Subclasses

Subclassing is a game mechanic in the Etrian Odyssey series that allows for customization by combining one character's skills with the skills from a different class. This function is available in Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City, Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan, Etrian Odyssey Nexus, and Etrian Mystery Dungeon 2.

Overview

Unlocked at the approximate halfway point in the game's main plot, all guild members gain the ability to set a subclass based on the other currently available classes, gaining access to almost all of the subclass's skill tree, barring any class-unique skills.

Taking on a subclass grants the party member 5 free skill points to use in either skill tree. Subclasses cannot be changed once set, but Resting the adventurer at the Explorer's Guild removes the subclass to allow for a new one to be assigned.

Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City

Subclasses are assigned at the Celestial Palace in the Deep City.

Taking on a subclass grants access to the subclass's full skill tree, barring their Class Skill. The character does not gain access to additional weapons (or shields) unless they put at least 1 point in the corresponding weapon/shield Mastery skill.

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan

Subclasses are now assigned at the Explorer's Guild.

Skills from the subclass are now capped at half their usual maximum, and you cannot learn the subclass's class-unique passives or Sky skills.

Taking on a subclass also allows the party member to equip two weapons, and gain the ability to use any weapons/shields associated with their subclass (as this game lacks weapon Mastery skills). Normal attacks are still dependent on the primary weapon in the topmost equipment slot, and weapon-dependent skills will calculate off the secondary weapon if necessary. For example, if a Landsknecht opts to wield a sword as their primary weapon and rapier as their secondary, the rapier will only become relevant when choosing to use a Rapier-only skill, while any of their skills compatible with swords or rapiers will use the sword for damage calculation.

Etrian Odyssey Nexus

The subclassing mechanics are in line with those in Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan: subclasses are assigned at the Explorer's Guild, and the subclass skills are capped at half their usual maximum. You also cannot learn the subclass's Force Boost, Force Break, or unique gathering skills.

After deciding on a subclass, you have the option of giving a custom title to the combination, or stick with the class/subclass notation. You can freely rename the class combination at the Explorer's Guild with the "Change Title" option without needing to Rest.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon 2

The Mystery Dungeon Franchise Wiki also has a page about Subclasses

Subclasses can be set and changed in the Explorers Guild by characters of level 20 or higher. Subclasses are unlocked after unlocking the fifth dungeon.

A character with a subclass can learn every skills of the subclass. If the main class and the subclass have the same skill, such as Dendrology or Mineralogy, skill points used in this skill for one class will be used in the same skill in the other class, without stacking the effect.

Subclassing also allows the character to equip weapons and shields of the subclass. It does not allow to equip other equipment that the subclass can equip but the main class cannot, for example armors.

References

V • T • E	Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City (Category • Gallery)
Publisher/Developer: Atlus • Console: Nintendo DS
Locations	Armoroad Aman's Inn • Napier's Firm • Butterfly Bistro • Explorers Guild • Inver Port • Via Senatus • Forest Entrance Click to toggle hidden content: Deep City Twinkling Tavern • Napier's Branch • Celestial Palace • Forest Entrance
	Yggdrasil Labyrinth Waterfall Wood • Undersea Grotto • Molten Caves • Abyssal Shrine • Porcelain Forest Click to toggle hidden content: Cyclopean Haunt
	South Sea Skandalia Lighthouse • Trade City of Batavia • Ayutthaya Port • Tortuga Island • Giant's Ruins • Trade City of Ugarit Click to toggle hidden content: North Sea Marine City of Sheba • Dark Forest • Trade City of Damavand • Tower of Victory • Trade City of Aeaea • Aerial Forest
Classes	Arbalist • Buccaneer • Farmer • Gladiator • Hoplite • Monk • Ninja • Prince/Princess • Wildling • Zodiac Click to toggle hidden content: Shogun • Yggdroid
Characters	Edie Napier • Missy • Flowdia • Gutrune • Kujura • Olympia • Agata • Hypatia • Lindworm • Wealh • Hiiragi & Agamede Click to toggle hidden content: Abyssal King • Angie • Eldest One
Items	Weapons • Armor • Accessories • Consumables • Materials
Lists	Monsters • Missions • Quests • Maps
Mechanics	Forging • Limit Skills • Seafaring • Subclasses • Formulas