Classes & Archetypes — How to Choose Your Playstyle
Are there classes in The Relic: First Guardian? No — the 5 weapon families replace traditional classes. How each archetype plays, which fits your style, and honest notes on unconfirmed details.
- Which weapon family you wield (5 families — see the Weapons Guide)
- Which skills you buy with Relic Energy in those trees
- Which relics you equip (over 70 unique passive fragments)
The good news: this makes your class completely fluid. You can play defensively in one region and aggressively in the next, all on the same character.
The 5 Archetypes at a Glance
| Archetype | Classic Class | Weapon Family | Role (confirmed playstyle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Guardian | Tank / Paladin | Sword & Shield | Block, parry, survive |
| The Assassin | Rogue / Burst DPS | Dagger (dual blades) | Fast, aggressive, burst |
| The Duelist | Fighter / Spellblade | Longsword | Balanced, parry mastery |
| The Juggernaut | Berserker | Two-Handed | Heavy damage, big swings |
| The Arcanist | Mage | Battle Staff | Skill-heavy, ranged pressure |
Choosing by Playstyle
I want to be unkillable → Guardian (Sword & Shield)
The only family with a native block, and the game's parry system pairs perfectly with the shield. The most forgiving archetype — recommended for your first soulslike. Buy HP/stamina nodes early with Relic Energy.
I want maximum speed and burst → Assassin (Dagger / Dual Blades)
The fastest family, built for aggressive burst play. It matches the game's zero-stamina-attacks economy perfectly — but short range and no block mean mistakes are punished hard.
I want a balanced challenge → Duelist (Longsword)
The versatile middle ground. Parry-focused without the shield's safety, faster than two-handed without the dagger's fragility. A great second playthrough pick.
I want big, satisfying hits → Juggernaut (Two-Handed)
Slow, heavy, devastating. Preview coverage noted heavy-feeling slow attacks as the trade-off. Best for players who enjoy deliberate, high-damage combat.
I want to fight with skills → Arcanist (Battle Staff)
The mage-like family — reviews describe it as the "skill-spamming" weapon, built around the cooldown-skill system. Needs relic support to scale: staff starts weaker until you collect the right fragments.
Can You Change Your Class?
Yes — freely and with no respec cost (confirmed design):- Weapons are swapped outside combat; each family keeps its own skill tree progress.
- Relics are freely swappable — official material is explicit that you adapt your build to each boss.
- Skills are bought per weapon tree, so returning to a weapon keeps its progress.
The game actively encourages experimenting with all five archetypes on one character.
Best Archetype Recommendations
| Player Profile | Recommended Archetype | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time soulslike player | Guardian (Sword & Shield) | Block and parry cover learning mistakes |
| Soulslike veteran | Assassin or Arcanist | Fast play; skill-heavy play |
| Wants safe damage | Arcanist (Staff) | Ranged pressure (after relic support) |
| Wants big numbers | Juggernaut (Two-Handed) | Highest per-hit damage |
| Plays solo (everyone) | Guardian + anything | The game is single-player only; survivability matters most |
Common Questions
Q: Is there a "best class"?A: No — all five archetypes are described as viable. The Tier List covers early community impressions, but verified ranking data does not exist yet.
Q: Which class is best for beginners?A: The Guardian (Sword & Shield) — the only family with a native block, and parry is the game's most forgiving defensive tool.
Q: Can I play all classes on one character?A: Yes — and the game encourages it. No respec cost; weapons, relics, and skills are all flexible.
Q: Does my starting weapon lock me in?A: No. Your first weapon is just your opener — all five families are found through exploration (every weapon is unique and hand-placed).
Q: Are skill trees per weapon or per character?A: Per weapon — 12 trees total, two per family. Progress in one family's trees stays with that family.
Related Guides
- Beginner Guide — Choosing your first weapon, step by step
- Weapons Guide — The 5 families and the 12 skill trees
- Best Builds Guide — Archetype builds with honest sourcing
- Weapon Tier List — Early impressions and rankings caveats