The Tarnished Pack (and the Switch 2 Tarnished Edition) adds the first new starting classes since launch: the Heavy Knight and the Idus Knight. Here are their stats, starting gear, the builds they suit and how they compare with the original ten.
Starting stats
| Class | Level | Vigor | Mind | End | Str | Dex | Int | Faith | Arc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Knight | 10 | 14 | 8 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Idus Knight | 7 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 6 |
Heavy Knight
A knight in bulky steel armor who mows through enemies with an oversized scimitar. The Heavy Knight starts with 17 Endurance, the highest of any class, so you can wear heavy armor and still roll at a medium weight from the first hour.
| Level | 10 |
| Weapon | Hefty Scimitar |
| Armor | Steel Armor Set (Steel Helm, Steel Armor, Steel Gauntlets, Steel Greaves) |
| Strengths | Highest Endurance, good Vigor and Strength, heavy armor from the start |
| Weaknesses | Low Mind and Intelligence; level 10 means a few wasted points for casters |
Best builds: Colossal Strength (reaches the level 150 spread at level 150) and any heavy-armor Strength build. Its Endurance makes it the most comfortable class for colossal weapons early on.
Idus Knight
A light knight with a sword and shield, built on Dexterity and agility rather than armor. The Idus Knight is level 7 with balanced Strength (13), Dexterity (15) and a little Faith (11), which keeps hybrid builds open.
| Level | 7 |
| Weapons | Idus Sword, Silver Grooved Shield |
| Armor | Silver Grooved Set |
| Strengths | Low starting level, high Dexterity, a shield from the start, Faith for light incantations |
| Weaknesses | Low Vigor (10) and Arcane (6) |
Best builds: the Taker’s Flames Faith build, which it reaches at level 150 with no wasted points thanks to its Strength, Dexterity and Faith, and other Dexterity/Faith hybrids. Pure Dexterity builds like the katana build cost it a few extra levels (153).
How they compare
The table shows the level each class needs to reach our six level 150 builds. Lower is better: it means fewer wasted points.
| Build | Heavy Knight | Idus Knight | Best original class (level) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bleed Arcane | 153 | 154 | 150 (Bandit, Samurai) |
| Colossal Strength | 150 | 155 | 151 (Vagabond) |
| Moonveil Spellblade | 156 | 155 | 150 (Astrologer, Prisoner) |
| Dexterity Katana | 150 | 153 | 150 (3 classes tie) |
| Taker’s Flames Faith | 152 | 150 | 150 (Vagabond) |
| Dark Moon Greatsword | 151 | 158 | 151 (Astrologer) |
For every class side by side, and a tool that ranks all twelve for your build, see Starting Classes Compared.
FAQ
Do I need the DLC for these classes?
Yes. They come with the €4.99 Tarnished Pack on PlayStation, Xbox and PC, and are included in the Tarnished Edition on Switch 2.
Which new class is better for beginners?
The Heavy Knight. Its armor and Endurance forgive mistakes, much like the Vagabond.
Sources: Fextralife class pages and Bandai Namco announcements, August 2026.
Further reading: the official patch 1.17 notes (Bandai Namco).