---
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
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
---
# Classes, specializations and role switching
id: role-playing-systems--t050
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/role-playing-systems--t050
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/role-playing-systems--t050/
A character’s role defines available tools, while specialization shapes play style. Choice restrictions help characters complement each other.
## At a glance
[Deep Rock Galactic](https://store.steampowered.com/app/548430/) · © Ghost Ship Games / Coffee Stain Publishing. All rights reserved.
1. Character class
2. A role-defining tool
- Show which tasks the role handles particularly well.
- Ensure each role retains useful choices during solo play.
- [Deep Rock Galactic](https://store.steampowered.com/app/548430/)
## How it works
A class defines available actions, specialization changes emphasis and role switching changes responsibilities.
## Variants
### Mechanic variants
- A fixed class maintains a strong identity.
- A subclass changes how its resource is spent.
- Out-of-combat switching enables preparation.
- A hybrid trades specialization for flexibility.
## Design example
A healer prepares barriers instead of restoring health after damage before an expedition.
Prototype check: Test whether specialization changes action order rather than only numerical efficiency of the same loop.
## Context and limits
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.
## Connected materials
- Sources in the selection: [State: Game Programming Patterns](https://gamemechanics.pro/en/resources/#resource-state-pattern) (key: resource/state-pattern)
## Sources and 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.
- [Robert Nystrom: State](https://github.com/munificent/game-programming-patterns/blob/master/book/state.markdown) (id: source-3817d420df0baa92)
- [Deep Rock Galactic](https://store.steampowered.com/app/548430/) (id: source-0a031a39aeeef0d8)
CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors