Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - Best Starting Class to Choose

Best Starting Class to Choose in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (SotET)

When choosing your starting class in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (SotET), it is important to consider the type of build your character will adopt throughout the game. Doing so allows you to focus on key stats that your character should raise as they level up which will give them access to weapons, armor, spells, and abilities to use these to their fullest potential.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Best Character Builds

Starting class cannot be changed after starting the game.

Note that your chosen starting class is permanent and cannot be changed at any point after you start of the game. Be sure to select the class which best suits your playstyle that you are willing to stick through in the entirety of the main story.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Permanent Events

Summary of Initial Stats for Each Class

Below is a summary of all initial stats for each starting class. Numbers in green represent stats with the highest value across all starting classes. Stat value in red, meanwhile, are those that represent the lowest out of all characters.

Classes start at varying levels based on the spread of their initial stats. Keep in mind that the character with the highest starting level (Confessor) does not necessarily mean it is the strongest class at the start of the game.

Recommended Class for Beginners

Vagabond

For players news to the Souls series’ and Souls-like style of games, it is generally recommended to go with the Vagabond class. This starting character boasts the highest starting HP in the game thanks to having the most Vigor out of all the starting classes.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Stat Progression Guide for Beginners

The Vagabond class also enjoys a good balance of Strength and Dexterity, giving beginners the choice of maining Strength- or Dexterity-scaling melee weapons. The excellent split between the two stats is also ideal for Quality builds who prefer armaments that benefit from both Strength and Dexterity.

Initial Stats

It should also be noted that the Vagabond class has decent amounts of Intelligence and Faith to dabble in a few Spells and Incantations for a little versatility. Beginners will then be able to complement their offensive tools by being able to cast weapon buffs to exploit enemy weaknesses, ranged spells for more offensive reach, or even healing magic for better survivability.

Recommended Classes for Specific Builds

Pure Strength Build

The Pure Strength Build focuses on the use of slow-hitting heavy weapons such as colossal swords, axes, hammers, and clubs that primarily scale with Strength. The best starting classes to choose for this build are the Hero and Vagabond, owing to their high initial Strength stats. Both of these characters also boast high Vigor which complements their tendency to trade blows with opponents.

Initial Stats

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Best Strength Builds for PvE

Dexterity Build

The Dexterity Build suits characters preferring melee weapons with normal to fast swing speed as well as bows. Among the best close-range armaments available for Dexterity Builds are daggers, straight swords, spears, and katanas which they are able to dual-wield effectively. The Warrior and Samurai starting classes are excellent choices for the Dexterity Build because of their high Dexterity stats.

Initial Stats

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Best Dexterity Builds for PvE

Quality (Strength + Dexterity) Build

The Quality Build strives for a balance between Strength and Dexterity and is one of the most popular melee-focused builds in the Souls series. This character build favors weapons that scale with both Strength and Dexterity such as various swords, spears, and a few select arms. The best starting classes for Quality Builds are the Vagabond and Samurai who both boast a good mix of Strength and Dexterity.

Initial Stats

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Best Quality Builds for PvE

Sorcery (Intelligence) Build

The Sorcery Build aims to have high levels of Intelligence to be able to cast powerful offensive spells while complementing it with melee weapons on-hand for close-range situations. Mage Builds tend to be among the most experimented-on character types due to the interesting playstyles that arise from the synergy between spells, incantations, and weapons. Players going for a Mage Build should consider choosing the Astrologer or Prisoner starting classes that have high Mind and Intelligence. The Astrologer, particular, possesses the highest initial starting Mind stat which affects the maximum number of spell uses in the game.

Initial Stats

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Best Sorcery Builds for PvE

Faith Build

The Faith Build takes advantage of being able to cast healing and protective incantations alongside wielding their melee weapon of choice effectively. Arms that scale with a combination of Faith and either Strength or Dexterity are (Faith + Strength or Faith + Dexterity) which are quite varied in terms of weapon type. The best starting classes for the Cleric Build are Prophet and the Confessor who have the highest and second-highest initial Faith stats respectively.

Initial Stats

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Best Faith Builds for PvE

Should I Choose the Wretch as a Starting Class?

Not recommended for beginners.

The Wretch starts out at level 1 and has an equal allocation of 10 points to each of their initial stats. It is generally not recommended to choose the Wretch as a starting class, especially if you are new to the game because of their lack of any real strengths across the board.

Choose the Wretch if you are looking for a challenge.

One reason to begin the game as a Wretch is to give yourself a true challenge. Many serious players purposefully choose such a starting character to beat the game without leveling up as an exhibition of patience, equipment optimization, sheer skill, or all of the mentioned qualities against bosses even well beyond NG+.

Other more demanding conditions such as not dying or beating the game at the fastest time possible are also sometimes imposed to make the feat even more impressive. If you are up for these kinds of handicaps, you can choose this class.

Initial Stats

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Recommended Article List

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Guides

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DLC Side Quest Walkthroughs

DLC New Weapon Classes

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