In Elden Ring, the choice of character class is more than just a starting point; it shapes your entire journey through the treacherous Lands Between. With ten distinct classes to choose from, each tailored to different playstyles—from the resilient Vagabond to the cunning Bandit—players must carefully consider their attributes and starting gear to forge their ideal hero. Whether you prefer the brute strength of a Hero wielding heavy weapons or the arcane prowess of an Astrologer casting powerful spells, understanding the unique characteristics and stats of each class is crucial for mastering this expansive and challenging RPG. Dive into our guide to discover which class aligns best with your gameplay style and set out on your epic adventure!
General information
Elden Ring features a diverse array of 10 character classes, each tailored to unique playstyles and gameplay experiences. These classes serve as the foundation for your character’s journey, influencing initial statistics, starting equipment, and overall progression. Players can choose from archetypes such as knights, mages, and rogues, allowing for a wide range of combat strategies and magical abilities. While the starting class significantly impacts the early game, players will find that as they progress, the distinctions between classes become less pronounced, enabling greater flexibility in character development. Ultimately, there is no wrong choice; players are encouraged to select a class that aligns with their preferred style of play.
The starting class is your character’s origin. This choice determines the initial statistics of your character and the equipment with which you start your adventure in Elden Ring. Choosing the class significantly affects the first hours of the game.
However, the differences between classes will begin to blur over time and become less important as you progress. There is no wrong choice, so feel free to choose the class that best suits your style of play.
Vagabond
The Vagabond class in Elden Ring is characterized by its resilience and versatility, making it an excellent choice for players who prefer a melee-focused playstyle. Starting with a solid balance of stats, including high Vigor and Strength, Vagabonds are well-equipped to engage in close combat while wearing heavy armor. This class begins without any magical abilities but can develop them by investing in Faith and Intelligence, allowing for healing spells and weapon enhancements. The Vagabond’s robust attributes make it ideal for players looking to create a durable character capable of wielding powerful weapons effectively while navigating the challenges of The Lands Between.
This is a class of tough and well-armored knights. Vagabonds banished from their country are good at melee combat. However, you must remember that by choosing this class, you will have to take off your helmet or halberd. Otherwise, you will exceed 70% of the carrying capacity and you won’t be able to dodge and roll over.
Vagabond by default cannot use magic, but if you invest in Faith and Intelligence, you will open access to the basic spells that heal and enchant weapons. This is a class for people who want a durable character with a lot of health and who’s able to wield heavy weapons.
- Level – 9
- Vigor – 15
- Mind – 10
- Endurance – 11
- Strength (STR) – 14
- Dexterity – 13
- Intelligence – 9
- Faith – 9
- Arcane – 7
Warrior
The Warrior class in Elden Ring is designed for players who favor a fast-paced, aggressive playstyle. Starting with dual Scimitars, Warriors excel in quick, successive attacks that can inflict significant bleed damage on enemies. This class emphasizes Endurance and Vigor, allowing players to sustain longer engagements while dealing high damage output. The Warrior’s ability to dual-wield weapons from the outset makes it an excellent choice for beginners looking to dive into combat without the need for extensive weapon hunting. With a focus on agility and rapid strikes, the Warrior is ideal for those who enjoy a dynamic and action-oriented gameplay experience.
Armed with twin blades, warriors are a class just right for people who prefer fighting with lighter melee weapons. Warriors have the highest Dexterity, which makes them perfect for fighting with daggers, spears, curved blades, and generally weapons that scale with dexterity.
The class starts the game armed with a pair of scimitars. It’s a gameplay style for people who value speed over vigor. It will be perfect for people who want to pin the enemy with a barrage of lightning-fast attacks. By investing a few stats in Faith and Intelligence, you’ll unlock basic healing spells and simple weapon enchantments.
- Level – 8
- Vigor – 11
- Mind – 12
- Endurance – 11
- Strength (STR) – 10
- Dexterity -16
- Intelligence – 10
- Faith – 8
- Arcane – 7
Astrologer
The Astrologer class in Elden Ring is designed for players who favor magic and spellcasting from the outset. With the highest starting stats in Mind (15) and Intelligence (16), Astrologers excel at casting powerful glintstone sorceries, making them formidable ranged attackers capable of dealing significant damage to single or multiple targets. However, they are physically frail, possessing low Vigor (9) and Endurance (9), which makes them vulnerable in close combat. This class is ideal for players looking to engage enemies from a distance while utilizing spells like Glintstone Pebble and Glintstone Arc, though they may need to invest in survivability attributes as they progress through the game to mitigate their inherent weaknesses.
Astrologers are a great base for spellcasting builds. They are a perfect combination of Intelligence and Arcane. They also start with a high Mind value. They can use magic both aimed at a single enemy, as well as AoE spells that hurt several targets at the same time.
They’re not very good with melee weapons, but they are armed with a short sword that they use in crisis situations. This is a class for people who want to defeat their opponents from a distance using various – also destructive – spells.
- Level – 6
- Vigor – 9
- Mind – 15
- Endurance – 9
- Strength (STR) – 8
- Dexterity – 12
- Intelligence – 16
- Faith – 8
- Arcane – 9
Hero
The Hero class in Elden Ring is a formidable choice for players seeking a Strength-focused build. Starting at level 7, the Hero boasts high Strength and Vigor, making it ideal for those who prefer melee combat. Equipped with a battle axe and leather shield, this class excels in close-quarters battles, allowing players to deal significant damage while maintaining decent survivability. The Hero’s initial stats also include some Arcane, providing opportunities for hybrid builds later in the game. As players progress, they can further customize their character to suit their preferred playstyle, making the Hero a versatile option for both new and experienced players alike.
The Hero is the equivalent of the Warrior class, but focused mainly on strength. He has the highest strength stat of all available classes. He wields a heavy weapon that’s effective because of that strength.
The Hero’s Dexterity is below average, which significantly limits the choice of weapons that he can use without investing in this statistic. He also has the lowest magic potential of all classes. This character is for people who want to deal powerful blows with huge weapons.
- Level – 7
- Vigor – 14
- Mind – 9
- Endurance – 12
- Strength (STR) – 16
- Dexterity – 9
- Intelligence – 7
- Faith – 8
- Arcane – 11
Bandit
The Bandit class in Elden Ring is designed for players who prefer a stealthy and agile approach to combat. This class starts with a focus on Arcane, making it adept at item discovery and critical hits, particularly through backstabs and ranged attacks with its starting Short Bow. Equipped with a dagger and a small shield, Bandits excel in avoiding direct confrontations, relying on their agility and dodging skills to navigate through battles. While their overall stats are balanced but low, the Bandit’s strengths lie in its ability to adapt to various playstyles, allowing players to respecialize as they progress through the game, making it a versatile choice for those who enjoy stealth gameplay.
Bandits are assassins. They specialize in fighting with long-range weapons and stealthy sneaking behind the enemy’s back. They rely heavily on critical damage and tend to avoid frontal confrontation whenever possible
If detected, their fighting style is based on parrying enemy attacks and backstabbing. This is a class primarily for experienced players with very good timing. The Bandit is additionally equipped with a short bow.
- Level – 5
- Vigor – 10
- Mind – 11
- Endurance – 10
- Strength (STR) – 9
- Dexterity – 13
- Intelligence – 9
- Faith – 8
- Arcane – 14
Prophet
The Prophet class in Elden Ring is a unique blend of faith and strength, making it an intriguing choice for players who prefer a hybrid playstyle. Starting with a high Faith stat, Prophets excel in casting incantations that can heal allies or smite enemies, while also being capable of engaging in melee combat. They begin their journey equipped with the Golden Seed, which enhances their healing capabilities, and possess access to a variety of powerful spells. This class is particularly suited for players looking to support their team or tackle challenges with a versatile approach, combining both magical and physical prowess to navigate the treacherous landscapes of the Lands Between.
The Prophet is the equivalent of the Astrologer, but he puts Faith over Intelligence. He is slightly better trained, so he can use melee weapons to a moderate degree. The Prophet has access to a wide variety of Faith-based spells.
He can attack with fire spells and deal damage from the sacred category. This class can also cast healing spells and situation-based spells, which provide support in specific conditions. This is a character for those looking for a more versatile mage.
- Level – 7
- Vigor – 10
- Mind – 14
- Endurance – 8
- Strength (STR) – 11
- Dexterity – 10
- Intelligence – 7
- Faith – 16
- Arcane – 10
Samurai
The Samurai class in Elden Ring is a compelling choice for players who seek a balance between melee and ranged combat. Originating from the distant Land of Reeds, this class excels with its starting equipment, which includes the Uchigatana and a longbow, making it versatile in various combat situations. The Samurai boasts impressive starting stats, particularly in dexterity, allowing for swift attacks and effective horseback combat. With a focus on agility and precision, the Samurai can utilize its bleed effect to inflict significant damage while maintaining mobility on the battlefield. This class not only appeals to fans of traditional samurai aesthetics but also offers a dynamic gameplay experience that encourages strategic engagement with enemies.
Samurai are proud warriors who, like Vagabonds, specialize in melee combat. However, they are more geared towards dexterity and versatility – they rely less on survival and sheer strength.
They can use long-range weapons and start with a longbow. They also use their sharp katana by making fast two-handed swings. It is a versatile and skillful class that combines long-range combat with close combat.
- Level – 9
- Vigor – 12
- Mind – 11
- Endurance – 13
- Strength (STR) – 12
- Dexterity – 15
- Intelligence – 9
- Faith – 8
- Arcane – 8
Prisoner
The Prisoner class in Elden Ring is a hybrid character that excels in both melee combat and spellcasting. Starting with a balanced distribution of attributes, the Prisoner has high Dexterity (14) and Intelligence (14), making them adept at rapid spellcasting and swift melee attacks. This class is particularly suited for players who enjoy a versatile playstyle, as it allows for quick strikes with weapons like the Estoc while also casting powerful sorceries such as Magic Glintblade. However, the Prisoner has lower Vigor and Endurance, which means players should focus on boosting these stats to enhance survivability in combat. Overall, the Prisoner offers a unique blend of agility and magical prowess, appealing to those who want to navigate the challenges of The Lands Between with both sword and sorcery.
Ravaged of their elite social status, Prisoners are a hybrid class. The character combines sword fighting and magic. He can cast spells that improve speed and thus gains additional bonuses by investing in Dexterity.
Initially this class is no match for Astrologers or Warriors, but it reveals its potential once the player gains access to better weapons and advanced spells. This is a class for people who want to be skillful in melee combat, but also have access to some of the Astrologers’ spells.
- Level – 6
- Vigor – 11
- Mind – 12
- Endurance – 11
- Strength (STR) – 8
- Dexterity – 14
- Intelligence – 14
- Faith – 6
- Arcane – 9
Confessor
The Confessor class in Elden Ring is a versatile character designed for players who favor a blend of melee combat and divine magic. Starting with balanced stats, the Confessor excels in both Faith and Dexterity, making it adept at wielding a variety of weapons while also casting powerful incantations. This class begins with a solid set of equipment, including a sword and a shield, which allows for effective close-range combat while providing the ability to heal and enhance allies through sacred spells. The Confessor’s unique combination of attributes makes it an excellent choice for players looking to engage in both offensive and supportive roles throughout their journey in The Lands Between.
Confessor is a defensive class focused on close combat. It has access to renewing spells. It’s effective both in offensive and defense through its balanced stats.
However, it does not stand out in any way and does not have a predetermined specialization. This is a good class for beginners who are looking for a bit more forgiving gameplay style.
- Level – 10
- Vigor – 10
- Mind – 13
- Endurance – 10
- Strength (STR) – 12
- Dexterity – 12
- Intelligence – 9
- Faith – 14
- Arcane – 9
Wretch
The Wretch class in Elden Ring is a unique starting option that offers players a blank slate for character development. Unlike other classes, the Wretch begins with balanced stats across all attributes—each set at 10—allowing for a high degree of customization as players progress. This class starts at level 1 with minimal gear, armed only with a club and lacking any armor, which presents a challenging early-game experience. The Wretch is ideal for seasoned players who prefer to craft their own builds without the constraints of predefined class strengths, making it a compelling choice for those looking to explore diverse playstyles in The Lands Between.
The Wretch is basically a clean slate for players already familiar with the game. It offers the greatest freedom in assigning stats and creating your own build. This is a character for people who don’t want to rely on a predefined class – an option for more experienced players.
The Wretch starts the game armed only with a club and has no defense. This means that the beginning of the game will be noticeably more difficult, at least until you get your first armor and a more sensible weapon.
- Level – 1
- Vigor – 10
- Mind – 10
- Endurance – 10
- Strength (STR) – 10
- Dexterity – 10
- Intelligence – 10
- Faith – 10
- Arcane – 10
Which character class is best for beginners
For beginners venturing into the challenging world of Elden Ring, selecting the right character class can significantly enhance the experience. The Vagabond and Samurai classes stand out as the best choices for newcomers.
Best Classes for Beginners
- Vagabond: This class is often recommended due to its well-rounded attributes, featuring high Vigor for a substantial health pool, making it forgiving for new players. With solid melee stats, it allows for a straightforward combat experience that doesn’t overwhelm beginners with complex mechanics.
- Samurai: Known for its versatility, the Samurai excels in both melee and ranged combat. It starts with powerful weapons and offers a balanced approach, making it easier for players to adapt to various combat situations right from the start.
Both classes allow players to focus on basic combat skills without getting bogged down by intricate systems, making them ideal for those just starting their journey in Elden Ring.
What are the main differences between Hunter and Warlock for beginners
When comparing the Hunter and Warlock classes in Destiny 2, beginners will find distinct playstyles and abilities that cater to different preferences. Here are the main differences:
Mobility and Gameplay Style
- Hunter: Known for agility, Hunters excel in swift movements and evasive maneuvers. They have a Dodge ability that allows them to evade attacks and can even reload weapons during the dodge, making them very forgiving in combat situations. Their gameplay often involves hit-and-run tactics, allowing players to engage and disengage quickly, which is particularly advantageous for newcomers still mastering the game’s mechanics.
- Warlock: Warlocks are more about strategic positioning and support. They can create Rifts that heal allies or boost their weapon damage, providing a supportive role in team play. While they have less mobility compared to Hunters, their abilities allow for powerful area control through spells and grenades, appealing to players who enjoy a more tactical approach.
Combat Abilities
- Hunter Abilities: Hunters can utilize various subclasses that enhance their offensive capabilities, such as invisibility for stealthy revives or high burst damage against enemies. Their skills often focus on agility and precision, making them effective at both close and ranged combat.
- Warlock Abilities: Warlocks focus on spellcasting with abilities that can deal area damage or control the battlefield. They have powerful grenade options that can be spammed for crowd control, which may be more complex but rewarding once mastered. Their gameplay often revolves around managing cooldowns effectively to maximize damage output.
Learning Curve
- Hunter: Generally considered easier for beginners due to their straightforward mechanics and mobility options. Players can quickly adapt to combat scenarios without feeling overwhelmed.
- Warlock: While they offer powerful abilities, Warlocks may require a bit more time to learn effectively due to their reliance on positioning and timing with abilities. New players might find it challenging to balance offensive and supportive roles initially.
In summary, if you prefer fast-paced gameplay with a focus on evasion and agility, the Hunter is likely the better choice for beginners. However, if you enjoy strategic gameplay with a mix of support and area control, consider starting with the Warlock. Both classes provide unique experiences that can be enjoyable for new players in Destiny 2.
