Elden Ring: Which starting class is best for you?
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Bandit
- Level 5
- Vigor: 10
- Mind: 11
- Endurance: 10
- Strength: 9
- Dexterity: 13
- Intelligence: 9
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 14
The Bandit is probably one of the harder beginning classes in the game and a big reason for that is you only begin at level 5. This is both a blessing and a curse because you’re weak early on but you also have lots of freedom to manage your own stats early on. The Bandit is meant to be Elden Ring’s stealth class and with the game’s focus on sneaking, a stealth build can be viable. But it won’t be easy. The Bandit specializes in bows as you sneak around and pick off enemies in the open world. You can finish them off with a deadly backstab with your dagger. That said, it’s hard to sneak up on bosses so you might struggle early on.
Astrologer
- Level 6
- Vigor: 9
- Mind: 15
- Endurance: 9
- Strength: 8
- Dexterity: 12
- Intelligence: 16
- Faith: 7
- Arcane: 9
The Astrologer is the best starting class for those who know they want to focus on spellcasting or summoning. With 15 starting points in Mind, you have a good number of Focus Points early on. You’ll be able to summon spirit allies to fight alongside you and cast a good amount of spells. The astrologer begins with a staff, small shield and short sword for if an enemy gets too close.
Prophet
- Level 7
- Vigor: 10
- Mind: 14
- Endurance: 8
- Strength: 11
- Dexterity: 10
- Intelligence: 7
- Faith: 16
- Arcane: 10
The Prophet is another spellcasting class, but unlike the Astrologer, the higher Faith leans them more towards healing and utility spells. They’ve also got a bit more Strength and Vigor, so they can hold their own in melee combat. There’s not a huge difference between Prophet and Astrologer, but both are meant to go down the spellcasting path.
Samurai
- Level 9
- Vigor: 12
- Mind: 11
- Endurance: 13
- Strength: 12
- Dexterity: 15
- Intelligence: 9
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 8
The Samurai is another flexible character base with the added benefit that they begin the game with a bow. This is incredibly useful early on as you can inflict some damage at range on some of the stronger enemies before finishing them off melee. This is a cool hybrid class early on that can go down multiple paths as you progress.