size of an enemy server.
Transcendence, Expeditions, and Sanctuaries are among the activities open to both factions. Spacetime Rifts also provide entry into enemy territory for sealed dungeons, strongholds, and certain monster collecting. Your usual leveling path, however, remains on your own side of Atreia.
Why the choice is close to permanent
No current option changes an existing character from Elyos to Asmodian or the other way around. Server Transfer allows moves only between servers aligned with the character’s same faction, ruling out any transfer of an Elyos character to an Asmodian server.
To see the other faction’s story and regions, make another character on one of its servers; there is no other option. Consider your main character’s faction a lasting choice rather than something you can later reverse with a paid service.
How to decide
Work through it in order. Social fit comes first because it is the hardest thing to change later; aesthetics and story settle the rest.
- Playing with others: coordinate region, faction, and server before anyone creates a character.
- Choose Elyos if you favor radiant, brighter surroundings and a tale centered on light and duty.
- Prefer darker, harsher landscapes and a rugged faction identity: choose Asmodians.
- Chasing specific class performance: decide your class separately, since the roster is identical on both sides.
You will know the choice took effect the moment you load into your faction’s starting region, see your default wing color, and begin that side’s main story. From there, the decision that will shape your combat far more is your class, so spend your real deliberation there and let faction follow your friends and your taste in scenery.
