NPC Buffer
The NPC Buffer is your main source of free buffs in Lineage 2. You'll find one in every major town, right next to the Gatekeeper (teleporter). The NPC Buffer hands out a set of core buffs: P.Atk and M.Atk, defenses, movement speed and HP. The buffs last a limited time and are available up to a set level.
The exact buff list depends on the game world. Typically these are weaker versions of the main Prophet and Warcryer buffs.
Adventurer Guide
The Adventurer Guide is a helper NPC for new players. Along with useful tips, it gives you starter buffs — Haste, Guidance and Wind Walk — to speed up leveling in the early game. For more on starter helpers, see the Newbie Helper page.
The Adventurer Guide also hands out free Soulshots and announces current events in the game world.
Other Buff Sources
Live buffers give far stronger buffs. A Prophet casts Prophecy of Fire, Prophecy of Water and Prophecy of Wind — many times stronger than the NPC versions. A Sword Singer boosts the party with songs (Song of Earth), and a Blade Dancer with dances (Dance of Fire).
Some potions and elixirs also grant buffs — buy them from a Grocery Store merchant. Blessed Spiritshots and Soulshots boost your damage, but they aren't buffs in the usual sense.
Usage Tips
Always grab your buffs before heading out to farm — your leveling speeds up 2-3x. Combine NPC buffs with live buffs, since they stack. For maximum efficiency in a party, bring a live Prophet. At endgame the NPC Buffer no longer cuts it — its buffs are weaker than a real buffer's. For more beginner basics, see the beginner's guide.
NPC Buffs vs Live Buffs
The NPC Buffer gives you core buffs that are plenty for comfortable farming at early and mid levels. But the gap to live buffs is huge. A Prophet using Prophecy of Fire raises your P.Atk and critical rate far more than the NPC version. A Warcryer empowers the party with chants the NPC Buffer simply doesn't have.
| Source | Buff strength | Best for | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| NPC Buffer | Weak (core set) | Early & mid-level solo farming | ~1 hour |
| Prophet (live) | Strong (Prophecy line) | Endgame farming & PvP | ~20 min |
| Sword Singer / Blade Dancer | Auras & dances (party-wide) | Group farming & mass PvP | ~20 min |
A Sword Singer and Blade Dancer bring auras and dances — unique buffs you can't get from an NPC. Song of Earth raises the whole party's P.Def, while Dance of Fire boosts critical damage. In a full party with live buffers you farm 3-5x more efficiently than with NPC buffs. At endgame and in PvP the NPC Buffer is only a supplement.
Optimal Buffing Order
Take your buffs in the right order. First grab everything from the NPC Buffer — they apply instantly. Then ask a live Prophet to cast the pro buffs — the stronger version overwrites the weaker one. After that, pick up the Sword Singer auras and Blade Dancer dances.
Watch your durations. NPC buffs last about an hour, live buffs roughly 20 minutes. Plan your trips back to town ahead of time. If you farm far out, use a Scroll of Escape, refresh your buffs, and teleport back through the Gatekeeper. Don't forget your Soulshots and Spiritshots — they aren't buffs, but your damage climbs noticeably.