All you veterans: Pick the wretch for your first playthrough

[Swimfan]

I planned on picking Vagabond for my very first playthrough, since I love the knight theme and always roll with that (followed by a mage run) BUT there was always something nagging in the back of my mind and I just couldn't really place my finger on what I was missing.

Just watched a video by Ratatoskr on YT and his argument hit me like a truck: We, who know the Soulsborne games, should consider picking the Wretch class.
Tell me you didn't experience this in older titles: You picked the knight or any of the other well-equipped classes and every loot you got for the first few hours was 100% meaningless because you already had a really good (looking) armor/weapon and shield.

If you pick the wretch, you'll miss out on some stats but really, what does it matter?! The tradeoff you'll get is that EVERYTHING you'll find from the beginning will feel like an upgrade. You'll actually scavage every fallen enemy, hoping for some lousy trousers to upgrade yourself. You'll find that amazing Samurai/Knight armor anyways and man will you be happy when you do.
Funnily enough picking the wretch class for this purpose will ONLY work on your very first/blind playthrough because the stat-tradeoff won't be worth it, when you know which item/spell lies where.

Think about it ;-)

[Freak4Leeks]

I was, but now just to spite you and that rat, i am now going to pick Bandit. i hate being told what to do... and consequently you have screwed up my intended level 1 no upgrades first play-through shame on you.

[Swimfan]

Originally posted by Freak4Leeks:

I was, but now just to spite you and that rat, i am now going to pick Bandit. i hate being told what to do... and consequently you have screwed up my intended level 1 no upgrades first play-through shame on you.

I feel only mildly bad because I know in my heart that you'll pick the wretch because you got gud and know what the right thing to do is ;-)

[Melchiah]

I don't even know what stats do in this instance, so I'll be picking whatever class has all stats balanced and blindly build towards pure DEX hoping for the best.

[paulaus333]

I think I will go wretch. :) Never tried deprived before, but having played three ds games, I think I'm ready for a challenge and want to savour this game, not rush through it.

[Swimfan]

Originally posted by Melchiah:

I don't even know what stats do in this instance, so I'll be picking whatever class has all stats balanced and blindly build towards pure DEX hoping for the best.

Wretch has 10 in every stat and starts at SL 1 ;-)

[Swimfan]

Originally posted by paulaus333:

I think I will go wretch. :) Never tried deprived before, but having played three ds games, I think I'm ready for a challenge and want to savour this game, not rush through it.

This is exactly why I'll be picking wretch as well.

I'm way beyond being afraid of some missed stats.

[Freak4Leeks]

Originally posted by Swimfan:

I feel only mildly bad because I know in my heart that you'll pick the wretch because you got gud and know what the right thing to do is ;-)

Your lucky i really have my heart set on this run or else i really would just choose bandit.

[Swimfan]

Originally posted by Freak4Leeks:

Originally posted by Swimfan:

I feel only mildly bad because I know in my heart that you'll pick the wretch because you got gud and know what the right thing to do is ;-)

Your lucky i really have my heart set on this run or else i really would just choose bandit.

Maaaan, was I lucky then ;-P

Now go and take those clothes off - we have to get ready!

[Target]

It really wont make that much of a difference either way, it will make the easiest part of the game some what harder and then it will work the same as any other class.

[nobleberry]

I always picked deprived for blind playthrough because it makes early game exploring more important and impactful, also forces me to use early equipment I'd ignore otherwise, like chainmail set

[Swimfan]

Originally posted by Target:

It really wont make that much of a difference either way, it will make the easiest part of the game some what harder and then it will work the same as any other class.

No it won't. It will teach you to value everything you find and then maybe develope your character in a direction you wouldn't have otherwise.

That being said: You don't need to pick Wretch ;-) It was just an argument for that class as your first playthrough. If you don't see the point, just don't do that.

[Voice]

Everyone here is saying you "miss stats" but isn't it like other games where your character is lvl 1, and other classes are higher, so you actually get those stats back when equiv lvl?

[Wubbinz]

I'll take it under advisement.

[Melchiah]

Originally posted by Voice:

Everyone here is saying you "miss stats" but isn't it like other games where your character is lvl 1, and other classes are higher, so you actually get those stats back when equiv lvl?

Yes it is, but by "missing stats" we mean you can't min/max like say... picking Pyromancer on DS1 so you have less points on faith, optimizing your build.

That being said Deprived (Wretched on Elden Ring) is the best for blind runs since every stat is balanced and you can build towards whatever you want with a mild disadvantage (a.k.a. no min/max). I really hope Elden Ring allows for stats relocation too, cause I'm going full DEX and if it turns out to suck ass really hard (so far it hasn't been the case in these games) that will be my saving grace.

[Nope]

Wasn't Deprived have the most stats at start? All 10 and start at lv1
While other class only have extra due to being lv10 at the beginning