Brighter Shores has been creating waves in the MMORPG genre with its recent early-access release. If you’ve just joined the adventure and are feeling uncertain about which class or faction to pick when starting, this guide will walk you through the strengths, weaknesses, and play styles of each class. So, read on for valuable insights to help you make an informed choice, especially if you’re a beginner looking to find your footing in the game.
For any MMORPG, choosing the best class as a beginner is important because your initial choice shapes your early experience and progression in the game. And for a game like Brighter Shores, where changing the class is not possible right now, choosing the right one for you in the beginning is all the more important. Starting with a class that complements your playstyle will likely set you up for success as you explore deeper into the game’s world.
Brighter Shores Best Class to choose as a Beginner
Before we get to the best class to choose, it is worthwhile to check out the strengths, weaknesses, and overall differences between the three available classes available in the game. Upon reaching Episode 2 of the main story, you enter a “magic cave” and must decide between three classes. This choice is permanent, so choose carefully. Here’s what each class offers:
Cryoknight (Ice Element)
- Elemental Strengths and Weaknesses: Cryoknights use ice-based magic, strong against Arbor (nature) but weak against Tempeste (lightning).
- Weapons and Armor: They favor metal armor and wield swords, great axes, bows, and javelins. Their full metal armor is visually striking, with some of the most iconic aesthetics.
- Crafting Focus: As a Cryoknight, blacksmithing will be the primary crafting profession to upgrade your weapons and gear.
Hammer Mage (Lightning Element)
- Elemental Strengths and Weaknesses: Hammer Mages are lightning-based, effective against metal-wearing Cryoknights but vulnerable to Arbor’s nature-based powers.
- Weapons and Armor: They wear stone armor and wield various hammers, maces, throwing hammers, and Bolas. Hammer Mages have a scale armor look, often with hoods.
- Crafting Focus: Stone masonry is the crafting profession of choice.
Guardian (Nature Element)
- Elemental Strengths and Weaknesses: Guardians use nature magic, making them strong against Tempeste (lightning) but weak against Cryoknight’s ice.
- Weapons and Armor: Guardians prefer bone armor, with clubs, spears, pole axes, and crossbows. Their gear is usually adorned with bones and trophies.
- Crafting Focus: Bone working is the go-to profession.
Choosing the Right Class Early in the Game
Since Brighter Shores is still in Early Access, the specific class you choose doesn’t make a huge impact on your gameplay yet. Each class does have a distinct aesthetic and elemental magic, but the differences in abilities and powers do not make much of a difference at this stage. Later in the game, weapons will provide access to different types of magic, regardless of your initial choice. You won’t be locked into one element forever, so it’s best to choose based on the look and style you prefer for your character right now.
- Cryoknight is ideal if you’re drawn to an armored, knight-like aesthetic with powerful melee and ranged options.
- Hammer Mage fits you if a mix of heavy-hitting weapons and the raw power of lightning sounds badass to you. You also will be equipped with stone armor for durability.
- Guardian does not have anything flashy going for themselves, and most players agree that the minimal bony aesthetic does not hold up against the metal and stone aesthetics of Cryoknights and Hammer Mage, respectively. Still, if you like the minimal look, you can go with Guardian.
Now keep in mind that Brighter Shores is still in early access. So, future updates are likely to introduce unique abilities, advanced skills, and more defined roles for each class, making your choice more impactful. For now, it’s a matter of aesthetics, but expect this to change significantly as the game progresses.
Well, that should clear all your doubts about the best class to pick up in Brighter Shores. And, for more gaming-related queries, make sure to visit DigiStatement first! Also, click here to find out more about factions in the game.
