History Main / HeavyEquipmentClass

%% Note: Before adding an example, consider if a character actually stands out for their equipment range. In a game where everyone has an assigned weapon type and either everyone uses the same armour or there is no armour option available will not have any characters fitting the "Heavy Equipment Class" label unless their weapon type does noticeably more damage than the other characters. Likewise,a class that is able to access all weapons and most armour or some weapons and all armour will not qualify as a Heavy Equipment Class if in the same game as a class that can equip all weapons and armour.

%% Note: Before adding an example, consider if a character actually stands out for their equipment range. In a game where everyone has an assigned weapon type and either everyone uses the same armour or there is no armour option available will not have any characters fitting the "Heavy Equipment Class" label unless their weapon type does noticeably more damage than the other characters. Likewise, when a class is able to access all weapons and most armour or some weapons and all armour shares a game with a class that can use all weapons and armour, only the latter class will qualify

* The Gunner in ''VideoGame/DeepRockGalactic'' is the main source of firepower for the team with his ChainsawGripBFG, and is able to put out much more damage than any of the other classes.

* Warriors in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' wear heavy plate armor and stand out as being able to use all weapon types except for wands. Fury warriors are the only specialization in the game that can {{dual wield|ing}} ''[[OneHandedZweihander two-handed weapons]].''

Due to the perception that wearing weighty armour would slow someone down, members of this class tend to be {{Mighty Glacier}}s[[note]]In reality, full plate armor was designed so the wearer could move quickly[[/note]] , though if the game developer wants to be more realistic or find such sluggishness would be too crippling for a physical character in combat, they will be LightningBruiser instead. Likewise, the tendency of games having [[ArmorAndMagicDontMix armour interfere with magic]] will mean that those of this class will usually be a MagicallyIneptFighter, with the MagicKnight exceptions still most likely better in physical ability than spellcasting rather than equally strong at both areas.

%% Note: Before adding an example, consider if a character actually stands out for their equipment range. In a game where everyone has an assigned weapon type and either everyone uses the same armour or there is no armour option available will not have any characters fitting the "Heavy Equipment Class" label unless their weapon type does noticeably more damage than the other characters.

Due to the idea that wearing weighty armour would slow someone down, members of this class tend to be {{Mighty Glacier}}s, though if the game developer wants to be more realistic or find such sluggishness would be too crippling for a physical character in combat, they will be LightningBruiser instead. Likewise, the tendency of games having [[ArmorAndMagicDontMix armour interfere with magic]] will mean that those of this class will usually be a MagicallyIneptFighter, with the MagicKnight exceptions still most likely better in physical ability than spellcasting rather than equally strong at both areas.

** Some versions of the Cleric can also pull this off, depending on their given Domain, especially in 5th Edition, potentially becoming proficient with Heavy Armor and[=/=]or Martial Weapons.

** The ''International Zodiac Job System'' edition gives four of its twelve classes access to all versions of Heavy Armor, these classes being the Knight, Uhlan, Foebreaker and Time Battlemage. But while the former three classes are well suited to front-line combat, the Time Battlemage's specialty with crossbows and time magic makes the latter better suited from fighting at a distance.

** The ''International Zodiac Job System'' edition of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'' gives four of its twelve classes access to all versions of Heavy Armor, these classes being the Knight, Uhlan, Foebreaker and Time Battlemage. While the former three classes are well suited to front-line combat, the Time Battlemage's specialty with crossbows and time mage makes the latter better suited from fighting at a distance.

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''
** The Fighter is the TropeMaker of the Heavy Equipment Class, being the only one of the original three classes proficient in all kinds weapons and armor. Later editions put an emphasis on their combat ability by giving additional combat feats in 3rd Edition and giving them extra attacks per turn in 5th Edition, but they're one of the few classes able to wear heavy armor without any additional feats or perks required for it.

* While Fighters were proficient in all Martial Weapons in ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}} 1E'', they were also the dedicated heavy-armor class via the Armor Training class feature, which reduces ability check penalties for wearing heavier armor sets. Even more importantly, Armor Training lifts the movement speed penalty of medium and heavy armor (at Fighter levels 3 and 7, respectively), giving fighters an unmatched combination of defense and mobility.
* ''TabletopGame/StarWarsD20''[=/=]''Saga System'' has the Soldier class, the only one with access from the start to training in the use of heavier armor and weapons. Which in the former case was [[ArmorIsUseless a decidedly mixed blessing]] unless you specialized some to gain more benefits from wearing one.

!!Other Game Examples:
[[folder:Fighting Games]]

[[folder:First-Person Shooters]]

[[folder:Fighting-Games]]

** The Fighter is the TropeMaker of the Heavy Equipment Class, being the only one of the original three classes proficient in all kinds weapons and armour. Later editions put an emphasis on their combat ability by giving additional combat feats in 3rd Edition and giving them extra attacks per turn in 5th Edition, but they're one of the few classes able to wear heavy armor without any additional feats or perks required for it.

* ''VideoGame/XcomEnemyUnknown'': The Heavy class has a [[BigFuckingGun Light Machine Gun]] (With Laser and Plasma upgrades) that while inaccurate can be used to destroy cover or to lay down supressive fire, and a rocket launcher that hits a large area and [[EverythingBreaks destroys cover, and also buildings.]]

Due to the false idea that wearing weighty armour would slow someone down, members of this class tend to be {{Mighty Glacier}}s, though if the game developer wants to be more realistic or find such sluggishness would be too crippling for a physical character in combat, they will be LightningBruiser instead. Likewise, the tendency of games having [[ArmorAndMagicDontMix armour interfere with magic]] will mean that those of this class will usually be a MagicallyIneptFighter, with the MagicKnight exceptions still most likely better in physical ability than spellcasting rather than equally strong at both areas.

** ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'': Not only are the Soldiers the only Player Class has Talents in the Assault Rifle, but are also the only class that has Talents with both Shotguns and Sniper Rifles.

** ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'': While any class can use any weapon effectively from the get go, the weight of one's combined weaponry cannot exceed the given weight capacity, with Soldier's having the highest amount.

** The Fighter is the TropeMaker of the Heavy Equipment Class, being the only one of the original three classes proficient in all weapons and armour. Later editions put an emphasis on their combat ability by giving additional combat feats in 3rd Edition and giving them extra attacks per turn in 5th Edition.

** The Soldier is the only class that's starts with proficiency to longarms and heavy weapons, and along with being one of two classes that has innate heavy armor proficiency. On top of this, they are able to use advanced melee weapons.

* The Gunner in ''VideoGame/DeepRockGalactic'' is the main source of firepower for the team with his ChainsawBFG, and is able to put out much more damage than any of the other classes.

-> ''I am Heavy Weapons Guy, and this is my weapon.''

* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrolls'' series: The [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orcs/Orsimer]] are one of the many playable races throughout the series, and they specialize in heavy melee combat and durability. This is more pronounced in ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' where they have a racial trait that gives them double attack and defense for a minute, along with inherent boosts to the Two-Handed Melee and Heavy Armor skill trees.

-> ''I am Heavy Weapons Guy, and this is my weapon''

* The Heavy of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' lugs around a Minigun that can quickly decimate enemies with its high firepower, carrying either a shotgun for close combat or rations to heal themselves. While they have no armour options, they possess high enough HP to fill the defensive role usually associated with this trope.