Top 3 Elden Ring Best Samurai Builds & Weapon Combos 2024

In this guide, we are going to break down three detailed early to late-game build options for playing as a samurai class in Elden Ring focusing on katanas, bows, and other martial skills.

Elden Ring Best Samurai Builds 2024 - Top 3 Samurai Builds & Weapon Combos in 1.10 Patch

Samurai is one of the most popular and efficient starting classes in Elden Ring. In this guide, we will showcase three deadly and powerful Samurai-themed build options to carry you from the beginning through the endgame in 2024. Each build centers around a different main theme while also providing variety in weapons and combat skills.

We will detail how to start each build right from the beginning of the game and how to progress it through the mid-game to achieve a powerful endgame setup. In addition to powerful melee attacks, each build is capable of strong ranged combat as well. While sorceries and incantations are optional, these builds focus primarily on martial prowess with katana, bow, and other samurai-style arms.

Whether you prefer dexterous assassin tactics, dual-wielding devastation, or armored defense, one of these three optimized Samurai builds is sure to suit your playstyle in Elden Ring. Let's take a look at how to develop a deadly Ronin, Unstoppable Odachi, or Immovable Katana warrior from beginning to end.

Top 1 - Starter Uchigatana & Long Bow Samurai Build

The Samurai Build is a very strong starting class for new players of the Elden Ring. It comes equipped with the Uchigatana which deals high bleed damage through its inherent build-up. Players are encouraged to focus on attacking aggressively to proc bleed effects on enemies. The unsheath weapon art allows powerful follow-up attacks. Supplementary bow skills and ranged attacks provide additional options. Upgrading the katana and bow, while leveling dexterity and vigor, increases the build's damage output and survivability. The Samurai Build requires no supplemental equipment and can succeed right away through bleed-focused close combat. It teaches fundamental Elden Ring mechanics in a very beginner-friendly and effective package.

Build Setup:

Stats:

Focus on leveling Dexterity and Vigor early. Get Dex to at least 20-30 by mid-game and Vigor to 20-30.

Weapons:

Uchigatana (starting weapon)

Long Bow (starting ranged option)

Optional: Short Bow for better mobility

Armor:

Light armor for fast dodge rolls

Ash of War:

Uchigatana: Unsheathe

Optional: Bloodhound's Step, Quickstep, Storm Stomp

Talismans:

Arteria Leaf (increases damage against enemies with high HP)

Fire Scorpion Charm (increases damage of poison/scarlet rot/bleed buildup)

Flask of Wondrous Physick:

Thops's Barrier (extends status effect durations)

Crimsonburst Crystal Tear (boosts damage against afflicted foes)

Incantations & Spells:

N/A for this build. Focus is on weapon skills, bleed buildup, and ranged attacks.

The build focuses on utilizing the Uchigatana's innate bleed buildup through aggressive attacks and proccing hemorrhage damage through status effects. Ranged options and mobility skills provide support.

Top 2 - Bleed Nagakiba Samurai Build

This build focuses on quickly becoming overpowered in Elden Ring using a Samurai starting class. It utilizes the Nagakiba sword with the Double Slash ash of war, along with the Black Flame Blade incantation. Key steps include acquiring those skills, as well as talismans that increase successive attack power and stamina recovery. Stats like Dexterity are raised to maximize weapon scaling. The end result is a build that can stagger and finish off enemies and bosses rapidly through high damage bleed builds and fire attacks, allowing one to overwhelm most foes after just 30 minutes of gameplay progression.

Build Setup:

Stats:

Minimum 12 Faith and 10 Arcane to use Black Flame Blade incantation

Priority stats are Vigor to ~18, Endurance to ~16, Dexterity to meet Nagakiba requirements and further damage scaling

Weapons:

Nagakiba katana upgraded to +25

Armor: n/a (build focuses on offensive power, not defensive stats)

Ash of War: Double Slash (obtained from Sellia Scarab) applied to Nagakiba

Talismans:

Green Turtle Talisman (found in Summonwater Village) for faster stamina recovery

Winged Sword Insignia (hidden Stillwater cave) for increased successive attack power

Incantations & Spells:

Black Flame Blade incantation (acquired between Boil Prawn Shack and Temple Quarters Scarab)

The goal is to melt enemies and bosses quickly thanks to successive attack damage, bleed builds, and fire damage from Black Flame Blade - all centered around a keenly upgraded Nagakiba.

Top 3 - Ice Dragonscale Blade Samurai Build

Now we look at how to become an overpowered Samurai infused with some incredible draconic powers. This frosty Samurai build in Elden Ring uses the Dragonscale Blade katana, utilizes the katana's ash of war - Ice Lightning Sword to infuse it with Ice and lightning damage over time. It recommends dual wielding the katana for high DPS and damage against dragons. The build also incorporates dragon-themed incantations from the Dragon Communion for ice attacks at range. Key stats focus on dexterity and faith with minimum requirements for the dragon spells. Talismans are selected to boost successive attack damage from dual wielding and ash of war damage. The armor is chosen for its dragon and samurai aesthetic. Overall it presents a hybrid melee/magical build around delivering frosty damage like an ancient icy samurai-draconic hybrid warrior.

Build Setup:

Stats:

Vigor: 45

Mind: 20

Endurance: 24

Strength: 30

Dexterity: 60

Intelligence: 10 (base)

Faith: 25

Arcane: 15

Weapons:

Dragonscale Blade (obtained from defeating a dragonkin soldier in Lake of Rot)

Second Dragonscale Blade or Rivers of Blood for off-hand

Armor:

Ronin's Helm

Suovus' Cape/Armor

Scaled Gauntlets/Greaves

Ash of War:

Ice Lightning Sword (on Dragonscale Blade)

Talismans:

Shard of Alexander

Rotten Winged Insignia

Millicent's Prosthesis

Dragon Greatshield Talisman

Flask of Wondrous Physick:

Cerulean Hidden Tear

Incantations & Spells:

Borealis Mist

Dragonice

Other dragon communion spells for frost/ice damage

So these are the strongest Samurai builds we do think you should play in Elden Ring now, and if you need some Elden Ring runes to build your character, welcome to get the best deal on our store!