'Elden Ring': All Starting Classes Available On Launch

After several years of waiting, the launch of “Elden Ring” is finally within arms’ reach. There’s plenty to experience in The Lands Between. In true FromSoftware fashion, there is no better way to start this new adventure than checking out character classes.

Like the other “Souls”-like games (except “Sekiro”), “Elden Ring” features a number of starting classes with preset stat builds and items. Character customization and build crafting remain freeform, which means that starting classes can transition from one playstyle to another based on the players’ whims. Here’s an overview of all the available starting classes to help players pick the ones that suit them best.

Fighter Classes

According to the information available on the “Elden Ring” Twitter account, there are ten starting classes that can be categorized into fighters, rogues, mages and hybrids.

For strength-based fighters, players can choose between the Vagabond and the Hero.

The Vagabond is similar to the old Knight classes in the “Dark Souls” games. Well-armed and well-rounded, the Vagabond starts with a suite of decent gear and balanced stats that make the class perfect for beginners.

Meanwhile, the Hero class features a barbarian-esque look that favors light armor and heavy axes. This class might suit those who prefer mobility and power over versatility.

Rogue Classes

There are a few typical rogue classes in “Elden Ring” in the form of the Bandit and the Confessor.

The Bandit, clad in simple clothes and armed with a bow, excels in ranged combat and hit-and-run tactics. Meanwhile, the Confessor prefers to solve problems with quick and stealthy melee attacks.

Mage Classes

Players who want to explore the new magical spells in “Elden Ring” have two primary classes to choose from.

The Astrologer, a dedicated student of Glintstone Sorcery, specializes in using arcane powers to destroy enemies with attacks that have a vague resemblance to Soul Sorcery in the “Dark Souls” series.

Meanwhile, the Prophet excels in healing arts, sacrificing a bit of Intelligence in exchange for higher Faith like a Cleric in the previous FromSoftware games.

Hybrids

There are also a few starting classes that have hybrid stat distributions and playstyles, combining two or more combat disciplines into one package.

The Samurai features an STR/DEX stat spread that makes them effective in swordfighting and archery. Meanwhile, the Warrior features a similar stat distribution with a higher focus on dual-wielding melee weapons for faster attacks.

The Prisoner is a bit of a wild card, though official descriptions suggest that this class is skewed in favor of INT and STR or DEX, possibly opening players up for magical fighter builds.

The Wretch

No “Souls”-like game would be complete without a masochistic starter class. The Wretch is “Elden Ring’s” version of the Deprived class. With a base value of 10 in every stat and armed with nothing but their underwear and a big stick, this class is ironically the best for players who want the most build versatility.