Elden Ring Sword and Shield Build – Master the Battlefield

In the vast, captivating world of Elden Ring, mastering the optimal build for your character is instrumental to success. This guide focuses on the Elden Ring sword and shields build, a versatile, resilient setup that lets you dish out substantial damage while maintaining a strong defense. We’ve scoured the best resources and compiled expert advice to create a comprehensive guide that leaves no stone unturned.

Understanding the Elden Ring Sword and Shield Build

Before diving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand the basics of the sword and shield built in Elden Ring. This build, often favored by beginners and veterans alike, strikes a balance between offense and defense. By wielding a sword and shield, your character can block enemy attacks effectively while simultaneously maintaining the ability to strike back.

Essential Stats for Sword and Shield Build

When it comes to building your character, certain stats take precedence. For a sword and shield build, the focus should be on Strength, Dexterity, Vigor, and Endurance.

Strength and Dexterity

Strength and Dexterity are the main stats required to equip various swords and shields. Initially, you should aim to have enough of these stats to wield your chosen weapons.

Vigor and Endurance

Vigor increases your health pool, which is essential for survival. Endurance, on the other hand, boosts your stamina, allowing you to perform more actions like attacking, blocking, and rolling before needing to rest.

Choosing the Right Sword and Shield

Your choice of sword and shield significantly impact your combat efficiency. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution here – your selection should align with your playstyle and the enemies you’ll face.

Choosing the Sword

In Elden Ring, a multitude of swords cater to different playstyles. For a balanced approach, the starter sword with a good Ash of War makes for a solid choice.

Choosing the Shield

When it comes to shields, the guard stat is crucial. A shield with a higher guard stat consumes less stamina when blocking attacks. Early on, the Brass Shield, Jellyfish Shield, or Turtle Shield are excellent options due to their decent blocking stats and relative ease of acquisition.

Mastering Sword and Shield Combat

Once you’ve decided on your equipment and started boosting the right stats, it’s time to hone your combat skills. Remember, even the best gear and stats won’t save you if you’re not adept at combat.

Blocking and Stamina Management

Blocking is a vital part of the sword and shield build, but it should be used strategically. Keep in mind that your stamina regenerates slower when your shield is raised. Therefore, lowering your shield

Best Armor for Elden Ring Sword and Shield Build

In Elden Ring, your choice of armor is as important as your weapons. When choosing the best armor for a sword and shield build, consider two key factors: weight and damage reduction. You want to balance these elements to maintain agility without sacrificing too much defense.

The Wolf Knight Set or the Banished Knight Set are good options for their balance between weight and protection. You can find these sets in the game by exploring or defeating specific bosses.

Elden Ring Samurai Build: Starting Out

If you’re looking to start your Elden Ring journey with a sword and shield build, the Samurai class is a fantastic choice. With a focus on precision and agility, the Samurai class is equipped with a Katana, a weapon that rewards skillful play.

Initially, you’ll want to concentrate on increasing your strength and dexterity to meet the minimum requirements for your chosen weapon and shield. After meeting these, focus on increasing your vigor and endurance.

Best Stats for Sword and Shield Builds

Building your character stats correctly is crucial for a sword and shield build in Elden Ring. Generally, strength and dexterity are the main stats you’ll want to invest in for a sword and shield build, along with vigor and endurance.

Strength: Enhances damage output for strength-scaling weapons and allows you to equip heavier weapons and shields.
Dexterity: Increases damage for dexterity-scaling weapons and reduces the time taken to cast spells.
Vigor: Raises your maximum health, which is vital for survival.
Endurance: Increases your stamina, allowing you to attack, block, and dodge more frequently.

Best Skills for Sword and Shield Builds

Skills in Elden Ring are weapon abilities that consume FP (Focus Points). For a sword and shield build, you’ll want to consider skills that enhance your defensive capabilities or offer new offensive opportunities.

The “Shield Bash” skill, for instance, is an excellent choice. It allows you to bash enemies with your shield, dealing damage and potentially staggering them, opening up opportunities for further attacks.

Leveling the Samurai Build in Elden Ring

When leveling a Samurai build in Elden Ring, focus on the following stats: strength, dexterity, vigor, and endurance. Initially, invest in strength and dexterity to meet the requirements of your desired weapons. Then, pour points into vigor for more health and endurance for increased stamina.

Conclusion

Building a successful sword and shield character in Elden Ring requires a strategic selection of class, equipment, stats, and skills. The Samurai class offers an excellent starting point, and equipping balanced armor such as the Wolf Knight Set or the Banished Knight Set can provide the necessary protection. Remember to invest in strength, dexterity, vigor, and endurance when leveling up, and select skills that complement your defensive playstyle, such as Shield Bash. With these tips, you can construct a powerful, balanced sword and shield character for your Elden Ring adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best starting class for a sword and shield built in Elden Ring?

The Samurai class is a great starting point for a sword and shield build, due to its initial focus on strength and dexterity.

What are the key stats for a sword and shield built in Elden Ring?

The key stats for a sword and shield build in Elden Ring are strength, dexterity, vigor, and endurance. Strength and dexterity boost your damage output, while vigor and endurance increase your survivability.

What armor is best for a sword and shield built in Elden Ring?

The Wolf Knight Set and the Banished Knight Set are excellent options for a sword and shield build. These sets offer a balance of weight and defense, crucial for this type of build.

What skills are recommended for a sword and shield build in Elden Ring?

The “Shield Bash” skill is an excellent choice for a sword and shield build. It allows you to deal damage and potentially stagger enemies, providing opportunities for follow-up attacks.

How should I level up a Samurai build in Elden Ring?

When leveling a Samurai build, focus on strength and dexterity to meet your weapon requirements, then invest in vigor for more health and endurance for increased stamina.