Elden Ring: New Patch Build Guide

A new update has arrived in Elden Ring, bringing balance changes and new possibilities for character builds. This guide will break down three powerful, updated builds to help you dominate both PvE and PvP. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, these builds take advantage of the latest buffs and mechanics, though remember that the optimal way to enhance your character is through gameplay, not to buy Elden Ring Runes from external sources.

Build 1: Cursed Sword Executor

Overview: The Exector's Cursed Sword received significant buffs, making it a viable cornerstone for a powerful build that focuses on deflection and devastating counterattacks.

Core Strategy

· Parry & Deflect: The key to this build is mastering the Cursed Sword's parry. Its active window is longer than most players realize.

· Parry Tips:

1. Timing: It's better to parry too early than too late. Early parries often result in a block, while late parries get you hit.

2. Input: Hold the block button instead of tapping it. Tapping shortens the deflection window unnecessarily.

3. Ultimate Spam: The build is designed to charge and use your Ultimate (Crucible claw form) as often as possible. Its health and damage now scale with Depth in Debuff Night, making it genuinely powerful.

Damage Output

· At Level 15, a single swing deals ~280 damage.

· A charged heavy attack deals an insane ~1387 damage (comparable to a fully charged Wilder ultimate).

· For comparison, the legendary Hand of Malenia katana only deals ~245 per swing on the same setup.

Relic Setup

Goal: Maximize Physical Attack Power (the Cursed Sword deals physical damage, not Holy) and Ultimate charge rate.

Mandatory Relics:

· Both Balancers relics.

· Your best "Cursed Sword damage up" relic (typically gives +35% damage at the cost of -40% damage negation on attack).

Ultimate Charge Engine:

· Relic with "Blocking attacks grants Ultimate charge." This works on deflects and stacks with the +1 version of the effect.

Depth Relics (Ideal Rolls):

1. Physical Attack Up +4 with "Defeating enemies gives Ultimate charge +1." A top-tier combo.

2. Physical Attack Up +3 with "Successful guarding gives Ultimate charge +1" (stacks) and "Post-HP restoration +1."

3. Attack Power Up with 3 Katanas Equipped (recently buffed to +20% damage) with "Critical hits give Ultimate charge."

Passives & Talents

· Prioritize passives that increase Two-Handed damage and Skill Damage, as they boost both the Cursed Sword's normal attacks and its weapon art.

Build Weaknesses & Mitigation

1. The Cursed Sword damage relic makes you take 40% more damage when attacking. Mitigate this by focusing on deflection and only attacking during safe openings.

2. Some ideal Depth relics have severe curses (e.g., Continuous HP Loss, which can negate the new "survive at 1 HP" effect of the Ultimate). Weigh the massive damage benefits against the risk.

3. Optimal Missing Pieces: The truly perfect build would also include:

· The "Night Invaders" effect on the Cursed Sword damage relic.

· The Depth relic effect "Increased Dexterity & Arcane for reduced Vigor" (boosts damage by ~6%).

Build 2: Dual Great Spear Guardian

Overview: A high-risk, high-reward build that transforms Guardian into a relentless, stamina-rich aggressor using the powerful running and rolling attacks of power-stanced Great Spears.

Why Guardian Over Wilder?

· Stamina & Health: Guardian has more of both, solving key issues Wilder faces with Great Spears.

· The "Fat Roll" Myth: Guardian's dodge is a side-grade, not a downgrade.

· It has fewer i-frames (higher risk) but also fewer recovery frames.

· This allows you to attack or dodge again sooner than with a standard roll, rewarding precise timing.

· Recent Buffs: Guardian received ~10-11% more affinity damage negation and ~5.5% more physical negation, making a shieldless playstyle more viable.

Core Strategy

· Abuse the power-stanced Great Spear running attack, which hits multiple times and can quickly build successive attack buffs.

· Use the rolling attack situationally; Guardian's shorter dodge animation makes it more practical than on other classes.

· In practice, many attacks come from neutral. This led to focusing on the "Initial Standard Attack" relic effect.

Relic Setup

1. Goal: Boost the first hit of your combo and increase survivability.

· Key Relic Effect: Initial Standard Attack (grants +15% damage to the first attack in a combo). Stack multiple copies.

2. Sample Relic Loadout:

1. Initial Standard Attack + "Gain poise & damage negation after being knocked down" (20% negation for 20s).

2. Initial Standard Attack + "Ultimate heals Guardian" (must-have for shieldless Guardian).

3. Initial Standard Attack + "Skill cooldown +3" & "Blocking grants Ultimate charge" (a useful backup).

3. Depth Relics (God Rolls):

1. A powerful relic with "Skill use boosts damage negation by 12%," "Partial HP restoration +2," and "+10% Max HP." (Comes with curses like "-15% Ultimate charge gain" and "-10% rune gain").

2. The Build-Inspirer: "Increased Strength & Dexterity for reduced Vigor." This allows Guardian to outdamage Wilder with quality weapons, especially Great Spears (which have Faith scaling, and Guardian has higher Faith). Pair this with the "Find Great Spears" effect.

4. Initial Standard Attack + "Improved Physical Damage Negation +1" (10%).

Build 3: Heavy Thrusting Sword Iron Eye

Overview: A melee-focused Iron Eye build that capitalizes on the guaranteed powerful weapon art of the Bloody Helice (the only purple Heavy Thrusting Sword) to deal massive damage and break marks rapidly.

Core Strategy

1. Stay in Melee: Recent nerfs applied damage fall-off to Ultimate charge, revive damage, and status effects. You must be close-range.

2. Weapon of Choice: Bloody Helice. Its weapon art, Dynast's Finesse, is exceptional:

· Grants generous i-frames on the dodge.

· Can be chained.

· The follow-up attack deals huge damage and stance damage, perfect for breaking marks.

· Off-hand: Keep a bow equipped to maintain stance damage on distant targets and for safe revives.

Relic Setup

Goal: Enhance weapon art damage, utility, and mark effectiveness.

1. Mandatory Relics:

· Red Balancer Relic: Increases Weapon Art damage. Its third effect (damage negation under certain conditions) is frequently triggered in Depth runs and is a lifesaver.

· "Iron Eye gains a second mark" relic. This is arguably Iron Eye's best effect.

· Flex Slot: Use your highest damage option. The Blue Balancer, (nerfed) Glass Necklace, or Night Invaders are all contenders.

2. Depth Relics (Ideal Rolls):

1. The God Roll: "Increased Arcane for reduced Dexterity" (the Bloody Helice scales with Arcane, so this is a net damage gain), "+20% damage with 3 Heavy Thrusting Swords equipped," and a minor effect like "HP on mark explosion."

2. "Marks inflict Poison" relic. A must-have for free poison application, enabling huge damage bursts on poisoned enemies.

3. "Find Heavy Thrusting Swords" relic. Guarantees your core weapon.

Final Notes

Experiment with these builds and adapt them to your playstyle and the relics you find. The new patch has shaken up the meta, making previously overlooked weapons and strategies highly effective. For adventurers seeking to expedite their journey, you can buy cheap Elden Ring Items from trusted platforms like MMOEXP to complement your discoveries. Good luck, Tarnished!