In the vast and unforgiving realm of Elden Ring, every advantage can mean the difference between triumph and despair. As a Tarnished embarking on your perilous journey, discovering the optimal fist build can transform your combat prowess into an unstoppable force. This guide will delve into the intricacies of crafting the most formidable fist build, empowering you to crush your foes with raw and devastating strength.
The foundation of any fist build lies in choosing the appropriate starting class. The Vagabond, with its balanced stats and access to the Fist armament, offers an excellent starting point. Alternatively, the Warrior class grants higher Strength and Dexterity, enhancing your damage output further. Once your class is selected, meticulous attention must be paid to your Attributes. Strength is paramount, as it directly increases your fist’s physical damage. Dexterity plays a lesser role, influencing your attack speed and critical hit chance. Endurance contributes to your stamina pool, allowing you to unleash a flurry of attacks without draining your stamina bar.
In addition to raw stats, the selection of the right weapons and skills is crucial. The Cestus, acquired early in the game, provides a versatile and straightforward option. Its basic moveset is swift and unforgiving, while its heavy attacks unleash crushing blows. As you progress, you will encounter more powerful fist weapons, including the Grafted Dragon Fists and the Iron Fist. Each weapon boasts unique attributes and special abilities, offering diverse combat options to suit your playstyle. Additionally, investing in skills that enhance your unarmed combat capabilities, such as Claw Talisman and Shard Spiral, can significantly boost your damage and mobility.
Strength-Based Fist Weapons
Strength-focused fist weapons boast incredible damage when paired with strong physical attributes. These weapons excel in brute force, tearing through enemies with raw power.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the most notable Strength-based fist weapons in Elden Ring:
| Fist Weapon | Strength Scaling | Special Ability | Ideal Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant-Crusher | D | – Perseverance (negate and retaliate against attacks) | Strength, Vigor |
| Troll’s Fist | D | – None | Strength, Endurance |
| Magma Wyrm’s Scalesword | D | – Magma Breath (spew magma) | Strength, Faith |
| Beast Champion’s Fist | D | – Lion’s Claw (dashing attack with bonus damage) | Strength, Dexterity |
| Golden Epitaph | C | – Orders’ Blade (charge attack with increased damage) | Strength, Faith |
When choosing a Strength-based fist weapon, consider your ideal attribute spread and preferred special abilities. Each weapon offers unique strengths, so selecting the one that best aligns with your playstyle is crucial for maximizing effectiveness.
Best Talismans for Fist Builds
Enhance your Fist Build’s capabilities with these recommended Talismans:
1. Godfrey Icon
For increased vitality and damage output, Godfrey Icon is an excellent choice.
2. Claw Talisman
Enhance your jump attacks and critical strikes with the Claw Talisman.
3. Shard of Alexander
Boost your overall damage and negate Skill usage’s FP cost for 10 seconds.
4. Duelist’s Greaves
Duelist’s Greaves are a particularly effective Talisman for Fist Builds due to their unique mechanics:
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased Poise | Improves your character’s resistance to being staggered or knocked down. |
| Negates Stamina Damage | Prevents the loss of stamina when receiving attacks, allowing you to maintain your offensive pressure. |
| Enhanced Counterdamage | Increases the damage dealt when countering an enemy’s attack, maximizing your ability to punish opponents. |
Recommended Armor Sets
When selecting an armor set for a fist-based build in Elden Ring, consider the following options:
Veteran’s Set
This set, dropped by the Night’s Cavalry at Limgrave, provides a balance of physical and magical defense. Its medium weight allows for moderate mobility while still offering protection.
Malformed Dragon Set
Obtained from beating Malformed Star in Caelid, this set grants increased fire resistance and absorption, essential for encounters with fire-wielding enemies.
Tree Sentinel Set
Dropped by the Tree Sentinels, this set offers high physical and poise defense, making it ideal for withstanding heavy attacks. However, its heavy weight may hinder mobility.
Raging Wolf Set
Acquired by completing Bernahl’s questline, this set enhances strength and vigor, synergizing well with the physical nature of fist weapons. Its medium weight promotes a balance between protection and agility.
Blaidd’s Set
Obtainable by completing Blaidd’s questline, this set provides increased dexterity and poise, benefitting builds that rely on fast attacks. Its light weight allows for maximum mobility.
Scaled Armor Set
Dropped by the magma worms in Mt. Gelmir, this set offers superior fire resistance and absorption, making it invaluable for areas with high fire damage. It also grants bonuses to strength and vitality, complementing the melee prowess of fist weapons.
| Armor Set | Location | Key Features |
—————- ———————————————————————
Veteran’s Set | Night’s Cavalry (Limgrave) | Balanced physical/magical defense, medium weight |
Malformed Dragon Set | Malformed Star (Caelid) | High fire resistance, medium weight |
Tree Sentinel Set | Tree Sentinels | High physical/poise defense, heavy weight |
Raging Wolf Set | Bernahl’s questline | Enhances strength/vigor, medium weight |
Blaidd’s Set | Blaidd’s questline | Increased dexterity/poise, light weight |
Scaled Armor Set | Magma worms (Mt. Gelmir) | High fire resistance, boosts strength/vitality |
Late-Game Fist Weapon Options
As you progress through Elden Ring, you’ll have access to a variety of powerful fist weapons. While there are many great options, some of the best include:
Beastclaw Greathammer: A massive fist weapon that deals incredible damage. It has a slow attack speed, but its staggering power makes it ideal for breaking enemy poise.
Giant-Crusher: Another massive fist weapon with devastating damage. It’s even slower than the Beastclaw Greathammer, but its crushing attacks can send enemies flying.
Maliketh’s Black Blade: A unique fist weapon that grants the user the power of Destined Death. It has a unique moveset that includes a powerful aerial attack.
Maliketh’s Black Blade
Maliketh’s Black Blade is a fist weapon that scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith. It has a unique moveset that includes a powerful aerial attack. The weapon also has a unique ability called “Destined Death,” which deals damage over time and can reduce the max HP of enemies.
Maliketh’s Black Blade is a powerful weapon that can be used to great effect in both PvE and PvP. It is a good choice for players who want a fist weapon that is both powerful and versatile.
| Attribute | Scaling |
|---|---|
| Strength | C |
| Dexterity | C |
| Faith | B |
PvP Strategies for Fist Builds
Positioning
Fist builds excel in close combat, so positioning is crucial. Keep your distance while baiting the enemy into attacking, then close in swiftly for a barrage of punches.
Combos
Chain together punches, kicks, and guard breaks for devastating combos. Exploit the enemy’s recovery time after a failed attack or block to land multiple hits.
Hyper Armor
Many fist weapons grant hyper armor, reducing the impact of enemy attacks. Take advantage of this to tank through smaller attacks and land your own.
Roll Catching
Fist builds have access to the Winged Sword Insignia Talisman, which increases damage after a dodge. Predict the enemy’s rolls and time your attacks to catch them as they recover.
Ambush
Use stealth or camouflage to hide and wait for the perfect opening. Surprise the enemy with a flurry of fists from an unexpected angle.
Parrying
While not essential, parrying can be highly effective against ranged attackers or enemies with predictable movesets. Use buckler shields or fists with the Parry skill to deflect incoming attacks.
Stat Investment
Focus on Dexterity and Strength to maximize damage output. Consider investing in Endurance for increased stamina and Vigor for survivability.
Talismans
Equip talismans that boost melee damage, such as the Alexander’s Shard and the Godrick’s Tail Talisman. Additionally, consider the Winged Sword Insignia Talisman for roll catching and the Ritual Sword Talisman for critical hit damage.
| Talismans | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Alexander’s Shard | +15% Attack Power |
| Godrick’s Tail Talisman | +5% Attack Power |
| Winged Sword Insignia Talisman | +10% Damage after dodging |
| Ritual Sword Talisman | +10% Critical Hit Damage |
Best Fist Build in Elden Ring
Fists may seem like a poor choice of weapon in a game as challenging as Elden Ring, but with the right build, they can be devastatingly effective. This build focuses on maximizing damage output and mobility while providing some defensive capabilities.
Here are the key components of this build:
- Starting Class: Vagabond or Warrior
- Main Attributes: Strength, Dexterity, and Endurance
- Weapon: Caestus (upgraded to +25)
- Talismans: Erdtree’s Favor +2, Green Turtle Talisman, Great-Jar’s Arsenal
- Ashes of War: Giant Hunt, Bloodhound’s Step
- Armor: Light or medium weight armor that provides good mobility
People Also Ask About Best Fist Build Elden Ring
What are the best fist weapons in Elden Ring?
The Caestus and Cestus Leather Gloves are the best fist weapons in the game due to their high damage output and speed.
What are the best Ashes of War for a fist build?
Giant Hunt and Bloodhound’s Step are excellent Ashes of War for a fist build as they provide high damage and mobility.
What stats should I prioritize for a fist build?
Strength, Dexterity, and Endurance are the most important stats for a fist build. Strength and Dexterity increase your damage output, while Endurance increases your stamina and equip load.
What armor should I use for a fist build?
Light or medium weight armor that provides good mobility is recommended for a fist build.
What Talismans are best for a fist build?
Erdtree’s Favor +2, Green Turtle Talisman, and Great-Jar’s Arsenal are all excellent Talismans for a fist build.
