In the quirky post-apocalyptic world of Once Human, players are no longer just scrambling to survive alien-induced mutations; they're now debating whether to whip up a gourmet meal or tame a radioactive beast. Released back in 2024 as a free-to-play survival extravaganza, this NetEase gem has players navigating the fallout of the Starfall event, where an otherworldly goo turned humans into Deviations. Fast forward to 2025, and Starry Studio, the game's mastermind, is stirring the pot with a brand-new class system that’s anything but ordinary. With the Wonder Dawn 2.0 anniversary update looming on the horizon and a Global Annual Version 2.0 Showcase set for July 2, 2025, fans are buzzing like bees in a mutant hive. The addition of three starter classes—Chef, Gardener, and Beastmaster—promises to inject fresh chaos into the open-world multiplayer madness. Oh, and did we mention the PvP spin-off, Once Human: Raidzone, is getting its own spotlight? Talk about timing—just as players bid farewell to June, this tasty tidbit drops, courtesy of a Reddit sleuth named Slapsoil who spotted the juicy screenshots. 😄

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Now, let's dive into the meat and potatoes of these new classes. Forget the tired old tank-healer-dps trifecta; Once Human is flipping the script with specialized jobs that fuel progression in zany ways. Here's a quick rundown of the starting trio, each packing a starting item, a core ability, and three unique talents:

  • Chef: Armed with a trusty cooking pot, this culinary crusader can whip up buffs that turn scraps into gourmet delights. Core ability? "Gourmet Boost"—because nothing says survival like a well-seasoned mutant stew. Talents include "Flavor Explosion" (extra damage with kitchen tools), "Satiety Siphon" (health regen from meals), and "Scavenger's Sauté" (bonus loot from cooking). Perfect for players who'd rather debate spices than shoot aliens.

  • Gardener: Don't let the peaceful name fool you; this class is all about cultivating chaos. Starting with a seed pouch, their core ability "Botanical Blitz" lets them sprout defensive vines or poisonous blooms. Talents? Think "Photosynthesis Frenzy" (speed boost in sunlight), "Toxic Harvest" (poison enemies with plants), and "Compost Concoction" (craft healing items from waste). Ideal for those who prefer gardening gloves over grenades.

  • Beastmaster: Channel your inner Dr. Dolittle with a beast whistle as your starter. Core ability "Pack Leader" summons tamed Deviations to fight alongside you. Talents include "Feral Bond" (shared health with pets), "Wild Whistle" (call more beasts), and "Primal Roar" (scare off enemies). For players who dream of leading a mutant menagerie into battle. 🐾

This isn't your grandma's MMO class system, folks. Starry Studio boldly declared it a departure from fixed archetypes, replacing the clunky Memetic Specializations to offer players more freedom. Instead of rigid roles, it's all about blending skills—like a Gardener teaming up with a Beastmaster to create a jungle ambush. The studio translated the details from Chinese to English pronto, ensuring everyone's on the same page before the public test kicks off after the July 3 update. But why this sudden surge in updates since April? Rumor has it, it's tied to the game's mobile port plans, all gearing up for the Wonder Dawn 2.0 goal: letting players "forge their own stories and adventures while exploring Nalcott." Translation: more ways to cause glorious mayhem in the wasteland.

Community reactions have been a mixed bag of laughs and groans. On one hand, players are showering praise on the classes, with one overeager fan already petitioning for an engineer class—because who doesn't need a mad scientist in the apocalypse? 🤖 On the flip side, the recent cosmetics price debacle left a sour taste, sparking grumbles across forums. A Redditor had to clarify the whole Memetic swap, saying, "It's about freedom, not formulas!" Yet, the positivity shines through; fans are itching to test drive these roles, dreaming of synergies like a Chef buffing a Beastmaster's pets. After all, the studio's mantra for Wonder Dawn 2.0 is supporting "diverse playstyles, self-paced progression, and synergistic teamwork." Who knew surviving aliens could feel like a quirky coop game?

As the days tick down to the big July 2 showcase, it's clear Once Human is evolving from a simple survival romp into a dynamic sandbox of possibilities. But here's the million-scrap question: Will this class system revolutionize how we approach post-apocalyptic adventures, or will players end up craving the structure they left behind? And what about the Raidzone spin-off—could it turn PvP into a culinary showdown? 🌌 Only time, and a lot of player chaos, will tell.