With 10 different classes or Vocations in Dragon’s Dogma 2, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to builds for your player character and Pawns. These ten classes are split up into starter, advanced, and hybrid Vocations. Only the six Vocations spread over starter and advanced groups are available to Pawns, with hybrid Vocations being exclusive to player character. Let’s get a look at all ten vocations, how they are unlocked, and the best abilities among them.
Fighter
As one of the four starter Vocations, Fighter is your archetypical melee role. The player character or Pawn with this Vocation is going to be on the frontline of every combat encounter. Being a tank is the primary function of the Fighter and is best used in support of the backline of ranged and magic Vocations. As a shield-bearer, the Fighter can effectively guard against incoming attacks, so long as they are timed correctly of course. Parrying is also an option if skillful enough.
- Shield Summons
This skill serves to draw attention away from the backline of support Vocations, making it easier for them to target the enemy instead. A true tank skill if there ever was one.
- Airward Slash
There’s nothing worse than being unable to strike at an airborne enemy as a melee class, and this eliminates that particular weakness for the Fighter.
- True Deflect
This is a clear improvement over mere guarding, as it also deflects the attack right back at the opponent.
Thief
Thieves are all about speed and agility. As a starting Vocation that can evade, the Thief will be harder to hit, but is still quite fragile. Pawns might have a tough time at being effective Thieves. The ability to clamber onto large enemies with the Twin Fangs makes some interesting moves. Bump and Lift, Pilfer, and Plunder, all allow for farming of items and gold even during combat.
- Ensnare
Drag flying enemies back down to earth, guaranteeing that your Thief has some use in a fight. Has a fair bit of range to it as well.
- Shadow Cloak
The worst thing about being between the frontline and the backline in terms of utility, is being targeted like a frontliner without being able to absorb as much incoming damage. This skill makes being targeted moot, and stealth missions easy as pie.
- Bump and Lift
A passive way to steal from the enemy with every attack that connects.
Archer
A ranged role, the Archer is all about keeping distance and raining down damage from afar. The worst place for an Archer to be is right in front of the enemy, since their own attacks are useless at close range. A variety of arrow attacks keeps fights from getting stale, and highly targeted strikes at weak spots make for an interesting mini-game.
- Exploding Shot
Explosive arrows are never not good, and with the increased damage to weak spots, this would be the go-to skill for Archers. The steep cost of explosive arrows is the only impediment to spamming them left and right.
- Sweep Shot
A potential lifesaver when the frontline falls or is lax in their defense of the Archer, this skill will blast away at multiple enemies in a frontal arc.
- Swift Nock
The faster an Archer can load up another arrow, the more damage is being outputted. A crucial skill for any Archer.
Mage
The party spellcaster will be dishing out elemental damage, buffing the frontline fighters, and generally healing everyone. The Mage also comes in useful when it becomes impossible to traverse an area due to obstructions.
- Levitate
A skill you will need often especially when attempting to reach what seems like an unreachable chest or item.
- Solemnity
What better way to impede an enemy spellcaster than by silencing them completely in the first place. With this in effect, your frontline should be able to close the gap unhindered.
- Celerity
A hastening spell, this can greatly enhance the agility of an already fast Thief for example.
Warrior
The Warrior is an advanced Fighter, with the ability to absorb even more damage before turning it all right back on their attackers. The Warrior Vocation is unlocked by completing the fairly simple Vocation Frustration side quest conferred by Klaus in Vernworth.
- Skyward Sunder
As with all frontline roles, a skill that can touch the sky and the enemies in it, is always necessary. Sadly, this lacks an effective range, and so may fail more often than not.
- Bellow
This is a must as a frontliner in order to draw attention away from the backline support roles. The lack of a shield can be an issue though.
- Bulwark
If you are going to use Bellow, then you will need Bulwark to help offset all that incoming attention and the damage that it brings with it.
Sorcerer
The Sorcerer is an advanced Mage, with some truly awe-inspiring spells, but just as weak. Stay on the backline, and hope to remain unnoticed by enemies as you take your time to conjure up your attacks. The Sorcerer Vocation is unlocked by completing the fairly simple Vocation Frustration side quest conferred by Klaus in Vernworth.
- Quickspell
Given how slow the default incantation speed is, this should be the very first thing an aspiring Sorcerer unlocks, in the hope of being more useful in the thick of battle.
- Levitate
Whether it is for getting somewhere unreachable, or staying out of reach of enemies, Levitate will always have utility to a Sorcerer.
- Decanter
With no other health options, Sorcerer’s will have to lean on this to steal life from enemy targets. Being forced to remain in place is not ideal, but better than nothing.
Mystic Spearhand
Mystic Spearhand is an interesting vocation that combines melee attacks with increased range, and high defensibility through the skill of Mirour Vesture. However the skill unlocks a fair bit later, and until then the Mystic Spearhand’s low agility and lack of a defensive move can be quite challenging. The Mystic Spearhand Vocation is unlocked by speaking with Sigurd at the first opportunity that presents itself, whether in Melve or at Dragonsbreath Tower. This Vocation is unavailable to Pawns.
- Mirour Vesture
This barrier is short-lived, but confers an exceptional defense against incoming attacks, and can be cycled over fairly frequently. Unlock it as soon as possible in order to make the best use of the Mystic Spearhand.
- Humble Offringe
Being able to lift up and hurl both objects and smaller enemies makes for an excellent ranged attack against flying enemies, as well as a method for contending with crowds.
- Winding Cut
This fast, devastating attack allows for some button mashing gameplay, while not consuming stamina either.
Trickster
Tricksters are even more of a support class than ranged and magic roles, with no real attack to speak of. Instead you will be conjuring up illusions to trick enemies or buff allies. Essentially a Mage without offensive spells. The Trickster can be unlocked by talking to Luz, with or without embarking on the Flickering Shadows quest. This Vocation is unavailable to Pawns.
- Aromatic Rally
Keeps your allies fighting even in the face of death, but really needs a good Mage to provide healing support.
- Sweeping Shroud
An effective way to distract enemies and keep them focused away from both yourself and other backline Pawns.
- Effigial Quickburn
A necessary skill to mitigate the general slowness of casting Effigial Incense. This one should be unlocked as early as possible if the Trickster hopes to be of any use in combat.
Magick Archer
A combination of Archer and Mage, the boringly named Magick Archer is potentially able to effectively replace both Vocations in the backline if skillful enough. The Magick Archer is capable of healing as well as dealing elemental magic damage, all while firing arrows in both wide shots at enemy crowds as well as focused fire on individuals. Unlocked by completing the Put A Spring In Thy Step quest from Gautstafr, and speaking with Cliodhna. This Vocation is unavailable to Pawns.
- Remedy Arrow
The first step in replacing a Mage in the party, this skill will both heal and resurrect fallen Pawns.
- Vimtaking Arrow
Another effective healing skill, this one has the bonus effect of leeching health directly from enemies and granting it directly to allies.
- Scopic Sight
Magick Archer shots have their lock-on range extended when using Pinpoint Volley or Rivet Shot, but not Quickfire.
Warfarer
What appears to be the final Vocation to unlock, is actually the most difficult to play. Warfarer’s base stats are lower than other Vocations, and requires swapping weapons to effectively use all the skills of all the Vocations while engaging in combat. As such, the Warfarer can customize which weapons are cycled through, as well as their exact order. Fortunately, only the weight of the heaviest weapon counts towards encumbrance. Unlocked by finishing the quest The Sotted Sage granted by Lamond. The Maister skill Rearmament is also unlocked at the same time. This Vocation is unavailable to Pawns.
- Levitate
A skill you will need often especially when attempting to reach what seems like an unreachable chest or item.
- Exploding Shot
Explosive arrows are never not good, and deal increased damage to weak spots. The steep cost of explosive arrows is the only impediment to spamming them left and right.
- Mirour Vesture
This barrier is short-lived, but confers an exceptional defense against incoming attacks, and can be cycled over fairly frequently.
Those are all ten available Vocations in Dragon’s Dogma 2, as well as how to unlock them, and their best abilities.