In Atlantica Online, you start off by choosing your hero character. You have the choice of either becoming a Sword, Spear, Axe, Gun, Bow, Cannon or Staff user. Once you choose your weapon speciality, you cannot change them anymore (unless you opt for cash item, which is still not implemented atm).

Fortunately, the weapons are not gender specific. You are free to choose the sex of your own hero, and we all know having a gunner chick beats a male gunner anytime. This however, is the only time you get to choose any gender. The mercenaries that you will have to hire to form your team are gender-locked to their roles.

Here’s a rundown on the classes:

• Sword

The Swordsman has the best survivability of all classes, which makes him the natural tank class. His attack is rather strong, but it can only affect a single non-flying target in the front row, so he should not be solely relied upon for offense. His magic skill is the Flame Sword, an attack that again only affects a single foe.

• Spear

The Spearman can attack a single non-flying foe in the front row. If there is another foe in the same column directly behind the target, that foe also receives damage, although less than the original target. His magic attack is a lightning spear which damages and slows down two foes in the same column. The Spearman has medium defense.

• Axe

The slow-moving Viking can attack a single target in the front row. If that target has one or two neighbors in the same row, then those also take some damage. This character has many hitpoints but low defense, especially versus magic. Its magic move can freeze foes for few turns.

• Bow

Despite bonuses to evasion, this character’s low health make it unsuitable for the front line. It is a potent counter for enemy spellcasters though, as the powerful single-target attack can reach every foe, regardless of its position in the enemy ranks. Its magic move is Silence, which prevents foes from using magic for a two turns.

• Gun

The Gunner wields a musket and carries rather low protection. This character can damage an entire column of foes, with foes in the front absorbing taking most of the damage. Its magic move is a stronger version of the regular attack.

• Cannon

The Artilleryman is armed with a hand-held cannon. Its standard attack covers a cross-shaped area, although with a rather low attack power. Its magic move damages foes and reveals their remaining hitpoints for a few turns.

• Staff

The Shaman has both healing and damaging skills to support the party. Due to low health and defense, this character is best placed away from the frontline.