Best Arcane Builds in Elden Ring

Elden Ring has many potential weapons, spells, and skills to use. It can be hard to choose an effective and fun build to play. Here is a list of the best Arcane builds to try.

Sacred Shield

The Sacred Shield build focuses on Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear and the unique Bloodboon Ritual skill. This weapon does physical and fire damage and blood loss buildup. The White Mask will further increase your damage when blood loss is applied. This build also uses the Flame, Grant Me Strength incantation as it buffs physical and fire damage which are the two main damage types of this weapon. You will primarily attack while holding your shield up—as Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear is a piercing weapon, you can attack while still holding your guard. Bloodboon Ritual is a massive AOE attack that causes explosions of blood. Carian Filigreed Crest reduces the cost of the Bloodboon Ritual skill, while the Shard of Alexander talisman increases its damage.

• Primary Stat: Arcane, Strength.
• Secondary Stat: Vigor, Endurance Mind.
• Weapons: Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear, Godslayer's Seal.
• Shield: Any Shield with 100% Physical Damage Negation.
• Armor: White Mask, Any that allows you to med roll.
• Talisman: Lord of Blood's Exultation, Fire Scorpion Charm, Carian Filigreed Crest, Shard of Alexander.
• Skills: Bloodboon Ritual.
• Spells: Flame, Grant Me Strength

Related: Elden Ring – Best Arcane Weapons

Blood Samurai

The Blood Samurai uses one of the strongest weapons in the game, Rivers of Blood Katana. This build focuses on using the unique skill, Corpse Piler, as your primary attack. This weapon does physical and fire damage and blood loss buildup. The White Mask will further increase your damage when blood loss is applied. This build also uses the Flame, Grant Me Strength incantation as it buffs physical and fire damage. Carian Filigreed Crest reduces the cost of the Corpse Piler skill, while Shard of Alexander talisman increases its damage.

• Primary Stat: Arcane, Dexterity.
• Secondary Stat: Vigor, Endurance, Mind.
• Weapons: Rivers of Blood, Godslayer's Seal.
• Shield: No Shield.
• Armor: White Mask, Any that allows you to med roll.
• Talisman: Lord of Blood's Exultation, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Carian Filigreed Crest, Shard of Alexander.
• Skills: Corpse Piler
• Spells: Flame, Grant Me Strength

Cursed Knight

This bleed build dual-wields Scavenger's Curved Swords, and curved swords have the best chain L1 attacks to quickly apply blood loss buildup. When blood loss is triggered, Lord of Blood's Exultation and White Mask will increase your attack power, while Rotten Winged Sword Insignia and Millicent's Prothesis will increase your attack power on consecutive attacks. The Seppuku skill also increases your attack power, while triggering blood loss in yourself, which will also trigger your Lord of Blood's Exultation and White Mask due to the blood loss.

• Primary Stat: Arcane, Dexterity.
• Secondary Stat: Vigor, Endurance.
• Weapons: Dual-wield Scavenger's Curved Sword (Uchigatanas if you do not have two Scavenger's Curved Sword)
• Shield: No Shield.
• Armor: White Mask, Any that allows you to med roll.
• Talisman: Lord of Blood's Exultation, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Millicent's Prothesis, Green Turtle Talisman.
• Skills: Seppuku x2.
• Spells: None.

For more on Elden Ring guides, check out Best Faith Builds in Elden Ring and Best Mage Builds In Elden Ring