Elden Ring Nightreign introduces a diverse roster of classes that dramatically change your gameplay experience. Whether you’re a newcomer to the Lands Between or a veteran Tarnished looking to optimize your next playthrough, understanding which classes excel in different aspects is crucial. Our comprehensive tier list evaluates each class based on combat effectiveness, versatility, progression potential, and overall power in both PvE and PvP scenarios. After extensive testing and analysis of the current meta, we’ve ranked all available classes to help you make the most informed choice for your journey through the night-reigned lands.
Our tier list is based on several key factors:
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vagabond | S | High Vigor, Strength | Parry, Counter Attack |
| Samurai | S | Balanced stats, Dexterity | Unsheathe, Quick Draw |
| Astrologer | S | High Intelligence, Mind | Glintstone Pebble, Carian Slicer |
| Confessor | S | Balanced Faith, Intelligence | Stealth, Incantations |
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prisoner | A | High Intelligence, Dexterity | Sorcery, Sword Arts |
| Warrior | A | High Dexterity, Vigor | Dual Wield, Dodge Skills |
| Hero | A | High Strength, Vigor | Heavy Attacks, War Cry |
| Prophet | A | High Faith, Mind | Incantations, Healing |
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandit | B | High Arcane, Dexterity | Stealth, Critical Hits |
| Bloody Wolf | B | High Strength, Arcane | Blood Arts, Berserker Rage |
| Champion | B | High Vigor, Strength | Shield Bash, Counter |
| Enchanted Knight | B | High Intelligence, Faith | Mixed Magic, Weapon Buffs |
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wretch | C | All stats at 10 | Blank Slate, Versatility |
| Dragon Communion | C | High Arcane, Faith | Dragon Spells, Fire Breath |
| Blackflame Adept | C | High Faith, Intelligence | Blackflame Spells, DoT Effects |
The Vagabond stands at the pinnacle of our tier list for several compelling reasons. With the highest starting Vigor at 15, you’ll have substantial health from the beginning, making those early boss fights significantly more manageable. The 14 Strength and 13 Dexterity provide a solid foundation for quality builds that scale well into the late game. What truly sets the Vagabond apart is its exceptional starting equipment, including the Halberd—a versatile weapon with excellent reach and damage output. The Heater Shield offers 100% physical block, providing new players with a safety net while learning combat mechanics. This class excels in both offensive and defensive scenarios, making it perfect for players who want a balanced experience without sacrificing power. The Vagabond’s high starting stats also reduce the need for early level grinding, allowing you to focus on exploring and progressing through the game world more efficiently.
The Samurai claims its S-tier position through exceptional versatility and one of the best starting weapons in the game. With 15 Dexterity and 12 Strength, this class excels at quality builds that scale well into the late game. The Uchigatana is a standout weapon with innate bleed buildup that remains effective throughout your entire journey, even against late-game bosses. What makes the Samurai truly special is the Unsheathe skill—a powerful attack that can be chained into devastating combos. The Longbow provides valuable ranged options for picking off enemies from a distance, giving you tactical flexibility that many other classes lack. The Samurai’s balanced stat distribution also makes it incredibly adaptable, allowing you to pivot to various build types without significant stat investment. Whether you prefer fast-paced melee combat or a more tactical approach, the Samurai delivers exceptional performance in all scenarios.
As the premier magic class, the Astrologer dominates with its exceptional Intelligence stat (16) and solid Mind stat (15). This class starts with two powerful sorceries: Glintstone Pebble for reliable ranged damage and Carian Slicer for close-quarters magical combat. The Astrologer’s starting equipment includes the Astrologer’s Staff, which scales well with Intelligence, and two different types of sorceries that cover different combat scenarios. What truly elevates this class to S-tier is its incredible damage output against both regular enemies and bosses, especially when you exploit elemental weaknesses. Magic users also benefit from safer combat positioning, allowing you to deal damage from a distance while avoiding many physical attacks. The Astrologer’s high Mind stat ensures you have enough FP to cast spells frequently, reducing downtime during combat. For players who enjoy a more strategic approach to combat with high damage potential, the Astrologer is unquestionably the best choice.
The Confessor earns its S-tier ranking through its unique blend of melee and magical capabilities. With balanced Faith (14) and Intelligence (12) stats, this class excels at hybrid builds that leverage both physical and magical damage. The starting weapon, the Broadsword, is reliable and versatile, while the Finger Seal allows for effective Incantation casting from the beginning. What makes the Confessor truly special is its Stealth ability, which can be used strategically to gain combat advantages or avoid unnecessary fights. The class also starts with the Assassin’s Approach spell, further enhancing its stealth capabilities. This combination of stealth, melee prowess, and magical support makes the Confessor incredibly adaptable to various playstyles and situations. Whether you prefer to engage enemies directly, use stealth for tactical advantages, or rely on magical support, the Confessor delivers exceptional performance across all scenarios.
The Prisoner stands out in A-tier with its unique combination of Intelligence (14) and Dexterity (14), making it perfect for arcane swordsmen builds. This class excels at fast-paced combat that blends swordplay with sorcery, creating a dynamic and engaging playstyle. The starting Estoc is a piercing weapon with excellent speed and reach, while the Prisoner’s Staff provides a solid foundation for casting spells. What makes the Prisoner particularly effective is its ability to quickly close distances with sword attacks and then follow up with magical damage, creating devastating combos that many enemies can’t withstand. The class also has access to unique sorcery-sword hybrid abilities that set it apart from pure magic or melee classes. While it requires more skill to master than some S-tier classes, the Prisoner offers tremendous potential for players who enjoy technical, high-skill-ceiling gameplay with rewarding results.
The Warrior earns its A-tier position through exceptional speed and dual-wielding capabilities. With 16 Dexterity and 11 Strength, this class excels at rapid, high-damage combos that can overwhelm enemies before they can react. The starting Scimitars are fast weapons with good damage output, and the ability to dual wield them from the beginning gives the Warrior a significant advantage in early-game combat. What makes this class particularly effective is its exceptional dodge speed and mobility, allowing you to avoid attacks while maintaining offensive pressure. The Warrior’s high Dexterity also provides excellent damage scaling with many weapon types, giving you plenty of build options as you progress. While the class lacks the raw power of some S-tier options, its speed and versatility make it incredibly effective in both PvE and PvP scenarios, especially for players who enjoy fast-paced, aggressive combat styles.
The Hero claims its A-tier spot through raw physical power and exceptional durability. With 14 Strength and 14 Vigor, this class can both deal and withstand tremendous damage, making it perfect for players who prefer a straightforward, aggressive approach to combat. The starting Battle Axe is a powerful weapon with good reach and damage output, while the Heater Shield provides excellent defensive capabilities. What makes the Hero particularly effective is its ability to trade blows with enemies and come out on top, thanks to its high health pool and damage output. The class also has access to War Cry, which increases attack power and can stagger enemies, creating openings for devastating follow-up attacks. While the Hero lacks the versatility of some higher-tier classes, its raw power and durability make it incredibly effective throughout the game, especially against tough bosses and in challenging PvE scenarios.
The Prophet earns its A-tier ranking through its exceptional Faith-based abilities and support capabilities. With 16 Faith and 14 Mind, this class excels at both offensive and defensive Incantations, making it incredibly versatile in various situations. The starting Finger Seal allows for effective Incantation casting from the beginning, while the Club provides a reliable melee option. What makes the Prophet particularly valuable is its access to healing abilities, which can reduce reliance on consumables and provide sustainability during extended exploration or boss fights. The class also has access to powerful offensive Incantations that can deal significant damage, especially against enemies weak to holy or fire damage. While the Prophet requires more strategic thinking than some other classes, its versatility and support capabilities make it an excellent choice for both solo players and those who enjoy co-op gameplay.
The Bandit secures its B-tier position through its unique focus on critical hits and stealth mechanics. With 14 Dexterity and 14 Arcane, this class excels at dealing massive damage through backstabs and parries, making it incredibly effective against humanoid enemies. The starting Dagger is fast and has high critical damage, while the Buckler provides excellent parrying capabilities when timed correctly. What makes the Bandit particularly interesting is its Arcane stat, which affects item discovery and certain status effects, giving it unique build options not available to other classes. The class also has access to stealth mechanics that can be used strategically to gain combat advantages or avoid unnecessary fights. While the Bandit requires more skill and planning than some higher-tier classes, its potential for massive damage output makes it a rewarding choice for players who enjoy technical, precise gameplay.
The Bloody Wolf earns its B-tier spot through its focus on blood-based abilities and aggressive combat style. With 13 Strength, 13 Dexterity, and 13 Arcane, this class has a well-rounded stat distribution that supports various hybrid builds. The starting Falchion is a curved sword with good damage output and bleed buildup, while the Beast-crested Heater Shield provides solid defensive capabilities. What makes the Bloody Wolf particularly effective is its focus on blood-based abilities that can deal damage over time, making it incredibly effective against enemies with high health pools. The class also has access to Berserker Rage, which increases attack power at the cost of defense, creating a high-risk, high-reward playstyle. While the Bloody Wolf requires careful management of its abilities to be effective, its aggressive combat style and damage over time effects make it a formidable choice for players who enjoy fast-paced, aggressive gameplay.
The Champion claims its B-tier position through its exceptional defensive capabilities and counter-attacking potential. With 14 Strength and 13 Vigor, this class can both deal and withstand significant damage, making it perfect for players who prefer a defensive approach to combat. The starting Longsword is a versatile weapon with good reach and damage output, while the Iron Round Shield provides excellent defensive capabilities with 100% physical block. What makes the Champion particularly effective is its ability to withstand enemy attacks and respond with powerful counter-attacks, turning defense into offense. The class also has access to Shield Bash, which can stagger enemies and create openings for devastating follow-up attacks. While the Champion lacks the versatility of some higher-tier classes, its defensive capabilities and counter-attacking potential make it incredibly effective against tough enemies and bosses, especially for players who prefer a more methodical approach to combat.
The Enchanted Knight earns its B-tier ranking through its unique blend of melee and magical capabilities. With 12 Strength, 12 Dexterity, 14 Intelligence, and 14 Faith, this class has a well-rounded stat distribution that supports various hybrid builds. The starting Sword is a versatile weapon with good damage output, while the Glintstone Staff allows for effective sorcery casting. What makes the Enchanted Knight particularly interesting is its ability to blend physical attacks with magical effects, creating unique combat scenarios that can catch enemies off guard. The class also has access to weapon buffs that can enhance damage output, making it incredibly effective against enemies with specific weaknesses. While the Enchanted Knight requires more strategic thinking than some other classes, its versatility and unique combat options make it an excellent choice for players who enjoy experimenting with different playstyles and approaches to combat.
The Wretch secures its C-tier position through its unique “blank slate” approach to character building. With all stats starting at 10, this class offers unparalleled flexibility for creating specialized builds, but requires significant investment before it becomes effective. The starting Club is a basic weapon with limited capabilities, and the class lacks any armor or shields, making early-game progression particularly challenging. What makes the Wretch interesting is its potential to become extremely powerful once you’ve invested levels into specific stats, allowing for highly specialized builds that outperform other classes in specific scenarios. The class also offers a unique roleplaying experience, as you truly start with nothing and must build your character from scratch. While the Wretch requires significant patience and planning to be effective, its potential for creating highly specialized builds makes it an intriguing choice for experienced players who want to maximize the effectiveness of specific builds.
The Dragon Communion earns its C-tier spot through its focus on dragon-based abilities and unique playstyle. With 13 Arcane and 13 Faith, this class excels at casting dragon-based spells that deal fire damage and apply unique status effects. The starting Fist weapons are fast but have limited reach, while the Dragon Communion Seal allows for casting unique dragon-based Incantations. What makes this class particularly interesting is its access to dragon-based abilities that can deal significant damage and apply unique effects not available to other classes. The class also has access to Fire Breath, which can deal continuous damage to multiple enemies, making it effective against groups. While the Dragon Communion requires careful management of FP and strategic use of its abilities, its unique playstyle and powerful dragon-based abilities make it an intriguing choice for players who want to experience something different from traditional melee or magic builds.
The Blackflame Adept claims its C-tier position through its focus on blackflame abilities and damage over time effects. With 13 Intelligence and 13 Faith, this class has a well-rounded stat distribution that supports its unique hybrid magical abilities. The starting Dagger is fast but has limited damage output, while the Gravel Stone Seal allows for casting unique blackflame Incantations. What makes the Blackflame Adept particularly interesting is its focus on blackflame abilities that deal both initial damage and damage over time, making it incredibly effective against enemies with high health pools. The class also has access to unique spells that can debuff enemies, reducing their damage output and making them more vulnerable to attacks. While the Blackflame Adept requires careful management of its abilities and strategic thinking to be effective, its unique playstyle and damage over time effects make it an intriguing choice for players who enjoy strategic, methodical approaches to combat.
For beginners, the Vagabond is widely considered the best class due to its high starting Vigor (health), solid armor, and a 100% physical block shield. This combination provides new players with a safety net while learning the game’s mechanics. The Vagabond’s balanced stats also make it adaptable to various playstyles as you become more familiar with the game.
The Astrologer typically deals the highest damage output, especially when exploiting enemy elemental weaknesses. With its high Intelligence stat and access to powerful sorceries, the Astrologer can deal devastating damage from a safe distance. However, for pure physical damage, the Samurai with its bleed-infused Uchigatana can also achieve exceptional damage output, especially against bosses susceptible to hemorrhage.
No, you cannot change your class after character creation. However, Elden Ring Nightreign offers tremendous flexibility in character development regardless of your starting class. As you level up, you can invest points into any attributes you want, effectively transforming your character into any build you desire. Your starting class only determines your initial stats and equipment, not your long-term potential.
The Confessor is arguably the most versatile class due to its balanced Faith and Intelligence stats, allowing for effective hybrid builds that combine melee combat with both sorceries and incantations. This versatility enables the Confessor to adapt to various situations and exploit different enemy weaknesses. The Samurai also deserves mention for its versatility, with balanced stats and a weapon that remains effective throughout the entire game.
The Vagabond is the best starting class for a strength build, with its high starting Strength (14) and Vigor (15) stats. The Hero is also an excellent choice with its 14 Strength and 14 Vigor, offering similar benefits with slightly different starting equipment. Both classes provide a solid foundation for developing into a powerful strength-focused character capable of wielding heavy weapons and armor.
