Are you prepared to explore that Castle?  

With Elden Ring having so many new players and different builds to choose from, here’s our list of the top 10 early-game builds. Remember that your build will only become a good build later on in the game, as the early game still leaves a lot of needed levels with a lot of needed equipment.  This article will help all the players stuck in the early game, struggling to find a build that works for them. With 10 builds to choose from, you can take your build all the way to Radagon and show him who's boss.

10. Dragon Incantation Build

Dragon incantations look amazing!

With the Dragon abilities being accessible very early on, and dragon powers being great, you have to use a few dragon abilities. The build will get better with each dragon you kill and new incantations you unlock. 

What the Dragon Incantation build excels in:

• Has a great variety of spells to use.
• Can deal great damage.
• Looks amazing and is fun to use.
• Can deal damage from range and from up close.

Build details:

• Use the Dragon Communion Seal as it boosts the damage of draconic spells and has S arcane scaling. 
• As it goes for a weapon, use whatever you like and build up towards a weapon that works with arcane and faith.
• Use the Jellyfish Shield in the other hand as its skill buffs the player with more damage.
• When picking armor, pick the best armor you have. 
• Use the Silver Tear mask as soon as you get it as it will increase arcane but you will take a bit more damage. 
• As you won’t have a lot of choice in talismans early on, here are the best talismans to go for.
• Using the Faithful’s Canvas Talisman increases the potency of incantations.
• Use Radagon’s Soreseal for a few extra levels, until later in the game, and trade it in for the Dragoncrest shield talisman.
• Use the Erdtrees Favour talisman as it is the best.
• Use the Old Lord’s Talisman for the extra 30% spell duration.
• As incantations, use the Rotten Breath, Golden Vow, Smarag’s Glintstone Breath, Agheel’s Flame, and Placidusax’s Ruin, but most of these will be obtainable later in your run.
• In the Wondrous Physick use whatever you have but get the Cerulean Hidden Tear and the Faith-Knot Crystal Tear as it works with the build.

9. Katana Build

Who wouldn’t want dual katanas?

There is only one thing better than a katana, and that is two katanas. This build can be quite strong when you build it right, as it won’t be as refined as it could be early on, you will need to play around with it a bit to get the build you wish.

What the Katana Build excels in:

• High damage output.
• Bleed damage.
• Variety of katanas to use.
• Pairs well with a lot of different spells and incantations.

Build details:

• As weapons, you will use the Nagakiba and the Uchigatana and replace them later on with stronger katanas. 
• As it is still early game, you can use whatever armor you wish.
• As talismans go, you won’t have a lot, but you can use the Green Turtle talisman for better stamina regen.
• And Radagon Soreseal as it can be obtained fairly early. 
• Later on, use the Prosthesis-Wearer Heirloom as it raises dex.
• Use the Shard of Alexander to increase the damage of weapon skills, either by killing pot bro or finishing his questline.
• In the Flask of Wondrous Physick, use what you wish, but later on, use the Greenburst Crystal Tear and Dexterity-Knot Crystal Tear.

8. Mage Build

Mages have it easy.

With magic being as strong as it is in Elden Ring, and it being viable from very early on, why not be a mage? Having a few points in Mind and Intelligence you will have a great variety of spells at your disposal. 

what the Mage build excels in:

• Has amazing damage.
• Has great range and close combat abilities.
• Has a variety of spells.
• Can be great in PvP and PvE.

Build details:

• Use the Carian Regal Scepter as your main staff, as it has the highest sorcery scaling, if you don’t have this Scepter, use the Meteorite Staff as it will be easy to obtain and can be found early on.  As a weapon, use a weapon with great Magic damage.
• Use the Lusat or the Azur armor set, as you will be a mage after all, but until you have it, use whatever you wish.
• For talismans, use the Radagon Icon to decrease the spell casting time can be found early just before Rennala. 
• Use the Magic Scorpion Charm for extra magic damage.
• Use the Old Lord’s Talisman for the extra 30% spell duration.
• Use the Graven-Mass talisman to increase the potency of sorceries.
• Use the Magic- Shrouded Cracked Tear and the Cerulean Hidden Tear in the Wondrous Physick, get them as soon as you can.
• As you will change out spells a lot and get new ones often here are a few I would recommend, for early and late game.
• For spells use the Great Glintstone Shard, Comet, Cannon of Haima, Gavel of Haima, Ranni’s Dark Moon, Comet “one shot” Azur for damage, and Terra Magica for the buff.

7. Godrick Axe Build

Godrick has one amazing axe.

Godrick will be for most new players the “git gud” part of Elden Ring, as he will be one of the first challenges you face. At least after beating him, you can use his beautiful axe and beat up other bosses with it. 

What the Godrick Axe Build excels in:

• Great for strength builds.
• Deals good damage.
• Great moveset.
• Can be used and built towards early on.

Build details:

• After getting the initial 34 strength and 22 dex needed, use the Axe as your main weapon. You can pair it with a shield or seal or staff whatever pleases you.
• For armor, you can use anything you like.
• As it goes for talismans, you won’t have a lot in your arsenal, I would recommend the Starscourge Heirloom.
• Use Radagon’s Soreseal for a few extra levels.
• Green Turtle talisman to improve stamina recovery.
• Finally, use the Erdtrees Favor. 
• For the Wondrous Physick use the  Strength-Knot Crystal Tear to increase strength.

6. Rot Build

Rot deals amazing damage.

Rot is one of the best status effects in the game. It deals great damage over time and can be used very early on in the game. 

What the Rot build excels in:

• Has amazing damage.
• Deals damage over time.
• Rot lasts very long.
• Pairs well with a lot of weapons and other spells.

Build details:

• Use any weapon you prefer as the main weapon.
• Use the Dragon Communion Seal.
• Armor can be anything you wish to wear.
• The spells you will use are Rotten Breath. That can be found at the Dragon Communion Church.
• The best talismans for this build will be the Radagon’s Soreseal as you will need those levels.
• Radagon Icon.
• The Old Lord’s Talisman for the extra 30% spell duration.
• And the Erdtrees Favour.
• In the Wondrous Physick use the Cerulean Hidden Tear and the Faith-Knot Crystal Tear, so be sure to get them. 

5. Night And Flame Build

Amazing sword with amazing damage.

The Sword of Night and Flame is one of the best swords in the game even post-nerf. It has great damage and has one of my favorite weapon arts. 

What the Night and Flame build excels in:

• Dealing amazing damage from range with the weapon arts.
• The fire side of this weapon is great for crowd control.
• Pairs extremely well with a shield. 
• Can knock back enemies.

Build details:

• Use the Sword of Night and Flame, the Dragon Communion Seal, and a heavy or medium shield. 
•  For armor use whatever you prefer. 
• As it goes for spells and incantations, use the Rotten Breath incantation at the start of the fight to Rot a boss, whilst he/she loses health via the rot you can use the weapon art to deal damage and close the gap to deal physical damage. 
• Use the Shard of Alexander as the first talisman, either by killing pot bro, or later on when you finish his questline.
• Use Radagon’s Soreseal for those extra levels.
• Use the Magic Scorpion Charm to boost magic damage.
• Use the Carian Filigree Talisman to reduce the FP cost of all skills.
• You can alternatively use the Godfrey Icon that enhances charged spells and skills.
• In the Flask of Wondrous Physick use the Magic- Shrouded Cracked Tear and the Cerulean Hidden Tear, or the Opaline Bubble Tear.

4. Moonveil Build.

The Moonveil is really strong

With the Moonveil being one of the best Katanas in the game and it having an amazing weapon art. This build is amazing for high damage and great poise damage. 

What the Moonveil Build excels in:

• Easy critical attacks from behind.
• Can deal great damage, especially with the Moonveil’s skill.
• A great variety of spells and incantations to pair with this build.
• Doing high poise damage. 

Build details:

• Use the Moonveil in your main hand as this will be your weapon of choice, the weapon pairs well with any shield or staff. 
• Use Karolos Glintstone Crown as it increases your intelligence. The rest of the armor is up to you.
• Use Radagon’s Soreseal for a few extra levels.
• Use the Claw Talisman to enhance jump attacks.
• And the Shard of Alexander increases damage from weapon skills, you get this shard by following Alexander’s quest or just killing him. 
• Use the Magic- Shrouded Cracked Tear and the Cerulean Hidden Tear in the Wondrous Physick.
• Use the Godfrey Icon that enhances charged spells and skills.

3. Bloodhounds Fang Build

A great build that can be used very early on.

The Bloodhounds Fang is one great weapon that can be obtained very early on, but the boss you need to defeat isn’t as easy as you would hope for him to be. Luckily you can progress Blaidd’s questline for him to give you a helping hand in getting this weapon. 

What Bloodhounds Fang build excels in:

• Dealing great damage.
• Can use magic and consumables to buff the weapon.
• Can change its ash of war.
• Has good range.
• Pairs well with any shield, staff, and Seal, and it has blood loss build-up.

Build details:

• Use the Bloodhounds Fang as the main weapon, you can pair it with any shield or staff. 
• Add a Seal in your shield hand to use incantations. 
• For armor use the White Mask when you get it as it increases attack power when in the vicinity of blood loss, the rest of the armor is up to you.
• For talismans, the best ones will be obtainable later on but you can use the Shard of Alexander as it increases damage from the weapon skill.
• Use the Lord of Blood’s Exaltation to increase attack power when in the vicinity of blood loss.
• For spells, use Golden Vow before a fight and Flame Grant me Strength, other spells are your choice.
• Use the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman for extra damage negation.
• Use the Claw Talisman to enhance jump attacks.
• In the wondrous physick, use the Opaline Bubbletear to absorb one hit without taking damage, and the Crimsonburst Crystal Tear to regenerate health.

2. Banished Knight Build

The Banished Knight Halberd is great.

The Banished Knight Halberd and the Banished Knight build works hand in hand as it will be your weapon of choice. This build is as you will get a +8 weapon, all you need to do is, be a little evil.

What the Banished Knight Build excels in:

• Ranged physical damage.
• Can be paired with various spells and incantations.
• Can be paired with a shield.

Build details:

• Use the Banished Knight Halberd +8 that drops from Edgar the Revenger. You can pair this weapon with a staff, shield, and/or seal.
• For armor, you can wear whatever you like, but the build is called the Banished Knight build for a reason, so the Banished Knight set will pair well.
• As it goes for talismans use Radagon’s Soreseal for those extra levels.
• Use the Green Turtle talisman for extra stamina regen.
• Use the Claw talisman for enhanced jump attacks.
• The last talisman slot is up to you but I highly recommend the Erdtrees Favor +2 later on.
• In the Wondrous Physick use the Opaline Bubble Tear and the Crimsonburst Crystal  Tear to regenerate health.

1. Reduvia Build

Reduvia just sounds amazing.

The Reduvia is a beautiful dagger that deals good damage and can bleed enemies. The weapon can be found very early on, and it can be used for one amazing build.

What the Reduvia build excels in:

• Bleed damage.
• Ranged and close-range damage.
• Has extra critical damage.

Build details:

• Use the Reduvia as the main weapon, a shield like the buckler can also be used. 
• The weapon can be paired with a shield or staff if you wish to use spells and incantations.
• For armor, use the Silver Tear mask to increase Arcane to the detriment of taking more physical damage.
• The rest of the armor is up to you.
• As far as Talismans go, use Radagon’s Soreseal.
• Use the Shard of Alexander to increase the damage of weapon skills, either by killing pot bro or finishing his questline.
• Use the Godfrey Icon that enhances charged spells and skills, as soon as you get it.
• Use the Lord of Blood’s Exultation as soon as you have it.
• For the Wondrous Physick, use the Opaline Bubble Tear and the Cerulean Hidden Tear.

This concludes our list of the top 10 Elden Ring early game builds. Remember that your build will only grow better and better as you progress and that you can switch up your build at any time. If you enjoyed this article be sure to check out these as well.

You may also be interested in:

• Elden Ring Best Weapons for Dual Wield
• Elden Ring Best Shields and How To Get Them
• Elden Ring Best Keepsakes and How To Get Them
• Elden Ring Best Dex Weapons
• Elden Ring Best Bleed Weapons