Dungeons and Dragons offers a variety of playable classes, each of which comes with their own set of sub-classes. Different classes offer different sets of strengths and weaknesses. Some are more suited for doing physical damage while others are better for casting spells or supporting the team. But the wide range of options can be daunting for a new player. It can be easy to mix up some classes, and things can get even more confusing when sub-classes are factored in, some of which allow one class to take on aspects of another. There is even an option for multiclassing that has its own system of leveling up. One of the best ways to illustrate the different classes is to find examples from popular culture of characters that would fit them.
It would seem a logical assumption that in a game series called Assassin's Creed that all of its protagonists are going to be assassins, presumably fitting them into the rogue class. Funnily enough, this is not the case. In fact, just going on playable protagonists in the games- not even factoring in supporting characters- they actually fit a variety of different classes.
6 Bayek of Siwa- Paladin (Oath of Vengeance)
First Appearance: Assassin's Creed Origins
Alignment: Chaotic Good
The Paladin is a warrior driven by religious conviction and commitment to a sacred oath. Bayek of Siwa has both. He is depicted as a devout follower of the Egyptian gods, especially the sun god Ra, also known as "Amun" or "the Hidden One." This would make Ra the closest thing in the games to a patron deity. Although he does not actually have access to spells, Bayek's dedication to his chosen god fits with the role of a paladin as a religious warrior.
A paladin who takes up the Oath of Vengeance has usually been wronged in some way and promises that they will do whatever it takes to make the person responsible pay for their crime. This is a pretty accurate description of Bayek's goals throughout Assassin's Creed Origins. His Oath of Vengeance begins when his son Khemu is murdered by the Order of the Ancients. Bayek swears revenge by any means necessary and refuses to give up pursuing them- a determination that is only compounded as he witnesses other acts of cruelty at their hands.
5 Connor- Ranger (Hunter)
First Appearance: Assassin's Creed III
Alignment: Lawful Good
Rangers are expert survivalists who operate on the fringes of society and protect it from potential dangers, something Ratonhnhaké:ton (better known by his English nickname "Connor") has a lot of experience with. Before he was an assassin he was an expert hunter and tracker, and usually preferred life in the frontier to living in more populated settlements, although that was partially motivated by prejudice against his Native American heritage. While he often interacted with the colonies he was never really a part of them His real interest was in protecting his own people, the Kanien'kehá:ka, from outside threats- in this case, the destruction caused by both sides of the American revolution. But while he got along much better with the Kanien'kehá:ka, Connor still favored being in the frontier. This fits with the typical theme of rangers interacting with society but not necessarily being a part of it.
One of the perks of being a ranger is the "favored enemy" ability, which allows the player to gain a bonus on wisdom or intelligence checks related to a particularly common opponent- either a monster or two humanoid races. In Connor's case, his favored enemy would be the British army and, to a lesser extent, the colonial militia.
Rangers also specialize in a specific terrain, which grants the player advantages during exploration. For Connor, his preferred terrain would be the woodlands that make up the American frontier.
4 Eivor Varinsdottir- Barbarian (Path of the Berserker)
First Appearance: Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Barbarians are known for their rage, something Eivor is can channel far more effectively than any other Assassin's Creed protagonist.
Eivor stands out as one of the more aggressive protagonists of the series. As a Viking, she could be easily angered, and when provoked she was good at bashing in the heads of her enemies. This fits with the barbarian, a class that specializes in taking lots of hits while inflicting maximum damage.
It is also fitting that she should fit the Path of the Berserker subclass, seeing as the whole concept of a "berserker" has its roots in Viking warrior tactics. The berserker path focuses mainly on using violence to get ahead, something Eivor is no stranger to. There is even berserker armor that can be unlocked for players who want to further reinforce this aspect of her.
3 Edward Kenway- Rogue (Swashbuckler)
First Appearance: Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
Alignment: Initially True Neutral, later shifts toward Lawful Good
Rogues are usually built for stealth and agility, something many Assassin's Creed protagonists are very good at. But the swashbuckler sub-class also allows players to specialize in one-on-one sword-fighting. While several of the games' protagonists arguably have aspects of the swashbuckler (nearly all of them before Syndicate), it is especially prevalent in Edward Kenway.
Edward Kenway is already talented at stealth and getting into hard-to-reach places, both skills fitting of a rogue- especially later in the game when he becomes more committed to the Assassin Brotherhood. But he was a pirate before becoming an assassin, something that gave him a talent for wielding a sword. He even took up the option of duel-wielding, something actually permitted for the swashbuckler class in Dungeons and Dragons.
2 Ezio Auditore- Rogue (Assassin)
First Appearance: Assassin's Creed II
Alignment: Lawful Good
Rogue assassins have a variety of tools available to eliminate their targets, but at the core of their skill is stealth and discretion. Although he does have shades of the swashbuckler archetype (having showcased his skill in fencing on several occasions), his real talent is in stealth and striking single precise blows into his enemies where it hurts.
As an assassin, Ezio has a variety of tools at his disposal, though he is particularly skilled at using blades. Rogue assassins get a bonus to sneak attacks that give them an automatic critical hit. This is fitting with Ezio's talent for quietly eliminating guards one by one simply using his blade. Assassins also get a proficiency in disguise. Ezio has occasionally used this skill to get into places that would otherwise be unreachable such as disguising himself as a French knight to eliminate the Baron of Valois.
1 Kassandra- Fighter (Champion)
First Appearance: Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
Alignment: Neutral Good
The fighter class is built on physical prowess and versatility, but with a lot more tactical skill than the barbarian, which is a very accurate description of how Kassandra is shown in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. She is a powerful warrior who can easily adapt to a variety of weapons, armor, and fighting styles. Her physical strength alone is impressive, to say nothing of her intelligence and agility. She even has an ability called "second wind" that, like the fighter ability of the same name, keeps her going when low on health. Fighters also get a bonus for dual-wielding, which is something Kassandra does a lot of since she always carries the Spear of Leonidas with her.
The Champion archetype has several bonuses that are consistent with the way Kassandra improves her skills over the course of the game. Increased chances of critical hits make it easier to do massive damage at higher levels. Bonuses to strength, constitution, and dexterity reflect her increasing strength and resilience. Champions can also choose to get a bonus for dual-wielding- something Kassandra is very good at due to using the Spear of Leonidas.