In FromSoftware's Dark Souls, a player's build is everything, so they have to choose their starting class wisely. Fans of Souls-like games are often drawn to the class-focused character optimization side of the genre, which is why it's great to see Elden Ring bringing a class system of its own to the table. Just like its predecessors, Elden Ring asks players to choose a class that will determine the combat options available for the rest of the game.
FromSoftware hasn't gone into overwhelming detail about Elden Ring's classes, but thanks to the game's network test fans have a sense of how some of its classes handle and where their strengths and weaknesses lie. Elden Ring has five confirmed classes so far: the Warrior, the Enchanted Knight, the Prophet, the Champion, and the Bloody Wolf. Each of these classes fills in a broad archetype with a unique playstyle. Some are beginner-friendly, while others reward the skillsets of Dark Souls veterans, meaning Elden Ring has something for everyone.
The Warrior
Elden Ring fans interested in dealing damage quickly should consider playing the Warrior, Elden Ring's class with the most Dexterity. Warriors start the game with two scimitars, which encourage players to dual wield; the class' twin weapon mean it has some impressive DPS. While Warriors are powerful, they're not for the faint of heart. Players who dual wield in Elden Ring will lack a shield to block and parry with, and a Warrior's middling base Strength keep it from using heavy armor. Still, Warrior players who master their own mobility and pick up a strong bow will be rewarded.
The Enchanted Knight
Fans of spellcasting and heavy armor will probably enjoy Elden Ring's Enchanted Knight. This class has high Strength, allowing it to wear heavy armor and use melee weapons effectively, making it reliable in combat. At the same time, Enchanted Knights start with a staff and have high base Intelligence to empower its Sorceries, as well as a high Mind stat that gives it lots of FP to spend on casting Sorceries like Glintstone Pebble. Between melee power and spellcasting, the Enchanted Knight seems like a very reliable all-around class.
The Prophet
Prophets in Elden Ring have low Strength and Vigor, limiting their melee combat options, but they make up for it with excellent Mind and Faith scores. Prophets are unique compared to other Elden Ring classes for their heavy focus on Incantations, which are spells reliant on Faith rather than Intelligence. They can cast buffs and heal themselves, and they also wield a powerful signature Incantation called Beast Claw, which hits enemies in a short-ranged cone for huge damage. For fans interested in playing a glass cannon, the Prophet is a perfect starting class.
The Champion
Much like how Dungeons and Dragons' Paladins are martial versions of Clerics, the Champion is like a martial version of Elden Ring's Prophet class. Champions have nearly as much Faith as Prophets, letting them use Incantations like Dragonfire to devastating effect. However, they take a much lower Mind stat in exchange for more Strength and Vigor, letting them both take and deal damage in melee combat. The Champion offers a solid middle ground between martial and magical power similar to the Enchanted Knight.
The Bloody Wolf
Eschewing both Intelligence and Faith in favor of high Strength and Vigor, the Bloody Wolf is martial through and through. Thanks to its mastery of heavy armor, heavy weapons, and shields, the Bloody Wolf is a very powerful melee fighter, encouraging players to wade into the thick of battle and rely purely on defensive skills honed in Dark Souls to survive. A Bloody Wolf player will succeed by rolling and parrying intelligently before crushing a foe, rather than making much use of Sorceries or Incantations. Thanks to the distinct identities of these five classes, there's no shortage of compelling potential builds in Elden Ring.
Elden Ring launches February 25, 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
