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Choosing a starting class and keepsake in Elden Ring can be just as hard as some of the enemies you'll face. Figuring out what type of build you want to use can be a real challenge, especially if you're a newcomer to the Souls genre.
Fortunately, Elden Ring's ten classes bring something unique to the table. Whether it's a unique weapon or starting spells, finding a class that suits your playstyle has never been easier. This guide will delve into why classes matter, breaks down what each class offers, and we'll quickly touch on which keepsakes you should use when starting your journey in the Lands Between.
Updated May 27th, 2022, by Charles Burgar: Now that Elden Ring has been out for a few months, now is a good time to revisist our class and keepsake recommendations. We've updated this guide to include a more in-depth explanation on why each class is worth playing, how it plays in the early game, and the types of builds that align best with that class. Build guides have also been added to each class when appropriate, giving you an idea of how you can build that class in the endgame.
Choosing A Class
Classes in Elden Ring determine your character's base stats and starting equipment. While a class might identify with a traditional role you'd see in other RPGs, FromSoftware titles don't feature item restrictions or dedicated skill trees. A Hero with low Intelligence could become a spellcaster with enough investment, or a Confessor could wield an ultra greatsword if you leveled your Strength stat. Classes do not restrict you in any way.
If there aren't any class restrictions, then why should you care about picking a particular class? They impact two things:
- How you'll play during the early game.
- How you'll min-max during the endgame.
The former is the most important reason, although the latter matters if you're interested in playing PvP at all. A class' starting stats and equipment will influence which gear you'll be proficient with when you start. For example, an Astrologer's high Intelligence means they can use most early-game sorceries without needing to level. You could turn your Astrologer into a greatsword-wielding warrior if you wanted, but it's going to take a few hours of play before you'll be proficient with both.
It's also worth noting that some classes can achieve stat distributions with fewer character levels than others, otherwise known as min-maxing. This doesn't impact PvE much at all, but your character level does impact how PvP works. In essence, you'll be invaded (and invade) players with a similar level and gear progression to your own.
Vagabond
Vagabond Starting Stats And Equipment
The Vagabond starts with a heavy equip load. Unequipping your helmet to lower your equip load is highly recommended.
The Vagabond is the perfect class for newcomers to the Souls genre and veterans that want to make a quality build. Vagabonds feature the highest Vigor stat out of all ten available classes, and they have a hefty amount of points in Strength and Dexterity. This makes Vagabonds adept with just about every weapon you'll stumble across in the early game, including their starting Longsword and Halberd. Should you find a weapon that requires higher stats, increasing your Strength and Dexterity shouldn't be much of a hassle.
Why Choose The Vagabond?
Vagabonds have the ideal stats for quality builds—builds that spec equally for Strength and Dexterity. Get both stats to at least 40, find a weapon that scales well with both stats, and you should be set for your first playthrough. If you're someone who wants to make a spellsword, the Vagabond isn't a bad option either, although classes like the Prophet and Prisoner do this slightly better.
In terms of progression, the Vagabond in the second most beginner-friendly class in Elden Ring, beaten only by the Samurai. You start with two great weapons, a decent shield, and a solid armor set. Remove your helmet, and you have the same movement as the other classes. They can be built into just about anything, use their starting weapons well into the mid and late game, and can easily be respecced into any build you desire. If you don't know which class to play in Elden Ring, the Vagabond is a safe choice.
Warrior
Warrior Starting Stats And Equipment
Rapid sword strikes and dodging are what the Warrior does best. This is Elden Ring's main Dexterity class, featuring the highest Dexterity stat of all available classes. More importantly, Warriors start the game with two Scimitars you can swing or powerstance simultaneously. They deal great damage, strike fast, and are fairly easy to use. And for Souls veterans that want some added defense, the Warrior's Riveted Wooden Shield is great for parrying humanoid targets.
Why Choose The Warrior?
Warriors are great for Dexterity and Dex/Int hybrid builds. Since they have the highest starting Dex, Warriors can reach 40 or 60 Dexterity slightly faster than other classes. This class also has enough starting Intelligence and Mind to use weaker spells as well. If you want to use fast-hitting weapons for your Elden Ring playthrough, the Warrior is a great choice.
Progressing with this class can be tough if you're new to Soulslikes, yet the Warrior's excellent dual Scimitars can carve through most enemies you'll face. Equip one in each hand and use your powerstance combo to cleave through targets. They also have a shield for parrying, making the Warrior a great pick for Souls vets. Newcomers might want to choose a different class for their first playthrough.
Hero
Hero Starting Stats And Equipment
The Hero is Elden Ring's signature Strength class. A starting Strength stat of 16 is enough to wield most of Elden Ring's heavier weapons in the early game, perfect for players that want to crush their foes with a mighty greatsword or club. To compensate, the Hero has rather lackluster caster stats. They might not be smart, but their Arcane stat of 11 should make enemy drops slightly more common.
Why Choose The Hero?
Players that want to make Strength builds should pick this class. Greatswords, clubs, and other heavy weapons will perform well with this class. Just remember that your Dexterity and caster stats are quite low, so don't bother making quality or hybrid builds with this class. Heroes are all brawn, no brain.
Their lack of casting stats can make Heroes rather tough to play in the mid to late game, so consider putting a few points into Intelligence or Faith to get some utility spells. Beyond that, their immense Strength stats makes it easy to use some of Elden Ring's heavier early game weapons, notably the Golden Halberd from the Tree Sentinel.
Bandit
Bandit Starting Stats And Equipment
The Bandit is a high-risk, high-reward class that relies heavily on critical hits. In Elden Ring, critical hits refer to backstabs, parry counterattacks, and hits to an enemy's weakpoint. You start with a knife that has pitiful range and subpar damage per swing. However, it attacks quickly and deals excellent backstab and counterattack damage. To help you land these counterattacks, you have a Buckler—one of the best parrying tools in the game. And for enemies that you can't parry, a few arrows from your Shortbow should soften them up.
Why Choose The Bandit?
Dexterity builds work best with the Bandit, but we do not recommend that newcomers choose this class. Parrying targets is an incredibly risky playstyle that doesn't work on every enemy type. Veteran Souls players that want to mix it up might get a kick out of this class; it plays surprisingly well with Elden Ring's stealth mechanics.
We can't recommend you play this as a newcomer because of how Elden Ring handles bows and stealth combat. You can't sneak past every enemy in the game, and bows are currently undertuned; their damage is significantly lower than melee weapons and spells. Playing this class can be a challenge if you're new, but veteran players can put in some serious work with the Bandit's starting Buckler. Don't pick the Bandit if you're new to Soulslikes.
Astrologer
Astrologer Starting Stats And Equipment
Astrologers are your go-to spellcasters for the early game. They have the highest base Intelligence out of the classes and start with two spells. Glintstone Pebble fires a small projectile with a short cast time, perfect for killing fodder enemies. When you get swarmed, Glintstone Arc can be used to fire a piercing wave of magic at your foes. Of course, you won't always have FP to spare, hence why this class also starts with a Short Sword and Wooden Shield.
Why Choose The Astrologer?
Intelligence builds will want to start as Astrologers. Their high starting Intelligence and Mind are ideal for a classic spellcaster. Find a vendor who sells sorceries as soon as possible, upgrade your staff, and remember to use Spirit Ashes whenever possible. One common strategy is to enter Caelid and grab the Comet Azur sorcery and Meteorite Staff at the very beginning. With this combo, you can create a beam of energy that can melt just about every boss in the game. If you want to play as a glass cannon, the Astrologer was made for you.
Prophet
Prophet Starting Stats And Equipment
The Prophet is a pyromancer and cleric merged into one class. Unlike the Dark Souls series, pyromancies and miracles have been merged into one discipline of magic. This allows the Prophet to start with an offensive and defensive spell. Heal allows you to convert FP into HP, and Catch Flame acts as a short-range flame blast that deals solid damage in the early game. You also get a Short Spear and Rickety Shield for when you need to play defensively.
Why Choose The Prophet?
Most Faith builds will want to start as a Prophet. We also recommend that any newcomer interested in playing a spellsword start as a Prophet. Merging pyromancies and miracles into one discipline has made Faith a powerhouse of a utility stat. You can heal yourself and summoned spirits, deal damage with fire or lightning, and buff yourself with a myriad of spells. With a little investment in Strength, you can even turn this class into a paladin. The starting spear and incantations are solid in the beginning while you work on upgrading your character.
Samurai
Samurai Starting Stats And Equipment
The Samurai is the ultimate martial class. They're similar to the Vagabond in terms of stats, featuring a heavy bias towards Strength and Dexterity. Where the Samurai differs is its starting equipment. This class starts with an Uchigatana and a Longbow, arguably one of the best starting loadouts in the game. The Uchigatana deals excellent damage, can bleed targets, and has a good weapon art. For ranged encounters, the Longbow deals respectable damage from long range.
Why Choose The Samurai?
Quality and Dexterity builds work best with this class, although dedicated Strength builds can also work. The Samurai features excellent base stats and arguably the best starting gear in the entire game.
What makes the Samurai so good is the starting Uchigatana and Longbow they get. The Uchigatana has a fantastic moveset, capable of bleeding targets and stunning foes with its Ash of War. You have a solution for just about every early-game problem the game throws at you, and it's easy to play. If you're new to the Soulslike genre and want a good beginner class, pick the Samurai. And for veteran players, you can get a second Uchigatana right at the start to powerstance two katanas for your entire playthrough.
Prisoner
Prisoner Starting Stats And Equipment
The Prisoner is a traditional spellsword, allowing you to use Dexterity weapons and sorceries with equal mastery. Prisoners start the game with an Estoc, a shield with the ability to parry incoming attacks, and a staff. You also know Magic Glintblade, a spell that releases a magic homing sword after a lengthy delay. Just about every combat encounter can be solved with your starting loadout, and your stats make it fairly easy to wield better early game spells and weapons.
Why Choose The Prisoner?
Dex/Int hybrid builds work best with the Prisoner. Just about any classic spellsword build will work with the Prisoner, and even dedicated Dexterity or Intelligence builds can work. If you're jumping into Elden Ring with an interest in spellcasting, consider playing a Prisoner.
The major downside with the Prisoner is their starting gear. While the Estoc is a solid melee weapon, the Rift Shield and their starting armor set are terrible. Your main damage source will be Magic Glintblade for most of the early game, encouraging you to fight at a distance. Glintblade's delayed activation makes devastating against AI invaders and bosses, but keep an eye on your FP.
Confessor
Confessor Starting Stats And Equipment
The Confessor is a Faith spellcaster that can double as a spellsword. Confessors start with the fantastic Broadsword, a decent shield, and two spells. Urgent Heal is a solid skill for converting FP into HP, and Assassins' Approach can be useful for backstabbing humanoid targets in camps scattered across the Lands Between.
Why Choose The Confessor?
Dex/Faith and Str/Faith builds work best with the Confessor, although pure Faith builds can work just as well. If you're a newcomer, the Confessor is a good choice for experiencing the wide range of weapons and spells that Elden Ring has to offer.
The Broadsword is a solid starting weapon for the Confessor, but you'll want to switch your incantations as soon as possible. Urgent Heal and Assassin's Approach aren't particularly great, although you can exploit jump attacks quite easily with Assassin's Approach against unaware targets. Focus on expanding your incantations in the beginning, and you should have a smooth mid and late game experience.
Wretch
Wretch Starting Stats And Equipment
Wretches are a blank slate with almost no starting gear. You start the game with a ten in every stat and a wooden club as your melee weapon. If you want armor, you'll need to find it. That sounds terrible at first glance, yet the Wretch's even stat distribution makes it a fantastic class for veteran Souls players. Once you learn where the good early-game weapons and armor are located, the downside to playing a Wretch is quickly alleviated.
Why Choose The Wretch?
Wretches work with any build in Elden Ring, although they don't excel at any particular thing. We don't recommend this class to Souls newcomers since you have virtually no gear, but anyone acclimated with previous Soulslike titles can mold the Wretch into whatever they desire.
If it wasn't clear, the Wretch is the worst starting class for the early game. You have no armor, spells, and a simple club. Newer players will struggle playing this. But having a balanced stat distribution does have its merits. This class is incredibly easy to mold into what you wish to play, and it's a great class for experimenting thanks to respeccing. Once you have a playthrough under your belt, you'll be able to counteract the Wretch's downside by knowing where all the good items are in Limgrave and beyond.
Choosing Your Starting Keepsake
When making your character, you get to choose a starting keepsake for your character. Keepsakes are items that grant a small boost to your character, whether in the form of a talisman or a consumable. There are nine keepsakes to choose from when making your character.
Starting Keepsake Options
|
Keepsake |
Effect |
|---|---|
|
Crimson Amber Medallion |
Increases your max HP by 5%. |
|
Lands Between Rune |
A consumable item that grants 3,000 Runes. |
|
Golden Seed |
Increases your Sacred Flask charges by one. |
|
Fanged Imp Ashes |
Summons two imp minions to fight alongside you. |
|
Cracked Pot |
A container needed to craft certain items. |
|
Stonesword Key |
Used to break imp statues, unlocking new areas. Breaks when used. |
|
Bewitching Branch |
A consumable item that charms enemies. Consumes FP, and has five uses. |
|
Boiled Prawn |
A consumable item that grants physical mitigation for a short duration. Has five uses. |
|
Shabriri's Woe |
While equipped, you draw attention from your enemies more easily. |
The Best Starting Keepsake
If you want our opinion on the strongest keepsake, take the Golden Seed. You can use this item at a Site of Grace—Elden Ring's version of bonfires—to increase the number of uses for your Sacred Flasks. This lets you heal or recover FP more often. For Souls veterans, you're effectively starting the game with an Estus Shard. Fanged Imp Ashes are also quite good if you want some strong early-game Spirit Ashes, but we recommend picking the Golden Seed over everything else.