Home Gaming Dark Souls 3 – Starting character class guide

Dark Souls 3 – Starting character class guide

2 min read
19

Dark-Souls-3-classes

Look, I get it. You like danger. You like unknown threats. You like to face digital monsters that would eat Godzilla for breakfast if they ever managed to escape from your 32 inch flatscreen TV. In other words, you really do likey the Dark Souls 3. Bandai Namco and From Software’s signature digital dungeon returns this month, ready for one final stab at sun-praising antics.

But which class is best? Do you go for the stock standard Knight? Dual-wielding Mercenary? Devout Cleric? The Pyromancer who finds the numerous flames that he spawns to be just so…pretty? Hell if I know, as that choice is up to you. But at least you can get a headstart on planning your character build in Dark Souls 3, with this handy guide to old favourite classes and the new Assassin and Herald characters.

Knight

knight

An obscure knight of poor renown who collapsed roaming the land. Sturdy, owing to high vitality and stout armour.

Starting Equipment:

  • Longsword
  • Shield Knight Helm
  • Knight Armour
  • Knight Gauntlets
  • Knight Leggings

Mercenary

mercenary

A mercenary and veteran of the battlefield. High dexterity allows masterful wielding of dual scimitars.

Starting Equipment:

  • Legion Scimitars

Warrior

warrior

Descendant of northern warriors famed for their brawn. Utilizes high strength to wield a heavy battle axe.

Starting Equipment:

  • Battle axe
  • Small shield

Herald

herald

A former herald who journeyed to finish a quest undertaken. Wields a sturdy spear and employs a gentle restorative miracle.

Starting Equipment:

  • Spear
  • Guardian shield
  • Talisman

Thief

thief

A common thief and pitiful deserter. Wields a dagger intended for backstabs alongside a military-issue bow.

Starting Equipment:

  • Bandit knife
  • Small shield
  • Short bow

Assassin

assassin

An assassin who stalks their prey from the shadows. Favours sorceries in addition to thrusting swords.

Starting Equipment:

  • Estoc
  • Target shield
  • Sorcerer’s staff
  • Spook
  • Assassin Armour

Sorcerer

sorcerer

A loner who left formal academia to pursue further research. Commands soul sorceries using high intelligence.”

Starting Equipment:

  • Dagger
  • Sorcerer’s Staff
  • Small leather shield
  • Ring
  • Soul Arrow
  • Heavy Soul Arrow
  • Estus Flask
  • Darksign
  • Black Separation Crystal
  • Way of White Circlet

Pyromancer

pyromancer

A pyromancer from a remote region who manipulates flame. Also an adept close combat warrior who wields a hand axe.

Starting Equipment:

  • Hand axe
  • Small shield
  • Pyromancy Flame
  • Pyromancer Set
  • Estus Flask
  • Darksign
  • Black Separation Crystal
  • Way of White Circlet

Cleric

cleric

A traveling cleric who collapsed from exhaustion. Channels high faith to cast many and varied miracles.

Starting Equipment:

  • Mace
  • Talisman
  • Far East shield
  • Cleric Set
  • Heal Miracle
  • Force Miracle
  • Estus Flask
  • Darksign
  • Black Separation Crystal
  • Way of White Circlet

Deprived

deprived

Naked and of unknown origin. Either an unimaginable fool in life, or was stripped of possessions upon burial.

Starting Equipment:

  • Club
  • Wooden Shield
  • Estus Flask
  • Darksign
  • Black Separation Crystal
  • Way of White Circlet

And here’s the various class stats compare across strength, dexterity, vigor, attack, intelligence, endurance, faith, luck and vitality. Thanks Dark Souls wiki. Click to embiggen:

Dark-Souls-3-class-comparison

Dark Souls 3 is out on March 24 for Xbox One, PC and PlayStation 4.

 

 

 

 

    Last Updated: March 3, 2016

    19 Comments

      • DiegoZicoB

        March 3, 2016 at 16:07

        Is ‘Nope’ your standard comment in every post?

        *waits for you to reply with…Nope*

        Reply

        • Pariah

          March 3, 2016 at 16:08

          Nope

          Reply

          • Darren Peach

            March 3, 2016 at 16:20

            Yep, You said nope. Nope I did not think you wouldn’t.

            Reply

    1. GooseZA

      March 3, 2016 at 16:00

      Can. Not. Wait.

      Usually play Cleric. Very tempted to try the thief though. Maybe for a 2nd playthrough….

      Reply

      • DiegoZicoB

        March 3, 2016 at 16:06

        You subject yourself to the frustration and heart palpitations twice?

        Reply

      • Original Heretic

        March 3, 2016 at 16:11

        Sorceror for me. Counting the days! No other games (not even Bloodborne), made me “WTF is THAT?!?” so many times.

        Reply

        • Pariah

          March 3, 2016 at 16:15

          You haven’t spent much time walking around Boksburg, have you?

          Reply

      • Philip Jonas

        March 3, 2016 at 17:48

        You all realize that playing it with any class other than a melee combat character is playing it on easy, the game becomes a matter of point and click…. where as melee characters like the warrior actually makes the game tough

        Reply

    2. Darren Peach

      March 3, 2016 at 16:00

      Dark Souls. A very convenient way to store that extra gaming energy. Buy it, Die 1739 times, The next big thing comes along, Dark Souls gets put on Ice. Finish the next big thing, Jump back onto Dark Souls, Die 2347 times…….rinse and repeat.

      Reply

      • Pariah

        March 3, 2016 at 16:09

        I agree. Rince is horrifying.

        Reply

        • Darren Peach

          March 3, 2016 at 16:10

          And die another 14435 times ?

          Reply

          • Pariah

            March 3, 2016 at 16:15

            Is that how many freckles he has?

            I’m not even surprised…

            😛

            Reply

            • Darren Peach

              March 3, 2016 at 16:18

              I suspect you are talking about a maniacal DLC hater…and I am just speaking about a average sessions play on Dark Souls.

      • Philip Jonas

        March 3, 2016 at 17:51

        Of course, who wants to die in a game. Nobody has time for a proper challenge.. we all want hand holding experiences that lead from point a to point b. I have sold all my other games and only have the Souls games and Bloodbourne… Because I miss the days of Mega Man on the NES and Mario… The souls series is the closest I have gotten to those days of a proper challenge…

        Reply

        • Darren Peach

          March 3, 2016 at 17:53

          I love the Souls series. Just making a silly joke.

          Reply

    3. Original Heretic

      March 3, 2016 at 16:09

      Won’t all the classes start with the Estus Flask?

      Reply

    4. Galbedir

      March 3, 2016 at 17:12

      My Body is ready for this.

      Reply

      • Philip Jonas

        March 3, 2016 at 17:51

        I 2 am ready to die… 😀

        Reply

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Check Also

    Elden Ring will be easier than previous From Software games

    Dark Souls and Bloodborne developer From Software built its reputation on creating video g…