🎓 Best Starting Classes Ranked
Your starting class determines your initial stats, equipment, and playstyle. While you can respec later, choosing the right class saves hours of awkward early game. Here's every class ranked by viability for different builds.
🏆 Tier List Overview
| Tier | Class | Best For | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Samurai | Melee, Dexterity builds | ⭐⭐ (Easy) |
| S | Astrologer | Sorcery, Intelligence builds | ⭐⭐ (Easy) |
| A | Prophet | Incantations, Faith builds | ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium) |
| A | Warrior | Dual-wield, Dexterity builds | ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium) |
| B | Hero | Strength builds, tank | ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium) |
| B | Bandit | Arcane, bleed builds | ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium) |
| C | Vagabond | Quality builds (Strength + Dexterity) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium) |
| C | Confessor | Hybrid melee + Faith | ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium) |
| D | Prisoner | Intelligence + Dexterity hybrid | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Hard) |
| D | Wretch | Min-maxing, challenge runs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Hard) |
📊 Detailed Class Analysis
🥇 Samurai (Top Pick for Melee)
Starting Equipment: Uchigatana (katana), Longbow, Bloody Slash ash of war
Why S-Tier: The Uchigatana is one of the best early-game weapons. It causes bleed, has good range, and Bloody Slash is a powerful weapon skill. High Dexterity lets you use most dexterity weapons immediately.
Best For: Players who want a strong melee weapon from the start and plan to focus on Dexterity.
🥇 Astrologer (Top Pick for Magic)
Starting Equipment: Glintstone Staff, Glintstone Pebble spell, Arc spell
Why S-Tier: 16 Intelligence is the highest starting Intelligence. You can use powerful sorceries immediately and have high Mind for FP. Glintstone Pebble is spammable and effective at range.
Best For: Players who prefer staying at range and using sorceries.
🥈 Prophet (Best for Faith Builds)
Starting Equipment: Sacred Seal, Heal incantation, Catch Flame incantation
Why A-Tier: 16 Faith is the highest starting Faith. You get healing and fire magic, which are useful throughout the game. Faith builds are versatile and can use weapons with fire or lightning buffs.
Best For: Players who want a hybrid of melee and support magic.
🥈 Warrior (Best for Dual-Wield)
Starting Equipment: Twinblade, Scimitar, Bloodstained Dagger
Why A-Tier: 16 Dexterity and starts with two weapons. The Twinblade has good range and damage, and you can dual-wield for higher DPS. High Dexterity lets you use most dex weapons early.
Best For: Players who like fast, aggressive melee combat.
🥉 Hero (Best for Strength)
Starting Equipment: Battle Axe, Large Leather Shield, Reduvia (dagger)
Why B-Tier: 16 Strength is the highest starting Strength. High Vigor (14) gives good survivability. The Battle Axe hits hard but is slow. Good for players who want to tank hits and trade blows.
Best For: Players who prefer slow, heavy-hitting weapons and high survivability.
⚠️ Wretch (Challenge Mode Only)
Starting Equipment: Club only
Why D-Tier: All stats are 10, which seems balanced but means you're weak at everything initially. The Club is terrible. You need to find better equipment immediately.
Best For: Experienced players who want to min-max their build or challenge themselves. Not recommended for first playthrough.
💡 Recommendations by Playstyle
🗡️ First Playthrough / Beginner
Choose: Samurai or Vagabond
Why: Both have good starting equipment and balanced stats. Samurai's Uchigatana is excellent, and Vagabond has high Vigor for survivability.
🔮 Pure Magic User
Choose: Astrologer (for sorcery) or Prophet (for incantations)
Why: Highest starting Intelligence or Faith. You can use powerful spells immediately without wasting points.
🩸 Bleed / Arcane Build
Choose: Bandit or Samurai
Why: Bandit has high Arcane for bleed builds. Samurai's Uchigatana already causes bleed, and you can scale it with Arcane later.
🛡️ Tank / Heavy Armor
Choose: Hero or Vagabond
Why: Both have high Vigor and Endurance for wearing heavy armor and wielding large weapons.
⚡ Hybrid Builds
Choose: Confessor (melee + faith) or Prisoner (melee + sorcery)
Why: These classes start with balanced melee and magic stats, making hybrid builds easier to develop.
🎯 Final Advice
Don't stress too much about your starting class. You can respec later using Larval Tears (found throughout the world). The most important thing is to pick a class that matches your preferred playstyle for the early game. You'll naturally evolve your build as you find better equipment and discover your preferences.
Remember: Vigor is the most important stat for all builds. Get it to 20-25 as soon as possible for survivability. Everything else can wait.