Sword and Shields allow you to deal excellent damage and easily block and dodge your enemies in Elden Ring. However, this comes at the cost of being limited to melee only. You can build some extremely powerful builds using Sword and Shields, but they aren’t always the easiest.
This guide will look at one of such builds in Elden Ring. The build covers everything from the basics, like starting class and flask spread, to more advanced mechanics like Talismans, Flask of Wondrous Physick, and more.
Sword and Shield Knight Build Overview
This classic Knight build relies on quick movement and swift damage. For this build, you’ll be equipping a long sword and a medium shield to allow yourself enough mobility and damage output to make quick work of your enemies.
- Starting Class: Vagabond
- Flask Spread: HP Only
- Stats: Strength and Vigor (primary), Dexterity and Endurance (secondary)
- Weapons: Claymore
- Shield: Brass Shield
- Ash of War: Impaling Thrust
- Spirit Summons: Mimic Tear or Banished Knight Oleg
- Armor: Gelmir Knight Set
- Flask of Wondrous Physick: Crimsonspill Crystal Tear and Opaline Hardtear
- Talisman: Green Turtle Talisman, Winged Sword Insignia, Erdtree’s Favor, and Radagon’s Soreseal
Stats for Sword and Shield build
Stats at level 60
| Stat | Knight Build |
|---|---|
| Faith | 9 |
| Mind | 10 |
| Dexterity | 20 |
| Strength | 33 |
| Endurance | 27 |
| Vigor | 24 |
| Intelligence | 9 |
| Arcane | 7 |
Stats at level 100
| Stat | Knight Build |
|---|---|
| Faith | 9 |
| Mind | 10 |
| Dexterity | 26 |
| Strength | 45 |
| Endurance | 32 |
| Vigor | 41 |
| Intelligence | 9 |
| Arcane | 7 |
Stats at level 150
| Stat | Knight Build |
|---|---|
| Faith | 9 |
| Mind | 10 |
| Dexterity | 39 |
| Strength | 59 |
| Endurance | 50 |
| Vigor | 46 |
| Intelligence | 9 |
| Arcane | 7 |
Best Weapons for Sword and Shield Build
For the Knight build, go with the Claymore. While this may seem a rather plain choice, this sword has some of the best damage in the game and works very well for piercing damage. It scales with Dexterity and Strength and can be acquired from a chest in Castle Morne.
Best Shield
You’ll want a shield for the Knight build that provides good damage negation while not sacrificing your mobility too much. For this reason, use the Brass Shield.
It drops as loot from several different enemies including Godrick Soldiers, Radahn Soldiers, and Leyndell Soldiers.
Best Ashes of War Pick
The Claymore sword works best with Impaling Thrust. This Ash of War lets you do a strong lunging attack that easily breaks through any enemy shield, giving you the upper hand.
Best Spirit Summons Choices
Below you’ll find the best Spirit Summon options for the Tank and Knight build in Elden Ring.
- Mimic Tear: The Mimic Tear lets you summon a replica of your build that fights right alongside you.
- Banished Knight Oleg: Banished Knight Oleg wields two swords and tackles your enemies head-on. He is a worthy addition to the Knight build.
Best Armor for Sword and Shield Build in Elden Ring
We’ll be going with the Gelmir Knight Set. This set provides great protection and is in keeping with the theme of this build. You can find the set at the Gelmir Hero’s grave.
| Stats | Bull Goat Set |
|---|---|
| Physical | 38.5 |
| Physical (Strike) | 38.2 |
| Physical (Slash) | 34.9 |
| Physical (Pierce) | 34.9 |
| Magic | 26.1 |
| Fire | 26.5 |
| Lightning | 28.9 |
| Holy | 25.3 |
| Immunity | 170 |
| Robustness | 197 |
| Focus | 110 |
| Vitality | 130 |
| Poise | 99.99 |
Best Flask of Wondrous Physick
The Flask of Wondrous Physick allows you to use two temporary buffs in a single-use Flask. For the Sword and Shield builds, we recommend the following:
- Opaline Hardtear: This Tear boosts your damage negation by +15%
- Crimsonspill Crystal Tear: The Crimsonspill Crytal Tear Increases your maximum HP by +10%
Best Talismans for Sword and Shield Build
Talisman allows you to buff your builds in several ways, there are a total of four Talisman slots that you can unlock and use. For the Sword and Shield builds, these are the best Talisman:
- Green Turtle Talisman: The Green Turtle Talisman increases your stamina recovery rate.
- Winged Sword Insignia: This Talisman increases your attack power with every successive strike.
- Erdtree’s Favor: Erdtree’s Favor increases your maximum stamina by +7%, maximum health by +3% and your equip load by +5%.
- Radagon’s Soreseal: This Talisman increases your Vigor, Endurance, Strength, and Dexterity by +5 each but at the cost of +15% increased damage taken.
