What does your class say about you in video games?
As an avid gamer who has played a plethora of games from Runescape-FFXIV-Marvel Rivals, the classes I’ve chosen have been immensely indicative of my personality. Early on in my gaming career, the game I frequented was conquer online. It was an MMORPG (Mass Multiplayer Online Role-playing game), with an isometric view akin to Diablo, and the community was overflowing with drama. I was extremely dependent on myself at this point on my life, had very few relationships, and spent majority of my time isolated. Which as you can guess means I picked a DPS(Damage dealer) class.
People that pick damage dealers in my experience tend to be people motivated purely by personal performance. Most gaming communities will often joke about how DPS look at their damage numbers and get sexual gratification and it is true in some sense. Whether it be selfish instinct or the need to prove to ourselves that we are competent, DPS players tend to be very individualistic.
During college, I played another MMO called Lord of the Rings Online. My main was a tank that looked an played like a Spartan from 300. Tired of just being a follower, I decided to take on more roles of leadership so I think this choice was an extension of my personality at this point in my life. I was less isolated and had more relationships, but I also carved out a path for myself among my friend groups rather than following along with what everyone else did.
People that pick tanks in my experience tend to be people motivated by controlling their situation. Obviously the tank stereo-typically shields the team from any harm. However, tanks typically call the shots and are the ones to call the shots. Tanks tend to be guild leaders in my experience and obviously guild leaders aren’t strangers to needing to maintain some sense of order through control.
In my later stage of gaming, I’ve played plenty arena style games like Overwatch, Multiversus, and Marvel Rivals. Considering I’m in a relationship, I’ve learned the dark arts of being a supportive person with plenty trial and error of course. I’m more introspective about myself so I understand my strengths and weaknesses. Support classes specifically are less about how good you are on the sticks and more about your gaming IQ and awareness, which is why I main Support these days.
People that pick support tend to be more introspective and aware of their surroundings. Early to late 2010s I noticed women seem to drift into support roles more on average in majority of the MMOs I’ve played. Support is about being aware of your teammates, your surroundings, yourself, the enemies, the tank, basically you’re required to be a good multi-tasker to play support well. In my experience, people that play support tend to be more social and empathetic individuals.
I’ve enjoyed my evolution as a gamer. Understanding my limitations, I enjoy playing support because there’s no chance I can keep up with daily players as I play fairly casually. Gaming is life, I’ve ironically learned a lot of life skills and made hundreds of friends gaming. I wouldn’t trade the time I’ve spent for anything else.