Brighter Shores Classes (Factions): Which one should you pick?

Brighter Shores has an interesting take on how it’s going to use classes as an MMO. Instead of focusing on familiar, more generic classes like Fighter, Mage, Thief and Priest, players will have, at least at the start, a trio of “Legendary Classes” to pick from. This number could certainly change in the future. It’s also a stark difference from RuneScape, where the developer of this MMO began his career.

The upcoming MMO has three classes so far, each with its own damage type specialization and weaknesses. Rather than giving the classes their own identity through distinct abilities, they are more defined by the flavor of damage they specialize in: Ice (Cryonae), Nature (Arborae), or Lightning (Tempestae) magic.

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All Brighter Shores factions (Classes), explained

As you explore the world of Brighter Shores, you’ll have three classes to choose: Cryoknight, Guardian and Hammermage. There's no partying up in this free-to-play game, so neither of them fall into roled categories like tank, DPS, or healer. Even though their name sound like this, they're more a flavor than any defining role: the Guardian, for example, is not necessarily more durable than the others despite the naming.

There are just three classes for now - but they all sound very interesting (Image via Fen Research/@Kriibus)

All three classes have melee and ranged option through abilities and weapons. Instead, it's more important to look at their resistances and weaknesses when deciding what faction to pick.

Faction/Class Name	Damage Specialization	Weakness
Cryoknight, uses metal weapons and armor	Cryonae (Ice) Magic	Tempestae (Lightning) Magic
Guardian, uses bone weapons and armor	Arborae (Nature) Magic	Cryonae (Ice) Magic
Hammermage, uses stone weapons and armor	Tempestae (Lightning) Magic	Arborae (Nature) Magic

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Which faction should you go for in Brighter Shores?

In Episode 2 (Hopeforest), you'll eventually get to a location called the Magic Cave where you are prompted to pick a faction out of the three by walking into their associated magical pool:

• Blue Pool: Cryoknight
• Green Pool: Guardian
• Yellow Pool: Hammermage

Given there's sparse information about them at that point, it can be a difficult choice for a player. However, the best parameter you really have is your personal preference.

Ultimately, Brighter Shores uses a rock-paper-scissor balance system to even out its factions. There's no one superior faction, because enemies throughout the world have different weaknesses, and specific classes will always fare well at specific points. The case is the same with PvP: you'll have a specific damage type you're weak to, so a class will always counter you.

In other words, go with the class based on which flavor appeals to you, as they all have similar gimmicks and abilities. Afterwards, you'll have to itemize in a way that prioritizes covering your elemental weakness.

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Check out our other Brighter Shores guides and features

• Brighter Shores release date, features, developers, platforms, and other details
• Does Brighter Shores have PVP multiplayer?
• Will Brighter Shores be on Steam Deck?