After years of anticipation, the mega-popular action-adventure RPG Elden Ring is finally taking the gaming world by storm. Created by George R. R. Martin and Hidetaka Miyazaki, the massive open-world game features 10 distinct class rankings that are subdivided into four tiers, including the S-Tier, A-Tier, B-Tier, and C-Tier, all of which are defined by a battery of stats.

RELATED: 10 Elden Ring Bosses Best Handled In Co-Op

Each class ranking includes one to three types of characters to play in the game with, including prisoners, prophets, bandits, warriors, heroes, and more. Gamers looking to conquer the game in the most efficient way possible would be wise to choose the right character class before starting.

Wretch - C-Tier

Wretch appears in Elden Ring

The only C-Tier class member to play with during an RPG that was highly anticipated leading up to its launch is Wretch, a listless character with no armor, spells, or weapons to defend themselves with at the start of the game. Only masterful Souls gamers would even think to play Elden Ring with this character; otherwise, players should expect a swift demise.

With a rock-bottom Level 1 starting point, Wretch can only obtain a marginal club to deal insignificant damage. Moreover, all of Wretch's 8 base stats level out at 10, which is far superior to the other collective class types in the game.

Prisoner - B-Tier

Prisoner looks up in Elden Ring

With a Level 6 Start, Prisoner is the least impressive of the B-Tiers in Elden Ring. That said, Prisoner balances an equal mixture of Intelligence and Dexterity (14) to go with a Magic Glintblade spell, an iron mask, rift shield, and Glintstone Staff. As such, Prisoner is best suited for longer runs in the game.

The problem with Prisoner is their weak starting position (8 Strength score) that comes with zero body armor, making the character easily immune to heavy damage. With lackluster Faith (6) and Arcane (9) stats to boot, Prisoner is less impressive than most other options.

Prophet - B-Tier

Prophets have their eyes covered in Elden Ring

Thanks to its excellent Faith (16) and Mind stats (14), Prophet can protect themselves through a host of deadly spells fairly early in the game. While they lack armor, the Level 7 starter is a solid B-Tier to play with. The character is best used for those who want to focus on spellcasting first and foremost.

RELATED: 10 Best Movies & Shows For Fans Of Elden Ring

However, Prophet is vulnerable to being outwitted and outmuscled due to their lower Intelligence (7) and Strength (8) stats, making it imperative for players to conjure the right incantation to defeat their foes.

Bandit - B-Tier

Bandit emerges from light in Elden Ring

The most superior B-Tier class is Bandit, an excellent archer with supreme Dexterity (13) and top-notch Arcane stats (14) that make them hard to outsmart and overpower with curses. Armed with a Great Knife to go with a Shortbow, Bandit can do battle up close or at range with equal results. The diversity gives them a leg up.

Bandit's biggest vulnerabilities include a fairly low damage rate, making it necessary to sustain prolonged boss battles. Save for a buckler, Bandit lacks armor and protection as well, making it best to fire arrows at a safe distance.

Confessor - A-Tier

Confessor faces a monster in Elden Ring

A-Tier classes in Elden Ring are ideal for beginners and experts alike in the excellent western-themed RPG. With an extremely balanced stat line across the board, Confessor has a 10 starting level to go with dual starting spells, a Broadsword/Finger Seal weapon, and Blue Crest Heater Shield that makes them very difficult to defeat.

Outranking many in Dexterity (12), Strength (12), Mind (13), and Faith (14), Confessor can outmaneuver, outmuscle, and out-heal most of their opponents. However, with low Intelligence (9) and Stamina (10), Confessor can be outsmarted and outlasted in battle given the right enemy. A flexible class is ideal for those who want to build their character over time.

Astrologer - A-Tier

Astrologer wears a hooded robe in Elden Ring

Despite starting at Level 6, Astrologer has too much mental acuity to contend with in the stellar modern fantasy RPG. The A-Tier class boasts staggering 15 and 16 Mind and Intelligence stats, giving them the ability to channel powerful spells on par with a sorcerer. As such, Astrologer is great at taking on large groups at once.

Bolstered by the Astrologer's Staff, Short Sword, and Scripture Wooden Shield, Astrologer has sorcery skills with a solid arsenal to inflict severe damage. However, with poor Strength (8), Endurance (9), and zero armor, the Astrologer is best suited to cast deadly spells from far range.

Samurai - A-Tier

Samurai holds a sword and shield in Elden Ring

The best A-Tier class in Elden Ring is Samurai, a highly efficient warrior in close combat and far-ranging battles. Aside from impenetrable armor from head to toe, Samurai has an indomitable will that is hard to contend with. Samurai boasts superior Strength (12), Vigor (12), Endurance (13), and Dexterity (15), the combo of which is truly stunning.

RELATED: 10 Best Side Quests In Elden Ring

Despite lacking arcane magic, Samurai could easily defeat most foes with the aforementioned stats. But when coupled with their Uchigatana Long Bow, Red Thorn Roundshield, and Land of Reeds Helm, Armor, Gauntlets, and Greaves armor, Samurai is doubly dangerous.

Warrior - S-Tier

Warrior holds a sword in the field in Elden Ring

As per usual, S-Tier is the most superior class rank in Elden Ring. Of the three S-Tiers, Warrior is an awesome melee expert with towering Arcane (14) and Dexterity (16) stats to go with their mighty dual Scimitars and solid armor. Despite the absence of ranged weapons, Warrior is one of the three best classes to play in the popular action RPG.

Beginner friendly and advanced for experts making a deep run, Warrior lets gamers play instinctually without overthinking things too much, allowing for visceral melee combat. Thanks to their armored appendages, defeating Warrior will take a direct hit to their head or chest with expert precision.

Hero - S-Tier

Hero holds a battle axe in Elden Ring

With overbearing Strength (16), Vigor (14), and Endurance (12) stats, Hero is the second-best S-Tier class in the popular RPG. Despite being somewhat vulnerable to ranged attacks, Hero has brute strength and defensive gear that make them nearly impossible to land a blow on, much less defeat.

Armed with a gnarly Battle Axe and Large Leather Shield, not to mention Champion headbands, pauldrons, bracers, and gaiters, Hero's only real weak spot is the lack of magical power and ranged weapons to start the game.

Vagabond - S-Tier

Vagabond holds a sword over his shoulder in Elden Ring

Vagabond is the most superior S-Tier class in Elden Ring. Thanks to their whopping Vigor (15), Strength (14), and Dexterity (13) combo, the lethality of the character is unmatched. Thrown in the peerless Vagabond Knight Armor adorning their head, chest, hands, and legs, and Vagabond is the clear-cut best.

Decked with a Longsword, Halberd, and Heater Shield to boot, Vagabond can punish enemies without sustaining a scratch of harm, allowing players to fight through enemy throngs with relative ease.

NEXT: The Best Twitter Reactions To Elden Ring