Elden Ring Builds to Try Before Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

Builds in Soulslike games are the heart of how you progress to the end of the game. Here are some powerful Elden Ring builds for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC that you can try right now.

While a number of updates have changed the effectiveness of builds in the game’s meta, plenty have survived the test of time. Plus, with the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, we might see new builds emerge as the strongest. However, as you gear up for the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring, here are three builds to try out:

1. Rivers of Blood Build (Bleed Build)

• Key Weapon: Rivers of Blood
• Main Stats: Dexterity, Arcane
• Important Gear: Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Carian Filigreed Crest, Lord of Blood’s Exultation

The Rivers of Blood katana is a staple in bleed builds because of the Corpse Piler weapon skill, which inflicts massive bleed damage. Focus on increasing Dexterity and Arcane for damage output.

The Rotten Winged Sword Insignia boosts attack power with successive hits, while the Carian Filigreed Crest reduces FP costs. The Lord of Blood’s Exultation talisman further enhances attack power when bleed procs nearby. This setup ensures high damage output, especially in prolonged fights.

2. Darkmoon Greatsword Build

• Key Weapon: Darkmoon Greatsword
• Stats: Strength, Intelligence
• Important Gear: Radagon’s Soreseal, Stargazer Heirloom, Godfrey Icon

The Darkmoon Greatsword build combines physical strength with magic. The weapon scales well with Strength and Intelligence, making it ideal for hybrid playstyles. Radagon’s Soreseal boosts multiple stats but increases damage taken.

The Stargazer Heirloom provides a significant Intelligence boost, and the Godfrey Icon enhances charged spell and skill damage. This build allows for versatility in both melee and magic attacks, making it powerful in various combat scenarios.

3. Pure Mage Build

• Key Weapon: Lusat’s Glintstone Staff
• Stats: Intelligence, Mind
• Important Gear: Graven-Mass Talisman, Radagon Icon, Magic Scorpion Charm, Cerulean Hidden Tear

This build focuses on maximizing the power of sorceries, particularly the Comet Azur spell, which deals devastating damage. You can significantly enhance your sorcery damage with high Intelligence, Lusat’s Glintstone Staff, and Graven-Mass Talisman.

Radagon Icon reduces casting time, making it easier to unleash powerful spells quickly. The Magic Scorpion Charm boosts magic attack power at the cost of reduced damage negation. Using the Cerulean Hidden Tear, you can cast powerful spells without consuming FP for a short duration.

These builds are just a few options to consider before diving into the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Experiment with these setups to find the one that best suits your gameplay style as you prepare for new challenges in the Lands Between.

Elden Ring is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. The Shadow of Erdtree DLC expansion appears on June 21, 2024.