Elden Ring Starting Classes: Worst to Best Ranking

Every run in *Elden Ring* begins with a starting class, and there are 10 different options to choose from. Each class offers slight differences in stats or equipment, and I’m here to rank them all from worst to best, helping you make an informed decision for your next adventure.

Table of contents

Best Elden Ring Starting Classes, Ranked 10. Bandit 9. Confessor 8. Prisoner 7. Warrior 6. Prophet 5. Hero 4. Samurai 3. Astrologer 2. Wretch

1. Vagabond Does Your Starting Class Matter in Elden Ring? What Is the Easiest Class for Beginners?

Best Elden Ring Starting Classes, Ranked

10. Bandit

The worst three classes are somewhat interchangeable, but the Bandit truly stands out for the wrong reasons. Starting at a low level of 5 with a main stat of Dexterity, which is already a weaker choice, and equipped with subpar gear, the Bandit is a class that's best avoided altogether.

9. Confessor

Confessors offer too little compared to other classes. Faith is a challenging stat to develop until you acquire the necessary items. Moreover, the starting equipment does not complement early builds or enhance Faith-based damage effectively.

8. Prisoner

Similar to the Bandit, the Prisoner is a less effective version of other Dexterity and Intelligence builds. You start off quite vulnerable, and there are superior weapon options available. If you're aiming for a Dexterity or Intelligence build, you'll find better choices elsewhere.

7. Warrior

Among Dexterity options, the Warrior isn't bad, especially since it starts with two swords. However, there are better Dexterity-focused classes. The Warrior boasts the highest base Dexterity, which helps you approach the soft stat cap, but only by one point, and the gear doesn't justify choosing it over others. Still, it's a better starting build than the previous three.

6. Prophet

Faith-based starting classes can be tough to work with. If you must pick one, the Prophet is your best bet. The spells you receive are decent, but the equipment leaves something to be desired compared to other classes. If you know where to find good Faith weapons, the Prophet can still be a solid choice.

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5. Hero

In the second half of the ranking, the top four classes clearly stand out. The Hero offers significant advantages, starting with a Battle Axe and 16 Strength, which is great for tackling early-game enemies. Even the Ash of War can boost damage. However, the low Dexterity can make meeting minimum requirements challenging, and there's a better Strength-focused option available.

4. Samurai

The Samurai is the best essential Dexterity starting class in Elden Ring. Not only is the armor excellent, but the starting weapon, the Uchigatana, is one of the best in the game. It boasts great scaling, impressive damage, and can easily inflict bleeding on enemies.

3. Astrologer

For anyone looking to play a mage build or use Intelligence, the Astrologer is the way to go. No other class can spam early-game spells as effectively, and it starts with 16 Intelligence at level 6. The equipment you receive is perfect for the role, and if you want to transition to a build combining Intelligence and Strength, this class still works well.

2. Wretch

The Wretch starts at level one with 10 points in each stat and comes with a decent club featuring a great Ash of War. However, the low level and lack of armor make it a challenging start for new players. While it's not ideal if you plan to focus on a single stat, the Wretch is the best option if you want to tailor your entire build or plan to respec later.

1. Vagabond

Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned player, the Vagabond is simply the best starting class in Elden Ring. It offers some of the best stat distribution for early-game builds, a fantastic weapon, and armor you might keep throughout your journey. Thanks to its balanced stat distribution, it's easy to respec or pivot into any other build.

When in doubt, simply pick the Vagabond and you'll have all you need to succeed with a strong class.

Does Your Starting Class Matter in Elden Ring?

Unless you're focused on min-maxing a build in Elden Ring, your starting class doesn't matter too much. Starting with the Bandit might make the early game tougher, but in the long run, you'll allocate your points into the stats you want and can eventually spec into any build you desire. Even if you pick a "wrong" class, you'll only be a few points away from a fully optimized version of your desired build.

And here's a little secret: min-maxing isn't crucial, even in PvP. A fully optimized build might give you a slight edge, but it won't be noticeable unless you're competing against the game's top PvP players.

So, if the Bandit appeals to you aesthetically, go for it.

What Is the Easiest Class for Beginners?

For complete newcomers to the game, I recommend the Vagabond class. Its melee combat is straightforward and easy to grasp, allowing you to get accustomed to Elden Ring's mechanics as you find your footing.

Elden Ring is available now on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.