Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Guides

Elden Ring class guide: Which class should you choose?

By

Every Souls game begins with your character creator. Here you’re able to choose your gender, hairstyle, body type, and fine-tune the features of your avatar’s face. Elden Ring’s character creator is probably the most robust yet; however, it suffers from the same issue every other Souls-style game does: Once you start playing, you will almost never see your character’s face. More often than not you will be wearing a helmet, hood, or something else obscuring your character’s head. So while creating a cool character is fun, what’s actually important is which class you choose to play as.

Elden Ring has the most starting classes to choose from out of any Souls game. This can make the choice especially difficult, most notably for people who are jumping into this title as their first Souls-style game. Even those familiar with the games will be shown a ton of numbers and information with little context. Couple that with the strong urge to just make a choice so you can get into the game, and it would be easy to just pick a class that looks cool and hope for the best. Don’t get off on the wrong foot in this excellent open-world adventure. We’ve broken down each class into a digestible format so you can pick the one you will enjoy most in Elden Ring.

Further reading

What stats mean

Before we get into the classes themselves, here’s a quick and dirty overview of what all the different stats mean and do in Elden Ring. This will be important when choosing your starting class, as well as throughout the game as you develop your build.

  • Vigor: This stat determines your total HP, plus a few minor resistances.
  • Mind: Mind is the same as Vigor, but for your FP, which you use on magic and weapon skills mostly.
  • Endurance: This is the big one. Endurance increases your stamina bar, which you use to attack, run, roll, jump, block, and basically every action you take. It also dictates your equipment load, which relates to the total weight of equipment you can wear. This also affects what kind of dodge roll you do, since the lower percentage you fill up your equipment, the better your roll is.
  • Strength: Unlike normal RPGs, Strength doesn’t automatically mean stronger attacks. In Elden Ring, Strength will only make weapons that scale with the Strength stat do more damage. It is also a requirement to equip certain weapons and armor.
  • Dexterity: This is exactly like Strength, only for Dexterity-based weapons. Dexterity also reduces the amount of fall damage you take and can reduce the time it takes for spells to cast.
  • Intelligence: This is your equivalent stat for spells in Elden Ring. You will need Intelligence to learn some spells and increase their damage as well as wield some weapons. It also affects Magic Resistance.
  • Faith: Faith, again, can be thought of just like the previous stats, only for incantations rather than spells.
  • Arcane: This is kind of a worthless stat that affects Discoveries, like Luck in prior games, and improves item drop rates on items better.

Vagabond

The Vagabond class near steps in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The first class you’re shown is the Vagabond, which is appropriate since it is a very balanced class in terms of stats. If you’re just wanting to get a base character and figure out what you want to focus on later, go ahead and pick the Vagabond. It will start out with a longsword, halberd, and shield — classics for the Souls games — no magic, and a decent set of armor. This class is a bit behind in the Intelligence and Faith areas, but if you just love that classic knight style, this is a great pick. Here are all the Vagabond’s stats:

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

Warrior

The classes in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Next up is the Warrior, which is oddly named since it is a Dexterity-focused class instead of Strength. Name aside, the image of the character wielding two swords should tell you that it is all about overwhelmingly fast and aggressive offense rather than defense. It starts with the two scimitars and a wooden shield, but this class is built to avoid hits instead of tanking them. It has light armor to keep you rolling fast, and allows you to power stance right off the bat. It isn’t quite a glass cannon, but close to it. Here are all the Warrior’s stats:

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

Hero

A Hero class standing in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

At this point you should know to just ignore the names. The Hero class looks more like a barbarian or Viking, which is fitting since this is your go-to Strength class. It somehow wields a giant hammer in one hand and a leather shield in the other, has no magic, and not much armor to speak of. This is a class all about hitting first, hitting hard, and ending fights before the enemy gets a chance to hit back. It has decent HP to start, but isn’t going to take too much abuse early on. As long as you don’t mind forgoing any kind of spells, this is your beefy, heavy-hitting class. Here are all the Hero’s stats:

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

Bandit

A Bandit class in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Next up is the Bandit, which may look and sound very similar to the Warrior, but is a bit more versatile than the former. It is still slightly Dexterity focused, but not quite as much, and instead of being super aggressive, it can be played more tactically. The knife and buckler are made for backstabs and parry strikes, but the shortbow is a great tool for ranged options and pulling individual targets from groups. Again, don’t expect to tank with this class, and the weirdly high Arcane stat may or may not pay off. This is a more difficult class in our opinion. Here are all the Bandit’s stats:

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

Astrologer

An Astrologer class in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why wouldn’t Astrologer be a class? What, you expected the magic-focused class to be called something like “Mage”? Jokes aside, this is your high-Intelligence spell shooter. Spells are a little sparse to come by early on, but the class does come with two right off the bat — Glintstone Pebble and Glinstone Arc — plus a short sword to fall back on if you run out of FP or get backed into a corner. Even though sorceries will be this class’s bread and butter, it does have enough Dexterity that you could make it into a decent hybrid build. Just keep in mind that this is a very squishy class, not only because it has low HP but also lower Endurance to keep you from equipping heavy armor. Here are all the Astrologer’s stats:

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

Prophet

A Prophet adorned in yellow rags in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Finally, a class name that kind of makes sense again: the Prophet. Here’s your Faith build, which again is a kind of alternative to magic in Souls games. You might think this is a bad class just looking at the starting gear, some rags, a broken chain around the foot, and weird wooden collar, but in terms of stats it’s not so dire. Aside from healing and fire incantations, this class can hold its own with the spear and shield. Faith incantations mostly buff your character, though there are plenty of powerful offensive ones too, so this is a good one if you want a new flavor to mix with a melee class too. Here are all the Prophet’s stats:

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

Samurai

Samurai in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Yes, there’s a straight up Samurai class in Elden Ring. It isn’t quite Sekiro, but might actually be even better. Aside from that awesome traditional armor, this class is very even in terms of stats, with a slight preference toward Strength. This may even overtake the Vagabond as the easiest class to start with thanks to the stats, and also a katana, longbow, and two arrow types. There’s no shield, which is the one drawback in this comparison, but the katana does inflict bleed damage on enemies. If you’re comfortable enough leaving your shield behind, perhaps coming fresh off Sekiro, then the Samurai is a clean way to transition. Here are all the Samurai’s stats:

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

Prisoner

A Prisoner with a metal helmet in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Is that a Berserk reference? Maybe, maybe not, but the Prisoner is your dedicated spell-casting, light-weapon-wielding class. While that might sound similar to the Astrologer, the Prisoner’s stats are a bit more heavy on allowing you to build up a character that can wear decent armor and hold their own in a purely physical battle. Magic is a great thing for any class to have in their back pocket, and with this class you’re almost already built to toss out a few spells as an opener and then go in for some quick strikes. Just don’t expect to get any incantations with next to no Faith. Here are all the Prisoner’s stats:

  • Vigor: 11
  • Mind: 12
  • Endurance: 11
  • Strength: 8
  • Dexterity: 14
  • Intelligence: 14
  • Faith: 6
  • Arcane: 9

Confessor

A Confessor wearing robes in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Confessor is a bit like the Prisoner, only for Faith, but with even Dexterity and Strength stats. Think of it like your warrior Paladin type: able to swing a sword or mace no problem, but also calling upon a higher power to buff and smite foes. You come packing a decent sword, shield, and catalyst for casting incantations, plus a nice healing incantation. There’s not much this class can’t really get into, with no stat worth noting as lagging all that much behind the others. Here are all the Confessor’s stats:

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

Wretch

A Wretch in his underwear with a club in Elden Ring.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Every Souls game has to have it, and in this case it is called the Wretch. Just looking at this class, you could easily pass it off as being objectivity the worst one to pick. And, on the surface, you’d be right. It starts at the lowest level, has the lowest total amount of stats, and they’re all evenly distributed. Oh, and you are in your underwear with only a club to get you going. But the benefit to this class is that, being so low level, you will be able to level up faster early on. Since every stat is even, you are then free to build your character essentially from scratch to be exactly what you want. Still, this is more for people who are either doing a second playthrough or are so familiar with Souls games that they already know exactly what they want. If you’re new, go with your gut and pick a different class for your first go at least. Here are all the Wretch’s stats:

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

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox loves writing, games, and complaining about not having time to write and play games. He knows the names of more…
The best rings in Lords of the Fallen
The Lords of the Fallen trailer.

Magical rings are nothing new to fantasy or games, and Lords of the Fallen makes good use of these little pieces of jewelry. Unlike armor or weapons, rings are an accessory that gives you passive bonuses as long as you're wearing them. While not as immediately noticeable as other gear can be, some of these rings are quite strong and can do a lot to improve your build and playstyle. Some give straight attribute buffs, while others have more conditional effects, but with dozens to pick from and find, you'll be spoiled for choice. No matter what build you're going for, these are the best rings to bling out your character within Lords of the Fallen.
Best rings

There are well over 50 rings in Lords of the Fallen, and despite your character having 10 fingers, or at least 8 if you don't count thumbs, to wear them on, you have to choose only two at a time. Rings can be found either in chests or by beating special enemies or bosses.
Ring of Nourishment
Health is your most valuable resource in Lords of the Fallen, as is the case with all Soulslikes. You have limited healing options normally, so getting through a tough or new area can wear your character down over time as you run out of healing. The Ring of Nourishment can't replace your default healing but is a great supplement to keep you going and save a few charges. Each enemy you kill while wearing this ring will restore a bit of your health. If you play carefully and smartly, you can use it to completely undo some mistakes. This ring won't do you much good in boss fights, though.
Ring of Gnawing
For the more spell-focused builds, mana is always tough to manage. Unlike stamina, which will automatically replenish itself over time, but require you to rest at a checkpoint or use a consumable item. If you have the Ring of Gnawing, you can get a bit of mana back every time you hit an enemy with a normal attack. This is ideal for builds that spec in both strength or agility and a magic focus since you can swap back and forth as you regain and spend your mana.
Ring of Duty
This is a somewhat boring pick, but if you're a more traditional build focused on hitting things hard and fast, then the Ring of Duty is an easy one to slap on. This simply buffs both your VIT and END attributes to make you that much harder to kill.
Queen Verena II's Ring
If the Ring of Nourishment is a bit too risky for you, you can always fall back on the Queen of Verena II's Ring. This is a simple HP regen ring that slowly ticks up your health over time. If you are patient enough, you can take a break after each encounter to get back to full health before moving on, though that can be quite boring.
Ring of Bones
Lords of the Fallen breaks down your equipment load into four categories: light, medium, heavy, and overburdened. Most players will feel most comfortable at either medium or light burden levels for a more fluid feeling combat flow, but keeping yourself that light is tough without forgoing some armor or weapons. The Ring of Bones can help you sneak under these thresholds by increasing your character's maximum equip load.
Mineowner's Ring
As an alternative to the Ring of Duty, or complement to it if you wear both, the Mineowner's Ring is focused only on stamina. Not only is it a better stamina buff, but it also increases the rate your stamina recovers so you can get back on the offensive as fast as possible.

Read more
How to unlock the Dark Crusader class in Lords of the Fallen
A warrior stands in an Umbral hallway in Lords of the Fallen.

While not a universal rule, most games that fall into the soulslike genre feature different starting classes that dictate how your character will play -- at least early on. In Lords of the Fallen, you will choose between a list of nine default classes, but there are a couple more that aren't immediately available to you. The Dark Crusader is an interesting one, as there are technically two ways to get it, but only one that lets you do your first playthrough as this brooding soldier. This isn't an overpowered class to pick, but it is a great choice if you want a strength and radiance build. Here are the two ways in which you can unlock the Dark Crusader in Lords of the Fallen.
How to unlock the Dark Crusader
The easiest way to unlock this class, and the only method where you can have access to it before playing the game at all, is to have purchased the Deluxe Edition of Lords of the Fallen. While it is disappointing for the game to withhold a class from players who didn't pay extra, the silver lining is that there is a natural way to get the class without spending any extra cash.

If you're playing on a normal copy of the game, unlocking this class will take a bit of work. You must access and fully complete Issac's side quest chain. This involves finding and examining four Umbral stigmas, followed by defeating Issac and claiming his gear from the Umbral realm. The last step is to summon Issac to help you during the boss battle against the Lightreaper. After you've finished this questline, you will be able to select the Dark Crusader when starting a new character.

Read more
Should you choose Aceles or Microbe in Starfield?
Key art for Starfield

Starfield has perhaps Bethesda's best main narrative yet, however, most people will still prefer to spend most of their playtime going through the various faction questlines. Among all the different groups out there that your character can join, one of the earliest and most appealing is the UC Vanguard. During one of these faction quests called "A Legacy Forged," you will have a critical decision to make regarding the use of either Aceles or Microbes to stop the deadly Terromorph threat. The consequences of which one you pick won't be made clear until after you commit, so here are the repercussions of each decision in Starfield.
Should you choose Aceles or Microbe?

The Terromorphs are a created species designed to completely destroy whatever environment they encounter and must not be allowed to propagate. To contain this threat, Abello from the UC Council presents you with two options to destroy the Terromorphs: Aceles and Microbes.

Read more