Elden Ring: Malenia has a higher initial difficulty

Recommended Article

• Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Release Date and Content: How to Play the Two Brand New Heavy Knight and Idus Knight Classes?

  Whether you have played it, you surely witnessed the massive success of the 2022 blockbuster Elden Ring. Its 2024 DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, was equally acclaimed, winning numerous awards.

  To mark an exclusive partnership with Switch 2 launched in 2025, it was announced last year that a Tarnished Edition, tailor-made for the platform, would be released.

  After several delays, the official release date for Elden Ring Tarnished Edition has finally been set for August 28, 2026. If you are an Elden Ring fan who has picked up a Switch 2, this is a release you won't want to miss!

  Below, we outline the key details of this new edition and offer tips on quickly adapting to the new content and core gameplay mechanics.

  

  What does Elden Ring Tarnished Edition include?

  Designed specifically for Switch 2, this edition includes the base Elden Ring game and Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, alongside the following brand-new content:

  • Two new classes: Heavy Knight and Idus Knight
  • New armor sets
  • New customization options for Torrent's appearance

  Players who pre-order the game will receive two bonus gestures upon starting: The Ring and Ring of Miquella.

  To ensure fairness, players who already own Elden Ring or Shadow of the Erdtree on other platforms can unlock Tarnished Pack separately to unlock the new content added in this edition.

  New class mechanics

  While the original version of Elden Ring featured 10 starting classes, the total has now been expanded to 12. Additionally, two of the newly added armor sets are specifically designed for these Tarnished Edition classes.

  

  Heavy Knight

  Based on official data and gameplay demonstrations shown at various events, Heavy Knight is a warrior clad in heavy steel armor, capable of wielding a massive curved blade to sweep through enemy ranks.

  Given their heavy armor, Heavy Knight's initial playstyle focuses on high Strength and high equip load capacity. Their starting Endurance stat of 17 is among the highest of any Elden Ring class.

  Conversely, their weaker attributes are Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. Their exclusive armor set resembles heavy plate armor, implying exceptional physical defense, though it comes with significant weight, which explains Heavy Knight's high stamina.

  Overall, Heavy Knight is a rugged, resilient class that allows for a straightforward, no-nonsense combat style and early access to heavy gear.

  While you may have played similar classes in other games, Heavy Knight is entirely new to Elden Ring Tarnished Edition. If you encounter any leveling difficulties, it's best to buy Elden Ring Runes to keep things moving smoothly.

  Idus Knight

  In terms of lore, Idus Knight hails from Land of Idus, a region relatively unfamiliar even to veteran Elden Ring players. Knights from this area are renowned for using lightweight gear and wielding it with exceptional agility.

  Consequently, if you choose this class in Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, your standout starting stat is Dexterity (15), while Intelligence, Vitality, and Arcane are your weaker attributes.

  This makes Idus Knight well-suited for light or medium armor. Although their starting HP is relatively low, this can be improved by allocating points as you level up. Additionally, a decent starting Faith stat allows you to cast certain spells or buffs.

  In terms of both gameplay and enjoyment, Idus Knight holds a slight edge over Heavy Knight. However, if you are new to Elden Ring, you might also consider choosing one of the ten classic classes.

  Tarnished Edition core gameplay

  This edition is essentially a comprehensive package based on the base game and existing DLC; barring any major future patches, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged.

  After creating your character, your adventure begins in The Lands Between. As you progress, you will explore various Legacy Dungeons, defeat bosses, claim Great Runes, and ultimately reforge Elden Ring.

  While this represents a recommended linear progression, you are free to deviate from the set order, or even skip certain story bosses, to complete the game faster, provided you have the skill to handle it.

  As for Shadow of the Erdtree, although nominally just a DLC, it offers a massive gaming experience. The adventure is set in Land of Shadow, featuring various boss battles built around a unique vertical level design.

  Additionally, this DLC includes a standalone progression system that allows you to boost your character's attack and defense by collecting Scadutree Fragments.

  What about the other new items?

  Beyond the sets designed for the two new classes, Elden Ring Tarnished Edition introduces armor sets inspired by Lucatiel of Mirrah from Dark Souls 2; the fan-favorite Dark Souls 3 Hollowslayer Greatsword also makes an appearance.

  As for the new Torrent skin, Torrent being the spectral steed your character rides, customizing its appearance doesn't necessarily grant stat boosts, but it serves as a fun, aesthetic touch.

  

  Is Elden Ring Tarnished Edition worth getting?

  Fundamentally, this edition isn't an expansion that adds a brand-new main storyline; its primary purpose is to support Switch 2 platform. So, if you aren't particularly interested in that platform, sticking with the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree is perfectly fine.

  However, the quality of Elden Ring series is undeniable. Even though the new classes and items don't constitute a massive overhaul, unlocking and experiencing them via this separate pack is certainly worthwhile.

  We hope this overview helps you better understand Elden Ring Tarnished Edition and offers some inspiration for your future gaming plans!

• Elden Ring Best Weapons For PvE | Top Overpowered Weapons In Base Game And Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC

  As the largest Souls-like game currently available, Elden Ring boasts an enormous arsenal of weapons. However, many of them can be considered mere "toys"—their weapon arts may be flashy, but their damage can be lower than a standard attack from another weapon.

  With the release of Shadow of the Erdtree, some incredibly overpowered weapons have emerged, capable of making the game feel like easy mode. So, which weapons can truly revolutionize your PvE experience?

  

  Commonly Used Top Weapons

  • Dark Moon Great Sword
  • Blasphemous Blade
  • Moonveil Katana
  • Executioner's Sword

  These Elden Ring items have been proven by numerous players to be extremely powerful. They deal high damage or can easily knock enemies off balance and down. If they suit your character's attributes, you can use them to complete the game.

  However, one more weapon deserves special mention: Sacred Relic Sword. This sword is obtained by defeating the main game's final boss and exchanging it for the sword. Its weapon art has a large range, extremely long distance, and deals very high damage.

  Besides allowing you to farm Elden Ring Runes in Mohgwyn Dynasty, it becomes exceptionally useful after entering the DLC, and you can try using its Weapon Art to attack Ghostflame Dragon from a distance.

  Moghwyn's Sacred Spear

  Moghwyn's Sacred Spear is a classic, easy-to-play weapon. It's well-designed and incredibly powerful. Its main damage comes from its Weapon Art, which inflicts three instances of blood loss and has a chance to instantly unbalance enemies.

  Furthermore, its Weapon Art deals AoE damage, allowing you to kill enemies even through walls. Even after all the updates and patches, it remains a top-tier weapon. It's a weapon obtainable only through complex side quests, a perfect example of a powerful weapon.

  Rivers Of Blood And Eleonora's Poleblade

  Both of these weapons inflict accumulated blood loss on opponents, and as you know, blood loss is the most powerful status ailment in Elden Ring.

  Eleonora's Poleblade is better against humanoid enemies with low poise, allowing you to apply a Stagger Lock. Rivers of Blood is better against large enemies; simply spamming Weapon Art from a distance can easily defeat most bosses, provided you have enough FP.

  Bloodfiend's Arm

  Bloodfiend's Arm was incredibly overpowered when the DLC was first released, and although it has been nerfed, it's still a monster. Its unique charged heavy attack splashes twice, allowing for double stacking of status effects like poison and frost. Even without considering status effects, its charged heavy attack excels at breaking stances.

  Backhand Blades

  Backhand Blades are one of the strongest DLC weapons. Lightweight and highly versatile, they are agile and fluid to use, and suitable for almost any build. Whether it's dexterity blood loss, flame art infusion, or cold affinity triggering frost, it's a viable side weapon choice.

  Fire Knight's Great Sword

  Also from DLC, Fire Knight's Great Sword features unique light attacks and a charged, heavy attack. Its Flame Art infusion provides the highest damage boost, making it one of the strongest Pyro and Faith weapons. Any enemy prone to Bleed or Stagger is easily defeated.

  Nagakiba

  Nagakiba is considered the true king of katanas. It boasts an extremely long attack range and can be paired with many builds. Simply enchant it with Lightning or Bloodflame Blade, then use its Weapon Art to return Spinning Strikes, and you can easily complete the entire game.

  Antspur Rapier

  Antspur Rapier excels at rapidly applying status effects and can apply Scarlet Rot. Combined with the blood loss effect, these two negative effects quickly reduce enemy health. Its power stance move set, especially the second rapid three-hit combo, can trigger status effects extremely quickly.

  Great Stars

  Great Stars is one of the best weapons in its class. Besides its built-in blood loss effect, it restores 1% health with each hit. It synergizes perfectly with various Ash of War builds, such as Wild Strikes, Stormaller, and Savage Lion's Claw, and becomes even more devastating after being enchanted with Bloodflame Blade.

  Star Fist

  Star Fist's charged heavy attack is incredibly powerful, easily knocking down enemies. Its light attack move set excels at successful hits and quickly triggers Blood Loss. It combines rapid bleed attacks with powerful heavy bombs, excelling in both aspects. Its only drawback is the relatively short attack range of the gauntlets.

  Pota

  Pota, as a gauntlet weapon, is a severely underrated secret weapon. Its power is almost equivalent to Star Fist, but its attack range is closer to a throwing sword, breaking the balance of short range common to gauntlet weapons. It is extremely powerful in both PvP and PvE.

  Bloody Helice

  Bloody Helice is the longest thrusting sword and a quintessential Arcane build. Its weapon art is both vicious and elegant, allowing for a quick return to safety after an attack. While perhaps less effective in cities, it's highly effective against bosses. Its combat art, along with the DLC weapon Obsidian Scythe, inflicts a total of 55 stance damage, making it very effective against breaking stances.

  These are some of the most powerful weapons currently available in PvE, but the order is not ranked. Which weapon you choose depends on your preferred playstyle and your character's attributes.

• Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition On Switch 2 Delayed | Here's Why Players Support The Decision

  As a wildly popular game that sparked countless discussions among players, Elden Ring offers a rich and open-world adventure. Players can experience a robust adventure mechanic, challenging gameplay, and a remarkably engaging setting and visual presentation.

  This is why so many players dedicate their time and effort to exploring the game, earning it a large and dedicated fanbase.

  The earlier announcement of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition's upcoming release on Switch 2 caused a frenzy among players, meaning they could play anytime, anywhere.

  

  However, disappointingly, the official release date for Switch 2 has recently been delayed. If you're curious why, read on.

  Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition

  At Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2nd, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition was announced for Switch 2. During the presentation, a trailer showcased classic game scenes and visuals that players had experienced, including but not limited to battles with Radahn and exploration of Shadow of the Erdtree.

  These trailers evince that Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition offers players new content and features on top of the original game and Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

  These new features include, but are not limited to, exclusive Armor Sets, new weapons, Torrent customization options, and new classes. All of this has captured players' attention and fueled their anticipation for its release on Switch 2 platform.

  However, the core gameplay remains unchanged. Players still take on the role of Tarnished, exploring the game world. Where to explore and how to explore is entirely up to you.

  Classic areas appear in Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, including Limgrave, Caelid, and Liurnia, etc. Furthermore, many more new features await players' discovery.

  Gamescom, held from August 20th to 24th, also showcased trailers for Tarnished Edition, with the most exciting aspect being the opportunity for players to experience the new classes firsthand.

  Heavy Knight, clad in a black, heavy-plated armor set and wielding a curved greatsword, showcases the game's ongoing improvements and efforts to bring new content and exciting features.

  Disappointing Results

  While the news of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition's release on Switch 2 delighted loyal fans, it doesn't mean players are indifferent to the game's quality.

  Players anticipated a gaming experience on Switch 2 comparable to PC and other platforms, but player demonstrations clearly show that the current game's performance falls short of their expectations.

  Videos of players playing Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 can be found on various platforms, revealing that smooth gameplay is somewhat strained.

  It doesn't offer the smooth combat performance players expected. Frame rate drops and stuttering occur in almost every action except when the player's character is stationary.

  Furthermore, when there are many elements in the scene, they appear more like flat textures than three-dimensional objects.

  These points to one fact: the game's performance is unstable.

  For a large-scale open-world adventure game, these are almost fatal problems. During the adventure, you need to constantly pay attention to your surroundings, be wary of potential enemies and bosses, and game lag can make it impossible to detect enemy attacks during adventures and battles.

  An even more absurd situation is that you see a boss attack, but because of game lag, you can't use your chosen skill in time. In such cases, your character can only take hits and damage.

  Both situations can lead to character death, and the consequence of death is the loss of all Elden Ring Runes. Although you have the opportunity to return to the death location to retrieve these runes, you would certainly prefer to avoid this situation if possible.

  Besides performance issues, Switch 2's reliance on buttons to control character movement is uncomfortable for many players accustomed to the keyboard and mouse combination on PCs.

  The cumbersome button layout makes unfamiliar players feel overwhelmed in combat, not only failing to provide enjoyment but also turning exploration into a burden.

  If the release is still in this state, it's easy to imagine how many negative reviews Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition will receive from players.

  Looking Forward To The Release

  To address the technical issues raised by players, on October 23rd, the official announcement was made that the release of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition would be delayed.

  This is a correct decision for both players and the game developers.

  While the delayed release will disappoint players, it's acceptable to play a more satisfactory game a little later than to keep failing in a half-finished game and even lose all resources and runes.

  For a game, it's better to carefully polish it and strive for excellence in every aspect than to rush out a buggy game and disappoint the audience. A well-made game will always have its audience.

  With the immense popularity of Elden Ring IP, players will probably have high expectations for this game that blends the original game and Shadow of the Erdtree.

  In short, the release of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 has been fraught with difficulties. Although it's still uncertain when it will be released in 2026, we all look forward to its return with a brand new look, living up to the expectations of players.

• Elden Ring Ninja Build Crafting | Best Armor, Weapons, And Ashes Of War For Stealthy Combat

  Although the release of Elden Ring Nightreign has diverted some attention from the base game, Souls-like ARPG Elden Ring, which became a global sensation in 2022, remains a popular goal for players to explore.

  As a game with rich mechanics and up to 10 playable classes, the exploration of Elden Ring builds is nearly endless. While build crafting is mostly based on class, you can also create a build with a specific style through specific gear or skills.

  With this in mind, this article will explain how to craft a ninja-style build in Elden Ring.

  

  Ninja-Style Fashion

  While clothing is just a bonus to your combat, considering we're introducing a ninja-style build - and since ninjas aren't a class - you should make your style known to your opponents through clothing, which is the most conspicuous way to communicate your style!

  Since there aren't any pre-set ninja-style sets in the game, you'll have to rely on your own aesthetic to find the right armor to pair with your build. Of course, the black hood and mask are essential, practically the defining elements of a ninja's look.

  As for other parts, such as gloves or leg armor, simply ensure they're dark and complement the other armor pieces. If you're looking for existing plans to directly customize your look, consider the following armor or sets:

  • Prisoner Set
  • Bandit Mask
  • Samurai Gauntlets
  • Ronin's Armor
  • Black Knife Set

  Of course, style is one aspect; the armor itself also provides protection against different types of damage and affects attributes like weight and balance.

  So, when designing your look, consider not only the appearance but also the armor pieces you choose that offer good combat benefits. At least for ninja builds, your combat style should prioritize agility, so armor shouldn't be too heavy.

  It's worth noting that there are no set bonuses in Elden Ring, so you can mix and match armor freely without worrying about missing out on any extra buffs.

  Weapon Choice

  You should know that Samurai is one of the starting classes. While it's not the same concept as a ninja, the gear available not only looks good in ninja style but also offers impressive combat effectiveness when used properly.

  Most of the available Samurai weapons resemble Japanese swords, and each one has a different method for obtaining. If your character originally chose Samurai class, you should have at least Uchigatana. If not, follow the instructions below to farm it.

  Uchigatana

  This long sword, the starting Samurai weapon, is hidden in Deathtouched Catacombs. Enter the northern Limgrave, find Saints Bridge, and proceed to the end of the dungeon to find it.

  Nagakiba

  Enter Bloody Finger Hunter Yura questline near Site of Grace south of Agheel Lake. Find Yura to complete the quest, or simply kill him to obtain Nagakiba.

  If you consider yourself a softie (even though Yura is only an NPC) or want the armor as a bonus, you can find him at the following locations to complete the quest:

  • Second Church of Marika in Altus Plateau
  • Near Murkwater Cave
  • On the bridge near Main Academy Gate Site of Grace

  Rivers Of Blood

  Travel to the snow-covered area in the northern part of the map, starting at Freezing Lake Site of Grace, to find Church of Repose. Bloody Finger Okina will appear; defeat her to obtain this weapon.

  Other Weapons

  If you prioritize damage over appearance, you can look beyond Samurai weapons and explore weapons that balance agility and lethality.

  Take Smithscript Dagger, for example. This weapon, added in Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, is a throwing blade that performs well in both ranged and melee combat.

  More importantly, it can be thrown and instantly returns to your hand, like a souped-up version of a true ninja's kunai. Enter Ruined Forge Lava Intake and reach the end of the corridor to find it.

  Alternatively, Claws of Night are also excellent, as they also have the ability to return instantly after being thrown. They can be obtained by defeating Swordhand of Night Anna in Cathedral of Manus Metyr beneath Finger Ruins of Miyr during Ymir's questline.

  Choosing The Best Ashes Of War To Obtain Armaments

  Ashes of War is a unique mechanic in Elden Ring. Essentially, equipping this type of items will grant new skills and affinities to your gear, playing a crucial role in enhancing your build's overall strength.

  For ninja builds, good dodging and stealth are essential combat styles, allowing you to stealthily close in and kill enemies, much like an assassin. For this reason, we recommend prioritizing the following Ashes of War:

  • Bloodhound's Step: This provides excellent evasion capabilities by replacing dodging with a long-distance teleport dash.
  • Assassin's Gambit: Grants invisibility and minimizes your footsteps, allowing you to catch enemies off guard and backstab them.
  • Unseen Form: Allows you to become partially invisible, making it harder for enemies to detect you from a distance.

  Of course, there are many other Ashes of War with similar effects. If you want more to add, you can actively kill bosses, explore the open world and loot corpses or chests, or buy Elden Ring runes and redeem them at merchants.

  In short, while ensuring your appearance is as ninja-like as possible, you should always focus on agility, mystery, and decent damage output as the core of your Elden Ring ninja build. We hope our suggestions help you have a great gaming experience!

• Elden Ring Top 5 Powerful Builds For 2025 Has Been Leaked!

  Dear Elden Ring players, have you ever felt lost in Lands Between, struggling to find a powerful and fun build? Do you wish to have the flexibility to switch your combat style depending on the enemy or challenge?

  Today, we'll present the top five builds for 2025, combining fun and power, covering everything from burst damage to robust defense. These builds will surely inspire your adventures.

  

  1. Vyke's War Spear Build

  First, let's look at Vyke's War Spear build. This build focuses on utilizing the unique madness effect and high fire damage of Vyke's War Spear. It's primarily for PvP, but works well in PvE as well.

  Its charged attack deals significant poise damage, and Spear Talisman maximizes its piercing damage; we recommend upgrading it to +10.

  Furthermore, we'll choose Bloodsucking Cracked Tear and Flame-Shrouding Cracked Tear, offering both damage and survivability, making them popular choices in PvP.

  For armor, any piece of Tree Sentinel Set can be used for increased defense. Margit's Shackle provides boss control, and we'll use Sanguine Noble Robe, Shard of Alexander, Fire Scorpion Charm, and Millicent's Prosthesis. This setup can instantly ignite the battlefield.

  The stat allocation focuses on high Faith and Dexterity: 60 Vigor, 20 Mind, 25 Endurance, 16 Strength, 45 Dexterity, and 50 Faith.

  Finally, we can use Golden Vow, Flame Grant Me Strength, and Blessing's Boon for various buffs.

  In summary, this build is ideal for players seeking control and burst damage.

  2. Flame Art Great Mace Build

  Flame Art Great Mace build is another powerful option, dealing massive poise damage, fire damage, and strong knockback.

  Great Mace has high fire damage and a cool appearance, making it a popular choice. Not only that, if you choose Flame Art affinity, its Faith scaling can reach B-tier!

  Next, let's look at the build. We need a Great Mace that can increase Flame level by 25, along with Flaming Strike and Erdtree Seal. Then, equip Shard of Alexander and Fire Scorpion Charm talismans, as well as Spiked Cracked Tear and Flame-Shrouding Cracked Tear.

  Next, equip Two-Handed Sword Talisman and Axe Talisman to further enhance your charged attacks, allowing you to experience the satisfying feeling of one-shot kills! This will allow you to defeat bosses faster, earning a large amount of Elden Ring Runes to level up your character and increase your stats.

  For this build, we need 60 Vigor, 20 Intelligence, 26 Endurance, 28 Strength, and 65 Faith. Finally, use the same Golden Vow, Flame Grant Me Strength, and Blessing's Boon incantations as mentioned above.

  3. Waves Of Great Stars Build

  Waves of Great Stars build is a cold-damage build that combines Strength and Intelligence. Great Stars weapon itself has excellent poise-breaking capabilities, and with Waves of Darkness skill, you can unleash a continuous stream of high-damage attacks through dashes and jumps.

  This build offers a strong and visually stunning gameplay experience. Its unique cold damage can effectively deal with various enemies, making it a great choice for skilled players.

  We need a +25 cold-damage Waves of Great Stars weapon, which can be used with any seal. What about the equipment?

  The answer is Shard of Alexander, Magic Scorpion Charm, Blade of Mercy Talisman, Two-Handed Sword Talisman, Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear, and Bloodsucking Cracked Tear.

  Next, the stat allocation: 55 Vigor, 18 Mind, 27 Endurance, 40 Strength, 40 Intelligence, and 25 Faith. Note that if you use dual-wielding, you need 60 Strength.

  Finally, the incantations are the same as mentioned above.

  4. Executioner's Guard Counter Build

  Next, let's talk about Executioner's Guard Counter Build. This is a parry-counter build using Executioner's Greataxe.

  With this build, you can achieve one-hit kills, as this weapon has an extremely high critical hit multiplier, giving you a truly epic critical hit experience. This build's core mechanic revolves around perfectly parrying attacks and then unleashing a devastating counterattack. Equipping Royal Knight's Resolve skill further enhances the damage output.

  This build requires precise timing, but the rewards are immense, making it a perfect showcase for skilled players to demonstrate their mastery and earn Elden Ring Runes more efficiently to level up their character and attributes.

  This build utilizes a +25 Executioner's Greataxe, Brass Shield for increased defense, and a random set of armor, along with the Greatshield Talisman.

  It also incorporates Curved Sword Talisman, Blade of Mercy Talisman, and Dagger Talisman to trigger critical hits. Additionally, this build requires Faith-knot Crystal Tear and Greenburst Crystal Tear.

  For stats: 60 Vigor, 18 Mind, 31 Endurance, 75 Strength, 12 Dexterity, and 25 Faith. These stats, combined with the same incantations as Waves of Great Stars build, allow for incredibly powerful offense and solid defense.

  5. Raptor's Talons Build

  Finally, let's discuss Raptor's Talons build, my personal favorite. This build is a visual feast of fast-paced combos. Dual-wielding Raptor's Talons, along with Bloodflame Blade and Dragon Communion Seal, allows you to inflict massive bleed damage on enemies in an instant.

  Its unique charged attack and roll mechanic is not only visually stunning but also allows for flexible positioning. Combined with items that enhance jump attacks and bleed damage, such as Raptor's Black Feathers, Solitude Set, Shard of Alexander, and Lord of Blood's Exultation, this build makes one-shotting bosses a breeze.

  Use Bloodsucking Cracked Tear and Thorny Cracked Tear, and then use Mohg's Shackle for boss control.

  For stats: 60 Vigor, 18 Mind, 25 Endurance, 12 Strength, 75 Dexterity, and 25 Faith. This build also requires Golden Vow, Flame Grant Me Strength, Blessing's Boon, and Bloodflame Blade for additional buffs.

  These builds showcase the diverse combinations of equipment, skills, and attributes in Elden Ring, offering players of all skill levels a comprehensive guide to gameplay.

  Whether you prefer close-quarters combat, spell-casting, or a more defensive playstyle, you'll find a build that suits your preferences. These builds may evolve and expand further in the future, so players interested in experimenting can try out different strategies and develop their own unique playstyles.

  ---

  Of course, enhancing these unique builds requires a sufficient amount of runes. Therefore, we highly recommend buying IGGM.com Elden Ring Runes with fast delivery to support your gameplay. Happy gaming!

• Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree: Best Bloodfiend's Arm Cheese Build Guide

  Steam Autumn Sale is coming soon, and Elden Ring might even be discounted. It's never too late to experience the most successful Souls-like game of all time.

  You might be intimidated by the difficulty of Elden Ring, but the game itself isn't particularly difficult (okay, forget Malenia first). The real challenge lies in Shadow of the Erdtree. However, despite this high level of difficulty, There are still a plethora of powerful Cheese builds.

  Some builds, like Shield Poke build, can even solo Messmer without even collecting Scadutree Fragments. Below, we'll introduce one of the strongest Cheese builds in Elden Ring: the incredibly defensive Bloodfiend's Arm build.

  

  Weapons

  Bloodfiend's Arm (Blood Upgrade) is one of Elden Ring items for this build. You need to pair it with Ash of War: Rock Sword and Hemorrhage Infusion. Because the weapon's critical hits have a built-in bleeding effect, Bloodfiend's Arm with Hemorrhage Infusion not only has high poise but also high bleeding.

  Carry either Fingerprint Stone Shield or Verdigris Greatshield on your left hand, but Verdigris Greatshield isn't as heavy as Fingerprint Stone Shield.

  Since we'll be carrying Verdigris Discus Talisman, less weight means less stat bonuses, so we recommend Fingerprint Stone Shield. For daily map play, a lighter shield is recommended.

  Armor

  The choice is simple. If you prefer a cool look, go with Banished Knight Set. If you want stronger stats, go with Bull-Goat Set.

  Flask Of Wondrous Physick

  Crimsonburst Cracked Tear

  Bloodfiend's Arm (Blood Upgrade) reduces poise and causes bleeding, so the poise reduction bonus from Rock-Spiked Dewdrop is crucial and a must-have.

  Leaden Hardtear

  Because Bloodfiend's Arm (Blood Upgrade) heavy attack has a strong bleeding effect, and this build tends to rely on heavy attacks for daily attacks, Leaden Hardtear can provide a significant damage boost.

  Talismans

  • Axe Talisman
  • Verdigris Discus Talisman
  • Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman
  • Bull-Goat's Talisman

  The core amulets of this build are Axe Talisman and Verdigris Discus Talisman. The former strengthens charged attacks, while the latter increases defense with heavier weight.

  Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman and Bull-Goat's Talisman are changeable. Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman primarily provides damage reduction, while Bull-Goat's Talisman provides resilience, ensuring that charged attacks are not interrupted by the enemy.

  Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman can be replaced with Greatshield Talisman or Pearldrake Talisman. Bull-Goat's Talisman can be replaced with Two-headed Turtle Talisman, Pearldrake Talisman +3, or Lord of Blood's Exultation.

  Incantations & Sorceries

  • Flame, Grant Me Strength
  • Golden Vow
  • Black Flame's Protection
  • Scholar's Shield

  Because this build requires a lot of Strength, many lower-level players may not be able to use buff-type Incantations.

  If your Faith is low, use Flame, Grant Me Strength. If your Faith reaches 25, use Golden Vow.

  If your Faith reaches 30, add Black Flame's Protection. This prayer significantly increases physical damage reduction.

  In addition to the aforementioned prayers, another Sorcerie is particularly useful for this build: Scholar's Shield. It increases the damage reduction of the left-hand shield and is very useful in many encounters.

  Stat Allocation

  Regardless of your level, after entering Shadow of the Erdtree, It's recommended to increase both Vigor to 60. otherwise, the damage tolerance will be too low. Endurance is also recommended to be above 40, as this build relies primarily on shields for damage resistance, and holding a shield consumes stamina.

  Strength must be maxed out at 48 to use Fingerprint Stone Shield, Dexterity at 11 to use Bloodfiend's Arm, and Intelligence at 12 to use Scholar's Shield.

  Faith is the same as explained in the Incantations section. 15, 25, and 30 are the three nodes, which determine how many Incantations you can use. Arcane doesn't require points and can be ignored. This means that the final level of this build is 201. You can farm Albinaurics in Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum for a while and earn hundreds of thousands of Elden Ring runes in half an hour.

  Combat Strategy

  This build has a very high physical damage reduction rate. Regularly collect Scadutree Fragments. With 60 Vigor and a shield, you can take on any boss or elite monster head-on. Even a Spiral Tower Horned Warrior will be crippled by your attacks. The summoned Mimic Tear is even more tanky, significantly reducing the difficulty of the boss fight.

  During the initial buff phase, use Golden Vow and Black Flame's Protectio. Then, switch to a staff in your left hand and cast Scholar's Shield. Buff your weapon with Ash of War: Rock Sword. Then, drink Flask of Wondrous Physick. Enter the boss room and summon Mimic Tear directly.

  Let Mimic Tear attack first, while you stand by and watch, looking for opportunities to use heavy attacks to reduce damage and poise. This build makes Mimic Tear both tough and powerful, so you don't have to worry about it being unable to withstand the boss.

  If you draw aggro on the boss, you'll need to immediately use your shield to block, but some magic attacks and large-scale AoE attacks can't be completely blocked. This means that while this build is simple, you still need to memorize some of the boss's abilities.

  Although Bloodfiend's Arm has been nerfed after several patches, it remains one of the best weapons in Shadow of the Erdtree and is very easy to obtain, making it a top build for players entering the DLC.

  ---

  Shadow of the Erdtree's difficulty is significantly increased compared to the base game. If you're at level 150 in the DLC, you'll almost be instantly killed by the first monster you encounter. New players might want to start at level 190 to be somewhat safer. If your level is significantly lower, you can buy Elden Ring runes and items from IGGM.com to avoid being overwhelmed by DLC monsters.