MMORPGs with an Incredible Class System

As someone who grew up playing MMORPGs, witnessing the genre's evolution in every sense has been a magical experience, even though my role has become increasingly less prominent.

The number of massive multiplayer games I've played has decreased over time, but I've never strayed far from what has been among the biggest reasons I love the interactive medium so much.

Whether replaying the classics of yesteryear or testing out new releases, I always strive to stay current with the genre that drew me into video games, as I feel I owe it to them.

As a result, after careful consideration and intending to invite more players to this wonderful type of experience, I've compiled this list of eight MMORPGs with an incredible class system.

8 Dekaron

Everyone on the Front Line

Dekaron, among numerous MMORPGs that follow this same philosophy, is the kind of game that focuses predominantly on dealing damage, replacing the typical role system found in these games.

As a result, I've placed it as representative of many other titles whose characters live for killing monsters instead of healing allies or drawing aggro, so the main difference lies in the aesthetics.

I don't know about you, but for me, someone who mostly enjoys fighting and seeing high damage numbers, this kind of system suits me best because it allows me to repeat the game's focus, albeit from multiple perspectives.

Therefore, Dekaron is among my most played MMORPGs for the simple reason I've maxed out all the classes, enjoying the ability to see all their variations of weapons, skill trees, armor, and powers—something I've never done in any other game.

I'm aware it's a fairly basic system and justification, which is why I've placed it so high on the list, though I don't want to undervalue the feat of making me want to play with all the characters just because the game prioritizes DPS.

7 Lost Ark

A Game of Identities

While I never had the chance to delve too deeply into Lost Ark because it was released after I'd already moved on from the genre, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the hype and dedicate a good chunk of hours to it… and what hours they were!

Despite not having the best reviews in the world, I feel it earned its place among the games with the highest number of concurrent players on Steam, and its class system is what ultimately hooked me for longer than I'd originally planned.

I'd say it's far from revolutionary, and it doesn't really do anything the other games on this list haven't already done, but it stands out for its combat feel, practically straight out of an ARPG, which helps the player's expression and character customization feel more impactful.

It features the typical basic classes and specializations, each with a distinct identity both mechanically and aesthetically, but it's fun and spectacular enough to warrant a spot here. Lost Ark won't be everyone's cup of tea, much less for newcomers, though I can't ignore the exciting feelings it conveys.

6 Albion Online

Write Your Own Gameplay

Despite Albion Online becoming a meme due to its advertising being more popular than the game itself, I must admit its class system is intriguing.

Basically, it's not a class system per se, as the game reinvents the formula by tying everything to your avatar's equipment: if you change your weapon, you effectively change your class, and you can do so as many times as you want.

I think it's a striking approach because it allows you to try out all the possibilities without the burden of leveling multiple characters, letting you experience its whole content easily and lightening the load of your decisions as you dedicate more and more hours to it.

Beyond that, you have the typical tank, DPS, and healer roles, so there's nothing groundbreaking to report there, but it doesn't need to reinvent the wheel: Albion Online is a fresh and accessible proposition because of how it invites you to explore without constraints, which is truly unusual in a genre where you're usually locked into your choices.

5 Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn

Jack of All Trades

Following a similar approach to Albion Online, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn also encourages class exploration through its Armoury System, whose versatility is among the greatest I've ever seen.

Again, it's the core design that grants access to the arsenal of all classes and roles based on your equipment, but its depth is significantly greater than most, to the point that it still overwhelms me.

Each class has a specialization that is as easy to change as equipping a Soul Crystal, but what's truly impressive is that this doesn't interfere with each class's unique identity, which remains extremely distinct and guarantees everyone will eventually find their own profession.

However, the reason its impressive nature doesn't guarantee a higher ranking is that I feel Jobs replaces Classes, which ultimately reduces the dynamism that characterizes the game. Final Fantasy XIV remains an amazing and highly recommended experience, though it's far from perfect.

Dynamic and Cohesive

As exciting as the idea of ​​being able to be whatever you want and modify your class at will is, I admit I much prefer The Elder Scrolls Online's approach, especially after the introduction of subclasses.

All the playstyles can fulfill any of the three fundamental roles of MMORPGs (although some are more effective than others depending on the situation, of course), but they vary based on weapons and skills, armor type, and even factions.

However, since mid-2025, its cohesion has given way to great dynamism thanks to the novel ability to replace skill lines from one class with those of another, allowing for much greater player expression and leading to some truly powerful or fun combinations.

I wouldn't say it has reached its best version yet, and I feel it has quite a few details to refine, but I think both its limitations and benefits are well-focused enough to drive a class system that, I believe, is among the best ever created.

3 Guild Wars 2

The Power of Flexibility

While I feel Guild Wars 2 is the kind of MMORPG that's much more enjoyable when you stop thinking about the meta, I don't think this detracts from its refined class system, which allows both types of players to coexist.

In other words, if you're like me and enjoy trying everything before committing to something, focusing more on the fun you can find in variety rather than effectiveness, this game offers a huge amount of comfort thanks to its flexibility and horizontal progression.

Nevertheless, if you're someone who prioritizes effectiveness and efficiency, I feel it also adapts because its depth allows for a lot of iteration, even if that means sticking to a specific build from which deviating leads to less optimal results.

It would never cross my mind to play like the second scenario, but what's commendable about Guild Wars 2 is that it has enough complexity to allow it, even enabling absurd situations like a light armor mage being the best tank, which is simply magnificent.

2 Black Desert Online

Spectacle Above All Else

Considering I'm more of an action fan than a tactical one, I think it should come as no surprise that Black Desert Online, arguably the most spectacular MMORPG ever made, is at the podium of this list.

With far more classes than I've ever seen, each being unique and with an unparalleled ability to convey a significant power fantasy, I feel that no matter how much I play, there will always be something new to discover.

In addition to the typical warriors, mages, and archers, Pearl Abyss has ensured not only a vast diversity of fantastic archetypes to suit all types of players, but it's also constantly releasing patches that allow the strongest and weakest characters to never remain static within their ratings.

As a result, as rarely happens in my experience with this genre, I've been able to play Black Desert Online without worrying at all about what works and what doesn't, simply guided by what I feel like at any given moment based on my personal tastes.

Therefore, I've experienced everything precisely because I believe the game strives to get rid of the DPS, tank, and healer trinity to give more freshness to its proposition; it doesn't always work well, but I would say it has maintained its appeal for so long in the last decade largely thanks to that.

1 World of Warcraft

The Foundation of Everything

It pains me to take the safe and timid route to end this list, but what can I say? World of Warcraft is the father of it all, the only game that has ever hooked me enough to accept a much more try-hard style of gameplay than usual.

I'm not the biggest fan of using add-ons, rotations, or min-maxing, but there's something magnificently compelling about the technical skills required to get the most out of each class, which I feel are very accessible yet possess an extremely deep complexity.

I greatly value being able to try everything, though I also applaud the feeling of creating an alternate version of yourself in a universe where you have so much to learn. This perspective is fueled by the fact that I started playing World of Warcraft when I had more free time to practice what I can't do now, but I know I'm not alone in these feelings.

That being said, I do believe a reduction in its convoluted implementation, enough to eliminate the need for third-party tools, would be beneficial, and it would help considerably to defend it as one of the leading examples of how to create a compelling class system.

Regardless, World of Warcraft being the best or not has to do with the approach of whoever's commenting, which in my case seems rather contradictory considering the rest of the list, but I like to see it as further evidence of the charm of its concept, capable of changing the mind of even someone as stubborn as me.