What’s the Easiest Build in Elden Ring?
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 “easiest” build in Elden Ring is subjective and depends on individual playstyles, but for pure survivability and consistent damage, the Shield & Heal Faith Build stands out as exceptionally beginner-friendly. It prioritizes defense, regeneration, and straightforward offensive options, allowing new players to learn the game’s mechanics without constantly dying. This build revolves around a sturdy shield, a potent healing incantation, and a reliable weapon infused with Holy damage. Let’s dive into why this setup excels for those new to the Lands Between.
Understanding the Shield & Heal Faith Build
The core concept of this build is simple: stay alive, heal through damage, and deal consistent damage. You’ll be tanking hits with a high-stability shield, restoring health with Incantations, and using weapons that scale with Faith for respectable damage output. This strategy minimizes the risk of getting one-shot by bosses or overwhelmed by groups of enemies, offering a much more forgiving experience.
Key Components:
- Weapon: A straight sword, spear, or thrusting sword infused with Sacred or Flame Art. These infusions convert the weapon’s scaling to primarily Faith, increasing damage output as you level your Faith stat. The Brass Shield is a fantastic early-game option for protection. The Lordsworn’s Straight Sword can be farmed early and infused with Holy damage.
- Shield: A medium or greatshield with high stability. Stability reduces the stamina consumed when blocking attacks. The Brass Shield or the Heater Shield are excellent early-game options. As you progress, consider the Great Turtle Shell for its incredible stability and stamina regeneration.
- Seal: A Sacred Seal is needed to cast Incantations. The Finger Seal is available for purchase at the Roundtable Hold and is a good starting point. Later, upgrade to the Clawmark Seal (scales with both Strength and Faith) or Erdtree Seal (pure Faith scaling) for even greater Incantation potency.
- Armor: Heavy or medium armor with high physical defense. The Knight Set is a solid choice available relatively early. Focus on armor that allows you to maintain a “Medium Load” for optimal dodging.
- Talismans: Blessed Dew Talisman (passive health regeneration), Erdtree’s Favor (increased HP, stamina, and equip load), Green Turtle Talisman (faster stamina regeneration), and Crimson Amber Medallion (increased HP).
Stat Distribution:
Prioritize these stats in the following order:
- Vigor: Aim for 40-60 as soon as possible. This is your health and will keep you alive.
- Faith: Increase to 40-60 to boost your Incantation potency and weapon damage.
- Endurance: Level up to equip heavier armor and shields without fat-rolling (exceeding your equip load limit). Aim for around 25-30.
- Mind: 20-25 is sufficient for a good-sized FP pool, allowing you to cast plenty of healing spells.
- Strength/Dexterity: Meet the minimum requirements for your chosen weapon and shield.
Essential Incantations:
- Heal/Great Heal: Your bread and butter for staying alive. These provide significant health restoration.
- Bestial Vitality: A quick, efficient heal-over-time spell. Found early in the game.
- Flame, Cleanse Me: Removes poison and scarlet rot buildup. Crucial in certain areas.
- Golden Vow: Increases attack power and defense for yourself and nearby allies.
Gameplay Strategy:
The strategy is straightforward:
- Engage enemies cautiously: Use your shield to block attacks and observe enemy patterns.
- Attack when safe: Capitalize on openings to deal damage with your infused weapon.
- Heal proactively: Don’t wait until you’re near death to heal. Use Incantations to top yourself off after taking damage.
- Use Spirit Ashes: Summon Spirit Ashes to distract enemies and provide additional damage. Mimic Tear and Black Knife Tiche are powerful options.
Why This Build Excels for Beginners
- High Survivability: The combination of a strong shield, healing Incantations, and good armor makes you incredibly durable.
- Forgiving Playstyle: Mistakes are less punishing due to your ability to heal through damage.
- Simple to Understand: The core mechanics of blocking, attacking, and healing are easy to grasp.
- Adaptable: The build can be adapted to various playstyles and encounters. You can switch to different weapons or Incantations depending on the situation.
- Effective Against Bosses: The sustained healing and consistent damage output make this build effective against even the toughest bosses.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this build viable in the late game?
Yes, absolutely. While early game is designed to ease the player, this build remains extremely viable throughout the entire game, even against the final bosses. With optimized stats, talismans, and upgraded equipment, you’ll be a formidable force. The flexibility of Faith-based builds also allows you to incorporate powerful offensive Incantations later on.
2. What are some good early-game weapons for this build?
The Lordsworn’s Straight Sword is a solid early-game weapon that can be farmed in Limgrave. Infuse it with the Sacred Blade Ash of War (found near the Third Church of Marika) to convert its scaling to Faith and add Holy damage. The Brass Shield and Heater Shield are also excellent early choices for protection.
3. How do I respec my stats if I want to try a different build later?
You can respec your stats by defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, at the Academy of Raya Lucaria. She will grant you the ability to redistribute your stats using Larval Tears.
4. What are the best Spirit Ashes for this build?
The Mimic Tear is generally considered the best Spirit Ash in the game, as it creates a copy of your character that can tank and deal damage. Black Knife Tiche is another excellent option for her high damage and mobility. For earlier game options, the Lone Wolf Ashes are effective.
5. Can I use this build for PvP?
While this build excels in PvE, it can also be viable in PvP. Focus on using faster weapons and offensive Incantations to catch opponents off guard. The Black Flame incantation is particularly effective in PvP due to its percentage-based damage.
6. What is the best way to farm runes to level up quickly?
One of the best early-game rune farming spots is the Warmaster’s Shack in Stormhill. Defeat the Bell Bearing Hunter there, and you can purchase consumables that can be used to farm runes from various locations. Later, the Palace Approach Ledge-Road in Mohgwyn Palace is a highly efficient rune farming location.
7. What are the best talismans for this build?
The Blessed Dew Talisman provides passive health regeneration, Erdtree’s Favor increases HP, stamina, and equip load, Green Turtle Talisman speeds up stamina regeneration, and the Crimson Amber Medallion increases HP.
8. How do I find more Sacred Seals?
Sacred Seals can be found throughout the Lands Between. The Finger Seal is available for purchase at the Roundtable Hold. The Clawmark Seal is obtained by giving Gurranq, Beast Clergyman, a Deathroot. The Erdtree Seal is found in a chest in Volcano Manor.
9. What other Faith-scaling weapons are good for this build?
Besides straight swords, consider using spears or thrusting swords infused with Sacred or Flame Art. The Treespear and Siluria’s Tree are powerful late-game options that scale well with Faith.
10. How important is it to upgrade my Sacred Seal?
Upgrading your Sacred Seal is crucial for increasing the potency of your Incantations. Use Smithing Stones to upgrade your Seal at a blacksmith.
11. What should I do if I’m struggling with a particular boss?
If you’re struggling with a boss, consider summoning Spirit Ashes or a co-op partner to help you. Experiment with different weapons, Incantations, and talismans to find what works best against that specific boss. Don’t be afraid to explore other areas and level up before returning to the boss.
12. How do I obtain the Black Flame Incantation and related weapons?
While not the primary focus of this guide, Black Flame incantations are acquired by progressing through specific areas and defeating certain enemies. Seek out the Godskin Apostle and Godskin Noble bosses to acquire Black Flame-related items. Remember, the Shield and Heal build is designed to support your survival while you explore and acquire these more advanced options.
13. How do I optimize my build further as I progress?
As you progress, experiment with different weapons, Incantations, and talismans to fine-tune your build to your playstyle. Consider incorporating offensive Incantations like Lightning Spear or Black Flame to increase your damage output. Don’t be afraid to respec your stats to optimize your build for specific encounters.
14. What are the most common mistakes beginners make in Elden Ring?
Common mistakes include neglecting Vigor, ignoring Spirit Ashes, and not exploring the open world. Vigor ensures you can survive hits, Spirit Ashes provide valuable support, and exploration allows you to find valuable items and level up.
15. Where can I find more resources and community support for Elden Ring?
There are many online resources available for Elden Ring, including wikis, forums, and YouTube guides. Consider joining the Elden Ring subreddit or Discord server to connect with other players and get help with your build. You can also explore academic research on gaming at Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org to understand the deeper learning mechanisms within the game.
Conclusion
The Shield & Heal Faith build is an excellent choice for beginners in Elden Ring due to its high survivability, forgiving playstyle, and simple mechanics. By prioritizing defense, healing, and consistent damage, this build allows new players to learn the game’s mechanics without getting overwhelmed. With optimized stats, equipment, and Incantations, this build remains viable throughout the entire game, making it a reliable and enjoyable choice for players of all skill levels. Happy exploring, Tarnished!