History Main / ClassAndLevelSystem

* ''VideoGame/ChampionsOnline'' toys with this. While the game operates primarily on a PointBuySystem, the predetermined Archetypes function much like a traditional WoW-Style character class, complete with multiple skill trees.

* Pretty much every major MMORPG that isn't a WideOpenSandbox tends to favor this system. The TropeCodifier for this is arguably ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', which most modern MMORPG's have looked to for inspiration in some fashion. In the "WoW-Style" ClassAndLevelSystem, characters select a basic class at level one. At some point (typically level 10, though this varies), characters choose from a small number of "Talent Trees" which they can specialize in. Certain [=MMOs=] like ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic" and {{VideoGame/Aion}} require you to select a PrestigeClass as well. As a result of this system, members of the same basic class can function in radically different ways, to the point of being completely distinct in extreme cases.

* Pretty much every major MMORPG that isn't a WideOpenSandbox tends to favor this system. The TropeCodifier for this is arguably ''WorldOfWarcraft'', which most modern MMORPG's have looked to for inspiration in some fashion. In the "WoW-Style" ClassAndLevelSystem, characters select a basic class at level one. At some point (typically level 10, though this varies), characters choose from a small number of "Talent Trees" which they can specialize in. Certain [=MMOs=] like ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic" and {{VideoGame/Aion}} require you to select a PrestigeClass as well. As a result of this system, members of the same basic class can function in radically different ways, to the point of being completely distinct in extreme cases.

* ''TransformersWarForCybertron'' has a multiplayer character system that's equal parts this and ''ModernWarfare'''s "create-a-class". The weapons and abilities are divided among four classes: Soldier (Warrior), Scout (Thief), Scientist (Wizard), and Leader (which has elements of Warrior and, to a small extent, Wizard). Within each class, you can choose any two weapons, two abilities, and three upgrades available to that class (plus aesthetic elements like body style). Each class levels up individually to a maximum of 25 per class, and leveling up unlocks additional abilities and upgrades for that class.

[[folder:Hack And Slash]]
* In ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'' and its sequel, you select one of several different character classes, but how you develop the character is up to you. In the first game, leveling up gives you five stat points you can add to your strength, dexterity, life or magic however you see fit. In ''Diablo II'', you also get one skill point with each level, and can add it to any accessible skill on one of your skill trees.

* ''CityOfHeroes'' has a fairly traditional ClassAndLevelSystem, in that it has classes and levels, though the classes themselves are more exotic than just the standard warrior, mage and cleric. Unusually for a MMORPG, it also lacks a PointBuySystem entirely, instead offering new power (skill) choices on some levels, and slots for enhancements on others. It even avoids the traditional act of taking the same skill multiple time to get better versions of it, relying instead on the enhancement system for skill improvement.

* ''Franchise/StarWars Saga Edition'' has a system similar to d20 Modern. Characters begin in one of five basic classes; Jedi, Noble, Scoundrel, Scout, and Soldier. Rather than having abilities be tied to each class, each class grants a series of talents and bonus feats that they can draw from. Characters only get full first level benefits from their actual first level class, however. A first level Jedi gains Force Sensitivity and Lightsaver proficiency, but a scoundrel dipping into Jedi can only choose one. Otherwise, Multiclassing is strongly encouraged.

* Pretty much every major MMORPG that isn't a WideOpenSandbox tends to favor this system. The TropeCodifier for this is arguably ''WorldOfWarcraft'', which most modern MMORPG's have looked to for inspiration in some fashion. In the "WoW-Style" ClassAndLevelSystem, characters select a basic class at level one. At some point (typically level 10, though this varies), characters choose from a small number of "Talent Trees" which they can specialize in. Certain [=MMOs=] like ''StarWarsTheOldRepublic" and {{VideoGame/Aion}} require you to select a PrestigeClass as well. As a result of this system, members of the same basic class can function in radically different ways, to the point of being completely distinct in extreme cases.

* ''StarWars Saga Edition'' has a system similar to d20 Modern. Characters begin in one of five basic classes; Jedi, Noble, Scoundrel, Scout, and Soldier. Rather than having abilities be tied to each class, each class grants a series of talents and bonus feats that they can draw from. Characters only get full first level benefits from their actual first level class, however. A first level Jedi gains Force Sensitivity and Lightsaver proficiency, but a scoundrel dipping into Jedi can only choose one. Otherwise, Multiclassing is strongly encouraged.

* Though levels [[CallAHitPointASmeerp are called ranks]] (as in, military ranks, from rookie to [[ColonelBadass Colonel]]), ''VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown'' uses a class and level system. Interestingly, soldiers are classless until they gain their first level, then they become [[CloseRangeCombatant Assault]], [[StuffBlowingUp Heavies]], [[JackOfAllStats Support]] or [[LongRangeFighter Snipers]]. Soldiers level up exclusively through kills. Assists are not counted. Later in the game, any soldier who has the [[PsychicPowers Gift]] also has a separate psionic rank, although the level tree is much smaller (from Psi-Adept to Psi-Operative). Leveling up the psionic rank requires the successful use of PsychicPowers.

** ''XCOM: Enemy Within'' adds a new class called the MEC Trooper, specializing in PoweredArmor. Any non-psionic soldier (either ungifted or untested) higher than a rookie can be turned into a MEC Trooper. Due to the nature of the procedure (arms and legs being replaced by prosthetics), the soldiers lose their current skills, but the rank's level is preserved, so a new skillset can be selected from the MEC Trooper tree.

* Though levels [[CallAHitPointASmeerp are called ranks]] (as in, military ranks, from rookie to [[ColonelBadass Colonel]]), VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown uses a class and level system. Interestingly, soldiers are classless until they gain their first level, then they become [[CloseRangeCombatant Assault]], [[StuffBlowingUp Heavies]], [[JackOfAllStats Support]] or [[LongRangeFighter snipers]]

* Mostly played straight in ''TheLastRemnant''; your character's class is based off the skills they use, their level in that class is then based off their stats. For example, mostly using combat arts may give a character the Gladiator class; if they also had 57 strength, they would be an Adept Gladiator.
* ''DragonQuestVI'': Characters levels are gained via experience and increase stats, but the class ranks (up to 8) increase via number of battles won and gives new spells. However, what is unique is that spells learned this way are kept even after a class change.
** ''DragonQuestIX'' plays it straighter: each class is leveled until 99, with each level giving skill points that can be invested to learn abilities and stat boosts that carry over from class to class. Spells learned by leveling, however, don't transfer with class changes.
* ''GoldenSun'': A character's class is determined by the Djinn kept on it, giving stat boosts much higher than level gain and changing spells.

* In ''{{Disgaea}}'' and other Nippon Ichi [=SRPGs=], the prerequisites tend to be more varied, but the classes still dictate the stat growth and equip percentage.

* Pretty much every major MMORPG that isn't a WideOpenSandbox tends to favor this system. The TropeCodifier for this is arguably ''WorldOfWarcraft'', which most modern MMORPG's have looked to for inspiration in some fashion. In the "WoW-Style" ClassAndLevelSystem, characters select a basic class at level one. At some point (typically level 10, though this varies), characters choose from a small number of "Talent Trees" which they can specialize in. Certain MMOs like ''StarWarsTheOldRepublic" and {{VideoGame/Aion}} require you to select a PrestigeClass as well. As a result of this system, members of the same basic class can function in radically different ways, to the point of being completely distinct in extreme cases.

** ''DragonQuestXI'' plays it straighter: each class is leveled until 99, with each level giving skill points that can be invested to learn abilities and stat boosts that carry over from class to class. Spells learned by leveling, however, don't transfer with class changes.

* ''MassEffect'' plays with this. The ClassAndLevelSystem is in full force, especially in the first game. However, almost every character has their own unique class. Only [[PlayerCharacter Commander Shepard]] has a choice of classes, and only Kaidan and Ashley have classes that come from the same pool (and even then, only in the first game).

[[folder: Hack And Slash ]]

* In ''{{VideoGame/Diablo}}'' and its sequel, you select one of several different character classes, but how you develop the character is up to you. In the first game, leveling up gives you five stat points you can add to your strength, dexterity, life or magic however you see fit. In ''Diablo 2'', you also get one skill point with each level, and can add it to any accessible skill on one of your skill trees.

[[folder: MMORPGs ]]

* ''DungeonsAndDragonsOnline'' uses a system inspired by the tabletop game, allowing players to select multiple classes simply by speaking to a different trainer when you gain a level. You can only have a maximum of three classes, however.

[[folder: Role Playing Game ]]

[[folder: Tabletop Games ]]

** ''HackMaster'' seems to be for people who think 3rd Edition ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' is for effete [[ClubKid metrosexuals]] who wouldn't know which end of a dagger to hold without a self-help book. Thus, the 1st/2nd edition TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons system is repeated.

[[folder: Turn Based Strategy ]]

[[folder: Third Person Shooter ]]

* ''ChampionsOnline'' toys with this. While the game operates primarily on a PointBuySystem, the predetermined Archetypes function much like a traditional WoW-Style character class, complete with multiple skill trees.

* The original ''DungeonsAndDragons'' is the archetypal example of this kind of system. Third edition added some point-build aspects (feats), as well as a very flexible multi-classing system. Fourth edition gave every class a fairly large palette of abilities for the player to choose from, but those abilities are almost always unique to that class.
** ''HackMaster'' seems to be for people who think 3rd Edition ''DungeonsAndDragons'' is for effete [[ClubKid metrosexuals]] who wouldn't know which end of a dagger to hold without a self-help book. Thus, the 1st/2nd edition DungeonsAndDragons system is repeated.