The dark fantasy world of Lords of the Fallen is packed to the brim with danger. Picking the right starting class can make all the difference when it comes to the difficulty of the game's early stages, and players can eventually transition into their dream build as they progress through their adventure in Axiom. There are nine possible starting classes in Lords of the Fallen, and such a wide variety of options can confuse players new to the genre. This guide offers four recommended starting classes based on weight class and some insight on each option, providing players with the info they need to make the right decision.

Related

Why Lords of the Fallen May Have Already Earned Itself a Pass as a Soulslike

Lords of the Fallen is one of the least preferred Soulslikes, but its successor of the same name seems to have already won FromSoftware fans over.

Lords of the Fallen: Best Starting Classes

Like many other Soulslikes, classes in this game only affect the player's starting stats and equipment. Each class's weapon and armor set can be obtained later, so there's no need to worry about missing out on any items. However, starting equipment is often enough to dictate the overall pace and difficulty of the early game, so it's important to make the right choice based on player preference.

Heavy Melee Class — Hallowed Knight

Out of the three Strength-centric classes, the Hallowed Knight is arguably the most versatile, but only by a hair's breadth away from the Partisan. The Hallowed Knight begins at Level 15 (the second highest out of all starter classes), and they come equipped with a sturdy armor set, good Vitality, and high Endurance, making this class the most forgiving.

Weapon-wise, Hallowed Knights start with a basic sword, a shield with high damage absorption, and grenades great for clearing clustered enemy groups. This is a great base class for players who are learning the game, though it may not be the most powerful in terms of damage output. Players will need to invest extra points in Agility and Strength if they want to use some of the fancier weapons.

Compared to other heavy melee classes:

• Udirangr Warwolf — The Warwolf has higher Strength and Dexterity and better group fighting potential with its starting greatsword. However, this class is much weaker when it comes to ranged combat and is also less durable due to its lighter armor.
• Partisan — This class has the most well-rounded set of stats out of all starting melee classes, making it great for quality builds. Its starting gear pales compared to the Hallowed Knight, though this is purely subjective and will differ from player to player.

Light Melee Class — Mournstead Infantry

Sticking to the spirit of good gear and well-roundedness is the Mournstead Infantry class, which starts with decent defensive gear and a long spear for keeping enemies at bay. The range on this spear makes this class a very safe pick to start with, offering good damage dealt from relative safety. Mournstead Infantrymen also start with javelins, which can be thrown over large distances at a fast pace.

This class is agile, but it definitely feels heavier compared to the other ones in its category. Still, it makes for a great pick for players who want an Agility-focused quality build.

Comparing this to the other light melee classes:

• Blackfeather Ranger — This class leans more towards dealing ranged damage with its bow before dealing the finishing blow with its short-ranged hatchet. The Blackfeather Ranger are best suited for players who are looking for a skirmisher-type playstyle.
• Exiled Stalker — Fans of the fantasy assassin archetype should start with this class instead. With 16 Agility, poison salts, very light armor, and quick-hitting dual daggers, the Exiled Stalker is perfect for those who want to start out as a nimble fighter.

Caster Class — Orian Preacher

The Orian Preacher is built for dealing ranged magical damage with Radiant Flare, a spell that slings holy bolts at targets. This is extremely potent against most targets in the early stages, and it scales nicely towards the rest of the game as a sort of basic attack until players gain access to stronger options. This class isn't well-suited for melee, though its starting hammer weapon can be very effective when used correctly.

It's important to note that in Lords of the Fallen, enemy resistances must always be factored in when choosing an elemental or magical damage type. The majority of enemies in the beginning are resistant to fire, which automatically makes the Pyric Cultist class less than ideal for beginners. While players can and will find success with the Pyric Cultist, the Orian Preacher remains the superior choice by virtue of their holy damage type.

The Condemned

The Condemned is this game's version of the Wretch from Elden Ring. It starts at level 1 with one of the worst weapons (a literal bucket) and the lowest stats among all starting classes. However, these don't immediately disqualify the Condemned from the starting class options, as it still has one very thing to offer players: the experience.

This class actively forces players to explore every nook and cranny in hopes of finding better gear, ultimately leading them to secrets that would otherwise be glossed over. Fighting with rags and a bucket also forces players to adapt to the game's mechanics more quickly, setting up eager learners for success in the long run.

The true value of classes like the Condemned is that they are essentially blank slates. They're perfect for players who want to mold their builds according to the gear and playstyle they want to use. However, this requires advanced knowledge of the game and is generally not recommended for beginners.

As players progress through the main story, they'll eventually unlock four more starting classes. These are much stronger than the default ones in terms of gear and stats, and players can't go wrong with picking any of them as long as they adhere to the chosen class' strengths and intended build paths.

The Dark Crusader is one such class, and it will already be unlocked for players who purchased the deluxe edition of Lords of the Fallen. It is essentially a beefed-up Hallowed Knight with higher starting Radiance and Vitality and better gear.

Lords of the Fallen is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

MORE: Lords of the Fallen PC Specs Revealed