Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked

After delving deep into the intricacies and nuances of these extraordinary Archetypes, I must say, it’s a tough call to choose the best among them. However, if I were to pick one that truly shines and resonates with my own adventures, it would be none other than the enigmatic Masked Dancer.


This newly released fantasy JRPG from the ATLAS family, ReFantazio, might appear to be part of their lineup, but it actually offers a more conventional JRPG experience than one may initially expect.

The key aspect that stands out most is the combat system, where players can employ diverse Character Classes (or Archetypes) in their quest to ascend the throne.

These Archetypes deviate from the tameable monsters found in the game Persona, instead resembling conventional JRPG roles such as Mages, Knights, Brawlers, and so forth. This enables players to focus on their preferred combat style and seamlessly combine these roles according to their strategic needs during gameplay.

This system is truly amazing, yet it leaves one pondering, which among these Archetypes offers the most value? To help you make an informed decision, we aim to provide you with some valuable insights, so you can effectively use your Magic Points (MAG).

For better understanding, let me clarify that our upcoming list will focus on the primary Elite Archetypes, meaning it will only include the initial Archetype from each Archetype tree.

14 Brawler

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeStrike
Associated CharacterCatherina
How To UnlockComplete Catherina’s Request in The Grand Regalith Cathedral Dungeon

Our wooden spoon entry goes to Catherina’s signature Archetype, the Brawler. On paper, the Brawler seems like a helpful addition to the line-up.

As a gamer, I prefer characters who can dish out powerful attack moves, the ones often referred to as strikers. Additionally, I’m drawn to archetypes that don’t rely on traditional Mana Points (MP) for their abilities. These unique characters allow me to push through dungeons even when resources are running low, making for a more challenging and satisfying gaming experience.

However, in reality, it’s just a class that sees you sacrifice too much with not enough potential reward. Due to this archetype using HP to attack, you’ll find that this glass cannon approach will kill you more times than you would like.

In addition, on harder settings, you won’t find yourself casually tossing HP items left and right. While it could be moderately helpful in conjunction with a Healer, overall, the benefits don’t justify the effort put into using it.

13 Seeker

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeWind
Associated CharacterMore
How To UnlockVia story progression

Since the Seeker is the initial Archetype we acquire in the game, it’s not unexpected that it appears quite low on the hierarchy.

The Seeker boasts several advantages, including agile dodging skills and proficiency in potent Wind Magic techniques.

In essence, it’s rather limited in variety, and if you don’t plan to utilize its unique skills to maintain its usefulness in the later stages, you might find yourself phasing it out of your strategies.

12 Warrior

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeSlash
Associated CharacterStrohl
How To UnlockVia story progression

As the game advances, it becomes apparent that Strohl’s initial Warrior Archetype, which excels in physical damage, struggles to maintain its effectiveness. This is yet another instance of an early-game character type not holding up as the game progresses.

Yet, it’s quickly overshadowed by the Knight Archetype, leaving only the advantage of slash damage as a compelling reason for its use. In fact, there seems to be very little purpose in choosing this Archetype over others.

This character becomes significantly more effective in its advanced forms, such as Swordmaster and Samurai. However, on its own as a Warrior, this Archetype doesn’t really provide a compelling reason not to swap it out for a more versatile elemental or buff-granting Archetype within the game’s roster.

11 Merchant

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeAlmighty
Associated CharacterBrigetta
How To UnlockComplete ‘A Bullish Embargo’

At first glance, one might assume that the Merchant Archetype is among the weakest character types due to its requirement for players to spend real money in order to cast spells. However, contrary to this belief, it turns out that the Merchant is a more effective variant of the Brawler, offering a more versatile gameplay experience throughout the game’s progression.

In the game, the player has multiple methods to accumulate disposable items and earnings within dungeons, implying that they don’t need to worry too much about the cost associated with attacking, as there are ample opportunities for earning without relying on cash purchases.

This method ensures optimal conservation of MP within dungeons, minimizing losses in other aspects, at least until you acquire the Thief Archetype.

Additionally, each attack is categorized as “All-Powerful,” indicating that they strike with absolute certainty, disregarding any form of defense or counteraction.

The downside is that this archetype doesn’t allow you to exploit weaknesses, and extended use may leave you a little short on funds. But all in all, it’s a pretty good backup option in a pinch.

10 Gunner

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypePierce
Associated CharacterNeuras
How To UnlockComplete ‘Providing A Spark’

If you’re a player tackling Metaphor on its challenging settings, you’ll understand the significance of strategically arranging your team members and optimizing your battle formations to minimize damage received and ensure survivability.

In general, you’ll find that your Archetypes tend to have reduced power levels when deployed from the back row.

In contrast to the norm, The Gunner specializes in a sequence of potent, long-distance assaults, capable of being executed exclusively from the rear positions. This allows them to remain shielded from direct confrontation and deal devastating, penetrating damage to adversaries from a safe distance.

While metaphors may seem appealing, their effectiveness is somewhat deceptive because the status effects associated with them don’t activate frequently. Consequently, the high MP costs of these attacks often aren’t justified since the potential outcome isn’t always reliable.

9 Faker

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeAlmighty (Mainly focuses on party buffs)
Associated CharacterAlonzo
How To UnlockComplete ‘A Dagger, A Ring, And A Rake’ Request

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the thrill of the unpredictable, and Faker, with his unique playstyle, certainly fits the bill. His signature moves could either spell doom for my character or swiftly turn the tide in my favor, making each encounter an exhilarating rollercoaster ride.

This character, known as The Faker, possesses a range of talents and capabilities to establish barriers that ward off assaults, among other things. However, what truly sets this Archetype apart is its unique trait called ‘Cunning of the Faker.’

A move that can either grant or remove your chances to play, depending solely on whether fortune favors you.

These locations, whether it’s the Veneramo Colusieum or the Charadrius Skyrunner dungeon, are ideal places to have an Archetype by your side because they demand that battles be won within a limited number of rounds.

In other battles, though, the outcome might not always be consistent since a single bad turn of events could potentially ruin your fantasy experience.

8 Knight

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypePierce
Associated CharacterHulkenberg
How To UnlockVia story progression

Although Knights are often associated with early-game archetypes, they continue to be one of the top choices for your team even in the mid to late stages of the game. This is primarily due to the fact that the Knight serves as an excellent choice for the Tank role within Metaphor.

The Knight boasts strong slashing abilities and versatile defensive maneuvers. However, what truly makes them valuable is their ability to withstand considerable damage and divert enemy focus.

By employing the Knight’s Proclamation ability, you can make it so that adversaries focus their attacks on a particular party member. This enables that character to absorb all the damage, thereby allowing you to keep up an aggressive strategy with your other, more susceptible characters.

Eventually, this class could benefit from being enhanced to offer more diverse offensive capabilities beyond just set skills. However, considering the overall performance, it’s still a superb choice.

7 Mage

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeFire/Ice/Electric
Associated CharacterGrius/Gallica
How To UnlockVia story progression

This standard JRPG character class is a go-to choice for a good reason, and it’s no wonder that it stays handy from the beginning to the end of your adventure.

The Mage Character Type functions exactly as its label suggests, empowering players to harness diverse magical powers for defeating opponents effectively.

With this setup, you’re ready to unleash Fire, Ice, and Electric attacks immediately. This implies that in many instances, this character class will have the advantage of exposing the vulnerabilities of various enemy types within a single dungeon.

This option may not function effectively if the adversary has a magical shield activated, making it essentially ineffective; however, its versatility makes it a worthwhile investment from the start, as it remains valuable throughout the game.

6 Commander

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeFire (Mainly focuses on party buffs)
Associated CharacterBardon
How To UnlockComplete Bardon’s First Bond Rank (Must finish Kriegante Castle)

Just as in the game ‘Persona’, the effectiveness of an attack depends greatly on the character wielding it, and frequently, a well-timed boost can shift the balance even in the most challenging conflicts. This is what makes the Commander Archetype such a precious resource.

With this Character Type, you can efficiently give commands to your teammates and cast collective boosts instead of depending on personal enhancements. This enables you to organize your group for a swift attack against opponents, making them fall quickly.

One potential rephrase could be: Unfortunately, this character type doesn’t excel in combat situations, and their limited fire-based attacks offer minimal support.

They work optimally when positioned towards the rear, away from direct confrontations. However, even though they maintain a distance, they become indispensable in your team during prolonged battles against formidable foes.

5 Healer

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeLight
Associated CharacterMaria
How To UnlockVia story progression

In gaming, it’s common knowledge that a team’s strength depends on its healer. Without a healer, victory can seem elusive. However, the positive side is that you acquire this crucial role relatively early in the game, which means you won’t have to struggle without one for an extended period.

This Character predominantly relies on light-based magical assaults, which makes them an extraordinary choice for confronting undead foes like those found within the Grand Regalith Cathedral.

But what truly sets it apart on this list is its unique capacity to restore the whole team and effortlessly remove any detrimental statuses.

There might not be many who eagerly seek the role of the Healer, given its often unappreciated nature, yet trust me when I put it this way: It’s a timeless Character that you’ll find yourself drawn to cultivate.

4 Berserker

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypePhysical (Varied)
Associated CharacterBasilio
How To UnlockVia Story Progression

Although it’s the final archetype a player can obtain, the Berserker stands out as one of the best in the game, even with minimal exposure.

In essence, this class allows for a wide range of powerful physical assaults, so you won’t have to switch between the Brawler, Knight, and Warrior roles to find the ideal physical attack.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that this Character Type can recharge once in a fight, which significantly boosts their power for the following attack. This means that battles might be concluded more swiftly with this powerful ally by your side.

3 Thief

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeDark
Associated CharacterHeismay
How To UnlockVia story progression

You’ll only be able to play as the charming characters Eugeif and Heismay after a while, and they belong to the Thief Archetype – a role definitely worth waiting for.

The Character Type of the Thief is often proficient in Mystic Arts of a Dark nature, which makes them an ideal choice for exploring labyrinths such as Kriegante Castle, along with numerous quests and rewarding dungeons.

Instead, it’s worth noting that Magic Plunder and Steal are particularly impressive skills. Magic Plunder enables you to take Magical Energy Points (MP) from opponents, which is incredibly useful when your supply of Magla Pills runs low. On the other hand, Steal lets you pilfer rare treasures from enemies, helping you collect resources and guarantee specific drops from foes.

This Character Type is versatile and excels in multiple areas, and you acquire it fairly early in the game, making it an excellent pick throughout the mid-game. Moreover, it’s beneficial during the late-game as well.

2 Summoner

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeVaried (Dependent on vessels Equipped)
Associated CharacterEupha
How To UnlockComplete ‘The Trial of Malnova’ Request

“The second-place finisher in the game acquires one of the two character archetypes at the end, which enables you to conduct unique experiments within Akademia.

The Summoner truly embodies its title, enabling you to harness unique artifacts that summon adversaries you’ve encountered during gameplay to aid you in combat.

This implies that this Archetype is highly adaptable, allowing you to summon virtually any elemental or physical form based on the types of Vessels you can use to establish this Archetype.

The downside to this one is that all the attacks are very MP-expensive, making this a class that isn’t best suited for longer dungeon runs unless you have Magla-replenishment items to burn. But all in all, it’s a very strong end-game option.

1 Masked Dancer

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Every Archetype, Ranked
Primary Damage TypeMultiple (Depends on Mask)
WeaknessMultiple (Depends on Mask)
How To UnlockComplete ‘Save The Mourning Snakes’

Furthermore, the Masked Dancer serves as an excellent finale, embodying a dynamic Archetype that echoes the morphing attributes from the game Persona. This character can adapt its abilities by switching between strengths and weaknesses, ensuring it’s well-prepared for any upcoming battles.

By utilizing the “Special Experiments” screen within Akademia, you can create various masks and instantly switch between them during typing, which makes it an adaptable archetype suitable for any scenario. Just ensure you have a clear understanding of your opponent before engaging in battle.

In this Archetype, since the Mask occupies the Accessory slot, it becomes impossible to add an accessory to the character. This could be a significant disadvantage in certain battles for some players. Furthermore, you’ll be subjected to Junah’s less-than-impressive Irish accent.

Nevertheless, among all options, we prefer the Masked Dancer because it performs well in nearly every situation when equipped with the appropriate mask.

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2024-10-11 13:39