Lags and ping in Lineage 2: why it slows down and what can be done
By the word “lag,” players are confusing two different problems: network latency (ping) and frame rate drop (FPS). They are treated differently, so first you should understand what exactly is happening to you.
- Ping is the delay between you and the server, FPS is the smoothness of the picture on your screen.
- Single-core processor performance is more important than the number of cores.
- Wi-Fi, VPN, and background downloads add more latency than you might think.
- If all players lag at the same time, it’s the server, your settings have nothing to do with it.
First separate the two problems
Network latency looks like this: a character runs and then gets pulled back; the skill is pressed and triggered in a second; other players twitch. The FPS drop looks different: the picture is jerky, but the actions are triggered on time, especially in the city, during a siege, and in a large group of mobs.
Network delay: what affects
- Distance to server: a server in Europe or Asia will give a noticeable delay even with good Internet.
- Wi-Fi: a signal in a distant room adds latency spikes, the cable is more reliable.
- VPN: even a fast VPN adds tens of milliseconds - play without it if the site and game open directly.
- Background downloads: Torrents, Windows updates and cloud drives take up bandwidth and cause stuttering.
- Provider: evening channel overloads are a common cause of lags during prime time.
You can check the delay using system tools: open the command line and ping to the IP server, which is usually published in the description or on discord. A stable 30–60 ms is an excellent result, 100–150 ms is noticeable in PvP, and jagged jumps even from 40 ms to 300 ms feel worse than a flat 120 ms.
FPS drops: what affects
Lineage 2 is an old game, and its client hardly knows how to distribute the load across the cores. Therefore, it is not so much the video card that is important, but the performance of one processor core, as well as effect settings. During sieges and in crowds of players, the client is physically unable to render everything without loss - this is normal even for strong machines.
- Disable unnecessary effects: shadows, anti-aliasing, draw distance, character detailing.
- Remove unnecessary windows: each running game window takes resources away from the first one.
- Update your video card driver and DirectX.
- Add the game folder to your antivirus exceptions - checking files on the go gives micro-jerks.
- Close your browser with dozens of tabs and instant messengers before the siege.
What can you check for symptoms?
| Symptom | Most likely | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The character comes back, skills are delayed | Network or server | Check ping, disable VPN and Wi-Fi, change access point |
| The picture is jerky in the city and under siege | Client FPS | Reduce graphics, close windows and browser |
| Lags only on one server, on others it’s fine | Server or its hosting | Write to the administration, ask other players |
| Lags everyone's schedule at the same time | Server and sieges | This is not your computer - check with the administration |
| The delay appeared after installing the patch | Server client | Make a full update, report to the server discord |
When the server is to blame, not you
The sign is simple: ask other players. If it lags for everyone at the same time - during a siege, during the respawn of an epic boss, after an update - the problem is in the server and its channel, and no client settings will help. Strong servers deal with such situations: the administration monitors the load and reschedules events. If “server” lag is repeated every evening, this is a reason to take a closer look at other options.
You can check whether it’s worth waiting for a stable server in top by votes and in selections by chronicles: Interlude, High Five, Essence.
Questions and answers
What ping is considered normal for Lineage 2?
Up to 60 ms is comfortable in any PvP, 60–120 ms is playable, 150 ms and above starts to interfere: skills fire with a delay, it’s hard to catch the moment to strike. Stability is more important: a flat 120 ms feels better than jumps from 40 to 400 ms.
Does a VPN help against lag?
Usually no: VPN adds an extra section of the route and increases the delay. A VPN can sometimes help if your ISP has a bad route to a specific country, but this is a rare case - first check the ping without it.
Why does Siege lag even on a powerful computer?
In a siege, hundreds of characters and effects are visible at the same time, and the old Lineage 2 client does not know how to effectively distribute this across the cores. Reducing effects and disabling unnecessary windows helps, but drawdowns during mass events cannot be completely eliminated.
Live Lineage 2 servers with start dates, rates and player voting: