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If there’s one thing the Soulslike genre is known for, it’s difficulty. Lords of the Fallen follows in the footsteps of genre favorites like Dark Souls and Elden Ring, so players should be prepared for a tough journey. One of the most important early decisions is which class to start with. Like most other Souls games, the only things that differentiate classes are starting gear and initial Attribute distribution. You can mold any class to fit any playstyle, but some are better than others. Whether you’re a Souls veteran or this Hexworks game is your first, these are the ideal ways to start your journey. Here are the best starting classes in Lords of the Fallen, ranked from good to fantastic.
5. Udirangr Warwolf
- Strength: 16
- Agility: 10
- Endurance: 13
- Vitality: 10
- Radiance: 8
- Inferno: 8
The Udirangr Warwolf is a hard-hitting, Strength-based class that sacrifices heavy armor for heavy weaponry. Its low Radiance and Inferno scores mean you won’t be spellcasting any time soon, but a decent starting Endurance helps make up for that. You should choose the Udirangr Warwolf if you have some familiarity with Souls games and plan on dodging hits instead of tanking them. Though there are other, safer choices if you want to stay turtle up behind a shield or keep your distance, the Warwolf is a fantastic choice for players who want a Strength build that can obliterate their enemies.
4. Mournstead Infantry
- Strength: 12
- Agility: 14
- Endurance: 12
- Vitality: 11
- Radiance: 8
- Inferno: 8
The Mournstead Infantry takes a more cautious approach to melee combat. Fighting with a shield and spear means you’re able to stab enemies from relative safety, relying on your good starting Agility to keep you out of trouble. Mournstead Infantry is intended as a lighter, more mobile class but you can easily spec into something tankier if you prefer. Be aware that your low Radiance and Inferno means this class isn’t well-suited for spellcasting, especially early on. Thanks to the way Lords of the Fallen handles stance changes, you can always two-hand your spear at the start of fights for maximum damage and then switch to your shield if things get ugly.
3. Blackfeather Ranger
- Strength: 11
- Agility: 13
- Endurance: 11
- Vitality: 10
- Radiance: 8
- Inferno: 8
The Blackfeather Ranger is a versatile option that’s a solid starting point for everything but magic. Unlike other Souls games, in which ranged weapons are something of an afterthought, LotF makes bow builds truly viable. The Blackfeather Ranger starts with a bow and ammo pouch, letting you control battles from a distance. As long as you mind your ammunition, you can easily control even difficult boss battles, slaying your enemies before they get near enough to swing. Due to its ability to kill from afar, the Blackfeather Ranger is easily one of the best starting classes in Lords of the Fallen.
2. Hallowed Knight
- Strength: 12
- Agility: 8
- Endurance: 15
- Vitality: 11
- Radiance: 9
- Inferno: 8
Having Endurance as its top Attribute means the Hallowed Knight is designed with medium and heavy armor in mind. That already makes this one of the best starting classes for beginners, because Lords of the Fallen isn’t shy about dishing out the pain. In addition to its decent starting armor, the Hallowed Knight also comes equipped with a sword and shield. Sword and board is a Soulslike classic, allowing the player to be as aggressive or cautious as they want. That’s ideal for beginners who are still figuring everything out, but even veterans of the genre can appreciate the unique strengths of this loadout.
1. Condemned
- Strength: 9
- Agility: 9
- Endurance: 9
- Vitality: 9
- Radiance: 9
- Inferno: 9
The Condemned is labeled “PICK AT YOUR OWN RISK,” which is the first indication that it isn’t for beginners. If you’re new to Soulslikes, steer clear, because the Condemned is the only class that begins the game at Level 1, giving it much lower starting Attributes. The journey to max level will be a long one. If you want to mold a character from the ground up, however, there’s no better class than the Condemned. With 9 in every Attribute and a measly bucket to take into battle, everything about this class screams “difficult.” Simultaneously the worst starting class for beginners and the best for experienced players, the Condemned is a unique way to experience Lords of the Fallen.
Lords of the Fallen is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
