Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of the Second is Gravity's 3D sequel to the original Ragnarok Online. An earlier version, The Gate of the World, was scrapped in 2010, and the game was rebuilt on the Gamebryo engine, launching in Korea in 2012 and in North America and Europe in 2013. Its official run was short in most regions: Korea closed it by the end of 2013, Southeast Asia followed in 2014, and most of Europe in 2018.

The original Ragnarok Online has one of the biggest private-server scenes of any MMO, built on mature open-source emulators. Ragnarok Online 2 never developed anything like it, and fan-run servers for the sequel are rare. If you are looking for classic Ragnarok, that is a separate game with its own ranking. This guide covers what RO2 offered and what to check if you find a server for it.

Jobs, Dual Life and Character Cards

You start in one of five base jobs - Swordsman, Magician, Archer, Thief or Acolyte - and choose an advanced job later, so a Swordsman can become a Knight or a Warrior. The Merchant, a staple of the first game, was left out. In its place came the Dual Life system: alongside your combat job you take a profession such as Chef, Alchemist, Blacksmith or Artisan, earn job experience by gathering and crafting, and learn recipes from the matching job NPC. When you log off, your character can stay behind as a vendor that sells services like healing or crafting to other players.

Cards work differently from the original too. Instead of slotting them into gear, you attach them to your character, and you can combine up to five cards at the card master into a stronger special card. Pets come from collected Monster DNA and help in fights with attacks, buffs and debuffs.

What to Look For in a Ragnarok Online 2 Private Server

Version and Content

Ragnarok Online 2 changed during its short life, including a rework of the card tiers. A fan server is built on one client, so check which version it runs, what the level cap is and which zones and dungeons work.

Job Balance

With five base jobs and a handful of advanced choices, every imbalance is visible. See whether the server team adjusts jobs over time and what the community says about the advanced job you are aiming for.

Dual Life and Crafting

Dual Life is the system most players remember fondly. Check that professions, recipes and offline vending all work, and that gathering and crafting rates give crafters a real role in the economy.

Cards and Pets

Card drop rates and the five-card combining system decide how characters grow at the top end. Rates that are too generous make every character identical; too stingy and the system becomes a lottery. Ask how Monster DNA and pets are tuned as well.

Shop Policy and Population

See what the shop sells and whether premium items can be earned in play. Then check how many players are active at your hours, since dungeons and vending only work with people around.

Getting Started

Confirm which version the server runs, then pick a base job with your advanced job in mind and take up a Dual Life profession early, because crafting and vending pay off over time. Keep your expectations realistic for a small scene. If a server earns your time, vote for it. The ranking below lists the Ragnarok Online 2 servers players vote for here, and it starts again every month.