The Bandit class has access to some of the best versatile builds in Elden Ring thanks to its naturally high dexterity and arcane skills.

Of all the classes that Elden Ring has to offer, the Bandit is the class that players can use to create the best builds that revolve around dexterity, vigor, and endurance. The Bandit class excels in nimble combat, often relying upon the ability to dodge frequently and technical offense over brute strength. Additionally, since dodging plays a huge role in this class, new players may find it more challenging to play as a Bandit than they would a straightforward character build in Elden Ring like a Hero.

Aside from the Wretch, the Bandit is the lowest level character that players can start with, but that doesn't mean it's the weakest or worst by far. In fact, this class starts off with the highest arcane skill of any Elden Ring class, making it much easier for players to find better loot from all sources. Of course, its overall starting stats may appear lower than most of the other characters, but defeating the enemies in the lower-level areas will quickly allow any Bandit player to set themselves up for success.

For a long time, Bandit players should solely invest their Runes and XP in Elden Ring into the dexterity, vigor, and endurance stats. Dexterity impacts which types of weapons that Bandits can use, but it also helps players equip advanced armaments that synergize with an increased endurance stat. This class primarily relies upon high stamina in order to avoid attacks rather than parries or blocking, and the naturally low health of a Bandit makes it important to have a large amount to manage. Endurance also affects the total equipment load that players can hold, so it's a key stat in improving a Bandit's defenses. Lastly, vigor is needed to increase overall health, which is always great to have so Bandits aren't left to be one-shot killed by higher-level enemies and bosses in Elden Ring.

The Best Bandit Build In Elden Ring

Before investing in any other stat, players should really aim to get their dexterity, vigor, and endurance to at least level 20 each, with endurance even reaching level 22 or 23 so the weight of their equipment doesn't hinder their dodging as much. Additionally, the better weapons to stick to for Bandits are daggers and Scimitars since they require lower strength to use and high dexterity. For those who are looking to branch out, however, spears are another great option for Bandit players that are willing to invest more into their strength stat. It's also important to invest in the arcane stat as well so that higher tier loot is earned throughout the Lands Between.

One of the best features of Bandit builds is that they aren't limited to melee weapons. Much like the best Samurai builds in Elden Ring, Bandit players can also utilize different types of bows thanks to their high dexterity. This really depends on whether or not players feel comfortable with their dodging and quick attacks up close, but it never hurts to have some ranged accessibility for groups of enemies or bosses. Additionally, with high dexterity, players can take advantage of weapons that cause ailments such as poison, sleep, and even bleeding.

Bandits have plenty of equipment to choose from, whether it be a weapon or armor type. Some of the more popular choices for weapons, however, are Reduvia and a Shortbow. The Reduvia Blood Blade skill allows players to transform blood stains into blood blades that can cause bleeding, while the Shortbow can be used to apply poison arrows. Additionally, since both weapons are lighter they happen to compliment the high endurance of Bandits well. Many different Ashes of War in Elden Ring also complement this build, as players can opt for something that supports the bleed build.

Though it might be a more advanced option for the class, players can also invest in their intellect stat to gain access to a few additional Katanas, though most of them rely upon higher strength and dexterity over anything else. However, a fantastic and easy Katana to acquire for the Bandit class is the Rivers of Blood, which requires a lower strength but high dexterity and arcane stats before it can be used. Although daggers are quicker and lighter to use, the Katanas in Elden Ring offer players a bit more offense power with a little more range, allowing Bandits to keep a little more distance from their opponents.

Additional Bandit Class Builds in Elden Ring

Longbows or heavier bows can also work well with a Bandit build because of the invested stats, offering players even more offensive power at range. It's easy to use a Longbow with an Arrow's Reach Talisman, followed up by a strong dagger for any enemies that manage to make it to Bandits. This slight shift in focus turns Bandits from more of a rogue to a stealthy archer without sacrificing too much mobility. Players who want to keep this Bandit build can also make it work with the Lord of Blood's Exultation Talisman in Elden Ring, which increases attack power whenever blood loss occurs in the area.

Although bleed builds really support a Bandit's stats, poison-centered builds can be just as lethal. For example, Scorpion's Stinger is a fantastic dagger to use that applies the rot effect to deal damage over time, and its scales with the dexterity stat as well. Though it cannot be infused with any Ashes of War, its rot effect adds additional damage to any sort of poison applied to an enemy applied through a Long or Shortbow in Elden Ring. Regardless of whether players use a bleed or poison build, any type of damage-over-time effect compliments the dexterity of Bandits.

Lastly, all Bandit builds should have a set of Light Armor equipped. The Black Knife armor set in Elden Ring is the ultimate armor that all players should be searching for, but since it can't be acquired for a while any light armor set that players can find suffices. Since the damage-over-time effects are very strong at the beginning of the game, finding a better Light Armor set isn't as critical as getting the key stats increased as soon as possible in Elden Ring.

Next: Elden Ring: Complete Walkthrough, Boss Strategies & Build Guides

Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.