Metaphor: ReFantazio may be a game under the ATLUS umbrella, but this new fantasy JRPG is more like a traditional JRPG outing than you might think.

The biggest indicator of this is found within the combat system, as players will be able to use various Archetypes to fight their way to the throne.

These Archetypes are less like the monsters you can tame in Persona and more like traditional JRPG classes like Mages, Knights, Brawlers, and the like, allowing players to specialize in whatever fighting style they like and mix and match these compositions on the fly.

It’s a wonderful system, but it makes you wonder, which of these Archetypes are the best of the bunch? Well, we intend to give you some insight into that, allowing you to spend your MAG wisely.

Just for clarity, we intend to do a follow-up list of the best Elite Archetypes, so this list will be purely comprised of each Archetype tree’s initial Archetype.

14 Brawler

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.

An archetype that can land strong strike-type moves, and an Archetype that uses a resource other than MP, allowing you to force your way to the end of dungeons when resources are depleted.

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.

Plus, on higher difficulties, you won’t have HP items to throw around with careless abandon, either. If combined with a Healer, this one can be somewhat useful, but overall, the juice really isn’t worth the squeeze.

13 Seeker

Seeing as the Seeker is the first Archetype we gain access to in the game, it’s hardly a surprise that this one finds itself so far down the pecking order.

The Seeker has its positives, such as good evasive qualities, and the ability to use strong Wind Magic moves.

But overall, this one is pretty one-note, and unless you are relying on Set Skills to keep this one as a viable option in the mid-to-late game, this initial Archetype will soon fall out of your rotation.

12 Warrior

It’s another example of an early-game Archetype failing to stay viable as the game progresses. Initially, Strohl’s signature Warrior Archetype is your best bet when it comes to dealing physical damage.

However, this soon gets eclipsed by the Knight Archetype, and aside from slash damage, there soon becomes little reason to run this Archetype at all.

It does become much more useful in its Adept and Elite forms, Swordmaster and Samurai, but as a Warrior alone, this Archetype fails to offer a genuine reason not to replace it with a more versatile elemental or buff-providing Archetype within the roster.

11 Merchant

You would think that the Merchant Archetype would be a contender for the worst Archetype on the roster, considering it’s a class that asks the player to spend their hard-earned cash just to cast spells, but in truth, it’s a much better version of the Brawler Archetype, that’s more viable across the game’s run.

The game gives the player plenty of ways to grind for sellable junk and cash in dungeons, meaning that spending money to perform attacks isn’t much of a burden.

Which, in turn, means that this is the best way to conserve MP in dungeons without sacrificing too much in another department. At least until you unlock the Thief Archetype.

Plus, the attacks are all listed as Almighty, meaning that they always hit regardless of any resistance or effect.

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

If you’re someone playing Metaphor on the harder difficulties, you’ll know how important it is to organize your party members and make the most of your formation tactics to take less damage and stay alive.

However, the trade-off is that, in most cases, your Archetypes will be much less powerful when working from the back line.

The Gunner is the exception to the rule, providing a series of powerful long-range attacks that can only be used from the back-line. Meaning they can stay out of the line of fire and deliver powerful, piercing blows to enemies from afar.

However, the reason why this one flatters to deceive slightly is that in Metaphor, status effects don’t trigger very often, meaning the high MP costs of these attacks usually aren’t worthwhile, as the potential effect isn’t dependable.

9 Faker

We all love a wildcard, and the Faker Archetype is exactly that, offering a signature skill that can either lead to imminent death, or make a fight a cakewalk.

The Faker has a variety of skills and abilities to create resistances that repel attacks among others, but the standout effect this Archetype offers is ‘Faker’s Roguery’.

A move that either adds or strips you of your turn notches purely based on whether your luck is in or not.

It’s an amazing Archetype to have in your corner when taking on the Vaneramo Colusieum or the Charadrius Skyrunner dungeon, as these areas require the player to complete fights in a finite amount of turns.

However, outside of these match-ups, your mileage may vary, as one unsuccessful roll of the dice could spell the end of your fantasy.

8 Knight

Despite being an early-game Archetype, the Knight remains one of the best options for your line-up well into the mid-to-late game, and this is simply because the Knight is effectively the Tank class option within Metaphor.

The Knight has access to some powerful pierce attacks and synthesis options. But the real reason you want them in your corner is because they can take a beating, and they can draw the attention of enemies.

With the use of the Knight’s Proclamation skill, you can ensure enemies only attack this party member, meaning they can soak up all the damage, allowing you to remain aggressive with your other more vulnerable Archetypes.

This class eventually needs an upgrade to something with a little more attacking versatility that set skills alone cannot provide, but all things considered, this is a brilliant option.

7 Mage

It’s a JRPG staple class for a reason, and it’s hardly surprising that this early-game Archetype remains consistently useful throughout your run.

The Mage Archetype does what it says on the tin, allowing the player to channel various forms of magic to get the better of their foe.

This means you can use Fire, Ice, and Electric attacks right from the word go, meaning that in a lot of cases, this class will be able to exploit weaknesses of multiple enemy variants in one dungeon.

The downside to this one is that if the enemy has a magical barrier up, this one is as good as useless, but for the sheer versatility that this Archetype provides alone, it’s one that you should invest in early, as it will continue to be an asset well into the game.

6 Commander

Much like within Persona, attacks are only as good as the characters casting them, and more often than not, a good buff can turn the tide in any battle, which is why the Commander Archetype is such a valuable asset.

This Archetype allows the player to effectively bark orders at fellow party members and cast group buffs rather than relying on individual buffs, meaning you can set up your team to sweep enemies much faster.

The downside is that this Archetype isn’t all that good in a fight, with only some meager fire attacks to call upon when needed.

So they are best used along the back lines, out of the firing line. But despite the hands-off approach, it’s an Archetype you’ll want in your corner during long boss fights.

5 Healer

As every gamer knows, a team is only as good as their healer, and without one, you’re setting yourself up for failure. But the good news is that you gain this Archetype very early in the game, so you won’t need to go without one for long.

This Archetype primarily uses light magic attacks, making it an unbelievable option when taking on undead enemies such as those in the Grand Regalith Cathedral.

However, the real reason why this one ranks so high on this list is because of its ability to heal the entire party and alleviate any status effects with ease.

No one wants to be the Healer, as it’s a pretty thankless job, but believe me when I say, in Metaphor, it’s an Archetype you’ll want to nurture.

4 Berserker

Despite being the very last archetype the player will gain access to, the Berserker still manages to cement itself as one of the finest archetypes in the game with limited screen time.

This is simply because this class offers the ability to perform a variety of punishing physical attacks. This means you won’t need to juggle the Brawler, Knight, and Warrior archetypes to land the perfect type of physical attack.

Not to mention, this Archetype also has the ability to charge once per battle, making their follow-up attack next turn hit with devastating effect, meaning you could be able to wrap up fights much faster than you would without this big unit on your side.

3 Thief

It won’t be until you meet the lovable Eugeif, Heismay, before you get to use the Thief Archetype, but it’s one that is certainly worth the wait.

The Thief archetype primarily specializes in Dark magic, making it a wonderful option for dungeons like Kriegante Castle, as well as various other requests and bounty dungeons.

However, the real standout abilities are Magic Plunder and Steal. The former allows you to steal MP from enemies, which can be a real asset when you are low on Magla Pills. Then, the latter is a skill that allows you to steal rare loot from enemies, allowing you to farm resources and ensure you acquire certain drops from foes.

This Archetype is a real all-rounder, and one you get relatively early in the game, making this a nailed-on choice for the entire mid-game, and one that will serve you well in the end-game also.

2 Summoner

Our Runner-up is one of the two Archetypes acquired toward the end of the game that allows you to perform Special Experiments within Akademia.

The Summoner lives up to its name, allowing you to channel special Vessels that call upon enemies you have faced throughout the game to help you in battle.

This means that this Archetype is very versatile, as you can call upon pretty much any elemental or physical variant you wish, depending on what Vessels you have available to set this Archetype up.

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

Then, acting as the cherry atop this Archetype cake, we have the Masked Dancer. This Archetype is a phenomenally versatile option that pays homage to the splicing mechanics present in Persona, allowing you to change out your strengths and weaknesses to lean into whatever you need for the battle ahead.

Through the use of the Special Experiments screen via Akademia, you’ll be able to craft different Masks and equip them to change your typing on the fly, making this the Archetype for all situations. Provided you know what you’re up against going into the fight.

The drawback of this Archetype that, due to the Mask taking up the Accessory Slot, you won’t be able to equip an accessory to the character in question, which can be a dealbreaker for some fights. Plus, you’ll have to listen to Junah’s piss-poor attempt at an Irish accent.

However, across the board, due to the fact that it can hold its own in pretty much any scenario with the right Mask, the Masked Dancer is our pick of the bunch.