Selecting your starting class in Elden Ring is one of the most crucial early decisions you’ll make. While any class can eventually be tailored into any build through stat allocation and equipment, your choice significantly impacts your early-game experience. This guide examines each class’s strengths, optimal playstyles, and their relevance in the current meta to help you make an informed decision.
Elden Ring Starting Classes Breakdown
Vagabond
- Best for: Beginners, tanky melee builds
- Key stats: High Vigor, Strength, and Endurance
- Playstyle: A well-armoured sword-and-board warrior, ideal for players who prefer defensive, methodical combat.
- Starting equipment: Longsword, Halberd, Heater Shield
Warrior
- Best for: Dexterity-focused, dual-wielding combat
- Key stats: High Dexterity, moderate Endurance
- Playstyle: Fast, agile melee attacks with dual scimitars for rapid strikes.
- Starting equipment: Two Scimitars, Blue Crest Heater Shield
Hero
- Best for: Strength-based heavy weapon users
- Key stats: High Strength, decent Vigor
- Playstyle: Slow but devastating attacks with colossal weapons.
- Starting equipment: Battle Axe, Large Leather Shield
Bandit
- Best for: Stealth, critical hits, and bleed builds
- Key stats: High Arcane and Dexterity
- Playstyle: Relies on backstabs, parries, and bleed-inflicting weapons.
- Starting equipment: Great Knife, Buckler, Shortbow
Astrologer
- Best for: Pure Intelligence spellcasters
- Key stats: High Intelligence, Mind
- Playstyle: Ranged sorcery with powerful early-game spells.
- Starting equipment: Glintstone Staff, Short Sword
Prophet
- Best for: Faith-based incantations and support
- Key stats: High Faith, Mind
- Playstyle: Healing, buffs, and fire/holy damage incantations.
- Starting equipment: Finger Seal, Short Spear
Samurai
- Best for: Balanced melee with innate bleed
- Key stats: Dexterity, Vigor
- Playstyle: Versatile swordplay with the Uchigatana’s bleed effect.
- Starting equipment: Uchigatana, Longbow
Prisoner
- Best for: Hybrid spellblade builds
- Key stats: Intelligence, Dexterity
- Playstyle: Mixes melee combat with supplementary magic.
- Starting equipment: Estoc, Glintstone Staff
Confessor
- Best for: Faith/Dexterity hybrids
- Key stats: Faith, Dexterity
- Playstyle: Stealthy incantation users with solid melee backup.
- Starting equipment: Broadsword, Finger Seal
Wretch
- Best for: Experienced players, min-max builds
- Key stats: All stats at base level
- Playstyle: Complete freedom but extremely challenging early on.
- Starting equipment: None (just a club)
Best Class for Your Playstyle
| Playstyle | Recommended Class |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | Vagabond, Samurai |
| Pure melee (Strength) | Hero |
| Pure melee (Dexterity) | Warrior |
| Magic (Sorcery) | Astrologer |
| Magic (Incantations) | Prophet, Confessor |
| Hybrid spellblade | Prisoner |
| Stealth/bleed builds | Bandit |
| Challenge runs | Wretch |
Which Class Is Best Overall?
- Best for beginners: Vagabond (durable, straightforward)
- Most versatile: Samurai (great starting gear, bleed potential)
- Best for magic: Astrologer (strong early sorceries)
- Best for custom builds: Wretch (total stat freedom)
Final Recommendations
Your starting class in Elden Ring does not restrict your long-term build, but it does shape your early-game experience. Consider the following when choosing:
- New players should prioritise survivability (Vagabond, Samurai).
- Magic users will benefit from Astrologer (sorcery) or Prophet (incantations).
- Experienced players may prefer Wretch for complete customisation.
Ultimately, the best class is the one that aligns with your preferred playstyle. Whether you favour brute strength, swift dexterity, arcane magic, or a hybrid approach, Elden Ring rewards mastery of your chosen path.
Watch the guide:
