Vocation
A vocation (also known as class) is a specific role classification given to a character in the Dragon Quest series.
This role effects the attributes and advancement of the character throughout the game. The terms "class" and "vocation" are used interchangeably with a more recent emphasis being put on vocation with the DS release of Dragon Quest IX and Dragon Quest VI.
Nearly every Dragon Quest game aside from the first one uses vocations in order to create diversity in strengths, weaknesses, and styles within the player's party. Some games in the main series have instituted class systems which allow the player to control which vocations are used. Other games place characters in predetermined classes which are not changeable by the player.