Elden Ring’s extensive selection of weaponry gives players a lot to choose from. And while weapons are easy to switch on the fly, it’s nice to have something strong from the very beginning that provides the needed utility to get through the early segments of the game.
Beyond starting stats and armor, another factor in picking one’s class in Elden Ring is the starting weapons that it provides. Many starting weapons are easily obtained later though, so players aren’t barred from certain weapons if they begin the game with a particular build.
Updated June 3, 2022 by Erik Petrovich: There is a huge variety of Elden Ring starting class weapons, and each class typically gets access to more than one. The Prophet, for example, has the lackluster Short Spear, but it also has the Finger Seal and the Catch Flame Incantation for high Faith-based damage. Though it's important to take a starting class' equipment as a whole into account when starting the game, more often than not players end up using a single weapon for the first few hours of Elden Ring. Some weapons, like the aforementioned Finger Seal, are paired with underwhelming armaments, so it's important to consider each of the Elden Ring starting weapons individually when thinking of which class you want to pick.
15 Estoc
While certainly not a bad weapon, Estoc is one that many players find difficult to use. It can only perform thrusting attacks, which are amazing against some enemies, but utterly useless against more than a single opponent at a time. In the right hands, Rapiers can be deadly - but it's a difficult weapon type to master.
It has a high cost to obtain later at 3,000 runes from the Nomadic Merchant in Liurnia of the Lakes. If you plan to play through Elden Ring with a Rapier build, it’s better to grab it for free at the beginning instead of spending a decent chunk of Runes.
14 Short Spear
The Prophet class is a great starting choice for faith-based builds with great stats, but its starting weapons are in need of an upgrade or a replacement in order to take on more challenging content.
Heal is useful — especially if one wishes to forgo health flasks for more FP charges. It’s the short spear, though, that’s the weakest link in the Prophet’s arsenal. The reach is decent, but low damage and being only melee range makes this loadout sorely lacking in long-range combat options.
13 Great Knife
The dexterity and arcane-based Bandit class comes with everything needed to play a hunter archetype. While at short range, the Great Knife has bleed build-up potential and can be upgraded and infused with Ashes of War. Players can also switch to the buckler to parry if needed.
Other than starting as a Bandit, the only other way to obtain the Great Knife is as a rare drop from demi-humans in the Lakeside Crystal Cave. That said, there are other viable daggers such as the Reduvia dagger, which can be obtained fairly early on and has a unique weapon skill.
12 Short Sword
The Short Sword is starting equipment for the Astrologer in a kind of counter to the class's powerful Astrologer's Staff. The Short Sword is not bad by any means, it just lacks the range and damage output of other melee starting weapons Elden Ring has on offer.
If you are looking for a Shortsword but don't want to start as an Astrologer, head east of Summonwater Village in North Limgrave to purchase one from the Nomadic Merchant on the south side of the road leading to the bridge with the 
Mad Pumpkin Head.
11 Halberd
Balanced and packed full of vigor to keep players alive, the Vagabond is the perfect starting class for those new to FromSoft’s often unforgiving games. With decent damage and an advantage at medium range, the Halberd covers tanky, melee play but leaves little option for taking out enemies from a proper distance. Plus, it takes a while to swing.
This may not be a downside depending on one’s play style, but those playing the role of a weapons master may set aside these weapons early in favor of something a little flashier. The Halberd can later be acquired from a Merchant just beyond the Limgrave Mad Pumpkin Head bridge.
10 Longsword
The Longsword is starting equipment for the Vagabond class, and it works wonders alongside the Vagabond's 100% damage blocking shield. Thanks to its relatively fast attack animations, all-around balanced stats, range, and ability to be infused, it's a better melee weapon than many other Elden Ring starting weapons.
If you don't start as the Vagabond, you can get a longsword for yourself upon unlocking Roundtable Hold. The Twin Maiden husks sit in a room around the corner to the left of the Table of Lost Grace spawn location, who sell the Longsword for 1000 Runes.
9 Glintstone Staff
Like the Astrologer, the Prisoner gives an edge to those wanting to dabble in magic early. And with its superior intelligence stat, it may be a better pick depending on what school of magic one chooses. It has a slightly lower sorcery scaling than the Astrologer's Staff, but better staffs can be acquired very early in the game no matter which of the Elden Ring starting classes you choose.
The Glintstone Staff can be later found near the Waypoint Ruins dropped by a Noble Sorcerer just to the west of a cluster of gravestones. It also a possible drop from the Sorcerers found at Caria Manor - be sure to equip a 
Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot before farming for this staff to quicken things up a bit.
8 Finger Seal
The Finger Seal is starting equipment for both the Confessor and the Prophet, and serves as an all-around decent Sacred Seal for much of Elden Ring. The finger seal itself does have decent scaling on its own and could be taken all the way to Radahn and beyond, though it can be replaced with more specifically-targeted Seals early in the game.
The Finger Seal is used to cast Incantations, some of which can be bought from Brother Corhyn, and can also be found at Roundtable Hold for purchase from the Twin Maiden Husks.
7 Club
Players choosing the Wretch class likely know the extra challenge they’ve placed on themselves already. Starting at level 1 with even stats across the board, it’s greater difficulty with greater potential for customization. The Club hits very hard, but its short range makes it a worse choice than some other melee Elden Ring starting weapons.
That’s not to say the Club is wholly useless, however. It can be infused with Ashes of War and buffed with magic — making it more viable against stronger foes. Players trying out the Wretch know what they're in for, and the Club's potential for interrupting enemies (and damage output) can be fully harnessed in the right hands.
6 Battle Ax
Packed full of strength, the Hero class is perfect for those who want to dive blade or shield first into the heat of battle. What comes as the downside to raw power, however, is limited utility. The Great Ax is certainly not a bad weapon, but it’s one that pales in comparison to other strength-based weapons.
It’s worth noting, too, that the battle ax’s Wild Strikes weapon skill is phenomenal for putting down large packs with ease or putting dents into challenging bosses. Seeing as that Ashes of War can be easily found on the Teardrop Scarab between the Stormhill Shack and Castleward Tunnel Site of Grace though, this weapon is non-essential.