Aion 2 Faction Guide: Elyos vs Asmodians — Which Side to Choose

The Elyos are one of the two playable factions in Aion 2, descended from the original inhabitants of Atreia who were blessed with luminous wings and a connection to the power of light. They inhabit the western side of the world, with their capital city of Sanctum serving as a bastion of order and civilization.

Elyos characters start in the Poeta region, a lush forest zone with golden skies and sacred temples. The early Elyos questing experience focuses on themes of protection, duty, and reclaiming lost territories from the Balaur threat. Elyos architecture is characterized by white marble, gold accents, and flowing water features.

The Elyos faction is generally more popular among new players and those who prefer a traditional heroic fantasy aesthetic. The faction has a slightly larger population on most servers, which can affect world PvP dynamics and auction house availability.

The Asmodians are the second playable faction, transformed from the original Elyos who were corrupted by the power of the Balaur. They inhabit the eastern side of Atreia, with their capital city of Pandaemonium rising from volcanic rock and dark crystal formations.

Asmodian characters start in the Ishalgen region, a dark, volcanic landscape with crimson skies and crystalline structures. The early Asmodian questing experience focuses on themes of survival, ambition, and the pursuit of power at any cost. Asmodian architecture is characterized by dark stone, crystal formations, and dramatic angular designs.

The Asmodian faction appeals to players who prefer an edgier aesthetic and a more aggressive playstyle. While the faction population is typically smaller than the Elyos, this creates a tighter-knit community and can make coordinated PvP more effective.

Faction choice determines which zones you can access. The first 30 levels are spent entirely in faction-specific territories — Elyos quest in Poeta, Verteron, and Eltnen, while Asmodians quest in Ishalgen, Altgard, and Morheim. You cannot enter the opposing faction's starting zones.

After level 30, the Abyss opens as a shared PvPvE zone where both factions compete. Certain dungeons have faction-specific entrances, though most endgame content is accessible to both factions. NPCs, flight masters, and merchants are completely separate between factions.

The main story diverges significantly between factions. While the overarching narrative of the Balaur invasion is the same, the perspective and motivations differ. Many players choose to experience both faction stories through alts, as the early game experience is meaningfully different.

When choosing your faction, consider: aesthetic preference (golden Elyos vs dark Asmodian), community culture (larger Elyos population vs tighter Asmodian community), and whether you have friends already playing — you must be on the same faction to group together.

You cannot change faction after character creation. Each character is permanently locked to its faction. However, you can create characters on both factions on the same server, though they cannot trade or communicate across factions.

For the best experience, choose the faction that matches your aesthetic and roleplaying preferences. Both factions have access to the same classes, gear, and endgame content. The only difference is the journey to get there and the community you will be part of.