Elden Ring: Top 5 Beginner Builds Tier List

This build will utilise the powerful Axe of Godrick which you can get by defeating Godrick the Grafted at Stormveil Castle. Although this boss will be your first major challenge, the reward is certainly worth the effort. 

The Axe of Godrick scales with Strength and Dexterity, making it an amazing weapon to utilize throughout your entire run. Here are a few key notes to keep in mind when trying this build:

• Its Ash of War is absolutely ridiculous in terms of damage
• You will need to hit the 51 Poise mark to avoid getting staggered as much
• Make sure to use the R2 (Heavy Attack) as much as possible to maximize your damage. 
• Use the Dexterity-knot Crystal Tear and Greenburst Crystal Tear for your flask to boost your Dexterity and boost your stamina recovery speed

Here are the most useful Talismans you can pick up for this build:

• Axe Talisman
• Warrior Jar Shard/ Shard of Alexander
• Green Turtle Talisman
• Dragoncrest Talisman

These are the main stats that you will focus on as you progress through the game:

• Dexterity
• Strength
• Vigor

This weapon is a must-have for beginners in the early game. You can get it by defeating the Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in Limgrave. You will also go for the Bloodflame Blade incantation which can be obtained by defeating a Teardrop Scarab in the marshes northwest of Rose Church. 

Bloodhound's Fang scales with Dexterity, but you can also use it for a Quality build as the damage is simply off the charts given how early into the game you can obtain it. Here are a few key notes to keep in mind when trying this build:

• The Bloodhound's Finesse weapon skill is incredible although you will need to know that it is a two-part Ash of War, meaning you have to hit the AOW button twice
• Make sure to use your Regular Strikes and Charged R2s to break stances 
• Hemorrhage will be your go-to Status Effect as the weapon's bleed will greatly increase your damage
• Use the Dexterity-knot Crystal Tear and Greenburst Crystal Tear for your flask to boost your Dexterity and boost your stamina recovery speed

Here are all of the useful items you will be using for this build:

• Clawmark Seal to buff the Bloodflame Blade incantation
• Green Turtle Talisman
• Warrior Jar Shard/ The Shard of Alexander
• Crimson Amber Medallion
• Winged Sword Insignia/ Millicent's Prosthesis 

These are the main stats that you will focus on as you progress through the game:

• Dexterity
• Strength
• Vigor

The Zamor Curved Sword has a unique built-in Frost Status Effect. You can get it by defeating the Ancient Hero of Zamor found at the end of the Giant-Conquering Hero's Grave dungeon. 

NOTE: This sword can be obtained rather late into the game, so you can instead go for a different weapon, like the Bloodhound's Fang before you can get the Zamor Curved Sword.

This weapon can dish out tons of damage due to its 20% damage buff to your enemies by letting them take 20% less damage when Frost is proc'd. Here are a few key notes to keep in mind when trying this build:

• You will need to utilize heavy-charged R2s by crippling enemies as you use the Zamor AOW. 
• Use the Dexterity-knot Crystal Tear and Spiked Cracked Tear for your flask to boost your Dexterity and charged attack power. 

Here are all of the useful items you will be using for this build:

• Radagon's Soreseal
• Warrior Jar Shard/ Shard of Alexander
• Bull-Goat's Talisman
• Axe Talisman

These are the main stats that you will focus on as you progress through the game:

• Dexterity
• Strength
• Vigor

The Lordsworn's Greatsword is a fantastic starting weapon not only because you can get it very early into the game, but it scales great as you progress. You can obtain it by looting a chest in the back of a Carriage along the western road leading out of Gatefront Ruins.

The weapon has an amazing critical strike rating as well as decent physical damage, making it great for the early and mid-game stages. Here are a few key notes to keep in mind when trying this build:

• Using the Stamp (Upward Cut) AOW against smaller enemies will fling them into the air, allowing you time to charge up an R2. 
• Very beginner-friendly weapon 
• You can swap this Greatsword for the Iron Greatsword or Banished Knight's Greatsword in the late game. 
• Use the Strength-knot Crystal Tear and Spiked Cracked Tear for your flask to boost your Strength and charged attack power. 

Here are all of the useful items you will be using for this build:

• Dragoncrest Shield Talisman
• Warrior Jar Shard
• Green Turtle Talisman
• Axe Talisman

These are the main stats that you will focus on as you progress through the game:

• Strength
• Vigor
• Dexterity

The Morning Star is by far the easiest-to-obtain weapon for your beginner build as you can find it 30 minutes into your run. You can get it by looting a chest inside a broken Carriage south of the bridge from Limgrave. 

This weapon is great at breaking enemy stances, allowing you to easily down bosses with just 2-3 charged R2s as well as some nice blood build-up. Not only is this build very flexible in terms of choosing a Status Effect, but it makes for a very fun choice for beginners. Here are a few key notes to keep in mind when trying this build:

• You will need to use the Cragblade AOW for Poise and Stamina damage
• Charged R2s are your best friend
• Use the Stonebarb Cracked Tear and Spiked Cracked Tear for your flask to boost your stance breaks and charged attack power. 

Here are all of the useful items you will be using for this build:

• Omensmirk Mask
• Erdtree's Favor
• Winged Sword Insignia
• Axe Talisman
• Green Turtle Talisman

These are the main stats that you will focus on as you progress through the game:

• Strength
• Vigor
• Dexterity