In Elden Ring, when you start a new game, you’ll have to create a character. One of the choices you’ll have to make is what starting class you want be. In the long run, it won’t effect your character too much, but it can help you at the start of the game.

When you level up in Elden Ring, you’re free to put your attribute points into any attribute that you desire. The starting classes are more of a guidance than something set in stone.

What Are the Best Starting Classes in Elden Ring?¶

There are ten classes to choose from, Vagabond, Warrior, Hero, Bandit, Astrologer, Prophet, Samurai, Prisoner, Confessor, and Wretch. Each of these are better suited to a specific playstyle. For example, Vagabond has the highest VIG amongst the other classes whilst also having decent STR and DEX at the cost of low INT/FTH.

So the Vagabond would be be ideal for someone who wanted a class with a bit more survivability that can still deal some good damage due to its highish STR/DEX. On the other hand, if magic was your preferred playstyle, an Astrologer would be a better fit.

Vagabond¶

…A Knight exiled from their homeland to wander,
A solid, armor-clad origin…

Starting Attributes¶

The Vagabond is a durable class, and well-suited to any melee setup mainly thanks to its high VIG and decent STR and DEX. Whist it is strong in the melee department, it lacks in the magical department although a few points into INT or FTH will provide them with some basic magic and healing spells. It’s worth noting that it has access to a 100% physical damage reduction shield.

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Warrior¶

A twinblade wielding warrior from a nomadic tribe. An origin of exceptional technique.

Starting Attributes¶

The warrior had medium physical stats, and high DEX making it a more agile and aggressive class than the other classes. This class excels at dodging, and melee-based gameplay.

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Hero¶

A stalwart Hero, at home with a battleaxe, descended from a badlands chieftain.

Starting Attributes¶

The Hero is your typical hard hitting melee build with high STR and medium VIG with every other stat on the lower side. It comes equipped with an Axe and a Shield to help it overpower its enemies. This playstyle is more of a slower, hard-hitting class.

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Bandit¶

A dangerous bandit who strikes for weak points. Excels at ranged combat with bows.

Starting Attributes¶

The Bandit is a specialized melee/ranged hybrid that favors DEX weapons. The most notable thing about the Bandit is its high ARC stat which makes it more like a Treasure Hunter type class as ARC increases the discovery stat which increases the chance of the enemies dropping loot on their corpse amongst other stuff.

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Astrologer¶

A scholar who reads fate in the stars. Heir to the school of glintstone sorcery.

Starting Attributes¶

The Astrologer is your typical Mage class. If you want a preset of a magic class, this is it. It has high INT and MND with medium DEX, at a cost of almost all other physical stats. If you like classes that have a ‘glass cannon’ playstyle, Astrologer will be the perfect fit.

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Prophet¶

A seer ostracized for inauspicious prophecies. Well versed in healing incantations.

Starting Attributes¶

The Prophet has high FTH which lets them cast Incantation spells which are, but not limited to, Healing, Curing status effects, and Pyromancy. They have decent physical stats which gives them a bit more staying power compared to the Astrologer. If you like the playstyle of a more support based class who can still deal lots of damage, this is for you.

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Samurai¶

A capable fighter from the distant land of reeds. Handy with Katana and Longbows.

Starting Attributes¶

The Samurai is another hybrid melee/ranged class, but it’s a bit more durable than the Bandit. It has high DEX and favors specialized DEX weapons like Katanas. If you want a well balanced durable class that can play from range as well as melee, Samurai will fit that playstyle.

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Prisoner¶

A prisoner bound in an iron mask. Studied in glintstone sorcery, having lived among the elite prior to sentencing.

Starting Attributes¶

The Prisoner is a melee/mage hybrid. They have a weapon in one hand with a Staff in the other. They have highish DEX, and INT whilst the rest of the stats are average. If you want more of a Battlemage playstyle, Prisoner will fill that role.

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Confessor¶

A church spy adept at covert operations. Equally adept with a sword as they are with incantations.

Starting Attributes¶

The Confessor is another melee/mage hybrid that relies on Incantations instead of Sorcery. They have balanced stats across the board that don’t have any glaring weakness, but don’t have anything special although they do have decent FTH. If you want to have a battlemage playstyle that has a more support/fire orientated feel to them, then Confessor should be your pick.

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Wretch¶

A poor purposeless and naked as they day they were born. A nice club is all they have.

Starting Attributes¶

The Wretch class starts at level 1 and has 10 across the board for all of its stats. You’ll normally pick this class if you want to min/max as no points have been wasted in ‘useless’ stats, and is recommended for experienced players or Dark Souls veterans.

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What is the best starting class?¶

If you’re new to the Souls series, or Elden Ring. Vagabond or Samurai will be the most forgiving. Vagabond because you have higher VIG which’ll give you more health, and they have high physical stats which allows them to take a couple of more hits. Samurai loses a bit of the durability the Vagabond has, but they can engage enemies from a distance due to their high DEX which allows them to be good with a bow.

Astrologer could also be a good pick as well due to magic being generally strong, and you can fight at range. The only problem with them is they can’t take too many hits before dying so some investment into VIG may help you out.

If you’re a Souls veteran, then you’ll most likely go with Wretch so you can min/max every attribute point to make sure none is wasted in unwanted stats.