Choosing your starting class in Dark Souls 2 can be the first sticking point in a game filled with… sticking points. Well never fear, frightened one, for we are on hand to guide you through the tumultuous question of “which class should I choose?”
Unfortunately, the first bit of bad news to bear in mind is that there’s no easy answer in a Dark Souls title; they’re notoriously challenging but also immensely gratifying games. Don’t be discouraged, however, as choosing the appropriate starting class for your particular style of play is the first step to conquering the monsters and demons lurking in this foul land.
Firstly, we recommend you take a look at our overview of the available classes and the stats that make up each build.
See below a graph displaying each of the classes and their starting stats:
As you can see, each class has a slightly different focus, so it is important to choose carefully. If you aren’t sure which area of your character to focus on, the Deprived may be the class for you, as all of his/her stats are equal, allowing you to level up in whatever way you see fit. A slightly safer bet may be to start with a strong base character build, such as a Knight.
If you do happen to have a reasonable idea of what skills you will and won't be using, then a better way of choosing your starting class is to note which stats you WON’T be using as much. For example, if you are planning on playing a pure melee character with no spells, then you don’t need a high investment in your Intelligence stat, and therefore the Bandit may be the best starting class for you.
As a rule, Vigour, Endurance, Vitality, and Adaptability are stats that are generally desirable for all build types, whereas Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Attunement will be more suited to specific build types. Be sure to focus on the type of combat you will be using the most!
Stay tuned for more Dark Souls 2 hints and tips coming soon!
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