Elden Ring offers 10 playable starting classes. Players choose one when creating a character, and each class begins with a particular level, attribute spread, equipment set, and selection of starting items.
The classes are Vagabond, Warrior, Hero, Bandit, Astrologer, Prophet, Samurai, Prisoner, Confessor, and Wretch. They establish an initial build direction but do not permanently lock the character into a class or play style.
As the game progresses, every character can raise attributes, change equipment, learn abilities, and pursue different builds. The starting class therefore matters most during the early game and when optimizing a character for a particular level range.
The Wretch begins at level 1 with simple equipment and evenly distributed attributes. Other classes begin at higher levels and are more specialized, but none prevents later experimentation.