Subclasses

Subclasses (サブ職業 sabu shokugyou) are a feature of the MMORPG Elder Tale. Characters in Elder Tale can have one of over 90 different subclasses, which can either provide bonuses for the player or simply serve as a roleplaying tool.

(Note: A number of subclasses mentioned on this page are not used in the series and thus have little information about them.)

Overview

While classes cannot be changed after being chosen, subclasses do not have this restriction, making it possible for players to change their subclass, provided that they are willing to lose all subclass experience points and skills to switch. Due to the dangers of hunting and fighting with one's own body rather than controlling a character from a computer, many players were willing to switch over from combat to crafting subclasses. This in turn has made collecting ingredients that much harder. Experience points for subclasses are independent from those of the major classes and are relatively easy to acquire.

People of the Land are also capable of having subclasses that serve as their occupation or status. Some subclasses, such as Elder Maid and Rose Garden Princess, are Lander-only.

Game-derived subclasses can be divided into three types: Production, Role-Playing, and Titles. There are also special Player-made contracts that can grant subclasses to People of the Land.

After the Catastrophe, subclasses are discovered to have more potential, starting with the Chef being able to create food with real flavor. As a result, Overskills are developed allowing for magic and objects not native to Elder Tale to be created.

Production Subclasses

Production Subclasses (生産系 seizan-kei) provide players with the ability to create and craft items. There are many players who prefer crafting items to aid their comrades over fighting monsters or exploring dungeons. Many guilds dedicate themselves to producing items and are important pillars of Elder Tale's economy.

It is fairly easy to learn a production subclass. One just needs to buy an instruction manual from People of the Land and can start accumulating experience points.

After the Homesteading the Noosphere update, items that were unavailable in the game prior to the update can be created by players with appropriate subclasses and with high enough levels.

Name	Description
Alchemist	Create potions and other consumable items. Among other things, you can create fire bombs, an explosive potion.
Artisan	The Artisan subclass enables players to work with precious metals and gems. It is possible to switch to this subclass by purchasing an Artisan handbook from an NPC in one of the town zones.
Blacksmith	Can create and repair equipment.
Brewer	Brew alcoholic drinks. If a Brewer creates it manually using Real Food Preparation, the drinks have flavor and take less time to create than in the real world.
Chef	Can create food items. After the Catastrophe, they can create "real" food that has flavor and taste, an Overskill called “Real Food Preparation”. The higher your level, the more complex recipes you can make.
Counterfeiter	With the right material and a sample, you can make a fake version of an item. With the proper materials and a high level in this subclass, you can even imitate the special abilities of an item or piece of equipment; however, there will usually be the word "fake" somewhere in the item’s description or name. Even with a high-enough skill level to cover that up, it can still be found out through an Appraisal. Furthermore, anything made will be capped at Production level and cannot be character-bound. The primary selling point of this subclass is its ability to mass-produce items.
Fuller	Cleans material (in particular, usually wool) used to make cloth. Can adjust a garment or decrease the number of wool you have. It was created so that there would be a more realistic Production subclass. At lower levels, users of this subclass can only process woolen stuff, but as their level increases, so does the range of their ability.
Glassblower	A part of the industrial arts, this subclass involves the creation of glass items. This subclass is of a lower-rank than other subclasses because of its initially-low demand. However, high-level Glassblowers will find themselves in high demand due to their ability to create tempered glass and glass fibers. While it is fragile, glass blades have a much sharper edge than metal ones.
Instrument Crafter/Luthier	Creates instruments for Bards (or music-related Subclasses). Can create almost any instrument that appears in an orchestra - string, woodwind, brass, percussion, and perhaps even some modern ones from the real world. A luthier specializes in stringed instruments like violins, guitars, and lutes. This profession can bring in quite a bit of gold, as people are willing to pay higher prices for rarer or more complex instruments, which makes up for the large amounts of materials and skill needed.
Knife Grinder	Restores the durability of weapons and armor. However, if a piece of equipment is completely worn out, it requires a Blacksmith to repair. This subclass is indispensable for raids and parties because of how easy it becomes to repair equipment; the only materials needed are a whetstone and water.
Mason	Can create statues and monuments. With a Carpenter, you can even make bridges or other civil engineering projects out of stone. There is also a Phantasmal-class skill to create Slate.
Mechanic	A subclass known for being very difficult to acquire because one of the prerequisites to the quest to obtain it requires you to be a high-level glassblower.
Pharmacist	Brews potions.
Potter	A part of the industrial arts that involves creating ceramic vessels out of natural ingredients. Creating items such as plates and bowls, this subclass was placed at the lowest on the scale in comparison to other subclasses like Sukisha and Master Crafter because of its initially-low demand. However, it has become in high demand with the Landers after the Catastrophe, so the value of this subclass has risen dramatically. High-leveled potters have gained many admirers now.
Scribe	Be able to create records and legal documents, and create your own higher-quality inks and papers.
Swordsmith	Can make swords. Hard to level because the user can only make swords, so people call it a "masochist's subclass," but high-level Swordsmiths are hard to come by and are thus highly-valued; there are probably less than 10 in the entire Yamato server.
Tailor	Sew cloth and leather armor by hand.
Weapon Crafter	Create weapons.
Woodcrafter	Can create wood-based items, including wooden jewelry and instruments.

Role-Playing Subclasses

Instead of creating and crafting items, players may choose role-playing subclasses (ロール系 rooru kei). Some are known to give additional stats or other benefits, while others are primarily for entertainment value and are considered as a joke or gimmick subclasses.

In addition to Elder Tale's standard role-playing subclasses, Shiroe was able to use his skills as a scribe to create a new "adventurer" subclass.

Name	Description
Accountant	In order to acquire this subclass, a test is required. One part of the test requires the usage of an abacus.
Acrobat
Animal Trainer	Capture monsters up to a certain level and raise them as pets or for combat purposes. However, you have to stay with the pet at all times, as they cannot be invoked and dismissed at will like a Summoner’s. The tamed monster will also die when they are killed, unlike Summons. It is also harder to capture monsters capable of understanding human speech.
Apprentice	You can learn under a person of another subclass (e.g. a Scribe) and learn low-level skills from them. Afterwards, you can change to that subclass and keep all the EXP you gained.
Arcanist	Alternatively called "Magic Scholar."
Architect
Armorer	Creates armor. Makes it possible to do it by hand, too. (For some reason, it's not a Production Subclass.)
Artificer	Alternatively called "Magical Tool Craftsman."
Avenger	The abilities of this Slayer-like subclass are revealed after registering a person from your friends list as “the one you avenge”. If that Player receives damage or is inflicted with an abnormal status, you have special skills that can help you take revenge on the one who did it.
Beautician
Believer	Same stats as the Occult Doubler subclass. It represents those who have interests in different worldly things and hobbies, and is used by those who like multi-system classes, dual-system classes, or hybrid classes. You can acquire some Healing-class spells, a little bit of one subclass and a bit of another. Although this subclass seems strong at a glance, not many use it. The strength of special abilities is limited to their basic level, and the number of special abilities one can learn is limited. Casting time of spells can increase five-to-tenfold, and cooldown two-to-fourfold. Because of this, the subclass is more decorative than it is combat-efficient. After the Catastrophe, there may be more uses for this subclass.
Berserker	Increased resilience, provides HP absorption attacks and increased defense near death.
Body Builder
Bombardier
Border Patrol
Butler	The Butler is tasked in serving a master in every need and always loyal to him/her.
Cannoneer
Carpenter
Cartographer	Can create maps.
Chindon'ya	You can make loud noises and bang on drums.
Clown	Although called Clowns, street performers also fall under this subclass.
Coachman
Collector
Commander	Represents a frontline commander that leads troops in combat. You can strengthen and support allies in large-scale battles. However, because there are no self-buffing skills, it’s not good for solo play.
Connoisseur/Sukisha	Person with excellent taste. A Sukisha is more properly labeled as a "Tea Master" and is a separate subclass from Connoisseur, but gives the same effects.
Counselor
Courtesan	A rare subclass created on a whim by the creators; you can start rumors and negotiations within the imperial court. You also have skills to raise your reputation, which can give you gold and items at random.
Croupier/Dealer	A part of the Gambling subclasses. Act as a manager of a casino, monitoring for cheating. Natural enemy of gamblers since you can cancel the effects of a random number chance. In Europe, the subclass is called Croupier; in the U.S. (North American server), it’s Dealer.
Crusher	Increases damage dealt with weapons such as an axe and one's destructive capabilities. Post-Catastrophe, they are often used for the redesigning of cities and deforestation of areas.
Dairy Farmer
Dancer
Dentist	Can use the Overskill, Forced Extraction, which allows them to use their dentistry skills in battle.
Diva	Also called "Songstress." Allows the user to make music. You can learn some of the Bard class’s songs in exchange for Weapon-class skills. A Bard with this subclass exchanges attack strength for increased song power. Men can also be divas.
Dragon Trainer	Very difficult subclass to get. Allows the user to have a NPC dragon pet even without being a Summoner. It is mainly limited to high-level players.
Dragon Warrior	Grants you dragon characteristics. Acquired through a subquest.
Duelist	A roleplaying subclass that represents one’s honor and chivalry in a one-on-one fight. You gain various bonuses during a duel, or some support skills to make a fight one-on-one. On the other hand, to display a “respect for a duel of honor,” poison skills and deceptive attack skills are forbidden. In other words, it would be a terrible decision for an Assassin to pick this subclass. This subclass is powerful in a one-on-one, but is less effective in group-on-group battles, so it’s pretty unpopular. Its benefits are outclassed by other fighter subclasses, but it can be useful for solo players.
Exorcist	A type of Slayer class usually held by the Healing-class rear guard of a party, especially Kannagi. Targets Undead and Demonic monsters.
Farmer
Fisherman	A subclass suitable for working in the sea. Reduces penalties for being underwater and increases the amount of time you can spend submerged. There is also a Slayer subclass-like effect when engaging aquatic monsters. It is a popular subclass that was implemented during the 2003 expansion pack, Silver Odyssey, when water travel and oceans became available.
Fletcher	Mainly used for supplementing Adventurers who use bows as their weapon. Usually, Woodcrafters make normal arrows and Blacksmiths can create magic arrows, but a Fletcher can create any kind of arrow. The primary problem for archers is that purchasing or creating arrows is costly, since the number of arrows you can hold is finite, so it is a struggle getting all the materials needed. In combat, they get some special skills.
Florist	Cultivate and sell flowers, especially rare and delicate ones that bring lots of money.
Followers of the Sun God	Effective against Undeads. Very flashy, so it's pretty popular. Many people with this subclass show their status as a "believer" with intense emotion. You gain a number of Light attacks and skills at the cost of decreased stealth. Light-based skills are boosted by the sun’s power, and you gain resistance to abnormal statuses from Undead monsters. However, for actually exterminating Undeads, an Undead Hunter would be better for the job.
Food Fighter	Speeds up food consumption (decreased food item cooldown), resistance to poison, and can eat almost anything. Useful after the Catastrophe since it made eating the tasteless food slightly more pleasant; in fact, it even tastes delicious if you have a high enough level. Furthermore, if someone with this subclass feeds another person without it, it still has the sense of having taste. In order to acquire this subclass, however, you have to eat 100 pieces of sushi, something that became very difficult to accomplish after the Catastrophe.
Fortune Teller
Fugitive	Similar to the Tracker subclass in that it can hide the user. However, this subclass is mainly designed for escaping and soloing.
Gambler
Gladiator	Provides buffs in PvP and is designed to dazzle the audience. Skills can only be activated in certain situations, such as “taking the opponent’s attack head-on,” “the battle exceeded a certain duration,” or “recovering HP and MP.” this subclass also grants some regional Warrior-class abilities that are beneficial for PvP.
Herbalist
Hitman	The same as the Man-Slayer subclass, although the two are separate subclass. Looks like it should be one of the Slayer subclasses, but it isn't. This subclass allows you to nullify the resistances or buffs of the opponent. It can also provide boosts in negotiations.
Holy Warrior	Exchanges some Warrior-class skills for recovery skills.
Housekeeper	Have the ability to clean zones, arrange items, and manage consumables and storage items. Not to be mistaken for the Housewife/husband or Maid subclasses.
Housewife/Househusband	Fairly quick to level and allows the use of low-level skills of many other Subclasses, such as Chef, Tailor, Farmer, Brewmaster, Housekeeper, Dairy Farmer, and Herbalist skills. Although they are limited to creating very low-level items, the value of this subclass has really come to shine after the Catastrophe, since it allows people to lead more normal lives.
Hunter
Idol	Allows the user to make music. Its capabilities are not to be underestimated, since it can, when used properly, be almost at the level of a Special Title. An idol can gain some skills of the Dancer, Diva, and Musician subclasses.
Insectivorous Plant	Gain plant-like attributes such as “skin as hard as bark”. Also, in areas with moisture and sunlight, you can recover HP and MP faster. Boosts resistance to sunlight, poisons, and diseases. Makes you susceptible to Fire attacks, though. At higher levels, you can secrete a sweet nectar that attracts Monsters and animals.
Kagemusha	Serve as a body double for an official or general to prevent assassinations. To prevent pranks, it is necessary to get the permission of the one to be imitated. Even your status screen will be changed to reflect the person you are serving as a body double for. Plant Hwyaden currently has an organization of kagemusha as spies and patrols.
Knight
Maid	Allows you to take care of household duties. It has an advanced form called the Elder Maid.
Merchant
Miner
Musician	Allows you to play a musical instrument and create your own music rather than play from predetermined songs (such as a Bard’s skill). The difficulty level of songs that you can play increases with the subclass’s level. Unlike a Bard, who can “let go” of an instrument and still have their songs take effect, a Musician has to continue playing for the skills to trigger.
Mystic Rogue	A multi-class subclass. Get Magic-class skills in exchange for Weapon-class skills. Doesn’t seem to have much affiliation with the Rogue subclass.
Necromancer	Changes its capabilities depending on the Class of the user. Usually, only Recovery- and Magic-class users use this subclass, but the amount of spells available to them usually drops dramatically. A Summoner has a wider array of Undead monsters it can summon. Recovery-class users gain a large boost in attack, but the amount of targets they can heal is much more limited. It's really a subclass for large-scale guilds, which have more members to cover any weak spots.
Noble	Different from a High Noble, which is a Special Title. It was originally a Lander-only subclass that signified nobility, but localizing companies made it available to players due to popular demand. Your initial title is ‘Sir’, which is good, but as you level up, your title changes accordingly, to Baronet, Baron, Viscount, Earl, and Marquis (Adventurers reaching a title higher than Duke or Grand Duke has not been heard of). Landers can give the “Honorable Conduct” and “Noble-like Behaviour” quests (details vary).
Outlaw
Poison User	Can create poison-based items, has boosted Poison skills, and has knowledge on various poisons and poisonous items/plants. Has the ability to poison their weapon. Effective against healers/healing spells, but not very effective against Undead, golems and other inorganic things.
Rogue	A familiar RPG class. Allows you to steal from monsters, lay traps, rob people, lockpick, and eavesdrop. Not good with whole-body armor, though.
Rune Master	Allows the engraving of magic runes onto items. However, whatever item the rune is engraved on will be destroyed after activating the rune.
Secretary	Can be obtained after using the Apprentice subclass and mentoring under an Assistant.
Sigilmancer	You can engrave runes onto an item, giving it a special effect. You can also put them onto your own body; however, if you do that, you have to expose the area with the rune in order for it to have an effect. As a result, usually light warriors use this subclass.
Survivor	Represents those "lucky ones" who can survive almost any crisis. Triggered by an adverse situation such as "my weapon broke," "under an abnormal state," or "subject to critical hits and ambushes." However, not many have this subclass because it's not very useful in normal circumstances, and getting into an adverse situation can be difficult, so it's effectiveness is debated.
Sword Maker	Unlike a Swordsmith, you cannot create swords. This is a purely role-playing subclass.
Tactician	Found in many raiding guilds, Tacticians support their allies with their skills and watch over the battlefield. Some of their skills allow them to be excellent timers. After the Catastrophe, since the number of opportunities to participate in raids has decreased (due to lack of people), the chances at being a Tactician are low. As a result, many have switched subclasses.
Talismancer	A subclass that uses Taoism-based magic. Mainly a support-type subclass that uses talismans (lucky charms or incantations) to defend against or counter an attack.
Tracker	Can follow targets undetected, hide their presence, or move in the dark. In conjunction with the Assassin class, it can be used to dispatch enemies without being sensed at all. They can also be used with people with Hunter subclasses to find ingredients or prey.
Undead Hunter
Vampanella	Powerful at night, but have to avoid sunlight and are weakened by it. Can replenish HP by sucking blood and can transform into a bat to travel longer distances quickly. Although it's really just a Vampire, the official name is Vampanella. To clarify, Vampires are monsters, Vampanellas are Adventurers with the subclass.
Wanderer	This subclass is close to being a Special Title, although it is only advantageous for solo players. If you venture into another server and arrive at a City with a Cathedral without being a member of a guild or party in that area, you can change subclasses. When you’re playing solo, you get special skills, faster movement speeds, quicker cooldown times, higher successful escape rates, higher recovery rates at a camp, and exclusive item drops. However, playing with others can actually worsen your fighting capabilities and debuff you.
Wand Fighter	Increases the damage dealt by wands and allows you to take on a frontline position. You can cut down casting times and hit the enemy twice, instead of changing your range. Spells like Bind Weapon act as special Defensive spells. It’s not very compatible with Sorcerers and Summoners because the subclass’ special skills cannot be used to maximum efficiency. Almost completely limited to solo players due to its inefficiency in a party; you can’t perform roles like tanking very well.
Wand Master	Create consumable items that can be used to activate magic spells through the use of a wand. Derived from the Alchemist subclass. It has the advantage of not consuming MP when used and being usable by any Class, but its power, casting time, and general performance is at a visible disadvantage to a specialist’s. Also, not every Class is suitable for using Wands; maintaining a Wand when you don’t usually use it can be pretty costly. It is a difficult-to-master subclass whose power lies in “balancing the calculation of a battle and the management of resources.”
War Priest	Exchanges some Healer-class skills for Warrior-class skills.
Wuxia/Bukyo	Some attack motions change. Provides a hit bonus.

Titles

Titles are a special type of subclass that can only be unlocked by players after completing a specific task or equipment. Some are considered legendary due to the limited amount of players who can acquire them and have already been acquired by famous players since the start of the game. They are known to grant abilities that will benefit players in and out of battle.

Sword Saint	Dragon Slayer

Player-Made Subclasses

After the Catastrophe, it became possible for Scribes to create new subclasses by using contracts. This ability is only known by few due to the chaos it may cause if disclosed to the public. For instance, the new subclass Adventurer can change the nature of a People of the Land and grant them the abilities of an Adventurer, including the ability to resurrect after death.

Adventurer

Lander Subclasses

People of the Land have subclasses that only they possess, some of them designating that they are People of the Land rather than an Adventurer.

Name	Description
Rose Garden Princess	Lander-only subclass. Only Rayneshia is known to have this subclass.
Feudal Lord
Ancient	Defenders of the land, the Ancients are members of the Thirteen Chivalric Orders.

Trivia

• It seems as though server-unique classes can become subclasses on other servers. For example, the Exorcist and Pirate classes of the Western European and North American servers are subclasses on the Japanese server.
• Although Elder Maid was listed as a Lander-only subclass on official material, Indicus somehow has that instead of the typical Maid subclass.