Elden Ring Samurai Build: Which Stats and Armor to Choose?

What are the best stats, weapons, and armor for Elden Ring Samurai build? If you are curious about the best ways to brave the horrors of The Lands Between as a Samurai, you have come to the best place.

FromSoftware’s Elden Ring still conquers the gaming scene with its unrivaled replayability and rich class system. The dark action RPG offers the players to chance to explore the dark corners of The Lands Between as a Samurai, Knight, Prisoner, or Vagabond.

In this guide, we will focus on the best gear and equipment for your Samurai build. If you want to experience the glory of Elden Ring with a Katana, do keep in mind the tips and tricks below during your journey.

Best Elden Ring Samurai Build Tips

Before we dive into the guide and elaborate on the gear, stats, and other equipment, take a look at the key takeaways in the bullet list below.

• Note that Uchigatana is a great choice for a Samurai build in Elden Ring. It might as well be your only weapon for a large chunk of the game.
• When it comes to the best Samurai armors, Land of Reeds, Ronin’s Set, White Reed Set, and Briar Set will be your best options. That being said, we strongly recommend White Reed Set as it offers an amazing protection level against staggering and melee combat.
• Ranged combat might not be your cup of tea in soulslike games. But it is high of importance for those who embrace the ways of a Samurai in The Lands Between. That’s why Longbow (D – Dex scaling) will be a perfect addition to your arsenal.
• When it comes to other pieces of equipment like Talismans, we recommend going with Assassin’s Crimson Dagger and Prosthesis-Wearer Heirloom as they provide the requirement boosts like the HP restore and dexterity increase.

Samurai Class Stat Recommendations

Elden Ring’s Samurai class is one of the most suitable classes both for veterans and beginners of the soulslike games. Below, we have created an outline that can assist you when deciding on which stats to update as you level up.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to stick with it and follow the exact stats updates. As you spend hours in Elden Ring, you will become more mindful of what your build is lacking.

Vigor: 21
Mind: 15
Endurance: 14
Strength: 15
Dexterity: 24
Intelligence: 12
Faith: 8
Arcane: 8

What are the best stats for the pure dexterity Samurai build?

On the other hand, keep in mind that there are various approaches based on which stat you will favor as a Samurai. For example, you can build a “pure dex Samurai,” which means that your character is heavily dependent on Dexterity. If that’s the case for you, we recommend you aim for 60 in Dexterity and 40 in Endurance for surviving the tough battles in the endgame.

That being said, you might want to avoid focusing on Dexterity too much in the early game. Try to focus on Vigor in the early stages of the title as it will help you get through most of the bosses in Limgrave. After Vigor, the order of leveling stats should be Endurance, Dexterity, and Strength. After surviving the early game, your stats will mostly be chosen by the weapon you use. Or, -as we mentioned earlier- you can go with Uchigatana and try to follow the outline above.

Elden Ring Samurai Build: What are the best Katanas?

FromSoftware’s magnum opus comes with a rich arsenal of Katanas. The game’s inventory offers a wide array of these iconic blades. Here are some of the best ones that will be a solid pick for Elden Ring samurai build.

1. Moonveil

According to a great number of Samurai players, Moonveil is one of the best early-game Katanas in Elden Ring. The popular weapon scales with STR, INT, and DEX. The weapon comes with the following stats:

Physical damage: 73
Magical damage: 87
Critical damage: 100

Moonveil’s Weapon Skill: Transient Moonlight bursts out an instant slash attack in a form of light. Since the weapon comes with its unique skill, it can’t be infused with Ashes of War. But its great features like blood loss buildup of 50 and high speed make it an essential weapon for the Samurai class. Those who want to get their hands on the weapon will have to slay Magma Wyrm in Gael Tunnel at Caelid.

2. Hand of Malenia

Hand of Malenia is a weapon that scales with Strength and Dexterity. This amazing weapon can only be obtained after emerging victorious against Malenia, Blade of Miquella. The late-game weapon comes with a requirement of 48 Dexterity, yet it grants an incredible amount of damage to your enemies. The weapon’s B attribute scale also makes it a great pick for the best Elden Ring Samurai build.

Physical damage: 117
Critical damage: 100

Scaling

STR: E
DEX: C

While the weapon’s unique skill Waterfowl Dance offers a sight to behold, it makes the weapon impossible to infuse with Ashes of War. That being said, you can still upgrade the weapon with Somber Smithing Stones.

3. Nagakiba

The moment you get your hands on Nagakiba, you will realize that it has some unique aspects like its unusual length and width. This weapon is one of the best especially if you favor longer reach.

Physical damage: 115
Critical damage: 100

You can obtain Nagakiba from Bloody Finger Hunter Yura.

4. Blasphemous Blade

Blasphemous Blade makes up for its relatively high requirements with its great design and amazing physical damage.

The weapon’s winner features are not limited to these, though.

That’s because this beautiful instrument of destruction has a weapon art that heals 10% of your maximum HP and 150 HP on each hit.
It also heals 40 HP, when you beat the enemy.

Those who like what the blade offers will have to beat Rykard, one of the enemies that will you see once you reach Volcano Manor.

5. Uchigatana

Uchigatana can be your only companion as you dive into the dark corners of The Lands Between. While it is the default weapon of the class, Uchigatana never stops delivering until the very end of the game.

With the right equipment and build choices, this humble weapon will prove extremely useful in the toughest battle as well.

 6. The Sword of Night and Flame

The Sword of Night and Flame will also be a great pick for your Samurai build. While the weapon’s previous offerings before the day one patch were incredible, the weapon still delivers for those who embrace the way of the samurai.

It is especially a solid weapon when used with another katana.
The weapon offers great damage with its weapon art.
If you like what the sword offers, head to Caria Manor and brave its horrors to get your hands on it on the castle’s roof.

7. Rivers of Blood

Rivers of Blood comes with a solid moveset that also offers blood loss. The weapon requires 12 STR, 18 DEX, and 20 ARC to wield, and its sweet blood loss build-up makes it a viable option for the Samurai class.

If you want to take on The Lands Between with a pair of katanas, we suggest Rivers of Blood and Serpentbone Blade create an incredible duo that will get you through a large chunk of the game.

Blood loss buildup is a winner feature.
Its weapon art stuns even the toughest enemies.
One of the best katanas for dual weapon playstyle.
The Best Talismans for Samurai in Elden Ring

Below, we have listed the best Talismans you can equip if you are going for a Samurai class in Elden Ring.

Arrow’s Reach: This Talisman offers a range increase for ranged combat. This great piece will allow you to depend on your bows even more as it basically transforms your weapon into artillery.
Lord of Blood’s Exultation: The Talisman increases your Samurai’s attack power when your enemy has a blood loss buildup. That’s why it is a perfect addition to your build if it has an emphasis on blood loss ailment.
Erdtree’s Favor: Upgrading this Talisman to +2 will grant you a solid HP buff alongside Stamina and Equipment Load.

Elden Ring Samurai Builds and Playstyles

In this section of our guide, we have provided blueprints of various Samurai builds that you can alter based on your playstyle.

Early Game Samurai Build
Stats: Dexterity, Vigor, Endurance, Mind
Armor: Land of Reeds, White Reed Set
Talisman: Lord of Blood’s Exultation
Spells: Unsheathe, Mighty Shot
Moonveil Build
Stats: Intelligence, Vigor, Dexterity, Arcane
Armor: Land of Reeds
Talisman: Assassin’s Cerulean Dagger, Carian Filigreed Crest
Spells: Carian Greatsword, Loretta’s Greatbow
Skills: Transient Moonlight
The Sword of Night and Flame Build
Stats: Intelligence, Faith, Vigor, Mind
Armor: Light or Medium Armor
Talisman: Erdtree’s Favor
Spells: Rancorcall
Katana Bleed Build
Stats: Dexterity, Arcane, Endurance, Vigor
Armor: Briar Set, Raging Wolf Set
Talisman: Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Arrow’s Reach
Spells: Unsheathe, Enchanted Shot, Mighty Shot
Takeaway From Elden Ring Samurai Build Guide

Elden Ring Samurai is a highly versatile class that offers a fast-paced playstyle. The class comes with great base stats and allows players to explore its potential in multiple ways. In this guide, we have listed the best armor, weapons, and talismans to create the best Samurai in Elden Ring.