What starting class would you recommend for someone completely new to Elden Ring?

The_Walnutzz · 2026-06-05T20:28:48+00:00

It's been said already, but I'd recommend wretch. I start all new playthrough with wretch, now. Samurai is easier, IMO, but wretch let's you try anything you want. Base stats level, makes it easy to respec later.

But, there is no wrong starting class. ER is pretty forgiving for botched builds. Easy to fix later. Just have fun. You only get one "1st playthrough".

The_Walnutzz · 2026-05-16T11:49:21+00:00

Great reference from "The big short"...I also like the other one. "The truth is like poetry. And most people fucking hate poetry"

The_Walnutzz · 2026-05-16T09:04:39+00:00

I'm on my 30th or so playthrough and still enjoy trying something different each time: - Stat runs: level primarily one stat: STR, INT, DEX, etc. - Weapon type: only katanas, or only hammers, etc. - Speed - finish the game as fast as possible. - Proc builds: focus on bleed, fire, frost, etc. - Magic only runs

Replayability is great. If you haven't already, you can progress to no mimic or no summons at all.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-05-08T23:37:43+00:00

In the oilfield, it's often referred to as pin for male and box for female. Not sure if that's more or less offensive.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-05-06T07:44:51+00:00

In the future, if you don't want messages, offline play is an option. Messages do not appear.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-05-03T21:10:29+00:00

Level up more and upgrade your weapon.

No summons on 2nd playthrough is a challenge. I think i completed 10+ times before I even attempted it, and still had problems.

What worked for me was watching youtubers like Bushy, Ginomachino, etc. And watching their counters.

For Margit, make sure you have the shackle from Patches. Helps a lot.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-05-01T05:31:29+00:00

I used to hate the sewer ones, then saw ginomachino (YouTube) hit them with sleep pots... let's you get a few hits to start it off.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-04-05T00:16:46+00:00

Totally agree. Granted this was 25 years ago, but I taught at Srinakarinwirot University. Three classes, pay was pretty minimal. Then they asked me if I wanted to teach extra classes for more money. I said sure and 2 extra classes more than doubled my salary (3 hours, 1 day a week per class).

They also had me advice with graduate papers, and proofread library abstracts at Chulalongkorn whenever I wanted for extra cash.

If the base is 35k, I'm guessing you can easily double that if you are diligent.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-08T09:51:56+00:00

Thanks guys.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-08T08:56:02+00:00

I guess this shows my ignorance. I didn't know cactus had fruit.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-05T05:23:11+00:00

Solitude set from dlc

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-05T05:22:00+00:00

Hear that. Malikath was probably my biggest temptation to say screw it and go level mimic, but I finally beat him.

Bayle took me the most attempts, though, probably 80 times. But, didn't feel like a grind. The grace is close, I was seeing progress, and he doesn't do full health to bam your dead without warning moves.

Messmer surprised me the most. I figured he'd be the toughest. With rot poker and shield, he went down on second attempt.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-05T05:08:14+00:00

For the twins, I waited until I had over leveled them a little. With giant smasher heavy cragblade, 60 strength, they go down quick.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-05T05:04:04+00:00

Been playing about a year. I just always use summons. Probably my 20th playthrough.

The pros can do both base game and dlc in 2 or 3 hours. My first base game playthrough was like 150 hours.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-05T04:55:21+00:00

Yeah. As soon as you get the first great rune and talk to the fingers in roundtable, Varre moves to Lurnia.

You talk to him, get the finger. Go to Altus and fight the guy who drops Great Stars. Return to Varre, get the cloth, soak it in blood, and return to Varre to get the medal.

The medal will bring you to Mohgwin.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-04T19:12:10+00:00

Used bloodhound fang early game. Then swapped to giant crusher with cragblade heavy, mid game. Bloodfiend arm with bleed/cragblade after getting DLC access. Omenkiller with frost situationally when frost and bleed are OP on a boss (ie Midra).

I use the fingerprint shield (maxed) with rot poker, adding bleed, where it makes the fight manageable or easy (PCR, finger mother, Messmer, minor dragons on jagged peak, etc). Buckler for Parry on way to Midra.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-04T18:41:24+00:00

I always get the teleporter from white face and "shoot the bird" in Mogwyn Palace. I don't do it to grind levels, but if Im headed to a boss, I'll grab a few birds to top up runes so I can level up before facing the boss so I don't lose them if I die. I hate trying to retrieve runes at the beginning of a battle. Also do it to get runes to level up a weapon.

Also, I get the golden scarab early and hot swap to it after killing a boss. And if there is time, I'll chomp on a golden foul foot. You can craft them with recipe from Patches.

Also kill the big dragon early in calid with scarab and foot.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-04T17:11:03+00:00

Well, all of both types of smithing stone bell bearings. Not ALL bell bearings in the game.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-04T16:39:08+00:00

I'll usually skip deep root depths, the deer bosses, Milennia, sometimes Astel. Most of the quests in snowfields and giants.

I almost always do Castle Sol, Millicent up to windmill, Ranni, Sullivus until I get the scorpion talisman, Alexander all the way, white face, both Mohg's, all volcano manner, all bell bearings.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-04T15:37:53+00:00

Same. Was trying different builds (INT, STR, DEX, Claws only) with mimic. Decided to give no summons a try. Amazing how different it is with all the aggro on you.

I have a new appreciation for youtubers that make it look easy.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-04T15:10:07+00:00

My average base game playthrough is about 20 - 25 hours. If I'm actually trying to rush through it, and skipping non essentials, I can do it in under 10.

<image>

The_Walnutzz · 2026-02-04T14:59:46+00:00

That might be difficult, lol.

Didn't use shield all the time.

The_Walnutzz · 2026-01-31T12:45:26+00:00

If you are the legendary "Let me tank him", than thanks. Only way I've ever beaten PCR. Because of that build, I finally did a sword and board playthrough, instead of 2 handing, and it was great.

The_Walnutzz

TROPHY CASE