Metaphor: ReFantazio All Archetypes List
Like many Atlus games that fall in line with Shin Megami Tensei and Persona, Metaphor: ReFantazio uses the signature Persona RPG formula of all members summoning a secondary character with their own list of spells and abilities. This time, this formula has been renamed the Archetype system, and it works a little differently.
Archetypes function more like a traditional class system instead of the more freeform Persona customization. You, as the player character, can freely switch between different Archetypes depending on what role you want to play in the party while also synthesizing the skills of other Archetypes into your current one. We’ll highlight each of these Archetypes below, as well as their overall playstyles.
Table of Contents
Seeker Archetype
The Seeker is the default Archetype that you start with. It’s a support-oriented Archetype that has a nice balance of offensive and defensive buff. Its unique passive, Chase Support, makes the support attacks of your party members happen more often and makes stunning enemies in the overworld easier.
This Archetype starts with Seeker in its Origin form, Magic Seeker in its Adept form, and Soul Hacker in its final Elite form. Each tier is unlocked by going through More’s Bond Ranks and is automatically given to you.
Warrior Archetype
The Warrior Archetype uses the classic physical melee role that primarily focuses on single-target damage. As many of its skills use the Physical element, it’s a versatile damage dealer, but can’t exploit elemental weaknesses compared to other Archetypes. Its Hero Passive, Barge Past, prevents enemies from starting their turn first if they hit you on the overworld.
As for its tiers, the Archetype starts with the Warrior as its Origin form, the Swordmaster as its Adept form, Samurai as its Elite form, and finally, the Royal Warrior as its most powerful form. This Archetype is tied to Strohl’s Bond events and is automatically unlocked during the main story.
Mage Archetype
The Mage Archetype can easily exploit the elemental weaknesses of enemies with its myriad Fire, Electric, Dark, and Ice spells, while greatly sustaining its offensive power with MP restoration effects. The Mage is also one of the first Archetypes to have an alternate form, requiring a different Archetype to be leveled to unlock. Its Hero Passive, Magic Recovery, allows you to recover MP whenever you stun or defeat an enemy in the overworld.
This tree begins with the Mage for its Origin form, Wizard for its Adept form, and either the Elemental Master or Warlock for its Elite form. The Warlock requires you to reach Rank 10 with the Assassin, which is part of the Thief Archetype. To increase its rank, you must go through Gallica’s Bond storyline, and it is automatically unlocked during the main story.
Healer Archetype
As the name implies, this Archetype has all the support spells that any RPG healer would have, with HP recovery spells, debuff cleanses, and a few offensive-oriented buffs on the side. Its Hero Passive, Support Recovery, restores a portion of your party’s health whenever your party lands a support attack in the overworld.
Its progression is straightforward, with Healer for Origin, Cleric for Adept, and Saviour for Elite. This Archetype is unlocked as part of the story and bonding with Maria increases its ranking.
Knight Archetype
Unlike the Warrior, this Archetype focuses on defense and durability. Its skills specialize in drawing the enemy’s attention and soaking up as much damage as possible, with some light damage skills thrown in the mix. Its Hero Passive, Auto-Repel, gives your party a chance to reflect enemy attacks that hit you during overworld battle.
Like the Mage Archetype, it has access to an alternate Elite form. It starts with the basic Knight for Origin, Magic Knight for Adept, either the Paladin or Dark Knight for Elite, and lastly, the final Royal Knight form. The Dark Knight requires reaching Wizard Rank 10 and focuses on magic defense instead of physical defense. You can unlock and rank this Archetype by following through Hulkenberg’s Bond Ranking.
Brawler Archetype
The Brawler is the only Archetype that does not use MP to cast its skills, instead using its health as a resource. Many of its skills deal more damage as your health gets lower, as well as self-healing spells to fuel more of your offensive skills. Its Hero Passive, Surprise Upset, makes stronger enemies easier to stun in the overworld.
As for its forms, the Archetype starts with the standard Brawler first, Pugilist for Adept, and Martial Artist for Elite. Catherina will be the primary Bond Ranking character for this Archetype.
Merchant Archetype
The Merchant Archetype takes an unorthodox approach to battles, increasing your chances of receiving more items and money after every battle. Like the Brawler, some of its skills require money to cast, with its damage skills having a low hit chance for extremely high Almighty damage. Its Hero Passive, Alchemy, gives you a chance to gain money whenever you stun or defeat an enemy in the open world.
This Archetype only has two forms, with the starter Merchant and the Tycoon for its Elite form. To unlock this Archetype, you must first reach Wisdom Rank 2, then speak with Brigitta to start the optional quest “A Bullsih Cargo.” Completing the quest grants you this Archetype. The Tycoon requires reaching Commander Rank 10.
Gunner Archetype
The Gunner Archetype prefers to stay at the back of the formation to deal ranged Physical damage, as many of its skills will only work from afar. In exchange, it’s also one of the squishiest Archetypes in the game. Its Hero Passive, Comeback Victory, restores some of your health upon defeating an overworld enemy.
This Archetype has three forms, with Gunner for Origin, Sniper for Adept, and Dragoon for Elite. Unlocking this Archetype requires completing Neuras’ quest “Providing a Spark.” To complete this quest, head to the village of Komero using the gauntlet runner and retrieve the Relic.
Thief Archetype
The Thief focuses on high burst single target damage while draining the health and MP of enemies to sustain yourself. It can imbue its attacks with Dark damage and debuff enemies with the Hex effect. Its Hero Passive, Pickpocket, gives you a chance to get an item upon defeating an enemy in the overworld.
This Archetype has 4 tiers: Thief, Assassin, Ninja, and Royal Thief. The Thief is automatically unlocked as part of the main story and is tied to Heismay’s Bond questline.
Masked Dancer Archetype
The Masked Dancer has the unique mechanic of being able to swap skill sets using Masks. Each Mask contains weaker variants of an Archetype’s skills, exchanging effectiveness for more versatility. This Archetype allows you to play as any class for whatever the situation calls for, making it a jack-of-all-trades. It has no Hero Passive.
The Archetype has 3 tiers, starting with the Masked Dancer, Persona Master for its Elite form, and Royal Masked Dancer for its Royal form. While your character automatically unlocks the Archetype during the main storyline, getting it for the entire party requires the completion of the side quest “Save the Mourning Snakes.” Junah is the primary Bond character for the Masked Dancer.
Faker Arcehtype
The Faker spreads chaos in the enemy’s ranks by applying multiple debuffs and status effects on them, sacrificing raw damage. Since the Archetype barely has any damage skills, pairing it with a high-damage party significantly increases its effectiveness in combat. Its Hero Passive, Dodge, allows you to auto-dodge an enemy’s attack in the overworld.
This Archetype only has the base Faker form and the Trickster for its Elite form. To unlock it, you must have Imagination 2. Then, go to Martira’s Thoroughfare Square and speak to Alonzo Crotalus. Accept his quest “A Dagger, a Ring, and a Rake.” After that, head to the Abandoned Tomb dungeon and retrieve Malveno’s Ring. Return to Alonzo to receive the Archetype and begin his Bond progression.
Commander Archetype
The complete opposite of the Faker, the Commander Archetype serves as the anchor of the party by providing buffs to its allies while dishing out some damage of its own. It’s a fairly balanced Archetype that strengthens the entire party and itself as well. Its Hero Passive, Enhanced Cooperation, makes enemies more likely to be stunned by support attacks in overworld combat.
The Archetype has 3 tiers. Commander, General, and Warlord. To unlock this Archetype, speak to Bardon after clearing the main dungeon in Martira.
Summoner Archetype
This Archetype wears its Shin Megami Tensei history on its sleeve. The Summoner plays much like the Masked Dancer, but instead of using Masks, it uses items called Vessels that summon Demons. This Archetype has the widest access to spells in the game, but these Vessels require crafting, with resources scattered around the overworld and shops. Its Hero Passive, Status Differential, causes overworld enemies to not gain advantage when striking you.
This Archetype has the Summoner for its Origin, Devil Summoner for its Elite form, and Royal Summoner as its final form. This Archetype is part of Eupha’s Bond storyline and will require you to beat the Dragon Temple dungeon.
Berserker Archetype
This is the last Archetype you can unlock in the game before the end. It’s one of the highest physical damage dealers in the game, with passives only further improving the damage you already deal. Its Hero Passive, Combat Specialization, removes enemy advantage and heals you after defeating an enemy in the overworld.
Aside from the Origin Berserker, you can also unlock the Destroyer for its Elite form. This Archetype is automatically unlocked near the end of the game and is tied to Basilio’s Bond storyline.
