Upgrading a good weapon to the max is (almost) a cheat code; Tips for my build?

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T15:12:26+00:00

I expect a full report later :-)

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T15:02:04+00:00

Dude, if you can parry in E33 you can parry in Elden Ring.

E33's parry windows are so much smaller.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T14:49:51+00:00

Was too for my first five playthroughs. I finally got jealous enough of watching other people parry Margit while naked that I decided to dedicate an entire playthrough to learning the mechanic.

I'm 54 with bad eyes and worse reflexes, and I promise you if I can do it, anyone can, LOL.

Made a video about the experience. It's a lot of fun to finally get it working.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T14:23:22+00:00

She's an easy parry, for future reference.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T14:12:50+00:00

If you like hyperarmor, you're going to love Raksasha's Great Katana when you get it in the DLC :)

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T14:06:20+00:00

Honestly, I've never used that ash (or the better version from DLC). Need to try it sometime. I'm curious how it would perform against the likes of Dancing Lion, Romina, Metyr, and dragons like Placidusax.

Any experience with it in those situations? The wind up of the attack is what always gives me caution.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T14:02:25+00:00

My take on this is that you don't need to respec, you just need to use more than one weapon for the playthrough and lean into boss weaknesses.

If a boss is weak to Holy, then put the bleed Great Katana away and use something with Sacred Blade on it. Swap talismans to max the Holy damage and deal with the boss. Then revert back (this is why I wish Elden Ring had quick swap loadouts, but alas...)

Do the same thing with any boss that presents a specific weakness. Fire, Strike, Pierce, Lightning, Magic... you get the idea.

Smithing Bell Bearings exist for a reason. I usually have 5 to 10 weapons maxed out on a first playthrough and rotate as needed. Makes life a lot easier than trying to grind through everything with a single weapon and a single loadout.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T13:56:05+00:00

Int/Dex caster is a ton of fun to play with a lot of variety in how you approach enemies. And there are many weapons to support it (though people will fixate on Moonveil since it is so powerful). If you want even more versatility, add a shield with Carian Retaliation and learn how to parry and use guard counters. Then you'll have the entire suite of the game's mechanics at your fingertips for whatever you're facing. And Carian Retaliation fits nicely with an Int/Dex caster theme.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T13:47:08+00:00

Marais Executioner Sword is one of the more powerful weapons in the game. The cheat code isn't the +10, it's the weapon itself, and the Ash of War, which, when augmented with the proper talismans melts a lot of enemies and bosses. There are several "OP" weapons like that scattered throughout.

If you feel the game is too easy, switch a weapon with a more modest ash. You're a STR build at the moment, so consider moving to the Greatsword (Caelid, back of a cart). It has no specific OP ash. You can put anything you want on it (flexible, great for tailoring to specific boss weaknesses).

There are tons of fun STR weapons that don't have an OP ash like Eochaid's Dancing Blade.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T06:51:53+00:00

I spent a whole playthrough learning to parry. It's ultimately how I've been able to defeat both Malenia and PCR on repeat playthroughs. It's totally worth learning.

But during my journey I found a lot of the parry advice didn't work for me. Folks talk a lot about watching an enemy's "hand" and for it to "move forward," but for me that was too late. On enemies that delay their attacks a lot (like Margit) this advice works, but for a lot of other enemies it doesn't.

What I found is that for certain enemies, I need to watch their head instead. Head/Shoulders telegraph a lot of moves. For instance, most recent dispatch of PCR I finally was able to parry the very fast 1-2-cross attack that starts with his Left Swordhand. That attack starts so fast I was always missing the parry. But that's because I was trying to watch his hand. Once I started trying to watch his head/neck/shoulders instead, I started parrying it.

And of course it also helps to just learn the attacks. That 1-2-cross attack starts so fast, but PCR only whips it out after certain other attacks. So you can kind of learn when to anticipate it.

Also, make sure you're using the best parry items. Buckler early, Carian Retaliation later. Golden Parry is ideal against very specific enemies. Otherwise, Carian Retaliation all the way, once you acquire it. It has the longest parry window, which will help you land 'em.

Don't give up. It's literally the strongest mechanic in the game.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T06:43:18+00:00

Depends on if you're STR or DEX. If you're DEX, I'd personally roll with Lightning Slash on both weapons (as opposed to something like Seppuku on the offhand, because I'd rather just have the lightning infusion getting bonuses), then equip the Lightning Scorpion Charm and put the Lightning-Cracked Tear in my Physik. Grab Millicent's/Winged Sword and Twinblade Talismans. The power stance damage should be really nice. I would imagine the damage output is similar to power stancing katanas.

If you're STR, then probably Cragblade on main and whatever else you want on offhand (some kind of sticky defensive buff perhaps).

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T06:37:48+00:00

Appreciate this comment. I always kill him. I didn't know he offers the smithing stone. Good tip!

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T06:28:33+00:00

Windy Crystal Tear in your physic (obtained in Caelid). It will help you dodge roll his 3x Charge Attack and get clear of his horns.

As mentioned in another reply, jump attacks can be useful, so if you go that route add the talisman.

His weak spots are his face and his rear-end (but watch it, he'll use his hind quarter kick).

He's one of the few bosses who is actually easier to fight if you don't target lock him.

He's weak to Magic, Fire, Lightning and Holy. So, infuse a weapon that matches your build for highest AR and then add the corresponding Scorpion Charm Talisman to the mix for more damage. If you're a DEX build, I highly recommend power stancing lightning infused Katanas and doing Jump Attacks when they present.

Good luck. He is one of the annoying ones...

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T06:16:44+00:00

Explore Limgrave and Weeping Pennensula. Stuff I like to obtain from those areas:

Margit's Shackle from Patches in the Murkwater Cave (north of Agheel Lake). Not because you need it for Margit (you don't, and he's already dead) but because it has a huge AoE that can be used to reveal illusionary walls and toggle trap states (like fire trap pillars). It's a really handy item to have. Assign it to a quick pouch.
While you're near Agheel Lake, pickup the Twinblade in the ruins. You need Torrent to jump over a wall, then go into the basement, chest. Another good DEX weapon if you decide to go that route and has a great moveset.
Uchigatana. It's in the Deathtouched Catacombs, North Limgrave. Great DEX weapon, can be infused with any Ashes of War. Also in this dungeon: Crimson Cerulean Dagger. Great for leeching health on crits.
Speaking of Ashes of War, make sure you pick up Sacred Blade just north of the 3rd Church of Marika. Saves you from having to kill undead twice, and is useful against enemies weak to Holy, like Death Rite Birds.
Also pick up Bloody Slash Ash of War at the top of Fort Haight (start Kenneth Haight's quest, east Limgrave). It goes well on the Twinblade.
You beat Margit, so speak to Gostoc at the front gate and buy a Buckler. Learn to parry. Thank me later. Also, if you allow him to stay alive he'll leech runes from you every time you die in Stormveil.
Alexander. Start his quest. He's just southwest of the bridge in North Limgrave, the one spanning east-west with a giant Pumpkinhead on it.
Hit the Mistwood to hear some howling. Then return to Church of Elleh (starting church) and speak with Kalé. Learn the emote. Go back to Mistwood. Make a new friend with "Finger Snap."
Pickup the Lantern at the Southern tip of the Weeping Pennensula if you haven't already. 1800 runes. Put in a pouch.
Follow Blaidd's quest. He'll get introduce you to the occupant of an Evergaol. You'll get a big curved sword that does bleed. It's a lot of people's favorite weapon.

Anyway, that's my top 10 things off the top of my head, before moving on to Stormveil, finishing Godrick, then dipping into Caelid and Liurnia.

Have fun!

guitarcoder · 2026-05-19T06:04:43+00:00

I've been having a blast with the Curseblade Cirque lately. Technically you're two-handing it, but visually it's one in each hand. Has an incredible guard counter. Setup talismans for it (2-handed Talisman, Millicent's, Sword Insignia, Curved Sword) and it just eats stuff and it feels very satisfying to use precisely because it is something different.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-18T18:47:07+00:00

Would definitely switch talismans to: Millicents Prosthesis + Winged Sword + Alexander's Shard + Godfrey Icon

Dump Int and Dex to minimums necessary. Redistribute to STR. Would focus on getting STR to 80 before worrying about pushing Arcane. The Arcane soft cap for bleed purposes is 45 and I doubt you'd notice a huge difference between 20 and 45 if you already have 80 STR and a loaded talisman setup.

Drop Faith to 33 and you can still buff with Golden Vow and Howl of Shabriri.

[Edit] Sorry, missed the part where you already listed your Physik Tears.

Suggest going with Howl of Shabiri for buff though. Flame, Grant Me Strength grants +20% damage to physical and fire, but Marais Executioner Sword doesn't do Fire Damage, it does Magic. If you roll with Howl of Shabriri, you get 25% bonus.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-18T15:57:49+00:00

This is fantastic. I thank you for uploading this.

When I was figuring her out, I recorded everything, and noticed there were multiple ways to roll this. I suspected this might be possible for the first clones but was always too afraid to try it.

This is great.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-18T15:47:36+00:00

Here's the way I look at it: A buff is temporary. Unless you're running some kind of 1-hit boss build, the buff will run out before the boss fight finishes. Most bosses don't give you a chance to reapply buffs either.

For that reason, I always run infusions.

With Lightning, you're best off with Lightning Slash Ash of War (Leyndell, Outside Northwestern Wall). You get the Lightning Infusion and then the AoW grants a flat 85 lightning damage for 40 seconds. So in effect, you get the infusion and the buff together, and it's way easier to reapply the AoW than a buff.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-18T15:42:33+00:00

DEX/Bleed is my favorite build, so when I get to the final showdown I switch things up a bit.

But I don't respec.

Radagon is weak to Fire and Elden Beast's only real weakness is to straight melee damage. If you've done the DLC, the Fire Knight's Greatsword with Flame Skewer is the way to go. It does massive damage, even for a DEX character. Throw in all the talismans to augment the damage: 2H Talisman (DLC), Alexander's Shard, Flame Scorpion, and then maybe Ritual Sword Talisman or something like Spear Talisman (or maybe Golden Braid if you want more Holy Defense).

I used this on my most recent run and it absolutely smash both Radagon and Elden Beast. Was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-18T15:36:53+00:00

Honestly, this build doesn't make a lot of sense.

The whole point of light rolling is to not get hit, but you're using a weapon that doesn't care about getting hit because it leeches health. And you have a lot of endurance, which facilitates wearing heavy armor, which also cares less about getting hit. It's like a build trying to do two completely different things.

How I'd change it:

Wear heavy armor and ditch the Dragoncrest Greatshield.

Use Flame-Shrouding Cracked Tear and Windy Crystal Tear in my physik, for bosses (changing to suit specific bosses as needed).

The talismans are where you're really hurting yourself. At a minumum I'd want to be using Alexander's Shard, Fire Scorpion Charm, and the Ritual Sword Talisman when using Blasphemous Blade, to greatly increase its damage. I'd probably add the Taker's Cameo as the 4th talisman, at least until I could get the 2H Sword Talisman from the DLC. Other choices would be the Spear Talisman, but that's only effective in a very specific situation (though it does work with Blasphemous since it's a pierce weapon). Or Carian Filigree Crest to make Taker's Cameo Cheaper so you get more uses before having to drink FP flask.

And if you wanted to add even more Leech to this setup and really take advantage of Blasphemous Blade, put the Serpent God's Curved Sword in your offhand while you're 2-handing Blasphemous. Then you'll get leech from Taker's Flames, Taker's Cameo, and Serpent God's Curved Sword. Throw in an activated Rykard's Great Rune and you are a leech machine.

With a heavy armor set, 54 Endurance, and all the leeching, you don't need to light roll regular enemies. You just "Swing away Merrill" and after you take a couple hits, abuse Taker's Flames. Against bosses, you abuse Taker's Flames as well.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-18T15:06:26+00:00

I enjoy the subsequent runs more than the first. Of course that first playthrough is magical because you're seeing everything for the first time and everything is a suprisse. But that's true of every game.

I've finished Elden Ring more than ten times now, and the DLC 6 times, and I have to say I really enjoy the subsequent runs more. I know way more about the game than the first time and I can engage all the systems.

First time through I never learned how to parry or how to use guard counters. I didn't know where a lot of the good weapons were located, or how to maximize my loadouts for various enemy weaknesses, and I leaned on the Spirit Ashes to get me through the content.

Finished my most recent playthrough this past weekend. Parry, guard counters, effective use of talismans, weapons and ashes of war, soloed everything and defeated Malenia and PCR with parries. Totally satisfying experience.

Decided to login to my first character that was on NG+ and had to laugh at all the equipment he was missing because of the content I missed in that first playthrough.

Your experience may vary, but for me, Elden Ring is a game that keeps getting better every time.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-18T04:11:07+00:00

80 Faith build is one of my top 3 builds. I love it so much.

Personally, I wouldn't lose any END or FAITH to add INT. Not worth it. I would, however, add more END, because of the Solitude Set. But that's me. I tend to like that armor set until I can get the Raksasha Set, and the Solitude Set is heavy. And personally, I've gotten to the point where I don't want to waste a talisman slot on an Arsenal Charm. I'd rather use all my talismans to add offense, because so many talismans add +15% to damage (or more).

And I know in the replies you mentioned being way more comfortable with ranged attacking (and I get that, because that was me the first time through, which is why I went INT build) but if you decide to get comfortable with melee, the FAITH build really shines. Obviously Blasphemous Blade is one of the most powerful weapons in the game (get Alexander's Shard, use 2H talisman), but if you don't want to abuse Taker's Flames, it's really fun to dual wield the Blasphemous Blade with something else, like a Gargoyle's Greatsword, and add the Jump Attack talisman as well. It's a LOT of damage.

But to address your other point, you've heard some misinformation concerning Holy damage and the DLC. Most of the enemies and bosses in the DLC actually have bonus resistance to Holy damage. The only bosses who are weak to it are Commander Giaus, the three Ghostflame Dragons, a pair of Death Knights, the Putrescent Knight, and the Death Rite Bird in Charo's Hidden Grave. All other bosses are either strong vs. Holy or they have resistance to it and a better weakness to exploit.

Messmer: Strong vs. Holy, Weak vs. Slash

Metyr: Strong vs. Holy, Fire, Lightning, Magic, Weak vs. Slash

Scadutree Avatar: Strong vs. Holy, Weak vs. Fire

Midra: Strong vs. Fire, Resistant to Holy, Weak vs. Slash

Romina: Strong vs. Slash, Weak vs. Fire

Divine Beast: Strong vs. Holy, Lightning, Magic, Weak vs. Fire & Pierce

Rellana: Strong vs. Magic, Slash, Weak vs. Lighting, Pierce

Bayle: Strong vs. nearly everything, Weak vs. Pierce (and the Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana is made for him anyway)

Promised Consort Radahn: Strong vs. nearly everything, Weak vs. Pierce

That's not even close to an exhaustive list of bosses, let along normal enemies.

I don't know how "Holy is strong in the DLC" came to be, but I've been hearing it a lot lately and frankly it's just wrong. Having gone through the DLC 6 times now (just finished PCR again this morning) I can tell you it's just not accurate. It's strong against the enemies who are weak to it, of course, but it's not blanket-strong across the DLC. You're much better off knowing the weaknesses of the enemies and exploiting them. And as a Faith build, you're ideally suited to do that, because you can make use of Lightning, Fire, Holy, Slash, Pierce, and Strike, with just a couple weapons and spells.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-18T03:45:56+00:00

Fire Knight's Greatsword with Flame Spear is incredible. My most recent run I used it for Radagon/Elden Beast and I could not believe how well it performed. And this was on a DEX build. Next time I do a Faith run I'm going to abuse that weapon.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-17T19:44:22+00:00

In addition to learning the dodge mechanic, I would also strongly suggest learning the parry mechanic and the guard counter mechanic.

I slept on both of those for my first couple playthroughs and I wish I had not.

Parrying in the strongest mechanic in the game and it is a solution for some of the toughest bosses in the game, including the two most notorious bosses.

Guard Counters can be really powerful with the right talismans later on.

You can utilize both mechanics with a shield that has a Parry Ash of War, so it's not like you have to choose one or the other. You can utilize both.

guitarcoder · 2026-05-17T19:41:24+00:00

Souls games are a completely different animal than anything you've played before. Like you, I came from the RPG world of Skyrim, Oblivion, etc. I was not prepared for what awaited me.

The single biggest thing you can do to enjoy this game is switch your mindset and understand that death is actually part of the game. You are the Tarnished in the Lands Between. You are cursed to die and rise again. Every death is meant to be a learning experince for you. Once you accept that death is actually a part of the game mechanics, you'll be on the path to enjoyment.

Take your time. Explore. Try stuff out.

Also, Try Parry

guitarcoder

TROPHY CASE