Every Elden Ring Starting Class, Ranked (2024)

Starting classes in Elden Ring and other FromSoftware games work slightly differently than other games. Instead of providing firm limits by shaping the character-building experience and playstyle for the rest of the game, as in many other RPGs, classes in Elden Ring determine the starting character's equipment and stats, nothing more.

Any Elden Ring build or play style can be used with any starting class. However, this starting choice still has a significant impact — particularly at the beginning of the game, when it provides most of the player's options. Although every class is viable, the open world and scattered loot make picking the best Elden Ring starting class for the player's build important.

Updated on May 13, 2024, by Guillermo Kurten: Elden Ring was widely acclaimed during its 2022 launch, and many players will be reacquainting themselves with the game's classes before the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC releases. This list has been updated to provide more stats and commentary on what makes these classes excel.

10 The Wretch Class Offers No Direction Or Guidance

There is no questioning that the Wretch provides Elden Ring's most challenging experience by far, particularly in the early game. It continues the tradition of the "Deprived" class from Dark Souls by starting the player as a half-naked warrior with low (albeit balanced) stats and a nigh-useless club.

However, the Wretch class' weak start in Elden Ring comes with a payoff. As a Level 1 class with balanced stats, the Wretch can progress any way the player wants, with no wasted points spent on undesired skills. Their levels come cheap, and they are the most flexible class in the game, rewarding players skilled enough to survive Elden Ring's early game.

One method players can use to have their Wretch armored up as soon as possible is to farm Godrick's Soldiers. They spawn around the Groveside Cave entrance, making them easy targets even more a disadvantaged class like this. The Wretch is also useful for Souls-like PVP enthusiasts and newcomers, as the "blank slate" approach to their stats lets players experiment with many builds.

9 The Bandit Class Utilizes Elden Ring's Stealth Mechanic

Stealth is a new mechanic introduced into Elden Ring, taking its lead from FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Unlike in that game, where stealth is the most efficient way to deal with groups of enemies, it's merely one option in Elden Ring. That being said, using the stealth mechanic can be a powerful tactic.

The Bandit class is designed for stealth. They can wield a bow and arrow that deals with enemies from afar, and they possess a knife that excels against unsuspecting opponents. The Bandit class is useful in the open-world sandbox. However, stealth is much less viable against bosses. Even with Bleed effect caused by the Bandit class' dagger, most of Elden Ring's stealth-oriented builds will struggle against difficult bosses until they get better equipment.

While this class is vulnerable to melee damage, the starting Buckler shield and its unique ability is a terrific parrying method. It's one of the best in the game, making it well-suited to experienced Souls-like players. Bandits complement character Dexterity/Arcane builds that don't require much Strength allocation. Any more than 12 Strength and players would likely be better off with the Samurai class.

8 The Prophet Class Exclusively Uses Incantations

Magic has received a boost in Elden Ring compared to prior Dark Souls titles, including the Incantations that appear throughout the Lands Between. Still, using spells of every kind eats away at the Tarnished's Focus Points, so Elden Ring players must conserve their Focus Points, particularly during the game's hardest boss fights.

The Prophet isn't a weak Elden Ring starting class by any means. It's excellent starting Faith makes it one of the best pure spellcaster classes. However, it is fragile and lacks a powerful melee attack, and its starting equipment is weaker than many other classes. As such, some Elden Ring players may struggle with the Prophet until they get the hang of using their magic at the right time.

Naturally, this class excels with builds focusing purely on Faith or Faith/Arcane and Faith/Dexterity hybrid builds. While not ideal for some players, a Faith/Strength hybrid build could also work for creative players.

7 The Warrior Class Sports A High Skill Curve

Out of all Elden Ring's melee starting classes, the Warrior class will likely trip up new players. Its initial dual scimitar weapons do low damage per hit. However, they can be dual-wielded with Elden Ring's powerstance mechanic. The result is a non-stop assault that can wear even the strongest Elden Ring enemies down.

Elden Ring's Warrior class can be highly lethal once a player has mastered their unusual weaponry and the timing inherent to Elden Ring's combat. They can even exploit the Scimitar's fast attack output to experiment with status-afflicting Ashes of War. Until then, players may struggle with relatively low damage and a lack of physical sturdiness compared to other melee classes. Nonetheless, the Warrior can be one of Elden Ring's more rewarding starts.

6 The Hero Class Benefits From Simplicity

The Hero is a relatively forgiving melee class in Elden Ring, ideal for new players or those who want additional sturdiness in the early game. The class has a clear preference for Strength over Dexterity. While it's not built for spellcasting, it is reasonably well-rounded as a melee character.

The Hero's high Strength, generous Vigor, and above-average Stamina are ideal for new Elden Ring players who want to strike their opponents down in a few hits to get the hang of the game. It's far from Elden Ring's best or most remarkable class, but it will reward players who want to take and deal damage.

While spellcasting might not be the primary intention, the Hero is versatile in more magic-related builds. On top of the pure Strength builds the class naturally lends itself to, Strength/Intelligence and Strength/Arcane builds are more than viable. The game has plenty of unique weapons that justify these combat styles.

5 The Confessor Class Eases Players Into Elden Ring's Spell Casting

As the description implies, Elden Ring's Confessor class is designed with some level of stealth in mind. However, it also fulfills a secondary function as a hybrid class that blends Faith casting and melee combat. Players who choose this class start with high Faith and a few Incantations. To make matters even better, it's far less fragile than Elden Ring's Prophet class, granting them reasonable Vigor and a starting shield with 100 percent damage reduction.

Unfortunately, the Confessor is not as good a melee combatant as many other Elden Ring classes. It's also not as good as the Prophet at casting Incantations. That said, this class occupies a comfortable middle ground that can help players learn Elden Ring's casting system without forcing them to commit wholly to it. Though the Astrologer is ideal for this, the Confessor also allows for some Intelligence/Faith experimentation.

4 The Prisoner Class Offers Unique Duality

Sorcery magic — which scales using Intelligence — is one of the most effective play styles in Elden Ring. Sorceries deal heavy damage with generous casting costs and have the added benefit of being cast at range. Elden Ring's Prisoner class is one of two classes that starts with sorceries, although it isn't a pure spellcaster like the Astrologer.

The Prisoner is another hybrid class in Elden Ring, nudging the player towards Dexterity-based melee weaponry while giving them the stats to be an effective caster. In addition, it also starts the game with the Magic Glintblade Sorcery, a moderately high damage projectile spell that gives the Prisoner more options as they continue their journey.

This class rewards several playstyles for FromSoftware Souls-like veterans. Its stat spread lets players get creative with their builds, optimizing well with Strength/Intelligence and Dexterity/Intelligence setups.

3 The Vagabond Class Is A Classic Knight Build

Although there are several melee classes in Elden Ring, the Vagabond class stands out by tanking through damage. The Vagabond boasts high Vigor and armor that can't be found until the end of the game. As a result, it's Elden Ring's best starting class for those who want some sturdiness while still being able to pack a punch.

The Elden Ring Vagabond is almost perfectly split between Strength and Dexterity, which is why it's a favorite for several significantly different builds. It also begins with the balanced Longsword, meaning players can progress toward either build or one that uses both. The Vagabond is one of the best Elden Ring classes for new players because it doesn't force them to commit and is more mechanically forgiving.

The Vagabond class undoubtedly favors players leaning toward dealing raw physical damage, there's room for some slight magic-based builds. While the class' starting Arcane stat is the lowest in the game, it goes well with Strength/Faith builds. New players are also advised to unequip some of the Vagabond's starting gear they're not using, as they'll have to deal with slow dodge rolls otherwise.

2 The Samurai Class' Versatility Separates It From Other Melee-Based Classes

The Samurai class in Elden Ring is one of several built around Dexterity. However, its design is less focused on stealth than others, instead building around high damage and a versatile approach to combat. Its best starting gear is the Uchigatana, a long-bladed katana that strikes fast, hits hard, and inflicts the Bleed status effect. Bleed builds up with multiple strikes on a target until it triggers and takes a chunk of their health bar.

The Samurai's starting weapon in Elden Ring can get the player through the entire game. The Uchigatana can cut through bosses and open-world enemies, so it's a fantastic weapon to begin the game with. On top of the Samurai class' reasonable armor and longbow, this helps cement it as one of the best starting classes in Elden Ring.

New players and veterans alike will be spoiled by the Samurai's versatility from the start. The Uchigatana's Unsheathe ability is incredibly flexible in dealing high-end damage to single enemies or groups. Meanwhile, the Longbow can devastate and pick off enemies from afar, particularly with the Mighty Bow ability. This allows players to engage foes on their terms, and in some cases, trivialize otherwise hostile encounters.

1 The Astrologer Class Harnesses The Power Of The Stars

Sorceries are extremely powerful in the Lands Between, so Elden Ring's most Sorcery-focused class naturally slots in as its strongest. The Astrologer Class begins with several powerful and practical Sorceries. Glintstone Pebble and Glintstone Arc may not be flashy, but they're ideal for helping a player slay enemies and master the magic system.

As the player progresses through Elden Ring, the Astrologer acquires more and more powerful Sorceries that can make even the game's harder bosses incredibly manageable. The Astrologer has the tools they need from the beginning of the game through the end, making it the best class in all of Elden Ring.

Astrologers are a more classical "mage" class that benefits newcomers and seasoned players. As fans would expect from the class' stat spread and wealth of Sorcery options from the start, it thrives in pure Intelligence-focused builds. Still, the Astrologer can perform exceptionally well in any build requiring other spellcasting types. Players who want magic and melee on the side will find plenty to enjoy too, as Intelligence/Dexterity builds fit this class comfortably.

Elden Ring

Once ruled by the immortal Queen Marika, keeper of the Elden Ring, the Lands Between are now divided between several demigods. As the battling demigods fought over the ring, they created the Shattering, granting each of them a shard. As the Tarnished, it is up to the player to confront these demigods, collect their Great Rune pieces, repair the Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord.

Platform(s)

PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC

Developer(s)

From Software

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment , From Software

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence