The BEST Elden Ring Class Guide (for beginners)

Elden Ring is releasing in less than a day! There are many class videos doing basic introductions to classes, but this guide will help you plan three steps ahead at what BEST FITS YOU in the long run. This guide also shows you classes that have potential to switch over to other builds while still min-maxing, so you won't ever REGRET picking the wrong class from not having PLANNED AHEAD!

Intro 0:00
Attributes Explained 0:35
Knight (strength) 3:45
Rogue (dexterity) 4:02
Quality (strength/dexterity) 4:23
Spellblade (strength/intelligence) 4:49
Spelldancer(dexterity/intelligence) 5:06
Paladin (strength/faith) 5:34
Faithweaver (dexterity/faith) 5:52
Sorcerer (intelligence/mind) 6:10
Priest (faith/mind) 6:29
Conclusion 6:49

[minestone]

"arcane is a unwanted stat" and then from make it the most broken stat in the game

[soyunmaetico]

I would love to see this analysis updated with all we know now. For people making characters for PVP it would be relevant to know which classes fit the most build archetypes or simply have a quick reference for min-maxing each of them. And it would be also valuable for those who enjoy brand new PVE playthroughs once in a while with a new build.

[nuckinfutzsf]

Vagabond is the best class. There are reasons to pick something else but this class is best in both immediate start and long run no matter what build you may decide on or even want to respec into. It doesn't have any wasted stats and it's quick and easy to meet requirements for most weapons especially if you know where to get Radagon's Scorseal. Yes it dumps all three magic stats but starting spells are underwhelming anyway so it's more important to have a weapon you like first otherwise you wanna see what spells are available for yourself if going blind then picking your path between Int, Faith and Arcane.

[nintendofanboy]

I think it’s also worth noting that even for most dex builds, pure or hybrid, that str is not a completely wasted stat. Moonveil, Dark Moon GS, Ritual Spear, and plenty of other good int weapons take more str than the astrologer starts with just to wield. Of course, this was made pre launch, but something to consider for a 2nd playthrough.

[fulgurobaboon]

"Arcane is going to be trash when it comes to combat unless there are items that allow you to specifically make an Arcane build" well in a way you were correct, but let's say your chosing of words didn't aged well
Love your guides, I clicked on this video to see if you were giving the most important advice : if you're not going to stop your character at a kinda low level, it almost doesn't matter what your starting class is (so pick the Wretch !)

[Gakusangi]

My list of good classes include: Astrologer, Confessor, Prisoner, Prophet, Vagabond and Wretch. I picked these because all of them sort of even out in their total level investment across a span of different things. Meanwhile the: Bandit, Hero, Samurai and Warrior all sort of special in one thing a little too hard to not put them a little over when attempting to even their points out. I consider most classes will want at least 40 Vigor, with 50 and even 60 being preferred. This means the heavy Vigor investment of the Vagabond isn't that severe to most builds.

There is a lot to speak for starting equipment and the Vagabond (much like the Knight in Dark Souls 3) kinda takes the win there with the best armor, a longsword and halberd for versatility and a Heater Shield for 100% physical block.

Now if you having a very hyper focused build in something like Dexterity, Samurai and Warrior can look appealing, but remember that that heavier investment is taking away from something like Vigor, Endurance or Mind in the end, where you could have more optimal investments in those while still having a high Dexterity with a class like Vagabond. Bandit, of course is going to be the best suited for Arcane builds to ramp up, but again, you'll find your sacrificing somewhere in some of your other attributes for survival or your Mind for spamming your weapon skills which rapidly drain FP.

All of this came from me researching how to set up and build that (by level 100) could use the widest range of weapons available by simple swapping out talismans and occasional headgear and seeing which classes could have the same stat investments at the level cap I set. All but the Bandit, Hero, Samurai and Warrior managed it, while these classes all ended up going over by 1 to 2 levels. A perfect assessment? Hell no. An interesting outcome though, at the very least.

[mythiel]

Im only focusing on SL 125 - SL 150.
I think its relevant to mention the SL focus aswell when you choose your starting class. As when you go higher the starting class becomes more irrelevant.

After making a few character builds i discoverd that you need to ask yourself if you want to focus on arcane or not. If you want to focus on it Always pick WRETCH. When you dont want to focus on arcane, VAGABOND is the best.

Its kinda the same as DS3 again tbh where you either pick Pyromancer or Knight for the best efficiency statwise.

[chuckchan]

As a general rule, you want to dump either intelligence, faith, or arcane.

Unless you want Moonveil and Comey Azur, dump intelligence.

Every build at the beginning should rush Bloodhound's Fang due to its sheer raw power in the really game. Respec as desired once you crush Renalla.

To quickly crush Elden Beast, you want either a hard hitting pure physical weapon, Shard Spiral, or Pest Threads.

[battledrill]

Spelldancer is what I’m having the most fun with.

[higguma]

Wretch is thee mathematically most versatile class if you account for respecs. The other classes are best if you're making an alt and know your build already.

[unev]

I wish this had more of a pvp focus. Min maxing in pvp focuses the vagabond from my, very limited testing. Health is just too important rn. In this case I'd say vagabond even beats samurai just because every build is a vital gouge build. Nobody asked but maybe this might be useful.

[VenganceAngel]

or just pick wretched. as a guy named Ratatoskr has said, Wretched is a unique experience of scavanging like a madman for pants. unlike class picks where u get gear and go, you become pretty through in looking for anything to replace the club and no armor

[craigslaunwhite]

I started with The Samurai. 1 cause I thought Bows could be viable (wrong) 2 because of Dexterity and Endurance (Armour) 3 because I love the Katana 🏔🇯🇵

[Nexsyana]

Okay hear me out, a lightning build reliant on crits, parries and lightning infusion. Which is dex, great

To match the theme, I also wanna run lightning incantations. Which is fth -.-

[samdooga]

If I wanna play a intel build with tons of damage astrologer is the way to go correct?

[bvwalker]

I think you have a mistake on your chart. Endurance increases equipment load, not strength. I also think strength improves physical resistance and robustness and not endurance.