Every run in Elden Ring begins with a starting class, and there are 10 different options to choose from. Each class offers unique stats and equipment, and I’m going to rank them all from worst to best.
Table of contents
Best Elden Ring Starting Classes, Ranked10. Bandit9. Confessor8. Prisoner7. Warrior6. Prophet5. Hero4. Samurai3. Astrologer2. Wretch1. VagabondDoes Your Starting Class Matter in Elden Ring?What Is the Easiest Class for Beginners? Best Elden Ring Starting Classes, Ranked
10. Bandit
The bottom three classes are closely matched, but the Bandit stands out as the least favorable. Starting at a low level of 5 with a focus on Dexterity—a stat that's already weak—combined with subpar equipment, makes the Bandit a class to avoid.
9. Confessor
Confessors don't offer much compared to other classes. Faith is a challenging stat to build up without specific items, and their starting equipment doesn't enhance early builds or Faith-based damage effectively.
8. Prisoner
Similar to the Bandit, the Prisoner is a less effective version of other Dexterity and Intelligence builds. Starting off fragile and with suboptimal weapons, players looking for Dex or Intelligence should seek better options.
7. Warrior
Among Dexterity options, the Warrior isn't terrible, especially since it starts with two swords. However, there are superior Dexterity choices. While it has the highest base Dexterity, which helps reach the soft stat cap, the gear doesn't justify choosing it over others. Still, it's a better starting build than the previous three.
6. Prophet
Faith-based classes can be tough to work with, but if you must choose one, the Prophet is the best option. The spells are decent, but the equipment lags behind others. If you know where to find good Faith weapons, the Prophet can still be a viable choice.
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5. Hero
In the top half of the rankings, the Hero offers significant advantages. Starting with a Battle Axe and 16 Strength is excellent for tackling early-game enemies, and the Ash of War boosts damage. However, the low Dexterity can make meeting minimum requirements challenging, and there's a better Strength option available.
4. Samurai
The Samurai is the top Dexterity starting class in Elden Ring. With fantastic armor and the Uchigatana—a weapon with great scaling, impressive damage, and the ability to cause bleeding—it's an excellent choice.
3. Astrologer
For those interested in mage builds or using Intelligence, the Astrologer is the way to go. It can spam early-game spells effectively, starting with 16 Intelligence at level 6. The equipment is perfect for this class, making it ideal for pure mage builds or transitioning to Intelligence and Strength builds.
2. Wretch
The Wretch starts at level one with 10 points in each stat and a decent club with a great Ash of War. However, the lack of armor and low level make it a challenging start for new players. It's not ideal if you plan to focus on a single stat, but it's the best option for tailoring your entire build or if you plan to respec.
1. Vagabond
The Vagabond is the best starting class in Elden Ring, suitable for both new and experienced players. It offers excellent stat distribution for early-game builds, a fantastic weapon, and armor that can last throughout your journey. Its versatility makes it easy to respec or pivot into any other build.
When in doubt, choose the Vagabond for a solid foundation to succeed.
Does Your Starting Class Matter in Elden Ring?
Unless you're aiming to min-max your build, your starting class in Elden Ring doesn't significantly impact your gameplay. Starting with a less optimal class like the Bandit might make the early game tougher, but you'll eventually allocate points to your preferred stats and achieve the build you want. Even in PvP, min-maxing offers only a slight advantage, noticeable only against top-tier players.
So, if the Bandit's aesthetic appeals to you, feel free to choose it.
What Is the Easiest Class for Beginners?
For complete newcomers, I recommend the Vagabond class. Its straightforward melee combat allows you to quickly grasp Elden Ring's mechanics as you learn the game.
Elden Ring is available now on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
