Adventuring Class Archetypes-

Each Adventuring Class in the Vanguard can be placed in one of 4 archetypes. This archetype defines for the class what kind of role it serves in groups, and what the general thrust of the class's abilities and talents are. While each Archetype may have multiple classes within it, each class goes about fulfilling the goals of it's Archetype very differently. The archetypes are as follows:

Offensive Fighters

Offensive Fighters focus on dealing large amounts of meele or ranged in combat damage, at the cost of wearing lighter armor and being more vulnerable than Defensive Fighters. In a pinch, Offensive Fighters can also work to protect the even weaker members of their own groups, using the Intercept ability (Discussed HERE). Defensive fighters differ from each other in the range and types of their abilities.

Examples of Offensive Fighters: Rogue, Ranger

Defensive Fighters

The main purpose of defensive fighters to is take abuse from the enemy and live to grin about it, to prevent their group members from coming to harm. While Defensive Fighters possess competent combat skill, the goal of their archetype is to absorb (or even mitigate entirely) the damage taken from the enemy. It is not uncommon to see Defensive Fighters throwing themselves directly in the path of an oncoming attack.

Examples of Defensive Fighters: Warrior, Paladin.

Healers

Healers, the backbone of a well rounded group, focus on keeping the players alive and enhancing their abilities. Healers differ from each other in the type and variety of their abilities and their equipment usage. Healers can also combine their abilities together to create even more potent effects.

Examples of Healers: Cleric, Shaman

Arcane/Casters

The Arcane Caster Archetype focuses on using spells and magic to hurt the enemy. Like Healers, Arcane Casters can combine their different magics together to create new and more powerful effects. Arcane Casters differ from one another significantly, both in the 'nature' of their magic and the way they actually utilize their mana (magical energy). They can also sense and detect enemy magic and attempt to dispel, redirect, or change what it's going to do.

Examples of Arcane Casters: Sorcerer, Psionicist