Welcome back to MassivelyOP’s annual MMORPG awards for 2025!
Today’s award is for the Best New MMO Class, which was awarded to FFXIV Dawntrail’s Viper last year. The award is intended to highlight MMOs that are still focused on this quintessential MMO character content, and it’s open to all live MMOs that introduced a new class, archetype, profession, or skillset this year. Don’t forget to cast your own vote in the just-for-fun reader poll at the very end!
And the MassivelyOP staff pick for Best New MMO Class is…
Guild Wars 2’s Antiquary (Ratmancer)
“There was an impressive list of runners-up this year – it’s crazy to see them all lined up in a list like that – but the one that stole our hearts was the Guild Wars 2’s Antiquary elite spec for Thief. Affectionately nicknamed the Ratmancer by players, the Antiquary centers around summoning the rat-like Skritt to bring you random artifacts that you can lob for either offensive or defensive effects, many of which contain callbacks to old content, such as a holo-dancer, Zephyrite crystal, and a Metal Legion guitar. The best part is its elite skill, Skritt Scuffle, which kicks off a Skritt party with shinies flying everywhere and a new artifact every few seconds.
“I know there are some people booing us through their computer screens right now. They’re saying that the spec is based too much on RNG. To that, I say, ‘So?’ They’re complaining that the spec is too goofy to be lore-appropriate. To that I say, ‘Yeah, that’s exactly why it’s awesome.’ The spec is a blast to play and puts up great DPS numbers, so if you’re going to snub it because of its theme, that’s your choice, just know that you’re missing out!” -MOP’s Colin
That’s our take. What’s your pick?
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How does MassivelyOP choose the winner? Our team nominates and discusses candidates to (ideally) reach consensus on our whole slate of awards each year. The site’s award goes to the staff selection, but we’ll include both it and the community’s top nomination in our debrief in January (here’s last year’s, along with historical winners for every category). Poll options are not exhaustive, so feel free to write in your picks if they weren’t nominated.