Highlights
- Baldur's Gate 3 and Path of Exile 2 are leading the charge in offering a vast selection of classes and subclasses, seeking to blow their competition out of the water.
- Both games are expanding RPG mechanics by introducing a wide range of classes and specializations, giving players more customization options and unique gameplay experiences.
- The trend of increased character classes in action RPGs is becoming the standard, as players enjoy the advantages and gameplay variety that a larger selection of talents provides.
The action RPG scene has been one of the most competitive historically, and with a constant influx of high-quality titles, the category seems to be heating up even more. Barely a few months removed from Blizzard's groundbreaking exploits with Diablo 4, new challengers are rising in the form of Baldur's Gate 3 and Path of Exile 2, offering unique gaming experiences with a deep bag of archetypes. As gaming becomes increasingly customized, there has been a shift in focus to create more classes for players to specialize in, and both upcoming games are leading the charge, seeking to blow their competition out of the water with a vast selection of categories. Baldur's Gate 3 and Path of Exile 2's variety could generate enough fanfare to break the dominance of household names in the genre.
Diablo 4 did a brilliant job of reigniting gamer interest in the action RPG category after a brief lull, and fans are in for exciting times with a packed lineup of titles to come over the next few months. Diablo 4's classes generated a lot of interest in the weeks following its release, and developers are picking up on the trend, with Baldur's Gate 3 and Path of Exile 2 seeking to expand the limits of RPG mechanics as gamers know it. Baldur's Gate 3 has 12 classes and 46 subclasses for players to engage with, and Path of Exile 2 is towing the same route, with 12 base classes and 36 Ascendancy classes.
Increased Character Classes are All The Rave in Baldur's Gate 3 and Path of Exile 2
Baldur's Gate 3 is shaping up to redefine fantasy games, and the Dungeons and Dragons-inspired franchise seeks to hook its players with a generous helping of classes in The Forbidden Realms. These classes are fueled with unique powers that personalize players' gaming experiences. There's something for every type of gamer in Baldur's Gate 3 - the Wizard and Sorcerer for lovers of magic, the Monk for martial arts enthusiasts, and the Barbarian and Fighter for bloodthirsty combatants. Within these categories, there are specializations for players to carefully consider, as Larian Studios equipped their skill tree with special boons to help gamers overcome enemies all over the map.
Most Baldur's Gate 3 classes have three subclasses, with only the Paladin, Cleric, and Wizard above this threshold. The Paladin has four, while the Cleric and Wizard possess seven and eight respectively, giving gamers a range of flavored gameplay to experience. As a result, the main discussion among lovers of DnD and the Baldur's Gate franchise is concerned with discovering what class and subclass combination is best for traveling through The Forbidden Realms, and with 46 different specializations, Larian has given fans room for originality through choice.
Similarly, Path of Exile 2 is primed to do even better. Path of Exile had seven classes and 19 Ascendancies to encourage individuality, and the developer is expanding in Path of Exile 2, outfitting the standalone sequel with six new classes and 36 Ascendancies in total. With the story campaign set 20 years after Kitava's death, players will use the fresh skills introduced to do battle with 100 extra bosses, building on the immersive combat mechanics from the first edition. The wait is underway to see which category and Ascendancy is the strongest, and the increased choice is a good headache for players.
The shared approach between Baldur's Gate 3 and Path of Exile 2 shows a clear pattern for upcoming action RPGs to follow in the quest for success. Gamers enjoy searching for the slightest advantages over their competition, and an increased selection of talents with unique strengths and weaknesses is the best way to keep players engaged through playthroughs. Judging from the excited chatter surrounding both games, this trend of large numbers of classes and subclasses looks set to become the standard.
Baldur's Gate 3 releases on August 3 for PC, and on September 6 for PS5.
