Elden Ring
Elden Ring

Starting Class Builds

Create powerful Elden Ring builds. Learn how to develop Vagabond, Astrologer, Samurai, and Prophet starting classes.

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Starting Class Builds

Elden Ring offers a diverse array of starting classes, each providing a unique foundation of stats and equipment. However, these classes are merely a springboard. True mastery lies in evolving your chosen class into a specialized build that suits your playstyle. This section will guide you through optimizing each starting class, offering specific recommendations for weapons, spells, and abilities to help you conquer the Lands Between.

Below, we explore the potential of each starting class, detailing their core focuses and suggesting synergistic gear and abilities for early, mid, and late-game progression.

1. The Vagabond: The Stalwart Knight

  • Core Focus: Vigor, Strength, Endurance.
  • Early Game: The Vagabond excels with its high Vigor and Strength. Wield the starting Lordsworn's Straight Sword or seek out heavier weapons like the Claymore. Consider the Brass Shield for early defensive capabilities.
  • Mid-Game: Continue investing in Strength and Vigor. Look for armor with high poise. Ashes of War like Lion's Claw or Cragblade offer excellent poise damage. The Gargoyle's Greatsword is a strong Strength-scaling option.
  • Late Game: Aim for weapons with S-tier Strength scaling. The Greatsword (colossal sword) or the Prelate's Inferno Crozier are potent choices. For a hybrid build, consider the Blasphemous Blade (Strength/Faith).

2. The Warrior: The Agile Duelist

  • Core Focus: Dexterity, Vigor, Endurance.
  • Early Game: The Warrior's Scimitars are excellent for rapid attacks and status buildup. The Great Horned Tragicality talisman enhances critical hits.
  • Mid-Game: Explore other Dexterity-scaling weapons like Curved Swords or Twinblades. The Bloodhound's Fang is a powerful early-to-mid-game option. Ashes of War like Double Slash or Spinning Slash complement its fast-paced combat.
  • Late Game: A pure Dexterity build can utilize weapons like the Godskin Peeler or the Eleonora's Poleblade (Dexterity/Arcane).

3. The Hero: The Brute Force

  • Core Focus: Strength, Vigor, Endurance.
  • Early Game: The Hero's starting Battle Axe is a solid Strength weapon. Seek out the Great Mace or the Club for early raw damage.
  • Mid-Game: Focus on colossal weapons and heavy axes. The Giant-Crusher or the Greatsword are excellent choices. Ashes of War like Royal Knight's Resolve or Stamp (Upward Cut) enhance damage output.
  • Late Game: Maximize Strength scaling. Consider the Prelate's Inferno Crozier or the Ghiza's Wheel for devastating damage.

4. The Bandit: The Cunning Rogue

  • Core Focus: Arcane, Dexterity, Vigor.
  • Early Game: The Bandit's daggers are ideal for critical hits and bleed. The Reduvia dagger is a strong early Arcane weapon.
  • Mid-Game: Focus on weapons that benefit from Arcane scaling and bleed buildup. The Uchigatana with an Arcane infusion or the Bloody Helice are great options.
  • Late Game: The Rivers of Blood katana and Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear are iconic late-game Arcane weapons that excel at bleed and status effects.

5. The Astrologer: The Arcane Sorcerer

  • Core Focus: Intelligence, Mind, Dexterity (for casting speed).
  • Early Game: Wield Glintstone Pebble and Glintstone Arc. The Meteorite Staff found in Caelid provides a significant early boost.
  • Mid-Game: Acquire powerful sorceries like Loretta's Greatbow or Comet Azur. Invest in Mind for FP and Intelligence for spell damage. The Academy Glintstone Staff is a good upgrade.
  • Late Game: Seek staffs with high Intelligence scaling, such as the Carian Regal Scepter or the Lusat's Glintstone Staff. Explore specialized sorcery schools.

6. The Prophet: The Divine Healer/Attacker

  • Core Focus: Faith, Mind, Vigor.
  • Early Game: Utilize Heal and Catch Flame incantations. The Prophet starts with the Finger Seal. The Godslayer's Seal offers better scaling early on.
  • Mid-Game: Explore offensive incantations like Lightning Spear or Black Flame. Invest in Faith for damage and Mind for FP. The Gravel Stone Seal enhances Dragon Cult incantations.
  • Late Game: Seek powerful incantations like Fortissax's Lightning Spear or Elden Stars. Consider hybrid Faith/Strength or Faith/Dexterity builds with seals like the Erdtree Seal.

7. The Samurai: The Versatile Warrior

  • Core Focus: Dexterity, Endurance, Vigor.
  • Early Game: Leverage the Uchigatana's bleed buildup and the starting Longbow for ranged harassment.
  • Mid-Game: Explore other Dexterity-scaling Katanas like the Nagakiba or Curved Swords. Ashes of War like Unsheathe or Bloody Slash are excellent choices.
  • Late Game: A Dexterity/Arcane build focusing on bleed weapons like the Rivers of Blood or Eleonora's Poleblade is potent. Alternatively, a pure Dexterity build with fast weapons and precise dodges remains viable.

8. The Prisoner: The Spellblade

  • Core Focus: Intelligence, Dexterity, Vigor.
  • Early Game: The Prisoner's Estoc and starting Magic Glintblade sorcery allow for hybrid melee and magic combat.
  • Mid-Game: Focus on Intelligence and Dexterity. Weapons like the Moonveil Katana or the Wing of Astel are excellent choices. Consider sorceries that complement melee, such as Carian Slicer.
  • Late Game: Enhance Intelligence for powerful sorceries and Dexterity for fast weapon attacks. The Dark Moon Greatsword is a top-tier Intelligence weapon.

9. The Confessor: The Holy Knight

  • Core Focus: Faith, Strength, Vigor.
  • Early Game: The Confessor's Broadsword and starting incantations like Urgent Heal and Assail the Storm offer a balanced start.
  • Mid-Game: Invest in Faith and Strength. Weapons like the Coded Sword or the Cipher Pata (Faith-based unarmed) are unique. Consider incantations like Bestial Sling or Flame, Grant Me Strength.
  • Late Game: Powerful Faith-based weapons like the Blasphemous Blade or the Crescent Moon Sword (Faith/Intelligence) are excellent. The Erdtree Seal is the premier late-game seal.

10. The Wretch: The Blank Slate

  • Core Focus: All stats are equal, offering maximum flexibility.
  • Early Game: The Wretch's starting Club is a versatile weapon. This class is ideal for players who want to min-max a specific build from the ground up, as all stats start at 10.
  • Mid-Game: The Wretch can be adapted to any playstyle. Focus on the stats required for your desired weapon, spell, or incantation.
  • Late Game: With careful stat allocation, the Wretch can achieve the same power as any other starting class, often with more optimized stat points for a specific build.

General Build Tips:

  • Stat Soft Caps: Be aware of stat soft caps (typically around 50-60 for primary damage stats) to avoid wasting points.
  • Weapon Scaling: Always check how a weapon scales with your stats (indicated by letters S, A, B, C, D, E). Prioritize weapons that match your highest stats.
  • Ash of War Synergy: Choose Ashes of War that complement your weapon and playstyle, enhancing damage, adding effects, or providing unique abilities.
  • Talismans: Talismans are crucial for augmenting your build. Equip those that enhance your chosen stats, increase survivability, or boost your preferred combat style.
  • Respec Option: Don't be afraid to experiment. You can respec your stats later in the game after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, allowing you to refine your build.