Is the Soldier Good in Demon’s Souls? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, the Soldier class is a good choice for new players in Demon’s Souls, but with a few important caveats. While not the absolute easiest starting class, the Soldier offers a solid foundation for understanding the game’s mechanics, thanks to its balanced stats and starting equipment. It’s a versatile option that can carry you through much of the early and mid-game. However, relying solely on the Soldier’s inherent strengths without proper strategy can quickly lead to frustration. To really answer the question of if the Soldier is good for you, we need to delve deeper.

The Soldier’s Strengths

The Soldier stands out primarily for its high Vitality and Endurance stats right from the start. These attributes translate to a greater health pool and the ability to perform more actions (such as dodging, attacking, or blocking) before becoming exhausted. This is crucial for survival in the unforgiving world of Demon’s Souls, where every mistake can be punishing.

• High Vitality: More health means more room for error and less chance of being one-shot by early enemies. This stat is especially beneficial for newcomers still learning the enemy attack patterns and level layouts.
• High Endurance: A generous Endurance pool allows the Soldier to engage in longer sequences of combat. This extra stamina lets you block attacks, roll away from danger, or unleash a flurry of attacks on vulnerable enemies without immediately running out of steam.
• Starting Equipment: The Soldier starts with both a Broadsword and a Short Spear. The Broadsword is a straightforward melee weapon that provides a decent blend of damage and speed, while the Short Spear allows you to attack from behind your shield, providing some strategic advantages and a more cautious style of play. This combination allows you to adapt your combat style depending on the situation.
• Versatile Build Path: Unlike specialized classes, the Soldier’s stats allow for a reasonably flexible build path. While it excels in melee combat, you could invest points into other attributes such as Strength, Dexterity, or even Magic to diversify your character.

The Soldier’s Weaknesses

Despite the initial advantages, the Soldier isn’t without its drawbacks. It’s important to know these before making your decision:

• Lack of Early Magic: Unlike classes like the Royal, the Soldier has no access to spells or magic right from the start. This means players will have to rely solely on melee combat and item usage, which may be challenging for players used to magic-based builds in other games.
• Reliance on Melee: While melee is viable throughout the game, relying solely on it can become problematic in certain situations. Some enemies are more resistant to physical damage and might require magic or other unconventional strategies to defeat.
• Jack-of-All-Trades, Master of None: The Soldier’s balanced stats also mean it doesn’t excel in any particular area from the start. While this versatility is useful, other classes may ultimately provide more optimal builds for specific playstyles.
• Not the “Easiest”: While good, the Soldier is not quite as easy as the Royalty class, which starts with a ranged magic attack allowing for safe kills without the need to engage in melee combat.

How to Play a Soldier Effectively

If you choose the Soldier, here are some tips to ensure success:

• Prioritize Upgrades: Focus on improving your chosen weapon early on. Upgrading a weapon can drastically increase damage, making it significantly easier to defeat enemies and progress through the game.
• Learn Enemy Patterns: Patience and observation are essential. Mastering the attack patterns of your foes will let you dodge effectively and capitalize on openings. This is critical with a melee focus.
• Utilize the Spear: Don’t forget about the Short Spear. Its ability to attack safely from behind your shield is invaluable for difficult encounters or for picking off weaker enemies from a distance.
• Experiment with Builds: As you progress, don’t hesitate to experiment with different builds. You could focus on Strength to wield heavier weapons, Dexterity for faster, more agile attacks, or even invest some points in Intelligence to access magic options.
• Don’t Neglect Vitality: As you level, continue increasing your Vitality. Surviving powerful boss attacks is very important, and a greater health pool gives you room to learn the fights and experiment.
• Pay Attention to Encumbrance: Being too heavy will slow your movement and dodge roll significantly. Make sure you’re under 50% equipment burden for maximum mobility.

Conclusion: A Solid Foundation

The Soldier in Demon’s Souls is a reliable and practical starting class for newcomers who are looking for a more direct melee-focused experience. Its balanced stats and strong starting equipment make it capable of handling the early challenges of the game. While not the easiest class, it’s a great choice for players who want a solid foundation to develop their own playstyle and learn the core mechanics. The high vitality and endurance offer essential tools for survival and the spear adds needed versatility. Ultimately, whether or not it’s ‘good’ depends on your personal style and what you hope to achieve in the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Soldier the best starter class for Demon’s Souls?

No, while the Soldier is a solid choice, the Royal class is often considered the easiest due to its starting magic capabilities. However, the Soldier is great for a more traditional melee experience.

2. Can the Soldier use magic?

Yes, although the Soldier does not start with magic. By leveling up your Intelligence and Magic stats, you can eventually equip and use a variety of spells.

3. How does the Soldier compare to the Knight?

The Knight starts with more Strength and heavier armor, making them better suited for tanking, while the Soldier has more Vitality and Endurance, providing more sustained combat ability.

4. Is the Broadsword good?

Yes, the Broadsword is a decent early-game weapon and remains viable even later with upgrades. It’s a good choice for those who favor straightforward melee attacks.

5. What are the best stats to level as a Soldier?

Initially, focus on Vitality and Endurance. Later on, you can decide whether to focus on Strength for heavier weapons or Dexterity for quicker, more agile combat.

6. Should I use the Short Spear?

Absolutely. The Short Spear allows you to attack from behind your shield, giving you a safer and more strategic combat option, especially at the beginning of the game.

7. How important is armor for the Soldier?

Armor is important, but make sure your equipment burden isn’t too high. Staying below 50% allows for better movement and rolling ability.

8. Is the Soldier’s starting gear enough to get through the game?

No, while the starting gear is decent, you’ll need to upgrade it or find better gear to progress through the game. You’ll want a more powerful weapon fairly quickly.

9. Can a Soldier be good in late-game?

Yes, with proper stat allocation and gear, a Soldier can be very powerful in the late game. Build variety is a core component of the Souls games.

10. What are the most common mistakes Soldiers make?

Common mistakes include not upgrading their weapons, ignoring enemy patterns, and neglecting stats like Vitality and Endurance. Also, not knowing your equipment burden can be fatal.

11. How do I get better armor as a Soldier?

You can find better armor by exploring the game world, defeating enemies, and trading with merchants. The first merchant in the game is your best source of new armor.

12. Is there a way to reset my Soldier’s stats?

No, there is no way to reset your stats in Demon’s Souls. Be careful when allocating your stats. Be sure to research optimal builds before you play!

13. Can a Soldier beat the game solo?

Yes, absolutely. Any class, including the Soldier, can complete the game solo with enough practice and a good understanding of game mechanics.

14. Is the Soldier more difficult to play than the Royal?

Yes, the Soldier is generally more difficult than the Royal for beginners because of its lack of starting magic. The Royal can attack from range safely.

15. What are some good early game areas for a Soldier?

The initial Boletarian Palace levels are great for learning the basics. You should also venture into the Stonefang Tunnel early for some new weapon drops.