Elden Ring is FromSoftware's open-world action RPG created in collaboration with George R.R. Martin, set in the sprawling Lands Between. Unlike previous Souls games, it gives you complete freedom to explore six major regions, tackle legacy dungeons in any order, and over 150 boss encounters. The game received its massive Shadow of the Erdtree DLC adding an entirely new map region. With its blend of punishing combat, deep build variety, and cryptic lore, Elden Ring redefined what an open-world RPG can be.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness — factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vagabond | S | Tank hits with heavy armor and trade blows with colossal weapons. | Grafted Blade Greatsword, Bull-Goat Armor, Greatshield |
| Samurai | S | Aggressive melee with bleed procs that chunk boss health bars. | Rivers of Blood, White Mask, Lord of Blood's Exultation |
| Astrologer | A | Stay at range, cast powerful sorceries, and dodge when enemies close distance. | Lusat's Glintstone Staff, Azur's Glintstone Crown, Graven-Mass Talisman |
| Prisoner | A | Mix melee weapon arts with sorcery casting for flexible combat. | Moonveil, Carian Regal Scepter, Snow Witch Set |
| Wretch | B | Struggle early, then become whatever you want with zero wasted stats. | Depends entirely on chosen build path |
S-Tier: Vagabond
The Vagabond starts with the highest combined Vigor and Strength, making it the safest starter class. Its starting Halberd and 100% physical block shield carry you through early game with minimal upgrades needed. Best class for Strength or Quality builds.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Rivers of Blood | A katana that deals physical and fire damage with innate bleed buildup. |
| Core Gear | Grafted Blade Greatsword, Bull-Goat Armor, Greatshield | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Vigor > Strength > Endurance > Mind | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | open world exploration | The Lands Between is a seamless open world divided into six major regions plus underground areas. |
How to Play Vagabond
Tank hits with heavy armor and trade blows with colossal weapons.
The Vagabond starts with the highest combined Vigor and Strength, making it the safest starter class. Its starting Halberd and 100% physical block shield carry you through early game with minimal upgrades needed. Best class for Strength or Quality builds.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Rivers of Blood and open world exploration creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Grafted Blade Greatsword, Bull-Goat Armor, Greatshield amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Vigor > Strength > Endurance > Mind) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
S-Tier: Samurai
Samurai starts with the Uchigatana, one of the best weapons in the entire game thanks to innate bleed buildup. High Dexterity starting stats make it ideal for katana and curved sword builds. The Longbow included lets you pull enemies safely from range.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Moonveil | An Intelligence-scaling katana found in the Gael Tunnel boss fight in Caelid. |
| Core Gear | Rivers of Blood, White Mask, Lord of Blood's Exultation | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Vigor > Dexterity > Arcane > Endurance | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | stance breaking | Every enemy has a hidden poise meter that fills when you hit them with heavy attacks, guard counters, or jumping attacks. |
How to Play Samurai
Aggressive melee with bleed procs that chunk boss health bars.
Samurai starts with the Uchigatana, one of the best weapons in the entire game thanks to innate bleed buildup. High Dexterity starting stats make it ideal for katana and curved sword builds. The Longbow included lets you pull enemies safely from range.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Moonveil and stance breaking creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Rivers of Blood, White Mask, Lord of Blood's Exultation amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Vigor > Dexterity > Arcane > Endurance) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Astrologer
Astrologer is the dedicated sorcery class with the highest starting Intelligence and a Glintstone Staff ready to go. Early spells like Glintstone Pebble are efficient and scale well. Late game with Lusat's Glintstone Staff and Comet Azur, you can one-shot many bosses.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Blasphemous Blade | A greatsword obtained by trading Rykard's Remembrance. |
| Core Gear | Lusat's Glintstone Staff, Azur's Glintstone Crown, Graven-Mass Talisman | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Vigor > Intelligence > Mind > Dexterity | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | spirit ash summoning | Spirit Ashes are summonable AI companions usable in most boss fights and open-world areas where a rebirth monument is present. |
How to Play Astrologer
Stay at range, cast powerful sorceries, and dodge when enemies close distance.
Astrologer is the dedicated sorcery class with the highest starting Intelligence and a Glintstone Staff ready to go. Early spells like Glintstone Pebble are efficient and scale well. Late game with Lusat's Glintstone Staff and Comet Azur, you can one-shot many bosses.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Blasphemous Blade and spirit ash summoning creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Lusat's Glintstone Staff, Azur's Glintstone Crown, Graven-Mass Talisman amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Vigor > Intelligence > Mind > Dexterity) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Prisoner
Prisoner is the hybrid Intelligence/Dexterity class, perfect for Moonveil or Wing of Astel builds. Starts with the Estoc for reliable thrust damage and a basic sorcery catalyst. The split stats mean you come online slightly later but have incredible versatility.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Hand of Malenia | A katana crafted from Malenia's Remembrance with the Waterfowl Dance weapon art — the same devastating combo attack she uses. |
| Core Gear | Moonveil, Carian Regal Scepter, Snow Witch Set | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Vigor > Intelligence > Dexterity > Mind | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | weapon arts | Every weapon has a unique Ash of War skill activated with L2/LT that can be swapped at Sites of Grace. |
How to Play Prisoner
Mix melee weapon arts with sorcery casting for flexible combat.
Prisoner is the hybrid Intelligence/Dexterity class, perfect for Moonveil or Wing of Astel builds. Starts with the Estoc for reliable thrust damage and a basic sorcery catalyst. The split stats mean you come online slightly later but have incredible versatility.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Hand of Malenia and weapon arts creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Moonveil, Carian Regal Scepter, Snow Witch Set amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Vigor > Intelligence > Dexterity > Mind) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
B-Tier: Wretch
Wretch starts at level 1 with all stats at 10 and nothing but a club. It's the hardest early game but the most flexible for min-maxing because no stat points are wasted. Recommended only for experienced players who know exactly what build they want.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Starscourge Greatsword | Dual colossal greatswords obtained from Radahn's Remembrance. |
| Core Gear | Depends entirely on chosen build path | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Vigor first, then specialize based on build | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | flask of wondrous physick | The Wondrous Physick is a customizable flask that holds two Crystal Tear effects mixed at Sites of Grace. |
How to Play Wretch
Struggle early, then become whatever you want with zero wasted stats.
Wretch starts at level 1 with all stats at 10 and nothing but a club. It's the hardest early game but the most flexible for min-maxing because no stat points are wasted. Recommended only for experienced players who know exactly what build they want.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Starscourge Greatsword and flask of wondrous physick creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Depends entirely on chosen build path amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Vigor first, then specialize based on build) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Samurai — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Vagabond once you understand core mechanics and have access to Rivers of Blood
- Keep a Astrologer setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Wretch for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first — it gives the biggest power spike
- Level Vigor to 40 before investing heavily in damage stats — the soft cap gives enormous survivability and most deaths early are from being one-shot.
- Use Torrent to explore open areas and collect Smithing Stones from mines. Upgrading weapons from +0 to +6 roughly doubles your damage output.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
