Setting up a game of Dark Souls: The Board Game can be a bit intimidating the first few times, as there are a lot of pieces in play and things to consider. Not the least of these considerations is starting class, as whether players pick the Knight or the Assassin will change the way they approach encounters and boss battles throughout the game. In the Dark Souls video games, starting class is mostly inconsequential outside of min-maxing stats for a particular build, but that's not the case here. Although any class can still use any piece of equipment if they have the stats for it, each class' stat progression is different.
Dark Souls: The Board Game features four classes in the main box (more are added in the expansion) the Knight, Warrior, Assassin, and Herald. When players pick their classes, they gain access to their starting gear and a set of cards relating to their class is added to the treasure deck. Outside of equipment, classes also each have a unique heroic action that can be used once per spark and have different stat progressions that help to usher them towards a particular type of gear. With all this information, it can be difficult for players to pick the right class for them.
Dark Souls: The Board Game - Knight
Of all the classes, the Knight is easily the most balanced of the bunch. His starting gear is great, providing the highest block ratings of any class and really reliable damage. For stats, Strength is his primary focus as it caps at 40, but he can still reach a 38 in Dexterity and an impressive 31 in both Intelligence and magic. Finally, as a heroic action, the Knight can add a blue die to one block roll once per spark, making him even better at tanking powerful hits from tough enemies or bosses.
The Knight makes a great class for anyone just starting out that wants to learn the rules, just like in the actual Dark Souls games. Players will feel well equipped to deal with their opponents from the very start and have a lot more freedom to experiment with different types of weapons, armor, and spells. Thanks to his ability to take a hit, he also is particularly useful in single player games where there are less targets for enemies to spread their damage around to, but it's still great to have a Knight in the party regardless.
Dark Souls: The Board Game - Warrior
While the Knight is primarily focused on blocking incoming damage, the Warrior is more concerned with dealing it out. For starting gear, his shield and armor aren't quite as potent as the Knight's, but his axe is capable of killing multiple enemies in a single swing. Just like the Knight, Strength is the primary stat capping out at 40 and Intelligence is the lowest with a maximum of 30, but he can reach 35 in both Dexterity and Faith. Once per spark, the Warrior can use his heroic action to move one node for free and perform an attack without spending stamina.
The Warrior class is a bit more of a gamble than the Knight, as his survivability is heavily dependent on what type of gear players manage to find. Despite this, his propensity for dishing out damage up close is definitely the highest of the four classes, as he'll be able to start equipping powerful weapons and armor much earlier than many other characters can thanks to his quick stat scaling. The Warrior performs the best when he has another character in the party that can support him, helping to manage health and stamina while he deals out damage.
Dark Souls: The Board Game - Assassin
The Assassin is a unique class because it can fill a lot of different roles depending on what players find during their adventure and how they decide to level up. In terms of starting gear, the Assassin's ability to block is subpar, and even his weapon will have difficulty dealing damage, but he is more capable at dodging attacks than other classes. Dexterity is his primary stat with a max of 40, but his Intelligence can go all the way to 36, making the Assassin one of the best choices for spell-casting. Strength and Faith cap out at 34 and 30 respectively. While playing the Assassin, players can use their heroic action to make an attack without spending stamina after dodging.
Dodging is great in Dark Souls: The Board Game as it allows players to completely negate damage, but it's incredibly risky because they'll take full damage if they fail the roll. With the right gear, the Assassin can quickly go from one of the worst characters in the party to one of the best, and is a great choice for players that prefer a more nimble playstyle. Its ability to use magic also makes it an enticing choice for some.
Dark Souls: The Board Game - Herald
The final class in the main box of Dark Souls: The Board Game is the Herald, which is primarily a support class. The Herald's starting armor and shield are serviceable, but its weapon struggles to deal damage even to basic enemies. Players will start with a Talisman, however, that will allow them to restore stamina to themselves or allies. Faith is his primary stat and maxes out at 40, but his Strength and Dexterity aren't bad either (37 and 34 respectively). The Herald's Intelligence is the lowest stat in the game, capping out at 29. As a heroic action, the Herald can remove two stamina from every ally in his party once per spark.
It probably goes without saying but the Herald is best for players that like to fill the support role in a group. It's certainly possible to play Dark Souls: The Board Game single player as a herald but it will be very difficult early on. With a high Faith, this is also the class of choice for those wanting to experiment with Miracles and the variety of weapons that are fueled by divine power.
Dark Souls: The Board Game is available now.