The best Elden Ring builds

What are the best Elden Ring builds?

For those of you on the hunt for the ultimate Elden Ring builds that not only elevate your gameplay but also ensure dominance in both PvP and PvE arenas, look no further. Our guide is tailored to arm you with the knowledge to craft unbeatable builds that will make your journey through the Lands Between not just victorious, but legendary.

What concoctions of skills and sorcery make for the premier Elden Ring builds, you ask?

The foundation of your journey, the initial 20 levels, is pivotal. Every stat choice is a critical decision in the making of your character’s legacy. While the allure of diversifying your Astrologer’s stats by investing in faith may beckon, doubling down on a sorcery-centric build promises to unleash devastating power in the endgame, setting you on a path to glory.

But the question persists: which Elden Ring builds reign supreme? The tides of power shift constantly; builds like the once-mighty Hoarfrost Stomp have seen their dominance wane, making room for new titans like Swarm of Flies to ascend. Should you find your once-unbeatable setup now lacking, fear not—the redemption offered by an Elden Ring Great Rune is but a conquest away, granting you the power to redefine your destiny with a character respec.

Elden Ring’s intricate character customization system is what sets this RPG apart, transforming it into a canvas for strategic genius. To dismantle your foes with terrifying efficiency, crafting a formidable Elden Ring class is non-negotiable. We’re here to guide you through the labyrinth of choices—detailing which stats to prioritize and pinpointing the must-have items, including the most lethal Elden Ring weapons, to ensure your place among the legends of the Lands Between.

These are the best Elden Ring builds:

Once you obtain the required stats for your build, spend the rest of your stats in these three areas: Vigor, Mind, and Endurance. It’s important to remember that the soft cap for Vigor is 60, Mind is 55, and Endurance is 32.

Colossal Knight Strength build

Starting Class: Barbarian
Key Stats: Strength 21+, Endurance 25, Vigor 25
Essential Items: Warcry Ash of War, Axe Talisman, Roar Medallion, any great or colossal weapon

Behold the Colossal Knight Strength Build—a titan among early-to-mid game strategies for those who revel in the art of brute force and the wielding of gargantuan swords. This build, a gem unearthed from the depths of Fextralife’s compendium, demands mastery and courage, as its effectiveness is a double-edged sword. The lengthy wind-ups required to unleash devastation are perilous, yet when your strike finds its mark, the earth quakes under the weight of your damage. Should your first assault not claim victory, your vast reservoirs of stamina stand ready to fuel relentless follow-up attacks. As the game progresses, the challenge mounts, necessitating an ever-growing flurry of blows—fear not, for we offer sage advice to navigate these trials.

Strength stands as the cornerstone of this build, its importance fluctuating with your choice of armament. Endurance and Vigor emerge as critical allies; fortifying your equip load allows for the donning of formidable armor alongside your monstrous blade. Enhanced endurance grants the stamina necessary for weaving together a series of strikes or making a strategic retreat, while increased Vigor prepares you to exchange titanic blows with the most daunting of adversaries.

The arsenal at the heart of this build is not complete without a colossal weapon and the Warcry Ashes of War. The ideal weapon—be it a greatsword or another behemoth of choice—must accommodate weapon arts, enabling the use of Warcry. This not only amplifies your damage but transforms your R2 attack into a charging, overhead onslaught capable of disrupting enemy assaults and delivering staggering, if not grounding, blows. The outcome hinges on the enemy’s poise, setting the stage for devastating critical strikes.

To ascend to the zenith of this build’s potential, the strategic employment of Elden Ring talismans is paramount. The Axe Talisman and Roar Medallion are indispensable; the former escalates the lethality of your charge attacks, while the latter magnifies your prowess following Warcry’s call. The allocation of remaining talisman slots should focus on augmenting your stamina pool (with the Viridian Amber Medallion) or hastening its recovery (via Erdtree’s Favor), ensuring your dominance in the relentless dance of battle.

Glass Cannon Mage build

Starting Class: Astrologer
Key Stats: Intelligence 80, Dexterity 18, Strength 12
Essential Items: Moonveil Katana, Lusat’s Glintstone Staff, Cerulean Hidden Tear
Best Spells: Comet Azur, Terra Magicus

Enter the domain of the Glass Cannon Mage, the epitome of magical might in Elden Ring, where unparalleled offensive power comes at the price of fragility. This build is not for the faint-hearted; it transforms you into a formidable force capable of dispensing more damage than any other class. However, this power is balanced by your vulnerability—just one misstep or an unexpected blow from an adversary could spell doom, especially when locked in combat with the game’s most fearsome bosses. While not every encounter will be effortless, those that play to your strengths will conclude almost as swiftly as they begin.

The Glass Cannon Mage ascends to near-mythical status with the acquisition of Comet Azur and the Cerulean Hidden Tear. This combination unlocks the ability to channel a relentless stream of destructive energy for a full ten seconds, turning the tide of battle with a mere gesture. For those seeking to wield Comet Azur, our Elden Ring spells guide sheds light on its location, ensuring you can harness this spell’s raw power.

To obtain the Cerulean Hidden Tear, a journey to Mt. Gelmir is required, where defeating the Ulcerated Tree Spirit near the Road of Iniquity Site of Grace awaits. This precious Elden Ring crystal tear is the key to nullifying FP consumption, enabling a barrage of potent spells like Comet Azur and Meteorite of Astel without depleting your resources. To ensure your spells reach their mark uninterrupted, summoning the best Elden Ring spirit ash companions is advised, providing essential distraction to your foes.

Maximizing spell damage necessitates Lusat’s Glintstone Staff, a treasure hidden within Sellia, Town of Sorcery, and bestowed upon those who vanquish the Nox Swordstress and Nox Priest. This staff distinguishes itself by amplifying the potency of all sorceries at the cost of increased FP consumption, setting it apart in the arsenal of a mage.

As for your primary weapon, the Moonveil Katana emerges as a preeminent choice, though its dominance may be curtailed by future adjustments. Its damage output is currently without peer, benefiting immensely from intelligence scaling. To claim this blade, confront the Magma Wyrm within the depths of Gael Tunnel in Caelid, and secure it as your spoils of victory.

Samurai Bleed Dex build

Starting Class: Samurai
Key Stats: Dexterity 55, Strength 40
Essential Items: 2x Uchigatanas (with the Seppuku Ashes of War), Lord of Blood’s Exultation, White Mask, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia

Embrace the exhilarating realm of the Blood Loss Samurai, a build that turns the battlefield into a canvas painted with the bleed effect, arguably the most thrilling aspect of melee combat in Elden Ring. With mere slashes, adversaries witness their health dissolve in an instant as the hemorrhage bar fills, unleashing damage that scales with the enemy’s maximum health and swiftly tilts the scales in your favor. Contrary to popular belief, this devastating strategy does not hinge on the Arcane stat, despite its association with bleed effects. This insight, illuminated by the expertise of RageGamingVideos on YouTube, showcases the potent synergy of Seppuku, the chosen Ash of War, which remarkably does not scale with Arcane, making it a cornerstone of this formidable build.

The Samurai class, starting with an Uchigatana in hand, serves as the ideal foundation for this build. While Uchigatanas are scarce, a second can be unearthed within the eerie confines of the Deathtouched Catacombs in Limgrave. Elevating these blades involves arming them with the Ash of War: Seppuku, thereby significantly enhancing their attack power and infusing each strike with the capability to induce blood loss.

Your journey to empower this arsenal leads to the chilling expanse of the Freezing Lake in the Mountaintops of the Giants. Here, the trail of an invisible scarab betrays its presence near a tree—vanquish this creature to claim the Ash of War. Before bestowing this power upon your weapons, ensure its duplication at a Blacksmith, allowing both katanas to become instruments of relentless bloodshed.

To further escalate the lethality of this build, the acquisition of a potent talisman is imperative. Venture into the depths of the Leyndell Catacombs to confront Esgar, Priest of Blood. The defeat of Esgar yields the Lord of Blood’s Exultation talisman, which bolsters your attack power by an impressive 20% when blood loss afflicts a nearby foe or player, ensuring this enhancement is almost perpetually in effect due to Seppuku’s bleed-inducing prowess.

An additional key component is the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, a reward from fulfilling Millicent’s quest line. This talisman is tailored for a dual Uchigatana approach, incrementally increasing your attack power with each successive hit. Complementing this arsenal, the White Mask emerges as a coveted prize, obtainable from an NPC invader near the Palace Approach Ledge-Road Site of Grace. Mirroring the Lord of Blood’s Exultation talisman, this mask intensifies your attack power in the presence of blood loss, cementing the Blood Loss Samurai as a fearsome presence on the field of battle.

Fire’s Deadly Sin Faith build

Starting Class: Prophet
Key Stats: Strength 30, Faith 80
Essential Items: Fire’s Deadly Sin, Erdtree Greatshield, Old Lord’s Talisman

Dive into the realm of Elden Ring with a build that straddles the line between formidable and arguably overpowered—a testament to the ever-evolving dynamics of gameplay balance. This build, once even more potent before receiving adjustments via a patch, continues to hold its ground as a dominant force, thanks to the pioneering strategy uncovered by YouTuber KhrazeGaming. Despite changes, particularly to the Deathblight effect, the essence of this build’s power remains untouched, showcasing the depth of tactical play within Elden Ring.

At the core of this build is the Fire’s Deadly Sin incantation, a spell that might seem underwhelming in standard combat scenarios but transforms utterly when paired with the Erdtree Greatshield. To embark on this journey, your first step is to unravel the mysteries of the Flightless Bird painting puzzle nestled within West Lyendell, rewarding you with the coveted incantation. The next piece of the puzzle lies atop the long staircase in Altus Plateau, guarded by the formidable Tree Sentinel Duo. Overcoming these guardians grants you the Erdtree Greatshield, setting the stage for the build’s central mechanic.

What sets this build apart is its unique combat strategy that eschews traditional weapons in favor of an ingenious combination of spell and shield. The Erdtree Greatshield, accessible early on due to its surprisingly modest stat requirements, becomes a linchpin by mid-game. Activation of Fire’s Deadly Sin ignites a 40-second burning effect on your character, which in turn triggers the shield’s Golden Retaliation skill. This skill, a marvel of defensive offense, transforms the Erdtree Greatshield into an unparalleled spell-reflecting powerhouse, repurposing the self-inflicted harm of Fire’s Deadly Sin into a relentless assault against your foes.

To maximize the efficacy of this build, investment in both Strength and Faith is crucial, as the greatshield’s performance scales with these attributes. Further amplifying the duration and, by extension, the destructive capacity of Fire’s Deadly Sin, the Old Lord’s Talisman becomes an indispensable asset. Hidden within the treacherous confines of Crumbling Farum Azula, this talisman prolongs the incantation’s effect, cementing the build’s status as a testament to strategic depth and the innovative spirit of the Elden Ring community.

Spinning Reaper Bleed build

Starting Class: Confessor or Vagabond
Key Stats: Strength 55, Dexterity 55
Essential Items: Grave Scythe, Spinning Weapon Ash of War, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, anything that boosts the bleed effect

Prepare to redefine your understanding of bleed builds with a groundbreaking approach brought to you by the innovative minds at RageGamingVideos. Elevating the art of dexterity-based bleed tactics, this endgame build introduces a twist that combines sheer enjoyment with staggering effectiveness: the Spinning Weapon Ash of War. Far from its initial defensive intent, this weapon art morphs into a formidable offensive juggernaut, especially potent against the colossal, lumbering foes that roam the Lands Between.

Spinning Weapon, a technique that may be unfamiliar to some, transforms your chosen armament into a whirling dervish of destruction. By suspending the weapon in a rapid, gyrating dance, it becomes a maelstrom of blades, capable of delivering a torrent of strikes in mere moments. The true genius of this strategy, as highlighted by RGV, lies in its ability to treat each hit as a standard weapon strike, thus enabling the application of various weapon buffs. This synergy not only augments the Spinning Weapon’s lethality but also sets the stage for devastating bleed effects through meticulously orchestrated combinations.

The Grave Scythe stands as the muse for this innovative build, though the principle applies broadly to any weapon endowed with bleed capabilities and sufficient reach. The cornerstone of this strategy, the Spinning Weapon Art of War, is complemented by the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, enhancing damage output with each successive attack. To further amplify this build’s prowess, consider arming yourself with Millicent’s Prosthesis or infusing your Flask of Wondrous Physick with the Thorny Cracked Tear, each element converging to escalate the potential for bloodshed.

It’s important to acknowledge the limitations and risks inherent to this strategy. Spinning Weapon’s efficacy diminishes against agile adversaries, rendering it less suitable for PvP engagements. Additionally, the build’s aggressive nature may expose you to reciprocal damage, particularly when facing multiple foes simultaneously. Nonetheless, for those seeking to explore the boundaries of bleed builds with a penchant for high-risk, high-reward gameplay, this innovative strategy offers a thrilling new frontier.

Blasphemous Blade build

Starting Class: Prophet
Key Stats: Faith 59, Vigor 50, Strength 35
Essential Items: Blasphemous Blade, Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman, Shard of Alexander. Fire Scorpion Charm, Carian Filigreed Crest

The Blasphemous Blade Build emerges as a beacon of devastation and resilience, masterfully showcased by YouTuber Jazza97. This build marries high damage output with unparalleled healing capabilities, offering a lifeline to those adept enough to wield it. Every strike against your foes not only brings them closer to their demise but also fortifies your own survival, as the Blasphemous Blade rewards each kill with a burst of health restoration. To claim this formidable weapon, one must navigate the fiery trials of the Volcano Manor quest line, a journey that culminates in the acquisition of the necessary Remembrance to procure the Blasphemous Blade.

What sets this build apart in the pantheon of Elden Ring strategies is its remarkable efficacy in PvP combat. The Blasphemous Blade stands as a paragon of versatility, combining lethal force with agility to dominate on any battlefield. Its Taker’s Flames skill, known for its broad reach, unexpectedly ensnares multiple adversaries in its fiery embrace, often extending its wrath beyond the intended target.

To enhance this build’s lethality, the selection of talismans is key. The Fire Scorpion Charm is indispensable, amplifying the damage of fire-based attacks to scorching new heights. Complementing this, the Shard of Alexander augments the potency of the Blasphemous Blade’s Ashes of War, ensuring that each encounter with your blade is a deadly one. Furthermore, the Carian Filigreed Crest plays a crucial role in this arsenal, efficiently reducing the FP cost of skills, allowing for more frequent use of the blade’s devastating abilities.

Armed with the Blasphemous Blade and the strategic selection of talismans, this build is primed to carve a path through the Lands Between. As you adorn yourself in the finest Elden Ring armor sets, not only will you stand as a formidable adversary, but you’ll do so with unmatched style. Ready your blade, Tarnished, for the challenges that await. From the daunting array of Elden Ring bosses to the pursuit of the game’s most elusive endings, your journey is fraught with peril and promise. May fortune favor your blade as you seek to etch your legacy into the annals of the Elden Ring.