Is Samurai a Good Beginner Class in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, the Samurai is an excellent beginner class in Elden Ring. It offers a balanced starting point with strong melee capabilities, ranged options, and decent survivability, making it forgiving for newcomers while also providing a clear path for character progression. The starting gear, including the Uchigatana katana, Longbow, and armor, are all highly effective in the early game and can carry you far into your adventure. This versatility allows new players to experiment with different playstyles and find what resonates best with them without feeling pigeonholed.

Why the Samurai Shines for New Tarnished

Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware, is notorious for its difficulty. Choosing the right class is crucial for a smooth (or at least smoother) introduction to the Lands Between. The Samurai excels in several key areas that benefit beginners:

• Effective Starting Weapon: The Uchigatana is a fantastic katana with inherent bleed build-up. Bleed is a powerful status effect that deals significant damage upon triggering, allowing you to take down tougher enemies more quickly. This is especially helpful for new players who might struggle with precise dodging and timing.
• Ranged Option: The Longbow provides a reliable ranged attack, allowing you to engage enemies from a distance, pull them individually to avoid overwhelming encounters, and exploit enemy weaknesses. This is invaluable for scouting areas and dealing with annoying enemies like birds or archers.
• Decent Armor: The Samurai’s starting armor offers a good balance of protection and mobility. You’re not too encumbered to dodge effectively, but you’re also not a glass cannon. This allows you to make mistakes without being instantly punished.
• Balanced Stats: The Samurai’s starting stats are well-rounded, focusing on Vigor (health), Endurance (stamina), Strength, and Dexterity. This allows you to comfortably use your starting equipment and explore different weapon and armor options as you progress.
• Clear Build Path: The Samurai naturally lends itself to a Dexterity-focused build, which is relatively straightforward to understand and execute. You’ll primarily focus on increasing your Dexterity to improve your weapon damage and your Vigor to increase your survivability. This provides a clear goal for leveling up and helps you understand how stats affect your character.

Tips for Playing Samurai as a Beginner

Even with a strong starting class, Elden Ring will challenge you. Here are some tips for playing the Samurai class as a beginner:

• Prioritize Vigor: As the article mentions, invest heavily in Vigor early on. Having more health will allow you to survive more hits and learn enemy attack patterns without constantly dying.
• Master Dodging: Dodging is crucial in Elden Ring. Practice dodging enemy attacks and learn the timing of your iframes (invincibility frames during the dodge).
• Use Your Bow: Don’t underestimate the power of your Longbow. Use it to pull enemies, deal with ranged threats, and exploit enemy weaknesses.
• Learn Weapon Arts: The Uchigatana comes with the Unsheathe weapon art. This allows you to perform a quick draw attack that can deal significant damage and stagger enemies. Experiment with different weapon arts as you find new weapons.
• Explore and Experiment: Don’t be afraid to explore the world and try out different weapons, armor, and spells. The Samurai is a versatile class, so you can adapt your build to suit your playstyle.
• Don’t Give Up: Elden Ring is a challenging game, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Don’t be discouraged by dying; learn from your mistakes and keep pushing forward.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

While the Samurai is a great beginner class, there are a few pitfalls that new players should avoid:

• Ignoring Vigor: As stated, neglecting Vigor is a common mistake that will make the game much harder.
• Being Too Aggressive: Don’t rush into combat without assessing the situation. Take your time, observe enemy patterns, and plan your attacks.
• Wasting Resources: Resources are limited in the early game, so don’t waste them on unnecessary upgrades or purchases.
• Ignoring Summons: Spirit Ashes are powerful allies that can help you in combat. Experiment with different summons and find ones that complement your playstyle.
• Not Asking for Help: The Elden Ring community is vast and helpful. If you’re stuck, don’t be afraid to ask for help online.
• The Games Learning Society website (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a great place to learn more about the educational and social aspects of gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Samurai class in Elden Ring:

Is Samurai a good starting class for beginners?

Yes, absolutely. Its versatility and strong starting equipment make it very beginner-friendly.

What are the best stats to level up for a Samurai build?

Focus on Vigor, Endurance, Dexterity, and some Strength to meet weapon requirements. Prioritize Vigor early on.

What is the best early game weapon for Samurai?

The starting Uchigatana is excellent. You can also acquire a second Uchigatana early in the game for dual-wielding.

What armor should I wear as a Samurai?

The starting Land of Reeds armor is a good option. Later, you can find armor sets that offer better protection and fit your desired playstyle.

Is the Samurai class good for magic builds?

While the Samurai excels in melee combat, it can be adapted for magic builds. You’ll need to invest in Intelligence or Faith, depending on the type of magic you want to use.

Is Samurai or Vagabond better for beginners?

Vagabond is tankier and easier to build into different playstyles. It is considered by some to be the “safest” to begin with. Samurai is good if you know you like dex.

How do I dual-wield katanas as a Samurai?

You need to have the required stats for both katanas and then simply equip them in your left and right hand slots.

Where can I find a second Uchigatana?

Inside the Deathtouched Catacombs in Stormhill.

What is the best Ash of War for the Uchigatana?

There are many good options, depending on your playstyle. Unsheathe is great for quick bursts of damage, while others like Bloodflame Blade can enhance the bleed build-up.

Does the Samurai class need Strength?

Yes, you’ll need some Strength to meet the requirements of certain weapons and armor.

What is the most difficult class to play in Elden Ring?

The Wretch is widely considered the most difficult due to its low starting level and minimal equipment.

Is Elden Ring difficult for beginners?

Yes, Elden Ring is a challenging game, but it’s also fair. With patience and practice, anyone can overcome its challenges.

What is the best way to learn enemy attack patterns?

Practice dodging their attacks. This will allow you to learn their timings and openings.

What happens when I die in Elden Ring?

You lose your runes (experience points) and respawn at the last Site of Grace you visited. You can retrieve your runes by returning to the spot where you died, but if you die again before retrieving them, they are lost forever.

How do I level up in Elden Ring?

You can level up at Sites of Grace by spending your runes.

Final Verdict

The Samurai class is a strong and versatile choice for beginners in Elden Ring. Its balanced stats, effective starting equipment, and clear build path make it forgiving and rewarding to play. While Elden Ring will still present challenges, the Samurai provides a solid foundation for your journey through the Lands Between. So, pick up your katana, string your bow, and prepare to become the Elden Lord!