Is Vagabond the Ideal Starting Class for Elden Ring Beginners? A Deep Dive

Yes, the Vagabond is an excellent starting class for beginners in Elden Ring. Its high Vigor, Strength, and Dexterity allow for a relatively forgiving early game experience, thanks to increased health, the ability to wield heavier weapons, and effective melee combat prowess. The starting equipment, including a decent shield, armor, and the Longsword, provide a solid foundation for new players to learn the game’s mechanics without being immediately overwhelmed.

Why Vagabond Excels for New Tarnished

Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s sprawling open-world RPG, is renowned for its difficulty. Choosing the right starting class can significantly impact your initial hours in the Lands Between. The Vagabond, with its balanced stats and practical gear, offers several crucial advantages to newcomers:

• Durability: The Vagabond’s high Vigor translates to a larger health pool, allowing you to withstand more hits from enemies. This is especially beneficial when learning enemy attack patterns and timing your dodges.

• Versatility: While primarily a melee-focused class, the Vagabond’s decent Strength and Dexterity scores allow you to experiment with a variety of weapons early on, from greatswords to katanas, without being heavily penalized.

• Armor and Shield: The starting armor provides valuable protection, reducing incoming damage. The shield, capable of blocking 100% physical damage, is an invaluable tool for beginners learning to parry or simply needing a safe way to assess enemy attacks.

• Accessibility: Unlike classes that rely heavily on magic or specialized builds, the Vagabond is immediately effective in combat. You don’t need to grind for specific items or level up particular stats to feel powerful.

Beyond the Basics: Vagabond’s Long-Term Potential

While ideal for beginners, the Vagabond doesn’t fall off in the later stages of the game. Its balanced stats allow for flexible build options as you progress. Whether you choose to focus on Strength for a tanky, heavy-weapon build, Dexterity for a nimble, fast-attacking character, or even dabble in magic, the Vagabond provides a solid foundation for any playstyle.

Furthermore, the class’s low Arcane stat, while seemingly a disadvantage, can be an advantage in disguise. Arcane governs item discovery and certain status effects. By starting with a low Arcane score, you can allocate those points to other, more immediately beneficial stats.

FAQs: Demystifying the Vagabond Class

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the advantages and considerations of choosing the Vagabond as your starting class:

1. Is Vagabond the easiest class in Elden Ring?

While there is no truly “easy” class in Elden Ring, the Vagabond is arguably the most forgiving for beginners. Its starting stats and equipment allow you to make mistakes and learn the game’s mechanics without being instantly punished.

2. Is Vagabond good for a Strength build?

Absolutely. The Vagabond’s starting Strength is already high, making it easy to wield many of the game’s powerful colossal weapons and greatswords right from the start. Investing further in Strength will make you a formidable force in melee combat.

3. What are the Vagabond’s starting stats?

The Vagabond starts with the following stats:

• Level: 9
• Vigor: 15
• Mind: 10
• Endurance: 11
• Strength: 14
• Dexterity: 13
• Intelligence: 9
• Faith: 9
• Arcane: 7

4. Is the Vagabond’s starting weapon, the Longsword, any good?

Yes, the Longsword is a solid starting weapon. It has a versatile moveset, good damage, and decent scaling with both Strength and Dexterity. It can carry you through the early game and beyond.

5. What should I upgrade first as a Vagabond?

Prioritize upgrading Vigor to increase your health pool. This will significantly improve your survivability. Next, focus on either Strength or Dexterity depending on your preferred weapon type. Endurance is also valuable for increasing your stamina, allowing you to attack and dodge more frequently.

6. Can the Vagabond use magic?

Yes, but it’s not the Vagabond’s primary focus. The Vagabond’s starting Intelligence and Faith are relatively low. However, with enough investment, you can certainly build a Vagabond who can wield spells and incantations effectively. Consider a “Quality” build (equal Strength and Dexterity) with some points in Faith or Intelligence.

7. What is the best armor for the Vagabond early game?

The Vagabond starts with a decent set of armor. However, exploring Limgrave will allow you to find other early game armor sets such as the Cleanrot Set or the Raptors Black Feathers Armor which both offer excellent protection.

8. Is Vagabond better than Samurai for beginners?

It depends on your playstyle. The Samurai starts with a powerful katana and bow, making it strong in both melee and ranged combat. However, the Samurai is more specialized towards Dexterity builds. The Vagabond offers more versatility and a greater margin for error, making it generally a better choice for new players unsure of their preferred build.

9. What is the Vagabond’s starting equipment?

The Vagabond starts with the following:

• Weapon: Longsword, Halberd
• Shield: Heater Shield
• Armor: Vagabond Knight Armor Set
• Starting Magic: None

10. What is a “Quality” build, and is Vagabond good for it?

A “Quality” build focuses on leveling both Strength and Dexterity equally. This allows you to wield a wide variety of weapons and adapt to different combat situations. The Vagabond is an excellent starting class for a Quality build due to its balanced stats.

11. Is the Vagabond a good choice for a tank build?

Yes, the Vagabond is a very good choice for a tank build. The high starting Vigor, Strength, and Endurance allow you to wear heavy armor, wield large weapons, and withstand significant amounts of damage.

12. What are some good early-game weapons for a Vagabond?

Besides the starting Longsword, consider acquiring the Twinblade early on in Limgrave for its rapid attacks and decent damage. The Great Epee is also a solid choice, especially for thrusting attacks. Additionally, Morning Star is a good choice.

13. How does the Vagabond compare to the Warrior class?

The Warrior is more focused on Dexterity and dual-wielding weapons, making it a more aggressive and mobile class. The Vagabond is more durable and versatile, making it a better choice for beginners who prefer a more cautious and adaptable playstyle.

14. Can I respec my stats later in the game?

Yes, you can respec your stats later in Elden Ring by talking to Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, after defeating her in the Raya Lucarian Academy. This allows you to experiment with different builds without having to start a new game.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and learning principles relevant to Elden Ring and other games?

You can explore the intersection of game design and learning by visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. They are dedicated to advancing the field of learning through games.

Final Verdict: Embrace the Vagabond’s Journey

In conclusion, the Vagabond is an outstanding starting class for newcomers to Elden Ring. Its balanced stats, solid starting equipment, and versatile build options provide a forgiving and rewarding introduction to the challenging world of the Lands Between. While other classes may excel in specific areas, the Vagabond offers the best overall experience for beginners looking to learn the game’s mechanics, explore different playstyles, and ultimately, become the Elden Lord. So, Tarnished, choose the Vagabond and embark on your epic adventure with confidence.