Credit: Shiro Games/Shiro Unlimited

When assembling a band of toughs to take on the world, the important thing to remember is that they can’t all just be tough. A gaggle of buff dudes can solve some of life’s problems, but definitely not all of them. No, if you want a proper Warband, you’re going to need a proper squad of soldiers, each with their own skills and specialties. Here’s what you need to know about the classes in Wartales.

Wartales Classes: Specializations Explained

In Wartales, there are six different classes, also known as specializations, for your Warband companions to exemplify. Each of these classes has its own applications on the battlefield, as well as specialization trees with unlockable abilities. While you’re welcome to have as many soldiers of the same class as you like, you’re encouraged to diversify and experiment to find the best possible squad makeup for your preferences and playstyle.

The six classes in Wartales are as follows:

• Archer
• Ranger
• Spearman
• Swordsman
• Warrior
• Brute

It’s also worth noting that captured foot soldiers do technically have their own class, Prisoner, but that’s more a class in name only. They don’t have any special skills beyond being cannon fodder and aren’t worth discussing.

Archer: Doom from Afar

Credit: Shiro Games/Shiro Unlimited

The best way to win a fight is to not be there, but the second-best way is to fight at a distance. Archers can pepper foes with arrows from a safe distance. While their bow attacks aren’t quite strong enough to finish off hefty enemies on their own, they’re good for controlling the flow of the battlefield and cutting down enemy foot soldiers so your bruisers can focus on priority targets. Just mind your aim; it is possible for an archer to accidentally shoot at a buddy if a melee gets too crowded.

Ranger: Hit and Run

Normally, a “ranger” and an “archer” would be interchangeable classes, but in this case, Rangers are more akin to rogues or thieves. They’re swift on their feet, employing fast weapons like daggers and throwing knives to deal precise strikes on unaware foes before quickly making themselves scarce. They’re a bit squishy in the defense department and are best used as critical hit specialists rather than front-line combatants.

Spearman: Show them the Point

Since the dawn of combat, many a battle has been won with a long, pointy stick. Spearmen are fantastic front-liners, mowing down infantry with powerful, wide-reaching attacks. They’re also a surprisingly helpful support class, as with the right skill tree upgrades, they can bestow beneficial effects and buffs on their allies as they drive the line forward.

Swordsman: Flexible Fighters

You know why swords are one of the most common medieval weapons? Because anyone with at least one working arm can use them well. Swordsmen are your all-rounder units, working well as both front-line combatants and rear-line protectors. Their flexible kits allow them to specialize in offense with two-handed swords or prioritize defense with a sword and a shield. They’re also one of the few classes with a dedicated healing ability, allowing them to function as battle medics in the thick of things.

Warrior: Nothing Can Move Them

Warriors are a slightly heavier version of Swordsmen, employing weapons like battleaxes instead of swords. While they lose some of their support applications in this transition, they can still function well in both offensive and defensive capacities, crushing foes with their weapons or drawing attention and tanking blows. If you need a guy up front to take the brunt of the enemy’s punishment, let a Warrior do it.

Brute: Rip and Tear

Brutes are the biggest, baddest dudes on the block, employing the heaviest weapons with massive area-of-effect swings. These guys have exactly one job: front-line mayhem. If a Brute isn’t right in the thick of things, swinging his weapon around and knocking foes off their feet, he’s not doing his job. When a Brute is on the loose, keep your other combatants back, lest they get caught up in his attacks.

Build your Warband with a varied blend of troops to ensure they can adapt to any combat situation. As fun as it would be to get an entire squad of Brutes and throw them at the opposition, for instance, their strength won’t mean much if they can’t catch their foes.