What is the Best Class in Dark Souls 3? A Deep Dive for Aspiring Ashen Ones

The question of the “best” class in Dark Souls 3 is one that sparks endless debate among veterans and newcomers alike. It’s a question that has no definitively correct answer, as the optimal choice depends entirely on your playstyle, your experience with Soulslike games, and your desired character build. However, if forced to make a recommendation for the most versatile and beginner-friendly option, the Knight class emerges as the strongest contender. Its balanced stats, solid starting equipment, and adaptability to various builds make it an excellent foundation for conquering Lothric.

Why the Knight Reigns Supreme

The Knight starts with several key advantages that make it exceptionally appealing:

• Longsword: This weapon is a workhorse. It’s reliable, versatile, and scales well with both Strength and Dexterity, making it effective throughout the entire game. Its weapon art, Stance, allows for both a guard-breaking upward thrust and a sweeping strong attack, providing solutions for different enemy encounters.
• 100% Physical Absorption Shield: This is a huge boon, especially for new players. Being able to reliably block all physical damage provides a safety net while learning enemy attack patterns and timings. This allows for safer exploration and more forgiving gameplay.
• Balanced Stats: The Knight’s starting stats are well-distributed, lacking extreme strengths or weaknesses. This allows you to mold the character into virtually any build you desire, whether it’s a Strength-focused behemoth, a Dexterity-based ninja, or even a magic-infused hybrid.
• Armor: The starting armor is decent, providing a good balance of protection and mobility. This allows you to avoid the dreaded “fat roll” early on, which can be a death sentence in many encounters.

Beyond the Knight: Other Viable Options

While the Knight is a strong choice for most players, other classes excel in specific areas and might be more suitable depending on your preferences:

• Pyromancer: For those interested in magic, particularly pyromancy, this is the best starting class. It begins with the Pyromancy Flame and the Fireball spell, giving you access to powerful ranged attacks from the very beginning. It also works well as a hybrid Strength/Magic build.
• Warrior: If you plan to focus solely on Strength weapons and don’t care for magic, the Warrior provides the highest starting Strength stat. This allows you to wield heavier weapons earlier, dealing significant damage.
• Sorcerer: The Sorcerer class is the best choice for players who know they want to focus on Sorceries and spells.
• Cleric: The Cleric class is perfect for those who wish to use Faith to enhance their power through Miracles.
• Deprived: This class starts with the lowest stats across the board and only a plank shield and club. This is a great challenge for the seasoned Dark Souls player.

The Importance of Your Build

Ultimately, the “best” class is less important than your character build. You can take any class and mold it into a powerful and effective character, but you need to have a plan. Consider what weapons you want to use, what spells you want to cast, and what stats you need to achieve your desired build. This planning allows you to choose the class that most efficiently allocates its starting stats to your desired goals.

Dark Souls 3: Character Building Mechanics

Classes serve as starting templates and don’t restrict your character’s growth, offering freedom to customize your build as you progress through the game. Each class starts with a different set of stats, equipment, and a predetermined level. However, after choosing a class, you can freely allocate skill points, and discover new equipment. Here’s a breakdown of each stat in Dark Souls 3, that is crucial for a solid character build:

• Vigor: Affects HP.
• Attunement: Affects FP and number of spell slots.
• Endurance: Affects stamina and equip load.
• Vitality: Affects equip load and physical defense.
• Strength: Required to wield heavy weapons and affects physical attack power.
• Dexterity: Required to wield faster weapons, increases casting speed, and affects physical attack power.
• Intelligence: Required for Sorceries and affects magic attack power.
• Faith: Required for Miracles and affects magic attack power.
• Luck: Affects item discovery, bleed buildup, and poison buildup.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does my starting class lock me into a specific playstyle?

No. Your starting class only determines your initial stats and equipment. You can level up any stat and use any weapon or spell regardless of your starting class. It simply provides a starting point.

2. Is it possible to respec my character in Dark Souls 3?

Yes. You can respec your character a limited number of times per playthrough by giving Pale Tongues to Rosaria, Mother of Rebirth, in the Cathedral of the Deep.

3. What is the best class for a Quality Build (equal Strength and Dexterity)?

The Knight is an excellent choice for a Quality Build due to its balanced stat distribution. However, the Mercenary also works well due to their weapon.

4. What’s the best class for a Strength build?

The Warrior is a great choice for a pure Strength Build due to its high starting Strength stat. The Bandit is also a good choice.

5. What’s the best class for a Dexterity build?

The Mercenary is often considered the best for a Dexterity Build due to its starting weapons (Sellsword Twinblades).

6. What’s the best class for a magic build?

• Sorcerer is ideal for Sorceries, Cleric for Miracles, and Pyromancer for Pyromancies.

7. Is the Deprived class a good choice for beginners?

Generally, no. The Deprived class is designed for experienced players who want a challenge. It requires a thorough understanding of the game’s mechanics.

8. How important is Luck in Dark Souls 3?

Luck is primarily useful for builds focused on bleed or poison and for increasing item discovery. However, it’s generally not a crucial stat for most builds.

9. What are the advantages of a hybrid build (combining melee and magic)?

Hybrid builds offer versatility, allowing you to adapt to different situations and enemy types. However, they often require more stat investment and can be less powerful than specialized builds.

10. Can I change my class later in the game?

No, you cannot change your starting class. However, as stated earlier, you can respec your stats, which allows you to effectively change your build.

11. Are some classes objectively worse than others?

Some classes are less optimal for specific builds, but no class is inherently “bad.” Every class can be viable with the right build and playstyle.

12. How do I decide which class is right for me?

Consider your preferred playstyle, the types of weapons and spells you want to use, and your experience with Soulslike games. If you’re unsure, the Knight is a safe and versatile starting point.

13. What is the best starting gift in Dark Souls 3?

The Fire Gem is generally considered the best starting gift, as it allows you to infuse a weapon with fire damage early in the game. The Life Ring and Divine Blessing are also solid options.

14. How does equipment load affect my character?

Your equipment load affects your movement speed, roll distance, and stamina regeneration. Staying below 70% of your maximum equipment load is crucial for maintaining mobility.

15. Where can I learn more about character building and strategies in Dark Souls 3?

There are many online resources available, including wikis, forums, and video guides. Exploring these resources can help you understand the game’s mechanics and create effective builds. To learn more about the science behind games, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Final Verdict

Choosing the “best” class in Dark Souls 3 is a personal decision based on your preferences and goals. The Knight provides a strong and adaptable foundation for most players, but other classes offer unique advantages for specific builds. Experiment with different classes and builds to discover what works best for you, and don’t be afraid to respec your character along the way. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and persevere through the challenges of Lothric.