Paladin Build - Elden Ring: The Ultimate Guide

The Paladin is a powerful and versatile class in Elden Ring, combining the strength of a warrior with the healing and support abilities of a cleric. In this guide, we'll delve deep into the intricacies of the Paladin build, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and optimal strategies to maximize its effectiveness in the unforgiving world of the Lands Between.

Stats

Recommended Stats:

• Vigor: 50+
• Mind: 20-25
• Endurance: 30-35
• Strength: 20-25
• Dexterity: 15-20
• Intelligence: 10-15
• Faith: 30-35
• Arcane: 10

Explanation:

Vigor is crucial for survivability, while Mind allows for a decent amount of FP for spellcasting. Endurance enhances stamina and equip load. Strength and Dexterity determine physical damage output, and Faith powers up incantations. Intelligence and Arcane are primarily for using specific weapons or spells, but are not essential for the Paladin build.

Weapons

Recommended Weapons:

• Golden Halberd: The quintessential Paladin weapon, offering excellent damage, reach, and a unique Ash of War that enhances healing.
• Erdsteel Dagger: A secondary weapon with a highly effective Ash of War for catching enemies off guard or inflicting critical damage.
• Treespear: A unique spear with a versatile moveset, useful for both melee and ranged combat.

Incantations

Essential Incantations:

• Heal: Restores a significant amount of HP, a staple for any Paladin.
• Golden Vow: Increases damage and defense for both the caster and nearby allies, a powerful offensive and defensive buff.
• Blessing of the Erdtree: Enhances physical damage and resistance to all status effects, an all-around utility incantation.

Optional Incantations:

• Lightning Spear: Launches a powerful lightning projectile, effective against enemies with physical weaknesses.
• Fortified Stonewell: Creates a barrier that blocks incoming damage for a short duration, ideal for emergencies.
• Holy Ground: Creates an area that deals holy damage to nearby enemies and restores HP to the caster and allies, a situational but potent area-of-effect spell.

Armor and Talismans

Recommended Armor:

• Veteran's Armor Set: Balanced stats, decent resistances, and a stylish medieval appearance.
• Godrick Knight Armor Set: Boasts high physical defense, but low elemental resistance.
• Carian Knight Armor Set: Focuses on magic resistance, while providing moderate physical protection.

Essential Talismans:

• Marika's Soreseal: Enhances stats across the board, but increases damage taken.
• Erdtree's Favor: Increases HP, FP, and stamina, a well-rounded boost.
• Viridian Amber Medallion: Raises stamina regeneration, allowing for longer attacks and evasions.

Strategies and Tips

• Focus on Melee Combat: Paladins excel at close-quarters combat, using their strength, halberds, and incantations to deal devastating damage.
• Utilize Healing Abilities: Heal and Blessing of the Erdtree are essential for keeping the Paladin and their allies alive in the midst of battle.
• Position Wisely: Paladins are not the most agile class, so careful positioning is crucial. Use cover and obstacles to avoid getting surrounded or overwhelmed.
• Manage FP Wisely: Paladins have limited FP, so it's important to prioritize spellcasting for key moments, such as boss battles or group fights.
• Cooperate with Others: Paladins can synergize well with other players, providing heals, buffs, and melee support.

Weaknesses and Counters

• Limited Range: Paladins struggle against enemies with ranged attacks, especially at long distances. Consider using ranged incantations or weapons to supplement melee combat.
• Low Agility: Paladins are relatively slow and have limited mobility, making them vulnerable to fast-moving enemies or ambushes.
• Low Resistance: While armor can enhance resistances, Paladins still have weaknesses to specific elements, such as fire or magic. Be mindful of enemy attacks and plan accordingly.
• FP Dependency: Paladins heavily rely on FP for spells and healing. If FP is depleted, the Paladin's effectiveness will be significantly reduced. Prioritize managing FP and using efficient casting strategies.

Conclusion

The Paladin is a versatile and powerful class in Elden Ring, combining melee prowess, healing abilities, and support capabilities. By carefully considering their stats, equipment, and combat strategies, players can maximize the Paladin's potential and become formidable warriors in the Lands Between. Remember to embrace the Paladin's strengths and mitigate their weaknesses, and you will rise as a beacon of hope and redemption in the face of adversity.