Final Fantasy XIV will launch with 18 different classes that can be mixed and matched all in one character. This information is readily available on the official site but it's nice to have confirmation that all will be available at launch. The current beta only allows for a couple of these classes but Square Enix is looking to add more once the game hits retailers worldwide.

The classes are a good mix of combat, magic, gathering and crafting roles. Combatants are called the Disciples of War and include the Pugilist, Gladiator, Marauder, Archer and Lancer. The magi are aptly named the Disciples of Magic and there only two of them, the Conjurer and Thaumaturge. Gatherers, Disciples of The Land, include the Miner, Botanist and Fisherman. The real kicker are the crafters, dubbed the Disciples of The Hand, tallying up to a total of eight different branches: Carpenter, Blacksmith, Armourer, Goldsmith, Leather Worker, Weaver, Alchemist and Culinarian.

Seems like the crafters play a rather significant role in the world of Eorzea. With the use of Final Fantasy XIV's Armoury system, players are capable of specializing in either a single skill or mixing them up to suit their fancy. These 18 classes should be plenty to keep Eorzeans busy once the game releases, if not, director Hiromichi Tanaka does mention that they'll be adding even more after the PC release of September 30.