What is the Hardest Class to Start in Demon’s Souls?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Without a doubt, the Barbarian class is widely considered the hardest class to start with in Demon’s Souls. Why? Because you begin the game practically naked, armed with nothing more than a club. This lack of armor and a weak starting weapon leaves you incredibly vulnerable to early-game enemies. While all classes eventually become viable, the initial hours as a Barbarian demand exceptional patience, skillful dodging, and a deep understanding of enemy attack patterns.
Understanding the Starting Classes in Demon’s Souls
Before diving deeper into the Barbarian’s woes, let’s briefly touch upon the other starting classes. Each class offers a unique starting point, influencing your initial stats, equipment, and playstyle. While Demon’s Souls allows you to build your character in any direction, regardless of starting class, some paths are undeniably smoother than others.
- Knight: A balanced class with decent armor and a solid sword, making it a reliable choice for beginners.
- Hunter: Equipped with a bow and arrows, offering ranged combat options from the start.
- Priest: Starts with a healing miracle, providing sustain and support capabilities.
- Soldier: A melee-focused class with a spear and broadsword, providing versatility in combat.
- Thief: Emphasizes stealth and backstabs, requiring careful planning and execution.
- Magician: Begins with a spell and some basic magic, enabling early spellcasting.
- Royalty: Arguably the easiest starting class, featuring a powerful Soul Arrow spell and a ring that regenerates MP.
- Wanderer: A nimble class with a curved sword, favoring agility and evasion.
Why the Barbarian is So Challenging
The Barbarian’s difficulty stems from several key factors:
- Minimal Armor: Starting with virtually no armor means you take significantly more damage from every attack. This makes early encounters incredibly punishing, as even basic enemies can kill you quickly.
- Weak Starting Weapon: The club is one of the weakest weapons in the game, making it difficult to deal significant damage, especially against armored foes. This can lead to prolonged fights and increased risk of being overwhelmed.
- Low Starting Stats: While stats can be adjusted later, the Barbarian’s initial stat allocation doesn’t favor any particular combat style.
- Reliance on Perfect Play: To survive as a Barbarian, you must master the art of dodging and timing your attacks precisely. There’s little room for error, as even a single mistake can be fatal.
Strategies for Surviving as a Barbarian
If you’re determined to start as a Barbarian, here are some tips to increase your chances of survival:
- Master Dodging: Your best defense is avoiding damage altogether. Practice rolling and learn the timing of enemy attacks.
- Exploit Weaknesses: Identify enemies’ vulnerabilities and exploit them. For example, backstabbing enemies whenever possible.
- Scavenge for Gear: Prioritize finding better armor and weapons as quickly as possible. Explore every corner of the levels and search for hidden items.
- Grind for Souls: Leveling up your stats can make a significant difference in your survivability. Find a safe area to grind souls and improve your vitality and strength.
- Co-op Assistance: Summoning other players for co-op can greatly ease the difficulty of early areas. Consider seeking help from experienced players.
- Learn Enemy Patterns: Memorize the attack patterns of each enemy to anticipate their moves and plan your attacks and dodges.
- Patience is Key: Don’t get discouraged by early deaths. The Barbarian start is challenging, but with persistence and skill, you can overcome the initial hurdles.
The Reward of Perseverance
Despite the initial hardships, playing as a Barbarian can be a rewarding experience. Overcoming the early challenges teaches you valuable lessons about patience, resourcefulness, and mastering the game’s mechanics. Once you acquire better gear and level up your stats, you’ll appreciate the sense of accomplishment and the versatility that comes with building your character from the ground up. This approach is also a good way to learn more about how games can be used to teach and this is something that is covered by the Games Learning Society. You can find out more information at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Barbarian the worst class overall in Demon’s Souls?
No, the Barbarian isn’t necessarily the worst class overall. While it’s undoubtedly the hardest to start with, all classes can become powerful with the right build and playstyle. The Barbarian’s low starting equipment simply presents a steeper learning curve.
2. Can I still use magic as a Barbarian?
Yes, absolutely. You can invest points into Magic and Intelligence to learn and cast spells, just like any other class. However, it will take more initial investment than a class like Royalty or Magician.
3. What’s the first piece of armor I should aim to get as a Barbarian?
Early on, any armor is better than no armor! Look for the Leather Armor set, which can be found relatively early in the game.
4. Is the Thief class harder than the Barbarian?
While the Thief also has a challenging start, the Barbarian’s lack of armor is generally considered a greater disadvantage. The Thief’s focus on stealth and backstabs can provide some advantages in certain situations.
5. Does the Barbarian have any unique advantages?
Not really in terms of starting benefits. Its advantage lies in the fact that you are forced to master core mechanics early on, which can make you a better player in the long run.
6. Is Demon’s Souls harder than Dark Souls?
The difficulty between Demon’s Souls and the Dark Souls series is a subjective topic. Demon’s Souls is often considered easier due to certain design choices and enemy weaknesses, but it can still be a challenging experience for newcomers.
7. What stats should I focus on leveling up as a Barbarian?
Initially, focus on Vitality to increase your health, Endurance to improve your stamina, and Strength to increase your damage output with melee weapons.
8. Can I change my class later in the game?
No, you cannot directly change your starting class. However, you can freely allocate stat points and equip different gear to build your character in any way you desire.
9. Is Demon’s Souls a good game for beginners to the Souls series?
While challenging, Demon’s Souls can be a good starting point for the Souls series due to its unique level design and manageable length compared to later entries.
10. What’s the easiest class to start with in Demon’s Souls?
The Royalty class is widely regarded as the easiest starting class due to its Soul Arrow spell and MP regeneration ring.
11. Do all classes have the same ending?
Yes, all classes lead to the same endings. Your choices throughout the game determine the ending you receive, not your starting class.
12. Is it possible to beat Demon’s Souls as a naked Barbarian?
Yes, it is possible, and it’s a popular challenge run for experienced players. However, it requires exceptional skill, knowledge of the game, and a lot of patience.
13. Where can I find a good weapon early on as a Barbarian?
The Long Sword can be found relatively early and is a significant upgrade from the club. Explore the first level thoroughly and look for it.
14. How important is magic in Demon’s Souls?
Magic can be very powerful in Demon’s Souls, but it’s not essential. You can beat the game with a pure melee build if you prefer.
15. Are summons always helpful in Demon’s Souls?
Summons can be very helpful, but be aware that summoning other players also increases the difficulty of the area by increasing enemy health. Choose your summons wisely.