Essence, also known as Power of Creation, was a feature only available to Archdaevas (players of level 66 and above) during the 5.0 update. Essence allowed players to customize a variety of powers and abilities of their character. This included boosting primary stats, acquiring elemental transformations, acquiring Archdaeva-only skills and boosting their regular skills.
The system is based around the token called Essence (CP), which is assigned automatically to the character when acquired. To spend it, the player must open the Essence Allocation window, able to use those points up in whichever way wished (certain level limitations may apply).
This system was discontinued with the 6.0 update. Some aspects of it have been delegated to the new Daevanion skills system.
Introduction[]
The system is unlocked automatically when the player reaches level 66. They will receive a basic introductory campaign quest which will briefly talk about it, only requiring to talk to the Empyrean Lord's Agent in Iluma/Norsvold.
Essence Acquisition[]
Essence mostly obtained from leveling up. As an Archdaeva, the player's XP bar will always have a blue crystal/pip on it. Whenever the character's total XP at that level reaches it, one Essence point will be automatically added to the count. This pip appears at set percentages; in lower levels, it will appear around every 10% of XP, while as the level raises, this pip will appear more often, such as every 5% and less in late levels. Additionally, whenever the player levels up, six Essence will be added to the total.
Essence Core tab
Other than acquiring XP, there is an additional method to gain Essence; 
<Essence Cores>. Introduced in 5.3, these items can be equipped on the Essence Tab on the Profile Window into the three slots and will automatically assign Essence to the character. The more an <Essence Core> is enchanted, the more Essence it will give. This can be done by making use of either 
<Omega Enchantment Stones> (higher rate) or 
<Essence Core Solutions> (lower rate). However, upon failed enchantment the Core is destroyed.
Much like Stigmas, they can be socketed into special slots under the Essence tab in the Profile Window. There are six slots available, all of which are automatically unlocked when the player reaches level 66.
As of 5.6, there is also a repeatable quest which will unlock further maximum Essence. For Elyos, it is given out by Creasione located in the Throne of Ariel in Iluma, while for Asmodians, it is given out by Seifer in the Temple of Darkness in Norsvold. The player must rift to the opposing faction's land, slay certain world bosses, assemble an item and turn it in through the second quest. With its completion, Essence will be added to the person's character. This quest can be completed up to 10 times.
Allocating Essence[]
Essence can be used as much as the player desires from the Allocate Essence window (Shift+U by default, or clicking on the pip on the XP bar). Any action can be performed by assigning Essence as desired and pressing the "Apply" button. If the user wishes to start all over, they may press the "Reset" button.
Enhance Character tab
Enhance Character[]
Players may boost their base attributes through this tab. They may boost either Power, Precision, Health, Knowledge, Agility and Will. At level 66, stat boosting is limited to 6 levels, however, the limit is raised by 6 more whenever they level up. Essence can be spent on these stats as much as desired with no limitations.
The effectiveness of these stats is affected by the total amount of these 6 attributes, taking into account Archdaeva Manastones socketed on gear. After a certain point, when new Essence is spent on a stat or manastones of the said stat are socketed, it will have diminishing effects. Once this cap is reached, it is best to opt for regular manastones or a different primary attribute.
Transformations[]
Transformations tab
The Transformation tab allows the player to acquire an Elemental Transformation unique to Archdaevas. Each element has a transformation available, which can be used during battles. On the first tier, the simple level 66 transformations, followed by the second tier, the level 75 transformations. The third tier has not been introduced yet.
Vessels (level 66 transformations) are available to all Archdaevas. To acquire one, at least 5 Essence are required. While there are four, they all share a 5 minute cooldown. When used, they will buff up the player in their own way, and allow them to use the chain skill. Unlike other regular skill chains, this one will not be stopped if the player uses a different skill. While the 5 minute cooldown cannot be altered, the 15 second duration of the Vessel transformations can be extended by spending additional Essence on the said transformation from the Allocate Essence window, capped at level 5, with each level granting an additional second.
| Element | Vessel Skill | Skill Chain | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buff | Effect | Skill | Effect | |
| Earth |  <Vessel of Earth>
|
For 15~20s, increases shock resistance and receive less damage the lower the player's HP is. |  <Terraform>
|
Removes all active debuffs from the caster. |
| Fire |  <Vessel of Fire>
|
For 15~20s, all non-AoE attacks will inflict 600 damage on up to 6 targets within 8m of the primary target when used, and whenever attacked, up to 1500 damage is reflected back to the attacker. |  <Detonate>
|
Leaps 15m backwards, inflicts damage on 8 targets near the original location and recovers 1000 HP. |
| Water |  <Vessel of Water>
|
For 15~20s, whenever attacked, the caster recovers 200 HP, with a chance of removing debuffs. |  <Waterbind>
|
Inflicts 800 damage on targets within 15m and roots them for 14s. |
| Wind |  <Vessel of Wind>
|
For 15~20s, removes movement restraining debuffs and raises resist values against them, reduces attack speed of attackers and increases attack range by 1m. |  <Mercurial Blast>
|
Leaps 15m forward. |
The second tier are the Avatar transformations (level 75). Introduced in 5.1, these are much more powerful skills to have. During these transformations, the player will enter a form with which only four element-specific skills are available, as well as 
<Remove Shock I>, while class-specific skills remain completely unavailable as long as the player is on this state. When the transformation is activated, the player will lose all buffs, active skills and consumables which are active.
This is only available to players who have reached level 75 and have upgraded the respective Vessel transformation to level 5. The state lasts for 5 minutes and has a cooldown of 1 hour, however, further Essence can be spent in order to lower the cooldown.
While these transformations are not available until the player reaches level 75, the instance Fissure of Oblivion offers them a chance to practice. While inside, they may freely use them, with a much reduced cooldown and boosted damage.
| Element | Avatar | Passive Effect | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earth |  <Avatar of Earth>
|
Chance of restraining the target when an attack is performed. |
|
| Fire |  <Avatar of Fire>
|
Chance of inflicting ongoing damage on a target and 3 others within 6m in front of the player. |
|
| Water |  <Avatar of Water>
|
Attacks have a chance to raise Freeze stage of the target. |
|
| Wind |  <Avatar of Wind>
|
Attacks have a chance to reset the cooldown of skills. |
Archdaeva Skills tab (Chanter perspective)
Archdaeva Skills[]
The Archdaeva skills tab gives the player access to certain skills only available to Archdaevas. Most skills require a least amount of available Essence in order to be acquired. Five of them are shared by all classes and focus on granting additional damage or defences in PvE and PvP, while the remaining five are upgraded versions of Daeva skills. Available passive skills, shared by all, include:
<Boost Defense> (20 Max Essence)- <Enhance Attack> (50 Max Essence)
- <Boost Interpersonal Defense> (85 Max Essence)
- <Boost Interpersonal Attack> (127 Max Essence)
Introduced in 5.3, the fifth skill is automatically unlocked at level 66. All players have access to the 
<Boost Godstone Resistance>, which increases the chances of resisting Godstone effects. It starts at 0.2%, however additional Essence can be spent to boost it up to level 4, giving 1%.
Each class has five unique Archdaeva skills. These upgraded versions share cooldown with their respective Daeva versions. All of them are partially unlocked at level 66, However, to make use of it, the character must have a certain amount of maximum Essence. The first skill will require a max Essence of 34, second one 67, third and fourth one 105, and final fifth one 180.
| Class | Archdaeva Skill | Max Essence | Upgraded Effect | Original Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Templar | Avenging Shield Blow | 34 | Added healing and taunting effect. | |
| Righteous Blow | 67 | Lowered cooldown, can be used on stumbled targets. | ||
| Beserker's Rage | 105 | Added movement resist. |  <Charge I>
| |
| Entangling Chains | 152 | Increased amount of targets pulled. |  <Illusion Chains I>
| |
| Bloodwind Slash | 180 | Increased damage, AoE damage instead of single target. No longer deals additional damage on Balaur. | Blood Pact | |
| Gladiator | Tumultuous Surge | 34 | Increased damage, recovers MP as well. |  <Roiling Hack I>
|
| Ferocious Leap | 67 | Increased max range to 20m. |  <Ferocious Chop I>
| |
| Body and Mind of Steel | 105 | Added Spell Debuff effect. |  <Wall of Steel I>
| |
| Furious Charge | 152 | Decreases Physical Def instead of Accuracy. |  <Berserking I>
| |
| Armor of Revenge | 180 | Added Fear and Sleep Resist and Movement Speed increase. |  <Armor of Attrition I>
| |
| Assassin | Vampiric Slash | 34 | Added HP recovery effect based on damage dealt. |  <Surprise Attack I>
|
| Soulshatter Cleave | 67 | Additional damage on type-based mobs. |  <Soul Slash I>
| |
| Flash Ambush | 105 | Increases movement speed. |  <Ambush I>
| |
| Windblade Reprisal | 152 | Triggered from resisting. |  <Whirlwind Slash I>
| |
| Slayer of Darkness | 180 | Buff increases weapon range, increased HP and Magical Accuracy values, makes the following skill score a critical hit. |  <Slayer Form I>
| |
| Ranger | Soul-Busting Arrow | 34 | Increased percentage of recovered HP and MP. |  <Seizure Arrow I>
|
| Light Arrow | 67 | Increased damage. |  <Unerring Arrow I>
| |
| Nightmare Trap | 105 | Increased amount of targets affected. | Sleeping Trap | |
| Blessing of Nature | 152 | Increased Max HP and added recovery effect. |  <Breath of Nature I>
| |
| Mau Blessing | 180 | Physical Attack value increased, raises Magical Accuracy and Pull resistances, skill consumes DP actively rather than 2,000 DP in one go. | Transformation: Mau | |
| Sorcerer | Spear of Gust | 34 | Increased damage, reduced cooldown. |  <Wind Spear I>
|
| Mana Font | 67 | Increased MP recovered. |  <Gain Mana I>
| |
| Flames of Wrath | 105 | Increased damage, additional effect applied to opposing faction as well, cooldown reduced. | Aetherflame | |
| Oath of Iron-Clad | 152 | Blocks more damage, cooldown reduced. |  <Boon of Iron-Clad I>
| |
| Flame Waltz | 180 | Increased range of effect, additional chance to lay a damage over time. |  <Flaming Meteor I>
| |
| Spiritmaster | Element Smash | 34 | Additional damage dealt to type-based mobs. | Ritual Push |
| Command: Element Discharge | 67 | Spirit does not consume its HP. | Command: Kamikaze | |
| Command: Spirit Barrier | 105 | Shield protects nearby allies. |  <Spirit Preserve I>
| |
| Aetherphase Contract | 152 | Leaps 10m forward, removing movement related debuffs. |  <Contract of Resistance I>
| |
| Nightmare Scream | 180 | Increased amount of targets affected, increased movement speed reduction, has less chance to be resisted. |  <Fear Shriek I>
| |
| Cleric | Electro Bolts (Cleric) | 34 | Increased chance to trigger  <Divine Spark I>
|
 <Thunderbolt I>
|
| Power Smash | 67 | Added additional damage to type-based mobs. | Land's Bargain | |
| Ripple of Healing | 105 | Increases Cast Speed for 7s. | Healing Splendor | |
| Prayer of Resistance | 152 | Increased amount of altered state resist stats. |  <Prayer of Focus I>
| |
| Summon: Punishment Energy | 180 | Reflects damage if attacked, increased damage. |  <Summon Holy Servant I>
| |
| Chanter | Resonance Haze | 34 | Decreased cooldown, additional damage to type-based mobs. |  <Resonance Haze I>
|
| Chained Crush | 67 | Increased damage, removed conditional state requirement. | Melee Smash | |
| Perfect Shield | 105 | Parries 2 attacks, effect applied to group members. |  <Perfect Parry I>
| |
| Pledge of Earth | 152 | Reduces casting speed when triggered. |  <Promise of Earth I>
| |
| Protection Ward | 180 | Affects group members, raises Silence and Stumble Resist, increases Magic Suppression, increases the effect of healing received. |  <Protective Ward I>
| |
| Gunslinger | Concentrated Fire | 34 | Can be used twice. | Harassing Fire |
| Rapidfire Deluge | 67 | Increases damage against mobs. | Stable Stance | |
| Escape Instinct | 105 | Leaps 10m forward, raises movement restraining resist. | Survival Instinct | |
| Mental Lock | 152 | Increased altered state resist values, lower cooldown. | Anticipation | |
| Materialize Magic | 180 | HP is recovered by 25%, Max HP, Block and silence Resistance added. Does not create a shield. | Bulletproof Resistance | |
| Songweaver | Tempest Rhapsody | 34 | Additional damage to type-based mobs and paralyzed targets. | Sonic Gust |
| Refreshing Melody | 67 | Decreased cooldown, raises damage against mobs, MP cost of skills are reduced. | Rejuvenating Aria | |
| Snowflower Melody | 105 | Decreased damage block, effect extended to group members. | Mvt. 4: Winter | |
| Illusion Dance | 152 | Leaps 10m forward, increases movement speed for 5s. | Sonicportation | |
| Purification Melody | 180 | Affects group members, recovers MP. | Purifying Paean | |
| Aethertech | Magical Cover | 34 | Shield blocks more damage, percentage of MP lost is reduced, less damage taken from mobs. |  <Kinetic Battery>
|
| Rage Wave | 67 | Reduced cooldown, inflicts damage, additional damage to type-based mobs. | Magnetic Wave | |
| Idium Strike | 105 | Increases movement and attack speed at stage 2 or 3. |  <Kinetic Slam>
| |
| Combat Prowess | 152 | Reduced MP cost, increases attack speed, damage against players and movement restraining resist values. | Stability Thrusters | |
| Transcend Limit | 180 | Increased Attack Speed and Magic Boost values, skill actively consumes DP rather than 2,000 DP in one go. | Overdrive Trigger <> |
Daeva Skills[]
Daeva Skills tab (Chanter perspective)
Finally, the Daeva Skills tab, which allows the player's already acquired skills. Up to six different skills can be boosted. Spending Essence on these enhances their effects; attacks will inflict more damage and begin to deal additional damage on certain types of mobs, healing spells, shields and buffs will raise their values. Allowing a maximum level of 8, each of them will require more Essence than the previous one.
The most effective build is to boost skills which are used the most often in a player's rotation, and/or the ones which inflict the most damage. Only certain skills are available for enhancement, excluding Stigma skills as well as selected others from each class.
Trivia[]
- Essence's icon depicts "CP", which stands for "Creativity Points", which is the literal translation from Korean.
- When a player acquires Essence, Growth Energy is replenished by 10%.
- During the patch's testing phase, resetting Essence would require an <Oblivion Shard>. This was removed after the system was fully released.
