Mastering the Samurai Build in Elden Ring

Welcome, Tarnished! In this guide, we’ll delve into one of the most exhilarating playstyles in Elden Ring: the Samurai build, heavily focused on the swift and deadly arts of katanas. Whether you're looking to enhance your character or want to buy Elden Ring Runes to maximize your potential, understanding the intricacies of this build is essential. Let's break down the build components, gear choices, talismans, playstyle tips, and, of course, fashion for your samurai.

1. Understanding Katanas in Elden Ring

Katanas are a versatile weapon choice in Elden Ring, favored for their speed, reach, and unique passive effects. This build focuses on maximizing the capabilities of katanas, particularly using their innate bleed buildup to dish out devastating damage to opponents.

Two key katanas to consider:

· Nagakiba: Known for its impressive reach, ideal for aggressive strategies, and it allows the use of various Ashes of War.

· Rivers of Blood: A must-have for any blood samurai build due to its powerful bleed effects and strong damage output.

2. Ashes of War

Choosing your Ashes of War is crucial to adapting your katanas to your preferred playstyle. Here are some recommended Ashes to consider:

· Uncath: The classic katana Ash of War that offers a reliable attack option.

· Spinning Slash: Great for roll-catching opponents and provides significant burst damage.

Infusion Choices:

You can customize your build further with infusions:

· Blood Infusion: Split investment between Dexterity and Arcane to maximize the effectiveness of bleed.

· Occult Infusion: Preferred for this build, it lets you focus on a single stat (Arcane) while benefiting from intrinsic blood loss buildup of katanas.

3. Attribute Allocation

Your attribute points should primarily focus on:

· Arcane (to maximize bleed damage)

· Dexterity (to increase damage output)

· Minimal investment in Strength (for equipping heavier katanas)

Example Stat Distribution:

· Vigor: 40

· Endurance: 30

· Dexterity: 30

· Arcane: 60

4. Fashion and Armor

A samurai’s attire is just as crucial as his skills. For aesthetic and functional benefits:

· Head: Land of Reeds Helm

· Chest: Ronin Armor

· Gauntlets: Ronin Gauntlets

· Leggings: Bull-Goat Trousers (for added defense, blending in with gold accents for fashion)

5. Talisman Setup

Your talisman loadout can greatly enhance your effectiveness in combat:

· Shard of Alexander: Essential for boosting damage done by your Ashes of War.

· Two-Handed Sword Talisman: If you prefer to wield katanas in two hands.

· Consecutive Attack Talisman: Especially effective with multi-hit Ashes like Spinning Slash.

Example Talisman Loadout:

· Shard of Alexander

· Two-Handed Sword Talisman

· Rotten Winged Insignia (for increased damage with consecutive hits)

6. Fight Strategies and Tips

· Aggression and Reach: Utilize the reach of katanas, especially with the Nagakiba, to apply pressure on your enemies. The longer range allows you to punish mistakes.

· Bleed Procs: Focus on builds that stack Damage Over Time (DoT) effects, making your opponent second-guess aggression.

· Combo Usage: Use a variety of combos with your katanas and mix in your Ashes of War to catch opponents off-guard. Incorporate heavy attacks to stagger enemies, especially with the spinning slash.

· Manage Positioning: Keep an eye on space and distance. Samurais need to be aware of their surroundings to avoid being overwhelmed by magic and melee opponents.

7. Final Thoughts

The samurai build in Elden Ring showcases some of the game's most exhilarating gameplay mechanics, especially when paired with katanas focused on bleed. Your choice of katanas, talismans, and Ashes of War will define your success in battle against both NPCs and other players during invasions. To further enhance your arsenal, consider exploring options for Elden Ring Items for sale at reputable sites like MMOEXP; they offer a variety of items that can complement your build. Feel free to adjust the build based on your playstyle, preferences, and the dynamics of your matches. Enjoy the invasions and unleash the might of your katana against foes!