Elden Ring: Fun and Thematic Weapon Builds

Elden Ring offers an expansive world full of weapons and builds, where the meta is often dictated by what works best for a certain playstyle or boss fight. However, there’s more to these weapons than just raw power. Some of the most fun builds stem from the joy of experimenting with a weapon that may not be at the top of the tier list but offers unique playstyle possibilities. Whether you're after the satisfaction of executing the perfect guard counter or reveling in the thematic synergy of a particular weapon and spell combo, Elden Ring offers plenty of options. If you’re looking to enhance your experience further, you might consider finding ways to buy Elden Ring Runes to acquire those unique weapons and gear more efficiently. Here’s a look at some of the most fun weapons and thematic builds I’ve experimented with in the game.

1. The Maricus Hammer: Strength and Faith for Critical Impact

The Maricus Hammer has a special place in my heart, not only because of its unique aesthetic but also due to its potential when built around Strength and Faith. Despite being one of the most visually stunning hammers in the game, it holds up surprisingly well in combat. With a Strength-Faith build, the weapon’s damage is maximized, and its ability to stagger enemies and break stances makes it a powerful tool.

Weapon Skill - Goldbreaker:
The Goldbreaker skill is one of the most satisfying to use, especially for crowd control. At the cost of 26 FP, you’ll launch into the air, delivering a massive AoE slam that sends smaller enemies flying. It’s simple but incredibly fun to execute and can be used as both a gap-closer and a crowd-control tool.

To maximize the Maricus Hammer’s potential:

· Talisman Setup:

o Two-Handed Talisman to boost damage when using the weapon with both hands.

o Blade of Mercy for additional damage from critical attacks, which work beautifully with the hammer’s stance breaks.

o Shards of Alexander for an extra boost to skill-based damage.

Pairing the hammer with Sacred Infusion and using Golden Arcs for extra holy damage gives you a versatile Faith build that’s satisfying both in its offensive power and defensive utility.

2. The Regal: Arcane and Straight Sword Mastery

Another personal favorite is the Regalia of Eochaid, a straight sword that fits perfectly into an Arcane build. This weapon shines in its ability to scale both physical and magic damage based on Arcane, allowing for an exciting mix of melee combat and spellcasting.

While the Regalia might not be the best when it comes to pure damage output compared to other weapons like the Maricus Hammer, its Witching Hour Slash skill provides a high skill ceiling and the ability to stun lock enemies. The key here is that Arcane builds allow for an interesting synergy between magic and weapon skills.

Key Components of This Build:

· Witching Hour Slash: The Regalia’s weapon skill, when fully charged, gives a satisfying flurry of attacks, but it can be tough to use due to its long animation. However, if you time it right, you can deal significant damage and apply Bleed status to enemies, making it great for sustained engagements.

· Talisman Setup:

o Godfrey Icon to boost charge skills.

o Shards of Alexander for skill damage.

o Multi-Hit Talisman for improved synergy with Witching Hour Slash.

o Lord of Blood Exaltation to increase damage after a Bleed proc.

3. The Death Knight’s Long Half Axe: Lightning and Mobility

When the Death Knight’s Long Half Axe was released in the DLC, it quickly became one of my top picks for its combination of power, aesthetics, and the mobility granted by its unique skill. The Blink Bolt allows for rapid dodging and a follow-up attack that deals AoE lightning damage. This adds a layer of mobility to a strength-based weapon, making it incredibly fun to use.

· Weapon Skill - Blink Bolt:
This skill lets you blink through the air and follow it up with a lighting-powered AoE smash. The mobility and animation alone make this skill one of the most visually satisfying abilities to use. Its long animation requires careful timing, but the payoff is incredible when it lands.

Key Components:

· Talisman Setup:

o Two-Handed Talisman for free damage boost.

o Blade of Mercy for more critical attack damage.

o Shards of Alexander for skill-based damage increase.

With Sacred and Lightning-infused setups, this build can take full advantage of the hybrid Faith/Strength scaling, making the Death Knight’s Long Half Axe one of the coolest and most satisfying weapons to use.

4. The Sword of Night and Flame: Dexterity and Magic

For those who love a good balance of dexterity and magic, the Sword of Night and Flame provides an edgy, yet highly functional option. This katana features two distinct skills: Night Comet for a quick, ranged magic attack, and Flame Slash for a fiery melee combo. These two skills make it a versatile weapon for both ranged and close combat.

· Weapon Skill - Night Comet & Flame Slash:
The Night Comet deals magic damage from a distance, and Flame Slash is perfect for closing the gap, delivering a fast combo of slashes. The katana’s aesthetic with the glowing dark flames adds a dramatic visual flair.

Key Components:

· Talisman Setup:

o Shards of Alexander for skill-based damage.

o Multi-Hit Talisman for increased damage output.

o Godfrey Icon to increase skill charge.

· Dexterity Build:
Focus on maximizing dexterity for quick attacks and reducing stamina consumption. The addition of magic also adds a powerful ranged option.

5. The Battle Hammer and Gravity Spells: A Gladiator Build

For those who want to experiment with an Intelligence and Strength-based build, the Battle Hammer combined with gravity-based spells offers an interesting and visually striking build. The Battle Hammer may not be the most powerful great hammer, but its cool appearance and the synergy with Waves of Darkness make it a standout choice for a gravity-centric playstyle.

· Gravity Sorcery - Waves of Darkness:
This AoE spell works wonders when infused with cold, allowing it to proc Frost while dealing decent stance-breaking damage.

Key Components:

· Talisman Setup:

o Two-Handed Talisman for bonus damage.

o Shards of Alexander for skill-based damage.

o Godfrey Icon for sorcery damage boosts.

For a gravity build, consider using Meite of Aell or Meteorite Staff for increased spell damage. These can complement your powerful physical hits with your gravity spells.

Conclusion

Elden Ring offers a plethora of weapons and builds, and the fun lies in finding the weapons that truly resonate with you. Whether you're using the Maricus Hammer for some hammer-based fun or experimenting with an Arcane-powered Regal, there’s a build to suit every type of player. Ultimately, the enjoyment comes from combining these weapons with synergizing stats and abilities, leading to a diverse and rich combat experience. If you’re looking to enhance your arsenal further, you can elden ring items buy online, and I recommend checking out MMOEXP for a reliable selection. Try out these thematic builds, and you might find your own favorite weapon that brings joy in every swing or cast.