Elden Ring: 9 Creative and Overpowered Builds You Need to Try
1. The Golden Order God Build
Theme: Holy Power and Divine Wrath
Main Weapons: Golden Order Greatsword + Multi-Layered Ring of Light
Recommended Stats: 60 Vigor, 30 Dexterity, 60 Faith
This build embodies the sacred might of the Erdtree itself. The Golden Order Greatsword-while not chargeable-packs a radiant punch with its holy-infused Ash of War. Combined with the Multi-Layered Ring of Light, players can annihilate enemies from a distance with waves of blinding holy energy.
Although holy damage struggles in endgame areas where resistances run high, this build truly shines in the DLC and side boss fights. Equip Shard of Alexander, Sacred Scorpion Charm, Claw Talisman, and Godfrey Icon for optimal damage boosts. Faith-based buffs like Golden Vow and Blessing of the Erdtree stack beautifully here, creating an aura of divine destruction.
2. The Flame Art Nagakiba Build
Theme: All-Fire Destruction
Main Weapons: Flame Art Nagakiba + Flaming Strike
Recommended Stats: 60 Vigor, 27 Dexterity, 65 Faith
Few weapons rival the Nagakiba’s reach and style, and pairing it with a Flame Art affinity and Flaming Strike turns it into a blazing blade of doom. This build is pure fire-literally. Using incantations like Flame, Fall Upon Them and Giant Flame Take Thee, you can melt through even the bulkiest bosses.
The Fire Scorpion Charm, Milos’ Prosthesis, and Godfrey Icon further amplify both melee and incantation output. At 64 poise, you’ll strike fearlessly through most interruptions. In the DLC’s fiery dungeons or against frost-resistant foes, this build absolutely dominates.
3. The Tank Soldier Spear Build
Theme: Unbreakable Defense and Controlled Power
Main Weapons: Mesmer Soldier Spear (Blood Affinity)
Recommended Stats: 60 Vigor, 34 Strength, 40 Arcane
If you enjoy shrugging off giant attacks like they’re mosquito bites, this tanky spear setup is for you. The Mesmer Soldier Spear from Shadow of the Erdtree is a powerhouse for charged attacks and bleed procs. With Endure, Golden Vow, and Black Flame’s Protection, you’ll take minimal damage while building up bleed stacks.
This build excels at poise damage-expect multiple breaks even against bosses like the Fire Giant. Equip Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Axe Talisman, and Two-Handed Sword Talisman for sustained pressure. While not the fastest killer, it’s a juggernaut in survivability and consistency.
4. The Holy Gargoyle Build
Theme: Faith-Infused Twinblade Justice
Main Weapons: Gargoyle’s Sacred Twinblade + Sacred Blade
Recommended Stats: 55 Vigor, 62 Faith
A heavenly choice for fans of charged attacks, the Gargoyle’s Twinblade in Sacred Affinity is surprisingly powerful-even against enemies with high holy resistance. This build dishes out over 700 AR while maintaining strong poise and successive-hit potential.
The setup uses Two-Handed Sword Talisman, Shard of Alexander, and Rotten Winged Sword Insignia to multiply your power with every hit. Faith buffs like Golden Vow and Blessing’s Boon keep your damage high and your health steady. It’s elegant, brutal, and perfect for players who want to blend grace with divine punishment.
5. Roses’ Axe Intelligence Build
Theme: Magical Brutality
Main Weapons: Roses’ Axe + Lusat’s Staff
Recommended Stats: 55 Vigor, 60 Intelligence, 33 Faith
Roses’ Axe is one of Elden Ring’s most underrated weapons, but when you lean into Intelligence scaling, it becomes an arcane powerhouse. The ghostly slam from its Ash of War deals pure magic damage, while the heavy swings still hit hard thanks to strength scaling.
This hybrid build combines melee and sorcery seamlessly-swing the axe for close combat and unleash Comet or Glintstone Icecrag from a distance. Use Magic Scorpion Charm, Graven-Mass Talisman, and Godfrey Icon to push your spell damage through the roof. It’s a true mage-warrior hybrid worthy of the Raya Lucaria legacy.6. The Awkward-but-Effective Cannon Build
Theme: Pure Chaos and Fun
Main Weapons: Rabit’s Cannon + Barb Staff Spear
Recommended Stats: 55 Vigor, 28 Strength, 60 Faith
Who says effective builds can’t be hilarious? This “awkward” setup combines the Rabit’s Cannon-firing explosive holy bolts-with the Barb Staff Spear for melee follow-ups. It’s chaotic, clunky, and a blast to use.
While cannons aren’t top-tier for damage, their explosive range and style make for memorable encounters. Pairing it with the Barb Staff Spear ensures you always have a strong melee option. Equip Arrow’s Sting Talisman, Sacred Scorpion Charm, and Shard of Alexander for added punch.
Sometimes, it’s not about perfection-it’s about having fun blowing stuff up.
7. The Classic Claymore Build
Theme: Dark Souls Nostalgia
Main Weapons: Claymore (Quality) + Stamp Upward Cut
Recommended Stats: 60 Vigor, 34 Strength, 45 Dexterity
A love letter to Dark Souls fans, this build revives the classic Claymore playstyle-balanced, reliable, and devastating. Using Stamp (Upward Cut) gives poise-breaking power, while a Brass Shield adds defense and nostalgia.
With Blade of Mercy Talisman, Two-Handed Sword Talisman, and Shard of Alexander, you’ll deal huge counter-hits after blocking. The Quality affinity ensures scaling stays strong across Strength and Dexterity. It’s simple, effective, and timeless-proof that sometimes old-school builds still reign supreme.
8. The 80 Dexterity Ice Spear Build
Theme: Frosty Precision and Deadly Scaling
Main Weapons: Guardian’s Sword Spear + Ice Spear
Recommended Stats: 55 Vigor, 85 Dexterity
Ice Spear has long been one of Elden Ring’s most reliable Ashes of War-and when you push Dexterity to 80+, it becomes absolutely lethal. Every cast deals nearly 2,000 damage, and the Frostbite proc adds another layer of destruction.
This build is lightweight, versatile, and fast. It uses Magic Scorpion Charm, Millicent’s Prosthesis, and Dagger Talisman to maximize criticals and scaling. Perfect for agile players who love high-damage, precision-based combat without needing constant buffs.
9. Dual Hammer Lightning Build
Theme: Smite of the Storm Gods
Main Weapons: Flowerstone Gavel + Blood Morning Star
Recommended Stats: 60 Vigor, 45 Arcane, 30 Faith
For those who crave raw, thundering power, this dual hammer setup brings the storm. The Flowerstone Gavel delivers devastating lightning attacks that debuff enemies, while the Blood Morning Star adds bleed synergy and poise-breaking potential.
Dual-hammer jump attacks hit for 1,200+ damage, and Dragonbolt Blessing plus Black Flame’s Protection turn you into a walking tank. With Claw Talisman, Lightning Scorpion Charm, and Godfrey Icon, you’ll be crushing foes with heavenly fury.
It’s loud, brutal, and perfectly fits the Shadow of the Erdtree aesthetic.
Final Thoughts: Build Diversity at Its Best
From divine blades to fire gods, Elden Ring Runes and bizarre cannons, this lineup proves that Elden Ring’s build potential is practically limitless. Each of these nine setups blends creativity and power-some overpowered, some experimental, all incredibly fun.
Matt’s closing reminder hits home: “There are so many mid-tier or obscure weapons in Elden Ring that just need the right build to shine.” Whether you’re revisiting old favorites like the Claymore or experimenting with new DLC gear like the Mesmer Soldier Spear, now’s the perfect time to get creative.
If you’ve got a weapon collecting dust in your chest, it might just be your next masterpiece. Try one of these builds-or make your own-and prepare to rediscover the magic of The Lands Between.
