In Elden Ring, the Wretch is the starting class that begins at level 1 with the lowest base level.
The Wretch starts with 10 points in every attribute, making it an unusually balanced but vulnerable choice. Its starting equipment is also minimal: a club and no armor, shield, or secondary weapon.
This class is designed for players who want to build a character from a blank slate. Because all eight primary attributes begin equally, the Wretch does not strongly favor strength, intelligence, faith, or another specialization.
A common mix-up is confusing the Wretch’s level with its attribute total. It has the lowest starting level, but its evenly distributed attributes can make early progression less focused than with classes such as Vagabond or Astrologer.