Elden Ring Best Damage Type for Shadow of the Erdtree
In thisShadow of the Erdtreeguide, we’ll discuss the best damage type for theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC. If you’re aiming to create a build that maximizes damage, which damage type should you focus on? I’ll review all eight damage types:Standard,Slash,Strike,Pierce,Magic,Fire,Lightning, andHoly. I’ll rank these damage types, explain their positions on the list, and discuss why you might want to focus on a build that utilizes one of these specific types.
The general premise of this guide involves examining thephysicalandelementalresistances of bosses in the DLC area to determine the effectiveness of each damage type against them. I didn’t delve into general or elite enemies, as their weaknesses and resistances might not be fully documented on the wiki at this time. Generally, these enemies aren’t the most challenging parts of the game. Players tend to get stuck in boss fights, especially specific tough ones, so I focused more on the resistance relevant to harder boss fights.
For example, if you’re fightingDemi-Human Swordmaster Onze, who can be defeated in three hits with some builds, the specific damage type isn’t crucial. However, againstPromised Consort Radahn, knowing his weaknesses can be extremely beneficial. Radahn is arguably one of the toughest bosses inElden RingandFromSoftwarehistory, so understanding his resistance can significantly aid in that challenging fight.
At number five on my list isMagicDamage. This might seem misleading because, when examining the DLC bosses, only theFallingstar BeasthasMagicas one of the best damage types, and it’s tied with three others. This meansMagicisn’t significantly better than other damage types for that boss. Most bosses in the DLC have higher resistances toMagic, making it one of the weaker damage types overall.
However, this can be misleading due to the variety ofmagic-damagingspells available.Magichas more spell options than any other damage type in the game. You can also infuse weapons withMagicdamage throughCold InfusionsandMagic Infusions. There are numerous ways to enhanceMagicdamage, such as using theMagic-Shrouding Cracked Tear, theMagic Scorpion Charm, andTerra Magica.
Even thoughMagicmay fall behind when considering boss resistances, it offers flexibility in spellcasting and buffing methods. It requires more management, as usingTerra Magicaisn’t practical in many fights, which might causeMagicto be outpaced by other damage types in the DLC. This is why I’ve ranked it lower. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t play aMagicbuild effectively in the DLC.
For the harder bosses, particularlyMessmerandRadahn,Magicis a decent damage type. These are two of the tougher boss fights in the game, andMagicperforms well against them. That said, other damage types can achieve similar effects, preventingMagicfrom ranking higher on the list.
At number four on my list areFireandLightningdamage. These two are nearly indistinguishable in terms of effectiveness, often performing similarly in many boss fights. The choice between them usually depends on the specific boss you’re facing. For example,Firedamage is particularly effective againstDivine Beast Dancing Lion,Golden Hippo,Scadutree Avatar,Commander Gaius,Promised Consort Radahn(in the second phase), andPutrescent Knight.
There are numerous ways to enhanceFlamedamage, such as using theFlame-Shrouding Cracked Tear, theFire Scorpion Charm, andFlame, Grant Me Strength.
On the other hand,Lightningdamage excels againstRellana Twin Moon Knight,MessmerandBase Serpent Messmer,Putrescent Knight, andCommander Gaius. Both damage types are interchangeable in many tough fights, with minor differences in performance depending on the encounter. For instance, bosses likeGolden Hippo,Putrescent Knight, andCommander Gaiusare equally vulnerable to bothFireandLightning. Overall, if you’re considering a fourth-best damage type, eitherFireorLightningwould be a solid choice due to their comparable performance across many challenging encounters.
There are numerous ways to enhanceLightningdamage, such as using theLightning-Shrouding Cracked Tear, and theLightning Scorpion Charm.
At number three on my list areSlashandStrikedamage, tied due to their similar effectiveness across various boss fights. These damage types often fall into the second-best category for many bosses because their resistances are frequently similar. Starting withSlash, it is the second-best damage type againstDivine BeastandDancing Lion, behindFireandPierce. It is also the second-best againstGolden Hippoand the best againstMesmerin both phases, as well asMetyr, Mother of Fingers, making it very useful for these tough fights. Additionally,Slashis tied for second againstAncient Dragon SenessaxandBayle of the Dread.Slashdamage is typically dealt byClaws,Curved Greatswords,Curved Swords,Daggers,Katanas, andReapersweapons.
On the other hand,Strikeis the first-place damage type for only a few bosses, the most notable beingDeath Rite Bird. However, it frequently appears in second place.Strikeis the second-best damage type againstGhostflame Dragon, an annoying boss with high health and resistance to many damage types. It is also tied for second againstRellana Twin Moon Knight,Messmer the Impaler,Base Serpent Messmer, andMetyr, Mother of Fingers. Furthermore,Strikeis tied for second againstPutrescent Knight(along withFireandLightning),Ancient Dragon Senessax,Bayle of the Dread, andScadutree Avatar.
WhileStrikemay not be as effective in certain difficult boss fights, it is consistently solid across various encounters. In contrast,Slashcan either excel or perform poorly, depending on the boss.Striketends to be more consistent, often falling on the upper side of the middle in terms of effectiveness. Balancing their strengths and weaknesses, it was challenging to separate the two, leading to their shared spot at number three. ForStrikedamage, you’ll use blunt weapons likeHammers,Great Hammers,Colossal Weapons, and evenShields.
Slash and Strike Damage both belong under the Physical Damage category. There are numerous ways to enhancePhysicaldamage, such as usingFlame, Grant Me Strength,Barbaric Roar,Strength-Knot Crystal Tear,Rotten Winged Sword Insignia
At number two on my list areStandardandHolyDamage, tied due to their effectiveness across various boss fights.Standarddamage rarely tops the list for the best damage type against bosses, but it frequently comes in second or tied for second in many encounters, making it consistently effective. It appears more often than eitherSlashorStrike, which is why it ranks higher.
Holydamage, on the other hand, is similar toSlashin that it can be either highly effective or less useful, depending on the boss. For instance,Holydamage is the number one weakness ofGhostflame Dragons, making it the best damage type against them. It is also the top damage type againstDeath Knights,Putrescent Knights,Death Rite Birds, and in the second phase of theMessmerboss fight. Additionally,Commander Gaiusis weakest toHolydamage, as is the first phase ofPromised Consort Radahn. However,HolyDamage can also rank at the bottom against other bosses, making it highly variable.
There are numerous ways to enhanceHolydamage, such as usingHoly-Shrouding Cracked Tear, theSacred Scorpion Charm, andErdtree Seal.
In comparison,Standarddamage is more consistent. It is tied for second against bosses likeRellana Twin Moon Knight,MessmerandBase Serpent Messmer,Metyr, Mother of Fingers,Death Rite Bird,Ancient Dragon Senessax,Bayle of the Dread,Midra, andScadutree Avatar. This all-around effectiveness makesStandarddamage a reliable choice for many boss fights without significant struggles.
Standard Belongs to the Physical Damage category. ForStandarddamage,Axes,Greataxes,Straight Swords,Greatswords,Halberds, andTwinbladesare the primary weapons.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, the number one damage type in Shadow of the Erd Tree isPiercedamage. The primary reason for this is that it excels against many of the most challenging bosses in the game and frequently ranks as the second-best or ties for second-best in many tough encounters.
For instance,Divine Beast Dancing Lion‘s number one damage type is Pierce, tied with Fire, making it highly effective against this challenging boss.Pierceis also tied with Lightning as the best damage type for theRellana Twin Moon Knightboss fight. It’s the top damage type againstAncient Dragon SenessaxandBayle of the Dread, two particularly tough boss fights.
Moreover, it’s the best damage type for the second phase of theRadahnboss fight and the second best for the first phase.Pierceis also the second-best damage type forDeath Knights, tied withFire, and is effective in the second phase ofMessmer the Impaler. Additionally, it ties for second againstMetyr, Mother of Fingers,andJori Elder Inquisitor.
Overall,Piercedamage just edges outStandardandHolyas the best damage type in the DLC. While these three damage types are somewhat interchangeable depending on the boss fight,Piercestands out slightly more.
There are numerous ways to enhancePhysicaldamage, such as usingFlame, Grant Me Strength,Barbaric Roar,Strength-Knot Crystal Tear,Rotten Winged Sword Insignia
Before wrapping up, it’s worth mentioning the weapons that deal these damage types. ForPiercedamage, you’ll primarily useBows,Thrusting Swords,Heavy Thrusting Swords,Spears,Great Spears, or any weapon with a poking attack. The other four damage types—Magic,Lightning,Fire, andHoly—are more self-explanatory, as you know which spells and weapons deal those.
As always, let us know if you have questions or other tips in the comments below. If you need help finding the spells, items, or equipment in this build, and securing some personal objectives, make sure to check theElden Ring Map.
Castielle
Senior Editor at Fextralife. I enjoy gaming, playing and watching sports, cooking yummy food, watching a good movie and hanging out with Fex.