What Are Archetypes in Ashes of Creation?

Archetypes in Ashes of Creation are the foundational class choices. There are eight primary archetypes, divided into two broad categories: Arcane and Martial. Each archetype has a defined role and a unique resource system, which you’ll use to manage your abilities in combat.

Here’s a quick overview of the eight archetypes:

• Bard (Arcane, Support, Themes) – Focused on buffs, debuffs, and crowd control. Often hybrid support with healing or damage capabilities.

• Cleric (Arcane, Support, Divine Power) – The primary healer archetype, capable of defensive and offensive spells.

• Mage (Arcane, Damage, Spell Charges) – High burst damage from spells, relies on managing spell resources efficiently.

• Summoner (Arcane, Versatile, Essence) – Can summon minions and mix support or damage abilities depending on build.

• Fighter (Martial, Damage, Momentum) – Strong melee damage, capable of some off-tank roles depending on build.

• Ranger (Martial, Damage, Focus) – Ranged damage, with mobility and precision as core strengths.

• Rogue (Martial, Damage, Advantage) – Stealth and burst damage, often excels at single-target elimination.

• Tank (Martial, Tank, Courage) – Core tank role, controlling the battlefield and protecting allies.

These archetypes are designed to provide a balance between traditional martial and magical fantasy roles. Most players recognize the patterns from other MMORPGs, but Ashes of Creation adds depth through hybridization and skill customization.

How Does Archetype Customization Work?

In Ashes of Creation, you’re not locked into a rigid playstyle. While each archetype has a primary role, the game introduces secondary archetypes starting at level 25. This system allows you to augment your abilities, creating hybrid builds or enhancing your core archetype.

For example:

• A Fighter choosing Tank as a secondary archetype can off-tank in a group, absorbing more damage than a pure DPS Fighter.

• A Bard selecting Cleric as a secondary archetype gains stronger healing and support capabilities, offering flexibility in parties.

Choosing the same primary and secondary archetype increases your focus on that archetype, while mixing them allows you to experiment with hybrid roles. Most players use this system to create builds that suit specific group content or solo playstyles.

Even before reaching level 25, there is meaningful customization. The base kit offers options on your adventuring skill tree, letting you specialize offensively or defensively depending on your archetype. For example, a Cleric can lean slightly more offensive early on rather than strictly being a support character. This flexibility ensures that players don’t feel forced into a single style from the start.

Why Are Tank and Cleric Roles Limited to One Base Archetype?

You might notice that only Tank and Cleric exist as singular base archetypes for their respective roles. This design choice is intentional. These roles are critical in group content, usually forming the backbone of party composition.

• The Tank controls the battlefield, maintaining aggro and protecting allies.

• The Cleric ensures survivability through healing and defensive spells.

By limiting these roles to one base archetype each, the game maintains clear expectations for group dynamics. That said, hybridization through secondary archetypes allows Fighters, Bards, or other archetypes to contribute to these roles in meaningful ways without replacing the core Tank or Cleric.

What Should Players Expect Between Level 1 and 25?

From level 1 to 25, players have access to their base kit and can make meaningful choices about playstyle. Most archetypes allow for slight variations even in early levels:

• Clerics can pick offensive or defensive skill paths.

• Tanks can experiment with survivability versus damage output.

• Other archetypes (Rogue, Ranger, Mage, etc.) generally follow their expected role, but there is flexibility in ability selection and stats.

This early customization ensures that players start exploring their preferred playstyle before secondary archetypes unlock, which will further expand options for hybrid or specialized builds.

Practical Tips for Choosing Your Archetype

1. Consider your preferred role in groups – If you enjoy healing or tanking, Cleric and Tank are the natural choices. DPS and support roles offer more flexibility and hybrid potential.

2. Think about solo vs. group play – Some archetypes, like Summoner and Rogue, excel at solo content due to mobility and control. Tank and Cleric are more group-focused.

3. Plan for hybridization – Even if you want to stick to a single role, consider how secondary archetypes could enhance your build. Most players experiment to create hybrid setups that suit different encounters.

4. Early build choices matter – Customize your adventuring skill tree in ways that complement your eventual secondary archetype or preferred combat style.

For players looking to advance faster, it’s also possible to buy Ashes of Creation gold, which can help with gear upgrades and experimenting with different builds without spending excessive time grinding.

The Bottom Line

Archetypes in Ashes of Creation provide a clear but flexible foundation for your character. The eight primary archetypes strike a balance between classic fantasy roles, while secondary archetypes and skill tree customization allow players to explore hybrid and creative builds. Tanks and Clerics remain unique to their roles to preserve group balance, but other archetypes can flirt with these roles for additional versatility.

For most players, understanding the mechanics of archetypes and planning for hybridization early will make leveling and group content more effective. By the time you reach level 25, you’ll have a solid foundation for a playstyle that reflects your preferences, whether it’s pure DPS, support, or a hybrid setup.