Here is a 1800+ word gaming blog post on "elden ring bleed builds":
Bleed builds have always been popular in FromSoftware games, and with Elden Ring introducing dedicated Arcane scaling, they are more powerful than ever. These builds utilize weapons and skills that quickly build up bleed status on enemies, shredding their health bars.
In this guide, we will cover the best bleed weapons, armor, talismans, and skills to create devastating bleed builds for both PvE and PvP.
Why Choose a Bleed Build?
Here are some of the main advantages of bleed builds in Elden Ring:
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Extremely high DPS: Bleed builds allow you to shred through both boss and regular enemy health bars thanks to the percentage-based bleed damage. Together with the high attack speeds of most bleed weapons, your overall damage output is massive.
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Low stat requirements: Most bleed-focused dexterity weapons only require you to level Dexterity, Arcane, and Vigor, keeping your build focused. Some strength/arcane options are also available.
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Lots of versatility: There are bleed weapon options for nearly any playstyle, from katanas and curved swords to massive flails. You also have ranged bleed options.
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Great counter to heavy armor: Bleed damage ignores physical and elemental damage absorption from high armor values, making these builds excellent counters to heavy poise tanks in PvP.
The main downside is that straight bleed builds lack versatility against bleed-immune enemies compared to quality builds. However, this can be mitigated by carrying a backup non-bleed weapon.
Best Bleed Weapons
Here are some of the best bleed-focused and bleed-compatible weapons to choose from when making your build:
Rivers of Blood
Obtained from the Volcano Manor questline
Without a doubt, the Rivers of Blood is the premiere bleed weapon in Elden Ring. This katana scales very well with Arcane while having extremely high bleed buildup. Its weapon skill Corpse Piler is also one of the highest damage weapon skills in the game.
While it was nerfed in PvP, the Corpse Piler skill still destroys bosses and difficult enemies with ease. Rivers of Blood should be the cornerstone of any PvE bleed build.
PvE Rating: S-Tier
PvP Rating: A-Tier
Stat Scaling: Dex/Arc
Hand of Melania
Obtained from trading Melania’s Remembrance after defeating her
This powerful katana scales very well with Dexterity and Arcane, building up bleed rapidly with its quick slashes. Its weapon skill Waterfowl Dance is extremely lethal, capable of shredding bosses if you master its use.
In PvP, the Hand of Melania is slightly less effective since Waterfowl Dance was nerfed. But it still inflicts devastating bleed procs. It remains top tier in PvE.
PvE Rating: S-Tier
PvP Rating: A-Tier
Stat Scaling: Dex/Arc
Uchigatana
Starting weapon for Samurai class
The Uchigatana has been a bleed build staple across many FromSoftware games, and it’s no different in Elden Ring. This well-balanced katana has high Dex/Arc scaling with a swift moveset that inflicts bleed rapidly.
In PvE, the Uchigatana shines when dual-wielded and powerstanced to stack intense bleed buildup. For PvP, it works best with the Seppuku Ash of War to enhance bleed attacks.
PvE Rating: A-Tier
PvP Rating: B-Tier
Stat Scaling: Dex/Arc
Nagakiba
Dropped by a Night’s Cavalry south of Lenne’s Rise
For those wanting even quicker bleed buildup than the Uchigatana, the Nagakiba is an excellent pick. This curved katana is one of the longest dex weapons in the game, with accumulated bleed rating surpassing even the Rivers of Blood.
The Nagakiba also passively boosts attack speed, allowing you to stack bleed effects rapidly. It works great dual-wielded with Uchigatana or infused with Seppuku. Great for both PvE and PvP.
PvE Rating: A-Tier
PvP Rating: A-Tier
Stat Scaling: Dex/Arc
Godskin Peeler
Found on a corpse at the Tombsward Catacombs in Caelid
The Godskin Peeler is often considered the best dex/arc bleed weapon that isn’t a katana due to its outstanding bleed rating and unique skill. It has high base damage and level dex/arc scaling.
Its Black Flame Tornado skill is versatile in PvE and PvP, inflicting massive bleed buildup around you during the skill animation. Dual-wielding two Godskin Peelers is extremely lethal.
PvE Rating: A-Tier
PvP Rating: S-Tier
Stat Scaling: Dex/Arc
Varre’s Bouquet
Quest reward from White Mask Varre
Looking for ranged bleed options? Varre’s Bouquet specializes in inflicting bleed from a distance with its unique weapon skill. Using bloodflame arrows, you can snipe enemies and quickly inflict hemorrhage buildup.
This rapier also scales decently with Dex and Arcane when used in melee. It works nicely as a backup weapon for bulkier bleed builds. The weapon skill makes it uniquely viable at range compared to most bleed options.
PvE Rating: B-Tier
PvP Rating: A-Tier
Stat Scaling: Dex/Arc
Eleonora‘s Poleblade
Found at Altus Plateau, at the Second Church of Marika
Need a bigger, heavier hitting bleed weapon? Eleonora’s Poleblade offers fantastic strength/dex/arcane scaling with greathsword-class poise damage. It has innate bleed along with boosting attack and movement speed when activated.
The weapon skill summons Blood Blade projectiles around you, ripping enemies to shreds with bleed. It works nicely on quality, dex, or strength/arcane builds. Great pick for both PvE and duels.
PvE Rating: A-Tier
PvP Rating: A-Tier
Stat Scaling: Str/Dex/Arc
Best Armor for Bleed Builds
You don’t necessarily need specialized bleed-focused armor, but here are some great options:
White Mask – Boosts attack power when bleed is proc’d on enemies. Fantastic for pure bleed builds.
Okina Mask – Raises dexterity and arcane stats. Good for dex/arc focused bleed builds.
Eccentric’s Hood – Another great arcane booster. Also increases stamina recovery speed.
Raptor’s Black Feathers – Light dexterity chest armor with nice bleed theme. Also raises jump attack power.
Commoner‘s Headband – Cheap headpiece that gives a large arcane stat boost. Great starting choice.
Blue Silver Mail – Solid dexterity chest armor. Comparatively high bleed resistance too.
Other than that, prioritize lighter armor sets so you can stay under 25% equip load for fast dodge rolling. Keep some heavier armor pieces like Bull Goat for high poise if needed.
Best Talismans
These powerful talismans enhance the bleed capabilities and damage output of the build.
Lord of Blood‘s Exultation – Raises attack power when bleed is triggered on enemies. Stacks with White Mask helmet.
Rotten Winged Sword Insignia – Boosts successive attack damage, which pairs nicely with multi-hit bleed weapons.
Millicent‘s Prosthesis – Enhances dexterity and arcane scaling, which improves bleed infliction.
Shard of Alexander – Enhances the damage and bleed buildup of weapon skills. Great for Corpse Piler or Black Flame Tornado.
Clarifying Cracked Tear – Physick mix that adds another 50 points into arcane for one minute, adding even more bleed buildup.
Magic Scorpion Charm – General 12% magic damage boost that also buffs bleed weapons. Replaceable but still useful.
Best Ashes of War
Seppuku – Imbues weapons with bloodflame, significantly enhancing bleed buildup at the cost of HP. Essential for most bleed builds.
Blood Tax – Another self-sacrificing blood skill that inflicts high bleed. Less useful than Seppuku overall.
Blood Blade – Transforms weapons with ranged blood slash projectiles that rip enemies apart with hemorrhage buildup.
Corpse Piler – Keep this skill on Rivers of Blood. Extremely high damage and lethal bleed proc potential.
Black Flame Tornado – Deadly hemorrhage blender skill perfect for Godskin Peelers. Wrecks in PvP and PvE.
Sample Bleed Weapons PvE Build
Here‘s an example setup of a strong bleed dexterity build for PvE:
- Weapons: Rivers of Blood +10 / Uchigatana +25 (Seppuku)
- Armor: White Mask, Eccentric‘s Hood, Blaidd‘s Armor, Bloodhound Knight Gauntlets
- Talismans: Shard of Alexander, Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Millicent’s Prosthesis
- Stats: 50 Vigor / 18 Mind / 22 Endurance / 16 Strength / 50 Dexterity / 45 Arcane
This provides a lethal combination of the two best bleed katanas, damage boosting equipment, maximum bleed synergy talismans, and efficient stat investment into the core bleed stats Vigor, Dex, and Arcane.
Rotten Winged Sword Insignia and Shard of Alexander buff the damage and bleed from the powerful Corpse Piler and Seppuku weapon skills, allowing you to shred through any PvE content.
Sample Bleed Weapons PvP Build
For dedicated invasions and duels, here’s an example bleed build:
- Weapons: 2x Godskin Peeler +25
- Armor – White Mask, Eccentric Hood, Maliketh Armor & Gauntlets
- Talismans: Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Millicent’s Prosthesis, Bull Goat Talisman
- Stats: 50 Vigor / 13 Mind / 25 Endurance / 11 Strength / 45 Dexterity / 50 Arcane
Dual-wielding Godskin Peelers is currently one of the most lethal bleed builds in PvP. Combined with buffing equipment and maxed out arcane investment, you can quickly inflict hemorrhage on groups or invading players with the Black Flame Tornado weapon skill.
Closing Thoughts on Bleed Builds
I hope this bleed build guide gives you some powerful ideas for your own setup! The weapons provide a nice balance between swift katanas and curve swords to devastatingly heavy options like the iconic Rivers of Blood or massive flails.
Let me know which bleed build is your favorite in Elden Ring so far! I‘m partial to powerstanced Uchigatanas with Seppuku myself.
