Dragon's Dogma 2: Best Starting Vocations, Ranked (2024)

When you create a character in Dragon's Dogma 2, players can choose from a set of starting vocations after appearance customizations are complete. At this final menu screen in character creation, players are offered a choice of four beginner DD2 Vocations: Archer, Fighter, Thief, or Mage.

Though Vocations can be swapped easily a few hours into the game, your initial Dragon's Dogma 2 starting vocation choice will matter at least until you reach Melve, a major settlement south of Borderwatch. But because of minor differences between each starting class, some aren't quite as impressive or fun to play as others. In the end, though, personal playstyle preferences are more important than minute stat or strength differences.

Fighter

A Straightforward, If Boring, Sword-And-Board Warrior

Fighters are your traditional warrior archetype class in Dragon's Dogma 2. They exhibit brute strength in combat with their melee abilities, defend their allies with their shield, and exemplify what it means to play a melee character in Dragon's Dogma 2.

There's nothing wrong with choosing the Fighter class – just like all Dragon's Dogma 2 starter classes, they get more interesting as you level them, and there's nothing quite like smashing a giant monster's face in with your Trusty Sword. It's just not the most exciting class, especially not in a game with the party utility and visual splendor of the Mage class, the surprisingly skill-laden and versatile Archer, and the sleek-and-stylish Thief.

Mage

Magic Is Great In DD2, But It Takes Time To Develop

One of the big draws of magic in Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen and Dragon's Dogma 2 is the ability to cast some of the most graphically intense spells in the game at later levels.

But earlier in the game, your spell list and Mage abilities are relatively limited, and it can take a long time to charge up powerful spells – firing spells quickly to avoid being hit can make the class feel weak and unimpactful.

Mages excel in countering enemies with elemental damage, buffing the party and healing allies, and casting huge AoE abilities over many enemies. But it can take a little while to get to the point where you feel like you have enough tools to be effective in combat, and not just rely on your physical-damage-dealing Pawns to take down foes while you charge up a devastating attack.

Stick with Mage for some awesome spells later on, but early in the game, it can be hard to survive.

Archer

Fire Multiple, Elemental Arrows From Behind Your Pawns

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One of the downsides of playing a Mage is that, though you cast spells from a distance, you tend to be focused on healing and supporting Pawns more than blasting enemies. Archers are quite the opposite – using a Bow to deal damage from afar, and almost entirely avoiding party utility and healing, Archers are able to engage in combat from any position. Their abilities are varied and feel good to use, and even at low levels they pack a punch.

It's really a tossup between Archer and Thief for the best starting class Dragon's Dogma 2 players can choose. Ultimately, Archer comes just behind because it's not quite as flashy as the Thief at low levels, though it's certainly no less powerful and extra range granted by the Bow is a great bonus.

Thief

Fast-Paced, High Damage Output, And Incredibly Agile

The Thief class is the best starting class in Dragon's Dogma 2 for a few reasons. Like the Fighter, and because they dual-wield, Thieves are just as comfortable in the middle of a brawl as they are on top of a Medusa slashing at their eyes. Like the Mage, their abilities and skills are flashy and fun to use, though the Thief can access the cool parts of their kit way sooner. Like the Archer, Thieves are more powerful than one might assume when played correctly, and though they can't easily attack from a range, they can close that distance incredibly fast.

Thieves are more than the amalgamation of other Dragon's Dogma 2 starter classes, though. Agility and speed are their main strengths in combat, and Thieves can rapidly slash and deal enormous burst damage just as easily as they can move deftly get into better positions – they even have a dedicated Dodge button.

Though no starting class Dragon's Dogma 2 players can select is bad, the Thief offers the most interesting gameplay at the start of the game. If you can take advantage of the speed of the class, you'll shred through enemies without a scratch.

Dragon's Dogma 2

Platform(s)

PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

March 22, 2024

Developer(s)

Capcom

Publisher(s)

Capcom