Build Guide for Beginners

Learn how to make a build in Elden Ring with Game8's beginner build guide. Read on to know more about how to decide build stats and tips for build making as you play the game.

How to Decide Build Stats

Strength Build Stats

Dexterity is low since we're only trying to meet the minimum requirement for weapon equips.

When running a Strength build, you will need to consider the +50% Strength buff when two-handing your weapon. Since the damage soft cap of Strength is at 80 STR, two-handing at 54 STR will effectively boost your STR stat to 81.

Now, unless you want to powerstance the Giant-Crusher (req. 60 STR), there's no reason to go beyond 54 STR for your first playthrough. Remaining points can be allocated to Faith or Intelligence, depending on any other weapons you want to use for the build.

Aside from Vigor, Endurance is another stat to consider since it affects your max Equip Load. Make sure you have enough Endurance for medium rolls while wielding your colossals and preferred armor type.

Dexterity Build Stats

Since Dexterity weapons will scale and benefit from having a surplus of DEX, you have the option to go for 60 or 80 DEX. A lot of good DEX weapons like the Hand of Malenia and the Bolt of Gransax will do amazing damage at 80 DEX.

For secondary stats, consider 20 STR since this allows you to equip most weapons except Colossals. If you want to wade into Bleed territory, you can get 20 ARC to gain access to weapons like Eleonora's Poleblade and the Rivers of Blood.

Intelligence Build Stats

Intelligence build stats will hinge on the type of INT build you want to go for. Pure casters will want to prioritize getting to 60~80 INT to both use the Carian Regal Scepter and to bolster the damage of their Sorceries.

For INT builds who want more martial options, you'll want to go with at least 16 STR and 22 DEX. This setup will allow you to use the Dark Moon Greatsword as well as the Moonveil on top of casting Sorceries.

For Mind, you'll want no more than 40 since max upgraded FP flasks will only be able to fully replenish an FP bar of 40 Mind. Vigor and Endurance will depend entirely on your playstyle. Casters can get away with less, but at endgame, you'll want to have at least 60 VIG.

Faith Build Stats

Faith build stats will be a bit more complicated due to the amount of playstyles offered by the stat. If you're going pure caster, then 80 Faith will ensure your Incantations hit like a truck. After that, you can get away with 25~35 Mind.

For Faith builds with a focus on weapons, then getting to at least 27 STR and 24 DEX is best since this allows you to one-hand weapons like Ordovis' Greatsword and Siluria's Tree (for Crucible Knight cosplay), or wield endgame weapons like Maliketh's Black Blade (two-handed) and the Sacred Relic Sword.

Note: For Faith build users who want to dabble in Dragon Incantations, getting at least 15 ARC is a must since this allows you to use all Dragon Breath incantations in the game. Beyond 15 ARC, you'll only gain access to Dragonmaw.

Arcane Build Stats

Arcane build stats are a bit more involved than other builds simply because of the amount of factors to consider. To start, we get 24 STR and 22 DEX to ensure that we can use Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear, the Marais Executioner's Sword, and Eleonora's Poleblade, comfortably.

Next, you'll want 60~80 ARC to ensure fast status effect buildup. Since Ekzyke's Decay requires at least 15 Faith, you'll want to get that for your build. Players who also want access to buffs will need at least 24~25 Faith which is a hefty investment even at Rune Level 150.

Since the build is very stat heavy, you'll only be getting away with 40 VIG, 25 END, and 20~25 Mind by Rune Level 125~150. While this does limit your options for equipment, Bleed and Scarlet Rot are the great equalizers in Elden Ring PvE so you should be fine either way.

PvP Build Stats

For PvP, the rule of thumb is to be able to pass the Vigor check. 60 Vigor is the sweet spot, especially when invading at something like Rune Level 125~150. Endurance will depend on your weapon and armor choices. Just make sure it doesn't go past the soft cap of 50.

As for your main stat, it will depend on the build and weapon you choose for invasions and duels. Generally, you'll want to put as many points as you can into your main stat. Any other weapon stat requirements will be met using a mix of Talismans and buffs during combat.

How to Make a Build

Build Making Tips
Level Up Vigor First Raise Stats Based on Your Weapon Choices Enhance Weapons for More Damage Commit to a Build for Main Stat Leveling Level Up Endurance Based on Equipment

Level Up Vigor First

A lot of the boss encounters (and even PvP) in Elden Ring will boil down to HP checks to see if you can survive making mistakes while learning enemy movesets. If you want to avoid seeing the death screen, then Vigor will be your best friend.

Before even considering other stats at the start of the game, make sure to level up your Vigor from 20/30/40 as you make your way through Limgrave, Liurnia, and the Altus Plateau. If you plan to PvP at lower levels, then having 45-50 VIG by Leyndell would be great.

How to Increase Your HP

Raise Stats Based on Your Weapon Choices

Unless you're going for a specific build or a caster build right off the bat, it's best to only put enough points into stats like Strength (STR) and Dexterity (DEX) in order to meet weapon stat requirements.

For new players, always remember that all that extra damage you get for raising your build's main stat won't matter if you can get 3-shot by a boss just as easily. Malenia, for example, is one of the harder bosses simply because a lot of new players' Vigor levels don't allow them to make mistakes during the fight.

All Weapons and Stat Requirements

Enhance Weapons for More Damage

When you find yourself lacking damage, don't jump the gun and start pumping points into your main stat. Instead, upgrade your weapon to make it competitive for the area you're currently exploring.

For example, if playing in Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula, a +6 Smithing or +2 Somber weapon will be good enough for most bosses in the area. Once you get to Liurnia, you'll want to upgrade to either a +12 Smithing or a +4 Somber weapon to make exploration smoother.

How to Upgrade Weapons

Commit to a Build for Main Stat Leveling

However, once you do start getting enough Vigor for each region you visit, you can start spending points on stats that matter to your chosen build. Just remember that pure casters will have to make sacrifices somewhere since they'll have to split their points to make room for the Mind stat.

Level Up Endurance Based on Equipment

For new players, remember that going Heavy Load means you will start fat rolling and fat rolling is bad since it gives you less invincibility frames (I-frames) compared to medium and light rolling.

Raise your Endurance to increase your Max Equip Load. Raise it just enough to allow you to use and equip more weapons (for easier swaps) or heavier armor (for better Poise and status resistances).

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