The Ultimate Guide to Unleashing Unprecedented Multiclass Mastery in 10 RPGs

The allure of any RPG worthy of praise is the promise of "play your own way." This entices those who may never have the opportunity in real life to heroically defeat evil wizards as a paladin or mount a battle-mammoth adorned with tusk tattoos as a seasoned beastmaster. It caters to those who wonder about the mysterious talents of bards and their lutes. However, what happens when one's chosen role becomes monotonous, limiting, or simply repetitive?

After investing countless hours in gameplay, using the same spells, traits, and weapon swings can become tiresome. This is where the concept of multi-classing becomes invaluable. It is a form of archetypal alchemy that breathes new life into the game, allowing for diverse strategies and theory-crafting. When executed effectively (as exemplified by the following games), multi-classing ensures that each class maintains its distinctive identity while offering enough flexibility to keep the experience engaging.

10 Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous

Perhaps it is the indomitable spirit of the gamer's soul, like that of a majestic eagle, that refuses to be confined or categorized, just like tabletop RPGs such as D&D and Pathfinder. These games have long allowed players to freely mix and match their classes, finding satisfaction in the diversity. This tradition dates back to ancient times when dice were crafted from the bones of sea monsters and character sheets were carefully traced in the muddy earth.

In Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, players have the opportunity to level up their chosen class, or even take on a new one, each time they progress. It is their task to discover the most effective way to combine these classes and make them work harmoniously. Other notable games in the pen and paper genre that possess this feature include Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Pillars of Eternity, and the legendary Ultima series, to mention just a few.

9 Tiny Tina's Wonderland

Part of the excitement of class combinations is creating unique names for hybrids. In Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, a sword-and-sorcery spin-off of Borderlands, the names for hybrids are already wonderfully peculiar (looking at you, stabbomancer). Alongside the intense and fantastical action of gun-running, Wonderlands fans unanimously agree that the game boasts outstanding names for hybrid classes.

The "trapscallion," "Sporcerer," and "Brr-reaver" undeniably stand out as some of the most remarkable class names ever devised for a game design document. With a plethora of classes and viable combinations to choose from, deciding where to begin may prove challenging. Regardless of the chosen class, chaos and mayhem are guaranteed to ensue.

8 Titan Quest

Despite not receiving as much attention as other ARPGs like the Diablo series, Titan Quest is considered an all-time classic with an incredibly impressive multi-class system. The game features eight masteries including warfare, defense, hunting, earth, storm, rogue, nature, and spirit. Players have the option to combine a secondary mastery with their initial choice, which creates a completely new class. Additionally, with expansions installed, there are a total of 55 classes to choose from, providing extensive replay value.

7 Golden Sun

In the Golden Sun series, the adepts, or characters in the game, have the ability to attach creatures called "djinn" to themselves. By setting different elemental djinn, each adept can acquire a unique class. Combining various djinn elements leads to the creation of entirely new classes. As players discover and collect new djinn in the game world, they can experiment with different combinations to enhance their character's power and advancement. This encourages players to explore and seek out new djinn to mix and match.

6 Dragon's Dogma

Multi-classing in Dragon's Dogma offers a beautifully simple approach. At the start of their quest, the player, known as the "Arisen," must choose from three basic classes or vocations. As they advance, they have the opportunity to combine their chosen vocation with itself, resulting in an advanced vocation, or with another vocation, creating a hybrid.

These advanced and hybrid vocations come with their own progression trees, allowing players to freely swap and experiment with different combinations. This adds excitement to the exploration of Dragon's Dogma's immersive world of Gransys.

5 Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age

The younger MMO sibling of this game, Final Fantasy 14, allows players to mix and match skills from different classes, but it is not always recommended due to difficulties in balancing classes. In Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age, multi-classing is highly praised and even named the game after it. The reworked job and license board system allows each character to be assigned a class twice - once when they are first introduced and again later in the story. With 12 different jobs, there is an incredible level of flexibility, even for a Final Fantasy game.

4 Guild Wars

In the original Guild Wars (unlike its wise sequel that opted for class streamlining), players select a primary profession at the beginning of the game. This choice grants them a unique attribute, and they are then prompted to choose a complementary profession.

One advantageous aspect of choosing a secondary profession is its flexibility. About midway through the game, players have the option to swap it out. This allows them to explore different playstyles and experiment with new builds that resonate with their preferences. Additionally, this opens up a vast array of hundreds of new skills to discover and collect.

3 Octopath Traveler 2

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Octopath Traveler 2 features individual default classes for each protagonist. Discovering shrines in the game world grants access to additional jobs for every character to pursue as secondary options. Players can also uncover four secret secondary jobs, though they should be prepared to overcome significant challenges to obtain them.

The extensive variety within Octopath Traveler 2's class system might cause players to contemplate extensively on which classes suit each character, potentially transforming them into "octogenarian travelers" during the process. However, this meticulous consideration is all part of the enjoyment, isn't it?

2 Bravely Default 2

Bravely Default 2 not only brings a refreshing return to form for RPGs but also introduces a unique approach to multi-classing. Instead of overwhelming players with choices, licenses to secondary jobs are scattered throughout the game.

By experimenting with different load-outs, players can prevent early burnout often associated with lengthy grinding sessions. The game motivates players to master each class's intricacies, enabling them to conquer formidable challenges.

1 Grim Dawn

Upon starting the game, players are presented with two classes, referred to as "masteries" in Cairn. The abundant synergies between each class make the game endlessly replayable. Grim Dawn offers a plethora of options right from the beginning, granting players complete control. Additionally, each mastery combination comes with its own unique title. For example, combining Nightblade and Shaman results in the title of "Trickster," while Demolitionist and Occultist create a "Pyromancer." Whether it involves sneaking and stabbing through moonlit towns in weathered armor or walking the fine line between an inquisitor devoted to righteousness and a necromancer fueled by rotting corpses, Grim Dawn allows players to choose exactly how they want to annihilate demons.