Elden Ring BEST Builds Tier List: All Builds Ranked

Elden Ring is studio Fromsoftware’s most recent Magnum Opus published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game massively improves upon the open-world design of The Legend of Zelda: BOTW.

Builds Comparison

Tier List at a Glance

It adds more content making The Lands Between one of the best Maps to explore. Our Elden Ring Best Builds Tier List will rank the best builds available in the game. While you’re at it, check out our Elden Ring Best weapons guide.

S-Tier

S-Tier builds contain the use of the most overpowered and best weapons in Elden Ring. These builds will not only melt bosses in PvE but they will also help you dominate PvP. 

Following is the list of S-Tier Builds in Elden Ring;

• Bleed Build
• Frost Build
• Magic Build
• Dex Build

These are the absolute best builds in Elden Ring with almost no flaws. Now I will discuss the S-Tier builds in complete detail.

Bleed Build

Bleed Builds are probably the best in Elden Ring. The blood Build up has been completely buffed up by Fromsoftware this time around. Our Assassin’s Build in Elden Ring guide goes into detail about the bleed mechanic. Basically using a bleed weapon will proc a percentage of Boss’s health.

Dexterity Build

Dexterity has always been really strong in all of Fromsoftware’s games which is why it makes an appearance in S-Tier on my Best Builds in Elden Ring Tier List. Katanas will be your main weapons in the Dexterity build. These weapons paired with high Dex Levels will give you the hight DPS in the game.

Frostbite Build

Frost was not a viable build back in Dark Souls 3. But Fromsoftware has once again buffed it up making it one of the strongest mechanics in the game. Not every boss bleeds but almost every boss will get Frostbite. Frostbite will also proc a percentage of Boss’s health but the amount is less than bleed proc.

Magic Build

Sorceries and Magic have also always been strong in Fromsoftware’s games. All the way from the early game to the final boss, you will probably have an easier time using sorceries. Spells like Comet Azure will absolutely wreck bosses and sometimes even kill them before phase transition. 

A-Tier

A-Tier builds are also very good in Elden Ring but there are some minimal flaws in them. However, the pros outweigh the cons by a huge mile.

Following is the list of A-Tier Builds in Elden Ring;

• Scarlet Rot Build
• Strength Build
• Faith Build
• Blackflame Build

These are the best A-Tier builds in my Elden Ring list. Now I will Discuss these builds in complete detail.

Scarlet Rot Build

Scarlet Rot is a new addition to the different ailments in Fromsoftware’s games. Rot is basically a buffed-up version of Poison and does massive amounts of damage. Scarlet rot procs faster than poison and lasts for longer as well.

We recommend using the Antspur Rapier or Power Stance it if you’ve got two for faster procs. 

Strength Build

Strength is one of the most famous stats in Elden Rings. Players particularly refer to Strength weapons as ‘Bonk‘ weapons and rightfully so. Strength is very strong but there are some cons to a Strength build as well. This is why I placed it in the A-Tier of my list of Elden Ring Builds.

Faith Build

Faith incantations are extremely viable but not as good as Sorceries. However, Faith allows for a versatile build where you can use both weapons and incantations. Incantations are not only damage related but some are defensive as well which can heal your health or remove certain ailments.

Blackflame Build

Blackflame is a type of incantation and scales off Faith only. The reason I are separating Blackflame from the Faith build is that the incantations are very different and the weapons for the blackflame build require you to invest in other stats as well.

B-Tier

B-Tier Builds are neither impressive nor that bad to use. Sure you can make do with but you’re gonna make the game harder for yourself. There are certainly good things about the B-Tier builds but there are a lot of cons too.

Following is the list of B-Tier builds in Elden Ring;

• Quality Build
• Dragon Build
• Frenzy Build
• Colossal Sword Build

These are the best B-Tier builds in my Elden Ring list. Now I will Discuss these builds in complete detail.

Quality Build

Quality Builds have never been too good since they require investments in two different stats. Almost every Quality weapon scales off both Strength and Dexterity. Additionally, the damage dealt by these weapons is not on par with something like a pure strength or pure dexterity weapon

Dragon Build

Dragon Build is another B-Tier build on my list of best Elden Ring builds. These builds basically use the Dragon spells or incantations. These incantations scale off both Faith and Arcane. You will encounter many dragons in Elden Ring. When you beat these dragons, you can use their hearts to trade for a Dragon Spell at a Dragon Communion Church.

Frenzy Build

Frenzy Build also known as the Madness Build depends upon the use of incantations and Faith. These incantations are generally weaker than other Faith Incantations. However, their Faith requirement is also low making them available to use even at the early game.

Colossal Sword Build

Using a Colossal Sword in Elden Ring is very hard unless you pair it up with an Ash of War like Bloodhound’s Step. That makes these weapons B-Tier on my list of best Elden Ring builds. Bosses are extremely fast in Elden Ring and you will get very less opportunities with a Colossal Sword to punish them.

C-Tier

C-Tier builds are below-average builds that I will not recommend on a normal playthrough. Although there are some benefits of using these builds they are very limited.

Following is the list of C-Tier Builds in Elden Ring;

• Bow Build
• Poison Build
• Spear Build
• Whip Build

These are the best C-Tier builds in my Elden Ring list. Now I will Discuss these builds in complete detail.

Bow Build

Even though bows have been extremely buffed in Elden Ring, they are still not viable for killing bosses in the end game. Bows are almost never used as main weapons. They are only kept as secondary ranged weapons to kill fodder enemies silently. You might like our Best Bow Weapons in Elden Ring guide.

Poison Build

Poison is another ailment Scarlet Rot in Elden Ring. However, unlike scarlet rot, poison is much weaker and deals less damage. It is better to just use the scarlet rot build or use poison alongside some other build. Poison builds on their own are considered weak and scale off Arcane. Our website features a comprehensive guide on Elden Ring Poison Build that you can read.

Spear Build

Spears are also long-range weapons but the damage they do is pretty negligible compared to other weapons. There are certain spears that let you use Scarlet Rot but the weapon damage itself is not on par. Serpent Hunter is probably the best Spear weapon for Spear builds. 

Whip Build

Whips are good for long-range combat and NPC invaders. But whips also do very little damage and there are not many whips in Elden Ring to choose from. If you choose whips for your build, then you’re going to have a hard time not only in PvE but also in PvP.

My Thoughts And Recommendations Regarding Different Builds

With my experience, I would say that Bleed, Magic, and Strength builds are the most overpowered ones in Elden Ring. I don’t really like pure magic builds, so I wouldn’t recommend that. However, hybrid magic builds are always welcome. A Melee build that allows you to utilize spells or projectiles instantly is my favorite one. I spent tons of hours playing with the Dark Moon Greatsword, as it is enjoyable to use.

Elden Ring Tier List Criteria

This Elden Ring Best Builds Tier List was written after complete research on each and every build. I discussed the best S-Tier builds and the below-average C-Tier builds. I also explained the best gear that you could use for the build that you like.

Hopefully, the Tier List helped you understand what builds are good for you in Elden Ring. Let me know what you think about Fromsoftware’s Magnum Opus in the comments below!