The Best Builds in Elden Ring Patch 1.09

TL;DR

  • Patch 1.09 significantly buffed curved swords and spears with faster attack speeds and recovery times
  • Specialized builds focusing on single attributes outperform versatile character distributions
  • New weapon interactions with Ashes of War create devastating combo potential in both PvP and PvE
  • Strategic clone mechanics and holy damage scaling provide unique tactical advantages
  • Proper stat allocation and gear selection are crucial for maximizing damage output

Elden Ring continues to dominate the action RPG landscape with its deep character customization system that allows players to craft specialized builds tailored to their preferred combat approach. The game’s immense popularity stems from its intricate systems that enable truly personalized gameplay experiences.

The recently launched version 1.09 introduces substantial balance changes and new equipment options that fundamentally alter build viability. Players now have access to enhanced weapon capabilities and refined combat mechanics that reward strategic specialization over generalized character development.

Your journey begins with selecting a starting class, which establishes your character’s foundational attributes and initial skill set. This decision significantly influences your early-game progression and determines which build paths will be most efficient to pursue.

As you progress, allocating experience points to core statistics like strength, dexterity, and intelligence becomes critical for optimizing your chosen playstyle.

Acquiring specialized gear and discovering powerful Elden Ring runes enables further customization of your combat capabilities. This progression system allows for continuous refinement of your character’s strengths throughout your adventure.

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One of the most common mistakes new players make is spreading attribute points too thinly across multiple statistics. This jack-of-all-trades approach typically results in a character that underperforms in all areas rather than excelling in specific combat roles.

Great curved swords received substantial improvements in patch 1.09 through adjustments to attack speed ranges and recovery frame reductions. These changes dramatically enhance both the reach and fluidity of your offensive combinations, making them significantly more effective in both player versus environment and player versus player scenarios.

When combined with powerful Ashes of War abilities such as Bloodhound’s Fang and Bloodhound Finesse, the devastating uppercut attack now chains more smoothly into follow-up strikes. Morgott’s Cursed Sword benefits particularly from these changes, with its curse blood slash now executing faster with reduced end-lag.

The projectile generated from blood slash attacks now has improved startup speed and recovery characteristics. This enhancement means combo sequences flow more naturally and the subsequent strikes land with greater consistency, especially in competitive PvP encounters.

This specialized build capitalizes on the enhanced weapon type mechanics and their synergistic effects with these exceptional armaments. The combination proves remarkably effective across all game modes, consistently delivering approximately 1000 damage per successful trade sequence.

Weapon Skill: Slash Spinning

Ashes of War are compatible with this weapon.

Scavenger’s Curved Sword can be upgraded by using Smithing Stones

Causes Blood loss Buildup: 45

Sell Value: 200 – Runes

The Shadow Hunter possesses the extraordinary ability to create duplicates of himself, summoning these clones to provide tactical support during combat engagements. By focusing on specific targets, the Shadow Hunter can achieve instantaneous elimination results through coordinated assaults.

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Operating from a dimensional underworld headquarters, the Shadow Hunter maintains his clone army while gathering intelligence and preparing for subsequent missions. This strategic positioning ensures he’s never truly isolated, with clones ready to provide reinforcement across any battlefield.

The primary objective driving the Shadow Hunter involves eliminating malevolent forces and restoring balance through any means necessary, including deploying his clone forces to ensure no threat remains unaddressed.

For players seeking Elden ring runes that perfectly complement this aggressive playstyle, the Nightrider Glaive represents an optimal weapon choice. The build’s foundation combines Bloodflame and Black Flame elements, allowing for comprehensive utilization of both damage types.

Weapon Skill: Slash Spinning

Ashes of War are compatible with this weapon.

Nightrider Glaive can be upgraded by using Smithing Stones

Sell Value: 500 – Runes

Watchdog’s Staff delivers consistently impressive damage output from extended ranges when utilizing its specialized Ash of War ability. This capability opens up exciting psychological warfare opportunities in PvP encounters through its intimidating presence and area denial capabilities.

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Engaging this monstrous weapon at distance presents significant challenges for spellcasters and melee combatants alike. Close-quarters engagements prove equally daunting when facing this amplified colossal weapon under optimal conditions.

Previously experiencing functionality issues before patch 1.07, this weapon now operates correctly with various item interactions that previously failed to provide stat bonuses or synergistic effects.

The staff now properly interacts with enhancement items like Alexander’s Talisman and the Roger magic-amplifying armor set. These corrections transform it into a subtly powerful option that remains considerably underrated by the player community.

Weapon Skill: Crozier of the Sorcery

Ashes of War are compatible with this weapon.

Consumables and magical enchantments cannot be used to improve its stats.

The Watchdog’s Staff may be improved by utilizing Somber Smithing Stones in the appropriate crafting recipes.

Sell Value: 200 – Runes

Patch 1.08 fundamentally transformed the Great Club by incorporating holy damage attributes and faith-based scaling mechanics. These long-overdue adjustments have elevated this weapon into a significantly more effective Elden ring item that delivers substantial damage against heavily armored opponents while providing another compelling strength and faith hybrid option.

This enormous weapon’s effectiveness scales directly with the wielder’s strength attribute. It comes equipped with the exceptionally powerful Golden Land Ash of War, which dramatically enhances its combat capabilities through specialized holy techniques.

The Ash of War enables execution of a massive slam attack that damages enemies within its impact radius, followed by a holy damage explosion affecting surrounding areas.

Additionally, numerous smaller projectiles emerge from the detonation and pursue targets to maintain consistent pressure.

Combining these abilities creates a devastating three-stage offensive sequence that inflicts massive damage while providing valuable ranged attack alternatives for repeated use. The enhanced Great Club now stands as a formidable weapon choice within Elden Ring 1.09 builds. Golden Land also provides substantial hyper armor benefits applicable across both PvE and PvP combat scenarios.

Weapon Skill: Golden – Land

It is not possible to imbue this weapon with the ashes of war.

It may be improved with Grease or Weapon Buffs such as Bloodflame Blade, and these enhancements will also be applied to the projectiles that Golden Land fires.

Great Club can be upgraded by using Smithing Stones

Sell Value: 100 – Runes.

Within Elden Ring’s arsenal, the Death Ritual Spear occupies the prestigious S-Tier classification as an ultimate boss elimination specialist. The latest patch 1.09 enhanced the Spearcall Ritual Ash of War, improving projectile velocity for faster engagement initiation.

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This weapon rapidly inflicts substantial poise damage and posture breakdown, enabling continuous stun-lock sequences against challenging adversaries.

The spear’s heavy attack delivers an exceptional horizontal sweep that, when combined with the ritual death speed mechanics, creates a more distinctive and effective moveset than standard spear weapons.

Weapon Skill: Ritual Spearcall

It is not possible to imbue this weapon with Ashes of War.

You may strengthen your Death Ritual Spear by forging it using Somber Smithing Stones.

Like the Partisan and the Spiked Spear, this weapon has a unique slashing R2 that may be activated.

Sell Value: 500 – Runes.

Successful build creation requires understanding critical stat breakpoints where attribute investments provide maximum returns. Strength builds typically benefit from reaching 54 strength for optimal two-handed damage scaling, while dexterity-focused builds should prioritize reaching soft caps at 55 and 80 for diminishing returns management.

Gear selection should focus on synergistic combinations that amplify your primary damage type while providing necessary defensive capabilities for your chosen playstyle.

Adapting your approach based on encounter types significantly improves performance. Against aggressive opponents, prioritize weapons with hyper armor and poise damage capabilities, while tactical encounters benefit from ranged options and area control abilities.

Time investment for mastering these builds varies significantly based on complexity. Basic curved sword combinations require approximately 5-10 hours of practice, while advanced clone mechanics and holy build optimizations may need 15-20 hours to achieve proficiency.

For comprehensive guidance on character development, consult our Class Guide for detailed attribute allocation strategies.

Common optimization mistakes include neglecting endurance for equipment load management and underestimating the importance of talisman selection for damage amplification.

Action Checklist

  • Select starting class aligned with your preferred damage type (strength, dexterity, intelligence, faith)
  • Allocate attribute points to reach critical stat breakpoints for your chosen build
  • Acquire primary weapon and complementary Ashes of War
  • Practice combo execution and timing in safe environments before engaging challenging content
  • Test build performance against various enemy types to identify strengths and weaknesses

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