Elden Ring: The Devastating Strength and Faith Build for Unstoppable Consecrated Crusaders

Prepare for an epic journey in the Lands Between as you embark on a strength-faith build in Elden Ring. This harmonious combination merges the raw power of melee combat with the divine blessings of incantations. Delve into this detailed guide to forge a formidable character capable of crushing enemies and wielding the might of the heavens.

Advantages of the Strength-Faith Build

• Unmatched melee damage: Harness the strength of colossal weapons and scale them with faith for devastating attacks.
• Divine support: Heal, buff, and summon holy allies to bolster your combat prowess.
• Versatility: Engage in close-range brawls or unleash ranged incantations for tactical advantage.
• High survivability: Equip heavy armor and utilize incantations for protection and healing.

Pain Points

• Limited ranged options: Primarily relies on melee combat, making it challenging against distant foes.
• High stat investment: Requires significant investment in both strength and faith attributes to optimize damage and spell potency.
• Mana management: Incantations consume FP, so careful planning and judicious use are crucial.

Motivations for Choosing the Strength-Faith Build

• Devastation through melee might: Yearning for the thrill of crushing enemies with colossal weapons?
• Divine intervention: Seeking the guidance and power of the gods to overcome formidable challenges?
• Versatility in combat: Craving a build that adapts to various combat scenarios and empowers both melee and magic?

Why Strength-Faith Matters

• Unleashing the power of the Erdtree: Embody the strength and faith of the Lands Between, using both physical and divine power to vanquish foes.
• Synergy between attributes: Strength scales melee damage while faith enhances incantations, creating a harmonious balance.
• Overcoming obstacles: Overcome the limitations of pure strength or faith builds by combining the best of both worlds.

Benefits of the Strength-Faith Build

• Crushing melee combat: Wield colossal weapons that inflict massive damage, shattering through enemy defenses.
• Divine empowerment: Enhance your offensive and defensive capabilities with incantations, including heals, buffs, and summonings.
• Tactical versatility: Adapt to different combat situations by switching between melee and incantations, keeping enemies on their toes.
• Enduring presence: Heavy armor and incantations provide substantial survivability, allowing you to endure intense battles.

Comparison of Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Unmatched melee damage output
• Divine support abilities
• Versatility in combat
• High survivability

Cons:

• Limited ranged options
• High stat investment
• Mana management

Recommended Starting Class

• Vagabond: Begins with high strength and faith attributes, providing a solid foundation for the build.

Essential Stats and Attributes

• Strength: Main attribute for melee damage, necessary for wielding colossal weapons.
• Faith: Primary attribute for incantations, enhancing power and variety.
• Endurance: Increases stamina for extended combat and heavy armor.
• Vigor: Boosts HP for increased survivability.

Optimal Stat Allocation

Target the following stat distribution:

• Strength: 60-80
• Faith: 40-50
• Endurance: 30-40
• Vigor: 30-40
• Other stats: Adjust as needed based on desired equipment

Armament

• Colossal weapons: Equip weapons like the Zweihander or Greatsword to maximize strength scaling.
• Sacred seal: Use a sacred seal, such as the Erdtree Seal or Gravel Stone Seal, to enhance incantations.
• Heavy armor: Equip heavy armor sets for maximum protection, such as the Black Knight Armor or Radahn's Armor.

Incantations

Essential Incantations:

• Heal: Restores HP.
• Golden Vow: Buffs attack and defense.
• Lightning Spear: A ranged lightning attack.
• Erdtree Heal: A powerful healing incantation.
• Fortified Stone: Increases physical damage resistance.

Situational Incantations:

• Flame, Grant Me Strength: Enhances physical damage.
• Lightning Bolt: A ranged lightning attack.
• Blessing's Boon: Temporarily increases healing.
• Bestial Vitality: Heals HP and removes status effects.
• Ancient Dragon's Lightning Strike: A powerful ranged lightning attack.

Gameplay Strategies

• Melee prowess: Engage enemies in close-range combat using colossal weapons. Utilize jump attacks and critical hits for maximum damage.
• Incantation support: Cast incantations to heal, buff, and summon allies. Use them strategically to turn the tide of battle.
• Versatility: Adapt to different situations by alternating between melee attacks and incantations. Keep enemies guessing and exploit their weaknesses.
• Positioning: Manage your positioning to maximize incantation range and avoid enemy attacks. Utilize cover and obstacles to your advantage.
• Resource management: Pay attention to your HP and FP consumption. Use items for healing and FP replenishment as needed.

Sample Build Table

Equipment Comparison Table

Incantation Comparison Table

FAQs

1. Can I respec my character later in the game?
Yes, you can respec your character using a Larval Tear at Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon.

2. Are there specific talismans that benefit strength-faith builds?
- Godfrey Icon: Increases charged attacks' damage.
- Radagon's Soreseal: Boosts strength, faith, endurance, and dexterity, but increases damage taken.
- Thorny Cracked Tear: Adds holy damage to weapon attacks.

3. How do I obtain colossal weapons for this build?
Many colossal weapons can be found in the Lands Between. The Zweihander is available at the Roundtable Hold, while the Greatsword can be obtained by defeating Leonine Misbegotten in Caelid.

4. What are the disadvantages of heavy armor?
While heavy armor provides excellent protection, it also increases your equipment load, which can slow your movement speed and increase stamina consumption.

5. How do I manage mana consumption effectively?
Use FP-restoring items like Cerulean Flasks and equip talismans that reduce FP consumption, such as the Ancestral Spirit's Horn.

6. Can I solo bosses with a strength-faith build?
Yes, it is possible to solo bosses with this build. Utilize a combination of melee attacks, ranged incantations, and strategic incantation use to overcome challenging encounters.

7. How does elemental damage interact with strength-faith builds?
Elemental damage, such as fire or lightning, can be added to colossal weapons using items like grease or incantations. This can enhance your damage output against specific enemies or bosses.

8. What are the endgame goals for a strength-faith build?
Consider acquiring the Sacred Relic Sword and the Elden Stars incantation for maximum power. Additionally, aim to collect legendary talismans and armor sets that complement your build.