Everyone like to play a class that they love. Some pick the class from the looks and apperances, some fro the power it has (DPS), other for the gameplay and others for what they can do. In Return of Reckoning, unfortunately not all classes are capable to be used in all the aspects of PVP (RvR). Having said that, i would like clarify that all has a role, just not what people want or need some times.
Below i will try and give you as much information as i can to how and what classes are capable of doing in the PVP aspects of the game. I hope that this will help you to decide what to pick so that you are not disapointed later on. Everyone should play a class that they like and enjoy. This is a game and you should all have fun, regardless the “meta”.
IRONBREAKER
The Iron breaker is a tank class. Specifically a “bodyguard” tank class. By body guard i mean that its very good at protecting/buffing 1 target at the time. This makes the Ironbreaker a perfect tank for small groups such as duos or 6Vs6 man parties for roaming, scenarios and ranked scenarios.
Been a dwarf makes him a perfect tank for the slayer class, making them a formidable duo.
For warband play ( 24man groups) the Iron breaker is not very welcomed since he can not provide protection and buffs for the whole party /Warband. There is a spot for them when the Warband is organized and want to have a specific play style, such as melee profile with slayers or similar.
Iron breakers use the Grudge mechanic to activate some of their most powerful skills. Iron breakers specialize in physical defense, Iron breakers build up Grudges as their allies and they take damage. The greater the Grudge the more powerful the Iron breakers’ offensive action become.
As a tank you will be expected to use all you skills to defend, protect allies as well as to control the fight with you skill. Some of the most common skills that you will have at you disposal are:
Guard: Guard 1 person and take 50% of the damage they take. You can block that damage as a tank. Guard switch is a skill to be mastered.
Challenge: Reduce incoming damage for your party by 50%
Punt, Root, Knockdown and more.
As a “DPS”, 2 handed he has a decent damage output but not on the top. Still remains a fun and complex class to play where some one can have tons of fun.
As a 2-handed tank (DPS) you still can use all the tank utility skills such as guard etc. Tanks never loose the “protector” role!
Conclusion:
Excellent for small scale
Limited for Warbands
Decent as DPS
More info on this class here
THE ENGINEER
The Engineer is a ranged DPS class. Engineers are defensive ranged fighters who specialize in gadgets and black powder weapons. The engineer’s many mechanical aids include turrets and traps, which allow them to prepare the battlefield for either an offensive ambush or a strategic defense. The Engineer has two main specialations, long range single target and AOE medium range build and finally a more utility build.
Good as solo and in groups for general RvR (PVP).
As a single target spec he is good for defending keeps, sitting on high protected positions picking off specific targets. Good spec for 6 man to apply pressure in single targets. This spec has no place in Warbands.
As a grenadier (AOE spec) is good for kitting, and warband play. Additionally very good for keep, and fort defense. Medium to great DPS damage.
Learn to use your turrets and their abilities to receive buffs and give debuffs to enemies and maximize your damage output and utilities to the group.
The engineer has a spot in warband as a grenadier but just one.
The Engineer and the Magus are fairly weak when they are not set up. Both classes need to have time to deploy in order to be at their best gameplay. The turrets and the demons are core mechanic and although fun they can be a burden for some situations.
Conclusion
Excellent single target damage – Low mobility
Good AOE with medium mobility
Excellent keep/fort defender
A spot in all RVR aspects but only one.
More info on this class here
THE SLAYER
The Slayer is a melee class. The more the fight the stronger they get, thus they need a tank to make the be of them. Ideally a iron breaker but any tank can get the job done.
Slayers a great both with dual yield and two handed. Also very good at single target and aoe damage. They have a spot in all RVR activates, from 6 man parties, scenarios and warbands. Solo roaming is possible but very hard to pull off.
One of the best melee DPS classes on order side. Some of the skill include sprint to close the gap between him and the enemies, Knockdown, alot of AOE skills both with 2 handed and dual yield style. Unblockable skills for limited time using the skill Rampage.
Note: Be ready to die a lot while leveling and even later. Powerful as they might be .. guard or heal is always needed.
Conclusion
Great melee DPS
Weak Alone
Most wanted melee DPS
Great fun
More info on this class here
RUNEPRIEST
The Runpriest is a healing class. He is the typical healing class you want. Working by using action points (mana in other games). He is the good over all healer, equipt with both single target and AOE healing spells. Very good mobility and good heals. Rune priests are a ranged support career specializing in Runic Magic and crafted Rune stones. A single Rune stone can be given to each group member and each Rune stone has a different positive effect on the bearer. Using a blend of both mending and destruction Runes, the Rune priests have both powerful offensive magic and strong defenses.
A healer that can be used in all aspects of the PVP (RvR) in the Return of Reckoning world. Excellent for 6 man small roaming groups, scenarios and warbands of all forms and formations.
As a healer you will be expected to keep the health bars of your allies topped up at all times. Recover after losses have occurred by ressurecting allies. Learn to position youself out of harms way and defend your self against 1-2 enemies.
The Rune priest mechanics are based on Healing critical and procs based on critical heals. Its the only healer that does not need a lot of willpower to heal.
As a DPS is a spell casting ranged class with decent dps but nowhere near a pure spell casting DPS. This makes this build a fun but not so viable build. Still many have a go at it for fun.
Conclusion:
Great Heals (single and aoe)
For all aspects fo RvR
Fun as DPS (Not viable)
More info on this class here