Torchlight 3 is finally here, believe it or not. The game surprised dropped on Steam early access after a new trailer premiered during today's PC Gaming Show. The long-awaited ARPG threequel has been at the top of many players' lists, especially those of a certain age that were enchanted by the silly steam-punk style of Torchlight 2 back in 2012.
Torchlight is a series known for imaginative characters and classes. You won't find barbarians and paladins here. Instead, Torchlight 3's classes reflect the style and flavor of the Novastraia, a world filled with magical adventure and mechanized madness. There are 4 classes to chose from at the start of early access. Here's the complete breakdown of Torchlight 3's classes.
Dusk Mage
Dusk Mages are the magic casting class in Torchlight 3. Their spells fall into 2 categories: spells of light and spells of darkness. Light spells are ta𒅌rgeted spells, often precision, ဣand used for single target attacks and support. Dark spells are more chaotic and usually involve some kind of area-of-effect attack.
When it comes to resource management, the Dusk Ma๊ge builds spell energy for one type by using the other, meaning dark spell charge light spells, and vice versa. This means that both light and dark magic must weave together in combat in order to fight effectively and efficiently. For example, a dusk mage could use a wide AOE dark spell to clear packs of weak enemies, then focus light spells on any elite enemies left over.
Forge
Forge is the mech class in Torchlight 3. Forges have an additional slot that other classes don't have: a chest compartment that can be slotted with an embedded cannon. Forges are high mo🌱bility characters thanks to their locomotion slot but is also a very flexible class to play. They can wield lots of different weapons, including melee and magic.
Forges have a Barrage skill tree and a Brawl skill tree. Barrage skills are mostly ranged attacks that are either single target, AOE, or debuffs. For example, Slug Shot fires a 🌌single, high powered bullet that pierces enemies with high crit chance. The Brawl skill tree is made up of melee abilities and high-mobility attacks, like Ramming Robot which sends the Forge barrelling towards enemies, dealing damage and knocking them bacꦺk.
Forges build up heat when they use their abilities. Overheating will the forge to be unable to use abilities. In order to quickly expel built-up heat, forges can release energy in powerful AOE fire attacks. This resets the mana meter so that other abilities can be used. Like dusk mage, forge players must balance the different types of abilities they use in order to manage heat build-up and fight efficie♉ntly.
Railmaster
Railmasters are definitely one of the most unique character classes in any ARPG and perfectly demonstrate the style and tone of Torchlight 3. These characters ꧃have the ability to build and control trains that have powerful ranged att🦩acks. By activating their Track ability, Railmasters will continually lay track behind them wherever they walk. A train will follow along the track, constantly pushing forward and attacking any enemies in range.
The train can then be extended with train cars of different types with different abilities. One train car providers mortar strike attacks on enemies, while another adds a shield that the Railmaster can stand inside for protection. The Railmaster fights with a Railhammer that can deal devastating blows to single targets and groups of enemies using a wide AOE💃 attack.
Rather than managing a resource like the other classes, all Railmaster abilities have cooldown timers. Railmasters have a resource called Endurance that fills ove𒐪r time and can be used to apply skill bonuses to Railmaster abilities. Every time Endurance fills, Railmasters can choose an ability on their action bar to apply a bonus too, such as a summoned companion or a large AOE attack.
Sharpshooter
Sharpshooters are by far the most vanilla of all the character classes in Torchlight 3. This class uses bows and gun to deal ranged damage and has a variety of sꦺingle target and AOE abilities. The precision ability tree has all of the Sharpshooters arrow spells like Heart Seeker, which deals increased crit damage to a single target, and Scatter Shot, which fires a bevy of arrows in a wide cone at short range.
The Sharpshooter's other skill tree is called Adventurer. All of the abilities here connect to different spirits, providing the sharpshooterꦗ with buffs and spells. The Curse of Pi'Pi, for example, summons an insanity-inducing god that deals damage to enemies and reducing their damage.
Sharpshooters use ammo as a resource. Many abilities cost ammo to use and cannot be used while the ammo supply is empty. Ammo refills over time and canꦇ be instantly refilled by activating the Sharpshooter's reload ability.