Archetypes

The classes of Camelot Unchained are each based around a strong archetype. An archetype is a more general overview of various roles and functions rather than a specific definition of abilities and traits which would comprise a class.

Classes of the same Archetype might vary considerably from one another, depending on Realm, race and gender. This variation will be achieved through Banes and boons, stats and especially through corresponding classes of different realms not being mirrored.

Archetypes were implemented in the early testing phases before detailed class designs were completed in order to test the raw, fundamental mechanics of the engine and gameplay systems. During the P.A.T. testing and through the start of the Alpha testing phase, three Archetypes had been implemented in-game: Warrior, Healer and Mage. Beta 1 will launch with Heavy Fighters, Healers, Archers, and Crafters.

Archers
The Archer Archetype is based around ranged damaging abilities, while being highly skilled in camouflage. Camouflage gives Archers the ability to initiate battles from cover, hide from pursuers, and scout. It has been noted that Archers will not simply be Mages with Bows, but rather, provide their own unique skills to the battle field. The Winter's Shadow will be better at skirmishes as they will have a better balance between ranged and melee combat, the Forest Stalker specializes in crowd control and using the forests to provide bonuses, and the Blackguard excels at using bows providing the highest ranged damage output of the Archer Archetype.

Archer Archetype Reveal

The Devout
This Archetype is focused around the hybrid function of healing and damage dealing. The Devout have to have incredible battlefield awareness as they need to manage both damaging foes while watching the status of their own teammates. In more offensive groups, The Devout take the role of the main healer for patching after a quick blitz. In more balanced groups, they take the role of a secondary healer that can provide damage at the start, but can back out to heal as needed. The Abbot is the most physical of The Devout. They have a higher specialization for melee fighting while casting enhancement spells. The Blessed Crow is specialized around dropping and positioning their cauldrons. They cast spells upon their cauldrons to enhance their allies or enfeeble their foes. The Helbound has increasing effectiveness of their healing or their damage the more they cast that spell type. As such, it is more beneficial them not swap back and forth as often and change their focus only as required by the situation.

The Devout Archetype Reveal

Healers
The role of this Archetype is primarily focused on providing a variety of magic based healing and ally-focused supportive abilities. While all healers are focused entirely on healing their Realm-mates, each class performs this in a unique way. The Physician defies the typical magic based healer class by supporting his allies with his strong Alchemy. They will use different potions and elixirs to restore their allies. The Empath heals by taking upon himself the wounds and status effects of his allies. They will also have a Simulacrum that can be used as a resource to take the damage that would otherwise have gone to the Empath. The Stonehealer specializes in healing with enchanted stones. They have the ability to heal by throwing rocks directly at allies or use stones as deployables cast upon the ground to create area effects.

Healer Archetype Reveal

Heavy Fighters
The terminology of this Archetype has fluctuated between Tank, Warrior, and Fighter. These terms have been used inconsistently and interchangeably over time. Kickstarter launched using 'Tank', the Newsletter and the Drengr have used 'Warrior' , while the character builder within the game client lists 'Fighter'. During the Class Reveals, the final name was revealed to be Heavy Fighters. Ultimately, this Archetype refers to a primarily melee based fighter whose specific role and function can vary within a range between offense and defense. They are focused on creating high disruption to the opponents while holding a strong front line. The Black Knight is the most traditional and straightforward melee fighter. They have little interest in magic in favor of heavy forward facing defense and protecting his allies with a heavy shield. The Fianna is more of an active regeneration fighter than the other two Heavy Fighter classes. They will have to be more careful tactical wading into the fight as their regenerative properties require them to disengage from battle to heal before returning to the fray. The Mjölnir is the most diverse and offensive of the Heavy Fighters in that he can fight using the crushing damage of his hammer, the magic damage of his cast lightning, or the short ranged attacks of his thrown weapon. They will have less passive defense and more active defense. Their active defenses will be increased based on the damage they deal.

Heavy Fighter Archetype Reveal

Mages
The terminology of this Archetype has been refocused from a general DPS to the more specific Mage. The Kickstarter listed 'DPS', while the Newsletter and the game client use 'Mage'. This Archetype is primarily focused on magic based damaging abilities.

The newly introduced Spirit Pet Class is also classified under the Mage archetype, based on Ben Pielstick`s "...In terms of game balance, this is the first time we have talked about a second class of the same archetype within a Realm (referring to mages, in this case)" from Newsletter #9.

Mage Archetype Reveal

Scouts
This Archetype is dedicated to scout the location and actions of the enemy. While scouting, members of this archetype move with increased speed, are difficult to detect, and can pass through walls. They are very agile combatants and offer reconnaissance that assists members of their Realm.

Scout Archetype Reveal

Shapeshifters
Members of this Archetype are focused around changing shape to deal damage. They are primarily melee fighters, but their shape changing allows them the flexibility to change their attacks depending on the situation of battle.

Shapeshifter Archetype Reveal

Spirit Mages
This Archetype is made of damage dealing classes that use spirit pets to perform their actions.

Spirit Mage Archetype Reveal

Stealthers
Classes of this Archetype use the power of The Veil to initiate battles. While traversing the Veil, Stealthers are incredibly difficult to detect which makes them formidable combatants.

Stealther Archetype Reveal

Supports
The terminology of this Archetype has shifted from Hybrid to Support. The Kickstarter listed 'Hybrid', while the Newsletter uses 'Support'.

Quote: "The main talent of a Support character is to make allies better and make enemies worse. They can be the best at applying and removing buffs and debuffs from allies and enemies, misdirection and confusion, and helping allies to disengage and escape from battle. Support classes can also gain access to the best mobility skills in the game, making them hard to lock down. Moving around the battlefield quickly allows them to use their skills on both melee and ranged allies and enemies, even when these targets are spread out. 

''Support characters rely on a high amount of setup; they use their control of buffs and debuffs to deal effective damage, but this comes with a challenge. They can improve their own moderate damage potential substantially, but these abilities tend to have a much greater effect on already potent damage capabilities of their allies.''"

Support Archetype Reveal

Crafter Archetype
The Crafter Archetype, the crucial part of game`s economy and also very important in Realm's war effort, stands in contrast to the others in that it is not combat focused, though it wil have some fighting skills. It is focused on mining or gathering materials, refining them, and then using them to create items, gear, and equipment as well as build structures. The Archetype also includes builders and possibly combat/siege engineers.

Its leveling up & skill progression will be based on mining, gathering, crafting, building and repairing rather than fighting, though some of these "civilians" will be able to do their job on the battlefield. Also, crafters will play very important role in The Depths.

Quote: "Our dedicated crafter class is going to be responsible for creating nearly everything in the game, from weapons and armor to castles and siege engines. Crafters can also go out and help support allies in RvR, so crafting is involved enough to keep a character busy full-time. That’s why our crafting system has its own dedicated class rather than being a secondary role."