For those that don’t know, aQuality build inElden Ringis a build that utilizes both theStrength and the Dexteritystats to achieve a result that is more powerful than what either is capable of alone. This is because players usually hit soft and hard caps at higher levels for both of these stats, so raising the lower of the two stats results in a greater bonus.
As one can imagine, these builds are not something players will be making early on in their journey. They tend to have a higher focus on late game, New Game+, andShadow of the Erdtreecontent. So, players will need to have alot of runesand have felled several bosses before they can run one of these beastly builds.
Updated on January 20th, 2025 by Chad Thesen:Just because a game has been out for a very long time, doesn’t mean players still aren’t playing around to find the best builds possible. This list has been updated to include some builds that make use of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC content. This includes a build for using the Messmer Soldier’s Axe, Dane’s Footwork, and the Stormhawk Axe weapons. Each of which will provide players with a different playstyle. This means some will be more effective in the hands of one player than in the hands of another one.
8Watchdog’s Staff’s Sorcery of the Crozier Build
Smashing Melee & Magic Ranged
Players that want access to both cataclysmically powerful close-range attacks and a way to take out enemies at range will enjoy this build. This is great for dealing with smaller enemies that will attack the player while they are at a distance. Players can also use these magic attacks to start building up stagger damage before they get in close with their colossal weapon jump attacks to proc the stagger on their enemy.
TheSorcery of the Crozier SkillAsh of War for the weapon also homes in on enemies, so it is easy to set it up when safe, knowing they will find their target. Since players will be doing a lot of jump attacks,the Claw Talisman is must. TheRaptor’s Black Feathersare also essential which stacks the jump damage buff. TheClaw Talismanis a great option for any build using a colossal weapon as it feels like their optimal playstyles, as isOkina Maskfor the 3 points in Dexterity.
7Dual Scavenger’s Curved Sword Build
Strike With Both Swords For Massive Stacking Damage
Bleed has always been seen as anoverpowered mechanic inElden Ring, and this build makes use of this mechanic despite it not being an arcane build. This build dual-wields two instances of a specific curved sword. The curved sword in question is theScavenger’s Curved Sword, which has blood loss on it by default. Players will infuse this weapon with theAsh of War: Seppukuto increase the blood loss buildup. This skill will also proc the 10% damage buff ofWhite Mask.
This will all stack to this build’s high damage from the Strength and Dexterity stats, resulting in heavy hitting attacks that can be chained together quickly. There is only one Scavenger’s Sword available, so players will need to get a second one by playing through a new game plus — or through theact of player tradingwith a friend. Until one of these can be done, a good substitute is the Bandit curved sword.
6Contagious Ghiza Build
For Players Who Love Greatshields
This build utilizes theJellyfish Shield,Ghiza’s Wheel, and various Talismans that push for increased damage. Players will be making use ofGhiza’s Wheelheavy attacks and jump attackswhile the Jellyfish Shield is buffing their attack damage, but whenGhiza’s Wheelcomes crashing down, it will spin to deal extra damage, which will be boosted by the player’s talismans. BothLord of Blood’s ExultationandWhite Maskcan proc from the spinning finisher ofGhiza’s Wheel.
TheAxe Talismanwill increase charged attack damage; theClaw Talismanincreases jump attack damage.Millicent’s Prosthesiswill raise the damage at the end of attacks from the wheel’s spin and increase Dexterity by 5 points, and theRotten Winged Sword Insigniato stack successive hit damage withMillicent’s Prosthesis. This is perfect for players that love guard counter gameplay for making their way around the game, as it allows for smaller enemies to just be mowed down by massive attack damage while safely behind a great shield.
5Messmer Soldier’s Axe Build
A New Way to Enjoy Bloodhound’s Step
Messmer Soldier’s Axeis a weapon one can get as a drop through defeatingMessmer Soldiers in theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC. This weapon can be raised so that both its scaling for Strength and Dexterity each have a value of B. Players will want to pair this weapon with one of the new armor sets from theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC called theOathseeker Knight Armor, but not before altering it intoLeda’s Armor. This armor will not only strengthen the user’s dash attacks, It will also strengthen attacks performed after dodging or backstepping.
Since this weapon can be infused with an Ash of War, players will want to infuse it with theAsh of War: Bloodhound’s Stepto make the most of this armor pairing. Leaning into the playstyle this creates, players can make use of theRetaliatory Crossed-TreeTalisman and theLacerating Crossed-TreeTalisman. Players will be heavily leaning into a playstyle that mimics builds that make use of theBloodhound’s Fangweapon — which are builds still used by many players to this day.
4Stormhawk Axe Build
Unleashes Spinning Storms to Topple Foes
Another weapon coming from theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC is theStormhawk Axe. This weapon will also scale with Strength and Dexterity, but has some different gear leading to a different playstyle. The armor pairing will be the completeRakshasa Set, and players will be wielding this axe with both hands. The Rakshasa armor set will increase all damage dealt by 8%, but the catch is it will also raise all damage received by8%.
The skill that comes with the weapon has the player stand stationary while swinging the axe. Getting this skill to cause as much damage as possible will be the goal here, so there are specific Talismans to get hold of. Players will also want theEnraged Divine BeastTalisman to raise its potency by 10%. Along with this Talisman, they will want theTwo-Handed Sword Talisman. This weapon is great at sending mounted enemies tumbling off their steeds.
3Dane’s Footwork Build
Feels Like Playing A Monk
Along with this weapon, players will want to replace itsAsh of War: Palm Blastskill with theAsh of War: Dryleaf Whirlwind. This will provide players with plenty of mobility and versatility. Players will juggle between light and heavy attacks alongside their Ash of War for the most damage output.
Players will want to increase the damage of successive hits for more damage, but also use theDivine Bird Warrior Greavesto help stunlock a lot of their opponents. Talismans players will be making use of include theRetaliatory Crossed-Tree,Rotten Winged Sword Insignia,Shattered Stone Talisman, andShard of Alexander.
2Gravity Bolt Build
Decimate Everything At A Distance
Players know just how dangerous it can be to be at arm’s length from an opponent. Failing to roll at the right time or getting caught up in a single attack is all it takes to have a player’s hard work come undone. This build utilizes theFallingstar Beast Jawweapon, one ofthe best colossal weapons in the game. Players will have access to the Ash of WarGravity Bolt Skill. This Ash of War will deal damage that scales with both Strength and Dexterity. Strength has a greater impact on the damage, and Dexterity decreases its casting time.
This ability can be used up close or at a distance. This lets players pump up their damaging stats more than their Vigor to fell their enemies much faster — and Ritual Sword Talisman will increase this damage even further if players can keep their health full. Players will also make use of some Incantations to buff themselves before particularly tough boss enemies. The Tarnished will need todefeat the Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast to get this weapon, but it is possible to skip the whole fight by sneaking up behind the boss and using the Poison Mist incantation to poison it. Its health will drop to zero without the boss realizing the player is nearby.
1Axe Of Godfrey’s Regal Roar Build
Close The Distance With Massive Melee Damage
The key weapon for this build, theAxe of Godfrey, is very late in the base game, meaning it is a build that will be most effective innew game plus and theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC runs. The Ash of War for this weapon,Regal Roar Skill, will send out a shock wave that cannot be blocked and will then boost the attack of the user.
While this damage boost is active, it will change the use of strong attacks into a lunging attack instead. This build does great single target damage, but can also wreck a group of enemies in seconds. A good Talisman combo for this weapon is to use theShard of Alexanderalongside theAxe Talismanto deal increased damage to both the Ash of War and the follow-up attack.
