Elden Ring's 10 Starting Classes: A Ranked Guide from Worst to Best
Every Elden Ring journey begins with a class selection, offering 10 distinct options. These classes differ subtly in stats and starting equipment. This guide ranks them from least to most favorable.
Table of Contents
Best Elden Ring Starting Classes, Ranked 10. Bandit 9. Confessor 8. Prisoner 7. Warrior 6. Prophet 5. Hero 4. Samurai 3. Astrologer 2. Wretch
- Vagabond Does Your Starting Class Matter in Elden Ring? What Is the Easiest Class for Beginners?
10. Bandit
The bottom three classes are largely interchangeable, but the Bandit stands out negatively. Its low starting level (5) and primary focus on Dexterity (a relatively weak stat) combined with inferior equipment make it an undesirable choice.
9. Confessor
Confessors offer limited advantages. Faith is a challenging stat to develop early on, and the starting equipment doesn't effectively support early-game Faith builds or damage output.
8. Prisoner
Similar to the Bandit, the Prisoner is an inferior version of other Dexterity/Intelligence builds. Its fragility and less-than-ideal starting weapons make it a poor option for players seeking a Dexterity or Intelligence-focused character.
7. Warrior
Among Dexterity options, the Warrior isn't terrible, starting with two swords. However, superior Dexterity builds exist. While boasting the highest base Dexterity, falling just short of the soft cap, its gear doesn't justify its selection. Still, it surpasses the previous three as a starting build.
6. Prophet
Faith-based starting classes present challenges. If forced to choose one, the Prophet is the most viable. Its spells are decent, but its equipment lags behind others. However, with strategically acquired Faith weapons, the Prophet can prove useful.
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5. Hero
The top four classes are significantly stronger. The Hero possesses advantages: a Battle Axe, 16 Strength, and a helpful Ash of War, making early-game encounters easier. However, low Dexterity hinders meeting minimum stat requirements, and a superior Strength-based class exists.
4. Samurai
This is the optimal Dexterity starting class. Its excellent armor and the exceptional Uchigatana (a weapon with great scaling, impressive damage, and bleeding potential) make it a standout.
3. Astrologer
Players favoring mage builds or Intelligence should begin with the Astrologer. Its ability to spam early-game spells, combined with 16 Intelligence at level 6 and suitable equipment, makes it ideal. It also transitions well into Intelligence/Strength builds.
2. Wretch
The Wretch starts at level 1 with 10 points in each stat and a decent club with a strong Ash of War. However, its lack of armor and low level pose challenges for new players. It's less effective for players focusing on a single stat but excels for those aiming to create a customized build or respec their stats.
1. Vagabond
For both new and experienced players, the Vagabond is the best starting class. Its stat distribution is excellent for early-game builds, featuring a fantastic weapon and armor suitable for much of the game. Its versatile stat spread allows for easy respeccing or transitioning to other builds.
Does Your Starting Class Matter in Elden Ring?
Unless you're focused on highly optimized builds, your starting class's impact is minimal. While the Bandit might present early challenges, the long-term effect is negligible as you'll invest in your desired stats regardless. Even "wrong" class choices usually result in only a few stat points away from an optimal build. Min-maxing, even in PvP, offers only a slight advantage unless competing against top-tier players. Choose a class you aesthetically prefer.
What Is the Easiest Class for Beginners?
For newcomers, the Vagabond is recommended. Its straightforward melee combat allows players to grasp Elden Ring's mechanics easily.
Elden Ring is available now on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
