Players and critics praised Divinity: Original Sin 2 upon release for its incredibly deep RPG systems and intuitive turn-based combat systems, as well as the creativity offered to players in how to play the game the way they want to. One of these well-developed RPG systems is the game's hugely customizable class system.

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There are 14 classes available in the expansive and complex RPG Divinity: Original Sin 2, each one with its own particular strengths and weaknesses. Some classes are flat-out broken from the start, while others need some time put into their development and careful attention to gear to become almighty.

14 Fighter

The Fighter class focuses on both taking and dealing huge melee blows, and is scarcely found too far away from an enemy. It's a very basic class that's easy to understand, but its simplicity leaves it lacking.

Choose a Fighter if you want a character whose playstyle is simple and effective, but keep in mind that there are other classes that are not as well-rounded but much better in some of the Fighter's niches.

13 Enchanter

The Enchanter has control over the elements, able to summon weather effects, change the composition of the playing field, and otherwise summon phenomena to damage and aid allies.

The class has a lot going for it but ultimately is outclassed by other magic-focused classes in Divinity: Original Sin 2 such as the Witch or Conjurer.

12 Battlemage

The Battlemage is a classic RPG staple represented in Divinity: Original Sin 2 as a class that is as effective in close combat as it is far away from enemies.

Even though the Battlemage is a very versatile character, it doesn't do quite as well at ranged or close combat as other, more specialized classes. Still, though, it's a great class to try out a hybrid build from the get-go.

11 Cleric

The Cleric is a class in Divinity: Original Sin 2 that could be more accurately compared to a traditional fantasy Paladin rather than a Priest. The Cleric is a close-combat support class, who can tank hits as well as revitalize party members.

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The Cleric is a good choice for a front-line class over others for its access to healing and support spells. However, as most classes can spec into at least one or two recovery powers, you'll spend most of your time engaging enemies.

10 Witch

The Witch is a powerful dark magic user with a boost to the Necromancer, Scoundrel, and Persuasion abilities. The Witch is one of the weaker casting-focused classes in the game, but can still do plenty of damage when utilized effectively.

The Witch is also one of the more complex classes, needing constant attention to be effective. It is best in most situations to spec into Witch-like abilities on other magic users.

9 Wizard

The Wizard is a casting-focused class that has a wide array of abilities at its disposal. While the starter build focuses on Geomancy and Pyromancy, the Wizard can use multiple different types of magic effectively benefits hugely from its long-range passive talent.

The Wizard's destructive potential ramps up over time as its abilities get more and more powerful – just watch your aim with some of the class's traditional skills.

8 Wayfarer

The Wayfarer is a class unique to Divinity: Original Sin 2, and serves as a kind of fusion between a Ranger, Geomancer, and wayward traveler. It is a ranged class with access to poison and earth elemental abilities from the get-go.

The Wayfarer is a powerful class, but even with access to both ranged weapons and Geomancer abilities, it is outshined by the more versatile and stronger Ranger.

7 Shadowblade

The Shadowblade is a more ethereal version of a Rogue, with the ability to teleport, use dark stealthy magic, and deceive their opponents with illusory abilities. The class is a fantastic in-and-out type of combatant, never in the fray for too long but dealing huge damage.

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The Shadowblade, too, gets a 40% bonus when sneaking, and its access to a vast amount of illusory spells such as Chicken Claw come in handy when it comes to crowd control and deception.

6 Knight

The Knight, ultimately, does everything a Fighter does but better. The class is better at defense from the start, has more access to damaging abilities, and can keep itself alive far more effectively than the barbarian-like Fighter can.

While the Knight has a lower constitution than the Fighter, it has access to party-buffing abilities from the start and can use two-handed weapons extremely well, making them a powerhouse of both support and damage.

5 Ranger

The Ranger in Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the most versatile and easiest to play Ranged-focus class in the game. It has multiple attacks that target multiple enemies, self-buffs, and party-buffs aplenty, as well as the ability to relocate at a moment's notice.

The class might seem simple – shoot arrows, get to high ground, repeat – but combined with elemental effects and proper strategic placement it can singlehandedly turn the tide of an unwinnable fight.

4 Inquisitor

The Inquisitor is a class that out-classes two other classes at once. It's a combination of the Cleric and the Fighter classes, with abilities themed around zealous retribution and enemy debuffs as well as good ol' melee attacks.

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The class is a fantastic support, but not necessarily for aiding your allies directly. The Inquisitor is a master of debuffing enemies and buffing itself, and is both hardier than the Fighter and just as effective as a Cleric all wrapped up in one role.

3 Rogue

The Rogue in Divinity: Original Sin 2 is much like the Shadowblade, but instead of an emphasis on illusory abilities the Rogue is all about getting in and out of combat quickly. Its special talent, The Pawn, lets it move a full one extra AP's worth of movement each turn.

The Rogue outclasses the Shadowblade, despite the Shadowblade's 40% sneaking bonus, thanks to the class's ability to finish off enemies much more effectively, as well as the Adrenaline skill, which gives extra AP per turn. The rogue can simply do more than a Shadowblade.

2 Metamorph

The Metamorph is arguably the best magic-focused class without really focusing on magic itself. The metamorph can alter their own and enemy forms to control combat, including the ability to transform enemies into chickens and give themselves tide-turning abilities temporarily.

Medusa Head, for example, temporarily lets the Metamorph petrify enemies, while the Spread Your Wings and Heart of Steel abilities can be situationally broken. The class is one of the most complex in the game, but its unparalleled ability to control the flow of battle is a must-have for any party composition.

1 Conjurer

The Conjurer is far and away the best magic-focused class, and perhaps the best class in Divinity: Original Sin 2 as a whole. The Conjurer is effectively two characters at once, both controllable by the player: the Conjurer themselves, and their summoned allies.

The Conjurer immediately gets the ability to conjure a Familiar, who can cast devastating spells, and later on, can summon nigh-on-invincible allies to join the fight. Better still, the Conjurer has plenty of her own attacks as well as abilities to keep their summons alive. Even better still, when a summon dies, the Conjurer can just re-summon it, making for an extremely effective barrier against damage to your fragile long-distance casters.

NEXT: Divinity Original Sin 2: The Worst Choices You Can Make In The Game