Top Classless RPGs That Redefine Character Progression

Summary

Modern RPGs favor classless design over traditional class systems from tabletop games like D&D.
Games like Skyrim, Cyberpunk 2077, and Elder Ring offer open and flexible character building experiences.
Classless RPG systems in games like Deus Ex and Fallout: New Vegas allow players to define their own unique character classes.

Initially, Role-Playing Games (RPGs) originated from traditional board games, notably Dungeons & Dragons, where a character’s class played a crucial role in their identity. However, contemporary game design tends to favor a freer approach to play, with classless designs becoming increasingly popular and widely accepted.

This list showcases top-rated RPGs that either belong to revamped series or are fresh, groundbreaking titles. The ranking is based on the game’s overall quality and the success of its classless design in creating an enjoyable role-playing experience.

8. Skyrim

The Dovahkiin Has Endless Potential

The Elder Scrolls games traditionally provide a level of freedom, as the class system merely outlines broad character types. However, Skyrim discards the concept of classes, instead using them sparingly for occasional boosts. Instead, the player’s abilities grow in response to frequent use, rather than allocating points (although certain stats may receive bonuses based on the player’s race).

In essence, this implies that the player character will progressively improve at whatever they show interest in, a system that typically functions well, even if it occasionally leads to highly efficient builds like the notorious stealth archer. However, when it comes to user-friendliness, it’s challenging to find an approach more accommodating than Skyrim’s classless design.

7. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Henry Ascendant

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but be captivated by the Kingdom Come series. These games offer an immersive and accurate historical journey set in rural areas of the Holy Roman Empire, focusing on contemporary Czechia. Stepping into the shoes of Henry, a humble blacksmith, I find myself drawn into a tale of resilience as this ordinary man transforms into a formidable knight through sheer determination.

Just like how I found myself immersed in the world of Skyrim, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 also offers a skill-based system that rewards frequent practice. As Henry, I’ll see my abilities grow and unlock special perks for each skill set, even discovering some clever hidden ones along the way. I can tailor my playstyle to master deadly combat combinations with my preferred weapon, making the classless approach all the more rewarding.

6. Cyberpunk 2077

What Up Gonk?

CD Projekt Red, known for its role-playing game development, has traditionally been against rigid character classes. The tabletop version of Cyberpunk initially offered player roles like ripper-doc, rockerboy, media, and nomad. However, in Cyberpunk: 2077, a blend of sequel and adaptation, they opted for a classless approach instead.

In this game, earning experience points gives players the freedom to buy abilities within their class selection, ensuring they can tailor their character based on their preferred playstyle. The aim is for players to explore various paths, resulting in a unique blend of character traits that caters to each player’s individual style.

5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Steel For Men, Silver For Monsters

In contrast to most Role Playing Games (RPGs), “The Witcher” games don’t feature a player-customizable protagonist. Instead, players embody Geralt, a distinctly characterized, rough-around-the-edges character who is a skilled Witcher warrior adept in the arts of signs, alchemy, and swordplay that dances with precision. This complex world he explores is filled with intricate side quests waiting to be discovered.

In The Witcher 3, the player has the flexibility to tailor these three schools according to their preferences, enhancing their character with appropriate mutagens. Essentially, skills are accumulated in separate groups, leading to consistent builds that strive for a balance between what the player instinctively favors and what they choose to avoid.

4. Bloodborne

Fear The Old Blood

In Bloodborne, while it may appear that you can choose a class at the beginning, this term is somewhat misleading. Instead, these are more like preset starting points, each with minor differences in base attributes that all characters share. This implies that if a player desires to be a magic user but didn’t pick the magic origin initially, they still have access to that playstyle.

In the game Bloodborne, players have the freedom to decide where to allocate their Blood Echoes, enabling them to specialize in the combat style that appeals to them most, be it a focus on strength, agility, or magic-like abilities. Despite this leaning towards one of these three main categories (strength, skill, or arcane), there’s ample room for players to experiment and adapt their build as needed to conquer the challenging array of bosses featured in the game.

3. Elden Ring

The Shattering

Despite the variety of starting points provided by Elden Ring, it’s essential to understand that this extensive game rapidly outgrows the initial differences among those origins. The core experience revolves around meticulously crafting a unique character build, a process that typically spans close to a hundred hours of gameplay.

One of the fantastic aspects of Elden Ring is that, following the defeat of Rennala, players can easily reallocate their character’s attributes at a relatively low cost. This means that if a player isn’t satisfied with the build they’ve chosen, they can quickly switch it up. It’s no wonder entire Reddit communities have emerged, showcasing creative and diverse character builds, as Elden Ring allows players to tailor their strategies to take down the game’s Elden Lords according to their preferred playstyle.

2. Deus Ex

The Immersive Sim GOAT

Notably, the game “Deus Ex” didn’t become enjoyable until just before its release, when all of its components harmoniously clicked into place. In an immersive simulation, if a single system malfunctions, the entire experience collapses. Fortunately, the classless system remained solid, leading to one of the most flexible classless systems in RPG gaming history.

In this game, each character assumes the role of JC Denton, but every individual interpretation of the secret agent will differ. Some players may excel in conversation, hacking, combat (shooting or melee), stealth, or some combination thereof. Importantly, no single JC Denton is proficient in all skills. The game’s classless system allows players to shape their own unique playstyle, making it a trailblazer that many RPGs would later emulate.

1. Fallout: New Vegas

Big Iron On His Hip

Since its debut, “Fallout New Vegas” has consistently gained more praise, often being recognized as one of the best role-playing games (RPGs) developed in the 21st century, if not the greatest ever made. One of the game’s many strengths is its classless RPG system.

As a player advances to higher levels, they earn points that can be assigned to various attributes, which have some resemblance to the SPECIAL attribute distribution chosen by the player initially. This allows for the development and customization of the player’s character as the game progresses. The unique perks and abilities unlocked along the way contribute to the creation of distinct player builds, culminating in the formation of formidable Couriers by the game’s conclusion. Notably, the player has the option to negotiate their way out of the final boss battle, demonstrating the flexibility and depth of a well-designed classless system.

2025-03-21 01:36