History Main / CommonCharacterClasses

May also be called "fighter", "soldier", or some other variation of the theme "guy who fights". Their job is to hit the frontlines and engage in direct combat with the enemy. They tend to be something of a JackOfAllStats, though they usually lean toward MightyGlacier as well, being a bit tougher and stronger than usual at the cost of being slightly slower than average. Though they usually specialize in melee combat, many variants can be quite good at ranged combat as well. The "default" option for many games, they're usually the simplest class to play.

Also "scout" or "thief", they emphasize speed and/or stealth above all else. This makes them ideal for HitAndRunTactics, given that they're good at both ambushing the enemy and avoiding fights they don't like. Typically a FragileSpeedster, they're usually not sturdy or powerful enough to carry things on their own, but are none the less valuable for weakening and disrupting the enemy.

The class with the most different names and hardest to define, their singular uniting characteristic is the ability to mow down foes. Whether they're a mage casting fireballs or a weapons specialist with a heavy machine gun, they can cover lots of ground with area of effect attacks, rapid fire, or both. This makes them especially deadly against large numbers of individually weak enemies. They're usually either a GlassCannon unable to take hits or a ponderously slow MightyGlacier. In the right circumstances they can wipe out hordes of opponents, but if caught in a bad spot they'll go down like a pile of bricks.

See CharacterClassSystem for a discussion of classes in general, and FighterMageThief for a common tripartite division. This is obviously not meant to be an exhaustive list, but merely to hit the highlights; please keep this in mind. In addition, this is a genre-neutral list -- {{Character Class System}}s are primarily used by {{RPG}}s, but show up in everything from {{FPS}}es to {{Strategy Game}}s these days, and this list is meant to reflect that without bias toward any particular genre.

** Academic (Support and/or Nuker): most non-spellcasting academics, such as physicians, artisans, merchants, scholars etc. were Support. Not much use in a fight, but much more useful when it comes to interaction with NPCs, solving puzzles etc. Spellcasters were a combination of Support and Nuker, but "leveled up" much more slowly then the other classes.

* ''MassEffect'' lets you specialize in combat (soldier), tech (support) and biotics (nuker). Each of the six classes is either purely one of those three (eg, Soldier is combat) or a mix of the two (eg, Vanguard is combat/biotics).

* ''Left4Dead'''s team of human survivors are all mechanically identical, but the special zombies (playable in Versus mode) fall into this.

* ''Left4Dead2'' adds a few more special zombie types:

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** Tank: Nuker. ''Much'' stronger and tougher than other types, but not very fast.
*** Uh, you mean that makes the Tank the Warrior, right? By virtue of being a MightyGlacier, anyway.

Also "healer" or "buffer", they improve their allies' ability to fight without adding much on their own. They may aid teammates by [[TheMedic healing them]] to keep them alive longer, by offering bonuses to allies, or by inflicting penalties on enemies. Either way, as a variety of SquishyWizard, a support class by himself is generally easy prey. Requires more teamwork than most classes, which can be frustrating on both sides; bad support can bring down a good team, but a team that doesn't protect their support is equally annoying.

* The ''[[BattlefieldSeries Battlefield]]'' series, though there are variations from game to game, typically includes some iteration of the Assault (warriors), Engineer (rogue/support), Medic (support), and Recon (ranger/rogue) classes. ''Bad Company 2'' adds nuker elements to the Medic class by giving them a light machine gun as their primary weapon.

* ''TeamFortress2''

** Tank: Warrior. ''Much'' stronger and tougher than other types, but not very fast.

May also be called "Fighter", "Soldier", or some variation of the theme "guy who fights". Their job is to hit the frontlines and engage in direct combat with the enemy. They tend to be something of a jack of all trades, though usually they're a bit tougher and stronger than usual at the cost of being slightly slower than average. Though they usually specialize in melee combat, many variants can be quite good at ranged combat as well. The "default" option for many games, they're usually the simplest class to play.

Also "scout" or "thief", they emphasize speed and/or stealth above all else. This makes them ideal for HitAndRunTactics, given that they're good at both ambushing the enemy and avoiding fights they don't like. Usually not sturdy or powerful enough to carry things on their own, they're none the less valuable for weakening and disrupting the enemy. They tend to be the CombatPragmatist foil to the Warrior's honorable approach to combat.

Also "archer", "gunner", or "sniper", they specialize in powerful long-range attacks. They're generally capable of dealing lots of damage to a single target from a safe distance, but aren't very good at defending themselves, especially in melee combat (assuming that they're even ''capable'' of melee combat in the first place). Best used to take out high-value or defense-heavy targets while being sure to keep their beefier teammates between them and the enemy.

Also "healer" or "buffer" (if not something like "cleric" or "bishop"[[hottip:*:"monk" is usually a subset of The Warrior specializing in unarmed combat or of the Nuker specializing in [[HolyHandGrenade light magic]]]]), they improve their allies' ability to fight without adding much on their own. They may aid teammates by [[TheMedic healing them]] to keep them alive longer, by offering bonuses to allies, or by inflicting penalties on enemies. Either way, a support class by himself is generally easy prey. Require more teamwork than most classes, which can be frustrating on both sides; bad support can bring down a good team, but a team that doesn't protect their support is equally annoying.

!![[BlackMage Nuker]]
The class with the most different names and hardest to define, their singular uniting characteristic is the ability to mow down foes. Whether they're a mage casting fireballs or a weapons specialist with a heavy machine gun, they can cover lots of ground with area of effect attacks, rapid fire, or both. This makes them especially deadly against large numbers of individually weak enemies. Usually either [[GlassCannon unable to take hits]] or [[MightyGlacier ponderously slow on their feet]], in the right circumstances they can wipe out hordes of opponents, but caught in a bad spot they'll go down like a pile of bricks.

* ''Left4Dead'''s team of villainous zombies has the Hunter (who fulfills the role of the Rogue), the Smoker (the Ranger), the Boomer (the support/buffer class), and the Tank (the big, badass Nuker who is capable of incapacitating the survivors in one fell swoop, but can easily be lit on fire and picked off from a distance). The Fighter/Warrior class is taken up by the [[{{NPC}} unplayable]] Witch. The sequel adds the Charger (a Ranger, with the brutal melee abilities of a Warrior), the Spitter (a smaller-scale Nuker designed to make bunched-up groups of survivors scatter), and the Jockey (a sneaky Rogue who works as a Support class to debuff the Survivor team).
* ''TeamFortress2'' has Soldier (long range) and Pyro (short range) as warriors, Scout (speed) and Spy (stealth) as rogues, Sniper as ranger, Medic (healer) and Engineer (offense/healing) as support, Heavy Weapons Guy (rapid fire) and Demoman (area damage) as nuker.

* ''MassEffect'' gives us Soldier as a warrior and Vanguard as a warrior/nuker, Engineer as support and Infiltrator as support/ranger, Adept as a nuker and Sentinel as nuker/support.
** In ''2'', the Sentinel spreads out in purpose even more, becoming a warrior/nuker/support.

** Warrior: Barbarian, fighter, paladin, [two-weapon] ranger
** Rogue: Monk, rogue (duh)
** Ranger: [Archery] ranger
** Support: Bard, cleric, druid (though the last two can also fall under Warrior ''and'' Nuker due to how overpowered they are)
** Nuker: Sorcerer, wizard

* ''MassEffect'' gives us Soldier and Vanguard as warriors, Engineer and Infiltrator as support, and Adept and Sentinel as nukers.

See also PVPBalance and AnAdventurerIsYou.

May also be called "Fighter", "Soldier", or some variation of the theme "guy who fights". Their job is to hit the frontlines and engage in direct combat with the enemy. They tend to be something of a jack of all trades, though usually they're a bit tougher and stronger than usual at the cost of being slightly slower than average. The "default" option for many games, they're usually the simplest class to play.

Also "scout" or "thief", they emphasize speed and/or stealth above all else. This makes them ideal for HitAndRunTactics, given that they're good at both ambushing the enemy and avoiding fights they don't like. Usually not sturdy or powerful enough to carry things on their own, they're none the less valuable for weakening and disrupting the enemy.

Also "archer", "gunner", or "sniper", they specialize in powerful long-range attacks. They're generally capable of dealing lots of damage to a single target from a safe distance, but aren't very good at defending themselves. Best used to take out high-value or defense-heavy targets while being sure keep their beefier teammates between them and the enemy.

Also "healer" or "buffer", they improve their allies' ability to fight without adding much on their own. They may aid teammates by [[TheMedic healing them]] to keep them alive longer, by offering bonuses to allies, or by inflicting penalties on enemies. Either way, a support class by himself is generally easy prey. Require more teamwork than most classes, which can be frustrating on both sides; bad support can bring down a good team, but a team that doesn't protect their support is equally annoying.

** Warrior: Barbarian, fighter, paladin, two-weapon ranger

** Ranger: Archery ranger

* ''TeamFortress2'' has Soldier (long range) and Pyro (short range) as warriors, Scout (speed) and Spy (stealth) as rogues, Sniper as rangers, Medic (healer) and Engineer (offense/healing) as support, Heavy Weapons Guy (rapid fire) and Demoman (area damage) as nuker.

!!Nuker

** Support: Bard, cleric, druid (though the last two can also fall under Warrior due to how overpowered they are)

* TeamFortress2 has Soldier (long range) and Pyro (short range) as warriors, Scout (speed) and Spy (stealth) as rogues, Sniper as rangers, Medic (healer) and Engineer (offense/healing) as support, Heavy Weapons Guy (rapid fire) and Demoman (area damage) as nuker.
* TransformersWarForCybertron uses Soldiers (warriors), Scouts (rogues), Scientists (rangers, nukers, or medics), and Leaders (warrior/support).
* MassEffect gives us Soldier and Vanguard as warriors, Engineer and Infiltrator as support, and Adept and Sentinel as nukers.

* The ''[[BattlefieldSeries Battlefield]]'' series, though there are variations from game to game, typically have some iteration of the Assault (warriors), Engineer (rogue/support), Medic (support), and Recon (ranger/rogue) classes. ''Bad Company 2'' adds nuker elements to the Medic class by giving them a light machine gun as their primary weapon.

* MassEffect gives us Soldier and Vanguard as warriors, Engineer and Infiltrator as support, and Adept and Sentinal as nukers.

But now, the list:

!!Scout
Also "rogue" or "thief", they emphasize speed and/or stealth above all else. This makes them ideal for HitAndRunTactics, given that they're good at both ambushing the enemy and avoiding fights they don't like. Usually not sturdy or powerful enough to carry things on their own, they're none the less valuable for weakening and disrupting the enemy.

!!Medic
Also "cleric" or "healer", they keep their allies alive and fighting. They're TheMedic, obviously. Usually more defensive and support-oriented than other classes, sometimes they're given enough punch to fight decently on their own as well, in which case they're the CombatMedic. Require more teamwork than most classes, which can be frustrating on both sides; a bad medic can bring down a good team, but a team that doesn't protect their medic is equally annoying.

The class with the most different names and hardest to define, their singular uniting characteristic is the ability to mow down foes. Whether they're a mage casting fireballs or a heavy weapons soldier with a heavy machine gun, they can cover lots of ground with area of effect attacks, rapid fire, or both. This makes them especially deadly against large numbers of individually weak enemies. Usually either [[GlassCannon unable to take hits]] or [[MightyGlacier ponderously slow on their feet]], in the right circumstances they can wipe out hordes of opponents, but caught in a bad spot they'll go down like a pile of bricks.

The following is a list of common {{CharacterClass}}es used in various types of games. Some of these may be [[PrestigeClass Prestige Classes]].

See CharacterClass for a discussion of classes in general, RPGClassSystem for how these classes are used in RoleplayingGames, FPSClassSystem for the use of classes in FirstPersonShooters, and FighterMageThief for a common tripartite division.

!Examples

!!RPG Classes

'''''Standard Classes'''''

* ''Warrior'' - The master of armed physical combat, members of this class are typically the Tank and/or the DPS of a party. Can usually handle a variety of weapons and equip the heaviest of armours. Also known as the Fighter, Soldier, Knight, and other names.
* ''Cleric'' - Responsible for making sure the other party members don't die and often bringing them back to life if they do, members of this class are always the Healer and are often the Buffer as well. Armed with a variety of healing magic, they often having buffing magic and sometimes even some offensive magic, typically [[LightTheWay light-]] or [[HolyHandGrenade holy-]]themed. Members can typically have better equipment than The Mage, though their actual physical combat capabilities varies from game to game. [[SimpleStaff Staffs]], [[{{Boomstick}} Staves]], [[MagicWand Wands]], and [[DropTheHammer Hammers]] are common weapon choices. Can often be a SquishyWizard. Also known as the Priest, [[FinalFantasy White Mage]], and other names.
* ''Mage'' - If not TheRedMage, these practitioners of the magical arts tends to blast enemies with fireballs and other [[ElementalPowers elements]]. Members of this class typically serve as the [=DPSer=] and/or the Nuker, sometimes also a Mezzer or Debuffer. Usually [[SquishyWizard without much Hit Points or armour]], these guys like to get things does quickly with a lot of damage. Watch out for their [[{{Mana}} Magic Points]], as they can quickly become useless if they run out. Often uses [[SimpleStaff Staffs]], [[{{Boomstick}} Staves]], [[MagicWand Wands]], and [[KnifeNut Knives]]. Also known as Wizards, Sorcerers, Warlocks, [[FinalFantasy Black Mages]], and a number of other names.
* ''Rogue'' - Whether they actually use stealth or not, these guys will pick out their target and [[{{Backstab}} stab them in the back]]. Members of this class most typically fall under [=DPSer=]. Usually the user of [[KnifeNut daggers]] they often only have light to medium armour, making their survivability low, however they excel at taking out key targets quickly. Also under such monikers as Assassin or Ninja. Not to be confused with [[RougeAnglesOfSatin Rouge]], which is French for red. Commonly have an array of utility abilities, such as stealing items, mapping areas and hunting for treasure.
* ''Ranger'' - The one with the [[TheArcher Bow and Arrow]], this class' role can vary quite a bit from game to game. Often one with nature, this class can get skills and abilities for tracking, trapping, and befriending monsters and animals - similar to the (urban) abilities of the Rogue, but nature-themed. Although most often seen with one, the Ranger doesn't always just use a [[TheArcher bow]], but is sometimes also skilled with a [[CoolSword sword]] or [[KnifeNut dagger]]. Also known as Hunter.
* ''Monk'' - Whether they use their [[BareFistedMonk bare fists]] or not, this class is more defined by their attributes than their role. Often, these guys get special bonuses for fighting bare-handed although sometimes they will still use [[SimpleStaff staves]] or claws as weapons. These fighters typically can only equip light armour but also have high {{Hit Point}}s. Is often a user of Ki Attacks. Also known as [[DragonWarrior Fighters]] and Martial Artists.
* ''Minstrel'' - It may seem odd to see an entertainer as an RPG class, but they're surprisingly common. The role varies quite a bit from game to game, ranging from being a general support class(usually focusing on buffs and/or debuffs), [[JokeCharacter joke class]], a [[LethalJokeCharacter joke class that's actually powerful]], and is sometimes even the Jack. Often has [[ImprobableWeaponUser rather odd]] [[MusicalAssassin weapons]]. Also known as the Bard, Dancer, Jester, or many other entertainer-themed names. [[SpoonyBard Often derided]].

'''''Hybrid Classes'''''

* ''Hero'' - Sometimes the hero is unique and gets their own class. Usually being able to do a bit of everything, they often range from the[[TheMario Jack Of All Trades]] to the [[LightningBruiser Master Of All Trades]]. The primary role is usually to play backup: if somebody goes down, the Hero can take their role until they can get back up. Usually the master of [[HeroesPreferSwords the sword]], if they can't equip the best armour, they can usually take the next best thing.
* ''MagicKnight'' - The cross between the Warrior and the Mage and/or the Cleric, tends to become a bit of the Jack. What kind of magic the MagicKnight is capable of depends on the game; sometimes there will be different types of {{Magic Knight}}s for different types of magic. Often the carriers of [[CoolSword magic swords]].
** ''[[ThePaladin Paladin]]'' - The cross between the Warrior and Cleric gets its own mention here. These warriors of light are sometimes the ultimate Tanks, being able to take a lot of damage and heal their own injuries, they often pay for it with their typically low damage output. Often seen with [[CoolSword swords]] and [[DropTheHammer hammers]] as weapons, also tend to wear some of the heaviest armour around.
** ''Dark Knight'' - The offensive counterpart to the Paladin has also seen some use; this cross between the Warrior and Mage concentrates on killing their enemies before they have a chance to properly retaliate. Their surivability is usually overall lower than that of most other Warrior counterparts, but sometimes manages some [[VampiricDraining Life Drain]] skills to alleviate that weakness. CastFromHP can be one of their trademarks. Also known as Death Knight.

'''''Advanced Classes'''''

'''Based on the Warrior'''
* ''Berserker'' - Warriors who abandon all pretense of defense, and fully serve the role of DPS. Often the result of characters using their rage as a source of power, they are sometimes less-than-controllable but they are always powerful. Often uses [[AnAxeToGrind Axes]] or [[DropTheHammer Hammers]] as weapons. Sometimes known as the Gladiator.
* ''Defender'' - The opposite of the Berserker, this is the party's StoneWall. No other class can take as much damage, but these tanks are not very adept at attacking. Not really noted for any weapon, unless you count [[ShieldBash the shield]] as one, but they naturally can wear the heaviest armour around.

'''Based on the Mage'''
* ''Summoner'' - This is a mage that summons animals, monsters, spirits, or other creatures to do their bidding. Comes in a number of forms, although most commonly either a [[BeastMaster Pet Class]] or a more dedicated Nuker.
** ''Necromancer'' - A special type of Summoner is the Necromancer, who, as the name would suggest, specialises in manipulating the dead; typically by raising them. These Summoners will more often go for quantity over quality, raising entire skeleton or zombie armies to do their bidding.
* ''Sage'' - A cross between [[TheRedMage a Mage and a Cleric]], capable of using both offensive and defensive magic. This may be balanced by having the sage be less proficient with both, or even slower or [[SquishyWizard squishier]] than a pure healer or nuker. Commonly an [[PrestigeClass Infinity Plus One Class]], but hard to find and/or unavailable until near the end of the game.

!!Common FPS Classes

* ''Soldier'' - The Soldier class is typically the best class in the game in terms of direct confrontations or shooting people. Usually armed with an automatic gun, members of this class often excel at medium to medium-long range. These usually make the bulk of a team, being sufficient for most ranges of combat and being relatively easy to play. For games with variable health, the Soldier class typically has the most. May be broken into or also have the variations of ''Assault'' and ''Support'' with them, in which:
** ''Assault'' will get equipment to prefer closing in on the enemy more than other classes, [[ShortRangeShotgun like shotguns]], and possibly ways to aid their mobility in such a manner.
** The ''Support'''s weapons tend to be machine guns that are nearly unstoppable against most other weapons at most ranges when properly prepared, while the class lacks in speed and reaction, requiring the player to be methodical and deliberate to make the best of their role and let their enemies come into their sights. If anyone gets the most health, [[MightyGlacier likely to compensate for their lack of movement]], it's the Support.
* ''Medic'' - The Cleric of shooters, these are responsible for keeping their teammates in the action with as little downtime as possible. Usually not as squishy as their RPG counterparts, sometimes they can also [[CombatMedic handle straight-out combat fairly well as well]]. There aren't really any standard weapons for this class (though its common for them to be only competent at closer ranges to make them more depend on teammates for support against farther enemies); they are usually more defined by their healing and/or reviving capabilities. As healing wounds in Real Life often takes more time than a match in a shooter, the healing effects the medic has on their teammates are often quite [[AcceptableBreaksFromReality exaggerated]].
* ''Engineer'' - Although there is no real standard design for this class, one thing they have in common is that they aren't quite as strong without their "toys," but are incredibly so with. Whether they are player-built structures or on-field vehicles, the Engineer class' job is to build the former and maintain both. Members of this class most often help dictate the pacing of a match, their structures and vehicles are things that the other players can use to support and benefit from gathering around. Although some can say that the Shotgun or Sub Machine Gun is their WeaponOfChoice, others will say it's their structures and/or their mechanic's tools. Like the Support, their success in combat is generally guaranteed when the enemy comes to them, but not to have to go the other way around. Because their toys tend to stay still, [[TacticalRockPaperScissors the Demolition is the Engineer's greatest enemy]].
* ''Recon'' - As the name suggests, the Recon's job is to provide reconnaissance to the team, [[NonIndicativeName although not always]]. Can often be quicker than other classes, members of this class can get around better than most. This class is proof that sometimes having the right person at the right place at the right time is all one needs. Can often go around sneaking to remove some key targets that's preventing the team's advance, this class either does or helps disrupt the enemy. Also known as the Scout. May be linked with the Sniper, niw hich they'll be effective at long-range. If not, they'll be effective up close.
* ''Sniper'' - When you want to take somebody out from long range, the Sniper Rifle is often the WeaponOfChoice. This is what the Sniper is all about. This class typically has one job and does that one job well. As it might imply, this class specialises on long range combat and is typically a little weak at any other range. May be mixed with the Recon - after all, the scopes on their sniper rifles let them see farther than other classes. [[TacticalRockPaperScissors Tends to be a hard counter to the slow-moving and frequently still-standing Support]].
* ''Demolition'' - The nuker of the FPS crowd, skilled at making things explode. Usually handles the rocket launchers, grenades, and sticky bombs. Depending on the game, explosive weapons may be more useful against vehicles and devices, making the Demolition class the natural counter to the Engineer. They may also make mincemeat out of personnel, though this is usually balanced with a slow reload time, which means the Demolition must make his shots count or he'll be a sitting duck. Usually a bit weak at close range, making them focus on ambushes or long-range attacks, with allies to protect them from being caught out of their element.
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** Assault will get equipment to prefer closing in on the enemy more than other classes, [[ShortRangeShotgun like shotguns]], and possibly ways to aid their mobility in such a manner. ** The Support's weapons tend to be machine guns that are nearly unstoppable against most other weapons at most ranges when properly prepared, while the class lacks in speed and reaction, requiring the player to be methodical and deliberate to make the best of their role and let their enemies come into their sights. If anyone gets the most health, [[MightyGlacier likely to compensate for their lack of movement]], it's the Support.

* ''Soldier'' - The Soldier class is typically the best class in the game in terms of direct confrontations or shooting people. Usually armed with an automatic gun, members of this class often excel at medium to medium-long range. These usually make the bulk of a team, being well balanced for most ranges of combat and being relatively easy to play. For games with variable health, the Soldier class typically has the most. May be broken into or also have the variations of ''Assault'' and ''Support''
Assault will get equipment to prefer closing in on the enemy more than other classes, [[ShortRangeShotgun like shotguns]], and possibly ways to aid their mobility in such a manner. Support's weapons tend to be machine guns that are nearly unstoppable against most other weapons at most ranges while the class lacks in speed, requiring the player to be methodical to make the best of their role and let their enemies come into their sights. If anyone gets the most health, likely to compensate for their lack of movement, it's the Support.

* ''Engineer'' - Although there is no real standard design for this class, one thing they have in common is that they aren't quite as strong without their "toys," but are incredibly so with. Whether they are player-built structures or on-field vehicles, the Engineer class' job is to build the former and maintain both. Members of this class most often help dictate the pacing of a match, their structures and vehicles are things that the other players can use to support and benefit from gathering around. Although some can say that the Shotgun or Sub Machine Gun is their WeaponOfChoice, others will say it's their structures and/or their mechanic's tools. Like the Support, their success in combat is generally guaranteed when the enemy comes to them, but not to have to go the other way around. Because their toys tend to stay still, if they aren't mixed with the Demolition, [[TacticalRockPaperScissors they'll be the class' greatest enemy]].
* ''Recon'' - As the name suggests, the Recon's job is to provide reconnaissance to the team, [[NonIndicativeName although not always]]. Can often be quicker than other classes, members of this class can get around better than most. This class is proof that sometimes having the right person at the right place at the right time is all one needs. Can often go around sneaking to remove some key targets that's preventing the team's advance, this class either does or helps disrupt the enemy. Also known as the Scout. May be linked with the Sniper.
* ''Sniper'' - When you want to take somebody out from long range, the Sniper Rifle is often the WeaponOfChoice. This is what the Sniper is all about. This class typically has one job and does that one job well. As it might imply, this class specialises on long range combat and is typically a little weak at any other range. May be mixed with the Recon - after all, the scopes on their sniper rifles let them see farther than other classes. [[TacticalRockPaperScissors Tends to be a hard counter to the slow Support]].
* ''Demolition'' - The nuker of the FPS crowd, skilled at making things explode. Usually handles the rocket launchers, grenades, and sticky bombs. Depending on the game, explosive weapons may be more useful against vehicles and devices, making the Demolition class the natural counter to the Engineer. They may also make mincemeat out of personnel, though this is usually balanced with a slow reload time, which means the Demolition must make his shots count or he'll be a sitting duck. Usually a bit weak at close range, making them focus on ambushes or long-range attacks, with allies to protect them from being caught out of their element. May be linked with the Engineer.

* ''Assault'' - The Assault class is typically the best class in the game in terms of direct confrontations. Usually armed with an assault rifle and also sometimes with a grenade launcher, members of this class often excel at medium to medium-long range. These usually make the bulk of a team, being well balanced and relatively easy to play. For games with variable health, the Assault class is typically average or above-average. Also known as the Soldier.
* ''Support'' - With MoreDakka being the tactic of choice, the Support class lays down the cover fire to help thier teammates get into better positions for killing the enemy; if they aren't killing the enemy themselves, that is. Typically armed with light machine guns, or sometimes even gatling guns, members of the support class make their presence known and can often distract the enemy from more important targets. The vast amount of fire also often limits their enemies' movement. Usually has more armor and/or health then the rest.
* ''Medic'' - The Cleric of shooters, these are responsible for keeping their teammates in the action with as little downtime as possible. Usually not as squishy as their RPG counterparts, sometimes they can also handle straight-out combat fairly well as well. There aren't really any standard weapons for this class; they are usually more defined by their healing and/or reviving capabilities. As healing wounds in Real Life often takes more time than a match in a shooter, the healing effects the medic has on their teammates are often quite [[AcceptableBreaksFromReality exaggerated]].
* ''Engineer'' - Although there is no real standard design for this class, one thing they have in common is that they aren't quite as strong without their "toys," but are incredibly so with. Whether they are player-built structures or on-field vehicles, the Engineer class' job is to build the former and maintain both. Members of this class most often help dictate the pacing of a match, their structures and vehicles are things that the other players can use to suppert and benefit from gathering around. Although some can say that the Shotgun or Sub Machine Gun is their WeaponOfChoice, others will say it's their structures and/or their mechanic's tools.
* ''Recon'' - As the name suggests, the Recon's job is to provide reconnaissance to the team, [[NonIndicativeName although not always]]. Can often be quicker than other classes, members of this class can get around better than most. This class is proof that sometimes having the right person at the right place at the right time is all one needs. Can often go around sneaking to remove some key targets that's preventing the team's advance, this class either does or helps disrupt the enemy. Also known as the Scout.
* ''Sniper'' - When you want to take somebody out from long range, the Sniper Rifle is often the WeaponOfChoice. This is what the Sniper is all about. This class typically has one job and does that one job well. As it might imply, this class specialises on long range combat and is typically a little weak at any other range.
* ''Demolition'' - The nuker of the FPS crowd, skilled at making things explode. Usually handles the rocket launchers, grenades, and sticky bombs. Depending on the game, explosive weapons may be more useful against vehicles and devices, making the Demolition class the natural counter to the Engineer. They may also make mincemeat out of personnel, though this is usually balanced with a slow reload time, which means the Demolition must make his shots count or he'll be a sitting duck. Usually a bit weak at close range, making them focus on ambushes or long-range attacks.