Summary
RPGs, especially more traditional CRPGs or JRPGs, are known for havingfantastic class systemsthat showcase the inherent strengths and weaknesses of each character within a party. Classes help a character gain definition within the mechanics of a game, and in titles where classes are more fluid, they also reflect a level of personalization on behalf of the player, who has taken the time to shape that character into a certain archetype.
Even with JRPGs that have thismore fluid kind of class system, the classes that stick out are the more creative ones that stray away from the usual archetypes of warrior, rogue, wizard, and healer. Case in point - the merchant. The merchant is a class that has made an appearance in a few different JRPGs, and each one has a distinct niche in the party. That niche might not always be the most overpowered, but in these games, playing as a merchant class is incredibly fun.
The firstOctopath Travelershowcases the merchant class predominately through the plucky, ambitious character of Tressa Coizione, who endeavors to sail the world and bring trade and prosperity to her family name. Perhaps because she is a mainstay among the cast ofOctopath Traveler, Tressa’s merchant class is a lot more versatile than the merchant class in other games.
Starting with Tressa is seenas a smart choicein this title, as her ability to barter with NPCs and pick up spare change makes her an asset in the early game when resources are hard to come by.
The merchant class inBravely Secondis available through its asterisk, as are all the classes in this iconic job system that theBravelyseries has utilized. It’s a job focused mostly on self-preservation and support, exchanging gold for benefits to the party, and also earning more money as rewards after a battle.
Their passive ability allows them to earn 1.5x the amount of gold after any job, a godsend during the mid to late game that can speed up the grind for resources immensely, no matter what job the party members have.
3Dragon Quest 6
Balances Low Stats With A Knack For Money
TheDragon Questseries hasa good number of titlesunder its belt, and while the merchant has made an appearance in a few of them, theirDragon Quest 6presence is especially novel. This class reduces the stats of its wielder, but to compensate, allows them to earn more money, appraise items more easily, and eventually summon powerful sellswords to aid in battle.
The merchant class in this title occupies a weird position of utility abilities outside of battle, such as dig, as well as debuff spells for the enemy, summoning spells, and offensive physical spells, all rolled together into one very wealthy jack of all trades.
The merchant job inOctopath Traveler 2is distinct enough from its predecessor’s counterpart that it warrants a spot on this list as well. While the first game was a little more well-rounded in its approach to the merchant class, the second title opted to focus more on the merchant’s skills.
It’s now less useful as a support or DPS class but has one of the strongest abilities in the game - Hired Help - as well as many money-collecting skills that set it apartfrom other classesin this title.
The merchant is a rare job inFire Emblem: Fates. In fact, depending on the specific path the player has taken, they may not encounter a merchant - either as an enemy or an ally - at all. When the merchant does appear, they have many nuanced abilities that make use of gold bars.
Merchants can effectively sacrifice these gold bars to deal an inordinate amount of damage to enemies relative to their stats, and they can also generate these gold bars at the start of their initial turns, which can be sold for a high price, considering they’ve essentially been generated for free.
Lionel is one of the optional characters available to the player inTriangle Strategyonce their convictions reach a certain level. He’s a cunning merchant who senses the profits that would come with House Wolfort and considers his willingness to invest with Serenoa all the sign of loyalty he needs.
As a conniving wordsmith, Lionel can taunt and demoralize his enemies, or even temporarily sway them to his side. He has excellent utility with Jens, the blacksmith character, who can set up traps that Lionel can then taunt his opponents into triggering.
