In Elden Ring, players must choose a starting class from 10 options, each with unique stats, skills, and equipment. The chosen class affects initial playstyle and build but doesn't restrict future choices. Character customization is possible by leveling attributes, learning spells, and acquiring new weapons and armor. The class selection for your first game depends on personal preference, experience, and curiosity, with no definitive answer. To assist in deciding, I'll provide an overview of each class, including strengths and weaknesses, and share the class I chose for my first game and my reasoning.
All Elden Ring Classes
Here are all the classes that you can choose from in Elden:
- Vagabond: This is a well-rounded class that excels in melee combat. It has high Vigor, which increases health, and high Strength and Dexterity, which affect physical damage. It also has decent Endurance, which controls stamina and equipment load. The Vagabond starts with a sword and shield, which offer good balance between offense and defense. The Vagabond is a good choice for beginners or players who want to have a versatile build.
- Warrior: This is a class that focuses on physical damage and speed. It has high Dexterity, which affects damage with fast weapons and bows. It also has high Mind, which increases Focus Points for spells. The Warrior starts with a katana and a bow, which allow for quick attacks and ranged options. The Warrior is a good choice for players who want to play aggressively or use hybrid builds.
- Hero: This is a class that specializes in strength and power. It has high Strength, which affects damage with heavy weapons and shields. It also has high Arcane, which affects damage with arcane spells. The Hero starts with a greatsword and an arcane staff, which offer high damage output but slow speed. The Hero is a good choice for players who want to play as a tank or use magic builds.
- Bandit: This is a class that focuses on stealth and cunning. It has high Arcane, which affects damage with arcane spells. It also has high Intelligence, which affects damage with sorcery spells. The Bandit starts with a dagger and a sorcery staff, which allow for sneaky attacks and versatile magic. The Bandit is a good choice for players who want to play as an assassin or use casting builds.
- Astrologer: This is a class that specializes in magic and intelligence. It has high Intelligence, which affects damage with sorcery spells. It also has high Mind, which increases Focus Points for spells. The Astrologer starts with a wand and a sorcery staff, which offer powerful magic but low defense. The Astrologer is a good choice for players who want to play as a pure caster or use sorcery builds.
- Prophet: This is a class that focuses on faith and healing. It has high Faith, which affects damage with miracle spells. It also has high Mind, which increases Focus Points for spells. The Prophet starts with a mace and a miracle staff, which offer moderate damage and healing abilities. The Prophet is a good choice for players who want to play as a support or use miracle builds.
- Samurai: This is a class that combines speed and skill. It has high Dexterity, which affects damage with fast weapons and bows. It also has high Endurance, which controls stamina and equipment load. The Samurai starts with a katana and a bow, which allow for quick attacks and ranged options. The Samurai is similar to the Warrior class, but with more stamina and less focus.
- Prisoner: This is a class that relies on luck and adaptability. It has balanced stats across all attributes, making it suitable for any build or playstyle. The Prisoner starts with nothing but rags and shackles, making it the hardest class to play at the beginning of the game. However, it also offers the most freedom and potential for customization later on.
- Confessor: This is a class that mixes faith and dexterity. It has high Faith, which affects damage with miracle spells. It also has high Dexterity, which affects damage with fast weapons and bows. The Confessor starts with a rapier and a miracle staff, which offer precise attacks and healing abilities. The Confessor is similar to the Prophet class, but with more speed and less mind.
- Wretch: This is a class that is shrouded in mystery and darkness. It has low stats across all attributes, making it the weakest class in the game. The Wretch starts with a broken sword and a dark staff, which offer low damage and unknown effects. The Wretch is the most challenging and unpredictable class to play, but it may also hide some secrets and surprises.
My Choice
For my first game in Elden Ring, I chose the Bandit class due to my preference for playing as a rogue or assassin in RPGs. The Bandit class intrigued me with its stealth and cunning elements, and I wanted to explore the new arcane and sorcery spells offered in the game. Playing as a Bandit allowed me to sneak around enemies, strike from behind, and utilize magic to confuse or damage them. The class offered a wide range of weapons and items, including daggers, bows, bombs, traps, and potions, providing flexibility in approaching different situations. However, playing as a Bandit had its challenges, such as low health and defense, making me vulnerable to direct attacks or ambushes. Additionally, low strength and faith limited my damage with heavy weapons or miracle spells, requiring me to rely on skills, strategy, and luck to overcome enemies.
Conclusion
Choosing a class in Elden Ring is an important decision that will affect your gameplay experience and enjoyment. However, there is no right or wrong answer, as each class has its own strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages. The best class for you depends on your personal preference, experience, and curiosity.
