Ars Goetia's dark fantasy dungeon crawler released on 26 May 2022 through Dear Villagers, and it asks you to pick which of six demons your character serves before the first fight. That pact is the class system: Lucifer, Beelzebub, Baal, Satan, Asmodeus and Leviathan each hand you a different skill tree, different stat growth per level and a different Demon Form. Combat is turn based on a fatigue clock rather than a strict you go, I go order, so cheap actions can chain before an enemy ever moves.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucifer | A | Balanced | Balam's Strike | Yes |
| Beelzebub | A | Balanced | Apocalyptic Choreography | Yes |
| Baal | A | Balanced | Wound Aggravation | Yes |
| Leviathan | A | Balanced | Time Warp | Yes |
| Asmodeus | A | Balanced | Destruction | Yes |
New player? Start with Beelzebub. See our beginner's guide for why.
Lucifer
Lucifer is a strong option in Hellslave.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Balam's Strike |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Demonic pact instead of a class |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Balam's Strike
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Byleth to learn Lucifer-specific mechanics
- Focus on Demonic pact instead of a class. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Balam's Strike as your first major upgrade
- See our full Lucifer build guide for the optimal gear progression
Beelzebub
Beelzebub is a strong option in Hellslave.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Apocalyptic Choreography |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Fatigue clock turn order |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Apocalyptic Choreography
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Byleth to learn Beelzebub-specific mechanics
- Focus on Fatigue clock turn order. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Apocalyptic Choreography as your first major upgrade
- See our full Beelzebub build guide for the optimal gear progression
Baal
Baal is a strong option in Hellslave.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Wound Aggravation |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Momentums and Postures |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Wound Aggravation
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Byleth to learn Baal-specific mechanics
- Focus on Momentums and Postures. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Wound Aggravation as your first major upgrade
- See our full Baal build guide for the optimal gear progression
Leviathan
Leviathan is a strong option in Hellslave.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Time Warp |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Demon Form charged over five fights |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Time Warp
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Byleth to learn Leviathan-specific mechanics
- Focus on Demon Form charged over five fights. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Time Warp as your first major upgrade
- See our full Leviathan build guide for the optimal gear progression
Asmodeus
Asmodeus is a strong option in Hellslave.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Destruction |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Recipe scrolls and crafting |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Destruction
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Byleth to learn Asmodeus-specific mechanics
- Focus on Recipe scrolls and crafting. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Destruction as your first major upgrade
- See our full Asmodeus build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Beelzebub is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Lucifer is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Balam's Strike for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Asmodeus offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Leviathan shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Hellslave Guides
- Hellslave Hellslave Overview
- Hellslave Best Builds
- Hellslave Tier List
- Hellslave Walkthrough
- Hellslave Beginner's Guide
- Hellslave Tips & Tricks
- Hellslave Weapons Guide
- Hellslave Combat Guide
- Hellslave Boss Guide
- Hellslave Maps & Locations
- Hellslave Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Hellslave, check out these related guides:
- Elden Ring Classes Guide: rpg game with similar mechanics
- Baldur's Gate 3 Classes Guide: rpg game with similar mechanics
- Cyberpunk 2077 Classes Guide: rpg game with similar mechanics
