Vocations

Vocations are the classes of Dragon's Dogma. There are nine vocations that can be earned and are separated in three groups: Basic vocations of Fighter, Strider and Mage; the Advanced vocations of Warrior, Ranger and Sorcerer; and the Hybrid vocations of Mystic Knight, Assassin, Magick Archer. Pawns cannot use Hybrid Vocations.

The basic vocations have a balance of offense and defense, the advanced vocations focus on offense, whilst Hybrid Vocations have extremes of offensive and defense stat growth, with skills unique to each of them. A Character Level of 10 is need to access the advanced and hybrid vocations.

There are nine levels of progression in each vocation, represented by the Discipline Level (Rank) : in addition to vocation skills, each new level gives access to Augments which can be used across all vocations. Each vocation has specific Stat Growths and need Discipline Points to unlock and to learn new skills.

Vocation icons showing the three colors

Vocations can be grouped into classes - 'magick' (blue), 'bow using' (yellow), and 'melee' (red) - represented by the color of their vocation icons - these vocation colors affect the results of Purification in Dark Arisen. Hybrid Vocations take two of the colors.

Generally different vocations do not change the innate combat ability of a person - so for example - the dagger skill Carve does the same damage from an identically equipped and developed character regardless of whether they are a Strider, Ranger, Assassin, or Magick Archer. However, there are some differences - Striders gain both power and speed when climbing; Warriors have increase knockdown resistance; and Assassin's move a little faster. Otherwise jogging and running speeds, and stamina recovery times affected by vocation.

Vocations can be changed when speaking to Asalam (initially at the Gran Soren Inn), and in Dark Arisen by Olra on Bitterblack Isle.