Hey fellow Maplers! Broke and struggling to level up? Trust me, I get it. We’ve all been there, spending all our mesos on fashion story and leaving our characters in the dust when it comes to gear. Forget those expensive Star Force maps for a moment. This Maplestory Level Up Guide is your solution for efficient grinding without breaking the bank on regular servers.
This guide is crafted for regular servers, keeping in mind that Reboot server mechanics are a whole different ball game. We’re focusing on accessible, free-to-play training spots that work, even if they aren’t the absolute fastest. Think of it as “broke grinding” – effective and budget-friendly!
Updated (November 30, 2023): Refreshed image links for easier navigation. While these locations should still be viable, remember that MapleStory is always evolving. These maps are likely to work just fine, but optimal spots can shift. Use this guide as a solid starting point, and always feel free to explore and adapt!
Leveling from 1-30: Job Quests & Golem Temple Entrance
For the initial levels (1-30), simply follow your job quests. If you’re using a burning character, you’ll likely blast past level 30 just through quests alone. If you’re not burning, or playing an Explorer class, Golem Temple Entrance is a classic spot to quickly gain those early levels.
Leveling from 30-45: Sunny Beaches with Beachgrass Dunes 1
Head over to Gold Beach! Beachgrass Dunes 1 is excellent due to the high density of Coconut Slimes. Honestly, any map in Gold Beach is a decent choice around this level range. Coconut Slimes, Violet Clam Slimes, Tube Slimes – pick the beach that vibes with you and enjoy the sun while you train.
Leveling from 45-60: Swampy Gains at Silent Swamp
Silent Swamp is your go-to for lightning-fast leveling thanks to the Copper Drakes. However, be aware this map can get crowded, especially during new class releases or burning events. If it’s too packed, simply move one map to the right to Humid Swamp. It’s just as effective and often less congested.
Leveling from 60-70: Hidden Military Might in Military Camp 1
Venture into the Hidden Street and find Military Camp 1. Enter the secret portal in Excavation Intermission Area to access a hidden room teeming with Skeledogs and Mummydogs! A word of caution: this map is prone to crashing if an Elite Boss spawns, so be prepared for that possibility.
Leveling from 70-80: Chilly Training in Ice Valley II
Ice Valley II, home to White Fangs, is a solid choice. Though, I’ll admit, this map can become a bit monotonous after a while. Personally, around level 75-90, I often switch to Security System Research Center 3 in Edelstein. I do this partly to hunt for “That One” elite monster for Monster Collection purposes, mixing things up and making the grind a bit more interesting.
Leveling from 80-95: Desert Heat or Robot Rumble: Sahel II or Lab – Area C-1
Sahel II is a widely known and popular map for this level range, and for good reason! Sand Rats and Scorps provide excellent experience, and the map’s flat layout makes grinding straightforward. If Sahel II is overflowing with players, Lab – Area C-1 with Roids is a viable alternative. While Roids are effective, loot can sometimes drop awkwardly on platforms, making looting a tad annoying. Desert of Serenity is another option if Roids aren’t your style.
Leveling from 95-125: Bossing & Bots: Normal Zakum & Toy Factory
Time for some bossing! Run Normal Zakum daily, especially under 2x EXP buffs from runes or coupons. Focus on taking down the arms for maximum experience if you can’t defeat the entire boss yet. This daily boss run is a fantastic way to snag free levels. If you’ve already done Zakum for the day, head to Toy Factory and grind on Robos in the Apparatus Room. This map is usually not burning, so explore other Robo rooms on the floor if you prefer a burning field.
Don’t forget Monster Park! From level 100 onwards, make sure to run Monster Park twice daily. It’s a goldmine of free EXP and helps significantly accelerate your leveling journey. You can typically tackle Monster Park levels that are 5-10 levels above your current level, depending on your class strength.
Leveling from 125-145: Goblin Goldmine: Goblin House
Goblin House in Korean Folk Town is a prime training location for almost every class. It boasts favorable hidden portals, decent monster spawn rates, and is a great spot to utilize Kishin if you have access to it. Consider doing the signpost quests around Korean Folk Town on your way to Goblin House for some bonus experience, then settle in at Goblin House to finish off this level bracket.
Leveling from 145-160: Kerning Tower Fashion Frenzy: 5F Cosmetic Shops
Many players get stuck grinding in the Star Force fields of Kerning Tower for extended periods, but we’re sticking to our broke grind! 5F Cosmetic Shops in Kerning Tower works perfectly well without needing to invest in Star Force enhancements.
Leveling from 160-190: Branching Paths: Corridor 202 & Alternatives
From level 160 onwards, your training options become a bit more diverse depending on your preferences.
160-190: Corridor 202
While many opt for Gray Luxury Saucers in Omega Sector (non-SF zone), Corridor 202 offers a change of scenery. Personally, I find staying in one map for hours on end tedious. Corridor 202 remains a solid option, especially if you want a break from other maps in this range. It was once good up to level 200, but EXP adjustments have made the 190-200 stretch less efficient here.
160-170: Dreamy Forest Trail
Dreamy Forest Trail is a personal favorite. The map layout is straightforward, and battling Mutant Ribbon Pigs is oddly satisfying (and makes me hungry!). The downside is that some Elite monsters in this area can be surprisingly lethal at this level. It’s a risk-reward map!
170-180: Knights Stronghold: Knights’ Chamber 1
Knights’ Chamber 1 in Knights Stronghold is excellent for classes that excel in more crowded maps and have full-map attacking skills. You’ll be fighting Advance Knights A. Again, be mindful that Elite monsters in this zone can pack a punch.
180-190: Twilight Perion: Deserted Southern Ridge
Deserted Southern Ridge in Twilight Perion is a vast map filled with Swollen Stumps. Its size makes it ideal for Kishin if you have it, allowing for maximized monster spawn and efficient training.
Leveling from 190-200: The Final Stretch: Forsaken Excavation Site 2
Forsaken Excavation Site 2 in Twilight Perion is the spot for most players in this level range. Finding an empty map can be challenging due to its popularity, but it’s definitely worth the effort. I highly recommend saving any EXP coupons you have for this location as burning fields are rare due to its high demand.
Level 200+: Arcane River and Beyond?
Congratulations! You’ve reached level 200! Now, the Arcane River region opens up, and a whole new world of training awaits. This guide focuses on getting you to this milestone efficiently and affordably.
You did it! Whether you aimed for level 200, 150, or any other goal, you’ve proven that you don’t need to be rich to level up effectively in MapleStory. Even broke Maplers can build those Legion mules!
If you’ve discovered even better unfunded training spots, please share them! I’m always keen to test out new locations and potentially add them to this guide. Let’s work together to make leveling accessible for everyone!
Special thanks to @Aggraphine for suggesting alternative maps and to @Babble, @???, and @Jushi for their map recommendations during my own grinding sessions!
