Trion Worlds’ RIFT, scheduled to release on March 1, features a vast character system that allows for heavy customization. Players will choose a bare “soul calling” from four possible basic classes: warrior, rogue, cleric, and mage, then the class will advance to a more specialized state as they play.

Rift clerics are users of support magic, capable of enhancing their allies and healing injuries. Using mana as a resource, clerics are highly focused individuals who need to pay close attention to their surroundings and triage their allies when necessary.

A purifier is a Rift cleric who focuses on the healing powers of fire. They can cleanse diseases and patch wounds quickly using the element of fire. However, purifiers are not skilled in combat, and are best suited to stay to the rear and support the injured. Purifiers are not for players who want to be up close and entrenched in melee combat.

Inquisitors are clerics that walk the tightrope between life and death. Instead of choosing to solely heal and support or deal damage, they are proficient with both. The counter balance is that while they are proficient, they are not as specialized. Inquisitors can mix together their life and death magics to drain enemies and make them less potent.

Rift clerics who choose to be more defensive are sentinels. The sentinel class can equip a shield and heal many wounded allies at once. The trade off is that they are very weak in combat and struggle to deal damage to their enemies. Most games use sentinels in more of a tanking role, Rift chooses to use them as healers to keep many alive at once.

If there was a melee class out of the Cleric calling, it’s the justicar. Justicars wield one handed weapons and shields and heal others by dealing damage. Keeping these characters in the thick of combat is generally wise, as their damage will protect and heal people throughout combat, allowing for more proactive support.

Shaman choose to do heavy damage and less support. They wield the power of the elements and heavy weapons to demolish their foes. However, they are not as powerful of healers as other Rift clerics.

The final known specialization is the warden. Wardens are proficient at stacking smaller heals but keeping them up constantly. These types of spells are fantastic for people who take steady amounts of damage.