Table of Contents

Unleashing the Beast Within: A Guide to the Best Weapon for a Beast Clergyman Build in Elden Ring

Quick answer

This page answers What is the best weapon in Beast Clergyman? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

The Beast Clergyman in Elden Ring, also known as Gurranq and later revealed to be Maliketh, the Black Blade, is a fascinating character. Players often want to emulate his powerful, beastly fighting style. The cornerstone of any successful Beast Clergyman build is, of course, the right weapon. So, what is the best weapon for a Beast Clergyman build? The answer, unequivocally, is the Cinquedea. This dagger not only aesthetically fits the build, but it also provides a crucial boost to Bestial Incantations, making it the ideal choice for any Tarnished looking to channel the power of Gurranq. Let’s dive deeper into why the Cinquedea reigns supreme and explore other aspects of mastering this unique playstyle.

Why the Cinquedea is the Apex Predator of Beast Clergyman Weapons

The Cinquedea isn’t just a stylish dagger; it’s a purpose-built tool designed to maximize the effectiveness of Bestial Incantations. Here’s a breakdown of its key benefits:

Boosts Bestial Incantations: This is the Cinquedea’s primary function and why it’s unmatched for a Beast Clergyman build. The dagger provides a 10% increase to the damage of all Bestial Incantations. This might not seem like much initially, but it significantly amplifies your damage output, especially when combined with other damage-boosting talismans and armor.
Scaling: The Cinquedea scales primarily with Strength and Dexterity. This allows for a diverse stat spread, blending physical power with the Faith required for Bestial Incantations. It allows for a hybrid style of dealing damage.
Accessibility: The Cinquedea is relatively easy to obtain. Players can find it fairly early in the game by progressing through Gurranq’s questline at the Bestial Sanctum in Caelid.
Light Weight and Speed: As a dagger, the Cinquedea is incredibly light and allows for quick attacks and dodges. This is crucial for a build that relies on both melee and ranged incantations.
Aesthetic and Lore: Wielding the Cinquedea just feels right for a Beast Clergyman build. It aligns perfectly with the lore and visual style of Gurranq and the Bestial Sanctum.

Beyond the Cinquedea: Complementary Weapon Choices

While the Cinquedea should be the core focus, incorporating other weapons can add versatility to your build. Consider these options:

Clawmark Seal: This seal is essential for casting Bestial Incantations. It scales with Strength and Faith, making it a perfect pairing with the Cinquedea’s Strength-Dexterity scaling.
Heavy Weapons with Strength Scaling: Options like the Greatsword or Greataxe can provide valuable melee power. Their high Strength scaling complements the Cinquedea’s requirements, offering a hard-hitting alternative when incantations aren’t ideal.
Weapons with Faith Scaling: While not strictly “Bestial,” incorporating weapons that scale well with Faith can diversify your offensive options. This could include swords imbued with Holy damage (though Maliketh himself resists Holy), or weapons that deal Fire damage, allowing you to cover more elemental weaknesses in the game.

The Core of a Beast Clergyman Build: Stats, Spells, and Strategy

Building a truly effective Beast Clergyman requires more than just the right weapon. Here’s a look at the other crucial elements:

Stat Allocation: Prioritize Strength, Dexterity, and Faith. Strength and Dexterity will boost your Cinquedea and any other physical weapons, while Faith is necessary to cast Bestial Incantations. Vigor and Mind are also important for survivability and FP, respectively. Endurance allows for you to wear more heavy armor.
Key Bestial Incantations:
- Bestial Sling: A rapid-fire projectile for ranged damage.
- Bestial Vitality: A quick healing spell, very useful in almost all situations.
- Beast Claw: A powerful melee incantation with good range and stagger potential.
- Stone of Gurranq: A medium-range attack that deals heavy damage and staggers enemies.
- Gurranq’s Beast Claw: An upgraded version of Beast Claw, dealing more damage, and travelling farther.
- Beast’s Roar: A roar attack that deals heavy damage.
Talismans:
- Ritual Sword Talisman: Increases attack power when HP is at full.
- Claw Talisman: Enhances jump attacks.
- Green Turtle Talisman: Boosts stamina recovery speed.
- Erdtree’s Favor: Raises max HP, stamina, and equip load.
Armor: While not directly impacting incantation damage, armor choices are crucial for survivability. Prioritize armor with good physical defense and poise, allowing you to withstand attacks while casting or engaging in melee. Look for armor that also visually aligns with the Beast Clergyman aesthetic.

Mastering the Beastly Playstyle

Playing a Beast Clergyman isn’t just about having the right equipment; it’s about adopting a specific playstyle. This involves:

Aggressive Offense: Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal. Utilize the speed of the Cinquedea to deliver quick attacks and follow up with powerful Bestial Incantations.
Strategic Incantation Use: Know when to use each incantation. Bestial Sling is great for ranged engagements, while Beast Claw excels in melee combat. Stone of Gurranq is perfect for staggering enemies.
Managing FP: Bestial Incantations can be FP-intensive. Keep an eye on your FP bar and use Cerulean Tears or the Carian Filigreed Crest talisman (reduces FP consumption of skills) to sustain your casting.
Embrace the Hybridity: The strength of this build lies in its versatility. Seamlessly transition between melee attacks and incantations to keep your enemies guessing.

Unleash Your Inner Beast

By mastering the Cinquedea, utilizing the right spells and stats, and adopting an aggressive, adaptable playstyle, you can create a formidable Beast Clergyman build in Elden Ring. Embrace the power of the beast within and unleash devastation upon your foes! The Beast Clergyman build, when properly executed, becomes a force to be reckoned with in the Lands Between.

FAQs About Beast Clergyman Builds

Can I make a viable Beast Clergyman build early in the game?

Yes! While some endgame items can enhance the build, the Cinquedea and basic Bestial Incantations are accessible relatively early. Focus on leveling Strength, Dexterity, and Faith, and you’ll be surprisingly effective.
What are the best ashes of war to use for Beast Clergyman?

Consider ashes of war that add elemental damage or enhance weapon skills. Bloodflame Blade is an excellent choice to add Fire damage and lingering bloodloss buildup to your weapon attacks.
How important is Faith for a Beast Clergyman build?

Faith is crucial, as it directly affects the effectiveness of your Bestial Incantations. Aim for at least 50 Faith to maximize their damage and healing potential.
Are there any drawbacks to using a Beast Clergyman build?

The build can be FP-intensive, requiring careful management. Also, while versatile, it may not be as specialized as pure melee or magic builds. Maliketh himself has high resistance to Holy damage.
What are the best talismans for a Beast Clergyman build?

As mentioned before, Ritual Sword Talisman, Claw Talisman, Green Turtle Talisman, and Erdtree’s Favor are great choices, but you may want to swap out the Ritual Sword Talisman for the Marika’s Soreseal, and swap Claw Talisman for something else based on your personal preferences and playstyle. Experimentation is key!
How does the Bestial Sanctum questline impact my build?

Progressing through Gurranq’s questline not only rewards you with the Cinquedea but also unlocks powerful Bestial Incantations. Completing the questline is highly recommended.
What should I do if Gurranq becomes hostile?

As mentioned earlier, this is a scripted event. Simply reduce his health to around half, and he will regain his composure.
Is it possible to respec my character to become a Beast Clergyman?

Yes! Using Larval Tears, you can respec your character’s stats at Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. This allows you to experiment with different builds and transition to a Beast Clergyman if desired.
What armor sets complement the Beast Clergyman build aesthetically?

Armor sets with a rugged, bestial appearance are ideal. Consider the Blaidd’s Set or the Champion Set for a fitting look.
How does the mimic tear spirit ashes work well with this?

The Mimic Tear spirit ash creates a copy of your character, complete with your equipped weapons and spells. This effectively doubles your damage output and provides a valuable distraction for enemies. Since you’re using a Cinquedea and casting spells, your mimic tear does too!
Are there any other weapons that buff beastial incantations?

No, the Cinquedea is the only weapon that buffs Bestial Incantations.
Should I kill Gurranq in the end?

No, as for why Gurranq is still around after defeating Maliketh, gameplay-wise it lets us finish giving him deathroot to finish the quest, which will make Gurranq disappear, making the Maliketh fight the last time we see him if done in that order.
Why doesn’t Gurranq remember me later?

Gurranq’s memory loss is connected to his true identity as Maliketh and the burdens he carries. The Rune of Death is a fragment of the Elden Ring and a source of great power, but it also seems to have fractured Maliketh’s mind. Gurranq, as a persona, exists to contain and control the Deathroot, preventing it from spreading further and causing more chaos.
How important is weapon upgrade in Elden Ring?

Upgrading your weapon is essential for maximizing its damage output. As weapons gain levels, their damage scales exponentially, meaning that a fully upgraded weapon will deal significantly more damage than an un-upgraded or partially upgraded one.
What is the Games Learning Society?

The Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org is a professional and academic society dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of digital games and learning. It serves as a platform for researchers, educators, and game developers to share their knowledge and collaborate on innovative approaches to game-based learning. You can find more information at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.