Class Archetypes and Paradigms

[Roman]

Ok, so the main class archetypes for fantasy RPGs can probably be categorized into: Physical classes, Mental classes, Social classes and Supernatural classes. What do you think are the main sub-archetypes (but still broad) of each?

 

[Wild Gazebo]

Amateur and Pro?

 

[Aus_Snow]

Ok, so the main class archetypes for fantasy RPGs can probably be categorized into: Physical classes, Mental classes, Social classes and Supernatural classes.

Hm, I 'm not so sure. What about classes that are equally Mental and Social, for example? And then there's the source of Supernatural power coming from the Mental and/or Social in many systems.

What do you think are the main sub-archetypes (but still broad) of each?

If thiis system had to be used, then I would say Generalist and Specialist would be necessary distinctions. Past that point, it's just a matter of how fine teh granulation ought to be, and would differ from world to world, campaign to campaign etc.

 

[Roman]

Ok, I suppose that system is a bit unwieldy. The more common system is:

Warrior
Skill User
Supernatural Guy

So what do you think would be the main sub-archetypes among these basic archetypes?

 

[jmucchiello]

Ok, I suppose that system is a bit unwieldy. The more common system is:

Warrior
Skill User
Supernatural Guy

So what do you think would be the main sub-archetypes among these basic archetypes?

Actually, I would assume there would also be the skilled warrior, supernatural warrior and supernatural skilled guy.

But, to answer your question:

Warrior: tank, swashbuckler, brawler (dirty fighter), unarmed specialist
Skill: Face-guy, Sneak-guy, Performance-guy, Craft-guy, Knowledge-guy/Sage
Supernat: Blows up stuff guy, Detects stuff guy, Summons stuff guy, Mind-over-body guy

And to throw in my spin above:

War/SKill: Ranger/Scout, Courtier/Knight
War/Sup: Paladin, Movie Martial Arts dude
Skill/Sup: Merlin-style Wizard, Shaman-types

 

[Roman]

Actually, I would assume there would also be the skilled warrior, supernatural warrior and supernatural skilled guy.

Of course there would - these would be the blended archetypes.

But, to answer your question:

Warrior: tank, swashbuckler, brawler (dirty fighter), unarmed specialist

Seems pretty good, though I would combine brawler and unarmed specialist, while simultaneously adding 'shooter' as a ranged warrior archetype. Perhaps mounted warrior would be another archetype to add as well.

Skill: Face-guy, Sneak-guy, Performance-guy, Craft-guy, Knowledge-guy/Sage

I have to agree completley here - this seems pretty complete.

Supernat: Blows up stuff guy, Detects stuff guy, Summons stuff guy, Mind-over-body guy

That's one way to do it - another would be the Priest/Wizard/Nature... split.

And to throw in my spin above:

War/SKill: Ranger/Scout, Courtier/Knigh
War/Sup: Paladin, Movie Martial Arts dude
Skill/Sup: Merlin-style Wizard, Shaman-types

Yes - there are definitely blended archetypes.

 

[DonAdam]

Illusions and buffs are also two major spellcasting categories. Travel is a more minor one.

 

[GuardianLurker]

The only thing I think you're missing is the extension out into non-fantasy.

Warrior: Weapon-Platform Guy (artillerist, mecha-pilot in non-mecha game)
This guy enters combat a lot, but his combat ability is tied to a large vehicle; this could arguably be ignored in favor of...

Skill: Pilot-Guy
The guy who gets the party from place to place and keeps them alive with his fancy flying, or the hotshot fighter ace.

Basically, the more tech-oriented the game, the more vehicle-oriented archetypes will pop-up.