Best Games that Offer Hybrid Class Systems

In many RPGs, the world is simple: you pick a class and stick to it like the law. But not all games follow that well-worn path.

Some encourage you to experiment – blending combat styles, magic, and abilities into hybrid builds that don’t fit into rigid class boxes.

Game	Release	Genre	Developer
Elden Ring	2022-02-22	Adventure & Role-playing (RPG)	FromSoftware
The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Anniversary Edition	2021-11-11	Adventure & Role-playing (RPG)	Bethesda Game Studios
Divinity Original Sin 2	2017-09-14	Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure	Larian Studios
Fallout New Vegas Ultimate Edition	2010-10-21	Shooter & Role-playing (RPG)	Obsidian Entertainment
Cyberpunk 2077	2020-12-10	Shooter & Adventure	CD PROJEKT RED
Dark Souls III	2016-04-11	Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure	FromSoftware, Inc.
Borderlands 3	2020-04	Role-playing (RPG) & Shooter	Gearbox Software
World Of Warcraft Shadowlands	2020-11-23	Role-playing (RPG)	Blizzard Entertainment
Diablo 3		Role-playing (RPG) & Hack and slash/Beat 'em up	Blizzard Entertainment
Bloodborne		Role-playing (RPG)	FromSoftware

This list is for the rule-breakers – the RPGs that throw away class-based conservatism in favour of true character freedom. Occasionally, that means more tactical options. Every so often, it just feels good to play your way…

Elden Ring

Release date:	2022-02-22
Genre:	Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure
Developer:	FromSoftware

Elden Ring is a dark and sprawling action RPG set in the haunting world of the Lands Between. You play as one of the Tarnished, journeying through a cursed land searching for power and meaning – with the ultimate goal of becoming the next Elden Lord.

Image credit: FromSoftware

At the start, you pick from eight different classes that shape your initial stats and gear. But that’s just the beginning. As you explore the open world and gather weapons, gear, and spells, you can gradually move away from your starting archetype.

You may like it because
It offers complete freedom to develop flexible characters, mixing magic and melee Combat is deep and rewarding, with countless ways to approach enemies The world is massive, mysterious, and full of secrets that reward exploration

Elden Ring

Release date:	2016-10-27
Genre:	Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure
Developer:	Bethesda Game Studios

Skyrim is a timeless classic and easily the most beloved entry in The Elder Scrolls series. You begin as a nameless prisoner and gradually discover that you’re the legendary Dragonborn, fated to save the world from Alduin.

Image credit: Bethesda Game Studios

Unlike many traditional RPGs, Skyrim doesn’t lock you into a class. Instead, your chosen race gives you some initial stat bonuses and a few unique traits, but beyond that, your character can become whatever you want. You can master every skill just by using it, which opens the door to hybrid builds, mixed roles, and total character freedom.

You may like it because
A huge open world full of quests, dungeons, and stories to uncover Flexible characters that grow based on how you play, not what you choose at the start Encourages multi-class builds and skills customization through organic progression

Skyrim

Release date:	2017-09-14
Genre:	Role-playing (RPG) & Strategy & Turn-based strategy (TBS) & Adventure
Developer:	Larian Studios

Divinity: Original Sin 2 takes place in the fantasy world of Rivellon, a thousand years after the events of the first game. You play as a Sourcerer (also called Godwoken), chosen to fight back against the dark forces of the Void and challenge the oppressive Divine Order.

Image credit: Larian Studios

At the start, you can either create your own protagonist or choose from a cast of pre-made origin characters. Your race and background affect certain interactions and grant passive bonuses, but the real magic lies in how you build your character. With over 200 skills to learn and combine, the game offers a deep multi-class system.

You may like it because
Rich lore and deep plot are waiting to be discovered Tactical combat with elemental interactions makes for deep strategy Supports flexible characters and multi-class builds that evolve with your party

Divinity: Original Sin 2

Release date:	2020-11-23
Genre:	Role-playing (RPG)
Developer:	Blizzard Entertainment

World of Warcraft is the ultimate MMORPG juggernaut, thriving for over two decades. Set in the high-fantasy world of Azeroth, it continues the saga of Warcraft, focusing on the eternal clash between the Alliance and the Horde.

Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment

Character creation starts with picking a race and one of many available classes. Some of these are hybrid classes, like Druids, Paladins, Shamans, and Evokers. These flexible characters can fluidly switch between tanking, healing, and dealing damage depending on gear, build, and group needs.

You may like it because
Iconic hybrid classes allow for mixed roles in group play Enormous world with years of content and expansions to explore Strong sense of community with co-op and competitive modes

World of Warcraft

Release date:	2010-10-21
Genre:	Shooter & Role-playing (RPG)
Developer:	Obsidian Entertainment

Fallout: New Vegas is a cult-favourite in the post-apocalyptic RPG scene. Set in the Mojave Wasteland, it follows the journey of a courier left for dead, who’s now out to retrieve a mysterious chip — an item far more valuable than it seems.

Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment

Unlike traditional class-based RPGs, New Vegas uses the SPECIAL stat system (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, Luck) to shape your character. From there, you customize perks and skills to your liking. The game encourages flexible characters and mixed roles through its open-ended RPG mechanics.

You may like it because
No fixed classes – complete freedom to build your character. Rich dialogue and moral choices that shape the world. One of the best-written RPGs with tons of replayability.

Fallout: New Vegas

Release date:	2012-05-15
Genre:	Role-playing (RPG) & Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Developer:	Blizzard Entertainment

Diablo III is the third instalment in the iconic dungeon-crawling, hack’n’slash series. Set in the dark fantasy world of Sanctuary, it picks up 20 years after Diablo II, with the forces of Hell once again threatening humanity.

Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment

The game features distinct classes with unique skill sets – you won’t mix skills across classes, but within each class, there’s profound customization. Thanks to skill runes and gear sets, you can create hybrid builds that drastically change how your character plays. For instance, a Wizard can focus on fire magic, cold magic, or blend both for a flexible, elemental-heavy play style.

You may like it because
Intra-class customization enables hybrid builds within each archetype. Fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay with tons of visual flair. Great solo or co-op experience with evolving seasonal content.

Diablo III

Release date:	2020-04
Genre:	Shooter & Role-playing (RPG)
Developer:	Gearbox Software

Borderlands is a beloved series of loot-driven “role-playing shooters” known for its comic book aesthetic, offbeat humour, and chaotic gun play. Set mainly on the lawless planet Pandora, you play as one of several Vault Hunters searching for technology, treasure, and trouble.

Image credit: Gearbox Software

Each game starts with selecting a character tied to a specific class. But Borderlands shines when it comes to flexible characters and skills customization. By mixing skills from different branches of your character’s skill tree — and pairing them with thousands of guns and gear mods — you can create hybrid builds that break the mould.

You may like it because
Profound skills customization encourages creative hybrid builds Unique mix of FPS action with RPG mechanics and loot hunting Memorable characters and a consistently wacky tone Built for co-op fun with friends, but solo works great too.

Borderlands series

Release date:	2020-12-10
Genre:	Shooter & Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure
Developer:	CD PROJEKT RED

Cyberpunk 2077 is a gritty, narrative-driven RPG based on the tabletop system Cyberpunk 2020. Set in the sprawling Night City of the near future, you play as V, a merc with a haunted brain: a chip implant has fused your mind with the engram of rocker-turned-terrorist Johnny Silverhand.

Image credit: CD PROJEKT RED

At first, you choose a life path (Nomad, Corpo, or Streetkid), which affects your background and early story options. But from there, the game hands you complete character freedom. With attribute points and perks spread across combat, hacking, stealth, and social abilities, you can shape a hybrid build that blends tech skills with brute force or agility.

You may like it because
Unmatched freedom to create flexible, multi-dimensional characters Immersive open world with branching narratives and roleplay depth Stunning visuals and a rich, dystopian atmosphere.

Cyberpunk 2077

Release date:	2016-04-11
Genre:	Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure
Developer:	FromSoftware, Inc.

Dark Souls is a (well…) dark, punishing action RPG and the spiritual successor to Demon’s Souls. Set in the haunting kingdom of Lordran, you play as an undead, slowly unravelling your fate.

Image credit: FromSoftware, Inc.

At the start, you pick a class, but much like in Elden Ring, that choice mostly impacts your early gear and stats. From there, the world is your forge. You can mould your play style freely by distributing stat points, acquiring new gear, and adapting your strategy.

You may like it because
True RPG mechanics with profound skills customization and stat-based progression Legendary level design and atmospheric storytelling Highly rewarding for players who enjoy experimentation and overcoming challenge

Dark Souls

While many RPGs still revolve around fixed class systems, a growing number have embraced player creativity with hybrid builds, multi-class systems, and skills customization that allow for real character freedom.

So if you’re tired of rigid roles and crave mixed styles or flexible characters, any of these titles will let you bend the rules — and maybe even rewrite them entirely.