Elden Ring continues to evolve, and 2025 brings fresh builds that push the limits of combat, strategy, and sheer power. Whether you’re crushing enemies in single-player exploration or dominating the PvP meta, finding the right build can make all the difference.
This year, certain setups stand out for their effectiveness, but one build in particular has been making waves. The Dragonheart Paladin. If you’ve ever wanted to strike fear into your enemies with a mix of divine prowess and draconic brutality, this is your time. Let’s explore the most dominant builds for 2025 and how you can make the most of them.
The Best Elden Ring Builds in 2025
With the meta shifting thanks to patches and new discoveries, a few standout builds have emerged:
- Dragonheart Paladin – A hybrid build blending Faith, Strength, and Dragon Communion Incantations.
- Colossal Crusher – A tanky Strength build designed for overwhelming power with colossal weapons.
- Blade of Night – A Dexterity-heavy glass cannon that capitalizes on speed and bleed damage.
- Magebane Sentinel – A hybrid Strength and Intelligence build that punishes magic users.
- Blasphemous Harbinger – A death-focused Faith build using the power of Destined Death.
Each of these builds offers something unique, but let’s dive deep into the Dragonheart Paladin, arguably one of the most balanced options for both PvE and PvP.
How to Create a Powerful Dragonheart Paladin Build
The Dragonheart Paladin is all about divine strength infused with the power of dragons. You’ll wield colossal weapons while casting Faith-based incantations that bring raw destruction to the battlefield.
Stat Allocation
Building this character requires balancing Strength, Faith, and Vigor while maintaining enough Endurance to wear good armor.
- Strength (50+) – High enough to wield colossal weapons with ease.
- Faith (40-50) – Your primary casting stat for both buffs and Dragon Communion Incantations.
- Vigor (55-60) – Sustains you in long fights and prevents PvP one-shots.
- Endurance (25-30) – Allows for heavier armor while still dodging effectively.
- Dexterity (18-25) – A minor investment to improve casting speed and reduce fall damage.
Weapons of Choice
Your weapon choice will make or break this build. You’re looking for a mix of raw power and Faith scaling.
- Blasphemous Blade – Excellent for sustain with its life-draining weapon skill.
- Dragon Slayer’s Greatsword – A new addition in 2025 that scales heavily with Strength and Faith.
- Erdtree Greatshield – Reflects magic and scales with Faith, making it a formidable defensive tool.
Ashes of War & Incantations
Ashes of War can significantly improve your effectiveness. Here are the best picks:
- Flaming Strike – Adds extra fire damage and buffs your weapon.
- Sacred Blade – Provides a holy projectile that keeps pressure on enemies.
- Lion’s Claw – A front-flip slam maneuver that’s perfect for Strength builds.
For incantations, the Dragon Communion spells are your best friend:
- Placidusax’s Ruin – One of the most powerful incantations for clearing bosses and large groups.
- Ancient Dragon’s Lightning Strike – Wreaks havoc in PvE and can melt certain bosses.
- Blessing of the Erdtree – Provides unparalleled healing and sustainability.
Advanced Combat Strategies for PvE & Boss Fights
Mastering the Dragonheart Paladin takes more than just equipping the right weapons. It’s all about execution. Here’s how to make the most out of it.
PvE Tips
- Open fights by buffing with incantations like Golden Vow for extra attack power.
- Use Dragon Communion Incantations selectively. Bosses with high mobility can punish casting time.
- Poise tanking works surprisingly well, allowing you to trade hits against enemies and come out on top.
- Mix in strong jump attacks. The stagger potential is insane, and bosses often struggle against it.
Boss Fight Strategies
- Against aggressive bosses, time your Lion’s Claw to avoid damage while counter-attacking.
- Utilize Blessing of the Erdtree to sustain in longer fights without burning through too many Crimson Tears.
- When bosses stagger, carefully swap to Dragon Slayer’s Greatsword for a devastating finisher.
Effective Stamina Management and Positioning
One of the biggest issues players face with heavy Strength-Faith builds is managing stamina. You’ll eat through it fast, especially with colossal weapons.
- Never sprint unnecessarily in fights. Only when repositioning to avoid AoEs.
- Use Endurance rings and talismans to boost stamina recovery.
- Two-hand your weapon sparingly. Sometimes a shield will save you from an early death.
- Roll with purpose. Panic rolling will drain your stamina and leave you open.
Positioning Matters
A Dragonheart Paladin isn’t a pure spellcaster, so you need to remain close enough to apply pressure while avoiding unnecessary chip damage.
- Holding your shield up can bait attacks you can punish with jump attacks.
- Spacing matters. Many PvE enemies struggle to deal with diagonal rolls into heavy attacks.
- If you see an opening, charge up Placidusax’s Ruin for massive damage; just be sure you won’t get interrupted.
Master the Battlefield in 2025
Elden Ring is all about adaptability. The Dragonheart Paladin is a dominating force in both PvE and PvP, blending divine might with ruthless draconic power.
Whether you’re crushing bosses with giant weapons or incinerating invaders with lightning, the right approach will make this build unstoppable. Keep experimenting with different weapons and spells. Every playthrough brings new opportunities.
Time to take up your blade, embrace the flame, and become a legend in the Lands Between.
What’s your go-to build this year? Share your thoughts below!
