With Elden Ring set to take the gaming world by storm, many eager adventures will be considering which of the game's 10 classes is right for them. Not only does the choice of starting class dictate one's baseline stats, but it will also determine the types of weaponry available to players at their adventure's outset. With a standard 80 stat points to be distributed variably across each potential characteristic, it's worth assessing the distribution of each class's stat points to assess the build most suited to one's preferred playstyle.
Like its predecessors, Elden Ring will test its players to their limits, presenting a challenge that has little time for novices or those who come to its vast wilderness unprepared for the trials ahead. With that in mind, players new to the Soulslike genre will want to choose the right class to stand the best chance of surviving, and while most of Elden Ring's available options boast their own unique pros and cons, one is ideal for newcomers to the genre.
Why the Vagabond Is a Great Choice for Beginners
Elden Ring players who are new to the Soulslike genre as a whole should seriously consider the Vagabond class. As one of the game's more classic "sword and board" types, the Vagabond offers a great deal of strength and resilience, meaning players will be able to soak up attacks from enemies while dealing a decent amount of initial damage.
With 15 vigor, 14 strength and 13 dexterity, the Vagabond offers a strong, balanced melee build with a decent range of stats across the board. Because of this relatively even split among the class' relevant stats, the Vagabond offers a range of options regarding weaponry and playstyle variety, while a high level of vigor allows one to soak up a great deal of damage before eventually succumbing.
For those looking for some great starting base stats for weapon-focused combat, the Vagabond is the obvious choice. As the only character to start the game with the Halberd, the Vagabond also has access to the Longsword and the Heater Shield as part of its base equipment, while also boasting the ability to wear heavy armor. The beginner-friendly class also starts out with the Vision of Grace item which allows multiplayer interaction, as well as a starting keepsake of the player's choice.
The Vagabond is also a strong choice for players who want to keep their options relatively open as the game progresses. Although, it doesn't offer much in terms of magical abilities, most of Elden Ring's weapons and armor are available to the Vagabond as things move forward and players progress further in their quest within the Lands Between.
What Players Should Know About the Vagabond's Weaknesses & Trade-Offs
The Vagabond is, at its core, a balanced class that tends towards a melee-focused playstyle. As a result, more experienced Soulslike or RPG players who know they prefer a particular build, such as mage, ranged or pure strength, will likely want to go with a more specialized class, such as the uber-dextrous Samurai or the spellcasting Prisoner and Prophet builds. In playing it safe to keep things accessible for newcomers, the Vagabond can suffer from being a Jack-of-all-trades, but master of none.
Certainly, the Vagabond is limited somewhat to weapon-based combat. Although the variety of wieldable melee weapons is strong, players may be restricted if they wish to try their hand at magic and spellcasting considering the Vagabond has the lowest Arcane stat of any class (7). It's also worth noting that the Vagabond doesn't start the game with any kind of ranged weapon in contrast to options like the Samurai.
Players should also keep in mind that the Vagabond isn't the only class well-suited to inexperienced adventurers. The Hero class also focuses on melee attacks and boasts the highest strength of any option, plus it combines well with decent vigor to give players a strong chance of survival in combat.
For new players who want to veer away from the classic melee approach, Astrologer is a great mage-type class boasting high mind and intelligence stats. This gives it plenty of focus points for casting powerful spells, although low vigor and strength do make it somewhat vulnerable at the game's outset.
Still, the Vagabond offers a solid starting build with a decent stat balance, plenty of room for progression and some handy perks in the strength and vigor categories. It's versatility, though limited, will help newcomers determine how they like to play while learning the basics. For that reason, the Vagabond remains the obvious choice for novice Soulslike players as they begin their quest to take on everything Elden Ring has to offer.