Top 10 Elden Ring Classes Ranked & Tier List - What Is The Best Class In Elden Ring

All classes in Elden Ring provide some great bonus to the player, some maybe more than others and while this is largely down to preference at first for the average player, there are a few standout picks that can carry you through the game's many bosses. For this Elden Ring class tier list, we rank the top 10 classes,  we'll be considering each class' stats, starting gear, and play styles to tell you which are the most worthy investments.

Every Class In Elden Ring Ranked - Best Starting Class Tier List

10. Confessor 

The jack of all trades master of none, despite the dark cloak and ominous title with religious undertones, the confessor is not much to praise. As soon as possible, you're going to want to replace your ace weapon, the sword given to you lacks much luster compared to the other class's starting weapons. But this build is about magic except your starting spells, pretty much suck. The heel is worth it barely and the stealth snake is useless since the regular sneak is generous as is. A confessor may have faith points to spare but not much to use them on in early hours. Although designed to be an even mix of combat stealth and magic, your best bet is to ditch everything but the fantastic starter shield and become a paladin type.

9. Warrior

The hack and slash berserker equipped with double swords, but only average health, stamina and less than average armor. Warriors can unleash multi-hitting chain attacks with their starting swords, but more often than not committing stamina to these big attacks will leave you vulnerable. If you are picking this class, let's face it. You want to stick with dual wielding, so despite the class including a basic starter shield, generally this means a lack of defense in battle plus way more runes spent leveling up your weaponry instead of the much needed stat boosts. However naturally, you will be dishing out a fair amount of damage immediately.

8. Bandit

The archer, assassin, stealth spect experience, being a bandit means tremendous stealth damage though many enemies won't allow this, it is a lot of fun to land and prioritize. This class offers you some ranged attacks out of the gate aided by the multiple flavors of arrow. Where the damage from your knife is only okay, but suitable for quick slashes to whittle down many enemy life bars. Also keeping the bandit out of the is that they start only at level 5. So you have a lot of room to customize initially and they'll find much more loot in the game world due to the highest starting arcane stat.

7. Prisoner

The spell sword, the enchanted knight from this point and beyond, we can classify as a great choice for a class instead of just decent. Starting with a solid thrusting sword paired with a helpful glintstone sword spell, this class is for those undecided want a little taste of both physical and magic moves, want to be able to crowd control with powerful spells, but don't want to miss out on the cool melee weapons you'll loot from foes. Choosing the life of chains may be for you especially when it includes a weird helmet with impressive defense. One which you'll be able to hang on to for a good while. However, splitting your stats between magic and physical, you may take longer to reach your full potential. Being edged out by some of the other magic classes and the rest of those rags gotta go.

6. Hero

The tank of the group, lots of stamina meets lots of health. The hero's kit is perfect for overcoming enemies. Your axe is balanced to deliver average blows at an average speed though its weapon skill of wild strikes can snowball enemies that would be an extreme challenge ordinarily. You are aided further in damage by a very high strength stat and although lacking slightly in the magic category, it's totally fixable. All in all, the decent forgiving class for mistake makers. 

5. Wretch

It has value, the wretch may start with almost nothing but a can do attitude, it's saving grace are the completely even stats in level 1 base. By the time you reach the average level 10, you'll be more powerful than some of the defaults meaning you can build your character perfectly to your liking and perhaps more importantly, adapt to the items and monsters you'll encounter. If you happen to collect powerful magic items or powerful heavy weapon items, you can tailor your wretch either way immediately. But if you're determined to have the typical souls-like experience, this will condition even a beginner to be more careful and practiced. 

4. Prophet

A cleric type, you start with crazy good spells. The prophet can heal too practically full when out of flasks, this takes a second but is so worth it especially during drawn out bosses. Then to style on the haters, wipe out small enemies instantly with the fire snap. The wonderful starting weapon of choice is a spear with impressively long reach, anything that can get close to you can be staggered by this weapon or its skill, so you're always a threat. Every blade has its edge though as for as much damage as you can deal, you'll only be defending yourself with cloth armor to start and the lowest starting stamina out of the classes. You may need to take an extra 5% more care not to run out of resources, but it's an entertaining balance with a unique feel that makes it all worth it.

3. Vagabond

Our classic adventurer all-arounder. This traditional build is for people not too interested in magic. The shield you come with is the goat as they say blocking 100% of all damage, so you have that extra bit of flexibility and taking on bigger foes right away. While vagabonds have no real ranged options off the hop, you do come with a powerful second weapon, that offers a little more reach that you can swap to on the fly. You'll find yourself pretty strong in most stats namely your health and that armor is from the gods. But with a little less initial damage and options than your classes brothers and sisters.

2. Astrologer

The true mage archetype. There's no denying certain spells in Elden Ring are massive game changers and well simple the starter glenstone spells, she's the foes of this game to a fabulous degree. Pebble alone allows you to take down higher level bosses immediately as the game begins. Your starting sword, shield and staff are all just decent while your armor protects logically from magic rather well. Some of the astrologers stats are immense and you're setting yourself up for a smooth ride just by selecting them. Perhaps the best choice for a second playthrough entirely magic focused.

1. Samurai

The one man and or woman army, the visual for your character that this class offers is almost worth it itself. Great weapons and armor to fight a wide range of enemies, both your ranged and melee attacks are equally powerful from the combined efforts of the longbow and katana. Unsheathed is a hella powerful ability to quickly eliminate and stagger a single opponent. To top it off barely lacking in any stat for flexibility, it's a little bandit a little hero, a little vagabond and always a wonderful choice.