I have been playing Dark Souls games for more than a year now and I‘m happy to share my insights on the Best Classes in Dark Souls 3!
Dark Souls 3 brings a new challenge to the gaming world. Once again, it features epic bosses, deep dungeons, and fantastical beauty. It has a reputation for being extremely difficult, testing players‘ mental and physical limits. For some, this rings true. However, patient gamers find great pleasure mastering Dark Souls 3.
The game has many qualities that make up a great RPG – environmental storytelling, character progression, an overarching story, and a variety of classes. Each class impacts gameplay differently, prompting the question – which is the best Dark Souls 3 class?
This guide will identify the best Dark Souls 3 classes for different playstyles. I‘ll also explain the attribute system, which can confuse new players.
Best DS3 Classes Comparison
Here‘s a comparison of core stats across classes:
| Class | Level | Vigor | Attunement | Endurance | Vitality | Strength | Dexterity | Intelligence | Faith | Luck |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knight | 9 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
| Mercenary | 8 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Warrior | 7 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 |
| Herald | 9 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 11 |
Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Faith impact combat abilities and spellcasting. Vigor, Attunement, and Endurance improve health and resource pools. Vitality allows heavier armor. Luck improves item drops.
Now let‘s look at the defining traits of each class.
Knight
Description: An obscure knight who collapsed while roaming. High vitality and heavy armor make this class sturdy.
Gear: Longsword, Knight Shield, Knight Armor Set
Playstyle: Balanced melee
The Knight is a well-rounded class accessible to beginners and veterans alike. With good armor and simple weaponry, it provides a balanced Dark Souls experience. I recommend the Knight for players who prefer melee combat without complications.
Mercenary
Description: A veteran battlefield mercenary wielding twin scimitars. High dexterity enables graceful dual-wield combat.
Gear: Sellsword Twinblades, Wooden Shield, Sellsword Set
Playstyle: Fast dexterity melee
With quickly-swung twin blades, the Mercenary devastates foes through sheer speed. This class rewards aggressive, dexterity-focused play. Pair your attacks with buffs and gear that boost critical hits for maximum devastation. The Mercenary is overpowered in the right hands.
Warrior
Description: A northern warrior with tremendous brawn, utilizing high strength and a heavy battleaxe.
Gear: Battle Axe, Round Shield, Northern Armor Set
Playstyle: Slow strength and vitality melee
The warrior class trades agility for raw power. With heavy single-handed weapons and high health, the key is timing your strikes between enemy attacks, rather than overwhelming them with combos. This niche class suits players who prefer a slow, steady playstyle.
Herald
Description: A travelling herald on a quest, wielding a spear and healing miracles.
Gear: Spear, Kite Shield, Talisman, Herald Armor Set
Playstyle: Mid-range melee & support magic
With ranged pokes and healing magic, the Herald adopts a tactical mid-range combat style. You can prod enemies from a safer distance than other melee classes. This niche suits spear enthusiasts and players who prefer support roles.
Thief
Description: A wretched deserter turned thief, equipped for backstabbing and ranged harassment.
Gear: Dagger, Short Bow, Iron Round Shield, Thief Mask
Playstyle: Hit and run tactics
The Thief utilizes stealth, ranged attacks, and precise melee strikes to chip away at foes. With lower souls and defenses than other classes, you must stay on your toes and abuse enemies‘ blind spots. This high risk, high reward class appeals most to players who prefer rogue-like combat.
Sorcerer
Description: A scholar who left academia to further their sorcery research, commanding powerful soul magics.
Gear: Mail Breaker, Sorcerer‘s Staff, Leather Shield, Sorcery Spells
Playstyle: Long ranged spellcaster
Sorcerers destroy enemies from afar with devastating soul spells like Soul Arrow and Heavy Soul Arrow. While lacking defenses, their incredible damage potential maintaining distance is key. If close-quarters combat is unavoidable, fall back on your Mail Breaker dagger. This class rewards magic mastery and strategic play.
Pyromancer
Description: A pyromancer who harnesses flame to unleash ranged and melee attacks.
Gear: Hand Axe, Caduceus Round Shield, Pyromancy Flame, Pyromancy Spells
Playstyle: Hybrid ranged & melee magic
The Pyromancer combines fiery ranged magics with up-close-and-personal axe strikes. Spells like the classic Fireball scorch enemies from afar, while the Hand Axe chops any who draw near. Against intimidating foes, utilize ranged pyromancies before switching to melee once they close the gap. This versatile, magic-focused class promotes adaptable playstyles.
Cleric
Description: A travelling cleric, collapsed from exhaustion yet still capable of miraculous feats through devotion.
Gear: Mace, Blue Wooden Shield, Talisman, Cleric Armor Set
Playstyle: Support magic & melee
Like the Herald, the Cleric mixes melee and magic but focuses on support over offense. The mace provides close quarters damage while Talisman weapon arts heal and buff allies. This class promotes helping your party rather than pursuing solo heroics. Cooperative players who enjoy Paladin-esque combat will appreciate the Cleric.
Deprived
Description: A naked corpse of unknown origin, possibly an idiot or untouchable according to lore. Even basic belongings were stripped away upon burial.
Gear: Club, Plank Shield
Playstyle: Unequipped underdog
The Deprived begins with practically nothing – no armor, spells, or outstanding attributes. This ultimate challenge class forces you to scavenge for every minor advantage as you claw your way to success. If you crave a hardcore, no-frills Dark Souls run that tests your grit, choose the iconic Deprived.
Conclusion
I hope this overview helps you choose a Dark Souls 3 class that matches your playstyle! Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck and praise the sun!
