Elden Ring Classes
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A starting class sets two things: the gear you begin with and how your first levels are already spent. It does not lock you into anything. Every level you earn afterwards goes wherever you want, and the game lets you rebuild your attributes later, so the decision is about your first few hours rather than your whole run.
The twelve classes
The original ten classes are joined by two more. The Heavy Knight and Idus Knight were added with the Tarnished Pack in August 2026 and are included with the Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2.
| Class | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| Vagabond | A sturdy melee start with the highest starting Vigour |
| Warrior | Twin scimitars, which teaches the curved-sword moveset early |
| Hero | A strength-leaning start built around heavy weapons |
| Bandit | A lighter, arcane-leaning start for players who like to open with status effects |
| Astrologer | A staff and a sorcery focus from the first minute |
| Prophet | Faith and incantations, with a spear for reach |
| Samurai | A strong starting weapon plus a Longbow, so you can fight at range |
| Prisoner | A hybrid of dexterity and intelligence |
| Confessor | Faith with balanced strength and dexterity, a comfortable first caster |
| Wretch | No armour and a club: the blank slate |
| Heavy Knight | A heavier armoured start added with the Tarnished Pack |
| Idus Knight | The second Tarnished Pack class, with its own armour set |
Choosing without overthinking it
Pick the class whose weapon you want to hold for the first few hours. If you want to cast, take Astrologer, Prophet, or Confessor. If you want to hit things, Vagabond, Hero, or Samurai will carry you comfortably. Wretch is for players who already know where the early gear is.
Two practical notes. First, the equipment of the two new classes can also be bought from merchants or found in the world, so you can collect the look without restarting. Second, your class only matters while your attributes are low; by the mid-game your spread is the result of every level you have chosen since.
If you are unsure, Vagabond and Samurai are the two safest first runs.