The build gets its name from two key components: the Black Flame spell and the Winged Scythe. This build is also known as the Black Flame Paladin due to its Holy damage type
This build is strong even in its initial form and becomes even stronger in the late game once you’ve maxed out the necessary stats. There are several weapon options that will add different damage types to the build. The Winged Scythe will handle Holy damage, the Seal of the Godslayer will handle Blunt damage, and the Greatsword of the Godslayer will handle both Normal and Piercing damage. And don’t forget about the Black Flame.
This build is interesting because it centers around bleed damage. It’s quite popular among Elden Ring players because it can be built early on and then easily enhanced through gear and spell selection.
As I mentioned above, the core of your damage will be bleed. That’s why it’s so important to focus on Sorcery. Weapon buffs require Dexterity, so level it up as well. Also, don’t forget about Vitality and Fortitude.
- Witchcraft : 80;
- Dexterity : 60;
- Vitality : 50;
- Durability : 40;
- Faith : 30;
- Intelligence : 20;
- Strength : 30;
- Wisdom : 10.
Ranged Mage
The final build we’ll look at is ideal for those who choose to play as a mage in any RPG. You get a full complement of different ranged spells and can engage enemies at range, dealing significant damage.
Let’s look at the assembly details:
- Starting class : Astrologer, Prisoner.
- Main parameters : Wisdom, Intelligence.
- Staff Choice: Meteorite Staff (starter), Demi-Human Queen’s Staff, Lusath’s Shining Staff (late game).
- Choice of weapons for close combat : Astel’s Wing, Sword of the Holy Trine, Greatsword of the Dark Moon.
- Recommended Armor : Any light armor set with suitable stats.
- Headwear : Snow Witch’s Hat, Queen’s Moon Crown, Azura’s Shining Crown – depending on your spellcasting preferences.
- Spells : Glitterstone Missiles, Carian Phalanx, Rennie’s Darkmoon, Throwing Rock, Icy Glitterstone Chunk, Loretta’s Greatbow, Azura’s Comet, Adul’s Moonblade, Enchanted Grounds.
- Talismans : Godfrey’s Sign, Amulet of the Magic Scorpion, Radagon’s Sign, Noxtella’s Moon, Powerful Talisman of the Grave School, and so on, depending on the spells and needs.
- Flask Enhancers : Magical Cracked Tear, Arcane Azure Tear.
Since the build’s primary damage comes from various spells and enchantments, we need to level up Wisdom. Intellect is needed to increase mana, which will help us avoid wasting flasks in combat.
Ideally, the characteristics should look like this:
- Wisdom : 80
- Intelligence : 60
- Vitality : 50
- Durability : 20
- Dexterity : 20
- Faith , Witchcraft : 10
- Strength : 20
DLC builds
Perfumer
People have nicknamed this build “Perfumer,” but I’d call it “Stinker.” This is all thanks to a new weapon type—flasks. Using them, you’ll spray a gas that deals elemental damage in a fairly large radius. Plus, there are few enemies in the game that are immune to elemental damage.
- Starting class : Spiritualist or Rogue.
- Main parameters : Faith and Vitality.
- Weapon of choice : Lightning vial.
- Recommended armor : Rakshasa Set for those who are not afraid of the penalty to defense, Perfumer Set for vibe.
- Ashes of War : Fountain of Sparks.
- Talismans : Alexander’s Shard, Thunder Scorpion Amulet, Perfumer’s Talisman, Great Shield with Dragon Crest, Godfrey’s Sign.
So, as you guessed from Ashes of War, we’ll be attacking with lightning. Use Fountain of Sparks to fire a long-range projectile at your enemies’ feet and watch it beautifully destroy them for you. This build is especially effective against larger enemies, but be wary of smaller ones.
It can also be adapted for fire and ice damage, or for physical damage through poison. In short, there are many options, and you can play around with them.
By the way, here is an approximate spread of stats:
- Intelligence : 60
- Vitality : 60
- Durability : 20
- Dexterity : 20
- Faith , Witchcraft : 10
- Strength : 20
- Wisdom : 20
You are a wizard, Harry.
Or rather, you’re a reptilian wizard, Harry. It’s all because of the Lizard Greatsword and the Ashes of War, which turns a huge sword into a veritable magical club. This particular version of the weapon also has a ranged attack.
- Starter class : Astrologer.
- Main parameters : Vitality and Wisdom.
- Weapon of choice : Lizard’s Greatsword and Lusath’s Glittering Staff.
- Recommended armor : any armor that allows you to keep Balance at least 50 points.
- Ashes of War : The Power of the Caria Clan.
- Spells : Shiny Nails, Elusive Microcosm, Caring Fingers, Impenetrable Thorns, Gravity Charge.
- Talismans : Alexander’s Shard, Great Shield with the Dragon Crest, Godfrey’s Sign, Powerful Talisman of the Grave School.
Some of the spells in this build, however, require a bit of effort and completion of Count Ymir’s questline from the DLC. He can be found in the Cathedral of Manus Metir, sitting on his throne. The build is generally quite easy to assemble, especially if you’ve already completed the game’s main story. Destroying the new bosses with it is a joy.
Stats can be distributed like this:
- Vitality : 60
- Durability : 60
- Intelligence : 30
- Dexterity : 20
- Faith , Witchcraft : 20
- Strength : 20
- Wisdom : 80
Stone
This build is perfect for those who prefer the rat-like tactic: hiding behind a secure shelter and carefully picking off enemies with small jabs until they can’t reach you. And in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, the game seems to suggest this tactic itself, as the starting items for this build are practically in plain sight.
- Starting class : Heavy Knight or Hero.
- Main parameters : Vitality and Stamina.
- Weapon of choice : Sacred Bloodletter’s Spear, Green Copper Greatshield OR Black Steel Greatshield.
- Recommended Armor : Green Copper Armor or any heavy armor set.
- Ashes of War : Barrier.
- Talismans : Double-Headed Turtle Talisman, Pearl Shield Talisman, Great Jar Warehouse, Great Dragon Crest Shield.
The most important thing is to loot as much stamina as possible, and that’s what the Double-Headed Turtle Talisman is for. And the Sacred Spear of the Bloodletter, while not particularly powerful, does stack the bleed effect on enemies. In short, the build here is literally built on patience and a willingness to pick at enemies from behind a shield.
On the downside, you’ll be countered by grabs. But you can dodge them.
The stats will be as follows:
- Vitality : 60
- Durability : 80
- Intelligence : 20
- Dexterity : 20
- Faith , Witchcraft : 30
- Strength : 30
- Wisdom : 20
Execution
Or “rat tactics 2.0.” Only while in the previous build we hid behind a shield and attacked stealthily from behind it, here we’ll stay away and blast enemies with a bow.
- Starting class : Tramp.
- Main stats : Vitality, Dexterity.
- Weapon choice : Bone bow.
- Recommended armor : Any armor no heavier than medium.
- Ashes of War : Shot of Malice (automatically equipped on bow).
- Arrows : Stormhawk Feather Arrow, Spiritfire Arrow.
- Talismans : Arrowhead Talisman, Smiting Arrow Talisman, Alexander’s Shard, Perfume Maker’s Talisman.
Yes, this build’s damage output isn’t particularly high. We compensate for this by keeping our distance and engaging enemies with a barrage. If you search, you can find videos of people using this build to kill even Radan in the DLC, and he’s harder than his version in the original game. The key is to keep an eye on your arrow count.
This is what your stats might look like:
- Vitality : 60
- Dexterity : 60
- Durability : 30
- Intelligence : 30
- Faith , Witchcraft : 10
- Strength : 30
- Wisdom : 20
Killer-assassin
And finally, let’s finish with a build for real cyber-cutlets. Here you need to take timing into account, know the bosses’ attacks and movements, and attack without error. In short, you’ll have to sweat a lot, but the reward will be commensurate, because this build is powerful.
- Starting class : Samurai or Rogue.
- Main stats : Vitality, Dexterity.
- Weapon of choice : Left-handed blade, Dragon Communion Seal.
- Recommended armor : Solitude Set.
- Ashes of War : Blindspot (automatically equipped on blade).
- Spells : Golden Vow, Flame Grant Me Strength, Bloodfire Blade.
- Talismans : Talisman with a Double-Headed Turtle, Alexander’s Shard, Great Shield with the Crest of a Dragon, Emblem with a Rotting Winged Sword.
If you’re willing to suffer a little, then go ahead and build this build, because the rewards will be worth the effort. Otherwise, you can take a closer look at the other builds in the article. I’ve already built quite a few.
nd this is what the stats should look like:
- Vitality : 50
- Dexterity : 60
- Durability : 30
- Intelligence : 30
- Faith , Witchcraft : 30
- Strength : 20
- Wisdom : 10
So, that’s the selection we’ve come up with. Let us know in the comments which builds you’ve tried or want to test, and share your own!