Differences between Cycle and Legacy servers in Last Epoch explained

If you're logging into Last Epoch to start your first character like me, you'll want to learn about the differences between the Cycle and Legacy servers. 

Last Epoch is an action role-playing game that left early access in February, meaning players can now engage with the full experience. While it learns heavily from what makes the genre work, the game has some of its own ideas, but to even get to all that, you first need to pick a server. 

So, read on below to learn more about Cycle and Legacy servers work, including their main differences.

Last Epoch's Cycle servers are essentially seasonal servers that change and reset with every new Cycle. 

This means if you pick a Cycle server and make your character, they'll only be part of that server for a few months. They'll then be transferred to a Legacy server when the Cycle ends, as you have to make a new character each time.

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These servers may have new mechanics or content that differentiates them in the future, but the main difference currently is economic, as there are no older characters with lots of gold or items.

A Legacy server is more permanent, allowing you to access all your old characters without the current restrictions of a Cycle server. 

You may potentially miss out on new content with these servers during a Cycle, but all of this will be added once it's ended anyway, so you can still use an older character for new quests, bosses, and more.

I recommend selecting a Cycle server, especially for your first character, or if you're reading this just after the game has launched. 

This is because you'll be able to start the experience fresh with other players like the devs intended, instead of playing with older characters people may have made in early access. 

You'll also get access to the leaderboards, which are currently only on Cycle servers. 

Check out our Last Epoch homepage for more guides. We've also covered if you should join the Merchant's Guild or Circle of Fortune, and how to respec passives.