12 Types of Underappreciated Software Developer



You can think of the 12 types as mapping to existing terms used to describe software developers today.

  • The Assassin is often called a 10x developer, a Rockstar developer, or a code ninja.
  • The Tank is most often found in development managers.
  • The Wizard is the “really, really smart” or “genius” developer.
  • The Ranger is often called a “Tech Enthusiast,” or a developer obsessed with new technology.
  • The Mechanic is often in a role of DevOps or an Architecture.
  • The Shapeshifter is often called, “Really, really helpful” or a “Great team player.”
  • The Rogue is often in a tech lead role, especially in research and development or at a startup.
  • The Sage is often in the role of a tech lead, architect, principal engineer, or development director.
  • The Telepath, The Hunter, The Healer, and The Ghost, tend to be very senior developers, as they all require an immense amount of real-world development experience. This group of four are the truly underappreciated software developers, to the point where the industry doesn’t even have names for them other than “old.”

It is very unlikely that anyone can be all of the types. Most developers will only be a full match for one or two types, but most developers will also be a partial match for several types.

For those wondering where the names came from, they are all derived from role playing game character class types.

The Assassin

The Assassin

A software developer capable of quickly and quietly finishing their work before anyone even knows they have started.

The Telepath

The Telepath

A software developer able to extract unspoken and undocumented requirements from stakeholders.

The Tank

The Tank

A software developer that attends meetings and handles non-coding tasks so that other developers can code.

The Hunter

The Hunter

A software developer that proactively searches for and fixes bugs as soon as they find them.

The Wizard

The Wizard

A software developer that can solve any coding problem with ease no matter how difficult it is.

The Ranger

The Ranger

A software developer who searches for new technologies that are better than what is currently being used.

The Healer

The Healer

A software developer that refactors or rewrites parts of the system other developers are afraid to work in.

The Mechanic

The Mechanic

A software developer who builds tools and frameworks that help other developers be more productive.

The Ghost

The Ghost

A software developer that disappears without a trace and reappears with all of their work done perfectly.

The Shapeshifter

The Shapeshifter

A software developer who can instantly transform into another role in order to help people get their work done.

The Sage

The Sage

A software developer that always knows the best way for a system to be designed and implemented.

The Rogue

The Rogue

A software developer who ignores requirements and builds something better than what was asked for.

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