If you've played Capcom's original fantasy RPG, then you likely already know a good bit about Vocations and how they work. There are many new Dragon's Dogma 2 Vocations you may not recognize, however. If you're a newcomer to the duo of games, then you possibly don't know what a Vocation even is, let alone which ones you can choose from while playing. Vocations in Dragon's Dogma are classes, and the available pool features everything from melee options, ranged fighters, and of course, magic-based damage dealers or healers.
While the first game featured just nine classes or Vocations to choose from, the sequel boasts a whopping ten including a few new ones such as the Trickster and the Warfarer. Amid all of the different Dragon's Dogma 2 classes, there are different groups for you to select from. For instance, you'll start with only four Vocations when you first play, but you'll later unlock Advanced and Hybrid Vocations which you can freely swap over to at your own discretion.
Unlike in many other RPGs, you can swap Vocations as you please in Dragon's Dogma 2. This means that you never have to fully dedicate yourself to just one play style, but rather that you can test the waters of various classes as long as you've previously unlocked them. As you play a certain Vocation, you'll also gradually level its rank up and unlock more abilities, both active and passive, which you can purchase using Discipline Points (known in-game as DCP).
All Dragon's Dogma 2 Vocations
What then are the the available Vocations, and how does each one play? From the four Starting Vocations to the more complex Hybrid Vocations, we've compiled a handy guide here on all of the Dragon's Dogma 2 classes and what they'll look like in-game. You may want to know which one suits you best before you commit to spending your hard-earned DCP, or you may perhaps just want to browse through the various Vocations to better understand what ones exist or which ones you'd like to later unlock.
Dragon's Dogma 2 Starting Vocations
When you first boot up the massive new RPG, you'll only be able to choose from four Starting Vocations when you craft your Arisen character. You'll get to pick between Archer, Fighter, Mage, and Thief. Despite there only being a few initial classes to choose from, the Dragon's Dogma 2 Vocations available to play at the beginning encompass a diverse variety of play styles. These four are a great place to start and offer a comfortable route toward the more focused and specialized classes you obtain later on.
Archer
The Archer is exactly as it sounds, a ranged class focused on taking its enemies down from a safe distance via a bow and arrows. These long-distance specialists often feature great defense due to their position and are capable of targeting enemies on higher ground or even flying monsters with their bow. Due to the sheer versatility of their positioning, Archers are also able to target weak points on foes more easily. If you're looking to play a Vocation with skillful aim that deals good damage but doesn't take much from enemies, then the Archer may be perfect for you.
Fighter
The Fighter Vocation offers a solid choice for both beginners and long-time fans of Dragon's Dogma. These combat specialists excel in melee combat, unlike the Archer. Fighter wield a sword and shield, giving them the ability to swiftly slice through enemies while also protecting themselves from any retaliating blows in the process. As a Fighter, you'll learn to block foes' attacks and stun them, leaving an open opportunity for you to hit them with a flurry of fast sequential attacks.
Mage
Much like the Archer, the Mage is a Vocation with a strong focus on ranged attacks rather than on melee combat. However, Mages harbor powerful staffs as their weapons rather than bows and arrows. Mages are incredibly versatile. If you want to act as support for your Pawns, choose Mage. If you want to deal hefty elemental damage, try Mage. If you want to heal quickly or shield, pick Mage. The only downside to playing as a Mage is its long casting time, but its wide range of magick abilities more than makes up for it.
Thief
The Thief is another melee class, much like the Fighter, albeit one that focuses more on high mobility and rapid combat. If you play as a Thief, you'll be working with two sharp daggers in either hand. The Thief goes in quick for its strike, backing out just as swiftly to avoid taking damage. Thieves can choose to stay amid the chaos of the fight, too, clinging to enemies and directly targeting weak points. This class is also quite stealthy with the ability to steal from its enemies and NPCs alike.
Dragon's Dogma 2 Advanced Vocations
As you progress further in the game, you'll discover that there are two Advanced Vocations aside from the four starter class choices to choose from. These are the Sorcer and the Warrior, two Dragon's Dogma 2 Vocations that you must unlock. They aren't available right off the bat, but they are quite handy and you're sure to gain access to them soon after learning to grasp whatever your original class of choice may have been.
Sorcerer
The Sorcerer, much like the Mage, is a Vocation that is entirely dedicated to the use of magick-based attacks. These more powerful magic wielders use both hands to conjure their attacks via a bigger staff, casting even lengthier spells than the Mage. If you play as a Sorcerer, you'll want to keep your distance away from enemies while attacking and will also have access to supportive abilities to help your Pawns with.
Warrior
The Warrior is comparable to the Fighter, specializing in direct combat with impressive strength. This Vocation is for those looking to master heavier two-handed weapons such as greatswords or hammers. Warriors excel at unleashing powerful charged attacks when they spot an opening amid combat against an enemy, and stand as part of one of the strongest of all Dragon's Dogma 2 classes.
Dragon's Dogma 2 Hybrid Vocations
Now that you know about the starter classes and the Advanced Vocations, you may be wondering what the remaining options are. These final four Dragon's Dogma 2 Vocations are Hybrid classes, each encompassing more than one style of combat. From the versatile Magick Archer to the unique Warfarer, you'll find that these Advanced Vocations may be best suited for you if you like employing a variety of techniques whether they be magical, melee, or ranged.
Magick Archer
The Magick Archer Vocation is only available to the Arisen, and sadly not any of their Pawns. This class excels in long-range combat just like a normal Archer does, but its arrows are infused with magick. Magick Archers can attack or heal, making them a good choice for more damage-focused players and those looking to support alike. If you play this Vocation, you'll learn a custom skill that unleashes a powerful area-of-effect attack in exchange for a reduction of your own maximum health.
Mystic Spearhand
The Mystic Spearhand is another Arisen-exclusive class, combining melee attacks with magical ones to create a balanced class effective both from a distance and at a closer range. If you choose this class, you'll wield a unique weapon known as the Dusopear and will be able to use magic to do everything from paralyzing your enemies to hurling heavy damage-dealing objects their way.
Trickster
The Trickster is an Arisen-exclusive Vocation featuring some never-before-seen mechanics using smoke to conjure illusions. If you play as a Trickster, you'll employ a weapon known as the Censer to create these illusions and deceive enemies into fighting against themselves. You can also act as a support to your Pawns with the ability to increase their attack power beyond any normal limits.
Warfarer
The last class is another new to the expanding list of Dragon's Dogma 2 Vocations, and it's just as unique as the other Hybrid options. This Vocation can use every single weapon and learn skills from each Vocation. With such versatility, you can respond to any situation as a Warfarer with appropriate combat combos that blur the boundaries between other Vocations. You'll have to deal with lower base stats, however, but the situational strength you employ with your diverse weapons and skills will more than make up for it.
As you can see, there are many Dragon's Dogma 2 classes to choose from to suit any play style or need. You can be a master of one, or play a Warfarer and attempt to be a Jack of all trades instead. If you want to learn more about the massive game's mechanics and its whimsical world, you can browse through our rundown on all the Dragon's Dogma 2 characters to get to know the cast of NPCs better or check out the Dragon's Dogma 2 monsters to better understand the enemies you'll go up against.
