Elden Ring is about to mix things up with two new classes: the mysterious Knight of Ides—no one really knows what their deal is yet—and the Heavy Knight, a walking fortress that probably laughs at weak attacks. Both debut in the Tarnished Edition, sparking wild theories and some mild infighting among fans over future builds. Want to know exactly how these classes will impact your first hour in the Lands Between? Stick around—there’s more where that came from.
Armor enthusiasts, rejoice—FromSoftware just revealed two brand-new starting classes for Elden Ring: the Knight of Ides and the Heavy Knight, both making their debut in the upcoming Tarnished Edition. The announcement, part of the studio’s Spring 2025 event in Tokyo, brought a wave of excited speculation to series fans, who are always ready to argue about the best way to die repeatedly in the Lands Between.
The Knight of Ides—tentatively named, at least until the translators get a second pass—is cloaked in mystery for now. No stats, no move sets, just some tantalizing armor glimpses and a promise that this class will bring a “fresh playstyle.” Will it be agile? Spell-focused? Or just really, really good at looking brooding in cutscenes? Time will tell. Elden Ring for Nintendo Switch 2 was announced at the Direct event, making it a third-party powerhouse alongside other major titles.]
On the other hand, the Heavy Knight (sometimes called Heavy Armored Knight for those who like extra syllables) is exactly what it says on the tin: a big, tanky brute, presumably built to soak damage and look intimidating. Classes in Elden Ring primarily affect starting equipment and stats, so while these additions offer new looks and beginnings, their impact on long-term gameplay may be subtle. If your idea of fun is clanking around in metal while enemies bounce off your shield, this class might be your new favorite. Each new class comes with its own distinct armor set, and these sets are just two of four new ones rolling out with the expansion.
The Tarnished Pack DLC, not just locked to the new Nintendo Switch 2 but also launching on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, is set to deliver even more goodies—think new weapons, skills, and even three extra ways to customize everyone’s favorite spectral steed, Torrent. And yes, FromSoftware says the DLC will be “low price,” which in gaming terms probably means “not $70.”
Both new classes and their gear are available right out of the gate, while the other two new armor sets can be found elsewhere in the game, likely after some good old-fashioned exploration. Early hands-on demos, shared by Famitsu and Dengeki, have only fueled anticipation. Looks like Elden Ring’s next chapter is shaping up to be a real grind—for all the best reasons.