Picking the best class to start with in Elden Ring Nightreign is the first meaningful decision you’ll make — and if you’ve any experience with FromSoftware games, it’s one you might spend time fretting over too.
Elden Ring Nightreign features eight playable classes (called Nightfarers), each with their own predetermined passive skills, character-specific abilities, and ultimate arts that can turn the tide of battle. And while all Nightreign players will start out as the Wylder, once you begin your first expedition, you’ll have immediate access to six classes: Executor, Guardian, Ironeye, Raider, Recluse, and Wylder. (You can unlock two additional Nightfarers, the Duchess and Revenant, as you complete expeditions and specific challenges.)
But what’s the best class to start with in Elden Ring Nightreign? While it largely depends on your playstyle, this Elden Ring Nightreign guide will help you figure it out.
Best class to start with in Elden Ring Nightreign
For your first expedition, we recommend starting with the Ironeye or Wylder.
Ironeye is an archer-style class with high Dexterity and Arcane attributes. As a ranged fighter, Ironeye can target enemies from distance and attack from the safety of high ground. While relatively weak on his own, Ironeye can complement a team by providing support from afar, and marking enemies to make them more susceptible to damage and being staggered. Plus, if one of your allies goes down in the middle of a fight, you can help raise them from near-death from afar, firing arrows (or your ultimate art) at them to get them back on their feet.
Ironeye is also one of the least complicated characters to play as. You don’t have to worry about managing their FP — you really only need to focus on stamina and HP — and tracking down a good bow.
Nightreign’s Wylder is also a good starting choice, in part because he’s a jack of all trades and can “cheat death” for extra survivability. Just a good ol’ sword-and-shield guy, Wylder has high HP, high Strength, and solid Stamina, making him a natural fit for seasoned Souls players.
Wylder’s Claw Shot character skill is useful for quickly moving him close to enemies and for breaking their guard. His ultimate, Onslaught Stake, is a simple, satisfying, damage-dealing explosion that offers a straightforward way to wipe out substantial chunks of big enemies’ HP.
After you get your feet wet with Nightfarers like Ironeye and Wylder, try out tankier classes like the Raider and Guardian, or the speedy, backstabbing Duchess, who you’ll be able to unlock after defeating your first Nightlord.
Hardest class to start with in Elden Ring Nightreign
The most complex Nightfarer starting character classes are the Executor and Recluse.
Executor looks extremely cool and deals a ton of damage output, and his ultimate art — in which he transforms into a giant primordial beast — can be a game-changer. But Executor has low survivability, and his character skill, which can deflect enemy attacks, requires some practice to master.
Recluse is a spellcaster/mixologist who can craft 14 different spells using magical “residues” from enemies, then attack enemies and buff her allies. As a ranged damage-dealer with low HP, she’s a good pick for players who may eventually get bored playing as Ironeye and want to try a more interesting and in-depth Nightfarer.
Of course, regardless of what class you pick, we highly recommend visiting the Sparring Grounds — a low-stakes training area — so you can try out different Nightfarers without the pressure of holding your teammates back in an expedition.
For more Elden Ring Nightreign guides, here’s how to unlock the Duchess and Revenant classes, plus explainers on where to find Smithing Stones and all church locations.
