Classes

Introduction

Choosing a starting class in ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition is your first real build decision. The game offers 10 original starting classes, and the Tarnished Pack adds two more — the Heavy Knight and the Idus Knight — which are exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 edition. Your class determines your starting stats, gear and spells, but it is not a permanent lock: every class can learn any build, and respecs become available at the Roundtable Hold. The real question the class pick answers is how you want to play your first hours. This section ranks every class for different goals — the best class for beginners, the best for Strength, magic, Dexterity, Faith and Arcane builds — and breaks down the two new Tarnished Pack classes so you can decide whether they are worth starting with.

Starting Class Comparison

Class Deep Dive

Core Mechanics

Your class determines a small set of starting attributes, equipment and spells — typically around level 9-10 worth of stats, one or two weapons, armor, and for casters a staff or seal with one or two spells. Classes matter most in the opening hours because they dictate your early damage output and survivability, but they lose meaning as you level: by level 50 most builds are defined by your chosen weapon and stats rather than your origin. The one meaningful long-term choice is your starting weapon's upgrade level and affinity, which is why the Samurai's Uchigatana and the Vagabond's broadsword are so strong early. The two Tarnished Pack classes differ from the rest by starting with exclusive gear — the Heavy Knight's heavy armor set and the Idus Knight's balanced set are not obtainable anywhere else at game start.

Advantages

The class section makes the game's most confusing first decision into a simple one. Instead of staring at the character creator wondering what to pick, you can see exactly which class gives the smoothest start for your preferred playstyle — the Vagabond for a forgiving melee start, the Astrologer for safe ranged magic, the Confessor for a self-healing hybrid. The tier list also highlights the two Tarnished Pack classes that reviewers and early players have praised for their exclusive gear and strong stat spreads, so Switch 2 owners know exactly what makes this edition special. Since all classes can eventually do anything, the guidance here focuses on early-game comfort and the shortest path to a strong build, which is what most players actually want from a class guide.

Challenges

The main limitation of class rankings is that they are subjective and build-dependent — a class that is S-tier for a Strength tank may be only C-tier for a caster, and the 'best' class genuinely depends on your preferred playstyle. The Tarnished Pack classes are also new, so their long-term build potential is still being mapped by the community; current rankings reflect early access and review information rather than months of endgame testing. Finally, because classes can be respecced and can grow into any build, players who want total optimization sometimes find the class choice mostly irrelevant past the early game — which is true, but the early game is exactly where new players need the most help, so the ranking still serves its purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Tips