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MMO Friday Fight Round 13: Pet Class Vs Shapeshifter

Mitch Gassner Posted:
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As MMO players, we've all faced that moment at the character selection screen, agonizing over which class to choose. In this week’s Friday Fight, we will get a little animalistic with our class choice. In one corner, we have pet classes, where we command a loyal companion who is willing to fight and die by your side.

In the other corner, we have the shapeshifter classes, where players transform their character into one form or another to complement their role during fights. Both classes can be an appealing option to a player who is tired of the normal fighter or battle mage. But, just like every Friday Fight, in the battle between pet classes and shapeshifters, there can be only one winner.

Pet Classes

pet classes mmorpg

There's something uniquely satisfying about developing a bond with a digital companion. Pet classes offer a distinctive form of gameplay where success depends on the synergy between you and your summoned ally. Whether it's a necromancer's undead minions or a beast master's loyal animals, these classes provide built-in support that can handle multiple roles. The appeal lies in the strategic depth of positioning both yourself and your pet, coordinating attacks, and maintaining two entities simultaneously. Plus, you're never truly alone in your adventures, which adds an extra layer of immersion to the solo experience.

Shapeshifters

MMORPG shapeshifter

Shapeshifters represent the ultimate in adaptability. A druid who can switch from a healing-focused caster to a savage bear tank at will brings versatility to any group. The ability to change forms mid-combat creates dynamic gameplay where you're constantly evaluating the situation and choosing the right form for the moment. Each transformation feels like unlocking a completely new character, effectively giving you multiple classes in one. This adaptability allows you to fill whatever role your team needs, making you an invaluable asset in any situation.

My Take

While I have never liked shapeshifting classes, pet classes have been some of my favorite characters throughout the years. Shapeshifting can give you a powerful advantage during combat, but it is short term and often comes with a long cooldown. Pets, on the other hand, are a persistent complement to my actions. Even when they die defending you, they can be resummoned and back in the fight almost immediately.

A pet companion is also like having a built-in party. They add survivability and flexibility during solo play. I can take on the role of healer or DPS while my bear or wolf goes toe to toe with the enemy, or I can choose to swing away while a fairy pet keeps me healed up.


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Mitch Gassner

Part-time game reviewer, full-time gaming geek, Mitch was introduced to Pac-Man and Asteroids at Shakey's Pizza in the '70s and has been hooked on games ever since. Mitch has always had an opinion to share on anything gaming, but it wasn't until 2018 that he began his writing side hustle. Mitch currently writes about gaming and tech for MMORPG and Gamespace.com. You can find him on X @mitchgassner.