Best JRPGs that let you play a merchant class

Key takeaways

• Unique class systems in JRPGs such as traders offer players different and enjoyable gaming experiences.
• Playing as a trader in games like Octopath Traveler and Bravely Second enables resource management and tool skills.
• The merchant class in various JRPGs excels at making money, helping allies, and providing tactical advantages in battle.

RPGs, especially more traditional CRPGs or JRPGs, are known for having great class systems that showcase the inherent strengths and weaknesses of each character within a party. Classes help define a character within the mechanics of a game, and in titles where the classes are more fluid, they also reflect a level of customization at the behest of the player, who has taken the time to mold that character into a certain archetype.

Even with JRPGs having this more fluid type of class system, the classes that stand out are the more creative ones that deviate from the usual warrior, rogue, wizard, and healer archetypes. An example – the merchant. The merchant is a class that has made an appearance in a few different JRPGs, and each has a distinct niche in the party. That niche may not always be the most overpowered, but in these games playing as a merchant class is incredibly fun.

1 Octopath Traveler

Sail on the Winds of Commerce

The first one Octopath Traveler showcases the merchant class primarily through the brave, ambitious character of Tressa Coizione, who aspires to sail around the world and bring commerce and prosperity to her family name. Maybe because she is a mainstay among the actors Octopath TravelerTressa's merchant class is much more versatile than the merchant class in other games.

Starting with Tressa is seen as a smart choice in this title, as her ability to trade with NPCs and pick up spare parts makes her an asset in the early game when resources are hard to come by.

2 Bravely Second

This unique job system showcases The Merchant Well

The merchant class i Bravely Second is accessible through its asterisk, as are all classes in this iconic job system which Bravely the series has used. It's a job that mostly focuses on self-preservation and support, exchanging gold for favors to the party, and also earning more money as a reward after a battle.

Their passive ability allows them to earn 1.5x gold after any job, a godsend during the mid to late game that can speed up resources tremendously, no matter what job the party members have.

3 Dragon Quest 6

Balances low stats with an ability for money

• Platform(s): SNES, Nintendo DS, Mobile
• Released: 9 December 1995
• Developer: Heartbeat
• genre(s): JRPG

The Dragon Quest The series has a large number of titles under its belt, and while the trader has appeared in a few of them, Dragon Quest 6 presence is especially new. This class lowers the stats of its wielder, but to compensate, it allows them to earn more money, appraise items more easily, and eventually summon powerful sell swords to aid in battle.

The merchant class in this title occupies a strange position of utility abilities outside of combat, such as digging, as well as enemy debuff spells, evocation spells, and offensive physical spells, all rolled into one very rich spell.

4 Octopath Traveler 2

Earn money, help allies and hinder enemies

The merchant job in Octopath Traveler 2 is distinct enough from its predecessor counterpart that it also warrants a spot on this list. While the first game was a little more well-rounded in its approach to the merchant class, the second title chose to focus more on the merchant's skills.

It is now less useful as a support or DPS class but has one of the strongest abilities in the game – Hired Help – as well as many gathering abilities that set it apart from other classes in this title.

5 Fire Emblem: Fates

A defensive class that uses gold bars

The merchant is a rare job in Fire Emblem: Fates. In fact, depending on the specific path the player has taken, they may not encounter a trader – either enemy or ally – at all. Once the merchant appears, they have many nuanced abilities that make use of gold bars.

Traders can effectively sacrifice these gold bars to deal an unreasonable amount of damage to enemies relative to their stats, and they can also generate these gold bars at the start of their first turns, which can be sold for a high price, given that they mainly have generated for free.

6 Triangle strategy

Few merchants are as wise as Lionel

Lionel is one of the optional characters available to the player Triangle strategy when their belief reaches a certain level. He is a shrewd merchant who senses the profit that would come with House Wolfort and considers his willingness to invest with Serenoa all the signs of loyalty he needs.

As a kind wordsmith, Lionel can taunt and demoralize his enemies, or even temporarily sway them to his side. He has excellent utility with Jens, the blacksmith character, who can set up traps that Lionel can then taunt his opponents into triggering.