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Is the Vagabond Class the Right Choice for Your Elden Ring Journey? A Beginner’s Guide

Yes, the Vagabond class is an excellent choice for beginners in Elden Ring. Its robust starting stats, particularly its high Vigor, combined with decent armor and a reliable shield, provide a significant advantage for new players navigating the challenging world of the Lands Between.

Why Vagabond Excels as a Starter Class

Elden Ring, like its predecessors in the Soulsborne genre, is known for its demanding gameplay. Choosing the right starting class can significantly ease the initial learning curve. The Vagabond offers several key benefits that make it particularly appealing for beginners:

Survivability: A Key Advantage

The Vagabond’s high starting Vigor (15) translates directly into more health points. This allows players to make more mistakes, survive heavier hits, and learn enemy attack patterns without dying repeatedly. In a game where death is a frequent occurrence, this extra buffer is invaluable. Furthermore, the starting armor provides decent physical defense, further enhancing survivability.

Melee Focus: Simplicity and Effectiveness

The Vagabond is primarily a melee-focused class. This means players can concentrate on mastering fundamental combat mechanics like rolling, blocking, and attacking, rather than juggling complex spellcasting systems. Melee builds are generally more straightforward to understand and execute, making them perfect for players new to FromSoftware games.

Versatility: Room to Grow

While primarily melee-focused, the Vagabond isn’t locked into a specific build. Its balanced stats allow players to experiment with different weapons, skills, and even some magic later in the game. This flexibility provides a safety net for beginners who might be unsure about their preferred playstyle.

Starting Gear: A Solid Foundation

The Vagabond starts with a Longsword, a Halberd, and a Heater Shield. The Longsword is a reliable, versatile weapon suitable for a variety of situations. The Halberd offers longer reach and heavier attacks, while the Heater Shield provides 100% physical damage reduction, allowing players to safely block enemy attacks. This combination of gear provides a solid foundation for tackling early-game challenges.

Vagabond vs. Other Starter Classes: A Comparison

While the Vagabond is a strong contender for the best beginner class, it’s worth comparing it to some other popular choices:

Warrior: The Warrior has high Dexterity and is good for a Dex build, but lacks the upfront survivability of the Vagabond.
Samurai: The Samurai is also Dex-focused and starts with a powerful katana, but its stat distribution is less forgiving for mistakes than the Vagabond.
Confessor: The Confessor is a hybrid class with access to Faith-based incantations. While powerful, managing FP (Focus Points) and spell slots can be challenging for beginners.
Astrologer: The Astrologer is a pure magic class, heavily reliant on FP and specific spell combinations. This class requires a deeper understanding of Elden Ring’s mechanics and is not recommended for first-time players.
Hero: The Hero excels in Strength builds, but lacks the Vagabond’s initial balance and defensive capabilities.
Wretch: The Wretch starts at level 1 with minimal stats and no equipment. It’s designed for experienced players seeking a significant challenge.

Building Your Vagabond: Early Leveling Tips

When leveling up your Vagabond in the early game, prioritize the following stats:

Vigor: Increase Vigor to at least 20 to provide a substantial health pool. This will make you significantly more resilient.
Endurance: Leveling Endurance will increase your stamina, allowing you to attack, block, and roll more frequently. It also increases your equip load, allowing you to wear heavier armor without being encumbered.
Strength and Dexterity: Raise these stats to meet the requirements for your desired weapons. The Claymore and Lordsworn’s Greatsword are excellent early-game options that require a decent balance of Strength and Dexterity.

Early Game Weapon Choices for the Vagabond

The starting Longsword is a reliable weapon, but you’ll want to explore other options as you progress:

Claymore: Located in Castle Morne, the Claymore is a versatile greatsword with good damage and moveset. It’s a popular choice for quality builds (builds that scale equally with Strength and Dexterity).
Lordsworn’s Greatsword: Dropped by knights in Limgrave, the Lordsworn’s Greatsword is another excellent greatsword with slightly different scaling than the Claymore.
Twinblade: Found in the Dragon-Burnt Ruins, the Twinblade is a fast-attacking weapon that scales primarily with Dexterity.
Reduvia: Dropped by Bloody Finger Nerijus in Limgrave, Reduvia is a unique dagger that inflicts bleed buildup.

Transitioning Beyond the Early Game

As you become more comfortable with Elden Ring’s mechanics, you can begin to specialize your Vagabond build. You can focus on Strength, Dexterity, or a combination of both. You can also incorporate Faith or Intelligence to add magic to your arsenal. The Vagabond’s balanced stats make it a versatile platform for experimenting with different playstyles.

Ultimately, the Vagabond is a strong and reliable choice for new players. Its high survivability, melee focus, and versatile stat distribution provide a solid foundation for tackling the challenges of Elden Ring. By prioritizing Vigor and Endurance early on, and experimenting with different weapons, beginners can quickly learn the game’s mechanics and develop their own unique playstyle. You can find more information on the impact of gaming and learning on the Games Learning Society website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Vagabond Class

1. Is the Vagabond the absolute easiest class to start with?

While arguably the best for many, ease is subjective. Some might prefer the Samurai’s starting katana for its immediate offensive power, but Vagabond’s defense and health typically offer a smoother initial experience.

2. Can the Vagabond use magic effectively later in the game?

Yes, though it requires investment in Intelligence or Faith. The Vagabond’s initial low Arcane stat (7) means it will take more levels compared to a class like the Astrologer or Confessor.

3. What stats should I focus on leveling up early as a Vagabond?

Prioritize Vigor and Endurance. Then, level Strength and Dexterity to meet the requirements for your desired weapons.

4. What are the best early-game weapons for the Vagabond?

The Longsword is solid to begin with. The Claymore (Castle Morne) and Lordsworn’s Greatsword (Limgrave knights) are excellent upgrades.

5. Is the Vagabond a good choice for a Strength build?

Yes! The Vagabond is suitable for both Strength and Dexterity builds, or a “quality” build using both. To specialize in strength, level strength higher than dexterity.

6. Does the Vagabond’s starting armor offer good protection?

Yes, the starting armor is decent for physical defense, especially in the early game. Equip load management is important to ensure you can still roll effectively.

7. How does the Vagabond compare to the Samurai for beginners?

The Samurai offers immediate offensive power with its katana, but the Vagabond provides better survivability due to its higher Vigor and more balanced stats.

8. Can I respec my stats later in Elden Ring if I don’t like my Vagabond build?

Yes, you can respec your stats after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, and using a Larval Tear.

9. Is the Vagabond good for a “quality” build (Strength and Dexterity)?

Absolutely. The Vagabond’s balanced stats make it ideal for a quality build, allowing you to use a wide variety of weapons.

10. What is the best shield for the Vagabond early in the game?

The starting Heater Shield is excellent, offering 100% physical damage reduction. You can find other shields as you explore, but the Heater Shield is a reliable choice.

11. Does the Vagabond have any weaknesses?

The Vagabond doesn’t have glaring weaknesses, but it’s not inherently optimized for magic builds. Players wishing to focus on magic will have to allocate more points to that field than other classes might.

12. Is the Vagabond a good class for experienced Soulsborne players?

Yes. While excellent for beginners, the Vagabond’s versatility and solid foundation also make it a viable choice for experienced players who want a flexible starting point.

13. What Talismans should I look for as a Vagabond?

The Crimson Amber Medallion (increases max HP) and the Green Turtle Talisman (increases stamina recovery speed) are excellent early-game choices.

14. What is the “Vagabond” build I should choose if I’ve played other Souls games?

If you’re an experienced player, a Vagabond gives you a solid foundation. You can use them for many different build types, and it is very easy to create an extremely powerful, resilient character.

15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?

You can learn more about the impact of gaming and learning on the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

Is Vagabond a good starting class?