Elden Ring: Best Samurai Build Template

So, you wanna slice and dice your way through the Lands Between with a katana, huh? The Samurai class in Elden Ring is an awesome starting point, blending dexterity, strength, and a touch of arcane. But let's be real, the initial setup is just a foundation. To truly become a master swordsman, you need the right build. This guide will walk you through creating the ultimate Samurai build, turning you into a force to be reckoned with.

Understanding the Samurai Class

First off, let's talk about what makes the Samurai class tick. In Elden Ring, the Samurai starts with decent stats across the board, leaning towards Dexterity and Endurance. This means you're already well-equipped for wielding katanas and wearing medium armor. You also start with the Uchigatana, a fantastic katana that can carry you through a good chunk of the game. Plus, you get a Longbow for some ranged options. The key here is to capitalize on these strengths and shore up any weaknesses. Early on, focus on leveling Vigor to increase your health. Trust me, you'll need it. Endurance is also crucial for wearing heavier armor and swinging your katana without running out of stamina after two swings. Dexterity is your primary damage stat, so pump points into it as you progress. Strength is important too, but you don't need to prioritize it as much as Dexterity. Mind is useful for weapon skills, but you can manage it with the Cerulean Flask at the start. Arcane is good for item discovery, but you don't need it at the start. Faith and Intelligence are useless at the start, so don't waste your runes on these.

The Core Stats: Vigor, Endurance, and Dexterity

When crafting your Samurai build, remember that Vigor, Endurance, and Dexterity are the holy trinity. Vigor determines how much punishment you can take, Endurance lets you wear heavier armor and swing more, and Dexterity directly impacts your katana damage. Aim for at least 40 Vigor early on. This will give you a decent health pool to survive tough encounters. As you progress, you'll want to push it closer to 60. Endurance is a bit more flexible. Start with enough to wear your desired armor without heavy rolling. Medium rolling is the sweet spot, allowing you to dodge effectively. As you level up, you might want to invest more points to equip heavier armor while maintaining that crucial medium roll. Dexterity is where the magic happens. The higher your Dexterity, the more damage your katana will inflict. Aim to reach 80 Dexterity eventually. This will maximize your damage output and make you a true sword saint. Don't neglect Strength entirely. Some katanas have Strength requirements, so make sure you meet them. However, Dexterity should always be your primary focus.

Weapon Choices: Katanas and Beyond

Let's be honest, you're playing a Samurai, so you're gonna be using katanas. The Uchigatana is a solid choice early on, but there are other fantastic options to consider. The Rivers of Blood is a popular choice for its incredible bleed build-up. The Moonveil is another great option, scaling with Intelligence and offering powerful magic-infused attacks. The Nagakiba is a longer katana with excellent range. Experiment with different katanas to find the one that suits your playstyle. Remember to upgrade your weapons at the blacksmith. Upgrading increases their damage and scaling, making you even more powerful. Don't be afraid to use Ashes of War to customize your katanas. Ashes of War allow you to change the weapon's skill and add different affinities, such as Bleed or Frost. This can significantly enhance your build and give you a competitive edge. While katanas are your main weapon, consider carrying a secondary weapon for different situations. A bow is useful for ranged attacks, while a dagger can be handy for quick backstabs.

Armor and Talismans: Enhancing Your Defenses and Offense

Armor is crucial for survival in Elden Ring. While the Samurai class starts with decent armor, you'll want to upgrade it as you progress. Look for armor sets that offer a good balance of protection and weight. You want to be able to medium roll, so avoid armor that makes you heavy roll. The White Reed Set is a popular choice for Samurai builds, offering good protection and a stylish look. The Land of Reeds Armor Set is another solid option, providing decent stats and a Samurai-esque aesthetic. Talismans are accessories that provide passive buffs. There are many talismans to choose from, so experiment to find the ones that best suit your build. The Radagon's Soreseal is a popular choice for increasing Vigor, Endurance, Strength, and Dexterity. However, it also increases the damage you take, so use it with caution. The Green Turtle Talisman increases stamina recovery, which is incredibly useful for maintaining your offense. The Marika's Soreseal increases Mind, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane at the cost of increasing the damage you take. The Erdtree's Favor increases HP, stamina, and equip load. The Lord of Blood's Exultation increases attack power when bleed is inflicted in the vicinity.

Essential Skills and Ashes of War

Skills and Ashes of War can dramatically change how you approach combat. The Unsheathe skill, which comes with the Uchigatana, is fantastic for quick, powerful attacks. Experiment with different Ashes of War to find the ones that complement your playstyle. The Blood Blade Ash of War adds bleed buildup to your attacks, making it a deadly choice for Samurai builds. The Icerind Hatchet grants the Icerind Hatchet Skill, where you imbue the hatchet with frost and then swing it forward. The Hoarfrost Stomp Ash of War creates a burst of frost around you, dealing damage and inflicting frostbite. This can be useful for crowd control. The Quickstep Ash of War allows you to quickly dash around enemies, making you more agile and difficult to hit. The Bloodhound's Step Ash of War is a more advanced version of Quickstep, offering even greater invincibility frames. Remember to upgrade your Spirit Ashes as well. These summoned allies can provide valuable support in tough battles. The Mimic Tear is a particularly strong Spirit Ash, creating a copy of your character that can use your weapons and skills. The Black Knife Tiche is another excellent choice, dealing high damage and inflicting the Black Flame effect.

Gameplay Strategies for the Samurai

As a Samurai, your goal is to be a swift and deadly combatant. Use your katana's speed and range to your advantage. Learn to parry enemy attacks to create openings for critical hits. Don't be afraid to use your bow to pull enemies from a distance or to deal with flying threats. Bleed is your best friend. Many katanas have innate bleed buildup, and you can further enhance it with Ashes of War and talismans. Bleed deals a massive chunk of damage when it procs, so focus on inflicting it as often as possible. Frostbite is another useful status effect, slowing enemies down and increasing the damage they take. Experiment with different combinations of bleed and frostbite to maximize your damage output. Use your weapon skills wisely. Skills like Unsheathe can deal massive damage, but they also consume FP. Don't spam them recklessly. Learn the timing of enemy attacks and use your skills to punish them. Manage your stamina carefully. Running out of stamina can leave you vulnerable to attack. Use light or medium armor to maximize your mobility and stamina regeneration.

Leveling Up Your Samurai: A Suggested Path

Here's a suggested leveling path for your Samurai build. Early game (levels 1-30), focus on Vigor and Endurance. Aim for at least 30 Vigor and enough Endurance to wear your desired armor without heavy rolling. Mid-game (levels 30-60), start pumping Dexterity. Increase your Dexterity to 50-60. This will significantly boost your damage output. Also, continue to level Vigor to at least 40. Late game (levels 60-100+), max out Dexterity. Aim for 80 Dexterity. This will make you a true sword saint. Also, continue to level Vigor to 60. You can also invest some points into Strength if needed to meet the requirements of your desired weapon. Remember to adjust this leveling path to suit your playstyle and the challenges you face. If you're struggling to survive, invest more points into Vigor. If you're running out of stamina, invest more points into Endurance. And if you want to deal more damage, pump up that Dexterity!

With the right build and strategy, your Samurai will become an unstoppable force in Elden Ring. So, grab your katana, sharpen your skills, and get ready to conquer the Lands Between!