Only the mage and cleric receive different skills for being the variant characters. You select the variant characters by hitting start instead of A when selecting a character. Cleric The Healer. Perhaps the only essential party member. You can buy heals at shops and pick up the occasional one in a chest or two, but the cleric is there to cast the heal on you that allows you to survive till the next chest or shop.
Aerial attack is adequete.
The cleric is useful in a fight, and his special attack is a kick. Dwarf Powerful fighter. Slow, but his aerial attack is very powerful. Receives the most health. Special attack is headbutt.