Playing as a knight in Elden Ring offers a satisfying blend of durability, offense, and classic medieval flair. If you enjoy wielding heavy armor and powerful weapons while maintaining a strong defensive presence, then knight builds are perfect for you. Over countless hours of gameplay, I’ve tested and refined multiple builds tailored to different playstyles within the knight archetype. Below are the top 16 Elden Ring builds designed specifically for those who want to embrace the knight’s role fully.
1. Classic Heavy Knight
Focus on high Vigor and Endurance to maximize survivability. Pair this with a colossal sword or greatsword and heavy armor for devastating damage and tanky defense.
2. Faith Knight
Combine traditional knight melee skills with faith-based buffs and healing incantations. This build excels at survivability and support while still dishing out respectable melee damage.
3. Strength-Focused Knight
Pump Strength to wield the heaviest weapons and shields. This build thrives on staggering enemies and breaking their poise with powerful, crushing blows.
4. Quality Knight
Balance Strength and Dexterity to utilize a wide array of weapons. This versatile build allows switching between greatswords, curved swords, and even some halberds depending on the situation.
5. Knight with Ashes of War
Incorporate Ashes of War to customize your weapon with elemental or skill-based effects. This adds variety and can exploit enemy weaknesses while keeping your knightly aesthetic intact.
6. Paladin-Style Knight
Mix heavy armor with buffs like Flame, Grant Me Strength, and protective incantations to bolster your offensive and defensive capabilities.
7. Swift Knight
Opt for medium armor to maintain decent mobility. Combine with fast weapons like straight swords or spears to deliver quick, precise strikes.
8. Shield Tank Knight
Maximize your shield’s defensive capabilities. Use shield skills and parries effectively to dominate defensive play while punishing enemy mistakes.
9. Bleed Knight
Add bleed-inflicting weapons to your knight arsenal. This build capitalizes on the bleed status effect for quick enemy takedowns while maintaining knightly resilience.
10. Magic-Enhanced Knight
Invest in Intelligence or Faith to supplement your melee attacks with spells. Elden Ring Items like staffs or sacred seals help enhance this hybrid playstyle.
11. Poise-Breaker Knight
Focus on high poise and heavy weapons to crush through enemy guards and stagger bosses with ease.
12. Tanky PvP Knight
Optimize for player-versus-player combat by balancing stamina, poise, and damage output. Heavy armor combined with fast recovery allows you to outlast opponents.
13. Two-Handed Knight
Go all-in with two-handed weapon builds, trading shield defense for raw damage potential.
14. Blessed Knight
Use healing and protective incantations alongside heavy armor for a self-sustaining tank build.
15. Bow Knight
Complement your melee skills with a bow for ranged combat, offering flexibility during fights.
16. Hybrid Dexterity Knight
Utilize dexterity-based weapons such as katanas or curved swords, combined with knightly armor and endurance to maintain survivability and speed.
As you explore these builds, remember that Elden Ring’s customization allows for endless variations. Whether you prefer the raw power of heavy weapons or the versatility of magic and quick strikes, there’s a knight build for you. Also, for those looking to supplement their gear or accelerate progression, sites like U4GM offer options to buy Elden Ring runes and Elden Ring Items safely and efficiently.
