Best New Shadow of the Erdtree Fun Builds

Welcome back to the Lands Between, where the shadows stretch long and the Erdtree looms larger than ever! With the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, players are diving into a world brimming with fresh challenges, formidable foes, and tantalizing treasures. As you embark on this new adventure, one thing becomes crystal clear: having the right build can make all the difference between triumph and tragedy – so nothing has changed here.

Whether you’re a seasoned Tarnished or a newcomer eager to carve your path, optimizing your character’s build is crucial for navigating the treacherous landscapes and engaging in epic battles that this DLC offers. From devastating melee attacks to cunning sorcery and everything in between, there’s a wealth of strategies waiting to be uncovered.

In this mini series, we’ll explore some of the best new builds tailored specifically for Shadow of the Erdtree. Let me give you a little sneak preview:

The Thrusting Shield Build
The Deflecting Hardtear Build
The Arcane Bleed Build
The Lightning Build
The Great Katana Strength/Dexterity Build
The Finger Sorcery Mage Build
The Faith-Based Tank Build
The Scarlet Rot Build

Each build is designed to maximize your effectiveness against new enemies and bosses while showcasing the exciting mechanics introduced in this expansion. That being said, this actually indicates that these builds are most usable in a New Game Plus (NG+) or relatively late in the DLC. So grab your weapons, don your armor, and let’s dive into the art of character optimization in Elden Ring’s latest chapter and explore the first two builds!

The Thrusting Shield Build

If you’re looking for a unique and powerful build in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, look no further than the Thrusting Shield. This often-overlooked weapon type offers a perfect blend of offense and defense that can revolutionize your gameplay. Let’s dive into why you should consider wielding one of these bad boys in your next playthrough.

Guard & Attack Simultaneously

First off, let’s talk defense. Thrusting Shields, like the fan-favorite Carian Thrusting Shield, that we are using for this build, are absolute tanks. With a guard boost of 64 and 94% physical damage negation, you’ll be shrugging off hits like they’re nothing. And the best part? They’re surprisingly light for their defensive prowess, so you won’t be fat-rolling all over the Lands Between.But here’s where it gets really interesting: these shields aren’t just for turtling. Oh no, they’ve got some serious offensive chops too. Imagine being able to poke your enemies with piercing damage while still hiding behind your shield. It’s like having your cake and eating it too! Plus, you can slap on various Ashes of War to really customize your playstyle.

Versatility of the Carian Thrusting Knight

The versatility of this build is truly something to behold. Whether you’re a strength junkie looking to max out your damage, an intelligence build wanting to leverage that sweet innate magic damage on the Carian Thrusting Shield, or a faith build looking to mix in some incantations, there’s a Thrusting Shield build for you. And let’s not forget about stance breaking. Those repeated pokes are great for wearing down enemy postures, setting you up for some juicy critical hits.

In the end, what really sets the Carian Thrusting Knight apart is its unique gameplay. It’s a playstyle that keeps you constantly engaged, always balancing offense and defense in a way that few other builds can match. Whether you’re exploring the new areas of Shadow of the Erdtree or facing off against other players, a Thrusting Shield build can give you that edge you need to come out on top.

Key Equipment

Weapons:
- Main: Carian Sorcery Sword for casting “Scholar’s Shield” and, first of all, to fit the build perfectly. As 2nd weapon you could equip Miséricorde with “Endure” to tank through the enemy’s attack and use the benefits of an Ash of War on the Thrusting Shield that has successive attacks.
- Off-hand: Carian Thrusting Shield
Shield: None (Carian Thrusting Shield serves as both weapon and shield)
Armor: As always: use the heaviest armor you can wear while still maintaining a medium roll. However, here are two armor combinations for you to think about (yes, you can go heavier):
- Carian Knight Helm, Carian Knight Armor, Fire Prelate Greaves, Fire Prelate Gauntlets – as we are using the Carian Thrusting Shield some Carian Knight armor seems to be appropriate for the build. Poise: 62
- Greathelm, Gelmir Knight Armor, Scaled Greaves, Scaled Gauntlets – just to give you one more option. Poise: 60.

Carian Knight Front
Carian Knight Back
Carian Knight Two-Handed
Carian Knight – different light
Gelmir Knight Front
Gelmir Knight Back

Talismans:
- Greatshield Talisman
- Spear Talisman
- Curved Sword Talisman
- Two-Headed Turtle Talisman
Flask of Wondrous Physick:
- Deflecting Hardtear” to enable Perfect Blocks for 5 minutes, for further enhancing your defensive capabilities
- Thorny Cracked Tear” to boost your damage with successive attacks, by 9%, 13%, and 20%.
- Alternatively use the “Stonebarb Cracked Tear” for a higher chance to break your enemies stance.

Stat Distribution (Level 150)

Vigor: 60
Mind: 23
Endurance: 40
Strength: 54

Dexterity: 20
Intelligence: 16
Faith: 8
Arcane: 8

Strategy

The core strategy of this build revolves around the unique capabilities of the Carian Thrusting Shield. Two-hand the shield to maximize its offensive potential while maintaining its defensive capabilities. Use regular attacks to deal damage while simultaneously blocking incoming attacks. The high Endurance allows for sustained offense and defense. In order to apply “Scholar’s Shield” we’re carrying our main weapon in the off-hand.

Utilize Guard Counters frequently, as they’re particularly effective with this weapon type. The Curved Sword Talisman enhances these counters by 20%, making them even more potent. The Spear Talisman boosts thrusting-weapon counter-attacks by 15%, which synergizes well with the thrusting nature of your attacks.

The Greatshield Talisman further enhances your blocking capabilities, while the Two-Headed Turtle Talisman helps with stamina regeneration, crucial for maintaining your aggressive defense.

Advanced Tactics

I found “Repeating Thrust” and “Blood Tax” (both in Heavy affinity to keep that 94% physical damage negation) useful, as they have successive attacks, what works nice with the “Thorny Cracked Tear”. You could also think about using the Ash of War “Gragblade” in Heavy affinity to increase Physical damage by 15% and Stance damage by 10%.
Against tough enemies, cast “Scholar’s Shield” before two-handing your Thrusting Shield to maximize your Guard Boost. This reduces the stamina damage you take while blocking by 35% and stacks with the “Greatshield Talisman”. Unfortunately, it will not work in combination with “Gragblade”.

Where to Find the Carian Thrusting Shield

The Carian Thrusting Shield can be found in the Shadow Keep Back Section. From the Shadow Keep Back Section Site of Grace, head west along the path until you reach the end, where you’ll find the shield.

This build offers a unique playstyle that excels in both offense and defense, making it an excellent choice for tackling the challenges of Shadow of the Erdtree.

The Deflecting Hardtear Build

The Deflecting Hardtear Build is a game-changing strategy introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree, offering a unique blend of offense and defense that can trivialize even the toughest encounters. It shares quite some aspects with The Thrusting Shield Build, as it uses similar Chrystal Tears in the Flask of Wondrous Physick and even most of the Talismans. However, with the Black Steel Greathammer as main weapon this is a totally different breed, as you will learn now.

Build Overview

Let’s break down the ideas behind this build in detail.

The Sacred Black Steel Sentinel

Are you tired of being pushed around in the Lands Between? Want to turn the tables on your foes with a build that’s both an immovable object and an unstoppable force? Well, Tarnished, have I got a treat for you! Let’s talk about the unholy (or should I say holy?) matrimony of the Deflecting Hardtear and the Black Steel Greathammer infused with Sacred Blade that results in the “Sacred Black Steel Sentinel“.

Become the Ultimate Defensive Powerhouse

First up, the Deflecting Hardtear. This little miracle in a bottle is your ticket to becoming a walking, talking fortress. Time your blocks just right, and you’ll be shrugging off attacks like they’re nothing more than gentle breezes. And the best part? Your stamina bar will thank you, leaving you with plenty of juice for some righteous retaliation.

Bring the Holy Hammer Down

Speaking of retaliation, let’s chat about your new best friend: the Black Steel Greathammer. This bad boy isn’t just for show – it’s a stagger machine. Infuse it with Sacred Blade, and you’ve got yourself a holy wrecking ball. Those guard counters? They’re not just counters anymore; they’re divine judgments, capable of staggering even the burliest of baddies. We will illuminate this beauty in detail just in a few moments.

When Defense Meets Offense

Now, here’s where the magic happens. Combine the Deflecting Hardtear’s guard-boosting prowess with the hammer’s holy-infused might, and you’ve got a build that turns defense into the best offense. Successfully deflect an attack, and your guard counter becomes a holy smackdown, dealing up to 40% more damage if you’ve got the Curved Sword Talisman in your pocket.

Versatility is Key

The beauty of this build? It’s not a one-trick pony. Whether you’re facing down hordes of enemies in PvE or squaring off against crafty invaders in PvP, you’ve got the tools to adapt. Two-hand that hammer for maximum bonk, or pair it with a shield for the ultimate turtle-and-smash strategy.

Spice It Up

And for those of you who like to add a little extra flavor to your builds, throw in some faith-based incantations. Nothing says “divine retribution” quite like following up a perfectly timed deflect with a lightning spear to the face.

This build lets you stand your ground, dish out holy justice, and look absolutely badass while doing it. Give it a try, and soon you’ll be singing, “Can’t touch this!” all the way through the Lands Between and the Realm of Shadow. Just remember: with great power comes great responsibility… to absolutely demolish your enemies!

The Black Steel Greathammer

Now, let’s have a closer look at the main weapon of our build. The Black Steel Greathammer is the weapon of choice for us and the enigmatic Black Knights who serve Messmer the Impaler. Its appearance is striking, crafted from black steel and adorned with elegant gold embellishments. What sets this weapon apart is the Erdtree incantation blessing it carries, hinting at its divine origins. If you’re itching to get your hands on this beast, you’ll need to defeat the black knight at the Church of Consolation in the DLC area.

In terms of gameplay, the Black Steel Greathammer shines with its unique features. It has a Holy Amplification property, meaning that when you imbue it with additional holy power, its strength increases significantly. But that’s not all – its guard counter effect is where it truly stands out. When you perform a guard counter, it triggers a burst of holy power, dealing extra holy damage to your foes.

Stat-wise, this weapon primarily scales with Strength, Dexterity and Faith. That’s why for faith-based builds, this weapon is a dream come true. It synergizes beautifully with holy buffs and incantations, allowing you to unleash devastating combinations of physical and holy damage.

By default, the Black Steel Greathammer comes with the “Endure” weapon skill and it’s not a bad choice to keep it this way, but we’re swapping it with the “Sacred Blade” Ash of War for a significant increase of the weapon’s power.

In combat, the Black Steel Greathammer truly shines in our guard counter build. The holy burst effect that follows your guard counters can catch enemies off guard and deal significant damage. Interestingly, Flame Art infusion can result in higher damage output compared to a Sacred infusion against certain enemies, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different infusions.