With deckbuilding RPG Gordian Quest finally out of early access, new players that are unfamiliar with its inspirations may find themselves a bit overwhelmed by the numerous class options. Some of the game's classes are easier to pick up than others, due to a number of factors. In Gordian Quest, players can pick one hero to play when they start a campaign, with the other heroes being unlockable over time. For those who are unsure of where to begin or prefer a less intense experience early on, there are a few classes that stand out as beginner-friendly.
Gordian Quest draws inspiration from classic role-playing games, with Ultima and Dungeons & Dragons used as examples by the developers. As such, the best beginner-friendly classes in D&D have some crossover with those in Gordian Quest. For players that aren't familiar with D&D and similar RPGs, however, the playstyles encouraged by each class and the assumptions that are baked into them might not be obvious. Some classes are definitively more complex than others, and others may shine in unexpected ways, especially having been merged with deckbuilding mechanics. In lieu of trying to decipher decades of RPG baggage, newcomers to the genre can start by focusing on the following reliable options.
One of the easiest classes to play in Gordian Quest is the Cleric, represented by Catherin. Clerics are traditionally spellcasters that draw power from their faith, and while they are usually thought of mainly as healers, clerics' roles throughout the history of RPGs have become quite versatile. Catherin does have healing at her disposal, but she is also capable of dealing damage with both weapons and magic, making her suitable for a number of builds and a good character to have in a pinch. Depending on the rest of the party's composition, Catherin can play to their strengths by emphasizing damage, tanking, buffing, debuffing, or healing: she, like many Clerics, can excel in many different areas.
Gordian Quest Includes Several Classes Best For Beginners
Alongside Catherin, Naran the Bard is another strong choice for any player. Bards are also spellcasters, though their magic is less straightforward: They produce magical effects through the power of performance, usually by singing or playing a musical instrument. Like clerics, bards can specialize in a variety of roles, though they can't usually hold up in a front line position as well as clerics can. Naran's abilities can buff other characters' offense and defense, as well as dealing magical damage, though bards are usually best suited for buffing allies. Since Gordian Quest's bard is as powerful as D&D's in that regard, Naran would make a great addition to any party as a supporting character, though not necessarily as a starting hero.
For players looking for the most straightforward class possible, another good option would be the Swordhand, Gordian Quest's equivalent of D&D's Fighter. The Swordhand, Lucius, primarily focuses on dealing physical damage and tanking hits from opponents. Though some of Lucius' cards involve crowd control and buffing allies, the Swordhand's options largely have a much narrower focus than some other classes. This makes playing the Swordhand more simple, and also results in Lucius being very competent in those areas rather than being a jack of all trades. Some consider D&D's fighters to be overpowered as traditional damage dealers, while simultaneously less fun to play due to their relative lack of variety. However, these traits make them excellent for beginners, so the Swordhand should be just as easy to grasp for most players. While any one of these three classes could work on their own, they would also make for a fairly well-rounded party combining damage, defense, and support, so unlocking all three would be an ideal way to begin one's journey within Gordian Quest.