A guide on the best Dexterity builds for PVE in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (SotET), including the best starting classes for Dexterity builds (pure and hybrid), build playstyle, recommended stat distribution and progression, and best equipment, weapons, armor, and talismans to use in the game.
Best Dexterity Builds for PVE in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Edtree (SotET)
Overview
Dexterity builds are among the most versatile character builds in the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (SotET). Their focus on Dexterity grants them access to several fast-swinging weapon types and armaments like spears and bows that boast incredible range.
Dual-wielding is also viable for improved damage output while use of certain sorceries and incantations to gain weapon buffs and other beneficial effects further increase the build’s flexibility.
| Primary Stats | Vigor, Dexterity, Endurance, |
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| Secondary Stats | Mind, Strength, Intelligence, Faith |
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| Weapons | Daggers, Straight Swords, Curved Swords, Katanas, Double-Edged Swords, Reapers, Spears, Light Bows |
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| Shields | Small Shields, Standard Shields |
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| Strengths | - Generally boasts a very good balance of damage output, attack speed, and evasiveness.
- Lends itself well for playstyles that focus on mobility.
- Bleed builds mostly use Dexterity-scaling weapons.
- Access to wide variety of Dexterity weapons in the game, leading to a variety of pure and hybrid Dexterity builds.
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| Weaknesses | - Generally slower in breaking enemy Poise compared to Strength builds.
- Damage mostly shines when landing multiple hits, especially when running Bleed builds.
- Most Dexterity weapons are easily interruptible if you have low Poise.
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| Beginner Recommendation | ★★★★★ |
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Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Best Character Builds
Starting Classes
Warrior and Samurai
The Hero and Vagabond are the best starting classes for Dexterity builds because of their high initial Dexterity stat. Both classes also boat decent amounts of Intelligence and Faith to utilize different sorceries and incantations to their advantage.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Best Starting Classes to Choose
Initial Stats
| Class | LV. | VIG | MND | END | STR | DEX | INT | FAI | ARC |
|---|
| Warrior | 8 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Samurai | 9 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Stats and Parameters List
Recommended Dexterity Build Stat Progression
Below is a breakdown of the recommended stat progression for Dexterity builds. Key (primary) stats are indicated in green.
Level 50
The key stat Dexterity should be increased up to the level that allows you to wield the weapon you want to use during the end-game. Otherwise, continue raising other stats such as Vigor and Endurance for increased survivability or start putting points on non-primary attributes if you are making a hybrid of this build.
You can also allocate points to Mind if you want to adopt certain Ash of War skills to your playstyle. Otherwise, leave it at the initial value.
| Stat | Value |
|---|
| Vigor | 25 |
| Mind | 11-15 |
| Endurance | 15-20 |
| Strength | Allocate Based on Weapon Requirement |
| Dexterity | 30-36 |
| Intelligence | Initial |
| Faith | Initial |
| Arcane | Initial |
Level 100
At around level 100, try to aim for at least 40, 20, and 50 in Vigor, Endurance, and Dexterity respectively. The attack power gained from certain Dexterity-scaling weapons is quite high even up to 60 Dexterity so feel free to continue investing in the stat as long as you can generally avoid getting one-shotted by most enemies at your current Vigor value.
You can keep increasing your Mind if you still want enough FP for using Ash of War skills (go for at most 20). For hybrid builds, feel free to move on to other stats like Dexterity, Intelligence, and Faith based on requirements you may need to meet for using certain weapons or spells.
Bleed builds, meanwhile, will need to raise Arcane as the stat increases the rate of stacking Bleed on enemies for it to proc. This also holds true for applying poison when going for unique Poison builds.
| Stat | Value |
|---|
| Vigor | 40-45 |
| Mind | 11-20 |
| Endurance | 20-25 |
| Strength | Allocate Based on Weapon Requirement |
| Dexterity | 50-60 |
| Intelligence | Allocate Based on Other Requirements |
| Faith | Allocate Based on Other Requirements |
| Arcane | Allocate Based on Other Requirements (Bleed or Poison build) |
Best Dexterity Build Weapons
| Weapon | Details |
|---|
| Bolt of Gransax | - Very high DPS with Ash of War skill.
- Increased damage output when charged.
- Can be dual-wielded for even higher damage potential.
|
| Requirements | 20 Strength/40 Dexterity |
| Cross-Naginata | - High-tier spear weapon with A scaling in Dexterity.
- Up to +25 refinement (upgrade).
- High Bleed buildup spear weapon.
- Light attack is a slash-type swing (non-thrust) among spear weapons.
|
| Requirements | 16 Strength/20 Dexterity |
| Hand of Malenia | - High-tier katana weapon with high-damage Ash of War skill.
- Extremely long range for a katana weapon.
- Steep Dexterity requirement.
|
| Requirements | 16 Strength/48 Dexterity |
| Guardian’s Swordspear | - High-tier spear weapon with A scaling in Dexterity.
- Boasts excellent range and attack speed.
- Up to +25 refinement (upgrade).
|
| Requirements | 16 Strength/17 Dexterity |
Best Dexterity Build Armor
| Armor Piece | Details |
|---|
| Okina Mask (Helm) | Gives +3 Dexterity and lowers Focus. |
| Consort’s Mask (Helm) | Gives +1 Dexterity. |
Best Dexterity Build Talismans
| Talisman | Details |
|---|
| Lord of Blood’s Exultation | Blood Loss in vicinity increases attack power |
| Millicent’s Prosthesis | Gives +5 Dexterity and raises attack power with successive strikes. |
| Shard of Alexander | Greatly boosts the attack power of Skills. |
| Carian Filigreed Crest | Lowers FP cost of skills. |
| Radagon’s Soreseal | Gives +5 Vigor, Endurance, Strength, and Dexterity but increases damage taken. |
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Talismans List
Other Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Character Builds
| Character Builds |
|---|
| Strength Builds | Dexterity Builds | Quality Builds |
| Sorcery Builds | Faith Builds | |
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Recommended Article List
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Guides
DLC Useful Guides
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET DLC Useful Guides |
|---|
| How to Start the DLC and Recommended Level | All DLC Weapons List and Locations |
| All DLC Legendary Weapons and Spells | All DLC Armor List and Locations |
| All Scadutree Fragment Locations | All DLC Boss Remembrances List |
| All Revered Spirit Ash List and Locations | All DLC Ashes of War List and Locations |
| All DLC Map Piece Locations | How to Unlock Scaduview Region (Secret Region) |
| All Miquella's Cross Locations | - |
DLC New Weapon Classes
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET DLC New Weapon Classes |
|---|
| Light Greatswords | Great Katanas |
| Beast Claws | Perfume Bottles |
| Backhand Blades | Throwing Blades |
| Hand-to-Hand Art Weapons | Thrusting Shield |
Elden Ring Character Build Guides
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Build Guides |
|---|
| Strength Builds | Dexterity Builds |
| Quality Builds | Sorcery (Intelligence) Builds |
| Faith Builds | - |
Elden Ring Best Character Builds
Elden Ring Strategy Guides
Beginner Guides
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Beginner Guides |
|---|
| Game Controls | Can You Change the Difficulty? |
| How Long to Beat | Tips for Beginners |
| Disable Online Connection at the Title Screen | Recommended Game Settings |
| Permanent Events | Best Starting Class to Choose |
| Character Stats and Parameters | Starting Classes |
| Is Cross-Play Available? | How to Fast Travel |
| Site of Grace Guide | Which Keepsake to Get |
| Stat Progression Guide | - |
Useful Guides
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Useful Guides |
|---|
| Trophies | Best Weapons |
| Best Shields | Best Builds |
| Best Spells | Endings Guide |
| Equipment Weight and Dodge Roll Type | Boss Guides |
| Multiplayer Guide | How to Get a Mount (Torrent) |
| New Game Plus (NG+) Guide | All Legendary Armaments |
| All Legendary Talismans | All Legendary Sorceries and Incantations |
| Stat Soft Caps | Rune Farming Guide |
| All Golden Seed Locations | How to Respec Stats |
| Where to Get Larval Tear | Benefits of Two-Handing Weapons |
| How to Increase Memory Slots | How to Get Around Dodge Roll Delay |
| How to Get Smithing Stones | Where to Find the Glinstone Key |
| How to Get Mimic Tear | How to Quickly Reach Volcano Manor |
Elden Ring Walkthroughs
Main Story
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Main Story Walkthroughs |
|---|
| Main Story Walkthroughs List |
Side Quests
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Side Quest Walkthroughs |
|---|
| Side Quest Walkthroughs List |
Elden Ring Boss Guides
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Boss Guides |
|---|
| Commander Niall | Ancestor Spirit |
| Flying Dragon Agheel | Elemer of the Briar |
| Royal Knight Loretta | Leonine Misbegotten |
| Astel, Naturalborn of the Void | Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree |
| Mimic Tear | Mohg, the Omen |
| Godfrey the First Lord | Magma Wyrm Makar |
| Goskin Noble | Red Wolf of Radagon |
| Margit, the Fell Omen | Valiant Gargoyle |
| Regal Ancestor Spirit | Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella |
| Fire Giant | Godskin Duo |
| Lichdragon Fortissax | Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon |
| Dragonlord Placidusax | Hoarah Loux the Warrior |
| Maliketh the Black Blade | Mohg |
| Malenia, the Blade of Miquella | Rykard |
| Morgott | Godrick, the Grafted |
| General Radahn | |
Elden Ring All Boss Guides List
Elden Ring Game Database
DLC Weapon Types
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET DLC Weapons List |
|---|
| Thrusting Shields | Hand-to-Hand Arts |
| Throwing Blades | Backhand Blades |
| Perfume Bottles | Beast Claws |
| Light Greatswords | Great Katanas |
General Weapon Types
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET General Weapons List |
|---|
| Daggers | Straight Swords |
| Greatswords | Colossal Swords |
| Thrusting Swords | Heavy Thrusting Swords |
| Curved Swords | Curved Greatswords |
| Katanas | Twinblades |
| Axes | Greataxes |
| Hammers | Flails |
| Great Hammers | Colossal Weapons |
| Spears | Great Spears |
| Halberds | Reapers |
| Whips | Fists |
| Claws | Light Bows |
| Bows | Greatbows |
| Crossbows | Ballistas |
| Glintstone Staffs | Sacred Seals |
| Torches | Tools |
| Talismans | Arrows/Ammo |
Shields
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Shields |
|---|
| Small Shields | Medium Shields |
| Large Shields | Thrusting Shields |
Armor
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Armor |
|---|
| Headgear | Chest Armor |
| Gauntlets | Legwear |
Items
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Items |
|---|
| Consumable Items | Materials |
| Key Items | Cookbooks |
| Multiplayer Items | Upgrade Materials (Ashes of War) |
Skills and Magic
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Skills |
|---|
| Ash of War Skills | Sorceries |
| Incantations | - |
Merchants
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Merchants |
|---|
| Merchant Kalé Shop | Sorceress Sellen Shop |
| Nomadic Merchant Shop | - |
Other
| ▼Elden Ring: SotET Other Databases |
|---|
| Characters | Easter Eggs |
| Trophies | - |
BACK TO Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree GUIDE
