Elden Ring starting classes: original class comparison and build direction
Compare the ten launch classes by opening equipment and play style.
Edition covered
Original Elden Ring base campaign and its ten launch classes. Shadow of the Erdtree, Nightreign and Tarnished Pack additions are outside these guides. Publisher screenshots illustrate the base-game world and are not patch-specific demonstrations.
Choose equipment you want to practice
Your class fixes the opening stats and equipment, not a permanent profession. Vagabond is a straightforward shield-and-melee start; Samurai brings a katana and bow; Astrologer begins with sorcery. Pick a toolset that sounds enjoyable rather than assuming a popular endgame weapon demands a particular class.
Compare the original ten classes
The table covers the original launch roster. Later Tarnished Pack classes are outside this page. A class that begins with fewer items is not automatically easier: Wretch provides flexibility through a minimal opening, but also asks you to find protection and a broader set of tools.
| Class | Starting focus | Notable tool |
|---|---|---|
| Vagabond | Armored melee | Longsword, halberd and shield. |
| Warrior | Dexterity melee | Two scimitars. |
| Hero | Strength melee | Battle axe and shield. |
| Bandit | Critical attacks and dexterity | Dagger and shortbow. |
| Astrologer | Intelligence sorcery | Staff and glintstone spells. |
| Prophet | Faith incantations | Sacred seal and incantations. |
| Samurai | Melee with ranged backup | Uchigatana and longbow. |
| Prisoner | Dexterity and Intelligence | Estoc and staff. |
| Confessor | Melee and Faith | Broadsword, shield and seal. |
| Wretch | Minimal equipment | Club and a level-one start. |
Spend early levels on a coherent purpose
Meet a weapon’s requirements and invest in survivability before buying small damage increases across unrelated stats. Vigor is useful to every opening. A caster also needs enough FP and the correct catalyst, while a heavily equipped fighter should check load before adding another shield or weapon.
| Attribute | Primary use | Decision to make |
|---|---|---|
| Vigor | Maximum HP | Can you survive long enough to learn the fight? |
| Mind | Maximum FP | Do spells or skills exhaust your focus too quickly? |
| Endurance | Stamina and equipment load | Do you need more actions or a lighter load category? |
| Strength / Dexterity | Weapon requirements and scaling | Read the equipped weapon before choosing a damage stat. |
| Intelligence / Faith | Many spells and their scaling | Choose sorcery, incantations or a deliberate hybrid. |
| Arcane | Specific scaling and other effects | Invest when the selected equipment or spell calls for it. |
Review equipment load after every change
All equipped armaments contribute weight, even when not currently held. If a Vagabond feels sluggish, unequip one starting weapon and inspect the load label. Aim for a comfortable dodge category before chasing a heavier armor set. Inventory items that are merely carried do not create the same equipment-load problem.
Changing your future build is possible; your starting class does not lock away another class’s equipment.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Bandai Namco: starting classes | en.bandainamcoent.eu |
| Bandai Namco: combat and weapon upgrades | www.bandainamcoent.com |
| Bandai Namco: Elden Ring starter guide | en.bandainamcoent.eu |