Embarking on your journey through the Lands Between can be an overwhelming experience. From software developer FromSoftware comes a masterclass in open-world action role-playing, but before you can even swing a sword or cast your first glimmerstone spell, you are faced with a crucial decision: choosing your elden ring starting classes list. Your initial choice dictates your starting stats, your baseline gear, and how smoothly your early-game experience will progress. However, unlike traditional role-playing games, your starting class in Elden Ring does not lock you into a rigid path. Instead, it serves as a springboard, giving you a statistical head start toward your ultimate build.
Whether you want to wield massive colossal swords, rain fiery incantations upon your enemies, or sneak through enemy camps with dual daggers, understanding the ten available archetypes is vital. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down every single option on the elden ring starting classes list, evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and help you decide which warrior is best suited for your playstyle.
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Understanding Starting Classes in Elden Ring
Before diving into the specifics, it is important to demystify how character creation works in this sprawling masterpiece. When you select your elden ring starting classes list entry, you are essentially choosing a bundle of starting attributes, a specific weapon, armor set, and sometimes a keepsake.
Every single class starts at a different level. For example, the Wretch starts at level 1 with completely balanced stats and no gear, while classes like the Vagabond or Confessor start at a higher level with specialized gear. Crucially, your starting class does not restrict your progression. A Prisoner can eventually become a heavy-armor-wearing, strength-focused brute, though it will take more stat investment to get there than if you had chosen the Hero. Therefore, choosing a class is really about minimizing the grind for the specific build you want to play during your first dozen hours.
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The Complete Elden Ring Starting Classes List
Let us examine each of the ten archetypes in detail, highlighting their primary stats, recommended playstyles, and ideal player profiles.
1. Vagabond
The Vagabond is widely considered the best choice for beginners on the elden ring starting classes list. Equipped with heavy armor, a reliable sword, a heavy shield, and a halberd, this class offers incredible versatility right out of the gate.
- Starting Level: 9
- Key Stats: High Vigor, Strength, and Dexterity
- Playstyle: Balanced melee combat, allowing for both aggressive swordplay and defensive guard-counters.
- Best For: New players who want a forgiving experience with high survivability. Note that your starting equipment makes you "fat roll" initially, so you must unequip either the halberd or the halberd/sword combo to achieve a medium roll.
2. Warrior
If you prefer speed, agility, and a relentless offensive onslaught, the Warrior is your go-to option. This class starts with dual scimitars, allowing you to slice through crowds and trigger rapid status build-ups with successive attacks.
- Starting Level: 8
- Key Stats: Very high Dexterity
- Playstyle: Dual-wielding combo attacks, dodging, and spatial awareness.
- Best For: Players who enjoy a high-risk, high-reward melee playstyle centered around dodging rather than blocking.
3. Hero
The Hero embodies the brutal, unyielding nature of a barbarian. Armed with a heavy battle axe and a leather shield, this class hits hard and can take a beating, making it fantastic for players who want to stagger enemies quickly.
- Starting Level: 7
- Key Stats: High Strength and Arcane
- Playstyle: Heavy melee strikes, guard breaking, and early-game status effect experimentation.
- Best For: Players aiming for a pure Strength build or a hybrid Strength/Arcane build utilizing bleeding weapons later in the game.
4. Bandit
The Bandit is a tricky, stealth-oriented class that relies on ranged attacks, critical hits, and status ailments. Starting with a shortbow, buckler shield, and a knife, the Bandit rewards patience, positioning, and precise timing.
- Starting Level: 5
- Key Stats: High Arcane and Dexterity
- Playstyle: Backstabs, parrying, bow combat, and applying poison or bleed.
- Best For: Experienced players or those who want to master the parry mechanic and status-effect scaling.
5. Astrologer
Magic is exceptionally powerful in this game, and the Astrologer is the premier choice for aspiring sorcerers. Boasting high Mind and Intelligence, you can rain devastating magical projectiles down upon enemies from a safe distance.
- Starting Level: 6
- Key Stats: Very high Intelligence and Mind
- Playstyle: Ranged spellcasting, kiting enemies, and managing FP (Focus Points).
- Best For: Players who want a classic mage experience and prefer keeping enemies at arm's length.
6. Prophet
While the Astrologer focuses on arcane sorceries, the Prophet relies on faith-based incantations. This class starts with healing magic, catch flame, and a spear, offering a wonderful blend of support, melee, and elemental damage.
- Starting Level: 7
- Key Stats: High Faith and Mind
- Playstyle: Hybrid melee and spellcasting, utilizing heals and fiery offensive miracles.
- Best For: Players who want to play a holy warrior, healer, or fire-wielding zealot.
7. Samurai
The Samurai is another fan-favorite entry on the elden ring starting classes list. Starting with the Uchigatana (one of the best katanas in the game), a longbow, and sturdy armor, this class is an absolute powerhouse from minute one.
- Starting Level: 9
- Key Stats: High Dexterity, Endurance, and Vigor
- Playstyle: Swift katana slashes, ranged bow sniping, and building up bleed damage.
- Best For: Both beginners and veterans who want incredible starting gear and high early-game damage output.
8. Prisoner
The Prisoner is a unique hybrid class that bridges the gap between melee combat and glintstone sorcery. Wearing an iron mask, this class starts with an estoc (thrusting sword) and the magic glintblade spell.
- Starting Level: 9
- Key Stats: Balanced Dexterity and Intelligence
- Playstyle: Tactical spell-assisted melee combat, poking enemies with thrusting weapons while delayed spells catch them off guard.
- Best For: Players who want a sophisticated spellblade build with high skill ceilings.
9. Confessor
The Confessor is a covert operative gifted in both physical combat and incantations. Starting with a broadsword, a kite shield, and spells that allow you to heal and sneak silently, this class is extraordinarily self-sufficient.
- Starting Level: 10
- Key Stats: Balanced across physical and faith attributes
- Playstyle: Stealth, defensive swordplay, and utility/healing incantations.
- Best For: Players who want a Paladin-style character or value the utility of stealth and healing without committing to a pure mage build.
10. Wretch
The ultimate blank slate. The Wretch starts at level 1 with all stats at 10, completely naked, and wielding only a club. There is no predetermined gear, meaning every single piece of equipment you wear must be scavenged.
- Starting Level: 1
- Key Stats: Exactly 10 in every attribute
- Playstyle: Absolute freedom, improvisational combat, and high customizability.
- Best For: Masochists, seasoned Soulsborne veterans, and players who want complete control over their exact stat distribution without any "wasted" points.
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How to Choose the Right Class for Your Build
Choosing from the elden ring starting classes list boils down to answering one fundamental question: What kind of weapon or combat style do you want to use by the end of the game?
If you want to wield massive hammers and axes, pick the Hero or Vagabond. If you prefer lightning-fast katanas and curved swords, the Samurai or Warrior will give you a head start. If casting spells from afar sounds appealing, go with the Astrologer or Prophet.
Furthermore, do not underestimate the value of Keepsakes. When creating your character, you can choose a starting item such as the Golden Seed (which grants an extra Flask of Crimson/Cerulean Tears) or the Stonesword Key. Pairing the right class with the right keepsake will make the opening hours of your adventure significantly more manageable.
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Conclusion
Ultimately, your choice from the elden ring starting classes list is just the prologue to your grand adventure. Every class can eventually wield every weapon and cast every spell if you invest enough runes into leveling up your attributes. Choose the archetype that matches your aesthetic and immediate combat preferences, step out into Limgrave, and prepare to die, learn, and conquer.
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Q: Does my starting class lock me into a specific character build for the rest of the game?
A: No, not at all. Elden Ring features an extremely flexible leveling system. Once you unlock the ability to spend runes to level up, you can allocate your points into any stat you desire. A starting Astrologer can eventually become a heavy-armor-wearing melee tank, though it will take more stat investment than if you had started as a Vagabond.
Q: Which class on the elden ring starting classes list is best for absolute beginners?
A: The Vagabond and the Samurai are widely regarded as the best choices for beginners. The Vagabond offers heavy armor, a strong shield for guard-counters, and a lot of health. The Samurai provides one of the best early-game weapons (the Uchigatana) with innate bleed damage and a ranged bow option.
Q: What is the benefit of picking the Wretch starting class?
A: The Wretch starts at level 1 with all stats evenly distributed at 10 and no armor or gear except a wooden club. The primary benefit is complete freedom; you have no "wasted" stat points in attributes you might not want later, making it the most optimal choice for hyper-optimized builds, alongside offering a pure survivalist challenge.
Q: Can I change my starting class later in the game?
A: No, you cannot change your starting class once your character is created. However, you can eventually respect your character's attribute points using a rare item called a Larval Tear, which allows you to completely reallocate all the levels you have gained.
Q: How do starting stats affect late-game scaling?
A: Starting stats determine your baseline attributes and minimum level. Because higher-level classes have more points invested in stats you might not use (for example, a Samurai having points in mind or arcane that a pure dexterity build might not need), they are slightly less "stat-efficient" for hyper-optimized end-game builds, though the difference is negligible for 99 percent of players.
Q: Are magic-based starting classes too difficult to play early on?
A: Magic classes like the Astrologer and Prisoner are actually quite powerful early in the game because they allow you to defeat dangerous enemies and bosses from a safe distance. However, you will need to manage your Focus Points (FP) carefully and balance your flask distribution between health and mana.
