Whether you're diving into Elden Ring for the first time or rolling a fresh character for a new challenge, getting started quickly can make all the difference. These five quick builds are designed to get you up and running with minimal farming and maximum efficiency. Each one capitalizes on early-game gear, scalable stats, and accessible strategies—perfect for anyone who wants to start strong without grinding for hours.

1. Dexterity Katana Build (Samurai Start)

The Samurai class is arguably one of the smoothest ways to begin the game. Starting with the Uchigatana, you already have a strong weapon that scales well with Dexterity and causes bleed buildup. Pair it with a Buckler for parrying or a shield with 100% physical resistance for more defense.

Focus early leveling on Dexterity and Vigor, and you’ll quickly feel how responsive and deadly this build is, especially in early encounters. It’s also cheap in terms of resource investment—if you’ve stockpiled some cheap Elden Ring runes, you can boost your main stats fast and unlock Ashes of War like Bloody Slash to enhance bleed damage even further.

2. Faith Lightning Caster (Confessor Start)

For players looking to combine melee and miracles, the Confessor class offers a solid base. With early access to the Finger Seal and starting Faith of 14, you can jump right into casting lightning incantations like Lightning Spear, which becomes available fairly early if you explore Liurnia and progress through the Dragon Cult Prayerbook.

This build thrives with just a few level-ups into Mind and Faith. Equip medium armor for survivability, and you’ve got a hybrid build that’s effective against both groups of enemies and tough bosses. If you’re low on upgrade materials, you can always buy Elden Ring Items from trusted in-game vendors to supplement your loadout.

3. Heavy Strength Build (Hero Start)

If smashing enemies into the ground is your style, the Hero class offers a perfect foundation for a Strength-focused build. Start with the Battle Axe, then grab a Greathammer or Greatsword as soon as possible (the Ruins Greatsword or the Great Club are ideal pickups later).

Pump points into Strength and Endurance to carry heavier gear and deal high poise damage. You’ll want to equip heavy armor to take hits and stagger foes. Use two-handed weapons early on for damage efficiency and crowd control—especially useful if you're not keen on parrying. With enough runes saved up or acquired from cheap Elden Ring runes sources, you’ll power up this build fast.

4. Intelligence Spellblade (Astrologer Start)

The Astrologer offers a classic mage playstyle but can be adapted into a Spellblade by mixing magic with melee. Focus on Intelligence and Mind to start, then pick up a weapon like the Moonveil Katana or a Rapier that scales with Intelligence.

Complement your melee with Glintstone Pebble and Glintstone Arc for ranged pressure. The flexibility of this build makes it excellent for solo players—kite enemies, snipe from a distance, then finish them up close. You can further enhance it by finding or buying Elden Ring Items like magic-boosting talismans or staves.

5. Bleed & Frostbite Dual Status Build (Bandit Start)

For players who enjoy stacking status effects, starting as a Bandit gives you high Arcane and a dagger that applies bleed. Add in Frostbite weapons like the Icerind Hatchet, and you can trigger both statuses for massive burst damage.

This build scales off Arcane, Dexterity, and Endurance, and shines in PvE against chunky enemies and bosses with large health pools. Apply Ashes of War like Hoarfrost Stomp or Seppuku to boost your weapon’s effectiveness, and you’ll see just how deadly dual-status builds can be early on.

Starting Elden Ring fresh doesn’t have to be a grind. These quick builds are designed for efficiency, fun, and adaptability across different playstyles. Whether you're investing in cheap Elden Ring runes to get a head start or choosing to buy Elden Ring Items to complete your setup, each of these five builds offers a reliable and powerful path through the Lands Between.