Samurai is a strong starting choice if you want to fight with a katana and have a bow for ranged engagements. It begins at level 9 with high Dexterity for an early-game origin, but it does not lock you into a particular weapon or build. For a new player, a sensible approach is to invest in Vigor as you learn enemy patterns, then meet the requirements of your chosen weapon and improve the attributes that weapon actually scales with.
What the Samurai starts with
Bandai Namco describes the Samurai as “A capable fighter from the distant Land of Reeds” and “Handy with katana and longbows.” That identity is reflected in its starting equipment: Eldenpedia lists an Uchigatana, Red Thorn Roundshield, Longbow and arrows, plus the Land of Reeds helm, armor, gauntlets and greaves.
The starting attributes below are listed by the Elden Ring Fan API reference surfaced through Eldenringguide.com; the publisher’s class description does not provide this stat table.
| Starting detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | 9 |
| Vigor | 12 |
| Mind | 11 |
| Endurance | 13 |
| Strength | 12 |
| Dexterity | 15 |
| Intelligence | 9 |
| Faith | 8 |
| Arcane | 8 |
With 15 Dexterity at the outset and an Uchigatana in hand, a Dexterity-leaning katana route is a natural fit. The Longbow gives you another way to approach fights: use it to attack from range or draw one enemy away from a group before closing in. Those are practical uses of the starting kit, not requirements for playing the class.
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Raise Vigor while learning encounters
Vigor increases HP, which gives you more room to survive mistakes while learning enemy attacks. Bandai Namco’s advanced-stats guide illustrates the general effect with 1,450 HP at 40 Vigor compared with 414 HP at 10 Vigor. Those are general game figures, not Samurai-specific results or a prescribed leveling target.
Let your weapon determine damage stats
Before spending levels to raise damage, check the requirements and attribute scaling of the weapon you plan to use. Dexterity is a reasonable early focus for a Samurai using its katana, but a different weapon, affinity or build may reward other attributes. Bandai Namco cautions that scaling returns vary by weapon, so there is no universal damage-stat sequence that is best for every Samurai.
Spend toward a build, not a fixed template
As you choose equipment, prioritize meeting its attribute requirements, then develop the stats that support your intended setup. Mind, Endurance, Strength, Intelligence, Faith and Arcane may matter more or less depending on the weapons, skills and spells you decide to use. Avoid treating a single set of late-game numbers as a best build without specifying the weapon, affinity, level target and whether the goal is PvE or PvP.
Is Samurai good for beginners?
It can be a comfortable starting point for someone who wants a clear melee weapon and a ranged option from the beginning. The Uchigatana offers a direct route into katana combat, while the Longbow lets you engage an enemy at a distance. Its starting Vigor is 12, so adding Vigor as you learn encounters can make survival a priority without requiring a different origin.
Samurai is not only for katana users. Bandai Namco says a class is a starting point, “never a limitation”; you can develop toward other weapons or spell approaches by gaining the relevant attributes and equipment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When another starting class may suit your build better
Compare origins by how their starting attributes fit the build you actually want, rather than looking for a universally best class. Eldenpedia describes Samurai as efficient for Dexterity builds and notes that Vagabond may become more efficient for builds requiring 14 or more Strength. That is a build-specific efficiency comparison, not a general ranking: the better starting distribution depends on your intended weapon and attribute needs.
Do updates change this advice?
Bandai Namco’s official game page reports a Patch 1.17 announcement in August 2026 and lists current editions, including Shadow of the Erdtree editions and an artbook/soundtrack bundle. The available information here does not establish whether Patch 1.17 changed Samurai-specific balance, so this guide does not make patch-specific build claims. Check the full patch notes if you are planning around a particular balance change.
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