In Lords Of The Fallen 2023, 9 starting classes are available for selection (if you pre-ordered the game, there will be 10) and 4 can be unlocked. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, boasting different sets of starting stats and gear. Some are more suitable for beginners as they are easier to play, while other classes are designed for veterans of souls-like games. One should make their choice wisely, based on gameplay preferences and individual skill in such games. You cannot change your class during the game, but you can modify gear and weapons and level up other stats.

Class Stats

The chosen role has its own metrics for each of the six characteristics:

Strength - boosts damage and allows for wielding heavy weapons;

Agility - increases damage with light one-handed and ranged weapons;

Endurance - affects stamina, increases sprint duration, allows for more dodges. Enables wearing heavy armor and attacking faster with large weapons;

Vitality - boosts health points;

Radiance - grants access to Radiance magic spells, allows the use of items tied to this metric, increases mana;

Inferno - grants access to Shadow spells, boosts mana, and allows the use of items with this characteristic.

Description of all game classes

All available classes in the game can be categorized as: best, good, average, poor. This can be determined by their stat metrics, starting gear and items, and how easy or difficult it is to play as that class.

Best

This category includes all classes that aren't starting ones and are given either for completing certain actions in the game or for purchasing extended editions.

Lord.  A powerful class whose main strength lies in magic. Has an increased amount of Inferno stats. In addition to its strong magic component, the class is also suitable for melee due to its endurance and vitality stats.

Characteristics:

Strength = 12;

Agility = 8;

Endurance = 13;

Vitality = 13;

Radiance = 8;

Inferno = 22.

Starts with a Lord's axe and a Lord catalyst (Lord Axe, Lord Catalyst). The latter boosts magical damage. The axe is slow but deals significant physical and fire damage. The class is considered the perfect pyromancer, due to the catalyst and Inferno. Advantages over other classes are available right from the start. 

Equipped with a Lord's breastplate, mask, gauntlets, and leggings (Lord Armour, Lord Gauntlets, Lord Leggings, Lord Mask). 

From the start has: Ring of Bones, which increases the maximum possible carrying weight; Ring of Duty, which increases endurance and resilience. 

Starting spells: Adyr`s Endurance, Infernal Weapon, and Infernal Slash.

Initial consumables: Sanguinarix, Umbral Lamp, and five Large Manastone Clusters.

To unlock the class, you must finish the game and achieve the "Inferno" ending. For this, do not clear the beacon and do not support Adyr.

Radiant Purifier.  The class is an upgraded version of the starting Orian Preacher. The main characteristic of the class is "Radiance", uses light spells. All stats for the purifier are high, except for Inferno.

Characteristics:

Strength = 12; 

Agility = 18;

Endurance = 13;

Resilience = 14;

Radiance = 18;

Inferno = 8.

Starting weapon: Radiant Purifier Polearm, which at first glance looks like a mix of an axe and a spear; Radiant Purifier Catalyst. The weapon deals both physical and damage based on the Radiance stat. As you level up strength, agility, and radiance, damage stats increase.  The Catalyst allows for the casting of light spells. 

Starting armor: Radiant Purifier Hat, Radiant Purifier Trousers, Radiant Purifier Gauntlets, Radiant Purifier Robes.

Has an Empyrean Pendant, which increases sacred damage and protection.

Starting spells: Piercing Light, Healing Sigil, Aura of Tenacity.

Consumable items: Sanguinarix, 5 Large Manastones.

The character unlocks by completing the game. Follow the main storyline, defeat Adyr at the end, and cleanse the beacons.

Putrid Child. Uses forbidden Umbral magic. Good at magic but not suited for close combat. 

Stats: 

Strength = 8; 

Agility = 8;

Endurance = 10;

Resilience = 12;

Radiance = 15;

Inferno = 15.

Starting Weapons: Putrid Child Sword, Putrid Child Catalyst.

Starting Armor: Putrid Child Arm Wrappings, Putrid Child Mask, Patrid Child Leg Wrappings, Patrid Child Robes.

Has a Pendant of Parting, which gives a chance to create a mine upon killing an enemy. 

Starting Spells: Putrefaction, Diminishing Missile, Lingering Despair.

Consumables: Sanguinarix, 5 large mana stones.

The character can be unlocked after completing the game with the Umbral ending, for which you will need to kill one of the game's key characters.

Dark Crusade. Great class for those who prefer brute force, two-handed weapons, melee combat, and a bit of magic. Main stats are Strength and Resilience. Leveling them up can further enhance this already powerful class. 

Stats:

Strength = 12; 

Agility = 8;

Endurance = 14;

Resilience = 14;

Radiance = 11;

Inferno = 8.

Starting Weapons: Paladin Isaac's Sword, Radiantburst Parchment, Throwing Hand, which allows the use of throwable items and weapons.

Starting Armor: Paladin Helm, Paladin Armour, Paladin Gauntlets, Paladin Leggings.

Paladin's Pendant. Increases strength and endurance.

Starting items: Shadow Lamp, Sanguinarix.

The class can be obtained either by purchasing the extended or collector's edition of the game, or by completing the quest "Paladin's Request" (The Paladin`s Request).

Good

Orian Preacher. Essentially, it is something in between a mage and a close-combat hero, having enhanced Radiance magic characteristics. Strength stats allow for the use of a two-handed hammer. Magic is used for ranged attacks. Although starting spells aren't very powerful, new ones will appear as the game progresses. The low amount of HP and mana force players to strategize, combining close combat and magic use.

Characteristics:

Strength = 10; 

Agility = 8;

Endurance = 9;

Resilience = 11;

Radiance = 18;

Inferno = 8.

Starting weapon: Orian Preacher Hammer, Orian Preacher Shield, Orian Preacher Catalyst.

Starting armor: Orian Preacher Garb, Orian Preacher Hat,  Orian Preacher Skirt, Orian Preacher Wrappings. 

Starting spell: Radiant Flare.

Initial items: Shadow Lamp, Sanguinarix, five Small Manastone Clusters, Lampbearer`s Rosary.

The class is starting and is available initially.

Hallowed Knight. A typical knight. Suitable for those who love to crush everything in their path using close combat. Has high strength and endurance stats, which allow for delivering many heavy blows with high damage. The class has a lot of health, allowing for some tanking. Magical abilities are not pronounced.

Characteristics:

Strength = 12; 

Agility = 8;

Endurance = 15;

Resilience = 11;

Radiance = 9;

Inferno = 8.

Starting weapon: Hallowed Knight Sword, Hallowed Knight Shield, Grenade.

Starting armor: Hallowed Knight Helm, Gauntlets, Leggings, and Armour.

Starting items: Three pairs of Briostone (Briostone Pair), used for HP recovery. Enervated Vigor Skull, grants 200 energy. Lantern's Rosary, shadow lamp.

The class is available from the start of the game, easy to master.

Partisan.  One of the most balanced classes in the game, easy to master and suitable for many players. All points have almost equal values, except for those related to magic. The class is suitable for getting acquainted with the game, however, it lacks any unique feature and may seem boring to many.

Characteristics:  

Strength = 13; 

Agility = 12;

Endurance = 12;

Resilience = 12;

Shine = 8;

Inferno = 8.

Starting weapons: Partisan Flail, Partisan Shield, Crossbow.

Starting armor: Partisan Breastplate, Leggings, Gauntlets, and Hood.

Starting items: Lantern's Rosary, shadow lamp, sangvinarix, three Unripe Berries, Rived Bolts.

Udirangr Warwolf. A strong class, which can't boast its vitality. Playing requires caution, contemplating attacks and dodging enemy strikes. High endurance allows the use of heavy weapons, which inflict impressive damage due to high Strength characteristic. Weaknesses include poor defense and undeveloped magic.

Characteristics:

Strength = 16; 

Agility = 10;

Endurance = 13;

Resilience = 10;

Shine = 8;

Inferno = 8.

Starting weapons: Udirangr Warwolf Sword, Bloody Hatchet.

Starting armor: Udirangr Warwolf Armour, Hood, Sleeves, and Trousers.

Starting items: Lantern's Rosary, two Minor Fire Salts, shadow lamp.

Averages

Blackfeather Ranger.  A balanced melee character. Can use both heavy two-handed weapons and one-handed ones. The stats allow for the use of ranged weapons in combat, but magical abilities are low.

Characteristics:

Strength = 11; 

Dexterity = 13;

Endurance = 11;

Resilience = 10;

Shine = 8;

Inferno = 8.

Starting Weapons: Blackfeather Ranger Axe/Bow/Shield.

Starting Armor: Blackfeather Ranger Armour/Gloves/Hat/Trousers.

Initial Items: 2 Ammunition Pouches, Lamplighter's Rosary, Sanguinarix, Shadow Lamp.

This class is slightly weaker than the versatile characters described earlier.

Mournstead Infantry.  A class with average strength, agility, and endurance stats. Starts with a spear, which might be difficult to use in tight spaces. However, in open areas, the length of the spear is a significant advantage. The low health pool requires evading all enemy attacks, acting cautiously, and flawlessly. Low magical stats don't allow for efficient spellcasting.

Characteristics:

Strength = 12; 

Dexterity = 14;

Endurance = 12;

Resilience = 11;

Shine = 8;

Inferno = 8.

Starting Weapons: Mournstead Infantry Spear/Shield, Short Javelin.

Starting Armor: Mournstead Infantry Armour/Glove/Helm/Leggings.

Initial Items: Briostone Trio, Lamplighter's Rosary, Sanguinarix, Shadow Lamp.

Exile Stalker. A class with low defense and damage but high speed and endurance. Starts with throwing knives in the inventory, which can ease progression. Not suitable for players who can't dodge every enemy blow. Every skirmish can be fatal, and you might have to start all over. Playing this class requires quick reflexes and steel nerves.

Characteristics:

Strength = 9; 

Agility = 16;

Endurance = 11;

Resilience = 11;

Radiance = 8;

Inferno = 8;

Starting Weapons: Two Exiled Stalker Daggers, Lacerating Knives.

Starting Armor: Exiled Stalker Garb/Headscarf/Trousers/Wrappings.

Initial Items: 3 Poison Salts, Rosary of the Lantern, Sanguinarix, Shadow Lamp. 

Bad ones

Pyric Cultist.  A class with enhanced Inferno magic. Can't engage in close combat due to a small amount of health and strength. Prefers to use spells and keep a distance. Although the spells inflict significant damage to regular enemies, you still have to play carefully, conserving mana, because it can run out at the most crucial moment in the boss fight and finishing off the enemy will be challenging.

Characteristics:

Strength = 9; 

Agility = 8;

Endurance = 11;

Resilience = 9;

Radiance = 8;

Inferno = 18;

Starting Weapons: Pyric Cultist Staff/Catalyst.

Starting Armor: Pyric Cultist Garb/Gloves/Hood/Leggings.

Starting Spell: Infernal Orb.

Initial Items: Five Small Mana Stones, Rosary of the Lantern, Sanguinarix, Shadow Lamp.

Condemned. The most challenging class in the game. Suitable only for hardcore gamers who have completed similar games multiple times. This class offers the most significant challenge. All of its characteristics are 9, and he doesn't have good starting weapons or any armor. Health is low, magic is not enhanced.

Characteristics:

Strength = 9; 

Agility = 9;

Endurance = 9;

Resilience = 9;

Radiance = 9;

Inferno = 9;

Starting Weapons: Broken Bucket, Throwing Rock.

Starting Armor: Condemned Fetters/Garb/Head Cage/Manacles.

Initial Items: Rosary of the Lantern, Sanguinarix, Shadow Lamp.

Best Classes for Beginners

If you are just getting acquainted with souls-like games and Lords of the Fallen will be your first such game, we recommend choosing the following classes:

• Holy Knight;
• Udirangr Battle Wolf;
• Mornsted Infantryman;
• Dark Crusader (if you bought the expanded edition).

All other classes are more challenging in understanding and mechanics; it's better to choose them in subsequent playthroughs.