6.1 How does the EQII class system work?

EverQuest II uses a branching archetype system. A player begins our game at level 1 as a commoner. At level 3 the player will choose one of four adventure archetypes: the fighter, the priest, the mage, or the scout. Each of the adventuring archetypes branches into three classes, one of which the player will choose at level 10. Each class then further branches into two subclasses, which is chosen at level 20.

6.1.1 Will I be required to choose an archetype/class/subclass in order to continue leveling?

Yes. You must choose your path of advancement before you can continue to level.

6.1.2 Will I be able to test out the various archetypes before I make my final choice?

During your time as a commoner, you will have the opportunity to test out the various archetypes if you wish. Commoner is the only point where you can test the basic abilities of all archetypes.

6.1.3 Will I be able to surrender my archetype/class/subclass choices and choose again?

No, you will not be able to reverse your selection. We plan on educating players beforehand about where each path takes them, but reversing those decisions or “respec’ing” isn’t something they plan to allow.

6.2 Won’t balancing become a real issue with that many classes?

Class balance is always a complicated issue, but the archetype system allows Sony to manage it much more effectively. Each class and subclass is balanced at the archetype level. Every archetype has a main role in a group situation, and each member of a given archetype will be able to fill that role equally well. If you're a fighter, you can tank for a group; if you're a priest, you can heal for a group; and so on. This is the beauty of an archetype system.
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6.3 Will there be enough variety in the classes and subclasses of an archetype, or will all priests, for instance, be the same?
Will there be variety? Of course. Different abilities, spells, combat styles... the whole works. Some classes will be able to do some tasks better than others, but the primary purpose of the class will always be there.

6.4 Will I be able to multi class and create something along the lines of a Fighter-Mage?

No. While the archetype system does allow for a great deal of variety in how you play your character, you will not be allowed to mix and match parts of various classes.

6.5 Will there be experience penalties based on your class or race?

There will be no experience penalties (or bonuses) based on your race or class in EQII.

6.6 Will there be trainers for all subclasses in both Qeynos and Freeport?

Some sub-classes will only be trained in Qeynos, some only in Freeport, and some will be in both cities. The general goal is to have about a third being exclusive to each city with a third of them being available in both.

6.7 Will there be a particular class designed specifically for players who want to solo?

Sony is not designing any specific classes to be more efficient at soloing than others. They intend to provide lots of solo content for all classes in EQII.