Hyper Burning on a New Character
For most players, especially those starting fresh or looking to create a powerful new main, using Hyper Burn on a newly created character is the most straightforward and rewarding option. Recent event iterations have included features like 'Tera Blink,' an instanced area that can fast-track a character from level 1 to 200 in a very short amount of time. This makes the early-game grind virtually non-existent.
Maxing Out Your Rewards
By starting from level 1, you guarantee that you receive every single milestone reward available from the event, all the way up to level 260. These rewards are designed to help new and returning players transition smoothly into the endgame. The rewards typically include:
- Early-Game Gear: Frozen and Root Abyss equipment sets to carry you to higher levels.
- Arcane Symbols: Permanent Arcane Symbols to jumpstart your progression in the Arcane River.
- Advanced Gear: An AbsoLab Weapon or Dominator Pendant at level 220.
- Nodestones: A large quantity of Nodestones to enhance your 5th job skills.
- Boosters and Utilities: EXP coupons, title coupons, and more.
This approach is ideal if you have a class in mind that you want to elevate to endgame status without the traditional leveling effort. The rewards provide a significant head start on your character's power curve.
Hyper Burning an Existing Character
Alternatively, you can use Hyper Burn on a pre-existing character between level 200 and 258. This is a strategic option for players who have an established account and want to boost a character they have already invested in. However, some tactical planning is required to maximize the burning effect.
Strategic Leveling
When burning an existing character, the optimal starting level is not 200. The best strategy is to level your character to a multiple of three plus two (e.g., 202, 205, 208) before activating the Hyper Burn. This is because each time your burned character levels up, they gain an additional two levels, for a total of three. By starting at a "2" level, you ensure every single level-up benefits from the 1+2 burning effect, maximizing the total levels gained from the event until you reach the level cap. A character at level 200, for example, would level to 201 normally, and then the burning effect would kick in from there, wasting a single valuable level-up.
When to Consider This Strategy
- Late-Game Mules: This is perfect for bringing up a bossing mule or legion mule that is already in the level 200+ range. You save valuable time that would otherwise be spent grinding through the very slow progression past level 220.
- Consolidating Progress: If you've been dabbling in a few different characters and want to commit to one, burning your highest-level one can make it your new main. You will get rewards from the burning event that help consolidate and enhance your existing progress.
Hyper Burn Strategy Comparison Table
| Feature | New Character Burn | Existing Character Burn |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal Start Level | Level 1 (or event-dependent quick level) | Level ending in '2' (e.g., 202, 205) |
| Primary Goal | Maximize total levels gained and access all milestone rewards. | Boost an already-started character for endgame progression or as a high-level mule. |
| Initial Time Investment | Minimal, potentially minutes to reach level 200. | Varies, depends on how much grinding is needed to reach the optimal start level. |
| Reward Access | Full access to all Hyper Burn milestone rewards. | Access only to rewards from your starting level up to the cap. |
| Account Impact | Fills a legion or link skill slot with a max-level character. | Can be used on a current main to accelerate its progress past a major milestone. |
| Gear Situation | Provided with temporary but powerful starting gear. | Keeps existing gear, but can benefit from new reward boxes for upgrades. |
What to consider before deciding
Before you commit, evaluate your overall account goals. If your Legion and Link Skills are still low, creating a new burning character can provide enormous account-wide benefits that will assist all your other characters. If your Legion is high and you're struggling to progress a specific character past a difficult hump, burning an existing character is a great shortcut. The rewards past level 200 are particularly potent, providing huge injections of Symbols and Nodestones that would otherwise take months of daily grinding.
Here are some steps to follow before making your decision:
- Assess Your Goals: Are you trying to establish a main character or fill out your Legion board? The answer heavily influences which approach is best.
- Check for Current Events: Game events often provide additional rewards or benefits for Hyper Burning characters. Keep an eye out for accompanying boosts, like the recent 'Challenger World,' which provided extra rewards for new Hyper Burning characters.
- Plan Your Class: Research the best classes for your playstyle. Some classes are notoriously difficult to level without event assistance, making them prime candidates for a new Hyper Burn.
- Manage Resources: If burning an existing character, ensure you have sufficient resources, like mesos, saved up for gear enhancements and other expenses, to make the most of your rapid advancement.
Conclusion
Deciding what level to use Hyper Burn depends on your specific goals and account status. For new players or those focusing on Legion/Link skills, creating a new character is the most effective way to maximize the event. For experienced players looking to boost an existing character into a stronger endgame role, strategically leveling a level 202+ character is the optimal route. In both cases, the Hyper Burn event provides an invaluable opportunity to fast-track your progression and gain a wealth of rewards, making it a pivotal feature for Maplestory players.
What level to use hyper burn? - FAQs
What is a Hyper Burn character?
A Hyper Burn character is a special event character in Maplestory that gains additional levels for each level-up, typically gaining three levels per level-up, accelerating its progression significantly up to a high level cap like 250 or 260.
Is it better to Hyper Burn a new or existing character?
It is better to Hyper Burn a new character if you need the full spectrum of rewards and levels from 1 to 260, which is ideal for a new main or filling a Legion slot. Burning an existing character is better for boosting a specific character past a level 200+ plateau.
What is the optimal starting level for an existing character?
When Hyper Burning an existing character, the optimal starting level is one that ends in "2", such as 202, 205, or 208, to maximize the number of level-ups that benefit from the 1+2 burning effect.
What rewards do you get from a Hyper Burn?
Hyper Burn rewards often include exclusive titles, equipment sets (like Frozen, Root Abyss, and AbsoLab), a large number of Arcane Symbols and Nodestones, and various other coupons and utility items at specific level milestones up to 260.
Can I burn a character that is higher than level 258?
No, existing characters must be within the specified level range, often 200 to 258, to be eligible for the Hyper Burn effect. Higher-level characters are typically ineligible.
What is the difference between a Hyper Burn and a Mega Burn?
A Hyper Burn character gains three levels per level-up up to a much higher level cap (e.g., 260), while a Mega Burn character gains three levels per level-up only up to level 150. Hyper Burns offer superior rewards and a longer-term boost.
What is Tera Blink and is it part of a Hyper Burn?
Tera Blink is a recent event feature that has accompanied Hyper Burn events, allowing new characters to enter a special zone to complete fast-paced missions and reach level 200 very quickly, often in under an hour.
Can you still get Hyper Burn rewards if you burn an existing character?
Yes, but you will only receive the milestone rewards from the level you designate the character for Hyper Burn up to the cap. You will not get the rewards for any milestones you have already passed.
