The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has cracked Elden Ring wide open again. Just when we thought we knew how to min-max everything. Whether you’re a Tarnished vet or jumping in for the first time since launch, the meta as of early 2025 looks nothing like what it did a year ago.
I’ve spent the last few months trying out every build I could. Dueling in PvP arenas, diving into the new DLC bosses, and getting obliterated more times than I’d like to admit. What came out of it? A crystal-clear sense of which builds are ruling the Lands Between right now.
Let’s break down the top meta builds, weapons, stat spreads, and everything in between so you can dominate both PvP and PvE straight through 2025.
Top 5 Meta Builds in 2025
1. Blasphemous Blade Strength/Faith Build
Still an absolute monster post-DLC. The Blasphemous Blade hasn’t just survived. It’s thriving more than ever. The scaling tweaks in Patch 1.12 made its Faith-scaling even more potent, and many of the Shadow of the Erdtree enemies are weak to fire or holy.
Key Attributes:
– Vigor: 50
– Strength: 30
– Faith: 40
– Mind: 20 (Ash of War spam is real)
Why it’s top-tier: It self-heals on kills and with weapon skills, making it durable in prolonged fights. It’s flexible and deals great damage without needing perfect positioning.
Pro Tip: Pair it with Shard of Alexander and Fire Scorpion Charm for that extra burn and skill boost.
2. Dex/Faith Hybrid – Scythe or Twinblade Focus
This one’s sneaky lethal. Combining DEX with Faith allows access to lightning incantations (Ancient Dragons’ Lightning Strike, anyone?) while utilizing fast-striking weapons like the Grave Scythe or Godskin Twinblade.
Attribute Spread:
– Dexterity: 40
– Faith: 35-40
– Endurance: 20
– Vigor: 45
Why it’s climbing: It slices through PvP opponents with speed and keeps them off their feet with ranged lightning pressure. In PvE, the high mobility and status build-up shine against DLC bosses.
Recommended Setup: Run with Lightning Scorpion Charm and the new “Faithful Touch” talisman from the Crystalline Echo in the DLC (adds scaling to elemental buffs).
3. Intelligence/Arcane Status Mage
If you’re tired of sticking to pure sorcery, try this build that leans into frostbite, bleed, and madness. Works phenomenally with weapons like the Albinauric Staff (with Arcane scaling glitch fixed in 1.11) and spells like Swarm of Flies and Freezing Mist.
Core Stats:
– Intelligence: 35
– Arcane: 40
– Mind: 25
– Vigor: 35
Why it’s cracked: Status stacking is once again king. You can freeze, bleed, and rot nearly everything in the DLC back-to-back. It’s practically cheating. If you can stay alive.
4. Colossal Weapon Juggernaut (Post-DLC Edition)
Heavy hitting is back. With poise and hyper armor improvements, the Ultra Greatsword builds are finally viable again. New talismans from the DLC boost poise during charge attacks, letting you tank through enemies even in PvP.
Stat Focus:
– Strength: 60
– Endurance: 35
– Vigor: 55
– Any casting stat: Optional dump
Why it works: PvP enemies underestimate it, and bosses buckle under the sheer stagger output. Try the new “Stonebreaker’s Oath” Greatsword from the Erdtree Depths. Hits like a truck and builds up divine stagger.
5. Bleed-Katana Glass Cannon
This build has never gone away, but it’s changed its wardrobe. Instead of stacking Rivers of Blood, the current top PvP bleed build uses Eleonora’s Poleblade and the new Scythe of Laceration from Shadow of the Erdtree.
Key Stats:
– Arcane: 50
– Dexterity: 40
– Vigor: 30
– Mind: 20
Why it’s still nasty: Great roll-catching tools, dual status build-up, and solid combo chains leave players with no time to breathe. Even in PvE, it rips mobs apart. But take one wrong hit, and you’re toast.
Updated Weapon Tier List (PvP and PvE)
S-Tier
- Blasphemous Blade
- Hand of Malenia
- Moonveil
- Stonebreaker’s Oath (DLC)
- Eleonora’s Poleblade
- Gravel Stone Seal (for lightning builds)
A-Tier
- Ruins Greatsword
- Sword of Night and Flame (buffed again!)
- Halo Scythe
- Bloodhound’s Fang
- Staff of Loss (for stealth builds)
B-Tier & Below
- Dragon Slayer’s Cragblade
- Golden Halberd
- Carian Regal Scepter (still powerful, but gets outshined in fast-paced situations)
Weapon viability changes more than you’d think due to boss resistances and PvP hitboxes. The fastest weapons or flashiest ones aren’t always the best anymore. Matchups matter more than ever.
Optimal Stat Allocations Post-DLC
The leveling curve in Shadow of the Erdtree pushes players toward smarter allocations. Here’s where people are landing:
- Vigor: Always go 50+ for PvP; stay alive longer.
- Strength & Dex: Pick one, commit, but touch up Endurance if you’re wielding heavier gear.
- Faith/Int/Arcane: All viable. Just choose one as your focus and support it with proper weapon scaling.
- Mind: Often underrated. For Ash of War-heavy builds, 20-25 Mind is a sweet spot.
I shifted from a 30 Vigor build to 50 after getting two-shot repeatedly by DLC field bosses. Lesson learned the hard way.
How to Adapt Against Bosses and PvP Opponents
What works on dungeon mobs might not fly in PvP or multi-phase bosses. My rule? Always carry a secondary weapon with a backup status or element. If your fire-based Blasphemous Blade struggles against a fire-resistant enemy, switch to lightning or frost tools.
Another trick: stack gear that balances resistances based on the area you’re heading into. In the Shadow Realm, I found poison and rot defenses mattered way more than in the base game. Throw on Mottled Necklace +1 or switch armor sets before boss attempts.
Upgrading Gear and Talismans: What Matters Now
Don’t sleep on talismans. Post-DLC meta relies heavily on synergizing gear. A few standouts to prioritize:
- Shard of Alexander: Always S-tier for skill-based builds.
- Fire/Lightning Scorpion Charm: If elemental weapons are your jam, you’ll want this.
- New DLC Talismans: Faithful Touch and Stoneheart Sigil (extra poise under attack) change how you approach PvP significantly.
Level 10 upgrades still reign supreme, of course. My advice? Use somber smithing stones first on your prioritized PvP weapon, then invest in a boss-specific counter weapon afterwards.
Final Thoughts and Call to Arms
It’s wild, isn’t it? Just when we thought the Elden Ring meta had settled, Shadow of the Erdtree shook it like an Erdtree Avatar throwing tantrums.
There is no single “best” build. But there’s a best build for you. If you’re looking to optimize, follow the data. If you’re here to explore and experiment (like most of us), lean into what feels fun. That’s where the real strength lies.
Jump into the discussion: What build has been carrying you through the DLC? Did the patch notes shift your main, or are you still repping your launch-day loadout with pride?
Drop your setup, tips, or war stories in the comments. Let’s help each other conquer the Lands Between. One godskin, shardbearer, or tarnished duelist at a time.
