The difficulty of Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is immense, but players have been quick to find new builds that are just as overpowered, and that prove capable of killing the new bosses in record time. In this area, the most powerful at the time of writing (June 26, 2024) is probably the Build Impenetrable Thorns. Expect a nerf soon, but until then, you can roll on the final boss. You can see a small demonstration in the video above, facing Commander Gaius, one of the most formidable bosses of the expansion.
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This PVE build only relies on one spell, but you can obviously use others in addition to handle various situations. Not all enemies are susceptible to bleeding for example.
As the build name suggests, you need the Impenetrable Thorns spell, which can be found in the Seed Vault in Castle Black.
This spell should be used as close to the target as possibleideally in melee, so that all the thorns hit your victim.
Distribution of attributes
This build requires a very high level to be really effective, for several reasons. The spell Impenetrable Thorns requires 24 Faith, while it is a Sorcery. You still need 80 Intelligence to improve its direct damage as well as those of your other spells, and you need as much Esotericism as possible to improve the bleeding effect. The result will depend on your total level, here is a suggested distribution:
- Vigor: 50 to 60
- Spirit: 30+
- Endurance: 20 to 30+
- Dexterity: 12
- Strength: 8
- Intelligence: 80
- Faith: 24 to 80
- Esotericism: 60 to 80
The Impenetrable Thorns spell doesn’t consume much CP, but it will drain 50 health per use.
Armors
Equip the Alberich armor set, except for the boots. The reason being that they strengthen thorn sorceries. You can find it in Leyndell’s mansion, the one identical to the Round Table. Equipping the boots you want, the heaviest and most protective ones possible, seems like a good idea, in order to compensate a little for the lightness of the rest of the set.
Weapons
Your main staff, that is to say the one with which you will cast your spells, is your choice, depending on the distribution of your attributes. The Royal Scepter of Caria is an option, but you can also use the Albinauric Staff or the new one Maternal Stick obtained on Ymir, since it strengthens spells on both Intelligence and Esotericism. You can also use the Staff of the Beyond of Metyr, Mother of Fingerssince it progresses on Faith, and it allows you to cast both sorceries and incantations. This can give great flexibility to your build, using draconic incantations or buffs in addition.
For your off-hand, you need the Guilt stick. It enhances thorn spells passively. You don’t need to upgrade it, or cast spells with it. It can be found on the staff witches in Fort Laiedd, Mount Gelmir. The chance of getting it is only 2%, so use the Silver Scarab, an item discovery consumable to improve your chances.
Talismans
The only original choice in terms of talismans is theBlood Lord Exultationwhich improves your damage after triggering a bleed effect.
The rest is classic, even free, with theSculpted clusterL’Radagon Icon and the Draconic Shield Shield for survival for example.
Major Rune
The Godrick major rune is a good choice, given the need for a massive number of attribute points on this build. Otherwise use Radahn’s, or Morgott’s.
Vial of salvation
The recommended crystal tears are:
- Opaline solidified tear for +15% damage resistance for 3 minutes.
- Cracked Tear Veiled in Magic for +15% magic damage for 3 minutes.
