Does Profane MMORPG Have Classes or Levels?

Updated

No. Profane MMORPG does not use traditional classes or levels. According to the official site, there are "No classes or levels." Instead, you improve your Proficiencies as you perform them, rather than by assigning talent or attribute points. Character growth comes from what you actually do in the world, plus Elemental Skills you discover and collect while exploring.

How progression works instead

Profane replaces the usual class-and-level ladder with two main systems:

  • Proficiencies — improve through use. The more you perform an activity, the more proficient you become at it. There is no separate menu where you spend points to raise a stat.
  • Elemental Skills — found in the world as you explore. You collect them and then choose which ones become part of your build.

This means your "class" is effectively whatever combination of Proficiencies and collected Elemental Skills you assemble, not a preset role chosen at character creation.

What this changes for you

Traditional MMORPG Profane
Pick a class at creation No classes; build emerges from what you do
Gain levels, spend talent/attribute points No levels; Proficiencies improve by performing them
Skills come from your class tree Elemental Skills are discovered and collected in the world
Respec usually costs currency or items You choose which collected skills go into your build

The practical effect: two players who spend their time differently will end up with different capabilities, even without a class label separating them.

Other systems tied to your choices

Progression does not exist in isolation. The same page notes:

  • Karma — "Mind your actions: or face the consequences of negative Karma!" Your behavior carries consequences.
  • Skill-based combat — action combat using WASD for movement and mouse aim with no assistance, so mechanical skill matters alongside your build.
  • One massive world — servers across the globe connect into a single shared map and one unfolding story, so the world and its threats change over time.

What to keep in mind

Because there are no levels, you cannot judge another player's strength by a number next to their name. Their Proficiencies, collected Elemental Skills, and build choices are what define them. If you prefer clear class identities and level milestones, this system will feel different; if you prefer growth driven by play rather than point allocation, it matches that preference.

For the current state of development and any changes to these systems, check the official Profane MMORPG site, since the page describes the design intent as development continues.