Chivalry 2 features a robust class system that allows players to fulfill specific roles on the battlefield. There are only four classes to choose from, but each of them is divided into three separate subclasses. When you first start playing a class, you’ll only have access to a single subclass, but you will be able to unlock the remaining ones as you gain more experience.
Subclasses have the same stats, but each of them comes equipped with unique special abilities. Your subclass also dictates the types of weapons you can use, although there is some overlap between them. To help you decide what to play in Chivalry 2, this list will rank all classes and subclasses by least to most useful across all game modes.
Chivalry 2 Subclasses, Ranked
Every subclass in Chivalry 2 has something to offer, but some are simply better than others. Your subclass will have the biggest impact on how you conduct yourself on the battlefield, so let’s start by ranking them before taking a look at how the classes stack up against each other.
12. Ambusher
The Ambusher sounds ripped straight out of an Assassin’s Creed game. This subclass is essentially meant to be an assassin who can only carry small, one-handed weapons in both slots. Like any good assassin, the Ambusher deals 50% more damage from behind and 25% more damage with projectile headshots.
The problem with this subclass is that it doesn’t really work in a game like Chivalry 2. There are situations when backstabs can come in handy, but those are pretty rare in most game modes. Meanwhile, the Ambusher’s special ability, Quiver, is easily one of the worst in the game.
11. Field Engineer
Field Engineers played an important role in medieval warfare, but their job was a bit more complex than it is here. Chivalry 2 Field Engineers are a support subclass that can destroy breakable objects twice as fast as other classes while also being able to set up traps and build barricades. Field Engineers can use bandages and are healed for 25% of their health whenever they revive a teammate.
Field Engineers have some useful abilities, but they are next to useless in combat. They only have three weapons to choose from, and none of them is very good. This subclass would have been significantly more valuable if it had the ability to build siege engines. As it stands, Field Engineers feel a bit too gimmicky for a game like Chivalry 2.
10. Skirmisher
Skirmishers are the perfect example of why hybrid classes in video games are a bad idea. Like all Archer subclasses, the Skirmisher has very low health and stamina, and yet it’s designed to be both a ranged fighter and a melee fighter. Needless to say, it doesn't excel in either.
Skirmishers have 25% bonus damage with projectile headshots and get access to the Quiver ability. Their kit is all over the place and includes things like javelins and throwing axes, along with a selection of light and heavy one-handed weapons, a shield, and a bear trap. Being flexible can be good but being specialized is often better in a game like Chivalry 2.
9. Crossbowman
The Crossbowman is a high-risk, high-reward subclass. Well-placed headshots with the crossbow can quickly take down armored opponents like Footmen and Knights; however, playing as this subclass leaves you vulnerable during melee combat.
Crossbowmen need to remain stationary for most of the match since the subclass can’t reload while on the move. This isn’t particularly fun and, more importantly, makes you an easy target for faster opponents. As far as the special ability is concerned, the Banner is almost useless for a ranged subclass like the Crossbowman.
8. Man At Arms
Man At Arms is a subclass that favors speed and agility over brute strength. The subclass moves 10% faster while wielding one-handed weapons and can dash 50% more often than other classes. In addition, Men At Arms also have access to the Sprint Charge passive.
Man At Arms is a pretty decent subclass, but it doesn’t have anything particularly exciting to offer. Its main advantage is that it lets you fight with a spear and shield, which is quite a good combo. However, that combo alone isn’t enough when facing opponents equipped with powerful two-handed weapons.
7. Longbowman
The Longbowman is the best Archer subclass in Chivalry 2. Longbowmen don’t have the armor-piercing capabilities of their crossbow-wielding counterparts, but they do have a much faster rate of fire. They can also reload while on the move, which makes them more mobile.
On paper, the Longbowman should be a very good subclass, especially since they have a unique special ability that lets them use fire arrows. The problem is that distinguishing between friends and foes from a distance can be very difficult in a game like Chivalry 2, where everybody’s fighting in a big blob. Even worse, your accuracy gets drained the longer you keep the bow drawn, so you don’t have a lot of time to pick your targets while aiming.
6. Guardian
Guardians are the tanks of Chivalry 2. This subclass gets access to a heavy shield and a variety of one-handed weapons, including the Warhammer and One-Handed Spear. On the flip side, Guardians are very slow and get a 50% penalty to their dash cooldown.
Guardians are one of the best subclasses in the game when it comes to defending objectives, especially inside castles and churches where space is limited. But you probably don’t want to pick a Guardian if you’re fighting in the open field because their lack of mobility means they can easily get surrounded. Overall, a solid subclass but very situational.
5. Crusader
The Crusader is a straightforward bruiser subclass that focuses on offense above all else. Its main arsenal consists of a pretty good selection of two-handed weapons like the Messer, Executioner’s Axe, and Two-Handed Hammer. The Crusader can also use Throwing Axes and Oil Pots to inflict some damage from afar.
Like all Knight subclasses, the Crusader has a large health pool and can use the Tackle ability but is slow and gets a penalty to its dash cooldown. The Crusader’s arsenal is the main thing that earns it a high spot on this list, but there are other classes with even better weapons and more interesting special abilities.
4. Poleman
Speaking of interesting weapons, next up we have the Poleman. Just as its name suggests, this subclass specializes in polearms such as the Halberd, Polehammer, Spear, and Glaive. However, Polemen also get access to a selection of one-handed weapons and the ability to set up spike traps.
The Poleman is one of the few subclasses with passive abilities – Tackle and Sprint Charge. Polemen also receive a 25% bonus to sprint attack damage, but are essentially defenseless against ranged attacks. Still, the subclass has way more advantages than drawbacks.
3. Devastator
The Devastator is a slightly better version of the Crusader. This subclass has access to some of the best weapons in Chivalry 2, including the Highland Sword, Greatsword, and Executioner’s Axe. However, the Devastator only gets a measly knife and a mallet as side weapons.
Unlike the Crusader, the Devastator is surprisingly agile and doesn’t have to worry about movement penalties. Not having access to a sidearm can be a bit of a problem since weapons in this game take damage and can potentially be destroyed. As long as your big two-handed weapon remains intact, you’ll be nigh unstoppable. But if it does break, you’re better off picking up something off the ground because the knife and mallet are pretty much useless.
2. Officer
The Officer is one of the most versatile subclasses in the game. This is the only subclass that gets access to the famous Longsword, as well as a few other good weapons like the Greatsword and War Axe. The Officer can also use Throwing Knives and can knock down opponents using Tackle.
The Officer has a pretty big advantage over other similar subclasses thanks to Trumpet, which happens to be one of the best special abilities in the game, if not the best. The Trumpet combined with bandages and the Knight’s naturally high resilience allows this subclass to stay in the fight for longer than most and quickly recover from nearly lethal damage.
1. Raider
The Raider is the only subclass in the game that gets access to two primary weapon slots. Being able to carry two big weapons with you at all times is a pretty big advantage. Among other things, it means that you don’t have to worry about your main weapon breaking because you can replace it at any time with an equal or better weapon. You can even throw a big weapon at the enemy for a huge chunk of damage and still have another one to spare.
In addition to having two primary weapon slots, the Raider can also use the aforementioned Trumpet just like the Officer. But unlike the Officer, the Raider doesn’t receive any movement penalties and can use the Leaping Strike ability. Sure, the Raider isn’t as resilient as other subclasses, but who even needs armor when you have this much attack power?
Chivalry 2 Classes, Ranked
Ranking Chivalry 2’s classes is quite a bit easier since there are only four of them to choose from. Strictly speaking, there are no good classes or bad classes since they are all designed to fulfill a certain role on the battlefield and to work alongside each other. That said, classes certainly don’t perform equally well in every situation.
4. Archer
Archers are the weakest class in Chivalry 2 in terms of raw stats. This is the only class that can use proper ranged weapons, but that advantage comes at a cost. Archers are very weak in melee combat and have next to no defensive capabilities. Another drawback of playing an Archer is that you constantly need to resupply because the amount of ammunition you can carry is limited.
A good Archer can make a big difference in a match but learning how to play this class properly takes a lot of time and patience. In an effort to keep the focus on melee combat, only a small handful of Archers are allowed to be present on the battlefield at any one time.
3. Footman
The Footman class is the most balanced of the bunch. These are your regular foot soldiers that can perform a variety of tasks on the battlefield. Even though each Footman subclass plays very differently than the other two, they all share a couple of things in common - the Sprint Charge passive and the ability to use Bandage Kits.
Footman is a great class for beginners and veterans alike due to its versatility and solid stats. Just don't forget that there significant differences between the subclasses. If you want to play it safe, stick to the Poleman and try to familiarize yourself with polearms because they are among the best weapons in the game.
2. Vanguard
Vanguards are your quintessential glass cannons. They have the highest speed and the most stamina in the game, but they don't have as much health as other melee classes. Vanguards can't carry shields or any other defensive items into battle, so this is a purely offense-oriented class.
If you love the idea of playing a brutish warrior that can one-shot people with a large variety of huge two-handed weapons, the Vanguard is for you. The Ambusher subclass is somewhat more stealth-oriented, but Vanguards as a whole are basically akin to fantasy barbarians or Vikings. Vanguards can use a variety of abilities and items in battle, but they all share the same passive - Leaping Strike.
1. Knight
Knights are sort of the opposite of Vanguards. They're the slowest warriors on the battlefield and only have an average amount of stamina, but they are by far the tankiest class in Chivalry 2. Knights like to mix things up by combining big two-handed weapons with small one-handed sidearms and throwing weapons. In other words, they can handle pretty much any situation with ease.
Knights are the most cohesive class in Chivalry 2 since they don't have a wildcard subclass. Every class gets different loadouts and plays a bit differently, but all Knights are slow and heavily armored, and they all get the same signature passive ability - Tackle. At the end of the day, there isn't a huge difference between the three melee classes, but the Knights are just a bit more reliable and consistent than the other two.