Elden Ring: Best Starter Classes To Use (& What They Do)

Elden Ring has many players wondering how exactly classes work and what is the best choice for each different playstyle. Much like previous FromSoftware games, classes in Elden Ring provide an initial framework for players to work with while still allowing for plenty of choices regarding the final build for the character.

Elden Ring follows the tendency of previous Souls entries to not “trap” players into a class or role for the whole game. Choosing a class will have a significant impact at the beginning of Elden Ring but not much in a late-game build, allowing two players that start with the same class to end up with entirely different characters later on. However, for players that wish to build a specific archetype or to have early access to certain items, some classes might be preferable to others.

Classes in Elden Ring loosely divide themselves into three categories: physical damage dealers, magic users, and hybrid. Physical damage dealers will often level up Strength or Dexterity as they focus on increasing their proficiency with weapons. Magic users will usually fight from a ranged position, as they use spells as their main source of damage. Finally, Hybrids mix a bit of the two previous styles, becoming somewhat proficient with some weapons while using magic for support or ranged attacks.

The Best Starter Classes in Elden Ring

Physical Damage Dealer Class in Elden Ring

The Vagabond is a great choice in general, especially for new players to Souls-like games, as it is a simple but powerful starting class. It starts with the most Vigor out of all others, which, coupled with the excellent Heater Shield and its starting armor set, makes the Vagabond the tankiest starter class in Elden Ring. In terms of offense, players will begin with a Longsword, a decent weapon to pair with the Heater Shield, and a Halberd, a two-handed weapon that can be very powerful due to its damage and range.

Magic-User Class in Elden Ring

For those wishing to dive into magic, the Astrologer offers a good starting experience. Although this class starts with low Vigor, spells such as Glinstone Pebble provide great damage while allowing players to maintain a safe distance. This class will require players to constantly consider their positioning during combat, as keeping their distance should be their number one priority. However, players who master this class may find themselves taking out some of the most dangerous enemies in Elden Ring without needing to put themselves in harm’s way.

Hybrid Class in Elden Ring

The Confessor is another excellent starting class for beginners as it provides many of the strengths seen in the Vagabond class while adding sustain and utility at the price of a smaller health pool. This class works similarly to the archetypal Paladin, using Faith-based Incantations to sustain itself or gain some other utility while also sporting a solid defense due to its starting armor set and the Blue Crest Heater Shield. The Confessor is almost as effective as the Vagabond during the early game regarding offensive capability. However, its Strength and Dexterity might be a bit lower as it starts with one of the best early-game weapons in Elden Ring, the Broadsword.

Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.

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