Official visual references
Screenshots and trailer frames are used as visual anchors for the guide. Gameplay stats, locations, drops, boss routes, and build rankings remain labeled until they can be verified in the playable Early Access build.
Starting Class Comparison
Fatekeeper has 4 starting classes verified from pre-release testing. Each class determines your starting equipment, base stats, and early-game playstyle. Because respec requires beating an Act 2 boss (~20-25 hours), your starting class shapes a significant portion of your first playthrough.
| Class | Difficulty | Best Stat | Playstyle | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exiled Mercenary | Beginner | Vigor (highest base HP) | Shield + broadsword. Block, punish, survive. | First playthrough, learning enemies |
| Fallen Knight | Beginner | Strength | Tower shield + halberd. Shield-poke while blocking. | Tank builds, defensive play |
| Shadow-Dancer | Intermediate | Dexterity (rush to 30) | Daggers/twinblades. Dodge, bleed, Jumping Heavy Attacks. | Aggressive melee, fast-roll builds |
| Wandering Scholar | Intermediate | Arcane (rush to 25) | Catalyst + Miasma Orb. Toxic stacking, ranged magic. | Status effect builds, spellcasters |
Which Class Should You Pick?
If you are new to action RPGs or want the safest first playthrough, pick Exiled Mercenary. The high base HP and shield let you survive mistakes while learning enemy patterns.
If you want to play a tank that absorbs hits and pokes safely from behind a shield, pick Fallen Knight. Pair with the Iron-wood Tower Shield (Cinder Keep) and Halberd.
If you want fast, aggressive melee with bleed damage, pick Shadow-Dancer. Rush the Obsidian Dagger (Whispering Woods) or Serrated Twinblades (Ruined Bastion).
If you prefer magic and status effects, pick Wandering Scholar. Rush the Plague-bearer's Catalyst and Miasma Orb (both in Whispering Woods). Stack Toxic on bosses and survive while it ticks.
- Beginners: Exiled Mercenary > Fallen Knight > Shadow-Dancer > Wandering Scholar
- Experienced players: Shadow-Dancer or Wandering Scholar based on preferred playstyle
- All classes: rush Vigor to 25 first, then your main damage stat to 30
- Do NOT spread stats across STR/DEX/ARC -specialize in one offense stat
What new players usually need first
New players rarely need a lore encyclopedia in the first session. They need to know how combat pressure works, what to test before spending resources, how weapon reach changes safety, and how spells or relics might change a build.
Because Fatekeeper launches through Early Access, early learning advice stays flexible. Use the recommendations as habits and checkpoints, then replace them with exact routes once item names, upgrade costs, enemy names, and patch behavior are verified.
| Need | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | Spacing, defense, recovery, enemy windups | Keeps early deaths from becoming random |
| Damage | Weapon reach, attack speed, spell safety | Shows which tools fit your timing |
| Progression | Upgrade costs, relic effects, resource scarcity | Prevents early waste |
| Exploration | Locked doors, unusual rooms, hidden rewards | Finds systems that affect builds |
How reliable is this information?
This starting classes guide separates confirmed information from hands-on findings. If a detail is not playable or testable yet, it is marked clearly instead of being presented as finished advice.
Exact stats, boss routes, hidden loot positions, drop rates, and final balance notes stay unverified until there is direct evidence from the playable version.
| Claim type | Evidence needed | Reader takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Official facts | Steam and official site copy | Use now |
| Trailer analysis | Gameplay and announcement trailers | Label as analysis |
| Community findings | Player testing after Early Access unlocks | Do not publish as fact yet |
Sources and verification status
Confirmed details come from official, storefront, publisher, video, community, or media references. Exact gameplay data is held back until it has direct evidence from the playable build.