Dark Souls 3 character class guide

Dark Souls 3 continues the series tradition of being insanely difficult yet fiendishly addictive.

We know you’ve spent many hours building a character in your head – not their appearance, abilities – before even sitting down and starting your soul-crushing adventure. Whether it’s a nimble mage, elusive ninja, axe-wielding tank, or something unlike anything we’ve ever seen, your play style will determine which character you take into Lothric.

The fact that all avatar faces inevitably end up looking like a battered piece of clay is irrelevant, it’s all about class. Plus you can always don a helmet to hide the horrendous monstrosity that lies underneath.

Starting classes aren’t as vital as you might believe, as you can always change your mind later and respec your character’s stats, but it will dictate your playstyle in the opening few hours. So with that in mind, come see what your options will be for your tentative first steps in the brutal world of Lothric.

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Dark Souls 3 – Knight class

Armoured, has sword and shield.


Level: 9
Vigor: 12
Attunement: 10
Endurance: 11
Vitality: 15
Strength: 13
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 9
Luck: 7

Dark Souls 3 – Mercenary class

Lightly armoured, scimitar and shield.

Level: 8
Vigor: 11
Attunement: 12
Endurance: 11
Vitality: 10
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 16
Intelligence: 10
Faith: 8
Luck: 9

Dark Souls 3 – Warrior class

Brawny builds with a battleaxe and a wooden shield.

Level: 7
Vigor: 14
Attunement: 6
Endurance: 12
Vitality: 11
Strength: 16
Dexterity: 9
Intelligence: 8
Faith: 9
Luck: 11

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Dark Souls 3 – Herald class

Healer equipped with a kite shield and spear.

Level: 9
Vigor: 12
Attunement: 10
Endurance: 9
Vitality: 12
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 11
Intelligence: 8
Faith: 13
Luck: 11

Dark Souls 3 – Thief class

Hooded deserter who wields a dagger, a light shield and a military-issue bow.

Level: 5
Vigor: 10
Attunement: 11
Endurance: 10
Vitality: 9
Strength: 9
Dexterity: 13
Intelligence: 10
Faith: 8
Luck: 14

Related: Doom review

Dark Souls 3 – Assassin class

Backstab build armed with a thrusting sword, sorcery and a bracer shield.

Level: 10
Vigor: 10
Attunement: 14
Endurance: 11
Vitality: 10
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 14
Intelligence: 11
Faith: 9
Luck: 10

Dark Souls 3 – Sorcerer class

Robed spellcaster with command over soul sorceries, wielding a shortsword and a bracer shield.

Level: 6
Vigor: 9
Attunement: 16
Endurance: 9
Vitality: 7
Strength: 7
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 16
Faith: 7
Luck: 12

Related: Dark Souls 3 beginner’s guide

Dark Souls 3 – Pyromancer class

Adept close combat warrior armed with an axe and the ability to manipulate fire.

Level: 8
Vigor: 11
Attunement: 12
Endurance: 10
Vitality: 8
Strength: 12
Dexterity:  9
Intelligence: 14
Faith: 14
Luck: 7

Dark Souls 3 – Cleric class

All-round healer and buffer, armed with a mace and kite shield.

Level: 7
Vigor: 10
Attunement: 14
Endurance: 9
Vitality: 7
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 8
Intelligence: 7
Faith: 16
Luck: 13

Dark Souls 3 – Deprived class

A blank canvas, naked and armed with a club and wooden shield.

Level: 1
Vigor: 10
Attunement: 10
Endurance: 10
Vitality: 10
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 10
Intelligence: 10
Faith: 10
Luck: 10