Embarking on your adventure through the treacherous realm of The Lands Between and its unforgiving DLC means making a critical decision early on: selecting the right class and build in Elden Ring. The game offers an impressive variety of classes, ensuring that players of all playstyles—whether casting powerful spells, wielding swords in fierce melee, or donning heavy armor as heroic knights—find a fitting starting option. Even stealthy assassins have their place.
The beauty of Elden Ring lies in its flexibility; players can create hybrid builds that combine traits from different archetypes. If you’ve ever dreamed of embodying a battle mage or a holy cleric clad in armor, you’re in luck!
Whether you’re a seasoned player revisiting the world or a newcomer preparing for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, this guide will outline all the starting classes available in the game.
Overview of Character Classes in Elden Ring
There are a total of 10 unique character classes to explore in Elden Ring. Below is a detailed description of each:
1. Vagabond
- Gear: Longsword, Halberd, Heater Shield
- Armor: Vagabond Knight Set
- Items: Memory of Grace, choice of Keepsake
Designed for both experienced players and those who prefer tanky playstyles, the Vagabond resembles the Strength-focused builds from previous Souls games. This class thrives on physical combat, boasting a large health pool while neglecting magic and dexterity. Though it can be daunting for beginners, it provides tremendous potential for veterans and can be adapted into a templar-like build using supportive incantations.
2. Hero
- Gear: Battle Axe, Large Leather Shield
- Armor: Champion Set
- Items: Memory of Grace, choice of Keepsake
The Hero class excels in melee combat while retaining the option to unleash magical attacks. By combining features from various classes, the Hero encourages versatile builds that emphasize strength and mobility. Although less suited for heavy armor, a clever player can craft a build that thrives in both PvE and PvP gameplay.
3. Warrior
- Gear: Twin Scimitars, Riveted Wooden Shield
- Armor: Warrior Set
- Items: Memory of Grace, choice of Keepsake
The Warrior class emphasizes agility and dexterity, catering to players who prefer quicker, more reactive combat styles. With a focus on dual-wielding and rapid strikes, this class allows for interesting builds that can include sorcery elements. While health may be lower than in other classes, the potential for high damage output through speed is significant, making it rewarding for those willing to master its mechanics.
4. Prophet
- Gear: Heal, Catch Flame, Short Spear, Finger Seal
- Armor: Prophet Set
- Items: Memory of Grace, choice of Keepsake
The Prophet is a class rooted in faith and magic, specializing in Incantations for both offense and support. Wearing light armor for mobility, they often avoid melee confrontations. While their health is limited, mastering their capabilities allows them to become formidable opponents from afar.
5. Wretch
- Gear: Club
- Armor: None
- Items: Memory of Grace, choice of Keepsake
The Wretch class offers a challenging start, resembling the classic ‘naked’ class from previous Souls games. With limited starting equipment and stats, this choice is not for the faint of heart. Experts looking for a true challenge may find this class to be an exhilarating experience.
6. Prisoner
- Gear: Magic Glintblade, Estoc, Glintstone Staff
- Armor: Prisoner Set
- Items: Memory of Grace, choice of Keepsake
Known for its unique appearance, the Prisoner is designed for dexterity-focused players who enjoy inflicting status effects like Bleed. This class excels in both melee and casting, particularly effective in creating hybrid warrior-mage builds.
7. Bandit
- Gear: Great Knife, Shortbow
- Armor: Bandit Set
- Items: Memory of Grace, choice of Keepsake
The Bandit class thrives in stealth and ranged attack scenarios. This dexterity-centric choice is ideal for players preferring to strike from the shadows and can evolve into a mix of archery and elemental attacks.
8. Astrologer
- Gear: Glintstone Pebble, Short Sword, Astrologer’s Staff
- Armor: Astrologer Set
- Items: Memory of Grace, choice of Keepsake
The Astrologer specializes in elemental magic, perfect for players who want a traditional spell-casting experience. This class effectively utilizes magic to deal significant damage from a range, allowing players to leverage diverse spell-casting strategies.
9. Confessor
- Gear: Urgent Heal, Broadsword, Finger Seal
- Armor: Confessor Set
- Items: Memory of Grace, choice of Keepsake
The Confessor class offers a blend of dexterity and faith abilities, catering to players who prefer nimble combat while casting supportive incantations. This versatile class rewards skillful players who can maximize their potential in combat.
10. Samurai
- Gear: Uchigatana, Longbow
- Armor: Land of Reeds Set
- Items: Memory of Grace, choice of Keepsake
The Samurai class embraces elements of Eastern martial arts, blending dexterity and ranged capabilities with a grounded setting. Known for swift attacks and the ability to dish out damage while remaining armored, this class stands out as one of the most agile options.
Understanding Character Stats
Each character class in Elden Ring possesses distinct stats and attributes, typically starting with a total of 80 attribute points distributed across categories—except for the Wretch class. Here’s what each stat governs:
- Vigor: Affects health, fire resistance, and immunity.
- Mind: Governs FP and focus.
- Endurance: Controls stamina and equipment load.
- Strength: Necessary for wielding heavier weapons.
- Dexterity: Required for advanced weaponry.
- Intelligence: Essential for casting glintstone sorceries.
- Faith: Required for sacred incantations.
- Arcane: Influences resistance to various ailments and item discovery.
Players should note that you can redistribute the attribute points during your journey, allowing for flexibility in class development. If growth is unsatisfactory, a respec can enable a different approach.
Comparison of Class Stats
Understanding how each class begins equips players with crucial insights into their strengths and weaknesses. Post-boss encounters, players can respec to refine their builds further. Familiarity with each class early in the game can significantly impact long-term strategies and enjoyment.
For more detailed information on character classes, check out the source here.
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