Elden Ring is, in many ways, FromSoftware's most approachable video game yet. Generous checkpoints, the ability to summon spectral allies, and a truly massive open world all mean players will rarely be beating their heads against the same boss for long.
Given this, and the fact that Elden Ring is arriving off the back of years of hype and a flood of 10/10 reviews, it's not surprising to see that an awful lot of newcomers to these kinds of adventures are finding themselves drawn to The Lands Between.
Veterans to games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne will be immediately at home with Elden Ring. As I mentioned in my own 10/10 review of the game, each of the Elden Ring's 10 starting classes bear enough of a resemblance to classic Souls archetypes that it won't take old hands long to find the build that suits them.
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But what of those newcomers who are looking to get into the action? Which of the starting classes are you best going for? I've rounded up the five best classes for all you newbies out there, ranked from easiest to hardest.
Some quick caveats before we dive in: different classes will suit different playstyles and different types of player. There is no one objectively "easy" starting class. Elden Ring is approachable, yes, but it's still a Souls game at its core. Getting the hang of it will take time and patience - these classes will, hopefully, make that process a little more palatable.
Astrologer
It's long been said by the Souls community that a magic-focused build is as close to an easy mode as FromSoftware ever gets. It's true enough hat powerful ranged spells certainly make a good chunk of enemies and bosses much easier, allowing you to chip away at their health from a safe distance.
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Astrologer provides access to some decent spells right out of the gate, and if you invest enough points into Dexterity or Strength to wield a decent melee weapon for emergencies, you've got yourself a damn decent Spellblade that can get through most encounters with little trouble. Just be aware that not every boss is going to give you the chance to spam magic at them.
Confessor
Described by FromSoftware as "equally adept with a sword as they are with their incantations", the Confessor is a faith-based spell caster with more of a focus on stealth and melee weapons. This one requires a shade more skill than Astrologer, and doesn't come packaged with any worthwhile offensive spells. If you're prepared to invest some time and explore the world a little, however, the Confessor can be turned into a deadly weapon.
Vagabond
The Vagabond is a solid all-rounder for those of you who think spells are for cowards and would rather get stuck in. Keeping the focus on melee action certainly makes the game a little more intense, but learning not to rely on spells in every situation will also serve you better in the long run. Solid starting weapons and armour also makes Vagabond one of the most impressive classes from the off.
Warrior
The Warrior is another melee-focused class with a high Dexterity stat, meaning that you have a wider choice of weapons from the very beginning. The Twinblade, one of the game's best melee weapons in terms of range, speed, and power, can be located in the Dragon Burnt Ruins within the first ten minutes of Elden Ring, and the Warrior can wield it as soon as they've found it.
Wretch
On the face of it Wretch looks like a starting class more tailored towards expert players. You start at level one and have a base skill of 10 for each attribute. You're also stark-naked, and your only weapon is a stick. Not ideal. With that said, any newcomers who are still undecided and have the patience might just find that Wretch's utter lack of definition provides room for them to grow their character in whichever direction they see fit. Wretch is by far the most malleable of the classes, and can become exactly what you want as you continue your adventure.
Featured Image Credit: Bandai Namco EntertainmentTopics: Elden Ring, Bandai Namco