Whether you're running through NG+7 or gearing up for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, there's always room for a new powerhouse build. From strength-based crushers to spell-flinging hybrids-and every one of them proves why Elden Ring remains the most replayable action RPG of all time.

 

Let's break down each of these top-tier builds and make Elden Ring Items, their setups, and what makes them so devastatingly effective.

 

1. Gargoyle Twinblade Successive Hit Build

 

If you love the feeling of relentless pressure and pure melee aggression, this build is your bread and butter. The core idea is to stack successive attack buffs using the Gargoyle Twinblade (Heavy Affinity), which already swings lightning fast and synergizes beautifully with talismans that boost consecutive strikes.

 

Ash of War: Spinning Weapon-It instantly builds your successive hit stacks and shreds bosses with tight attack windows.

 

Key Talismans:

 

 Winged Sword Insignia or Rotten Winged Sword Insignia

 Shard of Alexander

 Blade of Mercy

 Thorny Cracked Tear + Bloodsucking Cracked Tear

 

Stat Spread:

 

55 Vigor / 27 Endurance / 66 Strength / 23 Dexterity / 25 Faith

Buffs: Golden Vow, Blessing's Boon, Flame Grant Me Strength

Matt even scored a no-hit run against Godfrey, showing just how fluid and deadly this twinblade setup can be. It's fast, aggressive, and one of the most satisfying ways to dismantle late-game bosses.

 

2. Faith Spear Build (Messmer Soldier's Spear)

 

This one's tailor-made for Faith mains who love spears. Using the Messmer Soldier's Spear (from the DLC) with Flame Art Affinity and Royal Knight's Resolve, you'll melt everything in your path-literally.

 

Why it works:

 

This spear gets a B in Faith scaling, letting your fire incantations and buffs drastically amplify each thrust. With Golden Vow, Howl of Shabriri, and Blessing's Boon, Matt dropped Gideon in just four hits on NG+3.

 

Talismans:

 

 Fire Scorpion Charm

 Axe Talisman

 Shard of Alexander

 Two-Handed Sword Talisman

 

Stats:

 

55 Vigor / 30 Endurance / 34 Strength / 60 Faith

 

Faith players looking for a build that's both flashy and brutally effective-this is your moment.

 

3. Carian Sorcery Hybrid Build

 

Next up, a hybrid melee-mage setup that merges the Carian Sovereignty Ash of War with Carian Slicer and Glintstone Icecrag. The idea is to combine the physical utility of a Cold Broadsword with the raw power of Intelligence-based sorceries.

 

Weapons & Gear:

 

 Cold Broadsword (Carian Sovereignty)

 Carian Glintstone Staff

 Magic Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander, Godfrey Icon, Graven-Mass Talisman

 

Stats:

 

55 Vigor / 23 Mind / 75 Intelligence

 

While the Fire Giant's resistances made phase two tough, the damage potential is undeniable. If you want a fast-paced mage setup that still lets you swing a sword, this build's mix of spell variety and physical hits makes it both stylish and powerful.

 

4. Sword-and-Board Paladin Build

 

A fan favorite-the Sacred Broadsword + Brass Shield combo forms the core of this traditional Paladin setup. You'll block, counter, and smite your enemies with holy fury.

 

Ash of War: Sacred Blade

 

Seal: Tree Seal

 

Best Incantation: Multi-Layered Ring of Light from the DLC-stuns and staggers enemies like a dream.

 

Talismans:

 

 Sacred Scorpion Charm

 Shard of Alexander

 Godfrey Icon

 Curved Sword Talisman

 

Stats:

 

55 Vigor / 82 Faith

 

The Paladin build truly shines in boss fights with strong physical aggression. Guard counters melt foes, and standing in your healing field nullifies Bloodsucking Cracked Tear's HP drain. It's both thematic and effective.

 

5. Low-Buff Giant Hunt Build

 

For players who hate buffing every 30 seconds, this one's for you. Using Sword Lance (or Nightrider's Glaive if you don't have the DLC), you can deal massive damage with Giant Hunt-no elaborate buff routine required.

 

Setup:

 

Blood Affinity for bleed procs and pierce damage. The Lord of Blood's Exultation Talisman gives a free attack boost once bleed triggers.

 

Talismans:

 

 Lord of Blood's Exultation

 Shard of Alexander

 Blade of Mercy

 Two-Handed Sword Talisman

 

Stats:

 

55 Vigor / 45 Strength / 45 Arcane

 

This build is proof that simplicity can still destroy bosses. Even without stacking multiple buffs, Giant Hunt tears through enemies while looking incredibly cinematic.

 

6. Black Flame Nightrider Build

 

A callback to classic Faith builds, this setup turns the Nightrider's Glaive into a fiery death machine with Black Flame Tornado and the Godslayer's Seal.

 

Talismans:

 

 Fire Scorpion Charm

 Shard of Alexander

 Flock's Canvas Talisman

 Godfrey IconStats:

 

55 Vigor / 70 Faith

 

Even on bosses resistant to fire (like the Godskin Duo), Black Flame's percentage HP damage keeps the build relevant. It's a true Faith warrior's weapon-powerful, thematic, and devastating over time.

 

7. Earthshaker Bloodfiend Build

 

This one just oozes raw power. Built around Earthshaker and the Bloodfiend's Arm (DLC), it's a Strength-Arcane hybrid that shakes the battlefield-literally.

 

Affinity: Blood-to mix bleed procs with absurd posture damage.

 

Talismans:

 

 Lord of Blood's Exultation

 Shard of Alexander

 Two-Handed Sword Talisman

 Blade of Mercy

 

Stats:

 

55 Vigor / 45 Arcane / 60+ Effective Strength (two-handed)

 

Even without buffs, this build crushes bosses in seconds. The Earthshaker combo's follow-up swing adds cinematic flair and deadly precision. A perfect build for anyone who wants big hits and big drama.

 

8. Mady Heavy Build (Royal Knight's Resolve)

 

An underrated DLC weapon, Mady shines in Heavy Affinity thanks to its synergy with Royal Knight's Resolve and charge-attack talismans.

 

Why It Works:

 

Each R2 swing hits twice-doubling the RKR multiplier. Stack Axe Talisman and Two-Handed Sword Talisman for brutal damage.

 

Talismans:

 

 Winged Sword Insignia

 Blade of Mercy

 Two-Handed Sword Talisman

 Shard of Alexander

 

Stats:

 

55 Vigor / 66 Strength / 25 Faith

 

It's a flexible build that lets you transition to the Great Katana if you prefer. Either way, you'll be one-shotting most enemies before they even get to swing.

 

9. Fire-Frost Great Stars Hybrid

 

The finale is a dual-element powerhouse: Fire and Frost together. With dual Great Stars, one in Flame Art and one in Cold Affinity, you'll trigger both burn and frostbite-while benefiting from Strength and Faith scaling.

 

Ashes of War:

 

 Flaming Strike (Flame Art)

 Chilling Mist (Cold Affinity)

 

Talismans:

 

 Claw Talisman

 Blade of Mercy

 Godfrey Icon

 Fire Scorpion Charm

 

Stats:

 

55 Vigor / 34 Strength / 60 Faith

 

Buffs: Golden Vow, Blessing of the Erdtree, Burn O Flame, Giant's Flame Take Thee

 

Matt used this to defeat Maliketh, showing how the hybrid scaling and frost proc combine for monstrous burst damage. The poise damage from Great Stars also ensures frequent staggers.

 

Why These Builds Matter

 

From pure Strength juggernauts to Faith hybrids and magic assassins, these nine setups prove that Elden Ring is still the best sandbox for creative combat in gaming today.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Thousands of hours later, players are still finding new synergies, more Elden Ring Runes, new affinities, and new reasons to jump back into the Lands Between.

 

So before the next expansion drops, take one of these nine monsters for a spin. Whether you're cleaving through Godfrey no-hit, nuking Gideon in four hits, or freezing and burning Maliketh at the same time, these builds remind us why Elden Ring continues to reign supreme in the RPG world.