Elden Ring continues to impress players with its diverse combat mechanics and the sheer variety of builds you can create. In this guide, I’ll walk you through nine highly effective builds, breaking down the equipment, stats, and strategies that make each one shine. Whether you’re aiming for high DPS, strong buffs, or hybrid versatility, there’s something here for every Tarnished.
1. Successive Attack Build (No Status)
This build focuses on rapid successive attacks without relying on status effects. The Gargoyle Twin Blade in heavy affinity is the core weapon due to its fast attack speed. The Spinning Weapon Ash of War is ideal for quickly stacking the successive attack buff, though regular hits also work effectively during intense boss fights like Godfrey.
Equipment & Stats:
- Weapon: Gargoyle Heavy Twin Blade +25 with Spinning Weapon
- Armor: Rock Shasa Set
- Talismans: Blade of Mercy, Shard of Alexander
- Key Buffs: Golden Vow, Blessing Spoon, Flame Grant Me Strength
- Stats: 55 Vigor, 20 Mind, 27 Endurance, 66 Strength, 23 Dexterity, 25 Faith
Pros: Fast-paced combat, excellent for stacking buffs.
Cons: Requires precise timing for maximum effectiveness.
2. Faith Spear Build
For players who enjoy faith scaling and fire damage, the Messmer Soldier Spear with Royal Knights Resolve is excellent. With flame affinity, this build delivers solid pierce damage and works exceptionally well against bosses in new game plus.
Equipment & Stats:
- Weapon: Messmer Soldier Spear +25 with Flame Art Affinity
- Seal: Giant Seal
- Talismans: Axe Talisman, Fire Scorpion Charm
- Stats: 55 Vigor, 20 Mind, 30 Endurance, 34 Strength, 60 Faith
Pros: High fire damage, strong scaling with faith.
Cons: Requires investment in faith for maximum efficiency.
3. All Carian Mage Build
Combining Carian sorceries and Ashes of War, this build leverages both staff and weapon for magical versatility. Carian Sovereignty handles early phase damage, while Carian Slicer dominates later phases.
Equipment & Stats:
- Weapons: Cold Broadsword with Carian Sovereignty, Carian Glintstone Staff
- Armor: 64 Poise set
- Talismans: Shard of Alexander, Magic Scorpion Charm
- Stats: 55 Vigor, 23 Mind, 25 Endurance, 75 Intelligence, 15 Faith
Pros: Excellent magic DPS, flexible spell options.
Cons: Slow successive attack build-up; less effective in melee-heavy fights.
4. Sword and Board Paladin Build
This classic tank build uses a Sacred Broadsword and Brass Shield, combined with holy incantations. Guard counters are central to this build, making it both defensive and offensive.
Equipment & Stats:
- Weapon: Sacred Broadsword +25 with Sacred Blade
- Shield: Brass Shield
- Talismans: Sacred Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander, Curve Sword Talisman
- Stats: 55 Vigor, 22 Mind, 25 Endurance, 16 Strength, 82 Faith
Pros: High survivability, strong against shielded enemies.
Cons: Limited mobility during heavy guard counters.
5. Giant Hunt Low Buff Build
For players who prefer minimal buffs, this build emphasizes strong weapon damage with low reliance on Ashes of War. Blood Sword Lance in blood affinity allows decent bleed and posture damage with fewer preparations.
Equipment & Stats:
- Weapon: Blood Sword Lance +25 with Giant Hunt
- Talismans: Blade of Mercy, Shard of Alexander, Two-Handed Sword Talisman
- Stats: 55 Vigor, 19 Mind, 30 Endurance, 45 Strength, 45 Arcane
Pros: Quick setup, strong damage without buff stacking.
Cons: Slightly weaker than high-buff builds for late-game bosses.
6. Black Flame Night Rider Build
This build uses the Night Rider’s Glaive with Black Flame tornado, combining fire damage and fate scaling. It’s particularly effective against bosses resistant to standard attacks.
Equipment & Stats:
- Weapon: Night Rider’s Glaive +25, Flame Art Affinity
- Talismans: Fire Scorpion Charm, Flasks Canvas, Godfree Icon
- Stats: 55 Vigor, 23 Mind, 30 Endurance, 18 Strength, 70 Faith
Pros: Strong elemental damage and crowd control.
Cons: Fire resistance on bosses can limit damage output.
7. Bloodfiend’s Earthshaker Build
Designed for massive poise and physical damage, the Earth Shaker with Blood Fiend’s Arm in blood affinity excels at charged attacks and high-impact swings.
Equipment & Stats:
- Weapon: Blood Fiends +25, Earth Shaker
- Talismans: Shard of Alexander, Blade of Mercy, Two-Handed Sword Talisman
- Stats: 55 Vigor, 19 Mind, 30 Endurance, 45 Arcane
Pros: High poise and bleed buildup, excellent for aggressive playstyles.
Cons: Minimal buffs can make early phases tougher.
8. Double Hit Milady Build
Leveraging Royal Knights Resolve, this build delivers brutal charge attacks and strong successive hit damage. Heavy Milady +25 is central for maximizing output.
Equipment & Stats:
- Weapon: Heavy Milady +25, Royal Knights Resolve
- Talismans: Blade of Mercy, Two-Handed Sword, Wings Sword Insignia
- Stats: 55 Vigor, 20 Mind, 27 Endurance, 66 Strength, 23 Dexterity, 25 Faith
Pros: Devastating two-hit combos, great for endgame builds.
Cons: Requires DLC content for full setup.
9. Powerstance Hybrid Build
This hybrid Strength/Faith build utilizes the Great Stars with fire and frost affinities. It balances poise damage, elemental strikes, and flexible incantation use.
Equipment & Stats:
- Weapon: Great Stars with Flame and Cold Affinity
- Talismans: Claw Talisman, Blade of Mercy, Godfree Icon
- Stats: 55 Vigor, 20 Mind, 30 Endurance, 34 Strength, 60+ Faith
Pros: Hybrid damage, strong against both elemental and physical targets.
Cons: Dodging certain boss moves can be tricky in early phases.
These nine builds demonstrate the versatility of Elden Ring’s combat system, from rapid successive attacks to hybrid magic/strength setups. Each build has its strengths and situational advantages, making it essential to adapt based on your playstyle and the bosses you face. Whether you want high mobility, elemental damage, or tanky survivability, experimenting with these setups can elevate your gameplay. For players looking to maximize efficiency, using buy elden ring runes or finding the buy elden ring runes lowest price options can help quickly enhance your builds and gear.
