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What is the Best Strength Starting Class in Dark Souls 1?

The question of the best strength-focused starting class in Dark Souls 1 often arises for players looking to embrace the brutal, weighty combat this game is renowned for. While the game provides several options, the answer isn’t as simple as a single choice. However, for players prioritizing raw strength and the ability to wield powerful weapons early on, the Bandit and the Warrior stand out as the top contenders, with the Bandit holding a slight edge due to its starting stats and equipment. In short, for the absolute best combination of initial strength and potential, the Bandit is the slightly better choice for starting your strength build in Dark Souls 1.

Why the Bandit Class Shines for Strength Builds

The Bandit class in Dark Souls 1 begins with the highest Strength and Endurance stats among all starting classes. This combination is crucial for a strength-focused build for several reasons:

Wielding Powerful Weapons Early: The Bandit’s higher initial strength stat allows you to wield larger, more powerful weapons earlier in the game, giving you a significant damage advantage right from the start.
Increased Equip Load: High Endurance means you can equip heavier armor and weapons without hindering your movement (known as ‘fat rolling’), allowing for a more resilient and effective character. This provides greater survivability and more versatility in combat.
Starting Equipment: The Bandit begins with an axe, which is an excellent weapon for early-game encounters. It deals considerable damage and is relatively fast, making it a perfect tool for learning the game’s combat mechanics. Additionally, the Bandit’s starting armor is decent for early game defense.
Less Stat Grinding: Because the Bandit starts with high strength and endurance, you won’t need to spend as many early-game levels boosting these stats, allowing you to focus on other crucial attributes like Vitality (for health) or Dexterity if you plan on incorporating some dexterity-scaling weapons into your build later on. This efficiency is a considerable advantage early on in the challenging world of Lordran.

How the Warrior Class Compares

While the Bandit offers clear advantages, the Warrior class is also a very viable option for a strength build. Here’s why:

Balanced Stats: The Warrior has a more balanced starting stat distribution compared to the Bandit. While not as high in Strength as the Bandit, the Warrior has a good starting point for overall combat effectiveness.
Good Starting Gear: The Warrior begins with a longsword and a shield. This combination offers a more traditional gameplay approach, with the longsword providing versatile damage output and the shield a more defense-oriented option, allowing new players to more safely learn the game’s blocking and parrying mechanics.
Versatile Build Path: Because of its slightly more balanced stat distribution, the Warrior is easily adaptable to builds that incorporate elements of Dexterity, making it suitable for players who might want to transition to a quality build later in the game. This is not a negative aspect for a pure strength build, but it is something to consider.
Solid Foundation: The Warrior‘s stats provide a stable base for any player wanting to start with melee combat, making it a popular option for beginners who are unsure of their desired build path.

The Case Against Other Classes

While other classes offer their own unique advantages, they are generally less ideal for a pure strength-focused build at the beginning of the game.

Knight: While durable, it starts slower and with less Strength.
Pyromancer: Focused on magic, not strength.
Cleric: Aimed at Faith-based builds, not strength.
Sorcerer: Focused on Intelligence-based magic.
Thief: Emphasizes dexterity and stealth.
Wanderer: Similar to Thief, more dexterity-based.
Deprived: While versatile, this class starts with no gear, no armor, and requires more effort to get started with a strength focused build.

The key takeaway is that, while any class can become strong with time, the Bandit and Warrior are strategically positioned as the most effective starting points for anyone wanting to smash their way through Lordran with big, heavy weapons. For the reasons highlighted above, the Bandit’s higher initial strength and endurance make it the very best strength-focused starting class in Dark Souls 1.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Strength Good in Dark Souls 1?

Yes, Strength is an excellent attribute in Dark Souls 1. It allows you to wield powerful, heavy weapons that deal significant damage, making it a viable and enjoyable playstyle for many players. Strength weapons are favored by some veterans for their high damage output, allowing them to defeat enemies quickly.

2. What is the Strongest Build in DS1?

While there are many powerful builds, a Pyromancy-focused build, often combined with melee combat, is considered one of the strongest in Dark Souls 1. Pyromancy is potent throughout the game, and this combined style offers both ranged and melee capabilities.

3. What is the Best Beginner Class in Dark Souls 1?

Many recommend the Warrior or Knight as excellent starting classes for beginners due to their good starting gear and well-balanced stats. However, if the goal is to focus on strength, the Bandit offers a smoother initial experience for a heavy weapon playstyle.

4. Do Starting Classes Matter in Dark Souls 1?

Starting classes mainly influence your starting stats, gear, and spells. You can eventually build any class into anything, but starting with a Bandit or Warrior makes a big difference if your goal is a strength build in the early game.

5. What is the Best Weapon for Strength Builds in DS1?

Many options exist for great strength weapons in DS1. Some notable choices include the Large Club, Great Club, the Demon’s Machette, and the Man-Serpent Greatsword. The Dragon King Greataxe is known for its high single-hit damage potential.

6. Should I Level Strength or Dexterity in Dark Souls 1?

The choice between Strength and Dexterity depends on your desired playstyle. Strength weapons hit harder but are slower, while Dexterity weapons are faster with less raw damage. Strength is generally recommended for a beginner due to the high damage output, but there are many good arguments for both types of builds.

7. What is the Most Important Stat in DS1?

While several stats are important, Vitality, which increases your health, is widely considered the most critical stat in Dark Souls 1, as it determines how much damage you can take before dying. Endurance also plays a crucial role, affecting stamina and equip load, which are important for a strength build.

8. What is the Easiest Build in Dark Souls 1?

The Knight is often recommended as the easiest starting class. Once you obtain a black knight weapon, the game becomes much more manageable. Some consider a Cleric Knight build to be “Dark Souls on easy mode” for its effectiveness in PvE.

9. What is the Best Starter Gift for Strength Builds in Dark Souls 1?

While not class-specific, the Master Key is often considered one of the best starter gifts, as it opens up more areas, gives you earlier access to certain items, and allows you to take unique routes. However, for an early game strength build, focusing on leveling stats to carry and use bigger weapons trumps any starter gift.

10. Is the Deprived Class the Best Choice for Advanced Players?

The Deprived class is often chosen by experienced players for the challenge, but it offers no real advantages in a straightforward playthrough. While its balanced stats allow for variety, it’s not a strategic choice for starting a specific build.

11. What is the Best Solo PvE Build in Dark Souls 1?

A Cleric Knight build is considered one of the most effective and efficient PvE builds in Dark Souls, requiring no specific farming and offering a good balance of offense and defense.

12. How Does Strength Scaling Work in Dark Souls 1?

Strength increases damage relatively linearly up to a point, especially when two-handing weapons. There are diminishing returns as your Strength stat increases further, but there is always an increase in damage, though it may be a lesser increase.

13. What Are Some Early-Game Strength Weapons?

Some great early-game strength weapons include the Battle Axe (starting Bandit class weapon), Large Club (found in Blightown), and the Claymore (located on the bridge in the Undead Burg).

14. What Class is best for a Faith Build in Dark Souls 1?

The Cleric is the best class for Faith-based builds, as it starts with one of the best talismans in the game, enabling early access to powerful miracles.

15. Is Dark Souls 1 Beginner Friendly?

While challenging, Dark Souls 1 is often recommended as a good starting point for the series, as it teaches players the basic mechanics and provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment. However, the game has been noted for its challenging mechanics, especially for new players.

In conclusion, the Bandit class in Dark Souls 1 is the most strategically positioned for new players looking to embrace a strength-focused style. Its higher starting strength and endurance coupled with decent starting gear allow for a smoother early game experience, paving the way for a satisfying and powerful playthrough.

What is the best strength starting class in ds1?