Soulsborne classes usually have a large amount of versatility to them, leading to drastic changes in gameplay and playstyles. Some people prefer magic, others long range combat; someone likes smashing things with massive weapons, while someone else likes rushing at the enemy with swift slashing weapons. This is the reason why it is very important to carefully choose which class suits you the most. This article will cover the best classes in Dark Souls 3, and rank them according to how useful they are in general.

10. Deprived

Starting out, we have a class that most use for challenge runs or for molding their build into whatever they want. Since the level is so low, it has the lowest stats in the game, but you can still level up quickly with this class and focus the points into anything you want, so it doesn’t take much time to get what you want. 

Choose Deprived if:

• You want to create your own build
• You like to do challenge runs
• You’re a masochist

Deprived stats: 

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

9. Herald

A great class for players looking for a basic experience, but with a bit of a twist. The Herald class offers good gear and the ability to cast miracles, as well as deal reliable damage using a spear. Having higher Faith at the beginning allows you to cast the starting Miracle, Heal Aid, to assist you in combat. The miracles you use will certainly improve, as well as the quality of your weapons, so this class is reliable throughout the game.

Choose Herald if:

• You like solid defense
• You want some fresher combat
• You like casting miracles

Herald stats:

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

8. Thief

On the sneakier side of things, the Thief class focuses on rapid combat that utilizes weapons with high attack speed and good Dexterity scaling. A Thief starts with a Dagger, light armor, and a bow. Due to the nature of weapons like the Dagger, this class can utilize the naturally high luck stat to use in Bleed and Hollow builds. 

Choose Thief if: 

• You want quick gameplay
• You favor Bleed builds
• You want more mobility

Thief stats:

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

7. Cleric

While the Herald class focuses on a nice ratio between physical offense and miracles, the Cleric instead focuses on miracles exclusively. The spells the Clerics gain access to can be extremely powerful damage sources, as well as incredible means of healing. Of course, you do not have to use only miracles in your gameplay, you can also utilize Strength with Faith to create a paladin build, for example.

Choose Cleric if: 

• You want to play as a support
• You want to have good healing
• You prefer casting-oriented builds

Cleric stats:

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

6. Assassin

Another mobility-oriented, high attack speed class, the Assassin starts with some pretty good gear. Light armor, perfect for higher mobility, Spook, which negates any fall damage that isn’t instant death, and the Estoc, a formidable weapon that utilizes high attack speed and good Dexterity scaling. The class itself is designed for sneaking around, avoiding combat, and dispatching enemies quickly when the option of being sneaky isn’t available.

Choose Assassin if:

• You value mobility
• You want solid damage
• You want to be stealthy

Assassin stats:

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

5. Pyromancer

This class focuses on using high-damage, long range pyromancies that are useful in almost any situation. While other casting classes like to avoid attacking enemies with melee attacks, this class starts with a Hand Axe that is surprisingly strong for a starting weapon, so you can really dish out some damage right from the beginning. The catalyst for casting pyromancies is available to you from the start and is upgraded easily as you progress.

Choose Pyromancer if:

• You want long range attacks, along with strong melee potential
• You prefer casting build with some versatility
• You want massive damage

Pyromancer stats:

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

4. Sorcerer

Another casting-oriented class that is excellent for players looking for a safer approach to gameplay. It starts with the Mail Breaker, Sorcerer’s Staff, basic attire, and Soul Arrow/Great Soul Arrow. In terms of spells, it is very easy to unlock more powerful ones as the game progresses, eventually leading to very powerful combinations that chunk damage. While this class does focus on long-range sorcery, there is also potential for melee combat with certain spells and weapon combinations.

Choose Sorcerer if:

• You want high-damage spells
• You want higher range
• You prefer a different approach to gameplay

Sorcerer stats:

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

3. Knight

The Knight is a well-rounded class that offers very nice starting armor and has balanced stats for strong offensive purposes. Any player wanting a good experience for a first playthrough should consider this class as it is the most “noob-friendly” out of all the classes. Since the stats are so well-balanced, the Knight is best suited for Quality weapons that scale well with Strength and Dexterity, but any stat can also work well, depending on your preferences.

Choose Knight if:

• You want a well-rounded experience
• You want solid stats
• You want good damage
• You want shiny armor

Knight stats:

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

2. Mercenary

One of the best classes in Dark Souls 3 is the Mercenary, which has some of the highest damage potential in the game, starting with high Dexterity and a set of Twinblades that provide massive damage and high attack speed. This class is the favorite of speedrunners that want to clear the game as soon as possible, so the Sellsword Twinblades are a perfect choice. Many other weapons are available to them for a casual playthrough, of course. The higher Intelligence and Attunement allow the Mercenary to also make use of some spells right at the beginning.

Choose Mercenary if:

• You want mobility
• You want high attack speed
• You want versatility in terms of weapons
• You want high damage

Mercenary stats:

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

1. Warrior

And at the top of the list, we have the Warrior, a class that focuses on high health and outright damage to just crush everything in their way. The Warrior starts with a Battle Axe, Shield, and basic medium armor, making it very good for basically any situation you come across. Since the focus is on Strength here, anyone using the Warrior class can just put most of their points into Strength to pick up the biggest weapon they can, and destroy any enemy. This is the path that is most useful for new players, as the approach is straightforward and the survivability is good.

Choose Warrior if:

• You want high damage
• You want good survivability
• You want high health
• You’re a new player

Warrior stats:

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

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