TL;DR
- Choose your starting class carefully based on preferred playstyle – magic users should pick Astrologer, melee fighters Vagabond
- Master weapon attribute requirements and Ashes of War for combat customization
- Understand Runes mechanics – they’re both XP and currency, lost upon death
- Learn the difference between Glintstone Sorcery (Intelligence) and Incantations (Faith)
- Always recover your bloodstain after dying to reclaim lost Runes
Elden Ring represents FromSoftware’s ambitious evolution of their signature action RPG formula, expanding the challenging combat and deep lore of their Souls series into a vast open world. As the Tarnished – exiles returning to the Lands Between – your mission involves reclaiming the shattered Elden Ring fragments to achieve the title of Elden Lord. This comprehensive guide from MmoGah provides essential knowledge to navigate this dangerous realm filled with hostile creatures, potential allies, and fellow adventurers seeking the same legendary power.
The foundation of this world, known as the Golden Order, lies in ruins after its catastrophic shattering. Demigods now war over the remaining fragments of the Elden Ring across what was once a harmonious realm, now abandoned by the guiding influence of the Greater Will that once maintained cosmic balance.
Your character arrives as one of the Tarnished, descendants of those who lost the grace’s blessed light and were consequently exiled generations ago. These outcasts return to fulfill ancient prophecies claiming one among them will rise to claim the Elden Lordship through strength and perseverance.
Elden Ring features ten distinct starting classes, each with specialized stat distributions that establish your initial combat capabilities and progression path. Note that three classes from the Closed Network Test – Blood Wolf, Champion, and Enchanted Knight – will not be available in the final release. Your class selection significantly impacts early-game experience but doesn’t permanently lock you into specific builds long-term.
Astrologer: This scholarly class specializes in astrological divination and glintstone sorcery, making it ideal for players favoring magical combat from a distance. With high Intelligence and Mind stats, Astrologers excel at spellcasting while maintaining moderate physical capabilities.
Level: 6
Vigor: 9
Mind: 15
Endurance: 9
Strength: 8
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 16
Faith: 7
Arcane: 9
Bandit: Operating as a dangerous outlaw who targets enemy vulnerabilities, this class demonstrates exceptional ranged combat proficiency with bows while maintaining stealth capabilities.
Level: 5
Vigor: 10
Mind: 11
Endurance: 10
Strength: 9
Dexterity: 13
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 8
Arcane: 14
Confessor: Functioning as an ecclesiastical operative skilled in clandestine missions, this hybrid class balances sword combat proficiency with incantation mastery.
Starting Stats:
Level: 10
Vigor: 10
Mind: 13
Endurance: 10
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 14
Arcane: 9
Hero: Hailing from badlands chieftain lineage, this stalwart warrior demonstrates exceptional battleaxe mastery with barbarian-inspired combat approaches.
Level: 7
Vigor: 14
Mind: 9
Endurance: 12
Strength: 16
Dexterity: 9
Intelligence: 7
Faith: 8
Arcane: 11
Prisoner: Incarcerated within an iron facial restraint, this character possesses glintstone magical training from previous elite societal standing before conviction.
Level: 9
Vigor: 11
Mind: 12
Endurance: 11
Strength: 11
Dexterity: 14
Intelligence: 14
Faith: 6
Arcane: 9
Prophet: Originally showcased during the Closed Network Test phase, this faith-based class demonstrates paladin-style characteristics with strong emphasis on incantations and supportive magic.
Level: 7
Vigor: 10
Mind: 14
Endurance: 8
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 8
Intelligence: 7
Faith: 16
Arcane: 11
Samurai: Hailing from the distant Land of Reeds, this highly capable combatant demonstrates exceptional proficiency with traditional katanas and longbows, embodying classic warrior traditions with precise technique and disciplined approach.
Level: 9
Vigor: 12
Mind: 11
Endurance: 13
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 15
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 8
Arcane: 8
Vagabond: This armored knight, exiled from their homeland to wander indefinitely, represents a durable tank-oriented class capable of absorbing significant damage while maintaining respectable offensive capabilities.
Level: 9
Vigor: 15
Mind: 10
Endurance: 11
Strength: 14
Dexterity: 13
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 9
Arcane: 7
Warrior: As a nomadic combat specialist employing dual-blade techniques, this class demonstrates exceptional technical proficiency with warrior-rogue hybrid characteristics that distinguish it from single-weapon specialists.
Level: 8
Vigor: 11
Mind: 12
Endurance: 11
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 16
Intelligence: 10
Faith: 8
Arcane: 9
● Weapon Type
Based on Closed Network Test observations, weapon categorization includes three primary divisions: Melee, Ranged, Staffs, and Miscellaneous equipment. Melee classifications encompass Greatswords, Axes, Hammers, Katanas, Great Spears, Straight Swords, Daggers, Curved Swords, Double-Edge Swords, and conventional Spears. While additional ranged weaponry and magical implements are anticipated, current documentation only confirms Light Bows and Glintstone Staffs. Additionally, characters may utilize Sacred Seals for incantations and Torches for illumination in dark environments.
● Weapon Stats and Skills
Every armament features dual statistical categories: Attack Powers measuring offensive capability and Guarded Damage Negation representing defensive properties when blocking. Both metrics vary according to damage types including Physical, Magical, various elemental forms, and crucially, Critical strike potential. Furthermore, each weapon imposes attribute prerequisites that must be satisfied or exceeded for proper wielding.
Additionally, every weapon encountered during testing phases incorporated special abilities known as weapon skills, enabling execution of powerful combat maneuvers during engagements. However, confirmation regarding universal skill availability across all final game weaponry remains pending.
Shield:
Defensive equipment includes shields, consistent with previous Souls series mechanics. While shield offensive capabilities remain limited, their Guarded Damage Negation statistics significantly surpass those of offensive weapons, making them essential for defensive combat approaches.
Ashes of War:
These unique items function as modification systems for weapons and shields, altering their capabilities and special techniques similar to weapon customization or enhancement systems. Certain Ashes of War demonstrate equipment-specific application restrictions.
Elden Ring Runes
Runes constitute the primary economic system within Elden Ring, operating analogously to Souls in Dark Souls titles by serving dual purposes as experience points for character progression and transactional currency with merchants throughout the Lands Between. Upon character death, all carried Runes are dropped, generating a retrievable bloodstain marker at the location of demise. Successfully returning to this position enables recovery of lost Runes, though perishing again before retrieval results in permanent loss.
Spells in Elden Ring
The game features two distinct magical disciplines: Glintstone Sorcery requiring sufficient Intelligence attribute investment, and Incantations demanding adequate Faith stat development for successful casting.
Action Checklist
- Analyze class starting stats and choose based on preferred combat style (magic, melee, hybrid)
- Master basic combat mechanics including dodging, blocking, and stamina management
- Experiment with different weapon types to find your preferred combat approach
- Learn Runes recovery mechanics – always prioritize retrieving your bloodstain after dying
- Explore Ashes of War system to customize your weapon abilities and skills
- Practice spellcasting with appropriate stat investment based on chosen magic type
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