History Main / JobSystem

* ''FinalFantasy'' is the TropeNamer here. Games from the main series featuring Job Systems include ''FinalFantasyIII'', ''FinalFantasyV'', ''FinalFantasyX2'' and ''FinalFantasyXIII''. It can also be found in all three of the ''FinalFantasyTactics'' games.

** ''FinalFantasyXI'' uses a version of type one, which is interesting seeing as it's an MMORPG and most [=MMOs=] tell you flat-out "AnAdventurerIsYou" and give you no recourse to change your class after you create your character. There are around 20 different jobs, though you only start with 6, and you can change them at any time by going to [[AHomeownerIsYou your Mog House]]. You can even pick a secondary job to complement your primary one after a certain point in the game.

* ''BlueDragon'' is basically ''FinalFantasyV'''s job system.

* Unlike its predecessors, ''ValkyriaChroniclesIII'' allows every unit to change class, although each unit has one or two classes that they excel at.

** Statistics-wise, ''X-2'' used the first method, ''III'' on the NES used the 2nd system but in the DS remake it switched to the 1st system for everything except HP, ''Tactics'' used the second, and ''V'' used the third. ''XIII'' falls under none of the above; characters do not level up, but gain Crystarium Points to be distributed manually.
** [[FinalFantasyXI FFXI]] uses a version of type one, which is interesting seeing as it's an MMORPG and most [=MMOs=] tell you flat-out "AnAdventurerIsYou" and give you no recourse to change your class after you create your character. There are around 20 different jobs, though you only start with 6, and you can change them at any time by going to [[AHomeownerIsYou your Mog House]]. You can even pick a secondary job to complement your primary one after a certain point in the game.

** Statistics-wise, ''X-2'' used the first method, '''III''' used the 2nd system (but in the DS remake, it switched to the 1st system for everything except HP), ''Tactics'' used the second, and ''V'' used the third. ''XIII'' falls under none of the above; characters do not level up, but gain Crystarium Points to be distributed manually.

A variation of the ClassAndLevelSystem that's most often seen in Eastern {{RPG}}s.

In a Job System, the classes are distinct; however, a character can change from one class to another at any time (usually at the menu screen, though some earlier games require you to go to a specific location to change classes), with no real penalty. Also, the Class level and the character level are kept separate. You may have a level 24 character, but because you've never used the Fire Mage class, its level is 0. As you level up a class, you learn more abilities for that class. When you switch classes, you can often then slot in abilities from other classes into the current character.

The class system may be completely free-form (as long as a class is available, you may change to it with no strings attached), or it may be based on some sort of hierarchical system (you are required to meet certain prerequisites, such as specific stat levels or [[PrestigeClass progression in lesser classes]], in order to advance to the more powerful classes).

When leveling up, there are three general ways that the game handles stats.

1. Stats are tied to the class. A level 20 character in the Warrior class will always have the same stats. In this case, the Job Level is in some way tied to how you perform.

2. What stats you gain at level up are tied to the class. A Warrior will gain 5 HP, 2 MP, 2 attack, and 1 Magic points at level up, while the Fire Mage will gain 2 HP, 5 MP, 1 attack and 2 Magic points. This means that being a Warrior for 20 levels means that you're going to have a hard time after switching to that Fire Mage class.

3. The base stats aren't affected by the class; however, the class you are in modifies your stats in some way.

[[quoteright:283:[[OgreBattle http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/decisionsdecisions3.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:283:Decisions, decisions]]

** Statistics-wise, ''X-2'' and ''III'' used the first method (with the exception of HP in ''III'' which follows the second), ''Tactics'' used the second, and ''V'' used the third. ''XIII'' falls under none of the above; characters do not level up, but gain Crystarium Points to be distributed manually.

In a Job System, the classes are distinct, however, a character can change to these classes at any time (usually at the menu screen, though some earlier games require you to go to a specific location to change classes), with no real penalty. Also, the Class level and the character level are kept separate. You may have a level 24 character, but because you've never used the Fire Mage class, its level is 0. As you level up a class, you learn more abilities for that class. When you switch classes, you can often then slot in abilities from other classes into the current character.

When leveling up there are three general ways that the game handles stats.

3. The base stats aren't affected by the class, however, the class you are in modifies your stats in some way.

* ''FinalFantasy'' is the TropeNamer here. Games from the main series featuring Job Systems include ''FinalFantasyIII'', ''FinalFantasyV'', ''FinalFantasyX2'' and ''FinalFantasyXIII''. It can also be found in all three of the ''FinalFantasyTactics'' games.\\

* ''FinalFantasy'' is the TropeNamer here. ''FinalFantasyIII'', ''FinalFantasyV'', ''FinalFantasyX2'' and ''FinalFantasyXIII'' are "main" games which have it (''X-2'' being one of the few examples where you can switch classes ''mid-battle''). While all three ''FinalFantasyTactics'' games also have it it.\\
Statistics-wise, ''X 2'' and ''III'' used the first method (with the exception of HP in ''III'' which follows the second), ''Tactics'' used the second, and ''V'' used the third.

* VandalHearts has each character start as one of four basic classes, Soldier, Archer, Healer and Mage. When they reach level 10 they can choose to become an upgraded form of their current class or switch to a more specialised type. Soldiers can become "Armours", with huge attack and defense but terrible movement and magic defense that makes them useless. Archers can become "Flyers", who move fast, ignore terrain and have high attack at expense of a massive weakness to arrows, and are fairly useful if a bit fragile. Healers and Mages can choose to become a "Monk", with average stats everywhere, the inability to equip good defensive gear and a hodgepodge of middling healing and supportive spells and low level attack spells with a magic power that never really raises above the base class'.
* The Hero also has his own unique class, the Hero -> Champion -> Paragon. But obtaining the Seven Holy Prisms (requires at least one flyer) and then completing the Seven Trials of Torroah unlocks his super secret class the Vandalier. It uses unique equipment, has massive stats in every area, knows every spell your team can learn and blocks all attacks from the front and sides. You only get to use it for about three or four fights though.

* They upgrade to the final form of their chosen job at level 20.

* ''FinalFantasy'' is the TropeNamer here. ''FinalFantasyIII'', ''FinalFantasyV'', ''FinalFantasyX2'' and ''FinalFantasyXIII'' are "main" games which have it (the latter being one of the few examples where you can switch classes ''mid-battle''). While all three ''FinalFantasyTactics'' games also have it it.\\

[[AC:MMORPGs]]

** ''FFI'' has a much simpler system that does not allow class changes, but does let you upgrade your starting class.

** [[FinalFantasyXI FFXI]] uses a version of type one, which is interesting seeing as it's an MMORPG and most MMOs tell you flat-out "AnAdventurerIsYou" and give you no recourse to change your class after you create your character. There are around 20 different jobs, though you only start with 6, and you can change them at any time by going to [[AHomeownerIsYou your Mog House]]. You can even pick a secondary job to complement your primary one after a certain point in the game.

* ''FinalFantasy'' is the TropeNamer here. ''FinalFantasyIII'', ''FinalFantasyV'', ''FinalFantasyX2'' and FinalFantasyXIII are "main" games which have it (the latter being one of the few examples where you can switch classes ''mid-battle''). While all three ''FinalFantasyTactics'' games also have it it.\\

* ''FinalFantasy'' is the TropeNamer here. ''FinalFantasyIII'', ''FinalFantasyV'', and ''FinalFantasyX2'' are "main" games which have it (the latter being one of the few examples where you can switch classes ''mid-battle''). While all three ''FinalFantasyTactics'' games also have it it.\\

* ''FinalFantasy'' is the TropeNamer here, and likely the [[UrExample inventor of the concept.]] ''FinalFantasyIII'', ''FinalFantasyV'', and ''FinalFantasyX2'' are "main" games which have it (the latter being one of the few examples where you can switch classes ''mid-battle''). While all three ''FinalFantasyTactics'' games also have it it.\\

Statistics-wise, ''X 2'' and ''III'' used the first method, ''Tactics'' used the second, and ''V'' used the third.

Statistics-wise, ''X 2'' and ''III'' used the first method, ''Tactics'' used the second, and ''V'' used the first.

* ''FinalFantasy'' is the TropeNamer here, and likely the [[UrExample inventor of the concept.]] ''FinalFantasyIII'', ''FinalFantasyV'', and ''FinalFantasyX2'' are "main" games which have it. While all three ''FinalFantasyTactics'' games also have it it.

** FFI has a much simpler system that does not allow class changes, but does let you upgrade your starting class.

* ''WildArmsXF''

* Oddly enough, ''DungeonsAndDragons'' Third Edition is pretty damn close to being a Job System by this definition. Though the EXP penalties (that most groups don't bother with) are there to keep ''too'' much abuse.

* The ''Reclass'' system in ''FireEmblem'' : ''Shadow Dragon'' allowed for units (except Marth, ballisticians, thieves, and manaketes) to change into other classes, though there are some restrictions like the class selection being limited to three sets of classes based on gender and the unit's initial class, as well as limits as to how many units can be that specific class (How many units that join as that class initially + 1). When (ab)used with certain characters such as Wolf or Sedgar, this has the potential to make the the unit a walking GameBreaker by inheriting the class's base stats and gains into the units own, eventually leading to certain units with insane stats come endgame.
* The MMORG DreamOfMirrorOnline uses Type 1, so different jobs have different stats. But you can use skillsets from other jobs, with some mechanical limitation: you can't use skills that are ten level higher than you current job level, and efficiency is reduced when using skillsets from very different jobs (like spell casting if you are a sword fighter).
* GoldenSun's class system, which relies on {{Mons}} and the odd UpgradeArtifact.

* The ''Reclass'' system in ''FireEmblem'' : ''Shadow Dragon'' allowed for most units (except Marth) to change into other classes, though there are some restrictions like the class selection being limited to three sets of classes based on gender and the unit's initial class, as well as limits as to how many units can be that specific class (How many units that join as that class initially + 1). When (ab)used with certain characters such as Wolf or Sedgar, this has the potential to make the the unit a walking GameBreaker by inheriting the class's base stats and gains into the units own, eventually leading to certain units with insane stats come endgame.