InElden Ring, players have the freedom to build their character however they wish. This is because all weapons, spells, and armor require various stats to be achieved if the player wishes to use them efficiently. Even with this freedom throughoutElden Ring, players start their adventure by selecting one of several classes, better known as Character Origins.
Players don’t necessarily need to stick with these starting stat layouts for the rest of the game, but choosing one allows the player to start at a specific level, with varied stats, and aunique set of gearto protect themselves with. While some of these Character Origin options also allow players to start with an entirely clean slate, others can help build an early identity for when you’re still coming to terms with the game.
All Character Origin gear items can be found in the game, though some are more difficult to acquire than others.
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While every Character Origin inElden Ringhas the potential to become something great, Bandit is arguably one of the weakest starts for players and is certainly not an option to be chosen by thosewith little experiencewith the RPG.
Bandit is a great option for players who want a high endurance and Dexterity start inElden Ring,though arguably other Character Origins can do this much better. Players looking for an aggressive character to start with should look elsewhere, as the Bandit playstyle highlights dodging and keeping to a distance.
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While the spell of Assassin’s Approach suggests that the Confessor Character Origin inElden Ringis made for players who are hoping to create some sort of stealth build, this playstyle isn’t optimal when dealing with bosses.
Confessor makes for an interesting Paladin-like class, especially as they start with decent stats in Faith, Dexterity, and Strength. This also allows players tobuild the Confessor as a hybridof casting spells while also having solid melee damage to rely on, though many of the other Origins available make the Confessor obsolete, as they can do the same job better.
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While at first glance, players may be put off by the Prophet due to them looking rather defenseless, The Prophet Character Origin is a great start for any player who plans to focus purely on Incantations. Starting with the Incantations of Heal and Catch Flame, a player is able to support themselves against foes without worrying about their health getting too low.
While players may still run out of FP fast at the start of their adventure if they keep using Catch Flame, players are also given a decent amount of Strength to wield some of the heaviest weaponry to protect themselves.
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Although Astrologer is the class with the least amount of Vigor, this doesn’t stop this Character Origin from being one of the best for players who are planning to focus onIntelligence-based spellsand nothing else. Alongside this magical start through stats, the Astrologer also starts with the Glintstone Pebble and Glintstone Arc Sorceries.
Players are likely to still be using Glintstone Pebble even when they hit the end game, due to how useful of a spell it is, as well as the start overall being excellent for both long-timeElden Ringplayers and those that have only just begun their journey.
Strength builds are some of thestrongest builds inElden Ringas they allow players to survive against lethal attacks while also being able to easily break the poise of their opponents. Players that want an early start into making a character that has some of the best Strength while avoiding other stats such as Dexterity should look no further than the Hero.
Wielding a Battleaxe makes the Hero an even more appealing choice with the impressive damage it will do to not only regular foes but also the numerous bosses players will face on the journey ahead. Hero’s 14 Vigor is another appealing reason for choosing the Character Origin, as a new player is less likely to fall to their enemies.
While some players may consider Strength builds to be quite aggressive, selecting a Character Origin that focuses heavily on Dexterity is arguably one of the most aggressive starts. Players can craft a character that focuses on being in the heart of combat while also having the agility to dodge out the way of attacks outside. They can find this play-style quickly when choosing to start as the Warrior.
Besides the high Dexterity stat and impressive Vigor, Warriors also beginElden Ringwielding a scimitar in each hand. This allows players to deal damage quicker than those who can only use one weapon. However, players can still equip the Riveted Wooden Shield if needed.
Thebleed status effectis one of the strongest inElden Ring, and players are able to quickly create an impressive Dexterity bleed build early into theirElden Ringadventure by playing as the Samurai.
Besides its impressive Dexterity stats that make the Samurai a brilliant option for any player hoping to focus on that play style, the Samurai also starts with one of the most powerful weapons available to the character origins. The Uchigatana katana is a great starting option for any player looking to focus on apowerful blood buildwhile also being cheap to upgrade. TheLand of Reeds Armoris also a good set with a sharp aesthetic.
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Prisoner may not look like the most appealing option, appearance-wise, especially due to the ridiculous metal helmet. Armor aside, however, this is by far one of the greatest options forveteran soulslike playerswho are looking for a Character Origin that has a fair share of base stats while also leaning towards a Strength and Intelligence hybrid build throughoutElden Ring.
Like the Astrologer, players have both a melee weapon and a magical spell to cast. The Estoc is an incredible weapon to use, while Magic Glintblade will allow the player to attack from a distance.
Wretch is a Character Origin that should only be used by veteran players of soulslike games or those who are truly looking for a challenge. Unlike the other Character Origins, the Wretch has no armor and only the basic Club as a weapon, making them appear pretty defenseless.
Players must work to find various equipment while exploringElden Ringif they hope to have a chance of surviving, though it is arguably easier to find these things inElden Ringwhen compared to theDark Soulstitles. Besides being utterly naked, Wretch is the only Character Origin that starts at Rune level 1, meaning it’s the ideal blank slate for any build players might envision.
Out of all the Character Origins available inElden Ring, the best that many players are likely to enjoy starting with is the Vagabond. This Character Origin is especially great for players who are new to soulslike games, as the Vagabond has the most Vigor out of the available Origins.
Alongside having the best Vigor, Vagabond is also made for Strength orDexterity buildsinElden Ring, as players can easily level up these two stats to create a unit that can take a hit or two in the early game against bosses while also being able to return some of that damage too. The Vagabond armor set, additionally, offers strong early game protection and a classic knight aesthetic — while still being able to dodge roll with ease.
