Table of Contents

The Ultimate Guide to Frost Armor Builds in Elden Ring

So, you want to become an icy harbinger of death in the Lands Between? Excellent choice! Few things are as satisfying as watching an enemy shatter into a million frozen pieces. But to truly master the art of frostbite infliction, you need the right gear, and that starts with your armor.

The Best Armor Choice: Snow Witch Set (But Not Just for the Reason You Think)

While the article mentions the Snow Witch Set as being the “best armor” for frost mages due to its Cold Sorcery bonus on the hat, the reality is a bit more nuanced. This set is fantastic, but not solely for the reason stated. The primary draw is the Snow Witch Hat, as it directly boosts Cold Sorcery damage. However, the rest of the set offers a unique aesthetic and decent protection, making it a worthwhile choice, especially if you’re aiming for a specific look. The downside is its lightweight nature and focus on magic defense over physical, which can leave you vulnerable in melee engagements.

The truth is, “best” is subjective and depends on your playstyle. Here’s a breakdown of factors to consider, along with armor alternatives:

Damage Output (Sorceries): If your build heavily relies on casting Cold Sorceries for damage, the Snow Witch Hat is irreplaceable. The damage boost significantly enhances your offensive capabilities.
Survivability: Are you finding yourself getting squashed in close combat? Prioritize armor sets with high Robustness (to resist frostbite buildup from enemies), good physical defense, and Poise (to avoid getting staggered easily).
Fashion Souls: Let’s be honest, looking cool is half the battle. Find a set that complements your character and makes you feel like a true Elden Lord (or Lady).

Robustness is Key

When choosing your frost build armor, robustness is king. You want to be able to withstand frost effects from enemies and the environment, but not be staggered easily. Some solid options for this include:

Radahn’s Lion Armor: Offers excellent Robustness and decent physical defense, making it a good all-around choice. It’s a hefty set, so manage your equip load accordingly.
Lionel’s Set: Another strong contender for Robustness, offering high protection levels. Very heavy, so high Endurance is a must.
Bull-Goat Set: Provides the highest Poise in the game, making you nearly unshakeable. Incredibly heavy, requiring a massive Endurance investment.
Scaled Set: Offers a balanced mix of defenses and weight, making it a versatile option.

Don’t Forget Talismans and Physick Flasks

Armor isn’t the only way to boost your frost resistance. Consider these options:

Stalwart Horn Charm: Increases Robustness, directly improving your resistance to frostbite and blood loss. A must-have for frost builds.
Mottled Necklace: Raises Immunity, Robustness, and Focus, providing a well-rounded defensive buff.
Speckled Hardtear (Physick Flask): Temporarily boosts all resistances, including frost, which can be crucial in tough fights.

Choosing Your Armor: A Hybrid Approach

The ideal frost build often involves a hybrid approach. Keep the Snow Witch Hat for the damage boost to your Cold Sorceries and mix it with pieces from other sets to improve your defenses. For example:

Snow Witch Hat + Radahn’s Armor + Gauntlets and Greaves of your choice
Snow Witch Hat + Scaled Armor + Gauntlets and Greaves of your choice

Experiment and find what works best for your preferred playstyle and equipment load.

Scaling and Ash of War Considerations

The article correctly points out that frost affinity Ashes of War cause a weapon to gain Intelligence (Int) scaling while losing Strength and Dexterity scaling. This is crucial for frost builds, as it allows you to capitalize on your Int stat for both spellcasting and weapon damage.

Remember, frost is a status effect, not a damage type. This means that while your weapon may deal physical or magic damage, the frost buildup is independent. Once the frostbite meter fills, the enemy takes a burst of damage and suffers reduced damage absorption, opening them up for further attacks.

Optimizing your Build

Combine the best Frost Armor (Snow Witch Hat and some robust Armor), Weapon choices and Scaling considerations to ensure that your Frost Build becomes a powerful opponent in the Lands Between.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Arcane boost frost buildup?

Yes, but with a significant caveat. Arcane only boosts frostbite buildup if you’re using a weapon that innately scales with Arcane and is infused with a frost affinity Ash of War. Otherwise, weapon upgrade level is the primary factor in increasing frostbite buildup.

2. Does the Magic Scorpion Charm increase frost damage?

Yes, but only for certain types of attacks. The Magic Scorpion Charm boosts magic damage. If you have infused a weapon with an Ash of War that releases a projectile, then the damage will scale with your INT. Therefore, the Magic Scorpion Charm will always boost the damage of Hoarfrost Stomp and others similar to it.

3. What is the best frost weapon in Elden Ring?

This depends on your playstyle, but some top contenders include:

Dark Moon Greatsword: Deals high magic damage and inflicts frostbite. Requires high Intelligence.
Icerind Hatchet: A fast and effective weapon with the Hoarfrost Stomp Ash of War.
Death’s Poker: A unique weapon that deals both fire and frost damage.

4. What armor is good against frost in Elden Ring (besides the Snow Witch Set)?

Sets with high Robustness are your best bet. Radahn’s Lion Armor, Lionel’s Set, and the Bull-Goat Set are all excellent choices, providing high resistance to frostbite buildup.

5. How do I reduce frost damage in Elden Ring?

Raising your Robustness stat is the primary way to reduce frost damage. Increasing your Endurance stat will improve your Robustness. Using the Stalwart Horn Charm or the Mottled Necklace will also boost your Robustness, and the Speckled Hardtear can provide temporary resistance.

6. How do I add frost affinity to my weapon in Elden Ring?

You need a Whetstone Knife and a frost affinity Ash of War. Apply the Ash of War at a Site of Grace to change the weapon’s scaling and add the frostbite buildup effect.

7. What is the best Talisman for damage in Elden Ring?

For a frost mage focused on sorceries, the Graven-Mass Talisman (increases Sorcery damage by 8%) is excellent. You can stack it with other damage-boosting Talismans like the Magic Scorpion Charm or Graven-School Talisman.

8. What does frost scale with in Elden Ring?

Frostbite buildup primarily scales with weapon upgrade level. The weapon’s affinity and the Ash of War will adjust how other stats (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Arcane) affect your damage output.

9. Does frost affect the Elden Beast?

No, the Elden Beast is immune to all status effects, including frostbite, bleed, poison, and scarlet rot.

10. Where can I find the Bull-Goat armor set?

The Bull-Goat Set is obtained after killing Great Horned Tragoth (Altus Plateau) during the Tanith and Patches questlines.

11. Where is the Black Knife armor set located?

The Black Knife Set is found just behind Ordina, Liturgical Town, underneath the pathway leading to the Waygate that takes you to the Haligtree.

12. Is the Scaled armor set a good choice for a frost build?

Yes, the Scaled Set is a decent option due to its balanced defenses, weight, and Poise. It offers a good compromise between protection and mobility.

13. What are some fun alternative builds in Elden Ring that aren’t necessarily frost focused?

Some popular and fun builds include:

Assassin: Utilizes stealth and critical hits.
Black Flame Wielder: Focuses on Black Flame incantations.
Holy Knight: Combines faith and melee combat.
Pure Bleed: Relies on inflicting blood loss.
Spellsword: A hybrid of magic and melee.

14. What’s the most OP class in Elden Ring for beginners?

The Astrologer is often considered the easiest starting class due to its powerful sorceries.

15. What is the best armor set for strength builds in Elden Ring?

The Lionel’s Set and Bull-Goat Set are both excellent choices for strength builds due to their high Poise and physical defense.

Remember to constantly experiment and adjust your build to suit your playstyle and the challenges you face in the Lands Between. Building a frost build isn’t just about having the best gear; it’s about understanding the mechanics and adapting to different situations. For more information about games, learning and the theory surrounding the gaming sector check out GamesLearningSociety.org.

What is the best armor for frost build?