Games Where Class and Element Choices Determine Learned Abilities

You're looking for games where selecting both a class and an element meaningfully shapes your skill progression. This specific combination exists in several titles, though implementations vary.

Strong Class + Element Integration

• Dragon Age: Inquisition – Specializations (subclasses) grant elemental ability trees (Fire, Ice, Lightning, Spirit)
• Path of Exile – Ascendancy classes like Elementalist specialize in specific elements; passive tree allows deep elemental customization
• Grim Dawn – Dual-class system with Devotion constellations tied to elemental affinities
• Magia – Turn-based RPG built around elemental interactions; custom characters with multiple affinities
• Elemental Heroes Online – MMORPG centered on elemental combinations and class-element synergy

Elemental Specialization Within Classes

• Final Fantasy XIV – Jobs have elemental identities (Black Mage/Fire, White Mage/Holy) but fixed skillsets
• World of Warcraft – Specs determine elemental focus (Frost/Fire/Arcane Mage, Elemental/Enhancement Shaman)
• The Elder Scrolls Online – Class skills can be morphed toward elements; Destruction Staff skill lines (Fire, Frost, Lightning)
• Diablo III – Skills have elemental runes; sets/legendaries push specific elemental builds

Honorable Mentions

• Monster Hunter World – Weapon choice + armor skills create elemental damage builds
• Breath of the Wild – Elemental weapons/arrows create tactical depth, though no class system

For the tightest class-element-skill integration, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Path of Exile, and Grim Dawn are top recommendations. Indie titles like Magia may offer even deeper mechanical interplay.