So instead of making another topic that sparks the debate between WRPGs and JRPGs, I thought to take a look at how we play that genre. I was originally going to go with options of Warrior, Mage, and Thief. You know, the basic cIasses that are most familiar. But then I considered how some RPGs have settings which don't necessarily facilitate the common archetypes, such as Mass Effect with its cIasses of Vanguard, Adept, Sentinel, Engineer, and Infiltrator. Or Too Human with categrioes of Defender, Bioengineer, Champion, and Berserker. Not even sure what cIass system FF13 uses in its latest iteration.
But how ever the setting and context names the cIasses, they usually follow the patterns of common themes. And they are:
The Heavy Hitter * You like the power attack approach. Arming yourself with the heaviest armor and most powerful weapons, be that enchanted sword or tricked out shotgun, you launch yourself head first into the fray hitting hard with all your might. You revel in clashing with the enemy up close and personal, and in seeing the terror in their eyes when you deliver the killing blow.
The Ranged Warrior * Keep your allies close and your enemies as far away as possible is your Modus Operandi. Hurling arrows, or viewing from the scope of your sniper rifle, maybe even with magical projectiles, you land deadly strikes from afar, never giving your enemie's swords or close range guns the chance to strike back at you.
The Stealth Master * You are one with shadows, or perhaps you have access to advanced cloaking technology. Where brute force is sure to result in bloody demise for your journey, you're the one who can evade the traps and find the alternate routes to sneak past the fortified defences unnoticed. Where resources are needed you obtain them by less conventional means. And when faced with combat situations speed and dexterity assure your victory, suddenly not being where the enemies weapon lands, and striking back too swiftly for the eye to see, before they even have a chance to react.
The Crowd Controller * Your methods are unusual and varied, employing arcane techniques, or technology beyond the grasp of the average warrior. Manipulation of the battlefield is your specialty, turning the tide of battle in your parties favor. Throw out those health perks, boost your allies stats while similtaneously debuffing the enemy army. You mock the opposing forces as you strip away what ever advantages they might have had. And your contributions to the battle comes in more subtle forms than direct attack, be that a well place fire strike, or a paralyzing cloud which will leave the horde at the mercy of your allies. Not always seeking the glory, you're still a valuable asset as the wild card that alters the dynamics of the battle, turning defeat into surprise victory.
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