First-person shooter games are naturally thrilling, but adding character classes took the excitement to a new level. Without classes, success in FPS games usually depended on a player’s skill with aiming, how quickly they could move, and their understanding of the game map. Class-based systems introduced a strategic element, allowing players to choose a role before a match that could significantly impact their team’s overall approach and gameplay.
Games became much more engaging when they started using character classes. Each class had a specific job – like defending the front lines, healing teammates, or scouting ahead to find enemies. Players could also build defenses to control the battlefield. Every role was important, and contributing to the team felt crucial when things got intense.
What’s That Weapon? 
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Results
High Score: 0 —
10. Marathon
6 Runner Shells
- Team-based extraction shooter where squads enter dangerous zones, gather loot, and try to escape alive.
- Built around Runner classes that give each squad different strengths in combat, survival, and information gathering.
Marathon employs ‘Runner Shells’ instead of typical classes. The Destroyer is generally considered the most well-rounded class, designed to pressure opponents, break their formations, and dominate close-quarters fights. It excels at forcing enemies out of safe positions and leading the charge into contested areas, offering a stronger frontline presence than classes focused on gathering information or providing support. The Destroyer’s effectiveness remains consistent whether played solo or as part of a team. While it doesn’t necessarily outperform other classes in any single area like combat or survivability, it strikes a balance that most classes find difficult to achieve.
In the game Marathon, the Triage class is a hugely valuable support role. This class focuses on healing and helping teammates survive tough battles. In games where you extract after a fight, staying alive is often more important than getting kills. That’s where Triage shines – it can restore health, take the heat off allies, and help the whole squad bounce back after a difficult encounter. Other classes available in Marathon include Assassin, Vandal, Thief, and Recon.
9. Team Fortress 2
Nine Unique Classes
- Team-based shooter where players pick from nine unique classes.
- Focuses on objective modes like capture the flag, payload escort, and control points.
Team Fortress 2 is a fantastic example of a well-designed class-based shooter. Success in this game depends heavily on teamwork and having a balanced team. With nine different classes – like the speedy Scout and the protective Engineer – each character has unique strengths and weaknesses, and a specific job to do in battle. This encourages players to focus on strategy and coordination, not just how well they aim.
No single character in the game can do it all, which means players need to work together to succeed. A powerful character like the Heavy can be a threat on their own, but they become much less effective without a Medic to keep them alive. Similarly, an Engineer can control a location with turrets, but needs teammates to protect them from being overwhelmed.
8. Killing Floor 2
10 Perk Classes
- Co-op survival shooter where squads fight waves of bio-engineered monsters called Zeds.
- Uses a perk system that gives each player a clear combat role.
In Killing Floor 2, players choose classes called Perks, which are designed to work well together as a team. I personally enjoy playing as the Berserker – this class excels in close-quarters combat. Berserkers use melee weapons, withstand more damage, and can survive in tough spots longer than other classes, often taking the lead and distracting enemies while teammates attack from a distance. The Commando, on the other hand, specializes in assault rifles and keeping an eye on the battlefield. They’re great at finding hidden enemies and controlling fights at medium range.
In Killing Floor 2, the Support class excels at controlling groups of enemies, especially in tight spaces. They deal a lot of damage up close, making them dependable defenders, and they can also resupply teammates with ammo, which is crucial during long battles. The Sharpshooter, on the other hand, focuses on taking out large, powerful enemies with accurate, high-damage shots. With around 10 classes to choose from, each one offers unique strengths and contributes to the team’s success.
7. Apex Legends
Five Classes
- Squad-based battle royale focused on teamwork and abilities.
- Legends are divided into different classes, including Assault, Recon, and Controller.
In Apex Legends, characters, called Legends, are divided into classes – Assault, Skirmisher, Recon, Controller, and Support. Each class has unique abilities and passive benefits that impact how you play. Assault Legends excel in direct combat, carrying more ammo and taking the fight to opponents. Skirmishers prioritize quick movement, using their abilities to reposition and avoid threats.
Recon Legends focus on gathering intel – they scout the map and pinpoint enemy locations to help their team strategize. Controllers specialize in defending areas by using traps and barriers to slow down opponents. Finally, Support Legends keep their teammates in the fight by providing healing, revives, and other tools that boost survival during extended battles.
6. Overwatch 2
Three Classes
- A team-based hero shooter built around abilities, roles, and fast-paced objective play.
- Focuses on synergy between heroes grouped into Tank, Damage, and Support roles.
In Overwatch 2, heroes are divided into three roles: Tank, Damage, and Support. These roles help players understand how to best contribute to their team. Tanks are the frontline fighters, built to withstand a lot of damage and protect their allies. For example, Reinhardt uses a shield to absorb attacks, and Winston dives into battle to draw enemy fire. Essentially, Tanks create opportunities for their team to move and attack safely. A team usually needs a strong Tank to successfully advance or defend a point.
The Damage class focuses on defeating opponents. These heroes vary in how they do it – some excel at straightforward shooting, while others use quick movements or special skills to gain an advantage. Meanwhile, the Support class keeps the team alive and functioning by healing and providing helpful boosts.
5. Valorant
29 Agents Grouped Into Four Classes
- Tactical shooter where gunplay meets unique character abilities.
- Agents are grouped into roles that guide team strategy.
Valorant agents are split into four roles: Duelists, Initiators, Controllers, and Sentinels. I think Duelists are the strongest because they excel at taking on enemies and getting kills. Agents like Jett are fast and can quickly get out of danger, making them perfect for leading the charge. Initiators support the team by helping them push into enemy territory. They use their abilities to find enemies and disrupt their defenses, which allows Duelists to attack more safely.
Some characters, called Controllers, focus on blocking the enemy’s view. They use things like smoke and walls to limit what the opposing team can see, which is really important in a game where being able to see your enemy often wins battles. Then you have Sentinels, who are the defensive experts. They use traps and healing to lock down specific areas, and a good Sentinel can defend a location almost single-handedly, making it tough for attackers to push forward.
4. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
70+ Operators Split Into Attackers and Defenders
- Tactical shooter focused on close quarters combat, destruction, and strategy.
- Built around Operators with unique gadgets instead of traditional classes.
In Rainbow Six Siege, instead of classes, you choose Operators. These Operators are similar to classes, and each one is on either the attacking or defending team. Each Operator has a unique tool that affects how the match is played. For example, some attackers, like Thermite, are ‘breachers’ who can open reinforced walls – making it possible to reach certain objectives. Others, like Twitch, gather information using drones to scout and disable enemy equipment.
Defenders prioritize slowing down and stopping attackers. Operators like Smoke can block off areas using gas, and Jäger can shield teammates by eliminating incoming bullets and explosives. Others, such as Pulse, can scout enemy positions by detecting heartbeats through walls. A successful defensive team often works together, with one player creating an opening, another gathering information, and a third watching key angles.
3. Battlefield 6
Four Classes
- Large-scale multiplayer shooter with a lot of vehicles and team-based battles.
- Built around four core classes that define how players fight, support, and control the battlefield.
Battlefield 6 continues to use the four classes that Battlefield players know well: Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon. I especially enjoy the Assault class, as it’s designed for aggressive, direct combat. These players spearhead attacks and break through enemy lines. They get into the action quickly and use powerful weapons effective at close and medium ranges. Assault players are often the first to engage, helping the team capture objectives and maintain pressure on opponents. The Engineer class specializes in vehicles. With tanks, helicopters, and jets playing a key role in the game, Engineers are crucial for dealing with them. They carry tools like rockets and mines to destroy enemy vehicles, and they’re the only class capable of repairing friendly vehicles and equipment, making them vital for both offense and defense.
Recon players are the eyes and ears of the team, focusing on gathering information and making precise attacks from a distance. They use gadgets like drones to locate enemies and give their teammates a strategic edge. Support players, on the other hand, are all about keeping everyone in the fight. They provide ammo, heal injuries, and can even bring teammates back to life. They also use items like portable shields and protective equipment to keep the squad safe.
2. Deep Rock Galactic
Four Classes
- Co-op shooter where space dwarves explore dangerous caves, mine resources, and fight alien swarms.
- Built around four classes that each solve a different problem underground.
What makes Deep Rock Galactic so engaging is how its classes impact everything you do on a mission. It’s not just about shooting; it’s about navigating, surviving, mining resources, and escaping safely. Each of the four classes has unique tools that affect how the team explores caves and deals with threats. The Driller, for example, is the team’s expert at creating paths. With powerful drills, they can cut through rock, making them invaluable when caves are complex or blocked. If the team needs a quick way to reach a goal or a fast route back to the escape ship, the Driller can create it.
The Engineer focuses on building and creating pathways for the team. Using a special gun, they can quickly make platforms, bridges, and safe routes across difficult terrain, fundamentally changing how everyone navigates. The Gunner acts as the team’s solid defense, equipped with powerful weapons to deal with large groups of enemies and withstand constant attacks. They also have a shield generator that provides a temporary safe haven, which can be crucial for revives or strategic retreats. Plus, their zipline launcher helps the team quickly traverse large vertical spaces, especially while carrying important items. Finally, the Scout is all about speed and agility. They use a grappling hook to reach high locations and scout ahead, making them great at collecting resources and exploring. They also carry a flare gun to illuminate dark caves.
1. Titanfall 2
7 Titan Classes
- Fast-paced shooter combining parkour movement with giant mech combat.
- Features pilot loadouts and Titan classes that change how battles unfold.
In
Titans in the game come in different styles – some are built for strong defense, and others excel at fighting up close. Which Titan you choose depends on the specific challenge and how you like to play. The combination of a nimble Pilot and a powerful Titan is a key feature that sets Titanfall 2 apart from many other first-person shooter games.
Read More
- NTE Drift Guide (& Best Car Mods for Drifting)
- How to Get the Wunderbarrage in Totenreich (BO7 Zombies)
- How to Beat Turbines in ARC Raiders
- Change Your Perspective Anomaly Commission Guide In NTE (Neverness to Everness)
- NTE Fan Shows Off Mint Cosplay
- Diablo 4 Best Loot Filter Codes
- Deltarune Chapter 1 100% Walkthrough: Complete Guide to Secrets and Bosses
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- All Fish & How to Catch Them in NTE
- How to Unlock the Mines in Cookie Run: Kingdom
2026-05-12 03:08