Dark Souls 3 Best Starting Class

Okay, so picture this: me, fresh-faced and brimming with naive confidence, booting up Dark Souls 3 for the very first time. I thought, "Hey, I've played RPGs before, how hard can it be?" Famous last words, right? I picked the Pyromancer because, well, fire seemed cool (spoiler alert: everything is cool until you run out of FP and a hollow is gnawing on your ankles). Let’s just say my initial experience involved a lot of screaming, dying, and questioning my life choices. This brings us to the age-old question: Which class is actually the best starting point in Dark Souls 3?

There's no single, objectively "best" class – it truly depends on your playstyle and what you want to get out of the game. However, some classes are undeniably more forgiving for newcomers than others. Think of it like this: some cars are easier to learn to drive in than others. You could start with a stick shift sports car, but are you really going to enjoy the learning process? (Unless you're into that sort of thing, no judgement!)

The Knight: Your Trusty Honda Civic

The Knight is often hailed as the ideal starter class, and for good reason. They begin with solid armor, a decent weapon (a long sword, in most cases), and a shield. What does all this mean? It means you can actually take a hit! Which, trust me, is a HUGE advantage in a game where everything from rats to giant crabs can kill you in a few swipes.

The Knight’s stats are also fairly balanced, making them suitable for a variety of builds later on. Want to dabble in magic? Fine. Fancy wielding a massive ultra greatsword? Go for it! The Knight provides a sturdy foundation that allows you to experiment without immediately getting punished for every single mistake.

Plus, that starting armor really does make a difference. You won't feel quite as squishy as, say, the deprived (we'll get to them later, the poor souls...).

The Warrior: Aggression is Key (Maybe)

The Warrior class starts with high Strength and a decent weapon, usually some kind of axe or mace. They are built for aggressive play and dishing out serious damage early on. However, they lack the Knight's shield, meaning you'll need to learn to dodge effectively – and that's where the learning curve kicks in.

If you're already familiar with the Souls combat system and are confident in your dodging abilities, the Warrior can be a very rewarding choice. But if you're new to the game, you might find yourself getting overwhelmed quickly. Picture it like this: the Warrior is like learning to drive a motorcycle – exciting, but requires a certain level of skill and focus.

The Herald: Faith-Based Fun (Eventually)

The Herald is a hybrid class that combines melee combat with basic healing miracles. Sounds good on paper, right? And it can be, but it requires a bit more understanding of the game's mechanics and stat scaling. You need to invest in both Strength/Dexterity and Faith to make the most of this class, which can be tricky for beginners.

While having a healing miracle early on is certainly useful, the Herald’s damage output isn't as high as the Knight or Warrior, and their armor isn't as protective. Basically, you need to be a bit more careful and strategic with this class. Think of it as a car with manual transmission and a slightly temperamental engine – rewarding when you get it right, but frustrating when you don't.

Avoid These (Unless You're a Masochist… I mean, Experienced)

Alright, let's be honest, some starting classes are just objectively harder for beginners. The Deprived, for example, starts with absolutely nothing – no armor, no weapons, just a club and a loincloth. It's a true test of skill (or madness). The Sorcerer and Pyromancer, while cool, can also be challenging because they rely heavily on managing FP (Focus Points) and finding the right spells. Running out of FP in the middle of a fight is a very common cause of death for spellcasters, trust me I would know.

So, What's the Verdict?

If you're completely new to Dark Souls 3, the Knight is the safest and most forgiving starting class. It provides a solid foundation, allowing you to learn the game's mechanics without getting completely destroyed every five seconds. Once you're more comfortable with the combat system, you can always respec your character later on and experiment with different builds.

Ultimately, the best starting class is the one that you enjoy the most. Don't be afraid to try different classes and see what works for you. And remember, dying is part of the learning process. Just try not to break your controller in the process (we've all been there!). Good luck, and may the flames guide thee!