I've decided to go ahead and add this section. Mostly because I am bored. If it's not appreciated, well...

Tough.

Anyway, since I'm Bellato I'm writing this for the Bellato, but battle tactics are universal geometry, so apply where appropriate.

First, be aware that the races have four classes (Accretia being the exception), followed by several sub-classes. I'm not going to go into the specifics functions of the sub-classes as there are plenty of places where this information has already been posted. Using these classes and sub-classes in tactical battlefield ettiqeute, however, seems to be in shorter supply. Also, I'm no expert...never even been in the military, so what you will get here is basic tactical deployment and text-book interpretations of formation, purpose, and ideal. Those of you who are geniuses or Sun Tsu fans may pipe up and offer additions and qualifications, of course.

The classes are:

Warrior
Ranger
Spiritualist (Accretia exception)
Specialist

Here are the basics. If you look at the sub-class skills acquired, they pretty much tell the story of the specialized purpose for each. Once again, the sub-class skills, buffs, and various capabilities are detailed elsewhere in verbatim on the 'net as well as this forum, so be sure to browse through the skill trees and take the time to study where your character is at. As always, tactics is not limited to text-book interpretations, and some of the finest military minds in history (no, I don't mean Napoleon, he was just lucky) used their craftiness to effect momentum in their campaigns. This means using unorthodox and--at the proper times--risky tactics that surprise and undermine an enemy and their position. For more information on basic tactics, of course read the known heroes of the genre...Sun Tsu's 'The Art of War' comes to mind as an example.

However...in the scope of this game, the classes dictate primary military roles as per their skill and effectiveness. The primary roles are:

1). Warrior. This is RF Online's foot soldier and frontline defence/offense. They are gifted with abilities and skills that prime them for melee, one-on-one and skirmish positions. If you look at the sub-class skills and various buffs acquired by them, you'll see that this role can be quite versatile and an effective defense or offense position. High-level Warrior-class players should typically form the frontline of any vanguard or primary attack force. As always, creative interpretation of tactics can and often does surprise an enemy or doom the entire battalion. Military genius required. :P

2). Ranger. This is pretty obvious, as the Ranger class has the least defence, they are definitely NOT intended to be one-on-one offensive spearheads, as the Warrior class can be. This is RF Online's sniper, gunner, and long-range disruptor. Typically the Ranger classes in their sub-class configurations have specialties that range from sniping to covert ops, sabotage and infiltration. These are intended to create difficulty on the battlefield for commanders to maintain order, keep formation and interrupt communications. Rangers are specialized scouts in most real-world applications, but can be formidable as surgical strike teams or used to flank enemy positions from hidden locations. Depending on your class skills, these can determine what role you should play as a Ranger.

3). Spiritualist. Excluding Accretia, who do not have this class, the Cora and Bellato are blessed with an additional capability even the real world can't match. Spiritualists are spellcasters; broad-rimmed dealers of wholesale death, typically known for powerful or 'nuke' spells (usually an area-of-effect cast). These positions are specific and quite useful. Some games give them a dual purpose, that of support as well as offense, in the form of healing and nuke spells that cause great amounts of damage in multiple opponents. Again, RF Online has incorporated the spellcaster as a primarily offensive role, making their damage-per-second almost critical to any formation. Spiritualists have skills that range from party-buff support spells to escapism and avoidance.

4). Specialist. These are RF Online's special hand. These cards are intended to play at key points in a battle, and often are misconstrued as spearheading offensive roles, also. Though powerful, these positions are best suited to assist spellcasters for dps, finish off remaining enemy forces, and general support for ground troops. Like any large attack vessel in a military organisation, these units should be accompanied with the RF Online-equivelent of a fighter screen and escort. Of course, the tactical implications make using these classes together quite exciting, as there are definitive methods to assuring the survival of the Specialist as well as their fighter escort. However...support is the key. Specialist sub-classes range from piloting the well-known (and misunderstood) MAU to Launchers or Summons. Think of MAUs, Summons and Launchers as gun emplacements, as in a mortar or gun battery. Perhaps by itself it is near useless in one-on-one combat, but placed strategically it can tip the scales of any battle.

Obviously, each player needs to take into account their sub-class of choice. It is no stretch to say that originally this is what the developers of RF Online had in mind, and I think that certain classes get misunderstood from aspects of one-on-one as opposed to a race versus race or even larger scale skirmish. Obviously, the tactical implications change in a CW when compared to a PvP battle, and therefore the tactics must change. I believe that if used properly, players will get so much enjoyment out of a properly conducted battle that it will enrich the game tenfold. Getting out of the mindset of PvP and thinking RvR requires some adjusted strategic understanding and military savvy, and I give kudos to those who time and time again try to do just that. Also, it should be noted that if enough low-level players participate in the CW, it can make a difference. Wether you think anyone else is showing up or not, I recommend going anyway. I know after sitting down and thinking about this I have decided to change my thinking on my CW participation. Wether I'm effective or not, I know that eventually we can all get informed enough to be able to work well together, and truly make it a race effort, not just individually.

Anyway...if anyone has anything to add or adjust, please do.

Race: Bellato
Name: Desert
Level: 33