Ultimate Elden Ring Bleed Build: Essential Stats and Weapon Choices

UPDATE: We’ve added two interactive maps to this Elden Ring bleed build guide to assist you in locating the essential items for this build.

The Power of Bleed Builds in Elden Ring

In the expansive realm of The Lands Between, players widely acknowledge that Elden Ring’s optimal Bleed builds stand among the strongest configurations in the game. With the resolution of the Arcane scaling concern, gamers have devised remarkably potent Arcane and Dexterity-based Bleed builds capable of delivering tremendous amounts of Bleed buildup to their foes.

Combining Arcane and Dexterity yields impressive results—much like a delightful pairing, albeit with a twist of ominous, glistening blood.

Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of elite Elden Ring builds, along with two interactive maps to help you gather all the necessary items for a successful bleed build.

Essential Items for the Bleed Build

Here’s a list of items you’ll need to create an effective bleed build in The Lands Between:

Additionally, here are the items necessary from the DLC area, Realm of Shadow:

Crafting the Ultimate Elden Ring Bleed Build

While powerful builds can sometimes stir debates regarding game balance, it’s essential to remember that challenges remain. Certain encounters, particularly with foes like Malenia, can still pose significant threats regardless of your damage output. This guide provides various weapon, talisman, and gear options to help you construct a versatile Arcane/Dexterity Bleed build.

Experimentation is key: if you find the Rivers of Blood katana overwhelming, consider exploring other weapon choices for an equally effective and enjoyable Bleed experience.

Elden Ring Bleed Build: Stat Allocation and Starting Class

To achieve a formidable Bleed build, prioritize leveling your Arcane, Dexterity, and Vigor. Investing in Endurance is also beneficial for survivability.

Note: The “soft cap”for leveling in Elden Ring is 60. Skills beyond this point yield diminishing returns, so focus your investments strategically.

Arcane: This stat is the foundation of your build, enhancing weapon scaling and allowing for the casting of Incantations while also increasing item Discovery.
Dexterity: Vital for swift attacks and evasion, Dexterity amplifies damage for weapons like katanas, making it crucial for Bleed buildup.
Vigor: Essential for survival, especially in close encounters where high damage foes can eliminate you swiftly.
Mind: Allocate points here as necessary to maximize efficiency with overpowered Ashes of War and magic abilities.
Starting Class: Opt for Bandit for a focus on Arcane and Dexterity or Samurai for immediate access to the Uchigatana and an advantageous Dexterity pool.

Early Game Stats – Level 30+

During the initial stages, prioritize Vigor for survivability, followed by Dexterity for weapon proficiency, particularly with Uchigatana or Reduvia:

Vigor: 18
Mind: 12
Endurance: 16
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 20
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 8
Arcane: 14

Mid-Game Stats – Level 80+

In this phase, enhance your Vigor and Endurance as enemies grow tougher, while also boosting Dexterity for maximum damage potential:

Vigor: 30
Mind: 16
Endurance: 19
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 40
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 8
Arcane: 25

Late-Game Stats – Level 120+

Your Bleed build will flourish at this stage. Introduce the Rivers of Blood katana or utilize Dragon Communion and Blood Incantations to enhance your offensive tactics:

Vigor: 40
Mind: 21
Endurance: 22
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 50
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 15
Arcane: 30

Shadow of the Erdtree Stats – Level 150+

In readiness for the DLC content, aim to maximize Vigor, Dexterity, and Arcane. Mind and Endurance can be balanced to your comfort level:

Vigor: 50
Mind: 21
Endurance: 22
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 60
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 15
Arcane: 40

These recommendations are flexible based on your build’s development. Prioritize high Dexterity and Arcane, adjusting Vigor, Mind, and Endurance to ensure survivability and effective melee combat.

Elden Ring Bleed Build: Preferred Weapons

This build’s focus on Arcane and Dexterity allows for a selection of superior Bleed weapons, each bringing unique aesthetics and functionality. Equip a Sacred Seal for casting Incantations in conjunction with your weapon.

Blood Uchigatana: An accessible weapon if starting as a Samurai, found in the Deathtouched Catacombs. Infuse it with a Bleed Ash of War like Bloody Slash for additional blood loss.
Blood Nagakiba: Enhanced when infused with a Bleed Ash of War, this dual-wield option pairs well with Uchigatana, needing 18 Strength and 22 Dexterity.
Eleonora’s Poleblade: This weapon offers unique attacks with Bloodblade Dance, delivering considerable Bleed and Fire damage. It requires 12 Strength, 21 Dexterity, and 19 Arcane.
Rivers of Blood: Noted for its Corpse Piler skill, inflicting significant Bleed buildup. Obtain it by defeating Bloody Finger Okina near the Church of Repose.
Dragon Communion Seal: Buffs dragon Incantations effectively and scales with Arcane. Found at Fringefolk Hero’s Grave.
Beast Claws: Ideal for fast-paced melee combat, located at the beginning of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Dryleaf Arts: Hand-to-hand combat offering high agility; perfect if seeking a thrilling melee experience.
Scavenger’s Curved Sword: This dual-wielding option is efficient early in the game, requiring 9 Strength and 14 Dexterity.
Godskin Peeler: A twinblade with substantial damage output and infusable with a Blood Ash of War; requires 17 Strength and 22 Dexterity.
Serpent-God’s Blood Curved Sword: While less popular, with proper upgrades, this weapon can yield effective results; best for those embracing a challenge.
Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear: Powerful although obtained late in the game, ideal for New Game Plus runs.

Elden Ring Bleed Build: Ashes of War

To fully leverage your Bleed build, consider various Ashes of War that enhance your weapons’ Bleed damage potential:

Ash of War: Bloody Slash: A medium-range AoE attack that isn’t particularly focused on Blood buildup but capable of high damage.
Ash of War: Blood Tax: A powerful thrusting combo used for health regeneration post-Patch 1.07, found in the Mohgwyn Dynasty cave.
Ash of War: Blood Blade: Causes significant Bleed buildup by launching a blood projectile; a good alternative for damage output.
Ash of War: Seppuku: Covers your weapon in blood and amplifies attack power at the cost of some health. Obtainable east of the Freezing Lake Site.

Elden Ring Bleed Build: Recommended Talismans

To maximize the efficiency of a Bleed build, strategically select Talismans that enhance your abilities:

Lord of Blood’s Exultation: Essential for increasing attack power when nearby foes have been inflicted with Bleed—available in Leyndell Catacombs.
Radagon’s Soreseal: Boosts multiple stats at the cost of increased damage taken. Acquired in Fort Faroth.
Radagon Icon: Reduces casting time for sorceries, proving beneficial during battles requiring frequent Incantation use.
Marika’s Soreseal: Enhances Mind, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane while increasing damage taken—a strategic but risky choice.
Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: Boosts successive attack power, ideal for maintaining offensive momentum in combat.
Claw Talisman: Improves jump attacks—a beneficial feature for an agile Bleed build.
Millicent’s Prosthesis: Enhances Dexterity and boosts attack power with successive strikes, requiring a trade-off with Millicent.
Shard of Alexander: This Talisman amplifies skill-based attack power and is crucial for proficient users of powerful weapons.

Elden Ring Bleed Build: Effective Incantations

While the focus of this build is primarily on weapon usage, don’t overlook the benefits of specific Incantations, particularly from the Dragon line:

Rotten Breath: A potent attack that inflicts Scarlet Rot upon foes, collected from the Dragon Communion Altar.
Dragonice: Offers Frostbite capabilities for foes resistant to Scarlet Rot.
Ekzyke’s Decay: Temporarily summons a dragon for powerful multi-element damage; balance your points between Faith and Arcane for best effects.
Swarm of Flies: A swarm spell to rapidly build Bleed damage on targets—requires moderate Arcane and Faith.
Greyoll’s Roar: Contributes to debuffing foes while enhancing your attack power—useful in high-stakes encounters.
Bloodflame Blade: Buffs your weapon’s capabilities with additional Bleed buildup; simple to acquire.
Bloodboon: Creates damaging blood flames on the ground; effective crowd control spell against multiple enemies.
Bayle’s Tyranny and Bayle’s Flame Lightning: Powerful new additions from the Shadow Realm focusing on Arcane attributes.

Elden Ring Bleed Build: Suggested Armor and Gear

Armor choices are often flexible in Elden Ring, allowing for personal style while ensuring functional protection:

White Mask: An essential piece for any Bleed build, enhancing attack power when blood loss is present. Defeat an enemy resembling Varre to acquire it.
Mask of Confidence: Increases your Arcane stats and obtainable through Ranni’s quest.
Royal Remains Set: Offers passive HP regeneration but mainly selected for aesthetic appeal in conjunction with other items.
Raptor’s Black Feathers: Enhances jump attacks; locate it behind an illusory wall in Sage’s Cave.

For further customization, explore other build strategies such as Intelligence, Faith, Black Flame, and Strength builds. Moreover, consider reviewing our complete guide to The Lands Between in the Elden Ring walkthrough.

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