Best Elden Ring Lightning Build Guide

How to Play a Lightning Build in Elden Ring

In this Elden Ring Lightning build guide, I will be showcasing an Ancient Dragon Lightning build. This build looks to take advantage of very powerful weapon skills and spells that deal insane lightning damage.

We will discuss the best leveling strategy to get through the game, the best Weapons and Seals, Armor, Talismans, Summons, and what Consumables you can use.

While this build has very strong early-game weapons that can be acquired quickly into a run, it also has many stronger weapons and spells that can be acquired at later stages of the game that can evaporate boss health bars under the right conditions.

Explore our other Elden Ring build guides here.

Pros

This build has incredibly high damage potential.
The skills and spells in this build are unique and visually appealing. They also deal impressively high damage, leading to a more satisfying playthrough.

Cons

Although the damage of spells in this build can be astronomically high they are also fairly inconsistent and poor for dealing with smaller enemies.
Many of the skills are relatively slow and are easy to interrupt when faced with quicker enemies with shorter openings.

Leveling and Stats

There are two main routes you can choose from for a Lightning build:

The first is an Ancient Dragon-Knight build that utilizes powerful Lightning Weapons with strong Ashes of War, paired with a few supporting Incantations that carry some power of their own.
The second is a True Dragon-Cultist build that invests many more points into faith to bring out the destructive power of the Dragon Cult Incantations.

Ancient Dragon-Knight

The starting class for this version of the build will be the Confessor. This class will give us the most optimal stat distribution compared to the other starting classes and a decent early-game weapon.

Stats	Starting Stats	Level 25	Level 50	Level 100	Level 150
Vigor	10	14	23	40	50
Mind	13	13	13	13	13
Endurance	10	10	10	13	24
Strength	12	19	20	20	20
Dexterity	12	15	30	50	69
Intelligence	9	9	9	9	9
Faith	14	15	15	25	35
Arcane	9	9	9	9	9

The first major breakpoint when it comes to leveling is level 25, at this point you begin to be able to utilize the weapons in this build. The first priority will be to get 15 points in Dexterity. Many of the weapons in this build scale with Dexterity so it will be the most important stat for leveling, and 15 Dexterity will unlock the first weapon of this build, the Stormhawk Axe.

The second breakpoint of level 50 will require us to invest heavily in Dexterity, which will further increase the damage we deal while also getting us closer to our weapons stat requirements.

The third breakpoint of level 100 is where you will see a sizable increase in your damage. At 25 Faith you will have access to Golden Vow as well as Ancient Dragons’ Lightning Strike if you are using the Faith-Knot Crystal Tear in your Physick Flask.

At the last breakpoint, which is level 150 we put a stop to the build. 150 is the perfect level for people who want to PVP. We will invest more points into Faith as this will allow us to utilize more Dragon Cult Incantations without needing to use our Physick.

True Dragon-Cultist

The starting class for this version of the build will be the Prophet. This class starts with the most optimal stat allocation for casting incantations exclusively.

Stats	Starting Stats	Level 25	Level 50	Level 100	Level 150
Vigor	10	16	30	40	60
Mind	14	15	16	25	30
Endurance	8	10	10	10	21
Strength	11	11	11	11	11
Dexterity	10	10	10	10	10
Intelligence	7	7	7	7	7
Faith	16	25	35	66	80
Arcane	10	10	10	10	10

The first major breakpoint when it comes to leveling is level 25. At this point, you begin to be able to utilize the Incantations in this build. The first priority will be to get 25 points in Faith. This will give us the required stats to wield all of the Incantations that can be purchased after acquiring the Dragon Cult Prayerbook.

Lightning Spear, in particular, will be very important for this build as it will be your most effective method of clearing out smaller enemies or completing Dungeons.

The second breakpoint of level 50 will have us investing heavily into Vigor because, at this point in the game, bosses start to hit a lot harder. Furthermore, at 35 Faith, you will be meeting the requirements for many more Incantations like Frozen Lightning Spear, which will skyrocket your damage towards bosses.

The third breakpoint of level 100 is where you will see a sizable increase in your damage. At 66 Faith, your Incantations will be able to dispatch bosses incredibly quickly with very little effort. If set up correctly, this build can one-shot larger bosses such as Fire Giant and Elden Beast.

At the last breakpoint, which is level 150, we stopped the build. 150 is the perfect level for people who want to PVP. We will reach 80 Faith, which is the perfect number as it is right at the hard cap for increasing damage from Faith scaling. We will also reach 60 Vigor, which is right at the second soft cap for this stat and will give us the most value.

Build

Bolt of Gransax

The Bolt of Gransax is a spear with an incredibly powerful Ash of War that allows you to imbue the armament with the Ancient Dragons’ Red Lightning, and then throw it as a spear.

It can be charged to increase its power. You can find it resting on the giant version of itself found in Leyndell, Royal Capital. But it can no longer be acquired after defeating Maliketh, The Black Blade.

It required 20 Strength and 40 Dexterity. It’s AoW Scaling is Dexterity and Strength.

Cross-Naginata (Lightning Infused)

The Cross-Naginata is a strong spear that can be infused with Lightning. This will be your best option to pair with the Bolt of Gransax to utilize the spear power stance moveset. It can be found on a Corpse near a Giant Land Octopus in Gael Tunnel.

It required 16 Strength and 20 Dexterity.

Stormhawk Axe

The Stormhawk Axe is a strong early-game weapon. The Ash of War Thunderstorm allows you to imbue the armament’s Wing-Blade with Lightning and swing it around to create a tempestuous lightning storm. It can be acquired from Nepheli Loux by asking very nicely (killing her).

It requires 19 Strength and 15 Dexterity. It’s AoW Scaling is Dexterity and Strength.

Dragon Halberd

The Dragon Halberd is a weapon with a powerful Ash of War that imbues the armament with Frozen Lightning while slashing foes as your body spins. It can be acquired by defeating the Dragonkin Soldier resting in the Siofra River.

It requires 22 Strength and 10 Dexterity. It’s AoW Scaling is Dexterity and Strength.

Dragon King’s Cragblade

The Dragon King’s Cragblade is a heavy thrusting sword with a unique Ash of War that temporarily transforms the user into a Red Thundercloud and fly through the air, dealing lightning damage.

You can acquire this item by defeating Dragonlord Placidusax and trading in his remembrance to Enia.

It requires 18 Strength and 37 Dexterity. It’s AoW Scaling is Dexterity and Strength.

Sacred Seals

Gravel Stone Seal

The Gravel Stone Seal is the best option for this build and will be an important item no matter your route. What sets the Gravel Stone Seal apart from other Seals in the game is that it boosts the power of Dragon Cult Incantations by 15%. This will boost the destructive power of all the spells used in our setup.

You can acquire this Seal by defeating a Leyndell Knight that can be found roaming the streets in front of the ruined version of the Roundtable Hold that can be found in Leyndell, Royal Capital.

Erdtree Seal

If you decide to go the True Dragon Cultist route, you will also want to pick up the Erdtree Seal. This seal has the highest Incantation scaling in the game when only leveling faith. You will want to use the Erdtree Seal to cast your damaging spells while you have the Gravel Stone Seal in your off-hand for the increased damage.

You can pick up this seal on a corpse in the town below the Prison Town Church site of Grace in Volcano Manor.

Incantations

While many Incantations will be accessible with this build, only one type of Incantation will be used. Dragon cult Incantations revolve around harnessing the power of the Ancient Dragon’s Lightning. They are some of the most unique spells in the game that can deal incredibly high damage when connecting.

Any of the Dragon Cult Incantations will work very well with this build, but there are 3 in particular I will recommend over the rest. All 3 can be used with either version of the build.

Ancient Dragon’s Lightning Strike

Summons a red bolt of lightning that scatters and spreads around the surrounding area.

Charging enhances the range of the lightning bolt. This is extremely effective for dealing with larger enemies, as the Incantation can hit multiple times.

It can be acquired by giving either Brother Corhyn or Miriel, Pastor of Vows the Ancient Dragon Prayerbook and purchasing it from their shops for 10,000 runes.

Frozen Lightning Spear

This Incantation channels the power of the Dragonkin Soldiers. It creates a spear of frozen lightning and stabs it into the ground from above. On impact, the spear will burst into trails of lightning advancing forward. This spell can inflict the frostbite effect, which will deal a burst of damage and increase damage taken by 20%.

It can be acquired by defeating the Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella.

Lightning Spear

Summons a lightning spear and hurls it before the caster. Charging causes a lightning bolt to strike at the point of impact.

It can be acquired by giving either Brother Corhyn or Miriel, Pastor of Vows, the Dragon Cult Prayerbook and purchasing it from their shops for 6,000 Runes. The Dragon Cult Prayerbook can be acquired by defeating a Leyndell Knight patrolling immediately south of the Liurnia of the Lakes Artist’s Shack.

Buffs

The first and most important buff for this build will be the Golden Vow (Spell). This spell increases your damage by 15% and decreases the damage you take by 10%.

Golden Vow

Golden Vow is a very solid buff used in many different builds. Because we will be investing so many points into Faith, we will easily be able to meet the 25 Faith required to use it. This spell can be found in the Corpse-Stench Shack in Mt Gelmir.

Howl of Shabiri

If you feel confident in your ability to dodge a boss, you can also use the Howl of Shabriri. This incantation boosts all damage types by 25%, similar to Golden Vow, but it has a major drawback. It increases the damage you take by 30%, so only use this buff if you are confident you won’t get hit too much.

This can be found in a chest on the second level of the Frenzy-Flaming Tower south of the Grand Lift of Dectus in Liurnia.

Flask of Wondrous Physick

Lightning-Shrouding Cracked Tear

Increases lightning damage by 20% for 3 minutes. This will be the most important crystal tear for this build and should be a top priority.

It can be acquired by defeating the Erdtree Avatar by the Minor Erdtree at the western side of Liurnia.

Dexterity-Knot Crystal Tear

Increases Dexterity by 10 for 3 minutes. This can be used to help meet the stat requirements of many of the weapons in this build while also boosting the damage from weapon skills.

It can be found in a bowl on an island South of Liurnia.

Faith-Knot Crystal Tear

Increases Faith by 10 for 3 minutes. This can help meet the stat requirements of many of the incantations and buffs in this build while also boosting the damage from Incantations.

It can be found in a bowl surrounded by poison flower monsters at the bottom of the cliff near the Church of Pilgrimage in the Weeping Peninsula.

Talismans

Lightning Scorpion Charm

This is the most important talisman for this build. It increases all lightning damage you deal, and it can be found in the Wyndham Catacombs in a room locked behind a sealed imp statue.

Increases lightning damage by 12% but increases physical damage taken by 10%.

Godfrey Icon

This is the second most important Talisman for this build. It increases the damage from charged spells and skills and synergizes with many aspects of this build. This can be acquired by defeating Godefroy the Grafted, found in Golden Lineage Evergaol in Altus.

Raises attack power of charged spells and skills by 15%.

Ritual Shield Talisman

This Talisman decreases the damage you take when you are at full HP. It can be found in front of one of the doors at the Colosseum in Leyndell Royal Capital.

Reduces damage taken by 30% when HP is at maximum.

Shard of Alexander

This will be an important talisman for the Ancient Dragon-Knight version of this build. It boosts the damage your weapon skills deal. It can be acquired by defeating Iron Fist Alexander after completing his questline.

Boosts the attack power of skills by 15%.

Radagon Icon

This will be an important talisman for the True Dragon-Cultist version of this build as it shortens the casting time of spells. It can be found in a chest above the Debate Parlor site of Grace where you fight the Red Wolf of Radagon in Raya Lucaria.

It shortens the casting time of spells.

Flock’s Canvas Talisman

This will be an important talisman for the True Dragon-Cultist version of this build. It increases the damage dealt by Incantations. It can be acquired from Gowry after Millicent has met a tragic end.

It also increases the damage of Incantations by 8%.

Armor

The armor worn is not particularly important as long as you are not carrying a heavy load, but one set, the Drake Knight set, pairs especially well with this build. The Drake Knight set can be found in a chest near the Dragon Temple Rooftop site of Grace in Farum Azula.

Drake Knight Helm

A black iron helm worn by Drake Knights. It features the Spoils of a Dragon catch as an emblem of pride as both Dragon Hunter and Partaker of Communion. From birth, Dake Knights speak not a word. They spend their lives pursuing the strengths of Dragons for their sublime beauty and inspiration of awe.

Drake Knight Armor

Black iron armor worn by Drake Knights. Features the spoils of a dragon catch as an emblem of pride as both Dragon Hunter and Partaker of Communion. The Cape is crafted with a Dragon Wing membrane.

Drake Knight Gauntlets

Black iron gauntlets worn by Drake Knights. It features the Spoils of a Dragon catch as an emblem of pride as both Dragon Hunter and Partaker of Communion.

Drake Knight Greaves

Black iron greaves worn by Drake Knights. It features the Spoils of a Dragon catch as an emblem of pride as both Dragon Hunter and Partaker of Communion.

Flask Distribution

At the maximum amount of Flasks, I recommend going for a 9 Crimson flask and 5 Cerulean Flask split. This build revolves around weapon skills and casting spells, so having a good number of FP Flasks is very important.

Summons

Other than the obvious Summons, such as Mimic Tear and Black Knife Tiche, I have some recommendations that can go well with this build.

Omenkiller Rollo

Omenkiller Rollo summons the spirit of Omenkiller Rollo. This summon is incredibly good at taking boss agro from you as it is very aggressive and deals very high damage. He also has a good amount of HP, so he will be able to take agro for longer while you spam your weapon skills.

Although he costs 113 FP, you can summon him using the Cerulean Hidden Tear for infinite FP.

It can be acquired by defeating the Fell Twins at the Capital Outskirts.

Greatshield Soldier Ashes

Greatshield Soldier Ashes summons five Greatshield soldier spirits. These soldiers have high defense and can keep bosses agro very well as they tend to swarm immobile bosses from all sides. They can even stun-lock some smaller bosses with lower poise. They serve as a good distraction for you to use your weapon skills and Incantations safely.

It can be found on a corpse in a Graveyard in Nokron, Eternal City.

In Conclusion

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