Elden Ring: Best Longsword Builds For Tarnished Warriors

by Jhon Lennon 57 views

Hey guys! So, you're venturing into the Lands Between and thinking about wielding the classic longsword, huh? Excellent choice! The longsword in Elden Ring is a fantastic weapon for its versatility, scaling, and accessibility. Whether you're a seasoned Souls veteran or a fresh-faced Tarnished, a good longsword build can carry you through a large portion of the game. Let's dive into some killer longsword builds that will have you slicing and dicing your way to becoming Elden Lord.

Why Choose the Longsword?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of builds, let's quickly touch on why the longsword is such a solid pick in Elden Ring. First off, it's available super early in the game. You can snag one from a merchant in Limgrave, making it accessible right from the start. Its moveset is also incredibly versatile, featuring a good balance of thrusting and sweeping attacks. This makes it effective against a wide variety of enemies and bosses. Furthermore, the longsword scales well with both Strength and Dexterity, allowing for flexible stat allocation. You can tailor your build to suit your preferred playstyle without sacrificing damage output. Plus, it can be infused with Ashes of War, giving you access to a plethora of special skills and elemental damage types. This customization is key to optimizing your build for specific encounters.

Another reason to consider the longsword is its manageable weight and stamina consumption. This allows you to stay mobile and maintain pressure on your opponents without constantly running out of stamina. You can roll, dodge, and attack with relative ease, making it a forgiving weapon for newcomers. The longsword also benefits from a decent critical hit modifier, making it effective for staggering enemies and landing devastating critical attacks. Whether you prefer to play aggressively or defensively, the longsword can adapt to your style. All in all, the longsword is a reliable and versatile weapon that can serve you well throughout your Elden Ring journey. So, if you're looking for a weapon that's easy to pick up but difficult to master, the longsword is an excellent choice.

Build 1: The Quality Longsword Knight

This build is all about balance. It's perfect for players who want to be able to handle a variety of situations without having to respec constantly. The Quality Longsword Knight focuses on leveling both Strength and Dexterity, allowing you to wield a wide range of weapons effectively. This build is incredibly versatile, allowing you to adapt to different enemy types and challenges with ease. You'll be able to switch between different Ashes of War to exploit enemy weaknesses, making you a formidable opponent in any situation. The key to this build is finding the right balance between offense and defense, allowing you to survive tough encounters and deal consistent damage. With the Quality Longsword Knight, you'll be well-equipped to tackle anything the Lands Between throws your way.

Stats:

  • Vigor: 40-60 (For that sweet, sweet HP. You gotta survive those boss attacks!)
  • Mind: 15-20 (Enough FP for weapon skills)
  • Endurance: 25-30 (Stamina is your friend. Don't leave home without it.)
  • Strength: 40-50 (Scaling, baby!)
  • Dexterity: 40-50 (More scaling!)
  • Intelligence: Base
  • Faith: Base
  • Arcane: Base

Equipment:

  • Weapon: Longsword (obviously!). Infuse it with a Quality Ash of War like Unsheathe or Square Off.
  • Shield: Medium shield with good guard boost. The Brass Shield is a solid early-game choice.
  • Armor: Anything that gives you decent protection while allowing you to medium roll. The Knight Set or Banished Knight Set are good options.
  • Talismans: Green Turtle Talisman (stamina recovery), Crimson Amber Medallion (HP), Marika's Soreseal/Scarseal (early game stat boost, but be mindful of the increased damage taken), Erdtree's Favor (HP, stamina, and equip load).

Playstyle:

The Quality Longsword Knight is a adaptable fighter. Use your shield to block incoming attacks and create openings. Unsheathe and Square Off are excellent weapon skills for dealing high damage and staggering enemies. Mix up your attacks to keep your opponents guessing. Don't be afraid to use jump attacks and charged heavy attacks to break enemy stances. Remember to manage your stamina effectively and avoid over-committing to attacks. This build shines in both PvE and PvP, making it a reliable choice for any situation. The key is to stay mobile and adapt to your opponent's moveset. With practice, you'll be able to outmaneuver and defeat even the toughest foes. So, grab your longsword, equip your shield, and get ready to conquer the Lands Between!

Build 2: The Fire Longsword Warrior

Want to set your enemies ablaze? The Fire Longsword Warrior build focuses on infusing your longsword with fire damage and using fire-based incantations to incinerate your foes. This build is all about dealing damage over time and exploiting enemy weaknesses to fire. You'll be able to melt through hordes of enemies with ease, leaving a trail of burning corpses in your wake. The key to this build is managing your FP and stamina effectively, as you'll be relying on both weapon skills and incantations to deal damage. With the Fire Longsword Warrior, you'll become a pyromaniac on the battlefield, leaving your enemies scorched and defeated.

Stats:

  • Vigor: 40-60 (Gotta survive those close encounters!)
  • Mind: 25-35 (More FP for incantations)
  • Endurance: 20-25 (Stamina for swinging and dodging)
  • Strength: 20-25 (Enough to wield the longsword)
  • Dexterity: 12-15 (Minimum requirements)
  • Intelligence: Base
  • Faith: 40-50 (For fire incantations)
  • Arcane: Base

Equipment:

  • Weapon: Longsword. Infuse it with a Fire Ash of War like Flame Art. The Flame Art infusion scales with Faith, boosting your fire damage.
  • Sacred Seal: Finger Seal or Godslayer's Seal for casting incantations.
  • Armor: Anything that offers decent protection and looks cool. The Fire Monk Set is a thematic choice.
  • Talismans: Fire Scorpion Charm (boosts fire damage, but increases damage taken), Faithful's Canvas Talisman (boosts incantation potency), Erdtree's Favor, Crimson Amber Medallion.

Incantations:

  • Catch Flame: A quick and cheap fire spell for close-range combat.
  • Flame Sling: A ranged fire spell for dealing damage from a distance.
  • Flame, Grant Me Strength: Buff that increases physical and fire damage.
  • Black Flame: Deals percentage-based damage over time, perfect for bosses.

Playstyle:

The Fire Longsword Warrior is an aggressive caster. Buff yourself with Flame, Grant Me Strength and then go to town with your fire-infused longsword and incantations. Use Catch Flame for quick bursts of damage and Flame Sling for ranged attacks. Black Flame is your go-to spell for dealing with bosses and tough enemies. Be mindful of your FP and stamina, and don't be afraid to retreat and recharge when necessary. This build excels at melting through groups of enemies and dealing sustained damage to bosses. The key is to combine your weapon attacks with your incantations to maximize your damage output. With practice, you'll be able to set the Lands Between ablaze and emerge victorious.

Build 3: The Cold Longsword Assassin

Prefer a more subtle approach? The Cold Longsword Assassin build focuses on inflicting frostbite on your enemies, slowing them down and dealing massive damage. This build is all about exploiting enemy weaknesses to frost and using stealth to your advantage. You'll be able to sneak up on unsuspecting enemies and deliver devastating blows, leaving them frozen and vulnerable. The key to this build is managing your positioning and timing your attacks carefully. With the Cold Longsword Assassin, you'll become a master of stealth and deception, striking from the shadows and leaving your enemies in a state of icy despair.

Stats:

  • Vigor: 40-60 (For survivability)
  • Mind: 15-20 (Enough FP for weapon skills)
  • Endurance: 25-30 (Stamina for dodging and attacking)
  • Strength: 20-25 (Enough to wield the longsword)
  • Dexterity: 40-50 (Scaling for weapon damage)
  • Intelligence: Base
  • Faith: Base
  • Arcane: Base

Equipment:

  • Weapon: Longsword. Infuse it with a Cold Ash of War like Hoarfrost Stomp or Chilling Mist.
  • Armor: Lighter armor for better mobility. The Raptor's Black Feathers chest piece is great for jump attacks.
  • Talismans: Assassin's Crimson Dagger (restores HP on critical hits), Blue Dancer Charm (increases attack power with lighter equip load), Green Turtle Talisman, Erdtree's Favor.

Playstyle:

The Cold Longsword Assassin is a master of hit-and-run tactics. Use Hoarfrost Stomp or Chilling Mist to inflict frostbite on your enemies, then follow up with critical hits or charged attacks. The frostbite effect will slow them down, making them easier to hit. Use stealth to your advantage, sneaking up on enemies and delivering devastating blows. The Assassin's Crimson Dagger will restore HP on critical hits, allowing you to sustain yourself in combat. This build excels at taking down tough enemies quickly and efficiently. The key is to stay mobile, exploit enemy weaknesses, and use stealth to your advantage. With practice, you'll be able to become a silent and deadly force in the Lands Between.

Ashes of War: The Key to Customization

No matter which build you choose, Ashes of War are crucial for customizing your longsword and tailoring it to your playstyle. Here are a few of the best Ashes of War for the longsword:

  • Unsheathe: A powerful stance that allows you to perform a quick and damaging attack.
  • Square Off: A versatile skill that can be used both defensively and offensively.
  • Hoarfrost Stomp: Inflicts frostbite on enemies in a wide area.
  • Chilling Mist: Creates a cloud of mist that inflicts frostbite on enemies.
  • Flame Art: Adds fire damage to your weapon and scales with Faith.

Experiment with different Ashes of War to find the ones that best suit your playstyle and build. Remember, you can change Ashes of War at any Site of Grace, so don't be afraid to try new things.

Final Thoughts

The longsword is a fantastic weapon in Elden Ring, and with the right build, it can carry you through the entire game. Whether you prefer a balanced approach, a fire-based build, or a stealthy assassin, there's a longsword build for you. So, grab your longsword, experiment with different builds, and get ready to conquer the Lands Between! Good luck, Tarnished, and may the Grace of the Greater Will guide you!