JRPGs are often known for their tactical turn-based combat, with a myriad of classes or character archetypes being utilized to shore up defenses against enemies or inflict great bouts of damage. While defensive stats are often vital in JRPGs, especiallyagainst dangerous bosses, most JRPGs have characters that focus squarely on damage output, with defenses being something that gets bolstered by items or in set increments on level ups.
For themore tactical JRPGs, however, tanks are often a vital component of a party’s layout. Many characters or classes might be ‘bulky’ and have high HP, but a true tank has high defensive stats, and often a way to draw in or mitigate enemy damage so that other characters can keep fighting longer. These JRPGs have some excellent tank classes on display, and are ranked based on how in-depth and how vital these tank classes are.
With a nuanced skill system and a unique story,Alliance Aliveis an often underrated JRPG that gives players just about everything they could ask for in a title - engaging combat, great characters, and plenty of exploration. It’s alsoquite a difficult title, however, that doesn’t pull punches with its enemies and has a fairly nasty DPS check at about the halfway point.
One of the main ways to mitigate the difficulty of this title is by having appropriately built tank characters to help draw in damage. There are plenty of defensive positions players can assign their characters to, and a shield skill line that balances both offensive and defensive means of stifling enemy damage.
Across the three mainline games in this series, there are ahost of potential jobsin theBravely Defaultworld that can fill a variety of roles. In particular, the second title has some excellent dual-shield wielding asterisks, like the shield master, that are vital for absorbing damage.
In the mid to late game, trying to keep the DPS focused characters alive will require at least one tank to taunt enemies or jump in front of those getting attacked. It’s a fairly sizable challenge to players that requires good planning and equipment management.
Perhaps one ofthe strongest entriesin theFinal Fantasyseries is the duology ofFinal Fantasy 13and its second half. Lightning as a protagonist is incredible empathetic and relatable, and many have come to see her as one of the best main characters the series has to offer.
For tank characters, however, the community is divided about whether Snow or Fang make for better characters. Both do excellent jobs at soaking up damage, with Snow having the better defensive stats overall, while Fang has skills that better draw enemy aggression.
The strategic nature ofThree Housesalongside itscompelling, engaging narrativemakes this JRPG one of the most popular in its series. Players who want to progress, especially on higher difficulties and a more “classic” approach to the game (permanent deaths, etc.) will need to make use of every class role in order to push through.
Tank characters, including brawlers and certain types of heavy cavalry, are great at occupying choke points and wearing down enemies so they can be swept up by dark magic users or swift melee attackers.
Thehuge tactical freedomand highly engaging, branching storyline have madeTriangle Strategyone of the best JRPGs available on the Switch. Not as fondly remembered as Enix’s other 2.5D hit from this time,Octopath Traveler,Triangle Strategyis still a pioneer in the genre in its own way.
The central tank character is also one of the central characters overall - the unflinchingly loyal and stout Erador. He uses his shield to mitigate damage, draw foes in, and shuffle them around the battlefield with ease. Other characters, such as the merchant Lionel, have taunt abilities that make them great tanks as well in combat.
What makesTactics Ogresuch a fantastic game from a strategic perspective is that many of the martial-focused classes can be considered tanks - or turned into tanks - based on how they play. Most melee focused classes have the option to specialize into defensive measures as they continue to grow in rank.
Being smart with elemental match ups and knowing where to position fighters can make all the difference in this game, and knights or warriors both can hold choke points and soak up damage if need be.
Atlus' more niche and obscure JRPG series focuses on dedicated dungeon diving for those wanting ahardcore JRPG experience. Building a team, expanding classes, and navigating a growing host of difficult dungeons are all part of the appeal in this title, but the going is quite tough without a tank character to help out.
The aptly named Protector, the Beast, or the Hoplite all make appearances in the Origins Collection, and all do a great job at drawing enemy aggression, taking hits, or even directly lowering the damage that allies take in battle.
This JRPG series set the standard for mechanics and storytelling in the genre, and is among the most beloved games published by Nintendo in recent years - which is saying something. The first game is infamous for the fact that the early to mid-game is near impossible without at least one tank character.
Two of the main characters in the series are tanks, and it’s in fact a perfectly valid team combination to have the both of them in line with Shulk. Dunban and Reyn are both excellent tanks as well as attacker characters.
