Updated August 30, 2026
If you're starting Elden Ring Tarnished Edition and can't decide between the two new classes, Idus Knight and Heavy Knight offer very different ways to begin your journey through the Lands Between.
Heavy Knight is the more forgiving starting choice if you want high survivability, heavy armor, strong Endurance and straightforward melee combat. Idus Knight is better suited to players who prefer Dexterity, lighter equipment, mobility and the new Light Greatsword moveset.
The important part is that neither class permanently locks you into a build. Their starting stats and equipment shape your opening hours, but you can develop either character in many different directions later.
This guide compares the Idus Knight vs Heavy Knight starting stats, weapons, armor, strengths and weaknesses, then explains which class is better for beginners, Strength builds, Dexterity builds and different playstyles.
π Table of Contents
- Idus Knight vs Heavy Knight at a Glance
- Idus Knight — Stats, Weapon & Armor
- Heavy Knight — Stats, Weapon & Armor
- Idus Sword vs Hefty Scimitar
- Which Class Is Better for Beginners?
- Best Class for Strength Builds
- Best Class for Dexterity Builds
- What About Hybrid Builds?
- Can You Get Both Classes' Equipment Later?
- Where to Get the Idus Sword
- Where to Get the Hefty Scimitar
- Other New Tarnished Edition Weapons
- Should You Choose a New Class at All?
- Which Tarnished Edition Class Should You Choose?
- FAQ
Idus Knight vs Heavy Knight at a Glance
Before getting into the details, here's the quickest way to decide.
The difference is immediately noticeable.
Heavy Knight starts with 14 Vigor, 17 Endurance and 15 Strength, giving it a strong foundation for physical melee and heavier equipment.
Idus Knight starts with 15 Dexterity, alongside 13 Strength and 11 Faith, giving it a more flexible offensive spread and a clear Dexterity lean.
Choose Heavy Knight if you want:
- Higher early survivability
- Heavy armor
- More Endurance
- Strong Strength foundations
- More equipment capacity
- Straightforward melee combat
- A forgiving first character
Choose Idus Knight if you want:
- Dexterity-focused combat
- A Light Greatsword immediately
- Lighter equipment
- More mobility
- Faster-feeling melee
- A more unusual starting playstyle
- A flexible Strength/Dexterity foundation
Idus Knight — Stats, Weapon & Armor
Idus Knight Starting Stats
Idus Knight starts at Level 7 with:
Its defining attribute is 15 Dexterity, the highest starting stat on the class. The class also begins with 13 Strength and 11 Faith, so you're not forced into a pure Dexterity build. You have plenty of room to develop into a quality-style physical character or experiment with other options later.
The trade-off is survivability. With only 10 Vigor and 11 Endurance, Idus Knight doesn't have the same margin for mistakes as Heavy Knight.
If you're comfortable avoiding attacks, managing stamina and using positioning to your advantage, that isn't necessarily a problem.
What Is Idus Knight Good For?
Idus Knight is particularly suited to players who enjoy:
- Dexterity builds
- Fast melee combat
- Light-to-medium equipment
- Aggressive positioning
- Dodging instead of trading hits
- Strength/Dexterity hybrid builds
- The new Light Greatsword weapon type
The starting weapon is a major part of the class's appeal.
Idus Sword
The Idus Sword is a Light Greatsword that gives Idus Knight immediate access to one of the Tarnished Edition's most distinctive new weapon styles.
Its starting specifications include:
- 124 Physical Attack
- 7.0 weight
- 10 Strength requirement
- 15 Dexterity requirement
- D Strength scaling
- D Dexterity scaling
- Impaling Thrust
- Standard Smithing Stone upgrades
It uses the regular weapon upgrade system rather than Somber Smithing Stones.
The biggest advantage isn't simply its starting attack power. It's the fact that you can start your Tarnished Edition playthrough with a Light Greatsword rather than waiting until later progression to experiment with the weapon style.
Is the Idus Sword worth keeping?
Yes, particularly through the early game. Its Strength/Dexterity requirements fit the class naturally, and its 7.0 weight makes it considerably easier to work into a lighter equipment setup.
The important thing to remember is that the Tarnished Edition's early-access weapons aren't necessarily designed to invalidate their later counterparts. Some of the new weapons effectively bring weapon styles associated with later content into the earlier stages of the base-game progression. So the main attraction is early access to the moveset and playstyle, not necessarily permanent endgame superiority.
Idus Knight Armor
Idus Knight starts with the Silver Grooved Set. The lighter equipment fits the class's overall identity well. Instead of relying on heavy armor and large stamina reserves to absorb mistakes, Idus Knight encourages a more mobile approach where spacing, dodging and attack timing matter.
If you're already comfortable with Elden Ring's combat, the class provides a distinctly different opening compared with a traditional heavy knight.
Heavy Knight — Stats, Weapon & Armor
Heavy Knight Starting Stats
Heavy Knight begins at Level 10:
The three numbers that define the class are: 14 Vigor + 17 Endurance + 15 Strength
That's an excellent foundation for traditional physical melee. Heavy Knight also starts three levels above Idus Knight, although the level difference alone shouldn't determine your choice. What matters more is how efficiently those starting attributes and equipment support the playstyle you want.
Why Heavy Knight Is More Forgiving
Heavy Knight gives you several advantages that are especially valuable when learning Elden Ring:
- More health
- More stamina
- Higher equipment capacity
- Higher Strength
- Heavy armor
- More room for mistakes
The 17 Endurance is particularly useful because the class is built around heavier equipment. Heavy armor and large weapons can quickly become difficult to manage on a low-Endurance character. Heavy Knight's starting setup makes that style much more practical from the beginning.
Hefty Scimitar
Despite its name, the Hefty Scimitar is a Curved Greatsword, not a conventional small Scimitar.
Its starting specifications include:
- 135 Physical Attack
- 13 Strength requirement
- 11 Dexterity requirement
- D Strength scaling
- D Dexterity scaling
- Spinning Slash
- Standard weapon upgrades
The weapon therefore fits Heavy Knight's physical melee identity very naturally.
The Hefty Scimitar works particularly well for players who enjoy:
- Strength/Dexterity builds
- Wide sweeping attacks
- Heavy melee
- Jump attacks
- Charged heavy attacks
- Aggressive close-range combat
Its 135 base Physical Attack is higher than the Idus Sword's 124, but don't treat that as proof that the Hefty Scimitar is automatically the better weapon. Weapon type, moveset, scaling, upgrade level and your character's attributes all affect its real performance.
Heavy Knight Armor
Heavy Knight's advantage is the complete starting package rather than just its weapon. You get:
- Higher Vigor
- Much higher Endurance
- Heavy armor
- A substantial weapon
- Strong starting Strength
That makes Heavy Knight particularly attractive if this is your first Elden Ring character. You can focus on learning enemy patterns and improving your combat fundamentals without having to make every mistake perfectly.
Idus Sword vs Hefty Scimitar
This is the most important weapon comparison if you're deciding between the two new classes.
Idus Sword advantages
Choose the Idus Sword if you want:
- A lighter weapon
- A Light Greatsword moveset
- Dexterity-oriented requirements
- Mobile melee
- A more aggressive playstyle
- A weapon that complements Idus Knight
Hefty Scimitar advantages
Choose the Hefty Scimitar if you want:
- Higher starting physical attack
- A heavier curved weapon
- Strength-oriented melee
- Wide sweeping attacks
- A more traditional heavy-knight experience
Which weapon is stronger?
There isn't a universal winner. The Idus Sword is the more natural fit for Dexterity-focused and mobile builds, while the Hefty Scimitar complements Strength-oriented heavy melee. Don't choose between them solely because one has a higher base attack value. As your character develops, weapon upgrades and your attribute investment become much more important.
Which Class Is Better for Beginners?
Heavy Knight is the more forgiving choice.
This isn't because Idus Knight is weak. It's because Heavy Knight gives you more room to learn. You begin with:
- 14 Vigor
- 17 Endurance
- 15 Strength
- Heavy armor
- A substantial Curved Greatsword
That combination makes mistakes less punishing. You can block, carry heavier equipment and recover from poor positioning more easily than you can with the lighter Idus Knight setup.
Idus Knight is better if you're already comfortable with Elden Ring
If you've already learned:
- Dodge timing
- Stamina management
- Enemy spacing
- Weapon reach
- Attack timing
- Equipment load management
then Idus Knight becomes much more appealing. Its lower Vigor is less problematic when you're already confident in avoiding incoming attacks.
Quick beginner verdict
Best Class for Strength Builds
Heavy Knight
This is the easiest recommendation. Heavy Knight begins with:
- 15 Strength
- 17 Endurance
- 14 Vigor
That gives you an excellent foundation for a physical Strength character. The high Endurance is especially useful when you start experimenting with heavier weapons and armor.
A simple early progression such as: Vigor → Endurance → Strength fits the class extremely well. You don't need to overcomplicate the build.
Best Class for Dexterity Builds
Idus Knight
Idus Knight starts with 15 Dexterity, compared with Heavy Knight's 11. Its starting weapon also fits that direction naturally.
The Idus Sword provides a relatively light Light Greatsword with Strength/Dexterity scaling, giving you a good starting weapon while you decide whether to specialize further into Dexterity or develop a broader physical build.
If your preferred combat style is: fast attacks + mobility + aggressive positioning — Idus Knight is the better starting class.
What About Hybrid Builds?
This is where the difference between the classes becomes less obvious.
Idus Knight starts with:
- 13 Strength
- 15 Dexterity
- 11 Faith
Heavy Knight starts with:
- 15 Strength
- 11 Dexterity
- 7 Faith
Idus Knight therefore gives you the more interesting starting spread if you want to experiment with Strength/Dexterity or Dexterity-based hybrid builds.
However, don't make the mistake of leveling every attribute simply because your starting class has points in several of them. A flexible starting spread doesn't mean you should create a build that heavily invests into Strength, Dexterity, Faith and every other offensive stat. Pick a primary damage direction first. Then let the remaining attributes support it.
Can You Get Both Classes' Equipment Later?
Yes.
This is one of the most important things to understand before choosing between the new classes. You're not permanently locked out of the other class's equipment.
Patch 1.17 explicitly states that the equipment belonging to Idus Knight and Heavy Knight can also be obtained later by purchasing it from merchants or finding it in the world.
Start as Idus Knight if...
- You want the Light Greatsword playstyle immediately.
Start as Heavy Knight if...
- You want heavy armor, high Endurance and a Strength-oriented opening.
Keep an existing character if...
- You already have a developed character and simply want to collect the new equipment.
You don't need to restart a completed character just to obtain the other class's gear.
For a complete list of the seven new weapons and their individual acquisition routes, see our Elden Ring Tarnished Edition All 7 New Weapons: Locations, Stats & How to Get Them.
Where to Get the Idus Sword
You don't need to start as Idus Knight to obtain the Idus Sword. The weapon can be found in southern Liurnia of the Lakes.
Idus Sword location
- Travel to the Liurnia Lake Shore Site of Grace.
- Head northwest.
- Continue toward the nearby ruins.
- Look around the large tree in the area.
- Loot the corpse containing the Idus Sword.
The Idus Knight's other starting equipment is handled separately. The Silver Grooved armor set and shield can be purchased from the Nomadic Merchant north of Bellum Church.
So if you like the Idus Knight's equipment but started with another class, you can still build the same general setup later.
Where to Get the Hefty Scimitar
The Hefty Scimitar can also be obtained without choosing Heavy Knight.
Travel to southern Limgrave near Fort Haight West, then head north toward the nearby merchant. The Nomadic Merchant sells the Hefty Scimitar for 2,400 runes.
The Heavy Knight's armor is obtained separately in the Weeping Peninsula, where the Isolated Merchant's Shack provides access to the Steel armor pieces.
This makes it easy to experiment with the Heavy Knight equipment on an existing character.
Other New Tarnished Edition Weapons
The two class weapons aren't the only new weapons added with the Tarnished Pack. There are seven new weapon items:
- Reverse-Bladed Sword
- Idus Sword
- Hefty Scimitar
- Reed Great Katana
- Ritual Thrusting Shield
- Leontiel's Greatsword
- Golden Order Flail
Fresh launch coverage confirms this seven-weapon lineup.
The interesting part is that several weapons bring combat styles associated with later content into the normal game's progression much earlier.
Reverse-Bladed Sword
The Reverse-Bladed Sword can be purchased from the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold for 1,000 runes. It's an early way to access the distinctive backhand-blade moveset without waiting for the later DLC area.
Ritual Thrusting Shield
The Ritual Thrusting Shield can be found at the Caelid Colosseum. This is particularly interesting for Heavy Knight-style players because the shield can complement a defensive approach while still giving you an offensive option.
Reed Great Katana
The Reed Great Katana is found in Dragonbarrow near Fort Faroth. You can reach the elevated location with Torrent, making it another weapon that can be collected relatively early compared with its intended progression feel.
Leontiel's Greatsword
Leontiel's Greatsword is associated with one of the new NPC invasion encounters and therefore requires more progression than the simple merchant and corpse pickups.
Golden Order Flail
The Golden Order Flail is another later-game addition connected to the new Tarnished Edition content.
For the complete locations, requirements, skills and acquisition routes for all seven weapons, see our Elden Ring Tarnished Edition All 7 New Weapons: Locations, Stats & How to Get Them.
Should You Choose a New Class at All?
Not necessarily.
Idus Knight and Heavy Knight are additions, not replacements for the original Elden Ring starting classes. If you already know exactly what kind of build you want, an original class may still make more sense.
For example:
- Traditional melee: Vagabond
- Heavy melee: Heavy Knight
- Fast melee / Light Greatsword: Idus Knight
- Dexterity and Bleed: Samurai
The new classes are most interesting when you actually want to experience their unique starting equipment.
If you're looking for a broader first-playthrough route covering early weapons, Torrent, Smithing Stones, Spirit Ashes and preparation for Margit, see our Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Beginner Guide: Best Starting Class, Early Weapons & What to Do First.
Which Tarnished Edition Class Should You Choose?
Here's the simplest final decision.
π‘️ Choose Heavy Knight if you want:
- A more forgiving starting experience
- Heavy armor
- High Endurance
- Higher starting Vigor
- Strong Strength foundations
- Heavier equipment
- Straightforward melee combat
- A strong first character
⚔️ Choose Idus Knight if you want:
- Dexterity-focused combat
- A Light Greatsword immediately
- Lighter equipment
- Faster-feeling melee
- Greater emphasis on mobility
- Strength/Dexterity flexibility
- A less traditional knight experience
My recommendation
For a first Elden Ring playthrough, I'd choose Heavy Knight. The combination of 14 Vigor, 17 Endurance, 15 Strength and heavy armor gives you a forgiving opening. You can concentrate on learning Elden Ring's combat instead of worrying about every mistake.
For an experienced player starting another run, I'd choose Idus Knight. The Light Greatsword starting weapon, 15 Dexterity and lighter setup give you a more distinctive way to experience the opening areas.
And because both classes' equipment can be obtained later, choosing one does not mean permanently losing access to the other.
The real choice
Don't ask: "Which class is objectively stronger?"
Ask: "Which combat style do I want to play for the first few hours?"
If the answer is heavy armor, Strength and survivability, choose Heavy Knight. If the answer is mobility, Dexterity and Light Greatsword combat, choose Idus Knight.
FAQ
Is Idus Knight better than Heavy Knight?
Not universally. Heavy Knight is the more forgiving option for survivability, heavy equipment and Strength-oriented melee, while Idus Knight is better suited to Dexterity, mobility and lighter combat.
What weapon does Idus Knight start with?
Idus Knight starts with the Idus Sword, a Light Greatsword with Impaling Thrust, 124 base Physical Attack and D Strength/Dexterity scaling.
What weapon does Heavy Knight start with?
Heavy Knight starts with the Hefty Scimitar, a Curved Greatsword with 135 base Physical Attack and Spinning Slash.
Can you get the Idus Sword without choosing Idus Knight?
Yes. The Idus Sword can be found in southern Liurnia of the Lakes, so you don't need to create an Idus Knight to obtain it.
Can you get the Hefty Scimitar without choosing Heavy Knight?
Yes. The Hefty Scimitar can be purchased from a Nomadic Merchant near Fort Haight West in southern Limgrave for 2,400 runes.
Is Heavy Knight good for beginners?
Yes. Its higher starting Vigor and Endurance, heavy armor and Strength-focused stats make it the more forgiving of the two new classes.
Is Idus Knight good for Dexterity builds?
Yes. Idus Knight starts with 15 Dexterity and a Light Greatsword that scales with Strength and Dexterity, making it a natural starting point for mobile physical melee builds.
Do I need to start a new character to get the other class's equipment?
No. Patch 1.17 confirms that the equipment for both new starting classes can also be obtained later through merchants or world pickups.
Are Idus Knight and Heavy Knight better than the original starting classes?
Not automatically. They offer different starting packages rather than simply replacing the original classes. Vagabond remains a strong traditional melee option, while Samurai remains attractive for Dexterity-focused builds.
Which new class should I choose in Elden Ring Tarnished Edition?
Choose Heavy Knight if you want a safer Strength-oriented melee opening. Choose Idus Knight if you want faster combat, Dexterity and a Light Greatsword from the beginning.
Final Verdict
Heavy Knight is the better all-around starting choice for beginners. Idus Knight is the more distinctive choice for experienced players who want a faster, lighter melee playstyle.
Neither choice permanently locks you out of the other's equipment.
So don't overthink the character-creation screen.
Choose Heavy Knight for survivability and heavy melee, or Idus Knight for mobility, Dexterity and Light Greatsword combat.
The best class is ultimately the one whose starting combat style you actually want to play.
π Related Guides
- Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Best New Weapons Ranked
- Reverse-Bladed Sword Location: How to Get the Backhand Blade Early
- All 7 New Weapons: Locations, Stats & How to Get Them
- Elden Ring Nightreign Co-op Tier List
- Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Beginner Guide: Best Starting Class, Early Weapons & What to Do First
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