Below is a breakdown of all the type of characters you can use in Demon Souls.

Soldier

The most balanced of all classes, with no particularly outstanding attribute. Good for close range combats. Soldier’s advantages include larger attacking area and ability to attack while shielding (when equipped with the short spear).

Starting Equipment: Broadsword, Short Spear, Iron Shield, Plate Armor

Knight

Great defensive abilities and being able to equip weapons like Long Sword, Mail Breaker, Kite Shield and other good armors set make Knight an ideal choice. However, lower Luck means lesser loot.

Starting Equipment: Long Sword, Mail Breaker, Kite Shield, Fluted Armor

Hunter

A good choice for bow lovers, Hunter is good at ranged attack. But low Magic and Faith attributes means it’s going to be a while before you are able to learn Magics and Miracles. For close range attack, you can equip Battle Axe which has good attacks but lower defense.

Starting Equipment: Longbow, Battle Axe, Leather Shield, Leather Armor

Priest

Priest can equip mace (attack with both hands to break enemies’ defense) only but has the same defensive ability of Soldier or Knight. It can be developed into a strong combatant with time

Starting Equipment: Mace, Heater Shield, Chain Armor, Talisman of God

Magician

Magician is weak in physical attacks and has low defense. However, the abilities to launch the long range fire attack magic is a big plus. But having to buy MP frequently, which is expensive and hard to find earlier in the game, is a big disadvantage.

Starting Equipment: Short Sword, Leather Shield, Catalyst of Wood

Wanderer

Great speed when attacking and ability to equip Falchion (makes enemies bleed when hit) mean Wanderer is a good choice for the offensive minded. Thanks to the high Dexterity, Wanderer can equip the higher end version of bows and spears. However, defense is extremely low especially earlier in the game.

Starting Equipment: Falchion, Dagger, Wooden Shield, Leather Armor

Barbarian

Has the highest HP of all the classes but due to the complete lack of armors, is prone to taking huge damage. The Barbarian also has great attacking abilities that can deal massive damage.

Starting Equipment: [2] Clubs(wooden), Wooden Shield, naked save for sandals and ‘short shorts’

Thief

Despite having high Dexterity and Luck attributes, the Thief is a difficult class that requires lots of skills to master thanks to the low offensive and defensive abilities, which means you can only rely on one-hit-kill to deal huge damage.

Starting Equipment: Dagger, Buckler, Shortbow, Black leather armor set, Assassin’s Hood

Temple Knight

Besides being good at close range combat, the Temple Knight has the ability to learn the HP recovering Miracle. Main weapon is Herbert, which can hurt a few enemies in a swing but it’s slow and not so useful in narrow paths.

Starting Equipment: Halberd, Heater Shield, Talisman of God (with Heal miracle).

Royal

With great Vitality, Magic and Faith attributes, Royal is the best choice if you like to use Magics and Miracles. Even from the very beginning of the game, you already get a Silver Coronado that greatly increase your MP and a ring that automatically regenerate MP.

Starting Equipment: Catalyst of Silver, Rapier, Buckler, Incense Ring(enables passive MP regeneration)

STATS

As you level up, your physical defense will be increased by most attributes, making enemies less intimidating.

Even if you wish to specialize in areas but should keep a balance so you can equip weapons and magic/miracles.

Weapons and shields have stat requirements to be used effectively. Armor does not, but most stronger armor is very heavy, restricting usage to classes with a higher Vitality and Endurance.

Vitality – Raises Maximum HP and Maximum Carrying Weight
Will – Raises Maximum MP and number of Magic memorization slots
Endurance- Raises Maximum Stamina, Maximum Equipped Weight, and Fire, Poison, and Bleed Resistance
Strength – Increases Physical Damage, required for many weapons and shields
Dexterity – Increases Physical Damage, increases ‘experience’ (Souls earned), reduces falling damage, required for many weapons
Magic – Increases Magic power, required for some weapons
Faith – Increases Miracle power, and number of Miracle memorization slots, Magic Damage resistance, required for some weapons
Luck – Increases Item drop rates and Disease Resistance