Character classes are a convention of RPGs. Players naturally assume that all of them are useful and equally heroic. Sometimes, though, developers throw a monkey wrench into that idea.
There are several character classes in gaming that feel like jokes. That's not to say they're worthless, as these roles may aid fans in unconventional ways. However, their existence is so ridiculous it's impossible to play with a straight face. Gameplay variety is the spice of life, but some classes seem tailor-made to get the laughs.
6 Festivalist - Final Fantasy 10-2
The fact that this Final Fantasy title hinges its combat on dress-up is silly enough, but the Festivalist takes that to the next level. With this dress sphere, the party dons outfits more demeaning than any other costume in the game. It shouldn't come as a surprise that they came from an eight-year-old fan submission.
However, even that eight-year-old couldn't come up with abilities like these. Many deal with guarding against status ailments like Sleep, Silence, and Slow, ensuring no one rains on their parade.
On the offensive side, though, are projectiles. In this area, the Final Fantasy series usually goes for the most nonsensical option, and that holds true for 10-2. Yuna flings her sandal to cast spells; Rikku sends out a school of goldfish; Paine flings a mask. It all seems like a test of players' sanity. They can either get off the crazy train or embrace the sheer stupidity.
5 Jew - South Park: The Stick Of Truth
The South Park show has always run with current cultural trends for its humor, so this is hardly a shock. For whatever reason, modern pop culture loves to make fun of Jewish people. As such, The Stick of Truth's corresponding class subscribes to many negative stereotypes surrounding this race.
If players pick Jew, they get bonuses based on damage received and status ailments contracted. It's as if they're made to suffer. On the upside, they have a handful of special attacks based on religion. The Sling of David and Plagues of Egypt are a couple of examples. They're so ridiculous that many South Park fans will probably try them just for chuckles.
4 Jester - The Dragon Quest Series
This job is literally made for jokes, but Dragon Quest fans won't be laughing. If they issue a command, chances are that jesters will ignore it and practice their comedy routines. This comes at their own expense, and that of their teammates as enemies exploit the opening to attack. It's as if the jesters are making fun of the player for selecting them.
What's more, they continue to mock by occasionally trotting out a beneficial move. Unfortunately, this is painfully inconsistent. Because of that, most fans likely don't take the chance with these clownish combatants.
3 Waste Of Skin - Bloodborne
The Soulsborne titles typically include a character class for sadomasochists: those who think the game just isn't hard enough. This class is deprived of armor, wields the most unreliable weapon possible, and has stats too low to survive an open-hand slap. To succeed, players must learn the intricate enemy patterns and make no mistakes when confronting them. This involves dying infinitely more than in regular difficulties, which are no picnic, either. Those selecting this class are truly gluttons for punishment.
The developers have created a few names for it throughout their history, but none is more insulting than in Bloodborne. Here, the class is a "Waste of Skin," with the description saying that those within it should never have been born. The point is to build the character from the ground up, but that's hard to do with such a demoralizing start.
2 Dancer - The Fire Emblem Series
Support classes are nothing new, but Fire Emblem's take on them is unique. Several games in the series include the Dancer class. Those fitting said class don't cast spells or recite sacred incantations; instead, they do a little jig to buff up their allies. As dumb as this might sound, the class is quite useful in certain games like Three Houses.
Fire Emblem's Dancers are not usually designed to attack. They mainly sit there on the battlefield and shake their hips. One can only hope enemies are too confused to retaliate and that their friends feel good enough to triumph. Otherwise, it's going to be a really short routine.
1 Homeless Guy - Yakuza: Like A Dragon
The turn-based Yakuza entry takes professions and archetypes from real life and frames them as JRPG classes. One wouldn't think the Homeless Guy has much to offer, but that's where the game presents a funny juxtaposition. It's actually one of the best classes in the game.
When Nanba uses this role in Like a Dragon, he becomes a powerful mage. Not only does the class have high-tier spells of its own, but it carries several over from other classes. Homeless guys pick up whatever they can use, and Nanba does the same for magic. Perhaps that's the parallel that the developers seek to draw. Even if not, it's still a gleefully insane contrast.