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There are many RPGs and even more classes to choose from but most of them have a certain distinct archetype that makes it intuitive enough, even for new players.
Let’s see if we can make them even easier to recognise.
RPG class is basically picking a skillset that you’d wish to employ within the game.
So if you’d pick a warrior you’d probably face an enemy face to face, while picking a mage would focus on casting powerful spells and obliterating the enemy before they get a chance to get close.
A class in an RPG game is a decision that defines the playstyle of the player.
Picking a class is a very important choice that will affect everything from equipment to overall way of dealing with the challenges that the developers planned for the players, either against the environment or other players.
Depending on the game it could also decide the narrative storyline of the game as well.
There are many, MANY different RPG classes but there are certain archetypes that fit the overall class group. It serves as a way to ease new players into the game by introducing them to previously encountered (or very similar) ones.
Considered to be the most straightforward class. They’re meant to be the frontliners that dish out damage while being able to take quite a beating themselves.
In MMORPGs they’re usually considered “tank” class, with stats and abilities to specialize them further for PVE (Player Versus Environment) encounters where they protect other players from game-controlled enemies.
The specialist class, mostly focused on utility and stealth. They’re great when it comes to scouting ahead and disarm any potential traps before moving forward.
Depending on the game, they can also specialise in more diplomatic roles aside from typical disarming traps or stealing stuff.
Pretty cool class to play around so long as you don’t think of them as a frontliner fighter. They’re quite adept at putting pointy things into the backs of their enemies though.
The “glass cannon” class. When you absolutely, positively got to turn your enemy into ash, accept no substitute!
The “glass” part is unfortunately quite a deadly downside to balance out their immense damage and utility potential. While certain games allow mages to protect themselves quite effectively, most of the time they require a wall of bodies between them and the enemy to be fully effective.
The range focused (it’s pretty much in the name) class. They can be very different from title to title.
Some tabletop RPGs like D&D allow rangers to be both the frontliner or a ranged specialist with some magic and an animal companion on the side. While others have them as high single target damage dealers or hit and run specialists.
True to their name though, they all share the possibility to really shine in ranged combat.
The support class, your best friend if you’re not playing one.
From healing to buffing and sometimes even able to hold their own and support the frontliners. Healer class is nearly a necessity for every party formation.
You can’t really go wrong with it! Just bear in mind that they’re primarily meant to keep the party alive, rather than taking down enemies.
Though again, certain games give them some interesting options to play around if they want to go toe to toe .
The classes above are mostly a very general outliner for each class rather than exhaustive list.
And on top of that there are plenty of hybrid classes that give another degree of complexity and unlock new options to mess around with.
Hybrid classes are for those who enjoy mixing things up.
Your enemies are in for a real surprise when your "mage" suddenly whips out a two-handed sword and charges the enemy.
Now THIS is a great question.
Picking a class is just the first step, next come the attributes, stats, skills and sometimes even equipment.
If you’re playing an RPG for the first time there are a few options.
Pick a random/favourite class and see how it feels before rerolling another one after getting a bit of understanding of how the game works.
Alternatively, if the game has extensive description as to how certain traits/stats work, choose what you think works best and do proper playthrough.
The third option is to look up some very basic guides for character creations but that can hurt the joy of finding things out on your own, so consider your options carefully!
The widely accepted and most prevalent archetypes are the Warrior/Fighter, Mage/Caster and Rogue/Thief.
It all comes down to personal preference. D&D had the most time to tailor the class system and is probably the most recognisable one by sheer popularity of the franchise.
Pretty hard to estimate but warrior/fighter seems to be super popular. The overall simplicity and the effectiveness of the class makes their playthroughs feel very cosy and quite straightforward.
