Even though Divine Divinity comes with three classes -- Survivor, Warrior and Wizard -- it uses a classless system, where any class can learn virtually any skill, and so your choice in class doesn't mean overly much.

However, there are some important differences between the classes:


Survivor

Starting Attributes (male): 10 STR, 15 AGI, 10 INT, 10 CON
Starting Attributes (female): 11 STR, 13 AGI, 11 INT, 10 CON

Vitality per CON point: 5
Mana per INT point: 4
Damage per STR point: 0.14
Offense per AGI point: 0.70
Defense per AGI point: 0.80

Starting Skills (male): Assassin's Kiss, Trader's Tongue
Starting Skills (female): Identify, Lockpick

Special Move - Sneaking: Stealth is vital for every survivor. Hence, they learned how to move unnoticed. The survivor's special move makes him crouch down, rendering him hard to see for all creatures. Be careful however - the survivor can't sneak if he's running out of breath. To start sneaking, right-click when the special move is selected as the active skill. To stop sneaking, right-click again. If you run out of breath you will automatically stop sneaking.

Warrior

Starting Attributes (male): 15 STR, 10 AGI, 10 INT, 10 CON
Starting Attributes (female): 13 STR, 12 AGI, 10 INT, 10 CON

Vitality per CON point: 6
Mana per INT point: 3
Damage per STR point: 0.40
Offense per AGI point: 0.80
Defense per AGI point: 0.70

Starting Skills (male): Augment Damage, Sword Expertise
Starting Skills (female): Elven Sight, Repair

Special Move - Swirl Attack: For a warrior, battle is the highest good. This sometimes puts him in awkward situations, where he is surrounded by hordes of enemies. The warrior schools have developed a special technique they teach to each of their disciples: the swirl attack. Using this technique, the warrior makes a quick and vicious 360o turn, using his weapon to strike all opponents surrounding him. The swirl attack requires quite some power from the warrior, so he quickly runs out of breath if he repeats the attack too much. To use the swirl attack, right-click when the special move is selected. The swirl attack is not possible with spears, bows or when fighting barehanded.

Wizard

Starting Attributes (male): 10 STR, 10 AGI, 15 INT, 10 CON
Starting Attributes (female): 11 STR, 12 AGI, 12 INT, 10 CON

Vitality per CON point: 4
Mana per INT point: 6
Damage per STR point: 0.10
Offense per AGI point: 0.70
Defense per AGI point: 0.70

Starting Skills (male): Summon Vermin, Meteorstrike
Starting Skills (female): Meteorstrike, Bless

Special Move - Swap Location: Wizards, terrible at sneaking and not so good in close combat, use their wits and cunning to make the best out of every fight situation. Using their special move, they can swap places with any creature they see. This trick saved many a wizard's life, turning a no-win situation into one where he can flee or attack the enemy leader standing behind his troops. To use the teleport swap, target a creature and right-click on it. You will then swap places with it.

Since charms can balance out the differences in the hit points and mana points for characters, the only major difference between the classes is the damage they do, and warriors get a huge advantage in that regard. So warriors are probably the best class, regardless of the type of character you plan to play.