Elden Ring Blood Build: Weapons, Armor, & Gear

An Elden Ring Blood Build is a type of playstyle that focuses on inflicting the ‘Hemorrhage’ status effect on enemies by attacking them as much as possible within a short period of time. This causes the Bleed bar to fill up, which then automatically causes the target to lose a massive percentage of their health.

To make things more convenient for you, here is the Blood Build Summary with all the best picks:

Build Requirements

In Elden Ring, the Starting Class choice primarily affects your initial gear and stats. You have the flexibility to create any character you want throughout the game.

However, some classes are more suitable for specific builds due to their starting equipment and stats. For example:

• If you’re aiming for a Faith weapons playstyle, the Confessor build is ideal as it starts with a Sacred Seal and some Incantations.
• The Samurai build is excellent for an Elden Ring Bleed Build because of its high starting Dexterity and the Uchigatana weapon, one of the best Katanas in the game.

Ultimately, choose a class that aligns with your intended playstyle, but remember, you can adapt and customize your character as you progress.

Blood Or Bleed Build Gear

Your Elden Ring Bleed Build offers flexibility, and the equipment we recommend is based on personal playthroughs and preferences. Remember that this game allows for a wide range of options, and you may discover equipment that suits your build better.

Blood Build Weapons

Uchigatana

The Uchigatana is a versatile and ideal choice for an Elden Ring Bleed Build. You can obtain it early in the game, and it’s one of the earliest Bleed weapons available in the game; you can enhance its effectiveness with various Incantations. Ashes of War, like Seppuku, pair perfectly with it, increasing its blood loss rate.

Through the Ash of War system, you can give the Uchigatana any affinity you prefer. This allows it to scale with your chosen stat. For optimal results, consider Heavy or Keen Affinities, which can both reach A rank scaling (Strength and Dexterity, respectively) at +23.

Bloodhound’s Fang

The Bloodhound’s Fang is another excellent choice for your Elden Ring Bleed Build. Here’s what makes it a great option: You can find it in the Limgrave region within the first few hours.

It possesses the Bleed Buildup ability, which is quite rare for a greatsword. Typically, this trait is found on lighter weapons like Scythes, Katanas, and Daggers. The ‘Bloodhound’s Finesse’ skill allows you to maneuver gracefully around enemies while still causing Blood Loss.

Bloodhound Claws

If you prefer up-close, intense combat, the Bloodhound Claws are an ideal choice. These fist weapons allow for fast, close-quarter slashes.

The Bloodhound Claws are perfect for those who enjoy close combat and want to maximize Blood Loss in their Elden Ring Blood Build.

Ghiza’s Wheel

The Ghiza’s Wheel is a unique and formidable choice for your Blood Build, but it comes with its own set of characteristics and requirements. It is a Colossal Weapon, which means it’s not the easiest to wield, and its attack animations are slower than other weapons on this list. Ghiza’s Wheel boasts the highest rate of Blood Loss Buildup in the game.

Its ‘Spinning Wheel’ skill is powerful on its own, enabling rapid spinning of the wheel to shred enemies and build Blood Loss quickly.

Rivers Of Blood

The Rivers of Blood katana is an absolute must-have for your Bleed Build. You can obtain it in the Mountaintops of the Giants, a region accessible dozens of hours into the game.

Its unique Corpse Piler skill can initiate a series of quick slashes infused with blood, boasting improved range. By pressing the button twice in sequence, you can unleash a devastating combo that inflicts the Hemorrhage effect rapidly. This combo may be one of the quickest ways to induce Hemorrhage in the game.

Sacred Seals

Sacred Seals in Elden Ring serve as catalysts for all Incantations. Most cast Faith-based spells with variations in their effects and scaling. However, not all Seals are equal, and obtaining them varies in difficulty.

• The Erdtree Seal does not boost any particular type of Incantation, but it reaches S rank with Faith scaling at the +5 upgrade level.
• Dragon Communion Seal: This boosts Dragon Communion type Incantations and reaches S rank with Arcane scaling at +7.
• Godslayer’s Seal: A really solid Seal that enhances godslayer type Incantations and also reaches S rank Faith scaling at +14.

Blood Build Incantations

Several spells in the Elden Ring induce Hemorrhage on enemies. One buffs weapons, accelerating the Blood Loss meter, while others directly cause Blood Loss. To utilize these, invest points in Faith and Arcane, which won’t exceed 17 points.

These Incantations complement melee builds and should be paired with a melee weapon for optimal effectiveness.

• Bloodflame Blade
• Bloodboon
• Bloodflame Talons
• Swarm of Flies

Blood Build Armor

Armor selection varies, as players can tailor it to their preferences. Therefore, consider medium to heavy armor sets with strong Physical damage reduction for added protection. However, the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and playstyle.

War Surgeon Set

The War Surgeon Set may not be visually appealing or offer significant damage reduction, but it provides a unique ability for dedicated Elden Ring Bleed Builds. The White Mask helmet grants a 10% attack power boost each time you inflict Blood Loss on an enemy. This buff lasts for 20 seconds and doesn’t stack, but with continuous Hemorrhage, you can maintain the boost consistently.

Crucible Tree Set

For players seeking additional protection due to concerns about dodging, the Crucible Tree Set is a reliable choice. It can effectively endure substantial damage and serve you well throughout the game.

Remarkably, this heavy armor set maintains a reasonable weight, allowing Medium Load without sacrificing dodge rolling ability. While not as swift as a Light Load, it still provides valuable access to dodging maneuvers.

Raging Wolf Set

The Raging Wolf Set stands out as a personal favorite, perfect for players confident in their dodge and evasion skills. It maintains a low weight, allowing for Light Load when paired with lighter weapons like Katanas and even Medium Load with heavier Greatswords.

Blood Build Talismans

There are a lot of great Talismans in Elden Ring, and they each serve a specific role in creating some of the best Builds in the game. Choosing from the list available can be a bit daunting, but hopefully, our Best Elden Ring Talismans guide can help in that regard.

We will now list some of the best Talismans in Elden Ring that we think work tremendously well with a Blood Build. And we’re going to justify our choices below.

Lord of Blood’s Exultation

The Lord of Blood’s Exultation provides a 20% increase to your attack power anytime there is Blood loss in your character’s vicinity.

This is a massive increase to your power as a player whose main source of damage is the Hemorrhage effect, and you’re going to want to equip weapons that inflict bleeding rapidly to get the most out of it. Best of all, this buff stacks with the damage increase provided by the White Mask of the War Surgeon Set, bringing the total up to 30%.

Millicent’s Prosthesis

Millicent’s Prosthesis suits an Elden Ring Bleed Build focused on fast, successive strikes with weapons like Katanas or Claws. It grants a +5 boost to Dexterity and increases attack power with each successive hit.

Given the importance of accumulating Blood Loss rapidly, this weapon aligns well with the Hemorrhage mechanic. Speeding up the process also accelerates enemy elimination. Acquiring it involves completing Millicent’s full quest.

Godskin Swaddling Cloth

The Godskin Swaddling Cloth functions a lot like Millicent’s Prosthesis, but instead of raising your attack power, successive attacks restore your health. And since you will be doing a lot of rapid attacks to build up the Blood Loss meter, this works out perfectly. Read our Godskin Duo Cheese guide if the duo bosses are too much for you. 

Erdtree’s Favor

The Erdtree’s Favor talisman offers a broad range of benefits, including increased Health, Stamina, and Equip Load—beneficial for all players. Particularly, the Stamina boost proves invaluable for a build focused on swift, successive strikes.

My Thoughts On The Bleed Build

Based on my experience, Blood or Bleed Build seems a little unfair, as it completely destroys most of the bosses with the perfect gear. I picked the Samurai Class in my first playthrough, and luckily, I stumbled upon the next Uchigatana. Two Uchigatanas made my early game easier than I had expected. So, as someone who has used the Bleed Build for a long time, I can tell you it is a lot of fun.

To make sure you have the best experience, get yourself some Ashes of War associated with blood loss; Seppukku is the most preferred one. After that, get the White Mask from Varé by doing his quest, and with some Talismans, you are good to go. If you don’t want Uchigatana as your weapon, you can also get River of Blood, Bloodhound Claws, or Ghuza’s Wheel. Bloodhound Claw’s range can be hard to grasp, so make sure to practice first if you are picking it.

And that’s all there is to my Blood Build. While you’re here, why not also check our Elden Ring Dragonlord Placidusax Location guide?

Next: Elden Ring Deathblight Build