Dark Souls 3: Every Starting Class, Ranked

Summary

• Choosing a starting class in Dark Souls 3 is crucial for new players, but doesn’t lock them into one playstyle.
• Classes can be ranked based on what they offer, with some like the Assassin being less optimal.
• Players can choose classes like Thief for dexterity builds, Cleric for strength and faith, or Pyromancer for pyromancy.

Dark Souls 3 can be a rather intimidating game to get into. The trilogy’s final installment has some of the toughest foes the franchise has seen, meaning that new players will struggle greatly during the opening hours. For many, this is why choosing a good starting class is important. Classes in Dark Souls 3 are different from most RPGs in that they don’t lock players into a playstyle. Instead, they give players different equipment to start with alongside different starting stats.

While a player’s class doesn’t matter much in PvE, it can make or break builds in PvP if players want to min-max. Considering all of these factors, these classes can be ranked given what they bring to the table. Players don’t need to worry about being locked into a certain playstyle once they choose these classes, but no one would say no to getting a headstart in a game where death awaits them at every corner.

Updated on February 06, 2025, by Gerardo Molina: One of the best things about Dark Souls 3 is that it allows players to choose from a broad range of different weapons and armor that they can combine to create overpowered builds. While some combinations are weak and not recommended for players who want to be up for the challenges that they’ll encounter along the way, others can be devastating, making tough enemies almost seem like pushovers. Some builds focus on dealing status effects, whereas others go for a more direct approach, sticking to dealing as much damage as possible and scaling up with various weapons that can be found or obtained throughout players’ journeys.

10

Assassin

Not As Optimal As Other Classes For Players Who Want A Tried-And-Tested Start To The Game

Nearly every class in Dark Souls 3 has a place, whether that comes from their stat distribution or powerful gear. The Assassin ends up not being nearly as good as other classes because of its mediocre stat distribution, especially compared to others that fill the same niche.

Compared to other classes, the Assassin doesn’t offer players much. They have a Sorcerer’s Staff with the Spook spell, which reduces fall damage and makes the player more stealthy, while their main weapon is the Estoc, a good weapon against other players that does little against groups of enemies or fast-moving ones. Ultimately, the Assassin is a good starting point for hybrid builds because of the Staff, but there are better choices available in for Dark Souls 3 classes that give a bigger boost at the beginning.

9

Thief

Dexterity Builds May Like This Class, But The Starting Equipment Isn’t Great

The Thief starting class comes with the Bandit’s Knife and Iron Round Shield. These items are fantastic for parrying and counter-attacking opponents, meaning that the Thief is best used by experienced players. It is notably the only class that starts with a Bow, though, so Dark Souls 3 players looking for a particular challenge may want to start as a Thief just for the ranged option.

Its stat distribution lags behind every other class except for Luck builds, meaning Thieves are best when players want to make a dedicated Bleed build. Sadly, this style of build is so niche that it offers little when compared to other choices. That said, it all depends on players’ outlook on the build that they’re using. Having the option to attack enemies from a long distance can go a long way, as it keeps the Ashen One far from harm’s way. Granted, part of what makes the Dark Souls experience so great is that players can use a melee build and strike at their enemies mercilessly. But for those who’ve already completed the game once and are looking for a challenge or a different way to play the game and shake things up, the Thief starting class is not too shabby under those conditions.

8

Herald

Only Recommended For Players Who Are Serious About Investing In A Faith Build

Heralds are meant to be Dark Souls 3’s answer to a Paladin-style class, but they lack the stat distribution to make this style of build optimal for Soul Level 120 PvP. If players disregard PvP, though, Heralds offer a solid amount as a starter. The main attraction is its 100% physical damage block Kite Shield, a perfect choice for a player getting to know the game’s combat.

Their spear and shield combo allows them to attack and block simultaneously, giving them one extra layer of defense against aggressive foes. They also have the ability to cast the Heal Aid miracle right from the start. Newer players who play cautiously might enjoy this class – just make sure the stamina bar never reaches zero while blocking. In some ways, this build can actually create bad habits for newcomers, as it will teach them to block incoming attacks as often as possible. And while this can be a great advantage in the early stages of the game, knowing how to dodge is also a critical skill everyone must master to survive. Using the Kite Shield might be a good choice when dealing with smaller enemies, but against some of the toughest bosses in the late stages of the game and the DLC, it might not be as effective.

7

Sorcerer

A Great Class For Prospective Mages, But Has Poor Physical Stats

A class that is solely focused on casting, the Sorcerer starts with two varieties of the same spell: Soul Arrow, and Heavy Soul Arrow. However, Elden Ring players who are used to the ease of that game’s Magic systems may be surprised by how difficult the early game can be for a spellcasting playstyle.

Sorcerers are easily the hardest class to start as in Dark Souls 3. They have the lowest starting health, have little stamina, and their spells require a solid chunk of FP. With all of those negatives aside, this is the best class in Dark Souls 3 to use for players who want to make a dedicated intelligence spellcaster or a dexterity/intelligence hybrid.

6

Knight

A Safe, Easy Option To Stick With At The Beginning Of A Playthrough

Knights are the most commonly picked class in Dark Souls 3, and for good reason. Knights start with the Longsword, one of the best weapons in the game with great room for improvement and special effects. They also have a 100% physical absorption shield. What’s more, they focus on raw damage output thanks to a high Strength and Dexterity stat and can pick up virtually any weapon without worrying about its requirements – any melee weapon, that is.

Quality builds are best in Knights because of the high Strength and Dexterity it starts with, but in the end, it’s not the most interesting class. New players will find the game’s aggressive combat much more manageable from behind its Knight Shield, but if complexity is what more experienced players are looking for, look elsewhere. A great weapon of choice down the line for players using the Knight Class is the Hollowslayer Greatsword, as it scales almost equally with both Strength and Dexterity, making it ideal for a Quality pathway. Players who want to increase their stamina regeneration rate to be able to block more attacks with their shield should get the Chloranthy Ring, as it drastically increases this, making it less likely for players to ever find themselves getting their stance broken.

5

Cleric

A Solid Mix Of Strength And Faith That Can Be Built Upon

Fans of Paladin characters should consider selecting the Cleric as their starter. This class starts with the solid Mace melee weapon and a Blue Wooden Shield for some added defense. What makes this class truly shine is its versatility. Heal is a fantastic miracle while Force can trivialize NPC fights like the Master encounter near Firelink Shrine’s tower.

Clerics also have tons of luck to start to help with farming items and building up bleed on weapons such as the Morning Star. To top all of that off, this character has the best stat distribution for pure faith or strength/faith hybrid builds—something worth considering for players who care about hitting Soul Level 120 for PvP.

4

Deprived

Players Start With A Blank Slate That They Can Morph Into Whatever Build They Want

Experienced Dark Souls 3 players typically choose the Deprived as their starting class. Maybe it’s the heightened challenge thanks to an utter lack of armor, but players find something to cover themselves with soon enough into the game. The real reason most players begin as a Deprived is for its stat distribution.

Newer players might think this is a bad choice, as it starts with little gear, but the Deprived has a great general stat distribution for those who care about their Soul Level. Having ten in every stat at level one is incredibly useful for getting any build working in a short timespan—just make sure to find armor pieces as soon as possible!

3

Pyromancer

Pyromancy Is OP In Dark Souls, And This Game Is No Exception

Spellblades, or characters that wish to use fire and dark, will want to play as a Pyromancer. This class has a fantastic starting weapon, a good ranged damage option with their Fire Ball pyromancy, great stat distribution, and they even come with a shield that can parry enemies.

Most enemies are weak to fire in the earlier stages of Dark Souls 3, which makes their already great Fire Ball a top-tier pyromancy. Whether a player is new or a Souls veteran, the Pyromancer is a great choice.

2

Warrior

A Safe Option Where Players Start Out With A Huge Boost To Their Strength

Warriors start with the highest strength stat out of any class. Thanks to their low attunement and caster-related stats, Warriors are the best choice for melee-focused builds. Pure Strength, Strength/Intelligence hybrids, and any Luck hybrid build works best with Warriors.

They also start with the Battle Axe, a formidable weapon that trivializes some of Dark Souls 3’s earlier encounters. Choose a Warrior as a starting class if you want to wield the strongest weapons in Dark Souls 3 as its high Strength stat, and lots of room for leveling up, means overpowering any opponent who isn’t also a Warrior.

1

Mercenary

Starts Out With One Of The Best Weapons In The Game From A DPS Perspective

Mercenaries might not have the best stat distribution when compared to Warriors, but Mercenaries start with the best weapon in the game: the Sellsword Twinblades. This weapon will single-handedly carry players to the end of Dark Souls 3 as long as they invest in Dexterity.

Disregarding starting gear, Mercenaries have the best stat distribution for pure Dexterity builds and any Dexterity/Faith hybrid setups. Katanas and most fast-attacking weapons are best for Mercenaries. For those who care about strictly stats, Warrior is a better choice. If players want a better leveling experience, though, the Mercenary is a better option. If players manage to master combat using the Sellsword Twinblades and apply something like Carthus Rouge on their weapons, they’ll notice that they can quickly melt away most bosses’ health bars.