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Elden Ring has seen countless patches since its launch in 2022, and while many once-dominant setups have been nerfed into oblivion, the game's community never stops innovating. Every balance update opens new opportunities for creativity, and even after the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, there are still plenty of builds capable of shredding bosses, trivializing tough encounters, and farming Elden Ring Runes at ludicrous speed.

This guide breaks down the most overpowered Elden Ring builds as of August 2025. Whether you prefer brutal melee combat, devastating sorceries, or status-based gimmicks, these setups represent the current meta for cheesing the game's hardest content.

Ghiza's Wheel Bleed Build

Maximize Spinning Wheel for Chainsaw Damage

Few weapons are as underrated yet devastating as Ghiza's Wheel, a colossal weapon resembling a chainsaw. Its weapon art, Spinning Wheel, rapidly procs Bleed, melting boss health bars in seconds. The downside has always been stamina drain-holding the skill quickly depletes your bar, cutting damage short.

Patch after patch, however, Ghiza's Wheel has quietly become one of the strongest Bleed tools in the game if you invest properly.

Build Essentials

·Stats: Strength/Dexterity focus, with heavy investment in Endurance for stamina. A touch of Faith (25) allows powerful buffs.

Armor & Talismans:

1. White Mask + Lord of Blood's Exultation (bonus damage on Bleed)

2. Shard of Alexander (boosts Spinning Wheel)

3. Carian Filigreed Crest (reduces FP cost)

4. Bull-Goat's Talisman (anti-stagger)

Buffs & Spells:

1. Bloodflame Blade for Bleed stacking

2. Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength for raw damage/defense

·Flask Tears: Stonebarb Cracked Tear (stance break) + Viridian Cracked Tear (infinite stamina for 10s)

Why It's OP

With the right setup, you can hold Spinning Wheel nearly indefinitely, turning Ghiza's Wheel into a literal blender. Against anything not resistant to Bleed, this build erases bosses before they can respond.

Dragon Lightning Priest

Faith-Scaling Lightning Powerhouse

Lightning builds have always been top-tier in Elden Ring, and thanks to the DLC's Death Knight Set, they're stronger than ever. Each armor piece amplifies Ancient Dragon Incantations, making spells like Ancient Dragons' Lightning Spear and Fortissax's Lightning Spear ridiculous in PvE.

Build Essentials

·Stats: Faith-heavy (50+), enough Dexterity for weapon requirements.

Primary Damage:

·Lightning Spear (cheap, spammable)

·Dragon incantations for bosses (e.g., Ancient Dragon's Lightning Strike)

·Weapons: Uchigatana or other Faith-scaling melee with Electrify Armament for close combat.

·Armor: Death Knight Set (stacking Ancient Dragon damage boost).

Why It's OP

Faith builds are famous for versatility, and the Lightning Priest embodies it: massive AoE, superb boss DPS, and solid melee backup. It scales excellently into the late game, making it one of the most future-proof builds in Elden Ring.

Lord of Blood Hammer Build

Buff-Stacked Strength Nuker

Bleed builds dominate, but pure Strength setups can still one-shot bosses with the right preparation. This build focuses on dual colossal hammers and a mountain of buffs to maximize a single jumping attack.

Build Essentials

·Stats: Strength main (60+), enough Faith for buffs.

·Talismans: Shard of Alexander, Claw Talisman (jump attack boost), Bull-Goat's Talisman (poise).

Buff Routine:

1. Drink Physick (Opaline Bubbletear + Winged Crystal Tear)

2. Cast Golden Vow

3. Cast Flame, Grant Me Strength

4. Use Royal Knight's Resolve skill

5. Perform a heavy jumping dual-hammer attack

Why It's OP

If both hammers connect, nearly every boss in the game will lose a massive chunk of HP or stagger outright. It's a high-risk, high-reward playstyle that rewards precision and setup.

Sacred Relic Sword Rune Farmer

Millions of Runes Per Hour

The Sacred Relic Sword remains the king of farming thanks to its Ash of War, Wave of Gold. With the right setup, you can earn millions of runes per hour-perfect for leveling new builds.

How to Farm

1. Unlock the Palace Approach Ledge-Road Site of Grace at Mohgwyn Palace.

2. Equip Gold Scarab Talisman, Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot, and any Rune-boosting gear.

3. Cast buffs, then use Wave of Gold to wipe out the huge Albinauric mob nearby.

4. Rest at the Grace and repeat.

5. If you feel complicated, you can buy Elden Ring Runes at P2Pah directly.

Why It's OP

It's not for boss fights, but if you need levels or currency, no build comes close. Farming efficiency is unmatched, especially in NG+ cycles.

Scavenged Bleeder

Dual Curved Swords for Hemorrhage Spam

Bleed is still the reigning king of status builds, and the Occult Scavenger's Curved Swords make for a brutally simple yet devastating setup.

Build Essentials

·Weapons: Dual Scavenger's Curved Swords, both with Seppuku.

·Talismans: Lord of Blood's Exultation, White Mask, Claw Talisman.

Playstyle:

·Apply Seppuku to both weapons.

·Trigger buffs and flask.

·Spam dual power-stance jump attacks for rapid Bleed procs.

Why It's OP

Dual curved swords hit fast, stack Bleed instantly, and scale well with Arcane. Even enemies resistant to Bleed fall quickly with buffed raw damage.

Magma Pyromancer

Faith + Fire Incantation Meltdown

The Magma Pyromancer build dominates both bosses and mobs with fire and magma skills. With dual Magma Blades or Giant's Seal, you can sling devastating incantations while still packing melee firepower.

Core Setup

·Spells: Magma Shower, Burn, O Flame!, Giantsflame Take Thee.

·Buffs: Golden Vow, Flame, Grant Me Strength, Blessing's Boon.

·Gear: Dual Magma Blades (scaling with Faith/Strength) or seals for spellcasting focus.

Why It's OP

Few bosses handle sustained fire damage well, and Magma spells often stagger or knock down targets, letting you keep pressure. It's flashy, thematic, and brutally effective.

Guts Berserker Build

Colossal Sword Monster

Inspired by Berserk's protagonist, this Strength build uses a Greatsword (nicknamed the Guts Sword) with armor mimicking his look. The core skill is Flame of the Redmanes, used to stance-break even the deadliest bosses.

Why It's OP

The sheer poise and raw damage allow you to solo even Malenia without summons. It's not subtle-it's about smashing enemies into the dirt with style.

Marais Executioner

Eochaid's Dancing Blade Drill Build

For style points and insane DPS, nothing beats the Marais Executioner's Sword. Its weapon art, Eochaid's Dancing Blade, spins like a drill, hitting repeatedly when charged.

Build Essentials

Talismans:

·Shard of Alexander (Ash of War boost)

·Godfrey Icon (charged skill boost)

·Millicent's Prosthesis + Winged Sword Insignias (successive hit damage)

Playstyle: Charge the skill fully, lock onto the target, and unleash the drill.

Why It's OP

One charged skill often deletes bosses outright. While it leaves you open, the payoff is absurd. It's like playing a flail build on steroids.

Final Thoughts

Even after three years and countless patches, Elden Ring still rewards build experimentation and creativity. Some of these setups-like Ghiza's Wheel Bleed or Dragon Lightning Priest-are strong enough to survive future nerfs. Others, like Sacred Relic Sword farming, will remain staples for players grinding levels.

What's clear is that no matter your playstyle, there's an overpowered build in Elden Ring waiting to carry you through the Lands Between. Until FromSoftware's next balance update, these are the setups that truly befit an Elden Lord.