Fans of isometric, stand-alone, turn-based fantasy video games were suffering from a bit of a dry spell in recent years. Most developers had gone the way of MMOs or three-dimensional, first-person POVs partly to cash in on the popularity. The folks at Owlcat Games, however, saw things a bit differently when they made Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. They not only kept the old-school camera angle but also used the complex and intriguing world of the Pathfinder universe as the framework for their turn-based adventure games.

Games from the Baldur’s Gate franchise are based on the rules that govern Dungeons & Dragons, and although both D&D and Pathfinder have some features that are common with turn-based role-playing games there are some profound differences. One that’s easy to see right away is that Pathfinder has a lot more variety when it comes to classes, with a list of 25 to choose from as opposed to D&D’s mere 12. That doesn’t include advanced Prestige classes or multi-class creations either.

There’s no need to feel overwhelmed, however. For those who are new to Pathfinder, or just want to play a low-maintenance character while enjoying the story, there are several that are ideal for beginners. When playing the game, the character creation screen helps players out with this by indicating which classes require more micromanagement than others. There are also classes for advanced characters that have already attained at least 3rd level, so it’s something players can return to after they have more experience with Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous best classes.

12 Barbarian

  • Party Role:
  • Melee damage, with some possibility for a Defender role.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • Rated 1/5, one of the easiest and best classes for a beginner.
  • Archetype Choices:
  • There are six certain Archetype choices, some of which also offer better AC options for aspiring defenders and other features like animal companions. Players aren’t required to choose an Archetype, but if they do, all the options for a Barbarian require a Neutral moral alignment.

Simple is as simple does when it comes to Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous classes. A melee class with a limited choice when it comes to armor and certain intellectual pursuits, Barbarians are one of the best classes to start any RPG.

Players can customize their Barbarian to have skills with both distance and melee weapons, much like any martial class, and although they might be able to learn a cantrip or two depending on the exact build they can’t cast spells or use most scrolls. Players who are interested in a straightforward hack-and-slash experience would enjoy playing a Barbarian.

11 Cavalier

  • Party Role:
  • Equally effective as a melee or ranged DPS or as a Defender.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • Rated 2/5, partly due to the extra mechanics of an animal companion.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • There are seven, making it one of the longest lists of Archetypes available, but the Cavalier of the Paw is restricted to Halflings.

It sounds like the name for a swashbuckling type class, and it is when it comes to weapons and gear, but players also get to choose an animal companion. Naturally, this is often a horse, or some other ridable animal depending on the exact circumstances. Previously some possibilities weren’t visible to Cavaliers, but that was fixed in a previous patch.

The Cavalier is the member of the party than can be seen charging into battle waving their standard, so this is an ideal starter class for those planning to lead the party. When it comes to mobility this is one of tPathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous’ best classes. Characters also get a variety of martial skills, which includes both weapons and armor along with extra perks like Tactician as a bonus Feat.

10 Cleric

  • Party Role:
  • Often a healer, but can also be a defender or DPS, including melee or ranged.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • Rated 3/5 because of the sheer number of possibilities when it comes to a Cleric build, even a simple one.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • Chose between six different Archetypes, some of which require certain moral alignments. Clerics cannot be Atheists.

One of the most versatile classes available in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, a Cleric can fill virtually every party role available and has some of the most useful spells at hand. Healing incantations are only the tip of that iceberg, since Clerics can also cast Restoration spells, protection from energy and alignment spells, and channel Negative and Positive Energy.

The foundation for a Cleric build starts with choosing a moral alignment and a deity, which often determines whether this Cleric will be a healer or ranged DPS. One Archetype allows for equal powers in each, but it also requires a neutral alignment.

9 Fighter

  • Party Role:
  • Defense or melee damage with little variation.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • One of the easiest classes to play with a 1/5 rating, there’s a lot a creative player can do with a Fighter.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • Six choices are offered which include options for either defenders or damage dealers.

These Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous classes are ranked alphabetically rather than by how easy they are to play, but if they were, the Fighter could be first on the list. The classic beginner class, the Fighter can be as simple and complex as the player wants.

Fighters are highly customizable, allowing players to choose between Archetypes, abilities for both combat and survival, and other useful features. Beginners who want to play a martial class but are unsure about their character’s specific progression would do well to choose a Fighter partly because they learn a new skill at every level. Their primary abilities are Dexterity or Strength, and they can take on the party’s defense with a sword and shield or dual-wield and act as melee or ranged DPS.

8 Inquisitor

  • Party Role:
  • Ranged or melee damage, with some spellcasting support.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • Rated 3/5 due to the management of their divine spells to heal, harm, or protect.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • There are six, but like Clerics, a character cannot be an Atheist.

The Inquisitor can be compared to a Paladin when it comes to matters of faith and melee damage, but the similarities stop there. Inquisitors are dedicated to their deity, whoever that is, which means they aren’t tied to a Lawful Good alignment. They are fanatics, often working to pursue those that oppose their god, and they can use torture, murder, and pet monsters to do it.

The fairly simple RP background is a good start for new players. What makes this class one of the easier ones to play is the focus on damage, whether it’s ranged or melee, plus the choice of a few simple spells that can be used for healing the party or harming its enemies.

7 Monk

  • Party Role:
  • Ranged or melee DPS, with some support to the defender or healer.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • Rated 2/5, an easier class that requires some versatility when it comes to roles and weapons.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • Seven, which all require a Lawful moral alignment. The Student of Stone option is only available to Oreads.

Players shouldn’t worry about fretting over weapon and armor choices with this class, as they’ll have very few, but that’s the advantage. Other features that new players will appreciate are a nice mix of abilities related to both athletics and perceptive skills.

The Monk class of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteoushas more options when it comes to weapons than its counterparts in other games, and can access handaxes, shurikens, daggers, and several others to keep it more interesting. It’s slightly limited when it comes to alignment choices, but there are RP choices related to the Monk’s deity or background to make it more interesting.

6 Oracle

  • Party Role:
  • Healer or DPS, depending on moral alignment and choice of deity.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • Rated 3/5 just for the sheer amount an Oracle can do within even one or two-party roles.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • There are seven, one of which is only available to Aasimar, the Purifier. Unlike Clerics, Oracles can be Atheists.

The Oracle is often compared to a Cleric in the Pathfinder universe when it comes to the capacity for healing. Unlike the Cleric, however, the Oracle is more focused on their magical abilities, and they don’t have to be beneficial ones.

During the Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous character creation process, Oracles have to choose from Cure Spells and Inflict Spells, so a player could build a damage dealer that uses Negative Energy on enemies whole using their smaller library of healing spells for party support.

The Oracle class is fairly complex when it comes to mechanics and RP, and although some players might not like the amount of work when it comes to creating a character with a unique build, others will appreciate the detail. Oracles not only choose a Background like other characters but also an inherent Curse, an Ancestral Mystery, and a Revelation, which is an extra ability related to their previous choices for spells.

5 Paladin

  • Party Role:
  • Often in the main defender role, can also take on peripheral healing, support, and damage.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • Rated 2/5, making it one of the easiest spellcasting classes to manage.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • Seven, all of which need a Lawful Good moral alignment. The Stonelord option is only available to Dwarves.

Paladins can wear plate armor, and heal themselves. What can go wrong? Well, plenty, because they’re a Lawful moral alignment, and are on a mission from their personal god, so it’s a good thing this character is one of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous’ best classes.

This is a class that can surprise beginners because it isn’t as easy as it sounds, but that’s exactly why it’s a good class for those new to Pathfinder specifically or to RPGs in general. Paladins also have access to holy magic, which is particularly handy in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, in which many of the enemies are demons.

4 Ranger

  • Party Role:
  • DPS, either ranged or melee but are often associated with bows.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • 2/5, because of the straightforward role as a damage dealer and specialization when it comes to certain enemies and terrain, which keeps the gameplay simple.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • Six, a few of which include unique magical powers and abilities along with animal companions.

This is not a wanderer of the woodland as it is in other games, although players could build a Ranger that way in Pathfinder if they really wanted. This is a class that beginners will like if they want to play a versatile role with some unique customization options at later levels.

The Ranger class in Pathfinder chooses a favored enemy and can access several Archetypes. Some of these include abilities often reserved for other classes, like spellcasting and espionage, but the Ranger has access to them as well.

3 Rogue

  • Party Role:
  • DPS, either ranged or melee, often uses some spellcasting power as well.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • 1/5, one of the easiest DPS classes that exist and are highly customizable.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • Seven choices, with Master of All only available to Half-Elves. No moral alignment or deity choices are required.

Rogues can be simple or complicated depending on how one wants to play them and are often compared to Fighters in this regard. This is another class that learns a new skill or ability at every level, so it’s a good choice for beginners who like to track their progression and build their character step by step.

There are even more options available for Rogues in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous when it comes to unique builds. Players can explore Archetypes that specialize in explosives, skills associated with crime, general thuggery, or even nature magic.

2 Slayer

  • Party Role:
  • DPS, either melee or ranged, with some support in the form of extra spells.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • Rated 1/5, similar to a Fighter or a Rogue when it comes to the build.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • There are seven, but the Imitator is only open to Humans. Moral alignment and deity are not a factor.

Focused on the hunt, a Slayer has something in common with the Ranger in the sense that they both have specialized knowledge of specific targets. A Slayer, however, works primarily in secret, and is more of an assassin than a hunter, and lacks the experience of moving in certain terrain. They are similar to the Inquisitor, but lack the religious fervor and spellcasting ability but have a singular focus on their actions.

The abilities of the Slayer are mainly in hunting and killing instead, and they are often focused on a sentient target as opposed to a wild or monstrous one. They possess skills like Stealth and Mobility and their Archetypes include executioners, tacticians, and trackers.

1 Wizard

  • Party Role:
  • Ranged DPS, with little variation unless they have some support spells.
  • Difficulty Level:
  • 4/5, this is a more complex class to manage, as players will need to learn and memorize spells.
  • Number of Archetype Choices:
  • Seven, with the Cruoromancer limited to the Dhampir race.

Wizards might be limited when it comes to party roles, which makes them easier to play, but there’s a lot for them to do on top of just casting spells. This class is also adept at Knowledge and World Arcane checks, Perception, and Using Magical Devices.

All of the above is an important and valuable addition to the party, especially when it comes time to rest and the adventurers need someone to cook, craft potions, or do some scroll-scribing. Wizards can also take on certain support roles depending on their choice of spell school.

Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous is available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.