In Anthem, your character will don combat suits called Javelins. At the beginning, four classes are available to you: Ranger, Colossus, Interceptor, and Storm. Learn what is known about these four suits here.
What are Javelins? Javelins are essentially the classes of Anthem, each having their individual talents. For example, the Colossus is like a tank while the Interceptor is an assassin. The combat suits can be swapped between missions, so you are not bound to a fixed class.
There are four different Javelins: They all possess unique abilities, offering different gameplay experiences. Your character (the Freelancer) and the Javelin combat suits can be developed independently of each other in the game. The level of the Freelancer determines your strength.
When is which Javelin unlocked? New Javelins will be unlocked upon reaching levels 2, 8, 16, and 26. All players start with the Ranger, and then you choose the order yourself.
Which Javelin are you? Take the test: If you want to take a personality test beforehand, you can do it here:
Update February 21, 2019: This article was originally published in July 2018 and has been updated with new information. Guides for each Javelin are now included in the article.
Ranger – The All-Rounder and Starter in Anthem
What makes the Ranger special? This Javelin is a classic all-rounder, capable of much, making it versatile. It can use a wide range of weapons and abilities. All players start in Anthem with the Ranger. After that, players can freely decide the order in which they want to unlock the others.
The Ranger is, according to BioWare, the first Javelin for players because of its versatility. Beginners can use it to familiarize themselves with Anthem’s combat suits. Experienced players will be able to build various builds for the Ranger to be prepared for any situation.
How Ranger fights – His Skills: Ranger can be equipped with different grenades that often deal area damage with a large effective range. There are also modified grenades that trigger certain effects, such as frost.
On its wrist, the Ranger possesses a firing device that can be loaded with different modules. These include, among others, guided missiles, poison arrows, or spark rays.
Ranger at a Glance:
- Focus: Versatility
- Offensive Style: Single Targets
- Defensive Ability: Sprint
- Jump Type: Double
- Play Style: Soldier
Ranger is ideal for: Players who enjoy experimenting with their builds and do not want to be locked into a role. Because of its versatility, the Ranger is equally suitable for beginners and experts. The motto here is: “Easy to learn, but hard to master.”
If you are new to the game, you can test a variety of weapon and ability types with the Ranger. Once you better understand a Javelin’s build, you will enjoy crafting quite specific equipment.
If you come from a classic shooter background, the Ranger might also be the ideal choice for you. It works like a futuristic soldier. It can perform quick sprints, carries a wide range of weapons, and its abilities are heavily geared towards using grenades.
Ranger Guide: We have gathered some tips and tricks for the Ranger in our beginner’s guide.
Colossus – The Aggressive Tank
What makes the Colossus special? This is the bulky, aggressive tank in the group. As a result, it moves a bit more clumsily than the other classes. It is equipped with powerful artillery that unleashes a fireworks display of explosions. Flamethrowers, a jetpack, and a thick cannon are part of its arsenal.
The Colossus provides damage reduction and can protect its group. It may be better armored than the other Javelins, but the Colossus stands for raw violence and is a pure killing machine.
How Colossus fights – His Skills: The Colossus is a walking artillery piece and features a heavy launching device. It is the only Javelin that can be equipped with heavy weapons. The Colossus fires projectiles, explosions, and elemental shots all around.
As the group’s tank, the Colossus has higher defense than the other Javelins. Its support systems have abilities that draw enemy attention to it. This is practical for distracting annoying enemy groups!
Colossus at a Glance:
- Focus: Resilience
- Offensive Style: Multiple Targets
- Defensive Ability: Shield
- Jump Type: Rocket
- Play Style: Relentless Tank
Colossus is ideal for: Players who charge into battle with raw violence. Those who prefer massive explosions and a rough play style will enjoy this hefty war machine.
As the group’s tank, Colossus is also responsible for protecting his team. With stronger armor, Colossus comes with higher defense. You can use it to draw enemies towards you—whether for group protection or to create more victims for your brutal artillery.
If you’re worried about being a “tank” and just passively taking hits, let go of that fear. For the Colossus: Brutal attack is the best defense!
Colossus Build: We have a Colossus build for you that lays waste to everything.
Storm – The Elemental Magician
What makes Storm special? Storm is most comparable to a mage class that uses forces of nature such as fire, electrical storms, or wind. Storm boasts high attack power but has low defensive traits.
Experienced players know that they should engage from a distance and not position themselves directly on the front lines. Storm is also designed for vertical gameplay, preferring to attack from above.
This is how Storm fights – His Skills: Storm is equipped with various seals that unleash the power of the Anthem. With these seals, Storm primarily employs elemental attacks. Elements have strengths and weaknesses against each other, similar to Pokémon.
His skills are based on area damage, allowing him to take down entire groups of enemies. He is meant to control and eliminate enemy groups. Even Storm’s melee attack knocks enemies back, further emphasizing that Storm is geared towards ranged combat.
Storm at a Glance:
- Focus: Firepower
- Offensive Style: Area Damage
- Defensive Ability: Blink/Teleport
- Jump Type: Hover
- Play Style: Glass Cannon
Storm is ideal for: Players who enjoy magical classes, with high firepower and a thoughtful play style. Storm is one of the trickier Javelins and requires a certain level of macro-management. Storm is most effective in the air, where it rains down its elemental attacks on enemies like a force of nature.
However, Javelins need constant cooling when in the air, otherwise, they will lose their flight power. You must carefully consider when it is safe for you to land. On the ground, Storm has low defense as its shield is weaker there.
If you enjoy playing as a support in games, Storm could also be the right choice for you. Its buff seals are designed to protect the group and provide buffs. With its elemental powers, it can also significantly restrict enemies by, for example, freezing them.
Storm Guide: If you want more information, we have an appropriate beginner’s guide for Storm, in which you can also find a suitable build.
Interceptor – The Fast and Agile Assassin
What makes the Interceptor special? This Javelin is the most elegant and lightweight of the combat suits, allowing it to move quickly. The Interceptor plays like an assassin, swooping in and out of combat swiftly. It is not as powerful as the other Javelins but makes up for it with its agility.
With the Interceptor, you will primarily dive into melee combat. It comes standard with dual-sided daggers.
How Interceptor fights – His Skills: Think of the Interceptor as a futuristic ninja equipped with daggers and throwing stars. Its razor-sharp attacks are extremely precise. It also has some abilities that poison enemies.
Interceptor is designed for mobility. It should zip quickly through enemy masses and be able to retreat quickly when necessary.
Interceptor at a Glance:
- Focus: Agility
- Offensive Style: Single Target
- Defensive Ability: Triple Sprint
- Jump Type: Triple
- Play Style: Fast and Precise
Interceptor is ideal for: Players who value high mobility and precision. The Interceptor is for the rogues and assassins among you. It is designed to cut through the battlefield with its sharp blades.
If you also enjoy observing the combat situation and looking for individual victims, then the Interceptor is ideal for you. It doesn’t deal much area damage. With Interceptor, you seek threats and can quietly decide the battle for your team.
If you also enjoy being close to the action, you should also consider the Interceptor. With it, you will only fight from a distance if you first want to weaken your opponent with a poison bomb before delivering the killing blow.
Interceptor Build: We have a build that allows you to really excel with the Interceptor even solo.
This is how the Javelin Skill System works
Javelins have unique equipment components: These can be modified and equipped with different skills. There are two attack gear types for damage and one support gear type for defense. Within these three categories, you can customize your modifications:
- Storm: Detonation Seals, Focus Seals, Buff Seals
- Colossus: Artillery, Heavy Launching Device, Support Systems
- Ranger: Grenades, Launching Device, Support Systems
- Interceptor: Attack Systems, Hit Systems, Support Systems
Set Skills: Javelins also have skills that cannot be exchanged. These include their ultimate abilities, melee attacks, and combo effects.
