Metaphor: ReFantaziohas a number of Archetypes to take advantage of over the course of your quest. These range from spell-slingers to front-line tanks, and even ones designed around misdirection and buffing the party.

The most straightforward Archetypes are the ones with a focus on Strength. Strength is the attribute that determines damage done by physical attacks, and is the basis for Archetypes like the Warrior, Pugilist, and Berserker. Most Archetypes in Metaphor: ReFantazio are useful in different situations, as the game’s balance is quite good, barring a few that are head and shoulders above the rest.

The Swordmaster Archetype in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Unlock Requirements

Swordmaster is the Adept version of the Warrior lineage, and while it is useful for damaging multiple enemies at once, this can actually be a bit of a negative as you get further in the game.

There are some enemies that repel certain types of moves, such as wind attacks or slashing attacks. If all the enemies in a battle are the same, this can be annoying, but easily avoidable. However, some battles will mix-and-match different types of creatures, so if you are using the Swordmaster, you can’t use any of your attacks if evenoneof the enemies repels slashes.

The Warrior Archetype in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

The first in the Warrior lineage and default Archetype for Strohl, the Warrior is quite useful in the early game, albeit a bit barebones. You get a weak arsenal of single-target physical slashes and a few multi-target ones.

It is better than the Swordmaster in that regard, as even though the Swordmaster’s skills are stronger, they are all multi-target attacks, so the Warrior is still a more versatile option until you unlock the elite version of the lineage.

The Brawler Archetype in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

The lineage you get from thetough-talking Paripus Catherina, this initial Archetype is very strong in the early game. It does strike damage, which is different from slash damage, and the first major dungeon has many enemies weak to strike damage.

Plus, the attacks all use health as a resource instead of mana. While this leaves you open to dying more, potentially, since you are taking health from yourself as well as being attacked by enemies, for most of the game it isfareasier to recover health than recover mana, so it is overall a worthwhile gamble.

The Pugilist Archetype in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

The Pugilist is the adept version of the Brawler, and improves upon it by upgrading its core kit and putting a focus on critical hits.

You also get some passives that provide some defense, such as stopping all critical hits against you. So, while this lineage is focused on offense, you still get some defensive benefits to help keep you alive.

The Destroyer Archetype in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

The Destroyer is the upgraded version of the Berserker Archetype, and while it is not terrible by any means, we feel it is not as overtly effective as its original form.

With the Berserker, you get access to a lot of strong strike-based skills. With Destroyer, the focus is more on elemental damage with Wind and Light, as well as getting buffs for being in the front row. While you can, of course,inherit some other skillsto balance out the strike damage loss from upgrading to the Destroyer, we feel it still lags behind the original for the reasons you’d want to use it in the first place.

The Martial Artist Archetype in Metahpor: ReFantazio.

The elite Archetype in the Brawler lineage, this is truly the ultimate version of this Archetype. The main downside of the Brawler type is that you are sacrificing health to deal your high-damaging moves, and this leaves you open to a deadly counter-attack.

But with the Martial Artist, you get access to healing spells that also cure statuses, as well as an incredible passive that turns a killing blow on an ally into them restoring full HP (once per battle, of course). If you are interested in the Brawler Archetype, the Martial Artist is the one to aim for.

The Berserker Archetype in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

You obtain the Berserker Archetype from Basilio, the final party member you unlock in the game. While this is a late addition to your arsenal, the Berserker is still a welcome one.

Boasting a wide range of destructive strike attacks, the Berserker is a great damage dealer that is still able to stay on the front lines, like the Warrior. If you don’t want to use the risk/reward playstyle of the Brawler, the other strike-based lineage, then the Berserker is a perfect alternative.

The Samurai Archetype in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Story Requirements

The Samurai is the final Archetype in the Warrior lineage, and is the ultimate embodiment of the dutiful warrior that Strohl is. With this unlocked, you get access to strong slash attacks, including unique moves like an electric slash that hits all enemies, as well as strong passives like HP recovery every turn.

You also get powerful synthesis skills, including the Crimson Moon Sword Art, which deals severe slash damage to all enemies, and can even inflict charm. If you do not wish to go for the Royal Archetype of this lineage,which will require some grinding, then the Samurai is the perfect end to the Warrior line.

The Royal Warrior in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

The Royal class of Archetypes are the secret, final Archetypes of each party member’s default lineage. For Strohl, this is the Royal Warrior. This means that only Strohl can use it, unlike the Samurai, or elite Archetypes, but it is still very powerful.

You get access to some of the previous skills, like Crimson Moon Sword Art, as well as new extremely useful passives such as Noble Warrior’s Soul, which means if you kill an enemy with a slashing attack (which you will have access to many of with the Royal Warrior), you will not lose a turn icon.

The Royal Berserker in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Much like the Royal Warrior for Strohl, the Royal Berserker is the perfect Archetype for Basilio, and incredibly powerful. Taking what works and is strong about the Berserker, the Royal equivalent cranks it up to 11.

You get powerful passives that allow you to refund a turn icon on critical strike hits, as well as boosts to your HP and strike damage. Combining these passives with the strong synthesis skills you gain access to and the ability to debuff enemies, the Royal Berserker is arguably the best strength-based Archetype in the game — if you’re willing to put in the work to get it.