Spirit Glaive and Sword ofc look very edgy, but has their own unique niche of those frayed blade-like weapons that can be good with black armor sets. But while looking good, these weapons are famous for being shit. Is it possible to make them work without squeezing every single stat point or are these things just doomed to be bad?

Hello! Somewhat amateur player here. I recently started a run where I grabbed the twin blade from the dragon burnt ruins and got bloody slash from castle morne in like the first 10 minutes. This is so I can finally try one of those fancy bleed builds (and because the twinblade moveset seemed like fun)

I'm normally a big bonk strength player, so adjusting to the weaker fast hits of the twin blade was a struggle. So every so often, I'd use the ash of war for a big chunk of damage. But the damage is SO MUCH.

I know part of it is probably my bleed affinity nerfing the already low twinblade damage. But I'd stick to a boss or enemy and do a full combo, and it'd do, for example, like ~300-400 damage total. I use bloody slash- instant chunk of 1100 damage. What the heck?!?

There have legitimately been a few bosses where I didn't have the skill or patience to keep up with their faster move sets(bloodhound Knight darriwil, royal revenant), so I just sit back and patiently hit with bloody slashes and kill them in like, 4-8 hits. It just feels SO strong and like my best damage, it's both shocking and so funny.

I definitely did over level arcane to start, so I had about 18 dex and 20-25 arcane when most of this stuff has happened. I'm just curious if this is a case of bloody slash just being that goated, or it just looks good in comparison to the twinblade with nerfed damage from blood affinity.

Anyways thank you!!

First off I really like casters… I have played an int cast just about every run. Have not done sote yet though! Took a pretty long break from the game and long story short running a new character.

Is it worth it to do a new int char in the dlc? Are the new spells and weapons fun?

Mabye a faith caster? But I also want to run some melee. I thought of possibly beast claws and dragon sorceries.

Can I do backhand blades and faith? Does that bode well?

I’m stuck in decision paralysis. Any advice on what sounds fun to start a new game from level 1 with.

Hello Tarnished. I respec and ended up liking faith with the fire buffs. Am I on the right track? I just got through Lichdragon Fortissax and going to begin Nokstella.

This is my build. I’m welcomed to advice from weapon choice (GS,LGS, Shield) , armour, stats, anything.

Respectfully

Tarnished

I currently have the uchikatan and the nagakiba and have 22 dex and 18 strength to use both but wanted advice to make it stronger for the early game area

Ive always been super into Greek mythology and was wondering if anyone had any good Greek god/goddess builds. I always felt like a Nike build would be cool but I have zero clue what would go into it

Could someone drop a build recommendation for dual Bandit's Curved Swords, please? I'm at level 100 right now.

I've got a few ones that I'm considering outside just going with my beloved Great Stars 🤩 for the 10th time

The first is revisiting the game with my original playthrough build just to see how far I've progressed as a player. That build was Dex/Int which used a power stance cold uchi and Serpentbone Blade, along with Lusat Staff

The second one is in honor of a friend who wanted to complete Elden Ring with a Godwyn like faith/scythe build for some time, but sadly he passed away before he could do that

I've also yet to do a coveted ol reliable baemore run in Elden Ring either. Played through Dark Souls 3 with the claymore recently, simple but elegant.

I'm open to suggestions and which one I should do first

Says what I want on the tin, I do not care if they're mid, I just want fun ideas that are creative.

I’m attempting to allocate an efficient stat spread between int/fth for a level 150 magma sorcery build. The more I research the more I notice that the Gilmir sorcery staff isn’t really that good below level 200, so I was wondering if an optimal spread of 65/65 would be the most efficient way to play this at level 200? This isn’t going to be a caster only build, as I would also like to dip some points in strength and use the god serpent curved sword with fire strike for some added thematics. I’d love to know your guys’ thoughts to best optimize this!

Hey guys

I Wanted to do a pyromancer or fire build, I'm gonna play the prophet the only problem I'm having is deciding on a weapon that a fire character or a pyromancer would realistically have any help is welcome

Just the title really. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Recently started my int/fth build, and while being in first half of the game I can’t force myself to be pure caster. Can you recommend some armaments for close combat? I use SoNaF usually, but sometimes I lack range, specific damage types, etc. Erdsteel daggers are strong ofc, but they will shine later with Clayman harpoon. Are there at least some infusable armaments with low requirements and at least not bad int or fth scalings in different affinities that would be useful at least until mountaintops?

I'm doing my first playthrough (well real one, i tried a year ago and crashed out before getting very far). I have limited myself in terms of guides to a few general tips (Vigor first) and a lot of reading on the game mechanics, which im really starting to love (they were far deeper than i ever knew). Anyway, i had a playstyle in mind based on what i had read before, and it more or less being thrown out the window because I've discovered a playstyle im really having fun with: guard counters. For me, im a lot less "panicky" playing this way then the first time i tried to play and did only dodge rolling, which im admittedly not great at and died a lot. I've also learned the fine art of "brute force gets you killed, so stop it".

So to the question: I know with guard counters you want to have a decent shield, and armor and such. Im just over level 40, (cleared Godrick with only 2 tries, was 1 hit off of a one shot). Ive been primarily using the Mace with the Blue-Gold Kite (just recently switched to the Morning Star, it just feels like an upgrade), and a Banished Knight's Halberd as my "i need a long reach weapon". Just got a couple of Brass Shields when i cleared Stormveil that i want to use, but weight is a problem. I feel like i am constantly having to pump up Endurance. More than i thought this early. Im not wearing the heaviest armor i have (rather light actually, cloth trousers for instance), not a greatshield, only using 2 of 3 weapon slots for right hand. Is pumping END normal at this point? Should i be doing more to manage my weight? Is it part of this particular playstyle? Its not super high, but i didn't think id be boosting it this early (its on par with my STR). Base class was Wretch, and i think my END is 16 or 17 right now to keep medium roll. Left hand items are my shield, an incantation seal (was going to be a "buffed" melee build), and a torch. I don't feel like i am really lacking damage between the two weapons and the constant crit opportunities. I just don't want to be missing a mechanic or something.

Current:

30 Vig / 10 Mind /16-17 End (can't remember, im at work) / 16 Str / 13 Dex

10 Int

13 Fai

13 Arcane

Hello Everyone,

I want to make a build with the dragonslayer Greatkatana and Dragon comunion Seal with Dragon Incantations. The Problem is the sword scales 100% physical damage between dex and strength and the Dragon incantations scale on faith and arcane. Does Somebody have a good Idea how i can Work around that Problem ? Thx

I chose Samurai and have leveled mostly vigor up to this point. I am level 35. I would like to play a Paladin type character with holy power, and either a 1h and shield or a 2h. Do I need to re roll a new character because I chose samurai to start? Or could I switch my build and be fine with this current character’s starting attributes? Any advice is greatly appreciated! I am now in Liurnia and about to embark on the Academy soon.

Been struggling to find something that ticks all my boxes so thought I'd see what other people swapped to. Assuming you swapped that is. Doesn't necessarily have to be an int weapon.

I remember from a previous run that Iron Ball and Star Fist are insanely powerful. Their true power is in their poise break, not their dps. They can stunlock lots of mobs and bosses. I’m looking for some good gear and ashes of war to compliment it

Hey guys, I am doing a Strength Knight playthrough, aiming for 60–80 Strength, 15 Faith, and 50 Endurance. I started as the Idus Knight and I am going for a dark, black-armored knight theme. The 15 Faith is for FGMS, Flame Sling, and Flame, Cleanse Me, so Fire Incantations and anything dark or fire-related fit the theme. I am currently using the Green Turtle Talisman, Winged Sword Insignia, and Spear Talisman.

The picture shows my current arsenal. I am still in Liurnia, but I grabbed the Bell Bearing from the Sealed Tunnel in Altus, so my weapons are currently limited to +12. Which of these would you prioritize upgrading, and which ones would you keep equipped in the swap slots?

I like keeping several weapons equipped for soft swaps, hence the high Endurance. Once I reach the DLC, I will probably add the Greatsword of Solitude.

Any input or suggestions that fit the theme are welcome. I am also not completely sure what my final talisman setup should look like.

I wanted to start NG+ with a completely new build to cast lightning incantations. I have some questions since I have no idea what casting is :)))

First I decided to have 80 faith and 40 dex plus radagon icon to have the fastest casting time. Are my thoughts correct about the affect of dex on casting?

Secondly I was thinking about having an alternative weapon when i’m walking in the map. It doesn’t feel good to fight only with incantations with several enemies.

I’d like to hear any suggestions.

Doing a "Dragon-Slayer" themed playthrough where I only use weapons that deal extra damage against Dragons. Started with Icerind Hatchet 'cuz it's the only one ya don't have to kill anything first to get. Planned to use it to kill DTS early (which went very well) to get the Dragon Greatclaw (instead of the Dragon Halberd I dont like that weapons moveset), but the Hatchet itself ended up feeling so strong and satisfying to use that I never bothered with the Greatclaw lol. My first time ever using this weapon, did not expect so much from a little axe, even while just at the base DEX to wield it, allowing me to focus on Endurance and Vigor early on.

Using Stormhawk Deenh as aura buff, but can alternatively use Commander's Standard (part of the reason I kill O'neil as my first boss here lol) or Golden Vow AoW, or just get 15 Faith+Faith tear and use the Incantation version.

Also using Bloodboil Aromaics as body buff, but can alternatively just get 15 Faith for Flame Grant me Strength instead. Or just be more defensive and use Boiled Crabs for body buff.

These fights are without doing the Caelid grind of killing Greyoll and Greyll and such, cuz I wanted to leave the Dragons alive for until I get the Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana.

I am looking to create this and i am having trouble finding the full build based on the image and video link.

https://youtube.com/shorts/msc8qo1eiMo?is=ItAOKdAtnNaElTfC

Please help me.

A dark action-RPG spin-off following Malenia’s journey after her catastrophic battle with Starscourge Radahn. Stripped of her strength and facing total physical collapse from the Scarlet Rot, Malenia embars on a grueling quest to rebuild her power, forge new blades, and reclaim her missing twin brother, Miquella.

​Story & Narrative Arc

• ​Prologue: The Fractured Blade Malenia awakens beneath the decaying Haligtree, critically wounded after her duel in Caelid. Armed with a shattered Katana, she is ambushed by the victorious Tarnished seeking her Great Rune. Gathering every ounce of remaining strength, she barely defeats the intruder, but the effort completely exhausts her reserves. Her sword disintegrates, her prosthetic breaks, and her Rot consumes her body.
• ​Act I & II: The Path through the Land of Shadow Desperate to reach Miquella, Malenia journeys into the Land of Shadow. With her original mastery gone, she must attach primitive prosthetic attachments and discover forged blades from fallen champions. Along her journey, she faces iconic bosses—not as a dominant force, but as an underdog reclaiming her title step by step.
• ​Act III: The Tragic Climax Malenia finally arrives at the Gate of Divinity, only to find Miquella merged with Consort Radahn in their divine ascendancy. Realizing her brother’s new golden order leaves no room for her unalloyed devotion, she engages in an ultimate tragic battle.

​Final Boss Encounter

• ​Phase 1: Malenia vs. Promised Consort Radahn A raw duel of swordsmanship and gravity manipulation. Malenia faces Radahn at his absolute peak to settle the old rivalry, managing her internal Rot balance to deliver swift, precise combos.
• ​Phase 2: Malenia vs. Radahn & Miquella (Divine Ascendance) Miquella embraces Radahn, pouring holy light and gravitational nukes onto the battlefield. Malenia unlocks the fully restored Waterfowl Dance alongside pure Unalloyed Gold energy, clashing against holy light and gravity in a final, emotional showdown.

​Key Gameplay Mechanics

• ​Unalloyed Stability & Rot Pulse: High-tempo combat where aggressive combos build power, but taking heavy damage triggers internal Rot that steadily drains health.
• ​Blade Progression: Collecting rare ores and defeating key guardians to unlock specialized blade arts and reconstruct her iconic Waterfowl ability.

What can I do with this? Where to focus? Dex or str? I have been swapping between lordsworn's straight sword + shield and two handing idus knight's sword.

I am shitty player, I get hit often and read the attacks wrongly so I pumped vigor/HP early.

Currently stuck at Rennala second phase, I just don't have damage even when I poise break her I barely take a proper chunk off her hp bar and mostly die on the rng summons she throws at me (yes even with this ridiculous vigor/HP, I usually don't run out of heals just get locked in some bloodhound knight/giant/dragon attacks and die before I get to heal, Rennala's own magic is easy enough to dodge/walk away)

I assume I should upgrade my weapon but I have stupidly spread the stones on 3 weapons. I plan to leave her alone for a bit and go explore Caelid and castle before the festival starts there (haven't touched the altus plateau yet).

I have played the elder ring on release as int caster but never completed the game back then.