Elden Ring – What class is right for you?
Elden Ring is FromSoftware’s next iteration in the soul-like series, more akin to a kind of spiritual successor of the dark soul’s series itself. Set in a completely new world filled with lore, characters and challenges alike. There are quite a few changes to the formula this time around, with the introduction of an entirely open-world setting and revamped class mechanics. Early reviews have placed this game as having the potential to be one of the best games of the decade! And having done extensive research on network tests and after playing the game myself, I can’t say that I disagree.
This blog aims to give you all the information you need regarding class selection and playstyle. So maybe, just maybe, you won’t be seeing that infamous ‘YOU DIED’ message 50 times on the first boss.
Your Elden Ring Playstyle
The first question you should ask yourself before starting your Elden Ring adventure to become the next Elden Lord is what kind of player do you want to be? Do you enjoy using powerful blasting spells? Or do you lean more towards incantation and summoning magic? Do you enjoy wielding large strength-based weapons such as battle-axes, hammers and greatswords? Or do you prefer the swift dexterity of short blades and duel wielding katana? Or are you stuck in-between and want that epic spell-sword, battle-mage vibe? Well, stick with this blog because I will be giving you all the information you need to make the right decision!
HUD (Heads Up Display) Status Bars
Vigor – A Red Health Bar that also affects how resilient you are to fire and poison damage.
Mind – A Blue Mana Bar that affects the number of spells you can cast in sequence. The more you have, the more spells, weapon arts and spirit ashes you can use. Mind also affects focus related resistances.
Endurance – A Green Stamina Bar that affects how much you can dodge, jump and block in succession. Endurance is also directly correlated to your maximum equipment carry weight, so keep that in mind.
Player Stats
Strength – Used for wielding heavy armour and weapons. This stat increases the damage of strength scaling weapons.
Dexterity – This is essentially agility. It affects proficiency in wielding Katana, Daggers, Whips, Curve Swords, Bows & more. It also boosts the attack power of dexterity scaling weapons. And last but not least, it affects how easily you are knocked off your horse as well as softening fall damage.
Faith – The stat required to perform sacred incantations. It also boosts the power of incantation spells and faith-based weapons. Faith also allows for the use of fire, dragon magic & healing magic.
Intelligence – The stat required to perform Glintstone sorcery. It also boosts the power of Intelligence scaling sorcery and weapons, as well as improving magic resistances.
Arcane – The stat similar to luck. This stat increases your chances at item discoveries and affects death resistances and can also affect the scaling of certain incantations and sorceries.
Classes
Right, now you have an understanding of the different aspects that make up your character, it’s time to delve into each individual class so you can decide on which one suits your playstyle best. It is also important to note that “Classes of Elden Ring only determine the starting Stats and Equipment of the player, but as the game progresses, players can freely change their build to their preferred playstyle.” – Elden Ring Wiki.
Intelligence Casters – Casting type that uses Glintstone sorcery based spells. Their main attributes are Intelligence and Mind then Vigor and Endurance. You don’t need Arcane or Faith. You don’t need faith due to the class mainly using intelligence-based magic.
- Astrologer – Pure Caster. It starts at soul level 6. “A scholar who reads fate in the stars heir to the school of Glintstone sorcery”
It starts with: A Staff, Shortsword and Shield. The Astrologer has the highest starting Intelligence stat, which makes them great for pure mage builds. Their low HP and low endurance mean you need to get good at dodging as you will be rather squishy.
- Prisoner – Spell-sword hybrid. It starts at soul level 9. “a prisoner bound in an iron mask, studied in Glinstone sorcery prior to sentencing.”
It starts with: A Staff, Estoc and Shield. The Prisoner suits a more hybrid, spell-sword build.
Faith Casters – Casting type that uses incantations and holy spells. Their main attributes are Faith & Mind, with Vigor and Endurance coming in secondary. The unwanted stats are Arcane and Intelligence. This is due to the class using faith-based magic.
- Prophet – Pure caster. It starts at soul level 7. “A seer well versed in heals and incantations.”
It starts with: A Heal Spell, Spear, Shield, Finger Seal (used for incantations) as well as ‘Beast Claw’, which is a powerful beginning spell. Typical cleric starting class.
- Confessor – Hybrid build – It starts at soul level 10 (highest starting level). “a church spy, equally adept with a sword as they are incantations.”
It starts with: A Broadsword, Shield and Finger Seal (for incantations). The Confessor suits a more paladin, spell-sword kind of playstyle.
Dexterity Melee Users – Their main attributes are Dexterity for damage, Vigor and Endurance. They will also need enough Mind to use weapon arts and spirit art summons. All casting stats will be waste stats if you are going for a pure melee build.
- Warrior – The only starting duel wield class. It starts at soul level 8. “a twin blade-wielding warrior from a nomadic tribe. An origin of exceptional technique”.
It starts with: Duel wielding Scimitars and a Shield.
The Warrior has a great overall attribute spread, with the highest dexterity stat to start with.
- Samurai – It starts soul level 9. “A capable fighter from the distant lands of reeds. Handy with a Katana and Longbows.”
It starts with: A Katana, Small Shield, Longbow with Arrows & Flame Arrows!
The Samurai is close to the Warrior in build, as there is not much difference in terms of attribute spread, so you should just choose between them based on ascetics and weapon type.
- Bandit – It starts at soul level 5. “A dangerous bandit who strikes for weak points. Excels at ranged combat with bows”
It starts with: A dagger, Parrying Shield, Short-bow and Arrows.
The Bandit starts with high arcane, so unless you go for a spell build or scale with arcane, you are wasting stat points. The Samurai can be seen as being a better alternative to the Bandit.
Strength Melee Users – Their main attributes are Strength, Vigor & Endurance. You only need enough Dexterity to wield a weapon and only enough Mind to use weapon arts and summons when applicable.
- Hero – Starts at soul level 7. “A stalwart Hero, at home with a battle-axe, descended from a Badlands chieftain.”
It starts with: A Battle-axe and Leather Shield.
The Hero has the highest strength starting stat with 16. Overall the Hero is best for pure melee, no spells.
- Vagabond – It starts at soul level 9. “A knight exiled from their homeland to wander. A solid, armour-clad origin.”
It starts with: A Sword, Shield and Halberd. The Vagabond is great for all-around melee and versatile to allow for playstyle changes. The Vagabond also has one of the best stat spreads with little wasted stats.
Wretch – It starts at soul level 1 – Attributes of 10 across the board. “Poor, purposeless & naked as the day they were born. A nice club is all they have.”
The Wretch is the weakest starting Class in Elden Ring and should be selected by those who want an added challenge in the earlier parts of the game. Not the best for new players.
It starts with: Nothing but a CLUB.
Wield the Lands Between with an Elden Ring Gaming PC
This system is a brilliant value Elden Ring PC.
Takeaways
The Best Overall Class (IMO): Vagabond. You get an attribute spread that gives way for flexibility with the build you want to go with. Also, having strong points in the attributes you want from a melee user; Vigor, Strength & Dexterity. The Vagabond is very user friendly and teaches newcomers weapon switching, a skill needed to succeed in souls-like games.
The Worst Overall Class: Bandit, you get points in stats you may not really want (high arcane). And the Samurai does everything the Bandit wants to do, just better.
Great Builds for a Dexterity Playstyle: Warrior and Samurai. These two are close in attribute spread so you should choose depending on weapon type and aesthetic.
Pure Caster: Astrologer and Prophet. Choose depending on your liking for Glintstone sorcery or Faith sorcery.
Spell-sword: Prisoner or Confessor. Choose depending on your liking for Glintstone sorcery or Faith sorcery.
Bonus Useful Tips:
- Be patient with combat, don’t get greedy. Dodge, attack, dodge, attack and so on.
- Don’t worry if you are stuck; leave and explore, get stronger, and come back!
- Taking notes will help!
Now you should be equipped with all the information you need to decide on what class and playstyle you should go for. If you need a new system or even an upgrade visit our website or contact our sales team to find the perfect PC for you. Now go forth ye tarnished, wield the Elden Ring and become the next Elden Lord!