Top Elden Ring Builds: Optimal Stats and Status Effects Explained

UPDATE: We have refreshed our collection of the top Elden Ring builds, now featuring even more options including those from the DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, with fresh suggestions for Bleed, Faith, Fire, and Poison builds. Additionally, we’ve introduced new sections dedicated to hand-to-hand and sleep builds!

The Best Elden Ring Builds: An Overview

Embarking on your journey in The Lands Between often starts as an uphill battle. Initially, players assume the role of a weak Tarnished, struggling in combat and needing ample assistance. However, as you progress and elevate your character’s stats along with acquiring superior weapons, you’ll inevitably arrive in New Game Plus (NG+) ready to dominate.

Many players gravitate toward a specific weapon or develop a proficiency in dodging, shaping their build around that experience. Others might envision a powerful mage, a ferocious brute, or a cunning vampire. Whatever your affinity—be it a cherished weapon or an inspired character concept—Elden Ring offers myriad builds to cater to your playstyle.

Strength Builds
Faith Builds
Intelligence Builds
Bleed Builds
Scarlet Rot Builds
Poison Builds
Fire Builds
Frost Builds
Hand-to-Hand Builds
Sleep Builds

Strength Builds

To effectively execute a Strength build in Elden Ring, concentrate on wielding a colossal weapon. A well-crafted guide details an exemplary Strength build that calls for leveling your Strength to 60, in addition to enhancing Vigor and Endurance. Here are essential items to acquire:

Greatsword: This colossal weapon, reminiscent of Guts’ sword from Berserk, becomes a formidable force when fully upgraded, demanding 31 Strength and 12 Dexterity to wield. It is accessible early on, obtainable from Caelid.
Erdtree’s Favor Talisman: Boosts health, stamina, and equip load, making it indispensable for any Strength user seeking durability in battles.
Arsenal Charm Talisman: Increases your load capacity, enabling the use of heavier armor—vital for those looking to withstand more damage in confrontations.
Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman: Reduces physical damage by 20%, highly advantageous against bosses that deal heavy melee damage.

Fashion-wise, select armor that allows for a medium equip load, ensuring agility while maintaining some level of protection. The Royal Remains Set and Scaled Set are excellent choices for enhancing survivability while you execute your combat strategies.

Opt for a Heavy Ash of War for your weapon, with Ash of War: Stamp (Upward Cut) being notably effective against airborne enemies. Reader feedback suggests utilizing a Fire Ash of War for increased damage at lower levels, transitioning to Heavy Ash in the late game.

Faith Builds

A strong Faith build in Elden Ring centers around the Blasphemous Blade, a powerful greatsword with a unique Ash of War. Focus on reaching 60 Faith while also enhancing Mind and Vigor to maximize your effectiveness. Key elements for your arsenal include:

Godslayer’s Seal: Essential for boosting godslayer incantations, this seal is easily located in Stormveil Castle.

Maintain a rotation of vital incantations, including Blackflame, Blackflame Blade, Scouring Blackflame, Black Flame’s Protection, and Noble Presence to enhance your damage output.

Godslayer’s Greatsword: Acquired after defeating the Godskin Apostle in the Divine Tower of Caelid, this weapon requires 20 Strength, 22 Dexterity, and 20 Faith.
Godskin Peeler: Alternatively, defeat another Godskin Apostle at Windmill Village to obtain this flexible weapon with a unique skill and lower requirements for use.

For hybrid approaches, consider integrating weapons like Wakizashi dagger or Bloodhound’s Fang combined with the Black Flame Blade incantation. Finally, the Ruler’s Mask significantly boosts Faith, adding a vital stat increase to your build.

Intelligence Builds

If dodging isn’t your forte, consider an Intelligence-focused build, which allows you to obliterate foes with spells. A full guide details the best strategies for an Intelligence build, and here are some essential items:

Elden Ring Intelligence Build — The Meteorite Staff enhances early magic potential for Intelligence builds.

Meteorite Staff: Acquired early from the Street of Sages Ruins in Caelid, this staff only requires 6 Strength and 18 Intelligence and excels in enhancing gravity spells.
Carian Regal Scepter: This powerful staff, obtained after defeating Rennala, requires high stats to wield and amplifies full-moon spells.
Moonveil Katana: This katana is excellent due to its blood loss capability and unique skill, making it a staple for any Intelligence-oriented player.

Enhance your build with talismans like Stargazer Heirloom for Intelligence boosts, Radagon Icon for faster casting, and Moon of Nokstella to increase memory slots for more versatile spellcasting.

Bleed Builds

Bleed effects are among the most powerful in Elden Ring. Building a character focused on enhancing blood loss can yield devastating results. Here are some key items to consider:

Elden Ring Rivers of Blood — The Rivers of Blood katana excels in causing blood loss damage.

Blood Uchigatana: Ideal for Samurai players, the Uchigatana can also be acquired early in the Deathtouched Catacombs.
Rivers of Blood Katana: While somewhat controversial for its power, it offers significant bleed potential, especially in mid to late game scenarios.
Ash of War: Bloody Slash: This Ash provides a powerful technique to aid in building up bleed at lower levels. Consider pairing it with stronger options as you advance.
Lord of Blood’s Exultation Talisman: Must-have for elevating attack power following blood loss around you.

Experiment with various bleed-enhancing effects to establish a potent build that wreaks havoc across The Lands Between.

Scarlet Rot Builds

Scarlet Rot may be bothersome, but it also provides excellent opportunities for powerful builds. Start by investing in Vigor, Faith, Dexterity, and a bit of Arcane. Key equipment includes:

Antspur Rapier: This thrusting sword excels at causing Scarlet Rot build-up and can be obtained from Maleigh Marais.
Scorpion’s Stinger: Though requiring a trek to the Lake of Rot, this dagger has advantageous low prerequisites.
Scarlet Aeonia: After defeating Malenia, you can acquire this powerful incantation capable of causing wide-area rot damage.

Additionally, leverage a Sacred Seal for incantation uses, and maximize your damage with the Kindred of Rot’s Exultation Talisman for further enhancements.

Poison Builds

In contrast to Scarlet Rot, Poison builds offer a broader selection of weapons to utilize. The application of Poison Ashes of War is essential.

Utilizing Poison Moth Flight can transform various armaments into effective Poison-inflicting weapons. Essential spells include Poison Mist and Poison Armament, enabling an offensive strategy that capitalizes on poisoning your enemies.

Don’t forget about the Kindred of Rot’s Exultation Talisman for increased attack power against poisoned foes.

Fire Builds

If you seek a robust Fire build, the Blackflame build proves exceptional, but there are other fiery alternatives:

Serpent God’s Curved Sword: This weapon can be infused with the appropriate Fire Ash, enhancing your elemental prowess.
Blasphemous Blade: Comes with the unique skill Taker’s Flames, making it powerful in combination with fire spells.

Equip talismans such as Faithful’s Canvas and Fire Scorpion Charm to maximize the potential of your fiery arsenal while exploring the expansive landscape.

Frost Builds

Frost builds carry immense value, especially when combined with other status effects. Aiming for high performance in manipulating Frostbite advocates for investments in Arcane as well as Intelligence or Dexterity.

Hoarfrost Stomp: An essential Ash of War, effective at inflicting Frostbite damage.
Clayman’s Harpoon: Great for mixed damage types, combining physical and magic.

Utilize powerful spells like Glintstone Icecrag for high-impact attacks while outfitting yourself with talismans that enhance your spell and skill effectiveness.

Hand-to-Hand Builds

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has ushered in the thrilling concept of hand-to-hand builds. You can choose from Dryleaf Arts or Claws to implement martial arts techniques.

Infuse these weapons with a suitable Bleed Ash for devastating effect, ensuring you put emphasis on stamina and attack buffs with appropriate talismans.

Sleep Builds

While sleep builds may not overpower bosses, they offer amusement in combat, especially with the introduction of eternal sleep in Shadow of the Erdtree. Focus efforts towards accumulating status effects using weapons like the Velvet Sword of St. Trina.

Don’t neglect utility items such as Eternal Sleep Pots to maximise your strategy and make the most of your talents in inducing sleep on enemies.

This guide encapsulates the best builds currently available in Elden Ring. Stay tuned as we continue to update our listings with new discoveries and strategies related to the game.

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