{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/role-playing-systems--t050","type":"mechanic","id":"role-playing-systems--t050","lang":"en","title":"Classes, specializations and role switching","summary":"A character’s role defines available tools, while specialization shapes play style. Choice restrictions help characters complement each other.","updatedAt":"2026-10-21","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/role-playing-systems--t050/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/role-playing-systems--t050.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/role-playing-systems--t050.md","aliases":["Classes and specializations"],"tags":["Role-playing systems","Mechanics and variants"],"sourceIds":["source-3817d420df0baa92","source-0a031a39aeeef0d8"],"sources":[{"id":"source-3817d420df0baa92","title":"Robert Nystrom: State","url":"https://github.com/munificent/game-programming-patterns/blob/master/book/state.markdown","verifiedAt":null},{"id":"source-0a031a39aeeef0d8","title":"Deep Rock Galactic","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/548430/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"A class defines available actions, specialization changes emphasis and role switching changes responsibilities."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Mechanic variants\n\n<a id=\"t050-variants\"></a>\n\n- A fixed class maintains a strong identity. <a id=\"t050-v1\"></a>\n- A subclass changes how its resource is spent. <a id=\"t050-v2\"></a>\n- Out-of-combat switching enables preparation. <a id=\"t050-v3\"></a>\n- A hybrid trades specialization for flexibility. <a id=\"t050-v4\"></a>"},{"id":"example","title":"Design example","body":"A healer prepares barriers instead of restoring health after damage before an expedition.\n\nPrototype check: Test whether specialization changes action order rather than only numerical efficiency of the same loop."},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Role-playing systems connect character identity, party composition, equipment and consequential choices. Each overview separates player actions, state changes and alternative rules. Examples are hypothetical design scenarios, not claims about a named game. A prototype check states an observable question for the next iteration. Existing detailed references remain separately linked from the direction map."}],"relations":[{"type":"uses","direction":"outgoing","label":"Sources in the selection","key":"resource/state-pattern","title":"State: Game Programming Patterns","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/resources/#resource-state-pattern","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/resource/state-pattern.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/resource/state-pattern.md"}],"placements":[{"catalogId":"role-playing-systems","id":"t050","title":"Role-playing systems","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/role-playing-systems/#t050","categoryIds":["mechanics"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-21","title":"Classes and specializations","description":"A character’s role defines available tools, while specialization shapes play style. Choice restrictions help characters complement each other.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/drg-loadout.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"game":"Deep Rock Galactic","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/548430/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/548430/ss_4cac98f49fde6e994a64e813baaf7b34a195d2cc.1920x1080.jpg?t=1792497307","credit":"Ghost Ship Games / Coffee Stain Publishing","rights":"© Ghost Ship Games / Coffee Stain Publishing. All rights reserved.","caption":"Specialization through a toolset","alt":"Deep Rock Galactic: the Driller’s equipment includes reinforced drills and explosives that distinguish its team role.","markers":[{"x":49,"y":94,"label":"Character class"},{"x":86,"y":43,"label":"A role-defining tool"}]},"tips":["Show which tasks the role handles particularly well.","Ensure each role retains useful choices during solo play."],"examples":[{"title":"Deep Rock Galactic","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/548430/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original bilingual editorial overviews authored for gamemechanics.pro on 2026-10-20 and reviewed on 2026-10-21. Scenarios are hypothetical design examples; prototype checks describe work to perform, not completed playtests. Primary sources support the stated techniques and implementation context, not every proposed variant.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/role-playing-systems"}}