Which starting class is best for you in Elden Ring? Beginner’s Guide

Elden Ring is a class-based open-world RPG that allows players to choose a starting class that best suits their playstyle. You can choose to be a brave dual sword-wielding Warrior, a divine miracle performing Prophet, a sly but stealthy Bandit, or anything else you prefer.  

All these classes have different appearances and stats that can tremendously affect the gameplay, so selecting the perfect starting class is crucial in Elden Ring. Considering that you already know the details of each attribute/stat, let’s take a look at all the classes. 

There are ten (10) starting classes in Elden Ring: 

S. No.	Class	Level	Starting Weapon/Spells	Starting Armor
1	Warrior	8	Scimitar x2, Small Leather Shield	Medium
2	Vagabond	9	Longsword, Halberd, Heater Shield	Heavy
3	Hero	7	Battle Axe, Leather Shield	Light
4	Bandit	5	Knife, Shortbow, Buckler	Light
5	Samurai	9	Uchigatana, Long Bow, Red Thorn Roundshield	Medium
6	Astrologer	6	Astrologer’s Staff, Short Sword, Small Shield, Glintstone Pebble, Glintstone Arc	Light
7	Prophet	7	Finger Seal, Spear, Heal, Oh, Flame!	Light
8	Confessor	10	Finger Seal, Broadsword, Kite Shield, Urgent Heal, Assassin’s Approach	Light
9	Prisoner	9	Estoc, Catalyst Staff, Iron Roundshield, Magic Glintblade	Light
10	Wretch	1	Club	None

1. Warrior

Warrior is the best starting class for fast-paced melee combat in Elden Ring.  

A warrior wields two swords simultaneously. It has high dexterity that allows him to use advanced dexterity weapons. The decent amount of mind makes him suitable for lesser focus point-based attacks as well. Unfortunately, its vigor stat is on the lower side, which means a warrior is ideal for doing heavy damage at a fast speed, but it cannot take much damage in return.  

Vigor	Mind	Endurance	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith	Arcane
11	12	11	10	16	10	8	9

2. Vagabond

Vagabond is the best tank class in Elden Ring. 

It has the highest vigor out of any class in the game, and it starts off with heavy armor, so the players can still manage to stand after taking a few heavy hits, which is incredibly impressive in a challenging game like Elden Ring. 

With its decent dexterity and strength stats, players can master almost all the melee-type weapons in the game and do considerable damage to all the mobs. Unfortunately, a Vagabond lacks good mind and faith skills, so it is not a reliable class if you want to use magic constantly. 

Vigor	Mind	Endurance	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith	Arcane
15	10	11	14	13	9	9	7

3. Hero

Hero is the best strength-based starting class in Elden Ring. 

It has high strength, vigor, and endurance, just like the Vagabond, but it is less tanky because of its light armor. On a positive note, it can do way more damage than the Vagabond using its battle-ax. 

Still, the Hero does not start with a ranged weapon, so initially, you have to take all the fight head-on. It is also not suitable for using magic efficiently. 

Vigor	Mind	Endurance	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith	Arcane
14	9	12	16	9	7	8	11

4. Bandit

Bandit is the best stealth-based starting class in Elden Ring.  

Overall, the Bandit class is weak physically, but it can easily parry against enemies using the Buckler shield. It has decent arcane and dexterity stat that can help you find better loot than any other class in the game, and it also favors the weapons that scale with dexterity. This class comes with a Shortbow for ranged attacks, so it is an ideal class to farm loots from distant enemies. 

Vigor	Mind	Endurance	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith	Arcane
10	11	10	9	13	9	8	14

5. Samurai

Samurai is the best dexterity-focused starting class in Elden Ring. 

If you do not prefer a slow and sneaky playstyle of the dexterity-based Bandit class, then you can go for the Samurai, as it has higher dexterity, vigor, and stamina than the Bandit. Samurai’s Uchigatana and Long Bow are effective Dexterity weapons, but this class is not adequate for magic attacks at an early stage. 

Vigor	Mind	Endurance	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith	Arcane
12	11	13	12	15	9	8	8

6. Astrologer

The Astrologer is the best starting class for decent magic and light melee attacks in Elden Ring. 

It has high intelligence, mind, and dexterity that allows players to do severe magical damage while striking the enemy with a short sword at a closer range simultaneously. Unfortunately, it has the least health among all the other classes, so it can’t take much damage, making any close-range combat seriously challenging. 

Vigor	Mind	Endurance	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith	Arcane
9	15	9	8	12	16	7	9

7. Prophet

The Prophet is the best magic casting faith-based starting class in Elden Ring. 

Just like the Astrologer, it has a high mind stat and light armor, but it has more faith rather than intelligence. As a Prophet, you can cast devastating fire spells and heal yourself using healing spells. A Prophet can also use various incantation spells found or bought throughout the game’s map. If you love to play as a mage, then Prophet is the best class for you but remember to stay away from any close combat as it has low vigor/HP. 

Vigor	Mind	Endurance	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith	Arcane
10	14	8	11	10	7	16	10

8. Confessor

The Confessor is the best hybrid magic and melee class in Elden Ring. 

This class is extremely similar to the Prophet, but it has more strength and dexterity that can prove helpful even in close-ranged combats. The only negative aspect of it is that it does not come with a starting loadout as good as the Prophet. 

Vigor	Mind	Endurance	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith	Arcane
10	13	10	12	12	9	14	9

9. Prisoner

The Prisoner is a decent hybrid class with equal dexterity and intelligence for fast-paced magic and melee attacks in Elden Ring. 

As a prisoner, you can do quick melee and magic attacks simultaneously. So, if you are looking for a perfect balance between these two playstyles, then the Prisoner is the best choice for you.  

Vigor	Mind	Endurance	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith	Arcane
11	12	11	11	14	14	6	9

10. Wretch

The Wretch is the most versatile and challenging starting class in Elden Ring. 

It starts at level 1 with no armor or weapon and a flat 10 for all the stats. This class is created as a challenge for the veteran players of the Elden Ring, and so you should definitely not play as the Wretch if you do not plan on going through hell on earth. 

Vigor	Mind	Endurance	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith	Arcane
10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10

George Martin Might Be Shocked to See Elden Ring Characters Change

About Elden Ring

Elden Ring is a major title released by FromSoftware in 2022, the developers of Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne, and the Dark Souls franchise. Set in the ‘Lands Between’,  players are on a quest to repair the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord.

Shadow of the Erdtree is a full-fledged expansion for Elden Ring added in June 2024. It is a whole new map with new Weapons, Sorceries, Ashes, and Craftables. It is a challenging DLC and as players continue to explore the map, they find surprises and easter eggs left by the developers every day.