Elden Ring Classes Ranked: A Comprehensive Guide

Elden Ring's Starting Classes: A Ranked Guide from Worst to Best

Every journey in Elden Ring begins with a starting class, and with 10 options available, choosing the right one can significantly impact your early game experience. This guide ranks all 10 classes from worst to best, considering their stat distributions and initial equipment.

Table of Contents

• Best Elden Ring Starting Classes, Ranked
• Does Your Starting Class Matter in Elden Ring?
• What Is the Easiest Class for Beginners?

While the Vagabond and Wretch often top the lists, several other classes offer compelling advantages. Let's delve into the rankings:

10. Bandit: This class lags behind due to its low starting level (5), reliance on the relatively weak Dexterity stat, and subpar initial equipment. It's simply not a competitive starting point.

9. Confessor: The Confessor's low starting stats and equipment don't effectively support early-game Faith builds. Faith scaling becomes viable later, but the initial investment isn't worth it.

8. Prisoner: Similar to the Bandit, the Prisoner offers a weaker version of Dexterity/Intelligence builds. Its fragility and less-than-ideal weaponry make it a less desirable choice.

7. Warrior: While offering a decent Dexterity base and two starting swords, the Warrior is outclassed by other Dexterity options. Its slightly higher Dexterity might bring you closer to soft caps, but not enough to justify its selection over superior alternatives.

6. Prophet: Faith-based classes present challenges early on. The Prophet, however, is the best of the bunch, offering decent spells. However, its equipment pales in comparison to other classes. Its viability depends heavily on acquiring strong Faith weapons.

Related: Best Keepsake to Choose in Elden Ring

5. Hero: The top four classes stand out significantly. The Hero boasts advantages like a Battle Axe, 16 Strength, and a helpful Ash of War, making it strong against early enemies. However, its low Dexterity hinders meeting minimum stat requirements, and stronger Strength options exist.

4. Samurai: This is the best Dexterity-focused starting class. Its excellent armor and the high-performing Uchigatana (with great scaling and bleed potential) make it a powerful choice.

3. Astrologer: The ideal starting point for Intelligence-based builds. Its high starting Intelligence (16 at level 6) allows for early spell spamming, and its equipment is well-suited for a mage build. It also offers flexibility for hybrid Intelligence/Strength builds.

2. Wretch: Starting at level 1 with even stat distribution (10 points in each), the Wretch offers a unique challenge. Its club and Ash of War are decent, but the lack of armor and low level make it difficult for beginners. However, its adaptability makes it excellent for players who plan on respeccing or creating highly customized builds.

1. Vagabond: The Vagabond emerges as the best overall starting class. Its balanced stats are ideal for early-game builds, its weapon is exceptional, and its armor is usable throughout a significant portion of the game. Its stat distribution also allows for easy respeccing and adaptation to various 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 some classes offer a smoother start, the ability to respec and adjust stats later diminishes the long-term significance of your initial choice. Even min-maxing, especially in PvP, doesn't guarantee a significant advantage unless you're competing at the highest level.

What Is the Easiest Class for Beginners?

For new players, the Vagabond is recommended. Its straightforward melee combat allows for a smoother learning curve, enabling players to grasp Elden Ring's mechanics more easily.

Elden Ring is available now on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.