MapleStory Glossary

A reference guide to the terms you will encounter on MapleStory private servers. Each entry briefly explains what the term means and how it affects your choice of server and gameplay. Terms link to each other, and you can jump straight from an entry to matching servers.

Classes (Jobs)

MapleStory has dozens of classes (jobs), but they are built on five core archetypes from the Explorers group: Warrior, Magician, Bowman, Thief and Pirate. A new character starts as a Beginner and picks an archetype at a certain level. Other groups appeared later, such as Cygnus Knights and Aran. Your class sets your combat style and role in a party, which makes it the first big decision when creating a character. Related: Explorers, Cygnus Knights, Job Advancement

Explorers

Explorers are MapleStory's original, base class group that defined the game's five archetypes: Warrior, Magician, Bowman, Thief and Pirate. A character starts as a Beginner on the starting island and completes its first job advancement by choosing one of these archetypes. Explorers are the familiar starting point for most players, and later class groups are balanced around them. Related: Classes (Jobs), Cygnus Knights, Job Advancement

Cygnus Knights

Cygnus Knights is a MapleStory class group added in 2009 that mirrors the five Explorers archetypes: Dawn Warrior, Blaze Wizard, Wind Archer, Night Walker and Thunder Breaker. They originally had a separate level cap, later equalized with other classes. Private servers vary in how well they support and balance Cygnus Knights, so it is worth checking their availability before picking a project. Related: Explorers, Classes (Jobs)

Job Advancement

Job advancement is a MapleStory character's transition to the next stage of their class, unlocking new skills and specializations. In the classic scheme, advancements happen at levels 10, 30, 60 and 100. Each advancement noticeably changes a character's power and role. Private servers may adjust the requirements and available branches, so it is worth keeping the advancement scheme in mind when planning your leveling. Related: Classes (Jobs), Level Cap

Version v83

v83 is a popular MapleStory client version from the pre-Big Bang era that has become the de facto standard for private servers. It recreates the classic, old-school experience: familiar maps, mechanics and formulas from the game's early years. Many servers are built specifically on v83, so the version is almost always listed in a project's description — it determines exactly which MapleStory, and with what content, you will be playing. Related: Pre-Big Bang, Classes (Jobs)

Pre-Big Bang

Big Bang was a major official MapleStory update that reworked maps, mechanics and formulas, splitting the game into a classic era (before it) and a modern one (after it). "Pre-Big Bang" servers recreate the old balance and the slower, old-school pace that many players find more appealing than later content. The label helps distinguish classic projects (often on v83) from servers running modern versions with updated systems. Related: Version v83, Classes (Jobs)

Party Quest (PQ)

Party Quest is MapleStory's group content where a team of players solves puzzles and fights for experience and rewards. Party Quest is a recognizable social feature of the game, especially valued in classic versions as a way to level up and socialize. Private servers vary in which Party Quests are available and what rewards they offer, so this matters to anyone who enjoys team-based content. Related: Bosses (Zakum, Horntail), PvE

Bosses (Zakum, Horntail)

Bosses are powerful MapleStory enemies defeated as a group for valuable drops and gear; Zakum and Horntail are among the classic ones. Boss raids are an important part of PvE and endgame preparation. Private servers configure the available bosses, their difficulty and rewards separately, making this one of the things to check when choosing a server if you enjoy cooperative content. Related: Party Quest (PQ), PvE

Meso (currency)

Meso is MapleStory's in-game currency, used to buy items, repair and upgrade gear, and trade with other players. How fast you earn Meso depends directly on the server's rates. Private servers configure the economy and Meso multipliers separately, which affects how quickly you can gear up your character, so it is worth checking the currency balance before choosing. Related: Rates (x1, x50, x1000), Cube / Potential

Cube / Potential

Potential is MapleStory's system of bonus gear stats that are rerolled using special items called Cubes. Good stats noticeably strengthen a character, and hunting for them is an important part of the endgame. Private servers configure Cube availability and the odds of rare stats separately; if strong stats are only obtainable through paid purchases, that is a sign of pay-to-win, so it is worth checking this mechanic. Related: Meso (currency), Rates (x1, x50, x1000)

Level Cap

The level cap is the maximum character level on a MapleStory server. It is lower in classic versions and higher in modern ones, and private servers set it separately, sometimes raising it for extra systems and link mechanics. The cap determines how much content is available and the ceiling for character progression, so it is worth checking alongside the version and rates in a server's description. Related: Job Advancement, Rates (x1, x50, x1000)

PvE

PvE (player versus environment) means playing against the game world — monsters, bosses and quests — rather than against other players. In MapleStory, PvE is the core of the game: leveling, Party Quest, boss raids and gear farming. The PvE content and its settings (rates, bosses, quests) determine the pace and appeal of a server, so it is worth checking these when choosing a project that fits your playstyle. Related: Bosses (Zakum, Horntail), Party Quest (PQ), Rates (x1, x50, x1000)

Rates (x1, x50, x1000)

Rates are multipliers for experience, Meso and drop rates compared to the official game. A low-rate server preserves the slow classic leveling pace; a high-rate one quickly gets you to the endgame and bosses. Rates are one of the main things players use to pick a server, so they are usually listed near the top of a description, alongside the version and level cap. Related: Meso (currency), Level Cap, MapleStory Private Server

International Server

An international MapleStory server targets players from different countries: the interface and chat are usually in English, and the community is drawn from around the world. Such projects tend to hold a more stable population thanks to their wider reach. If you are looking for a server with an international community and English-language support, this label helps distinguish it from local projects aimed at a single country. Related: MapleStory Private Server, Rates (x1, x50, x1000)

GMS-like

GMS-like refers to a MapleStory server that recreates the behavior of the official global version (Global MapleStory): the familiar set of classes, content and mechanics without major custom changes. These projects appeal to players who want an experience as close to the original as possible. The label helps distinguish "faithful" servers from heavily customized ones with new classes, bosses and systems outside the official game. Related: Version v83, MapleStory Private Server

MapleStory Private Server

A private server is a project run by a team of enthusiasts outside the game's official infrastructure. Such servers set their own version, rates, level cap, economy and class list, so projects can differ significantly. MapleStory private servers let you play on classic versions (such as v83) or on custom builds with new systems — that is exactly what to look at when choosing one. Related: Rates (x1, x50, x1000), Version v83, Classes (Jobs)