FromSoftware finalizes Elden Ring's two Tarnished Edition classes

FromSoftware has published the final names and starting stats for the two additional classes arriving in Elden Ring's Tarnished Edition, posting the details to X. PC Gamer reports that the paid content, priced at $5, will reach PC on August 28, the same day the Tarnished Edition releases on Switch 2.

The two classes are the Heavy Knight and the Knight of Idus. Both were seen in a Tarnished Edition playtest last year, and the Heavy Knight has been adjusted since: it now starts at level 10 rather than level 8, with the two extra levels going into Faith and Mind.

That change matters more than its size suggests. Elden Ring grants one stat point per level and the cost of levelling rises steeply, so a lower starting level leaves a character with fewer points sunk into stats a build does not use. A higher starting level makes the Heavy Knight marginally less efficient for players optimising a specific build, though PC Gamer notes the difference is unlikely to register for most players outside speedruns and challenge runs.

Starting stats

• Knight of Idus — Level 7: Vigor 10, Mind 12, Endurance 11, Strength 13, Dexterity 15, Intelligence 8, Faith 11, Arcane 6
• Heavy Knight — Level 10: Vigor 14, Mind 8, Endurance 17, Strength 15, Dexterity 11, Intelligence 7, Faith 8, Arcane 9

The Heavy Knight is equipped with heavy armour and a curved greatsword, both new to the Tarnished Edition. The Knight of Idus is the lighter of the two, starting with a new armour set, a shield, and the Milady light greatsword, a weapon previously exclusive to the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and one that ordinarily takes several hours of play to obtain.

Compared with the base game's Samurai, the Knight of Idus carries more Faith and Strength and less Arcane, Vigor and Intelligence, alongside its lower starting level. The class also introduces Idus itself, a nation not previously named anywhere in Elden Ring, which is likely to be described through the item text attached to the knight's equipment.

FromSoftware has not announced further additions to the Tarnished Edition beyond the two classes and their gear.