Elden Ring Storm Build Guide - Storm Blade Samurai (Shadow of the Erdtree)
Jul. 22, 2024Elden Ring Storm Build Guide – Storm Blade Samurai (Shadow of the Erdtree)
In thisElden RingSamurai Build Guide, I’m going to showcase myStormblade Samuraibuild, also known as theSamurai of the Stormbuild. This build is fantastic, utilizingStormhawk Arrows—which I experimented with in myStorm Arrowbuild—as well as theStormblade Ash of Warand a new talisman to increase damage further. In this guide, you’ll see how this build absolutely dominates DLC bosses.
In this Elden Ring Build Guide, I’ll be showing you my Stormblade Samurai build. This is aShadow of the Erdtreebuild that takes place after level 160. If you’ve been wanting an upgraded stormblade build then you might want to check this build-out.
We have over 110 Elden Ringbuilds. 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 is an evolution of myStormbladebuild from a year and a half ago, where I used theFlambergeand theStorm BladeWeapon Skillto decimate enemies. This was made possible because a patch allowed both the projectile and the blade to connect for damage when close enough. This build shines with close-range attacks, but it also offers a strong ranged attack withStorm Blade, letting you hit enemies and bosses from a safe distance and deal extra damage as they get closer.
One key aspect of theStormbladebuild is thatStorm Bladeattacks at the same speed regardless of the weapon it’s used with. Ideally, you would pair it with weapons that have slower R1 attacks thanStorm Blade, as this makes your attacks faster and improves performance. Using a heavy weapon withStorm Bladeallows you to swing faster than usual, gaining extra damage from both the faster swings and the combined damage of the weapon skill and projectile at close range.
For this build, I chose theGreat Katana, a heavier, longer, and more damaging version of theFlambergewith bleed buildup. It’s a natural fit for this weapon skill, providing more damage, reach, and a more impressive appearance. We’ve set theGreat Katanato theKeen Infusionand boosted our dexterity. This setup offers much more damage than theOccult Infusion, which provides better bleed buildup but about 200 less damage perStorm Bladehit. SinceStorm Bladeis often used at range,Keenis the better option.
Additionally,Keen Infusionallows pairing with theAlbinauric Bowfor a ranged option using regular andStormwing Bone Arrows. This synergizes with a talisman that increases the damage of bothStorm BladeandStormwing Bone Arrows. Even though I recently showcased a pure bow build, I believe this build is better overall. It integrates the bow into the playstyle rather than focusing solely on it, making it more versatile.
You’ll mainly use theAlbinauric Bowwith regular arrows for their cost-effectiveness andStormwing Bone Arrowsto maximize the talisman’s damage increase. Unlike the pure bow build, you can use any arrows you want with this build. This isn’t a physical build reliant on theBlue Dancer Charm, so you could useLightning Arrows, which scale well with dexterity, or other types like fire or magic arrows depending on the boss you’re facing for additional damage
For armor, I have theDivine Beast Warrior ArmorandDivine Beast Helm, theHorned Warrior Gauntlets, andBlaidd’s Greaves, giving me the appearance I have here. This setup manages to get me over 51 poise while looking fashionable. TheDivine Beast Helmactually increases your damage with storm skills or storm spells, gives you a bit of strength and dexterity as well, but it does nerf your flasks a little bit. The trade-off is that you’re going to get more damage out ofStormbladefor wearing it, and you’re going to get more damage with yourStormhawk Arrowsand those stats, both of which are good for this build.
You don’t have to use this armor. The 4% damage boost to storm skills and spells is not a huge increase. The stats are nice, but there is a downside, so if you prefer to use some other armor set, that’s totally fine. But this will just help increase the damage that you’re dealing withStormblade.
For talismans in this build, we have a few that work well, and I don’t normally change these up much. TheRitual Sword Talismanincreases your damage when you’re at full health, making it ideal for boostingStorm Bladeand arrow damage.
However, in boss fights where you get hit often, you might consider swapping it out for something more protective or another damage-boosting talisman like theCrusade Insignia, which provides extra damage after each kill.
TheBlessed Blue Dew Talismanreplenishes FP over time, making it excellent for this build sinceStorm Bladeisn’t a super expensive weapon skill, especially when spammed. This talisman will help you maintain your FP without needing to stop and flask during aggressive encounters.
TheEnraged Divine Beasttalisman boosts the potency of your storm skills and spells by 10%, stacking with the helm’s bonus, and enhancing both the weapon skill andStormwing Bone Arrows, making it a crucial addition to this build.
Combined with theShard of Alexander, which boostsMighty ShotandStorm Bladedamage, this setup synergizes well. You might also swap out theBlessed Blue Dew Talismanfor theCrusade Insigniawhile exploring to gain extra damage after killing enemies if you don’t mind using blue flasks.
Stamina management is another important aspect to consider.Storm Bladeis very stamina-intensive, meaning you’ll deplete your stamina quickly if you spam it. While this isn’t an issue when moving from enemy to enemy, in boss fights where you need to unload damage rapidly, running out of stamina can be limiting.
You might consider swapping out theBlessed Blue Dew Talismanfor theTwo-Headed Turtle Talismanin boss fights to enhance stamina recovery. Additionally, using theGreat Turtle Shieldon your back can provide even more stamina recovery. Although stamina recovery can be a limiting factor in boss fights, it typically isn’t an issue on the landscape.
For attributes at level 151, I have 55Vigor, 28Mind, 25Endurance, 13Strength, 83Dexterity, 16Intelligence, 7Faith, and 9Arcane. Starting class and other details should be familiar by now.
55Vigorprovides a solid HP pool; you could increase it to 60 if needed, but going beyond that isn’t recommended.
28Mindensures ample FP for usingStormbladefrequently, as you don’t want to run out of FP and have to pot constantly. Prioritizing Mind over Dexterity early on can be beneficial for this build sinceStormbladereplaces your default attack in most scenarios.
25Enduranceallows for medium rolling with the current gear. IncreasingEnduranceto 30 or 35 can provide more stamina and enable the use of heavier armor for better protection if you aren’t concerned about fashion.
Strengthis at 13 due to the helmet; ideally, this should be reduced to 10, andDexterityto 80, freeing up 6 points to allocate elsewhere. You can either two-hand the weapon with 10Strengthor one-hand it with 14Strength. Since I typically don’t one-hand this weapon, it’s not a significant factor. However, adding one more point for one-handing can be useful.
Dexterityat 83 is crucial for damage, with plans to eventually increase it to 99. Additional damage can be obtained by raisingFaithand using buffs likeFlame, Grant Me Strength,orGolden Vow. You can also useExalted Fleshfor further damage enhancement. These buffs, along with increasingDexterity, are the primary ways to boost damage for this build.
For theFlask of Wondrous Physick, I use theGreenburst Crystal Tearfor Stamina Recovery, which is essential for this build. Additionally, I use theWinged Crystal Tearto significantly reduce my equip load, allowing for light rolling. Light rolling is advantageous, especially in the DLC where bosses are highly aggressive, as it helps in positioning yourself effectively to useStorm Blade. Another option is theBloodsucking Cracked Tear, which increases damage for a hyper-aggressive playstyle during boss fights. If you’re a skilled player and avoid getting hit, this tear can help you defeat bosses even faster, though Stamina Recovery remains crucial for aggressive play.
RegardingGreat Runes,Radahn’s Great Runeis the best choice as it boosts health, stamina, and FP, all of which are beneficial for this build.Malenia’s Great Runecan be useful for an aggressive playstyle, but bosses often interrupt, making it less optimal. It’s generally better to stay at range rather than being up close to bosses, even though point-blank attacks can deal more damage.
This concludes myStorm Blade Samurai, orSamurai of the Storm, build guide. This build effectively utilizes theEnraged Divine Beast Talisman, boosting both the weapon skill andStormwing Bone Arrows. It fits better with the build compared to theBlue Dancer Charm, especially with the armor providing additional boosts. This build is highly enjoyable and excels at defeating bosses. If you’re looking for a powerful build, this is definitely worth trying.
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.
