When starting out in EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers one of the most important decisions you will take in forging your online persona is that of which class you will play. This step will most shape your characters abilities and what tools they have available to overcome adversity and progress in the lands of Norrath.

You have a choice of 14 different classes that fall into 4 general arch-types: Tanks, Melee, Priests and Casters. Each class has its own unique abilities that make it stand out from any other and serve to define the role they usually play in an average group.

Tanks: The Warrior, Shadowknight and Paladin classes make up this arch-type. Tanks, aptly nick-named after the real world mechanized war machines, are there to get into the thick of physical combat. They have access to the heaviest of plate mail and the most hit points of any class to allow them to withstand a lot of punishment. Tanks also have access to a wide array of weaponry and abilities to deal out damage.

Melee: The Bard, Monk, Ranger and Rogue classes make up this arch-type. The Melee classes are skilled fighters, not only in the many offensive capabilities they have, but also in the ways they have to control the flow of combat around them. They work with their group mates to support Tanks in overcoming the group's foes while assisting in protecting the groups Casters and Priests.

Priests: The Cleric, Shaman and Druid comprise this arch-type. Priests, in groups, generally function to support the Tanks and Melee and insure they are surrounded by protective and healing magic that allows them to survive intense combat. Alone, a Priest can also call upon the power of their gods to aid them in their endeavors.

Casters: The Wizard, Alchemist, Enchanter, Magician and Necromancer make up this arch-type. Casters overcome foes through the use of worldly magic rather than the divine spells of the Priests. Each casters spells serve unique roles within a typical group and while they may share some common abilities, each has a different play style.

Part of the fun of the game can be exploring the capabilities of different classes. Do not be afraid to try out different ones, or even the same class character with a different race. You have eight character slots available on any one server so feel free to explore different combinations. Also, the various techniques and group roles discussed include many different play styles. There are a lot of ways to overcome the foes faced in Norrath. Talk with your friends about what they find works or read up on it at the many different fan sights

Characters can be male or female. Choose whichever you prefer, there are no penalties or rewards based on the gender of your character.