From High Five onward, the attribute (elemental) system is one of the biggest sources of extra damage and defence in the game. Ignoring it leaves a huge amount of power on the table.
The six elements
Fire, Water, Wind and Earth (which oppose each other in pairs) plus Holy and Dark (which oppose each other). Attacking with an element the target is weak to deals bonus damage.
Weapon vs armour attributes
- Weapon attribute — adds elemental power to your attacks/spells. Enormous for mages especially.
- Armour attribute — adds resistance to that element, reducing incoming elemental damage.
Attribute stones
- Infuse attribute stones/crystals into gear to raise its element level.
- Higher levels get harder to enchant (chance-based), similar to enchanting.
- Pick one offensive element for your weapon and stack resistances on armour vs the elements you face most.
Why it matters
Two identically-geared characters can have wildly different damage purely from attributes. For nukers it is mandatory — see the mage guide.
FAQ
What are attributes in Lineage 2?
Elemental power (fire/water/wind/earth/holy/dark) added to weapons and armour for bonus damage and resistance.
Do attributes matter for melee too?
Yes, but they are most impactful for mages; melee still benefits from weapon element and armour resistances.
How do I add attributes?
Infuse attribute stones into your gear; higher element levels are chance-based like enchanting.