One of the most iconic and best parts of MMORPGs is that you must choose a specific class. This decision defines your adventure, shapes your playstyle, and sets your role(s) when playing with others. There’s countless across all the different games in the genre, but usually they stem from four classic archetypes: Warrior, Mage, Archer, and Rogue. These core jobs each include distinct strengths and weaknesses, and are loosely seen in titles such as Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, Elder Scrolls Online, Lost Ark, and AdventureQuest 3D.

Warrior

Warriors are tough fighters who love being in the middle of the action. They wear heavy armor, swing big weapons, and are great at taking hits so their teammates don’t have to. Some focus on being nearly impossible to take down, while others deal major damage up close. Warriors are either charging in with a huge sword or holding the line with a shield. 

Mage

Mages use magic to blast enemies or help out their team. They’re not built for close combat, so they typically keep away from the fray. From afar, Mages toss fireballs, sling lightning bolts, and spew healing spells. They focus on damage, summon creatures to fight for them, and/or support their team with buffs and cures.

Archer

Archers pick off enemies from a distance with bows, crossbows, or guns. They’re great at staying just out of reach and taking advantage of the environment. Archers use traps, gadgets, or even animal sidekicks to keep control of the battlefield. They’re great at wearing enemies down, or even taking them out with one headshot.

Rogue

Rogues are sneaky and fast. They rely on surprise attacks, poisons, and agility to take enemies out before they know what hit them. Rogues creep behind enemy lines and pick off high-value targets. They are all about timing, clever moves, tactics, and staying one step ahead.

What’s your preferred archetype? Do you enjoy charging headfirst into battle, or casting devastating spells from afar? Are you a fan of raining arrows down from the treetops, or striking silently from the shadows? I like ranged combat over melee, so I typically go Mage. Unless the game lets you have a beast companion, in which case I’ll go Archer. Rogue is the coolest job though aesthetic-wise; if I can stick to ranged combat as a Rogue via throwing stars, or if the class is combined with Archer, I’ll always choose that. I never pick Warrior though, as I’ve never been a fan of of that archetype.

What's your favorite class from a certain MMORPG? Mine would have to be Night Lord from MapleStory. It's exactly what I am talking about — a Rogue with ranged combat.