Human "Monk" (promo "Ascetic", replaces Mercenary): Grandmaster spear, 2H, dodge, with Master air magic and arcane discipline. Special ability: wind dash to move 1 tile, and a modified Mandate of Heaven to give +10 air damage to all party members. Gains +3/1 health/mana on level up.

Human "Blackguard" (promo "Assassin", replaces Freemage): Grandmaster daggers, crossbow, dodge. Master dark magic and dual wield. Special abilities: Poisoning Strikes (chance to poison), and Relentless (deal +15% damage for every strike an enemy didn't block last turn). Gains +1/3 health/mana on level up.

Elf "Arcane Warrior" (promo "Spellblade", replaces Bladedancer): Grandmaster sword, prime magic, mysticism. Master shield, 2H, heavy armor, earth magic. Special abilities: Only use blocks on successful blocks as well as immunity to Mind effects. +3/1 health/mana on level up.

Elf "Necromancer" (promo "Lich", replaces Druid): Uses high health and regen to grandmaster dark magic, endurance, arcane discipline. Master magic focus, earth magic. Special abilities: Regeneration and damage reflection. +1/3 on level up.

Dwarf "Reaver" (promo "Slayer", replaces Defender): GM dual wield, axe, mace. Master dodge, endurance. Special abilities: Gain damage as health decreases, and active ability Carnage for 1 strike to every surrounding enemy.  Has minimal spirit/mana that requires heavy investment here if you want to use your abilities. +4/0 on level up.

Dwarf "Mountaineer"  (promo / "Frostwarden", replaces Scout;  added in v0.40).  GM Crossbow, Water Magic, and Endurance with Mastery in dual wield, mace, axe, air magic, mysticism, magical focus, medium armor.  Heavily range-focused combatant that has a slow start but can be built into a powerful caster or decent dual-wielder.

Orc "Demonspawn" (promo "Infernal Scion", replaces Hunter).   Unique in that he can grandmaster every skill except Light Magic, the demonspawn is a canvas to build your ideal character.  Heavy armor, grandmaster dodge, dual wield maces?  Why not?  Grandmaster Fire and grandmaster mysticism and endurance?  Sure!   The downside is this character starts off fragile, and their power is too much to contain - they will literally explode when killed.