Outlined below are the various classes available to play in a Shining Force III based game. It is up to the Game Master if there will be class/race restrictions (such as in Shining Force: Darkness Rising) or if any combination can be chosen (as in Shining Force: Ancient Pathways). The main restriction these two games shared though is that the swordsman leader is always human.

Something similar applies in what classes are used in a given game. All games require a leader, of course, but sometimes it's required that there be at least one knight, mage and healer in the starting party. Again, it's up to the Game Master in question.

Finally, these by no means encompass all the available classes to play - more may be created if needed or wanted.

Swordsman > Hero > Champion (required class)
Required race: Human
Available weapons: Sword, Rapier, Blade, Knife
Spells: Egress, Sense, Bolt, Inferno/Ice Storm
Friendship support: Attack
Knight > Cavalier > Paladin
Available weapons: Lance, Halberd, Spear
Spells: None
Friendship support: Succumb chance
Pegasus Knight > Sky Lord (special promotion)
Available weapons: Lance, Wing, Spear
Spells: None
Friendship support: Succumb
Special: Flight
Promoted from the Knight class with a Pegasus Wing
Magician > Wizard > Archmage
Available weapons: Rod, Wand, Ankh
Spells: Mage list
Friendship support: Magic Power
Sorceror > High Sorceror (special promotion)
Available weapons: Rod, Wand, Ankh
Spells: Sorceror list
Friendship support: Magic Power
Promoted from Magician class with a Secret Book
Priest > Cleric > Bishop
Available weapons: Rod, Wand, Ankh
Spells: Priest list
Friendship support: Magic Resistance & Luck
Archer > Marksman > Sniper
Available weapons: Arrow, Quarrel, Shell
Spells: None
Friendship support: Critical chance
Metal Gunner > Metal Buster (special promotion)
Available weapons: Arrow, Quarrel, Shell
Spells: None
Friendship support: Critical chance
Promoted from Archer class with a Silver Tank
Warrior > Gladiator > Warlord
Available weapons: Axe, Mace, Hatchet
Spells: None
Friendship support: Defence
Baron > Lord (special promotion)
Available weapons: Axe, Sword, Hatchet
Spells: None
Friendship support: Defence
Promoted from Warrior class with a Warrior's Pride
Archer Knight > Bow Knight > Buster Knight
Available weapons: Arrow, Quarrel, Shell
Spells: None
Friendship support: Critical chance
Bird Soldier > Bird Battler > Wing Lord
Required races: Birdfolk or Avariel
Available weapons: Sword, Rapier, Wing
Spells: None
Friendship support: Evade
Special: Flight
Dragon Soldier > Dragon Guard > Dragon Knight
Required race: Dragonfolk
Available weapons: Sword, Rapier, Blade (if ground unit), Wing (if flying unit)
Spells: None
Friendship support: Defence
Special: Can be a ground or flying unit (player's choice)
Magic Creature > Greater Magic Creature > Legendary Magic Creature
Available weapons: Tentacle
Magic: can be an arcane caster or divine caster
Spells: Mage list if arcane, Priest list if divine
Friendship support: Magic Power if arcane, Magic Resistance & Luck if divine
Magic Knight > Magic Cavalier > Magic Paladin
Available weapons: Lance, Halberd, Spear
Spells: Blaze, Freeze, Bolt
Friendship support: Succumb chance
Monk > Master Monk > Grandmaster
Available weapons: Glove, Knuckle, Claw
Spells: Priest list
Friendship support: Counter & Magic Resistance
Ninja > Shinobi > Okage
Available weapons: Katana, Shuriken
Spells: Ninja list
Friendship support: Magic Power & Counter
Ranger > Commando > Guerrilla
Available weapons: Spear, Hatchet, Knife
Spells: None
Friendship support: Attack
Robot > Gear Guardian > Tech Knight
Required race: Robot
Available weapons: Anchor, Shell
Spells: None
Friendship support: Defence
Thief > Master Thief > King of Theives
Available weapons: Dagger, Throwing Knife
Spells: Thief list
Friendship support: Magic Power & Counter
Werewolf > Wolf Baron > Wolf Lord
Available weapons: Claw, Glove, Knuckle
Spells: None
Friendship support: Counter