Metaphor: ReFantazio - Best Archetypes Tier List

The Gunner Archetype can prove useful in the early stages of your game, but as you unlock more Archetypes, he kind of loses his purpose. Later on, his long-ranged attacks are outclassed by faster, front-row-positioned allies.

PROS:

• Deals Pierce damage
• Access to debuffs

CONS:

• Back row only
• Outclassed by other offensive Archetypes

The Berserker can deal tons of damage, but you unlock it quite late in the game, and by that time you'll have developed other Archetypes that can do the same job quicker.

PROS:

• High, increasing damage
• High HP

CONS:

• Slow to charge
• Outclassed by other offensive Archetypes

The most useful form of the Brawler is the final evolution of it, the Martial Artist. Until you get to it, you'll invest time in other Archetypes that simply outclass the abilities of the Brawler, without the need to micromanage HP stats. 

PROS:

• Deals Strike damage
• Access to debuffs

CONS:

• Uses HP instead of MP
• Outclassed by other offensive Archetypes

The Merchant can deal out big attacks while using MAG instead of MP. While this can be a disadvantage early on, later it proves a great strategy to last longer in dungeons.

PROS:

• Increases item potency
• Access to Almighty skills

CONS:

• Uses MAG instead of MP

In the beginning, the Thief is highly utilizable for his ability to Steal and drain both enemy HP and MP. When you stack these skills with his evolutions, the Thief is worth investing your time and resources in.

PROS:

• Chance to one-hit enemies
• Access to Dark skills
• Can be used to farm with Steal skill

CONS:

• Slow to evolve

The Seeker is a versatile character, but later in the game, he feels like a jack of all trades and master of none. You can always take advantage of his Synthesis skills, however, and that is enough to put him higher in the ranking.

PROS:

• Versatile
• Strong Synthesis skills
• Access to Wind skills

CONS:

• Weak to Fire

The Mage specializes in Elemental skills and is quite useful in combat if you're a Magic-leaning fighter. Later in the game, his lineage will let you raise a character's max MP or magic damage.

PROS:

• Access to Elemental skills
• Can exploit several enemies' weaknesses

CONS:

• Outclassed by some offensive Archetypes

Having a Faker on your team can prove challenging to manage but highly rewarding. The Faker is the manipulator of the team and can turn the tides of a battle completely, winning you the toughest boss fights.

PROS:

• Can manipulate turns and outcomes
• Access to debuffs

CONS:

• Can't attack on their own

The Warrior is a loyal, well-rounded companion for any fighting scenario. When combined with other Archetypes, the Warrior will be your primary source of damage.

PROS:

• Great offensive damage
• Access to physical attack buffs
• Increased Critical Hit rate

CONS:

• Skills cost a lot of MP

Just like the Faker, the Commander's skills are best utilized when he's a secondary Archetype. With a Commander on your team, you'll have better formations with extra buffs to take down any enemy that comes your way.

PROS:

• Allows you to adapt faster in battle
• Access to formation buffs

CONS:

• Can't attack on their own

The Knight is a reliable tank on your team, lowering the overall damage your party members take. With this powerful buff, and the ability to draw away enemies, the honorable Knight is a must-have defensive Archetype.

PROS:

• Provides defense buffs to all allies
• Can draw away enemies from allies and tank them
• Access to physical attack skills

CONS:

• Defensive skills are ignored by some bosses

The Summoner is one of the most adaptable Archetypes, well-versed in both Physical and Magic attacks, with an incredibly interesting crafting attribute to unlock its abilities. The Summoner is a primary Archetype for your sixth party member, Eupha.

PROS:

• Summons monsters with enemy drops
• Access to powerful Synthesis skills
• Can inflict stat debuffs
• High defense

CONS:

• Late to unlock

You'd want a Healer on your team. Not only can this Archetype heal each of your allies at once, but he can also remove everyone’s status conditions and revive any fallen team member with full HP. A lot of enemies are weak to the Healer's attacks.

PROS:

• Can heal all allies
• Removes Ailments
• Revives fallen allies
• Access to powerful Light attacks

CONS:

• Not very versatile

The Masked Dancer has one of the most interesting combat styles. Whatever position you're lacking on your team, the Masked Dancer can become it and can execute it pretty well.

PROS:

• Incredibly flexible & versatile
• Can change skills & resistances
• Can inflict weaknesses
• Chance to bypass enemy Blocks

CONS:

• A bit weaker-performing than specialized Archetypes