Which Archetype Should You Pick in Ashes of Creation: Completing or Solving?

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When exploring Ashes of Creation, it’s important to carefully build your character’s skills before starting the game. You can create many different builds and develop entire skill trees as you progress.

Each class is unique, offering a variety of styles and flavors. We’ll help you decide which archetype to choose, and explain the benefits of each class so you can create a strong character ready to conquer lands across Verra. Here’s everything you need to get started on your adventure.

Note: Ashes of Creation is still in early access, so content may change as development continues. Also, once you select your starting archetype, you cannot change it later, so choose wisely.

The Bard Archetype

Bards are intriguing characters who use music and art to express feelings and skills, whether through dancing, singing, or writing. Their themes are as elegant as they are inspiring.

Themes & Descriptions:

Theme	Description
Melody	Channeled abilities that buff allies and weaken enemies, which grow stronger over time or by combining melodies.
Dance	Area-of-effect attacks that have powerful effects on nearby allies and enemies, often boosted with mobility skills.
Song	Targeted abilities with various effects, giving bonuses depending on the current melody.
Story	Long-lasting AoE buffs for your team that build up toward ultimate enhancements.

This archetype is best suited for advanced players who want to play a supportive role.

The Cleric Archetype

Clerics are a classic RPG class, essential for healing and support roles. While typically fragile, they can also develop offensive skills, making them versatile. This class is suitable for experienced players who can manage support roles effectively.

Themes & Descriptions:

Theme	Description
Restoration	Healing allies and yourself, shielding, resurrecting, and cleansing ailments.
Radiance	Using holy power to heal and damage, with the potential to increase damage output over time.
Support	Buffing and debuffing targets while restoring mana.

At level 25, you can choose a subclass to further specialize your support capabilities.

The Fighter Archetype

Fighters are straightforward and perfect for beginners. Using melee weapons and armor, their main goal is to deal maximum damage and draw enemy attention away from more vulnerable teammates.

Themes & Descriptions:

Theme	Description
Strength	Focused on raw physical power to smash enemies within reach.
Momentum	Gains strength the longer they stay in combat, building bonuses over time.
Perseverance	Maintains energy and survivability with skills that help manage stamina and endurance.

The Mage Archetype

Magic is fundamental in fantasy, and mages excel at powerful spellcasting. This class is accessible for beginners but can be mastered with practice. Spells take time to cast, and players can switch between a wand and scepter for different fights.

Themes & Descriptions:

Theme	Description
Elemental Empowerment	Infuse spells with elements like fire, lightning, or frost for different effects.
Area Control	Cast AoE spells that manipulate the battlefield, such as controlling enemy movement or crowd control.

The Ranger Archetype

Rangers are skilled marksmen who use precision and stealth to silently take down targets. They are beginner-friendly but also capable of complex tactics for experienced players.

Themes & Descriptions:

Theme	Description
Marks	Mark enemies to increase damage they take temporarily.
Scouting	Track targets, investigate unseen areas, and coordinate with your team.
Ammunition	Customize your projectiles with effects for different situations.
Mobility	Enhance movement, leaping higher and running faster to stay elusive.

The Rogue Archetype

Masters of deception, rogues excel at sneaky, high-impact attacks. While they are less effective at deceiving other players, NPCs are highly vulnerable to their tactics. They are best for players who enjoy executing precise and impactful DPS strikes.

Themes & Descriptions:

Theme	Description
Stealth	Become invisible, leaving only a faint outline that others may notice.
Advantage	Build combo stacks that empower your abilities for bigger effects.
Tools	Use poisons, bombs, grappling hooks, and more to create chaos and disrupt enemies.

The Summoner Archetype

Summoners bring their own companions into battle, creating creatures that assist them and their allies. They focus on summoning beings and manipulating their essence to enhance their power.

Themes & Descriptions:

Theme	Description
Summoning	Create various creatures or vessels with unique roles to support the party.
Essence	Use Verra’s energy to strengthen your summons, unlocking powerful abilities.
Attrition	Inflict damage over time, draining enemies’ strength while controlling the battlefield.
Teleportation	Instantly move across the field with your vessels, disorienting enemies and swarming them.

The Tank Archetype

Tanks lead the front line, absorbing damage to protect team members. Their role emphasizes durability and threat management, making them ideal for players who like a supportive but resilient role.

Themes & Descriptions:

Theme	Description
Courage	Building courage increases your damage output and reduces incoming damage. This resource is unique to tanks.
Disruption	Use skills to divert enemy attention and cause them to freeze or stumble mid-combat.
Protection	Shield allies by absorbing damage meant for them, especially using abilities like Aegis.
Endurance	Boost survivability to stay in the fight longer while shielding and defending allies.

Choosing a Subclass

After reaching level 25, you can select a secondary archetype to complement your primary class. This combination influences your character’s overall skills, giving additional options and enhancements through augments.

While this system isn’t active yet in game, we’ll update you when it becomes available to help you refine your build.