On 4th August, Nintendo uploaded a Fortune’s Weave Direct (English version | Japanese version) containing 20+ minutes of new information. In this article, I’ll break down everything we know about the class system so far.

Other analysis: Characters

Unique tier | Beginner tier | Specialty tier | Advanced tier

Like Three Houses, characters can generally be any class, so long as they pass the required certification exam. This requires levelling up their weapon proficiencies.

Unique tier

So far, this tier hasn’t officially been acknowledged in Fortune’s Weave, but if it follows Three Houses, it should include the following classes.

Noble

This should be the initial class for characters of noble and royal birth. It’s an Infantry class that can presumably wield most weapons (but with no proficiency bonus); we know it can at least wield lances/spears. Presumably has 4 Movement.

So far, Theodora is the only person shown in the Noble class, during the debut trailer.

Commoner

This should be the initial class for characters of common birth. Like Noble, it’s an Infantry class that should be able to wield most weapons (with no proficiency bonus). Lance (Cai), Bow (Peter) and magic (Tialla) have been confirmed. Has 4 Movement.

So far, Cai, Tialla and Peter are all confirmed to be Commoners, during the basic gameplay showcase.

Beginner tier

Beginner classes are the foundation. There are 5 Beginner classes.

Gladiator

Gladiators are Infantry units that excel at Sword, Axe and Gauntlet. Has 4 Movement.

It’s a replacement for the Myrmidon and Fighter classes from Three Houses. In the Direct, Nezha is shown as a Gladiator (pictured left), but Dietrich, Mikaela and Mu (pictured right) have also been seen in it.

Hunter

An Infantry unit with excellent Dex and Spd that excels with Sword, Bow and Infantry. Has 4 Movement.

It’s a replacement for the Myrmidon and Fighter classes from Three Houses. Leda is shown as a Hunter in her showcase. Also, Ursula in the June trailer.

Soldier

An Infantry and Armoured unit with high Def that excels with Lance, Axe and Armour. Can also wield Sword (thanks to i5burier for reminding me).

Buccar is shown as a Soldier in his showcase.

Ornius Rider

A Cavalry unit that excels at Lance, Riding and Flying. From the June trailer, we know that Ornius Rider can wield Sword, Lance and Axe. Has 5 Movement and can hop across low obstacles.

In the Direct, Nydine is shown as an Ornius Rider (pictured left), but Cai is the most well known Ornius Rider (pictured right).

Known as Flying Ornius Rider in the Japanese version (and in the debut trailer). Probably changed because the name is too long and because the class itself cannot fly, despite having the proficiency.

Diviner

Infantry units that excel at wielding Reason and Faith magic. From the Japanese version of the June trailer, we know that Diviners can wield Sword, Axe, Gauntlet, Reason and Faith. Has 4 Movement.

They replace the Monk class from Three Houses. Previously appeared in FE Fates. In the Direct, Dante is shown as a Diviner (pictured left), but Tialla, Fabio (pictured right), Bonaventure and Sirocco were also Diviners.

Specialty tier

These are Intermediate classes. In the Japanese version, they’re literally called Intermediate, like in Three Houses. There are over 10 Specialty classes.

Myrmidon

A speedy Infantry class that excels at Sword and Infantry. Can wield Sword and Lance. Has 5 Movement.

In Three Houses, Myrmidons were a Beginner class. Presumably Myrmidon replaces the Mercenary class, since it’s not been seen so far. Dietrich is frequently spotted as a Myrmidon, but there are enemy Myrmidons as well.

Rogue

An Infantry class that can wield Sword and Bow. Has 5 Movement.

Presumably replaces the Thief class from Three Houses. Was a promoted Thief in The Sacred Stones and Radiant Dawn. Kiroc is a Rogue in the Direct, while Nuzzo is a Rogue in the range showcase.

Armored Knight

An Infantry and Armoured unit that excels at Lance, Axe and Armoured. Besides Lance and Axe, Armored Knights can also wield Sword as seen in Sirocco’s showcase. Has 4 Movement.

Goliath is shown as an Armored Knight in the Direct (pictured left), while Esmeralda (pictured right) and Tobias have also appeared as Armored Knights.

Class abilities may include Strike-Last Def +3.

Known as Heavy-armoured Footsoldier in the Japanese version.

Light Cavalry

A Cavalry unit that excels at Lance and Riding. It can wield Sword, Lance and Axe. Has 6 Movement.

Lysander was a Light Cavalry in his showcase. Cai was a Light Cavalry for a few frames in the Japanese version of the June trailer.

Brigand

An Infantry class with high offensive capabilities that excels at Axe. It can wield Sword, Axe and Gauntlets. Has 5 Movement.

Mikaela is a Brigand in her showcase.

???

A presumably Infantry class that can wield at least Gauntlet. Appears between Brigand and Archer when showing the class tiers.

Thanks to Smurphy for pointing it out.

Archer

An Infantry class that excels with Bow and Infantry. Has 5 Movement.

Lilian was an Archer in her showcase.

Shaman

An Infantry class that can wield Sword, Gauntlet, Reason and Faith. Presumably has 5 Movement.

Sirocco was a Shaman in the June trailer. Fabio is a Shaman during the Inn section of the Direct.

Class abilities may include Black Magic Uses x2.

Priest

An Infantry class that can wield Axe, Gauntlet, Reason and Faith. Has 5 Movement.

Ultand and Olympia are Priests in their showcases.

Class abilities may include White Magic Uses x2.

Armored Ornius Rider

A Cavalry class that can wield Sword, Lance and Axe. Also proficient in Flying like the standard Ornius Rider.

Nydine is an Armored Ornius Rider in the Inn section of the Direct. Dietrich fought an enemy Armored Ornius Rider in his showcase.

Wing Soldier

A Flying unit that can wield at least Lance. Has 6 Movement.

Alexandra is the only playable unit shown as a Wing Soldier.

Charioteer

A Cavalry unit that can attack multiple enemies in a single line. They can wield at least Bow.

Benditz is shown as a playable Charioteer.

Advanced tier

These are extremely powerful classes. The recommended Level is 35 and Renown level is 8. In Three Houses, Advanced tier classes were available at Level 20.

In the certification exam list shown during the Direct, there are 11 Advanced classes. However, there are at least 3 more.

Shido

An Infantry unit with high Spd that can wield at least Sword. Has 5 Movement.

Class Abilities: Combat Arts +2, Sword Crit +5

Master Abilities: Zanshin (relaxed alertness)

Warrior

Presumably an Infantry class that can wield at least Axe.

???

Unknown.

Sniper

Presumably an Infantry class that can wield at least Bow.

Forest Knight

Presumably a Cavalry unit that can wield at least Bow. Known as Ranger in The Sacred Stones.

???

Unknown.

Guardian

An Infantry unit that excels at Lance, Faith and Infantry. Has 5 Movement.

In the Direct, Ultand is shown as a Guardian (pictured left). Eshmel also starts as a Guardian (pictured right).

Dreadnought

An Infantry and Armoured class with high Defense. It can wield at least Axe and Lance. Has 4 Movement.

Class Abilities: Combat Arts +2, Strike-Last Def +5

Master Abilities: Focused Counter

Known as Heavy Armour in the Japanese version.

Bardinger

A Cavalry unit that can wield at least Sword and Lance. Has 6 Movement.

Class Abilities: Mount/Dismount, Combat Arts +2

Master Abilities: Aegis

Ovate

An Infantry class that excels in offensive magic. It can wield at least Reason. Has 5 Movement.

Hong Hua is an Ovate.

Class Abilities: Black-Magic Seeker, Magic Hit +5

Master Abilities: Bind Speed

Known as Vates in the Japanese version.

Bishop

An Infantry unit that excels in healing and supporting. It can wield at least Faith. Has 5 Movement.

Class Abilities: White-Magic Seeker, Magic Recovery +10

Master Abilities: Forcefield

Cataphract

A presumably Cavalry and Armoured unit that has high Def. They can wield at least Lance. Has 6 Movement.

Io is shown as a playable Cataphract.

Does not appear in the certification exam list in the Direct.

Elephant Rider

A class that occupies a 2 x 2 square and can attack multiple enemies in its path. It seems to wield Other weapons (indicated by a spiral).

In the Direct, Anna is a guest Elephant Rider.

Does not appear in the certification exam list in the Direct.

Dragoon

A Flying unit that rides a wyvern. They can wield at least Lance (shown by Seteth above) and Axe (shown by Theodora).

Does not appear in the certification exam list in the Direct.

War Monk

An Infantry class that excels with Gauntlet, Faith and Infantry. Has 5 Movement.

Troy starts as a War Monk.

Does not appear in the certification exam list in the Direct. Unsure if an Advanced class.

???

A Cavalry(?) unit that can wield at least Reason. Has a long, bushy tail and seems to have a horn like a unicorn?

Tialla and Ultand are both in this class when they show the Cataphract class during the Direct.

Does not appear in the certification exam list in the Direct. Unsure if an Advanced class.

???

A presumably Infantry class.

Appears between Shido and Warrior when showing the class tiers during the Direct. Reminds me of the Dancer class from previous games. Judging from its placement, its primary weapon could be Sword or Lance (or Axe but I feel like that’s unlikely).

Does not appear in the certification exam list in the Direct.

Higher tiers?

It’s currently unknown if there are higher tier classes. But if it’s like Three Houses, there should be Master classes.

Like usual, if you think I missed anything or made a mistake, please let me know in the comments!