Archetypes make the game feel like a new beast that you haven’t tamed. Metaphor ReFantazio has 14 basic and 47 total archetypes for players to mess around with and find the one that suits them the best. Navigating through the Archetypes in Metaphor ReFantazio is going to be a tad complicated, each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, and figuring it out from scratch can make anyone feel lost. We have prepared a helpful guide that lists out all the archetypes in the game, their basic skill and how can you unlock them.
All Archetypes In Metaphor: ReFantazio | How To Unlock, Skills & More
The Archetypes range from the classic Warrior, Mage, and Thief to the more exotic Faker, Masked Dancer. Let’s go through them one by one in detail.
- Seeker
- Warrior
- Mage
- Healer
- Knight
- Brawler
- Merchant
- Gunner
- Thief
- Faker
- Commander
- Masked Dancer
- Summoner
- Berserker
Seeker
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock right after you defeat the first boss Homo Gorelo, automatically earned through story progression.
Associated Follower: More
Weakness: Fire
Resistance: Wind
Study Requirements: 375 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Magic Seeker: Seeker Level at 20 + More Rank at 3 + 6,000 MAG.
Soul Hacker: Magic Seeker Level at 20 + More Rank at 7 + 16,500 MAG
Seeker Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Chase Support (Passive) | You can expect more support attacks from your comrades in overworld combat. |
| Default | Cyc | Deals weak wind damage to a single enemy. |
| Default | Dei | Low HP recovery for one squad member. |
| Rank 4 | Tarukaja | Raises ally’s attack for three turns. |
| Rank 9 | Sweeping Slash | Deals a low slash damage to a single enemy. |
| Rank 15 | Cyclo | Deals medium wind damage to a single enemy. |
| Rank 20 | Tetrabreak | Negate one enemy’s repel physical skill. |
It’s the first archetype on the list and in the game as well, the seeker is very decent and becomes useful for most of the game. Everything here is fairly balanced, basically good at everything but nothing excellent. You will do a decent amount of magic, and physical damage making it perfect for the standard playthrough.
Warrior
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Warrior Archetype while the Klinger fights at the Nord MInes. It’s part of the story chapter, you can’t miss.
Associated Follower: Strohl
Weakness: Wind
Resistance: Fire
Study Requirements: 375 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Swordmaster: Warrior Level at 20 + Strohl Rank at 3 + 6000 MAG.
Samurai: Swordmaster Level at 20 + Strohl Rank at 6 + General Rank at 10+ 16,500 MAG.
Royal Warrior: Samurai Level 20 + Warlord Rank at 20 + 30000 MAG (Strohl Only)
Warrior Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Barge Past | Cancels the enemy advantage after getting hit by an enemy attack during overworld combat. |
| Default | Diagonal Slash | Deals weak slash damage to a single enemy. |
| Rank 3 | Heat Up (Passive) | 10% boost to physical skill attack + additional boost if the squad has an archetype of the same lineage. |
| Rank 8 | Slicer | Deals weak slash damage to a single enemy 2 or 4 times. |
| Rank 13 | Critical Strike | Deals critical slash damage to a single enemy but it has a low hit rate. |
| Rank 20 | Slash Boost (Passive) | 20% increase to Slash attack. |
Warrior goes well when mixed with other Archetypes, a proper mix of combinations can make the Warrior the best damaged in the squad. Most of the damage-dealing skills here cost MP, but the amount of damage they will deal to the enemies makes it worthwhile. If you plan to solo a warrior, you are going to have a bad time. It is more reliant on others to boost its offensive abilities.
Mage
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Mage Archetype when you fight Klinger at the Nord MInes. It’s part of the story chapter, you can’t miss.
Associated Follower: Gallica
Weakness: Piercing
Resistance: Ice
Study Requirements: 375 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Wizard: Mage Level at 20 + Gallica Rank at 3 + 6000 MAG.
Elemental Master: Wizard Level at 20 + Gallica Rank at 8 + 16,500 MAG.
Warlock: Wizard Level at 20 + Gallica Rank at 8 + Assassin Level at 10 + 16,500 MAG.
Mage Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Magic Recovery | Recover MP every time the enemy is stunned or defeated. |
| Default | Bot | Deals low fire damage to a single enemy. |
| Rank 2 | Blizz | Deals low ice damage to a single enemy. |
| Rank 6 | Kande | Deals weak electric damage to a single enemy. |
| Rank 11 | Magic Font (Passive) | 15% increase to max MP. |
| Rank 20 | Magic Circle (Passive) | 10% boost to magic skill attack + additional boost if the squad has an archetype of the same Mage lineage. |
Two words, Elemental Damage, when you are playing the game for the first time, you will need all the help you can get to tackle the foes with elemental weakness. Many bosses in the game have plenty of elemental weakness, exploiting them will deal a good deal of damage and you will also get another turn. Mage is considered the best class for the initial stages of Metaphor ReFantazio.
Healer
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Healer Archetype after spending time with Maria in the Honeybee Inn.
Associated Follower: Maria
Weakness: Strike and Dark
Resistance: Light
Study Requirements: 750 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Cleric: Healer Level at 20 + Maria Rank at 3 + 6,750 MAG.
Savior: Cleric Level at 20 + Maria Rank at 7 + 18,750 MAG.
Healer Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Support Recovery | Regenerate HP every time a support attack lands in the combat. |
| Default | Hama | Deals weak light damage to a single enemy. |
| Rank 3 | Medi | A low HP recovery for all the squad members. |
| Rank 5 | Patra | Removes status ailments for only a single ally. |
| Rank 9 | Light Dodge (Passive) | Wielder’s dodge against Light attacks. |
| Rank 13 | Dekunda | Removes all the debuff from every squad member. |
| Rank 20 | Healer’s Insight (Passive) | Recover a medium amount of Wielder’s HP every turn + an additional boost if the squad has an archetype of the same Healer lineage. |
Every RPG has a healer for a reason, you need someone to revive the entire party without being dependent on the healing potion. Healers can revive a fallen ally, recover HP, remove status from players, and many more. These abilities can also be done with potions but it will drain the bank. That’s why Healer is a must-have for the party, to help the squad anytime the disaster strikes and to save money from expensive items.
Knight
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Knight Archetype after encountering a boss in the Mausoleum.
Associated Follower: Hulkenberg
Weakness: Electric
Resistance: Slash
Study Requirements: 750 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Magic Knight: Knight Level at 20 + Hulkenburg Rank at 3 + Mage Level at 10 + 6,750 MAG.
Paladin: Magic Knight Level at 20 + Hulkenburg Rank at 7 + 18,750 MAG.
Dark Knight: Magic Knight Level at 20 + Hulkenburg Rank at 7 + Wizard Level at 10 + 18,750 MAG.
Royal Knight: Paladin Level 20 + Dark Knight Level at 15 + Elemental Master Rank at 15 + Hulkenburg Rank at 8 + 30000 MAG. (Hulkenberg Only)
Knight Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Auto-Repel | Reflect the enemy’s attack in combat. |
| Default | Knights Proclamation | Lure the enemy’s attention and endure the attacks for one turn. |
| Rank 2 | Noble Resolve (Passive) | Halves the damage from ambush attack. |
| Rank 5 | First Aid | Weak HP recovery for only a single ally. |
| Rank 9 | Ironclad Bond (Passive) | 10% boost to wielder’s defense + additional boost if the squad has an archetype of the same Knight lineage. |
| Rank 12 | Guard Lore | Increases defense at the start of the battle. |
| Rank 20 | Shield Arts | Weak slash damage to a single enemy and lower their hit and evasion for three turns. |
When it comes to best ranking skills in Metaphor ReFantazio, Knight’s Proclamation always takes center stage. The skills here speak for themselves, but towards the end game, enemies tend to do moves that hit the entire squad rather than taking the anger out on one member. With a perfect combination, Knight can add way too much value to the defense of the squad.
Brawler
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Brawler Archetype after completing the questline A Friend in Need from Catherina.
Associated Follower: Catherina
Weakness: Ice
Resistance: Pierce
Study Requirements: 900 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Pugilist: Brawler at 20 + Catherina Rank at 3+ 6,900 MAG.
Martial Artist: Pugilist Level at 20 + Catherina Rank at 8 + 20,625 MAG.
Brawler Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Surprise Upset | Easier to stun strong enemies. |
| Default | Perfect Punch | Weak strike damage to a single enemy. Caster’s remaining HP will come into play to the damage. |
| Rank 3 | Diligent Discipline (Passive) | 5% boost to the wielder’s critical hit rate + additional boost if the squad has an archetype of the same Brawler lineage. |
| Rank 6 | Skull Cracker | Weak strike damage to a single enemy but the chance of inflicting Forget status. |
| Rank 10 | Strike Dodge (Passive) | Increase Evasion against strike attack |
| Rank 14 | Battle Cry | Increases Caster’s attack and defense for three turns. |
| Rank 20 | Health Font (Passive) | Raises Max HP for 15% |
Brawlers are packed with plenty of great passives, immune to the most status effects, and auto revival to name some of the great passive abilities of Brawler. It doesn’t rank in the best Archetypes in the game, and we can see why that is the case, as you will have to constantly micromanage brawler attack damage is directly proportional to their health points.
Merchant
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Merchant Archetype after completing the questline A Bullish Embargo from Briggita.
Associated Follower: Briggita
Weakness: Fire and Light
Study Requirements: 1875 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Tycoon: Merchant at 20 + Brigitta Rank at 8 + Commander Level at 10 + 24000 MAG.
Merchant Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Alchemy | Winning Money after stunning or defeating an enemy in the combat. |
| Default | Gold Attack | Deal a great deal of damage to a single enemy with a high critical rate |
| Rank 2 | Lucky Find (Passive) | 20% increase to receive items after battle. |
| Rank 5 | Trader’s Summit (Passive) | Increase the effect of consumables+ additional boost of 1.2x if the squad has an archetype of the same Merchant lineage. |
| Rank 9 | Fire Dodge (Passive) | Evasion against fire attacks |
| Rank 20 | Debt Collection | Stealing MAG from a single enemy |
Merchant feels like a pay-to-win character but runs on in-game money. MP is always going to be the deciding factor to dealing heavy damage on enemies, here Merchants will come in handy, as they will deal almost the same heavy damage on the enemies without asking for MP, but they will have to get paid. In the later-level dungeons, you will always find money, having a merchant and paying for the attack might sound ludicrous at the beginning, but when you are in the middle of the dungeon with most of the MP gone from sight, they will carry the squad forth.
Gunner
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Gunner Archetype after completing the questline Providing a Spark from Neuras.
Associated Follower: Neuras
Weakness: Slash
Resistance: Electric
Study Requirements: 1350 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Sniper: Gunner at 20 + Neuras Rank at 3 + Seeker Level at 10 + 9,000 MAG or less.
Dragoon: Sniper at 20 + Neuras Rank at 8 + Magic Knight Level at 10 + 22,500 MAG.
Gunner Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Comeback Victory | Regenerate HP after defeating or Stunning an enemy. |
| Default | Sleep Shot | Deals weak piercing damage to a single enemy. Chance of inflicting Sleep but for only Back row |
| Rank 3 | Poison Shot | Deals medium-piercing damage to a single enemy. Chance of inflicting Poison but for only Back row |
| Rank 5 | Sukukaja | Raises Ally’s Evasion and Hit for three turns. |
| Rank 10 | Aim Support (Passive) | 10% boost to the wielder’s hit rate + additional boost if the squad has an archetype of the same Gunner lineage. |
| Rank 20 | Hex Shot | Deals Heavy piercing damage to a single enemy. Chance of inflicting Hex but for only Back row |
Gunner is one of those unique archetypes that you will fall in love with at the initial phases of the game, but once you hit the high-tier or mid-tier rounds, you will find the magic slowly fading away. The highlight of Gunner’s abilities is that it can be used from the back row, which works wonderfully at the initial stages of Metaphor ReFantazio but falls flat at the end.
Thief
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Thief Archetype after investigating an Old Well in Martira.
Associated Follower: Heismay
Weakness: Electric
Resistance: Dark
Study Requirements: 1125 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Assassin: Gunner at 20 + Heismay Rank at 3 + 7,500 MAG.
Ninja: Assassin at 20 + Heismay Rank at 7 + Sniper Level at 10 + 22,500 MAG.
Royal Thief: Ninja Rank at 20 + Dragoon Rank at 15 + Heismay Rank at 8+ Tycoon Rank at 15 + 30,000 MAG (Heismay Only)
Thief Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Pickpocket | Chance of acquiring an item every time an enemy is stunned or defeated in combat. |
| Default | Dark Sword | Deals a weak slash damage on a single enemy but it might inflict Forget status. |
| Rank 2 | Steal | Steals a rare item from a single enemy. |
| Rank 4 | Mudo | Deals weak dark damage to a single enemy. |
| Rank 7 | Plunder Life | Drains HP from a single enemy. |
| Rank 11 | Plunder Magic | Drains MP from a single enemy. |
| Rank 20 | Mudoon | Deals a medium Dark damage to a single enemy. |
The drain HP and MP skills of the Thief archetype will work wonderfully in the game, the latter might not hold the same candle as the HP drain but it has its usage in the game. When you level up the game, for higher tiers, the thief class doesn’t disappoint at all, as the attacks merge abilities of one-hit kill and drain MP or evade change and many more. Suffice it to say, the Thief class is a killer Archetype in the game.
Faker
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Faker Archetype after completing a side quest called ‘A Dagger, a Ring, and a Rake’ from Alonzo in Martira.
Associated Follower: Alonzo
Weakness: Pierce and Wind
Study Requirements: 1875 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Trickster: Faker at 20 + Alonzo Rank at 8 + 32,000 MAG or less.
Faker Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Dodge | Trigger Auto-Dodge in combat. |
| Default | Faker’s Roguery | Inflict Forget on a single enemy. Turn icons may get added or removed, all at random. |
| Rank 3 | Tarunda | Lowers a single enemy attack for three turns. |
| Rank 5 | Sukunda | Lowers a single enemy’s Hit and Evasion for three turns. |
| Rank 8 | Rakunda | Lowers a single enemy defense for three turns. |
| Rank 13 | Dekaja | Remove all buffs on all enemies. |
| Rank 20 | Makarakarn | Puts a barrier that repels one elemental attack from a single enemy. |
Here you are basically hacking the game and making it work your way. In many battles, you will feel like you are creating a stage in Super Mario Maker, as you will move the MP bars around from one character to another, having a high chance of auto dodge, manipulating icons, and putting debuff on enemies are some of the way faker work magically in the game. In a conventional sense, Faker might not attract you, but on a technical level, it will shine like a diamond.
Commander
Unlock Requirements: After speaking to Bardon after the events in Martira, you will unlock the Commander Archetype. Make sure to talk to him before you leave to gain him as a follower.
Associated Follower: Bardon
Weakness: Strike
Resistance: Pierce
Study Requirements: 2250 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
General: Commander at 20 + Bardon Rank at 3 + 9,750 MAG.
Warlord: General at 20 + Bardon Rank at 8 + 27,000 MAG.
Commander Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Enhanced Cooperation | Support attacks might stun enemies in combat. |
| Default | Marakukaja | Raises ally defense for three turns. |
| Rank 2 | Rebellion | Raises critical hit rate for a single ally for three turns. |
| Rank 5 | Fiery Strike | Deals a medium physical fire damage to a single enemy. Chance of inflicting Burn status. |
| Rank 9 | Formation of Vigor | Takes the entire squad to the front row, and raises the attack by 2 ranks for three turns. |
| Rank 13 | Flame Vanguard | Deals medium fire damage to all enemies, the chance of leaving burn on targets. |
| Rank 20 | Heartbreak Stratagem | Negetaes one enemy’s repel magic and physical skills. |
Commander Archetype does what it has you believe, they control the flow of the combat. Their abilities Formation of Vigor and Shelter Formation work beautifully on the battlefield. When you choose Formation of Vigor, you put your squad in the front row but at the same time, you will raise their attack by two stages.
When you activate Shelter Formation, you take your allies to the back row to get their defenses up. A technical gameplay to the Metaphor ReFantazio, the commander behaves like the Faker, while primarily they don’t offer too much damage potential the way they can shake the gameplay will make them a powerful chess piece on our corner.
Masked Dancer
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Masked Dancer Archetype after completing the side quest Sav the Mourning Snakes from Junah on the Virga island.
Associated Follower: Junah
Weakness: Electric
Resistance: Ice
Study Requirements: Thief Rank at 10 + Mage Rank at 15+ 8250 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Persona Master: Masked Dancer at 20 + Junah Rank at 6 + 28,500 MAG.
Royal Masked Dancer: Persona Master Rank at 20 + Junah Rank at 8 +Trickster Rank at 20 + 30000 MAG(Only Junah)
Masked DancerArchetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Victory Dance | Recovers HP and MP after stunning or defeating an enemy in combat. |
| Default | Infernal Vortex | Deals medium-level fire damage on a single enemy, the chance of leaving a Burn effect. |
| Rank 5 | Art of Dance (Passive) | Raises the success rate of skill-inflicting status ailments. |
| Rank 11 | Masked Revelry (Passive) | Recover a Medium amount of MP after every turn + additional boost if the squad has an archetype of the same Masked Dancer lineage. |
| Rank 20 | Crimson Flame | Deals heavy fire damage to all enemies. |
They will act just as you expect them to be, they are basically like hiring an actor for your play. Masked Dancer can act as a healer, damage dealer, status inflicter, and more.
Summoner
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Summoner Archetype after completing the side quest The Trial of Malnova from Eupha on the Virga island.
Associated Follower: Eupha
Weakness: Ice
Resistance: Dark
Study Requirements: Faker Rank at 10 + Seeker Rank at 15 + 8250 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Devil Summoner: Summoner at 20 + Eupha Rank at 6 + Magic Seeker Level 10 + 28,500 MAG.
Royal Summoner: Devil Summoner Rank 20 + Eupah Rank at 8+ Soul Hacker Rank at 20 + 30000 MAG (Eupha Only)
Summoner Archetype Skills
| Skills | Descriptions |
| Status Differential | Enemy advantage after enemy attacks will not trigger in squad battles. |
| Summon Eagle Lion | Deals magic wind damage to every enemy and lower attack for three turns. |
| Summon Noctiluca | Heals ally status ailments +10% Recovery for the next three turns. |
| Summon Gargoyle | Deals fire damage to a single enemy + Chance of inflicting burn |
| Summon Cockatrice | Deals dark damage to a single enemy + Chance of inflicting poison |
| Summon Duskbone Knight | Deals heavy physical slash damage to every enemy. |
| Summon Goblin King | Deals critical physical slash damage but has a low hit rate. |
| Summon Lava Beast | Deals medium magic almighty damage to every enemy. |
Summoner is an easily S-type Archetype in any player’s book. The high magic stat of Summoner is what takes the cake here. Compared to other archetypes on the list, which have to get ranked up to unlock new abilities, summoners here act in a whole new different manner. Here you have to gather items and create a Talisman to unleash the true potential of Summoner. The wide weakness coverage, with high magic stat, and inflicting effects, makes Summoner one of the best archetypes in the game.
Berserker
Unlock Requirements: You will unlock the Berserker Archetype after raising the Bond level 1 with Basilio.
Associated Follower: Basilio
Weakness: Light and Dark
Resistance: Slash, Pierce, and Strike
Study Requirements: Warrior Rank at 10 + Brawler Rank at 10+ Knight Rank at 10 + 12000 MAG
Advanced Archetypes Unlock:
Destroyer: Berserker at 20 + Basilio Rank at 6 + 38,000 MAG.
Royal Berserker: Destroyer Rank at 20 + Martial Artist Rank at 20 + Basilio Rank at 8+ 30000 MAG (Basilio Only)
Berserker Archetype Skills
| Ranks | Skills | Descriptions |
| Default | Combat Specialization | *Recovers HP when the Enemy is Stunned or Knocked out * Getting hit will trigger an Enemy Advantage in battle. |
| Default | Slam Strike | Deals medium strike damage to a single enemy. |
| Rank 2 | Charge | Increases physical attack damage only once per battle. |
| Rank 6 | Slam Shater | Deals medium strike damage to all enemies. |
| Rank 10 | Sense of Kinship (Passive) | 10% increase in attack + additional increase with each berserker lineage in the party. |
| Rank 15 | Warcry | Lowers Attack and Defense for all enemies for three rounds. |
| Rank 20 | Frenzy | Deals heavy strike damage to all enemies for 1 to 3 times. |
Berserker is the last one on the list, and for many players, it also earns the same spot for their game as well. While the charge attack of Berserker is powerful, most other Archetypes can do the exact thing but better in fewer turns. Warrior or Knight can pull off a good amount of gameplay in the later areas than Berserker.