How to differentiate classes and jobs in RPG settings.
When it comes to combat RPGs, creators tend to implement many ways to get stronger. Two important parts of a status window which can decide the future of entire accounts are classes and jobs. While the two can easily be interchanged, it can be very helpful to know the difference between them.
To begin, RPGs will generally let you have access to jobs right from the start of their game. While some RPGs will simply mark them as tasks and create a simple XP mastery system, others will force you to only use one job at a time if not simply force you to only have one job. Jobs are exactly what they sound like. They can be excruciatingly long and boring. However, the repetition and improvement process connected to them brings great dopamine to some. General jobs you’ll hear of are things like blacksmith, lumberjack, fisherman, farmer, miner, etc. Basically, RPGs mostly contain older jobs, many of which are less common nowadays.These jobs are used to gather resources and the experience you gain in them allows you to do so with greater efficiency. There are entire games centered around these kinds of mechanics.
The second part is classes. These can be generalized into swordsman, archer and mage. Basically, classes are combat roles, many of which have simply never existed in the real world. The amount of classes in a game can greatly vary due to the amount of factors which affect that part of RPGs. If mana is taken out of the equation, so are all mage related classes. Hidden classes can provide great extra benefits and be extremely strong but aren’t necessary classes. It’s possible to not have any branch type classes like barbarians and tanks which can be considered just a deviation of swordsmen. Removing all deviations of classes actually leads to a scenario where to have classes implemented, the only thing left that works is to split people up into short, mid and long range attackers.
What distinguishes the two previously mentioned parts is that while most jobs can be classes, most classes cannot be jobs. For example, you can easily make a system with only classes and say that your class is that of a blacksmith. However, you can’t make a system with only jobs and say that your job is being a swordsman. No, your job would be being a guard, a mercenary or perhaps even a soldier. Overall, jobs are really made to invoke the real world in unreal circumstances while classes are an extension of one’s status in a make-believe world which is to guide your decision making and make you stronger. In conclusion, jobs and classes are what you as a creator make of them but it’s important to never disregard the possibility that you may see both mentioned at once.
