Last Epoch Beginner Guide: Masteries, Crafting and Monoliths
Last Epoch is an action RPG known for its friendly crafting system and huge build variety. Each class has three masteries and every skill has its own tree, so it's easy to experiment. Here's what to know before you dive in.
Last updated: Beginner guide · Oct 18, 2026 · 2 min read
Classes and masteries
Each of the five base classes has three masteries that you unlock during the campaign. Your mastery choice decides your strongest skills and passives, so look at the mastery skills before choosing. You can still use many base class skills alongside them.
Skill trees
Every specialised skill levels up and gets its own skill tree, which can completely change how it works. Specialise your main skills early, and respec them freely as you find new items.
Crafting
Crafting is deterministic and generous:
- Shards add or upgrade specific affixes on items.
- Forging Potential limits how much you can craft on one item.
- Glyphs and runes modify crafting results.
- Save your best bases for important upgrades.
Choose a faction
The Merchant's Guild lets you trade with other players, while the Circle of Fortune boosts your own loot and makes you self-found. Pick the Merchant's Guild if you like trading and the Circle of Fortune if you want to play solo.
Endgame and loot filters
After the campaign, the Monoliths of Fate are the main endgame, with harder tiers and big rewards. Use a loot filter early — it hides useless items and highlights the ones your build needs.
Frequently asked questions
Which faction should I choose in Last Epoch?
The Merchant's Guild if you want to trade with other players, the Circle of Fortune if you prefer to find your own gear.
What is Forging Potential?
A value on each item that limits how much you can craft on it. Each craft uses some of it.
When do I unlock masteries?
During the campaign. Look at each mastery's skills before choosing.