AION 2 level 45: a gear progression roadmap

At level 45, finish your remaining story and one-time progression, then raise item level to open the next activity. Combat Power is a broader character-strength signal; it is not a replacement for the entry requirement shown in the dungeon window.

The early route

1. Review unfinished Regional quests, Sealed Dungeons, Strongholds and Monolith rewards. Claim and equip useful rewards before spending to replace a slot you could fill this way.
2. Work toward 1,000 item level for the Abyss/story continuation associated with Koro in the community route.
3. Finish newly available story/Ascension work and continue toward 1,400, the community references' gate for Vakron Sky Island and Urugugu Canyon progression.
4. At 1,600, review Transcendence Stage 1 and Arcana progression. Meeting a number alone does not explain the mechanics.
5. Decide what the next run is for: weapon, armor, accessory, Arcana or a specific guaranteed reward. Check the reward preview, not just the dungeon name.

Single source: the detailed gear route comes from one community publisher, across its early and later progression pages. It is not independently verified simply because two pages agree. Current entry windows take priority if a patch changes the gates.

What comes after that?

The later route places Fire Temple and Ferocious Horn Den progression around 2,100. NC added Hard Urugugu Canyon and Hard Vakron Sky Island at 2,700 in the October 28 notes. These are different difficulty modes, not a contradiction in the earlier normal-mode requirements.

Ludra's announced requirements are in AION 2 Ludra: requirements and launch preparation. Do not treat a pre-update raid listing as proof that its new encounter is already available.

Pick an upgrade with a purpose

Hizzle's planning method: write down your next activity, its entry requirement and the weakest useful slot you can realistically improve. Compare one-time rewards, dungeon rewards and the full cost of an upgrade. Stop when you can attempt the activity responsibly; an extra enhancement does not teach its mechanics.

The exact best-in-slot route, complete raid progression and all-class damage breakpoints remain UNSURE. This is a usable starter roadmap, not a completed endgame encyclopedia.

Related

AION 2 gear upgrades: belt, amulet and spending · AION 2 Odyle Energy: should you open the cube? · AION 2 dungeons: prepare for your first group · AION 2 Ludra: requirements and launch preparation