Classes | Character and its development Dragon's Dogma Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

In Dragon's Dogma there are three basic character classes: a fighter, a strider and a mage. They are divided into more advanced classes (for example a strider may become an assassin who specializes in daggers or a skilled ranger with an increased attack and more bows at his disposal) and hybrids (a combination of two basic classes). It's good to know that each of the advanced classes and hybrids often has weapons and armor reserved for them or for the similar classes (it's in each item's description which classes can use it). You don't have to worry about choosing a class at the beginning of the game. After you've spent some time in the main story (reaching gran Soren) you will be allowed to pay a little money to change a class.

Fighter

One of three base classes that can be selected from the start. It is very often selected by new players. Fighter has one-handed weapon (sword) and an optional shield. It isn't a bad profession early in the game, but this character is much better as a "tank" in the team (tank is a character with high resistance that focuses enemies' attention on himself) due to his high number of health points and defense. It also isn't a bad choice if you rather plan to travel alone or with small number of allies.

Character of this class has few useful abilities. Among them one can point: increased offensive character parameters (however, there are more effective classes when it comes to that) and useful Sinew ability that allows carrying more items found during the adventure. The class is useful later in the game, but you must keep in mind that fighting stronger enemies might take slightly longer due to the rather small attack parameter.

Strider

It is one of the basic classes which compromise between using bow and dagger. The bow that the character can be equipped with has short attack distance and rather low shot precision. The character doesn't have many abilities based on magic (which might be important when fighting many enemies resistant to that attack type). Due to the high resistance and speed of the character it is very effective against large monsters - the character can climb on them and stay for long on their back without being thrown off to the ground. At the same time it is useful for traveling through the world - strider moves fast, can run for long and climbs very quickly.

Passive abilities that are especially worth attention are Double Vault and Reset that allows quickly returning to battle after being knocked down. However, unless you like challenge, in long term it is better to change the profession to a related one. Character parameters' and non-magic abilities are rather weak later in the game.

Mage

As one can guess, it is a typical character that uses magic. However, it is another profession that isn't effective if you plan to end the game with it. It is so due to a compromise: in difference to the more advanced Sorcerer, this class has much higher health and defense so that the player that starts the game wouldn't die too frequently while he isn't able yet to determine enemies' strength and how to use the mage. The characters of this class have only one weapon available - a magic staff. Due to that (and the statistics) they have basically no means of defending or avoiding attacks.

A mage has two abilities that are vital for the good of the whole party - Anodyne and Halidom that allows healing and removing negative statuses such as poison. Due to that, it is good to have a mage in the party, but not necessarily to be one. Offensive spells - despite the fact that are strong - aren't too good due to the loading time and the fact that casting them can be interrupted. This class is better suited for fighting bosses.

Warrior

Warriors are focusing on the attack. They don't have shields, only a powerful two-handed weapon and frequently even while still early in the game wolves and goblins will die after a single strike. When playing as warrior, one can have reasons to complain. Most of all, the character is very slow, tires very quickly and has almost no means of defending and avoiding attacks. The almost highest number of health points of all classes isn't enough to compensate it. This class is suited for fighting medium-power enemies (mostly slow ones with large number of health points and/or strong defense).

Play as this character with "attack is the best defense" rule in mind. Abilities such as Arc of Deliverance can be lethal, but it won't be easy to hit the enemy with them. What's important, the strongest two-handed weapons aren't much stronger that the one-handed ones. It is not a recommended faction for later in the game and it requires some training. However, it is a good choice for players who prefer simple gameplay rather than combinations and using many abilities.

Ranger

Ranger is a specialized version of the Strider that focuses on using ranged weapons. He is slower and slightly worse in dagger fighting (he has this weapon in his equipment as well). Despite that, it is a very balanced character. He is suitable for attacks from long distance - very frequently ranger is able to eliminate a group of enemies from distance without being found or to finish the remaining opponents before they will catch up to him. He can also defend himself in close distance.

Ranger shoots slower than Strider but with much greater accuracy. Due to that, use the bow from a safe place, far from the battlefield. The abilities also need some time to load. It's not a class suitable for everyone - playing for long without participating actively in the battle (however, no one forbids the player to participate) can be boring. However, "massive" attacks, such as Tenfold Flurry or Comet Shot can hurt many opponents at once while not damaging your allies.

Sorcerer

The Sorcerer is an improved version of the Mage - or at least more targeted one. In difference to the base class he has less health and defense skills, but he is better suited as a "battle mage" due to having much more powerful spells. He is equipped with an Archistass that server as his weapon (or, more specifically, a spell casting tool). Similarly to the Mage, he is less effective against large numbers of weak enemies due to long time of spell loading.

Sorcerers have large number of elemental-based spells, everyone should find something that will suit them. Due to the small number of health points, weak defense and no ways of dodging, it is recommended to use heavy armors. The sorcerer has also low durability - food, health and stamina regenerating potions are mandatory. It is especially troublesome when a sorcerer remains alone on the battlefield. In general - Sorcerer isn't an easy class, using many items and properly selecting spells is required. Pawns that are Sorcerers are very useful in the party.

Mystic Knight

It's a very frequently selected profession. This knight combines sword and magic and has rather weak defense partially compensated with the ability to use magic shield. He can also use mage staff. It's a quite balanced class. If you want to play as this character, first learn some useful passive abilities of other classes.

This class' character has defense spells, buffs and offensive spells (especially the Magic Cannon is useful). Most of his abilities are magical. Playing as this character is rather slow and mostly defensive. It's a good choice if you don't like traveling with large number of allies.

Assassin

This class is widely considered as one of the best. In theory it is coming from Strider and focuses on close battle. However, this class has many other advantages. You can use daggers/sword and additionally a bow or shield. Most of the abilities are similar as in base classes, at first glance it might look poorly. But, considering the parameters of this character (mostly high strength) it is an offensive class.

Invisibility skill is especially worth attention. This allows you to become invincible as enemies can target you, but you won't feel the effects of an attack. Two passive skills of this character allows quickly gaining experience: Bloodlust and Autonomy improves character's parameters during night battle - maybe not everyone likes that fighting style, but stronger enemies met after dark allow gaining levels and obtaining nice rewards. It is worth at least trying to play as this class, as in difference to many other games - it doesn't focus only on stealth and surprise attacks but is a very strong warrior in general.

Magic Archer

Magic archer class is a specific one. He is equipped with a special magic bow and is a unit that attacks on medium-short distance (depending on skills), with focus primarily on short one. The main attribute that distinguishes this profession from other archers isn't only the increased magic attack - the bow has a special auto-aim system. Thanks to that you can be sure that the arrow will hit the enemy and that you will detect invisible enemies while aiming. You can add some daggers or use magic staff as well.

Most special attacks require to be loaded and it takes some time. They aren't too powerful early in the game as well. The basic attack also isn't fast. However, once the character develops enough, magical attacks can become deadly and give additional negative modifiers to the enemies. Sixfold Shot is a great attack that can deal damage to a single enemy and stop him temporarily in one place. However, Hunter Bolt is especially worth attention - it allows targeting many enemies at once and deal damage to all of them. Despite small power, this attack can stop them during charge. It is especially effective against bosses - by using it you can lock on many targets on monster's body and thus knock him over while not wasting too many stamina points.