Elden Ring Fists Build - Black Guard Guide (All Game Build)
May. 31, 2024Elden Ring Fists Build – Black Guard Guide (All Game Build)
In thisElden Ring Fists Build, we’ll explore the Blackguard Build that uses the Clinging Bone fist weapon. This setup is versatile, usable throughout the entire game, and can be initiated early on, thanks to the swift acquisition of the necessary weapons and armor. While obtaining certain talismans may require a bit more time, the core components can be obtained relatively quickly.
This is an All-Game build that takes place after level 150. If you’ve been looking for a fists build that attacks fast and can drain the enemies’ HP then you might want to check this build out.
We have over 110 Elden Ring builds. Each one is meticulously crafted to offer unique playstyles, strategies, and experiences, ensuring there’s something for every adventurer in the Lands Between. Whether you seek the raw power of heavy weapons, the finesse of spellcasting, or the versatility of hybrid builds, our collection has you covered. Explore the depths of the game’s mechanics and unleash your full potential with our diverse array of builds.
This build focuses on theClinging Boneweapon, which I thoroughly enjoyed using in our fists video. Here’s what makes it special and how to acquire it quickly.
To get theClinging Bone, head to theVillage of the AlbinauricsinLiurnia of the Lakes. Pick up theHaligtree Secret Medallion (right half), then return toRoundtable Hold, where you’ll be attacked byEnsha. DefeatEnshato obtain theClinging Boneand several pieces of the armor set used in this build. This process is quick once you have access toRoundtable Hold. The fastest way to accessRoundtable Holdis to reachMargitand let him defeat you. After resting at theSite of Grace, you’ll be teleported toRoundtable Hold. Alternatively, you can ride toCaelidfor access.
TheClinging Bonedeals physical and magic damage, primarily scaling withDexteritybut also benefiting fromArcane. AmongElden Ringweapons withDexterityandArcanescaling orStrengthandArcanescaling that deal physical and magic damage, only two others exist: theRegalia of Eochaid, which is an alternative weapon in this build, and theMarais Executioner’s Sword.
This suggests a connection between these weapons. TheMarais Executioner’s Swordseems infused withEochaidmagic fromElemer of the Briar, while theRegalia of Eochaidoriginates fromEochaid. TheClinging Bone, with its similar damage types and scaling, may also be tied toEochaid. Notably,Elemer of the Briaruses theLifesteal Fistattack, hinting that theClinging Bonemight belong to a significant figure fromEochaid.
Now, let’s dive into what makes theClinging Bonean excellent choice for this build.
What I love aboutLifesteal Fist, discovered during my research for the Fists video, is its effectiveness against humanoid enemies. This skill grabs onto a wide range of enemies, bypassing blocks with a short cooldown of two to three seconds, making it useful but not spammable.
Lifesteal Fistis especially effective against tough enemies likeCleanrot Knights,Banished Knights, andCrucible Knights. It deals significant damage and heals you for 30% of your max health with each successful grab. Each tick of damage fromLifesteal Fistalso contributes to triggers likeRotten Winged Sword Insignia, maintaining your buffs during the skill’s animation.
The standout feature is its predominantly magic damage—about 80-90%—with the rest being physical. This contrasts with the weapon’s usual physical damage output. Using items like theMagic Scorpion Charmcan boostLifesteal Fist’sdamage, though it won’t enhance regular attacks much. TheMagic-Shrouded Cracked Tearcan also increaseLifesteal Fist’sdamage, but it’s less useful in regular gameplay sinceLifesteal Fistisn’t often used against bosses. TheShard of Alexandercan increase the weapon skill’s damage without the drawback of increased incoming damage from theMagic Scorpion Charm.
This weapon allows for various play styles. You can dual wield it for rapid attacks, effective against some bosses, or use it with a shield for block countering, as Fist weapons deal significant stance damage, allowing you to stance break enemies regularly. In boss fights, stance breaking can enable switching to dual wielding for a flurry of attacks or to theRegalia of Eochaidfor itsCorkscrew attack, dealing massive damage. This build offers incredible flexibility, letting you block counter, dual wield, useLifesteal Fiston susceptible enemies, and switch to theRegalia of Eochaidfor bosses whereLifesteal Fistisn’t effective, thanks to the similar scaling of both weapons.
For shields, I use theScorpion Kite Shielddue to its lowStrengthrequirements, aligning well with our build’s minimalStrengthinvestment. It also matches theBlackguardtheme and looks fantastic. Alternatively, you can use theJellyfish Shield. Though it requires more points inStrength, it buffs your damage when using the one-handedClinging BoneorRegalia of Eochaid. You can then switch to dual-wielding forLifesteal Fist, gaining extra damage with your one-handed attacks. Ultimately, any shield with manageableStrengthrequirements can work, as using one with highStrengthneeds would hinder your melee damage.
For armor, I use theRoyal Remains set, but I mix in a few pieces to exceed the 51 poise breakpoint, as the full set only offers around 44 poise. This adjustment helps avoid the need for theBull-Goat’s Talisman, which is essential to prevent interruption during the frequent attack chains in this build. Given the build’s reliance on multiple talismans, freeing up a talisman slot by achieving the poise breakpoint through armor adjustments is crucial. This way, I can leverage the many beneficial talismans available for this build without compromising on poise and getting interrupted mid-combat.
For talismans, I use theRitual Sword Talisman, which is excellent for this build, even though you might trade damage occasionally.Lifesteal Fistreplenishes 30% of your health, making it easy to top off and maintain full health for extra damage.
Another key talisman isMillicent’s Prosthesis, ideal because our primary weapons scale withDexterity. It boostsDexterityand increases attack power with successive hits, benefiting both weapons.
TheWinged Sword InsigniaorRotten Winged Sword Insigniaare also great choices, as they boost attack power with rapid attacks, particularly useful with two-handed attacks or the Corkscrew weapon skill ofRegalia of Eochaid.
Additionally, I useShard of AlexanderorWarrior Jar Shard, depending on game progress, to boost the damage ofLifesteal Fistand the Corkscrew attack ofRegalia of Eochaid.
There are several alternative talismans that you can use based on your play style. TheAxe Talismanis beneficial if you one-hand theClinging Bonefrequently, as it provides extra damage on charged heavy attacks.
TheMagic Scorpion Charmincreases the damage ofLifesteal Fistand the Corkscrew attack ofRegalia of Eochaid, though it comes with the downside of receiving extra damage.
TheDagger Talismanboosts critical damage, which is helpful when block countering and stance breaking enemies.
TheGodfrey Iconis useful when you plan to useRegalia of Eochaid’sweapon skill in a boss fight, as it provides a boost to charged attacks.
The talismans offer flexibility and can be swapped based on the situation. For enemies likeCrucible Knights, leaning intoLifesteal Fistis advantageous, makingShard of Alexanderbeneficial. For other enemies, likeBlack Blade Kindred, whereLifesteal Fistisn’t used,Shard of Alexanderisn’t necessary unless you’re usingRegalia of Eochaid. Adjust talismans on the fly to maximize effectiveness in different combat scenarios.
For this build, the attribute distribution is as follows: 50Vigor, 20Mind, 30Endurance, 12Strength, 15Dexterity, 16Intelligence, 7Faith, and 50Arcane. Note that you don’t need any Faith or Intelligence for this build. However, if you plan to take this build further into New Game Plus or New Game Plus Plus, consider investing some points in Faith to utilizeGolden Vowand possibly cast some incantations. Given the highArcane, using theDragon Communion Sealeffectively becomes an option.
IncreasingVigorin New Game Plus is advisable becauseLifesteal Fistrestores 30% of your max health, meaning more health translates to more healing. Since you frequently trade damage with your fists, having more health is beneficial. The build features a low amount ofMindasLifesteal FistandRegalia of Eochaid’sweapon skill aren’t used frequently, so a highMindstat isn’t necessary. You can also skew your flasks more toward FP, relying onLifesteal Fistfor healing.
Enduranceis set to 30 to allow for a decent armor set, the ability to carry a shield, two weapons, and the Talismans, while also ensuring you have enough stamina to avoid running out when dual-wielding theClinging Boneand spamming attacks. The 12Strengthis to meet the requirements of theScorpion Kite shield. If you opt for theJellyfish shield, you’ll need 20Strength. Different shields will require different Strength levels, such as 14 for theBrass shield.
DexterityandArcaneare both crucial for this build, withDexterityset at 55 andArcaneat 50. Both stats scale roughly the same for theClinging Bone, withDexterityslightly ahead. However,Arcaneis essential forLifestealFistdamage, whereasDexterityis more focused on melee damage. PrioritizingArcaneis beneficial, especially if you plan to add some Faith and cast spells. This way, you’ll get the best of both melee andLifestealdamage.
For theFlask of Wondrous Physick, you have several viable options. Using theMagic Scorpion Charmwill boostLifesteal Fistdamage, but it’s not particularly useful during boss fights where magic damage is limited. While it’s beneficial for the weapon skill of theRegalia of Eochaid, it’s generally better to use the tier that increases damage with multiple hits, which is effective regardless of your setup. Stamina Recovery is another good choice, as this build tends to consume a lot of stamina. Additionally, enhancing Charged Attacks can be beneficial since you will useClinging Bone’sCharged Heavy Attacks to stagger bosses before switching to dual-wield attacks.
ForGreat Runes,Godrick’s Great Runeis fantastic for this build. It boosts six of the eight stats you need, allowing you to potentially reduce Strength or use a better shield.Radahn’s Great Runeis also a good option, providing more FP, HP, and Stamina—all valuable for this build.
So that wraps up ourBlackguard build. As always, let us know if you have questions or other tips in the comments below. We have a ton more builds coming forElden RingandShadow of the Erdtreeso stay tuned for those. 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.
