7 Elden Ring Builds That Ignore Magic Entirely

[RindVoyager]

While sorcery and incantations dominate many Elden Ring discussions, not every Tarnished is interested in slinging spells. Some players prefer the grit and steel of melee builds that rely solely on raw strength, stamina, and tactical execution. Whether you’re looking to avoid the complexity of FP management or just want to crush foes the old-fashioned way, here are 7 Elden Ring builds that ignore magic entirely — no spells, no staffs, just pure martial dominance.

1. The Classic Strength Build
If you enjoy the satisfying crunch of a colossal weapon, the Classic Strength Build is your go-to. Focus your stats on Strength and Endurance, wielding weapons like the Greatsword or Giant-Crusher. These weapons can stagger most enemies and even some bosses with a single hit. Equip heavy armor and a Greatshield to complete the tanky package.

Tip: Use charged heavy attacks and jumping attacks to break enemy posture quickly. And remember, it’s easy to farm cheap Elden Ring Items like upgrade materials through late-game farming routes.

2. The Dexterity Duelist
Fast, agile, and deadly, the Dexterity Duelist focuses on light armor and high-speed weapons such as katanas, rapiers, or curved swords. Parrying and dodging become central to your survival, making this build ideal for players who love precision.

With no reliance on magic, your Ashes of War choices become essential. Consider Seppuku or Bloody Slash for added lethality. Pairing these with cheap elden ring runes can help you experiment with weapon upgrades without grinding endlessly.

3. The Colossal Bruiser
This build is all about embracing the game's largest weapons without any finesse. Think dual-wielding colossal weapons like the Ruins Greatsword and Watchdog's Greatsword. Every swing is slow but devastating.

Invest in Strength, Vigor, and Endurance. Forget magic — your presence alone will be enough to intimidate most enemies. Bosses may resist spells, but they can’t resist being flattened into the ground.

4. The Bleed Berserker
Bleed builds are often paired with Arcane and Dexterity, but you don’t need magic to make them effective. Equip weapons like the Rivers of Blood (without using the weapon art) or Nagakiba with bleed infusion. Focus on fast attacks to trigger Hemorrhage quickly.

For those looking to stack up on consumables and crafting materials, browsing sources for cheap Elden Ring Items can enhance your bleed arsenal significantly.

5. The Shield Hero
Shield-based builds aren’t just for defense — with the right setup, they can be your main offense too. Use a greatshield with the Shield Crash Ash of War and maximize your Guard Boost. Pair it with armor that boosts stamina recovery and you’ll become an unstoppable wall.

This build is ideal for players who want to hold their ground and punish enemies with methodical strikes. Magic isn’t needed when your defense is nearly impenetrable.

6. The Greathammer Executioner
Greathammers like the Great Club or Dragon Slayer’s Cragblade deliver crushing power. This build is especially fun for crowd control and PvP. You’ll invest heavily in Strength and Endurance, and your goal is to flatten everything in your path.

Greathammers synergize well with poise-heavy armor sets, which can be easily optimized using cheap elden ring runes to level up quickly and reach necessary stat thresholds.

7. The Pure Quality Build
Quality builds, which invest in both Strength and Dexterity, offer great versatility with non-magical weapons. Use weapons like the Claymore, Twinblade, or Bloodhound’s Fang. The beauty of this build lies in weapon variety — you’ll be able to adapt to any situation without casting a single spell.

Ashes of War provide magical-style utility without actual magic use, making this build a great middle ground for those who want options without dipping into Intelligence or Faith.


Magic can be powerful, but Elden Ring offers countless paths for melee purists to thrive. These builds not only hold their own in PvE and PvP, but they also embrace the raw essence of action combat. And whether you're farming runes or upgrading gear, starting with cheap elden ring runes and cheap Elden Ring Items can give you the flexibility to experiment without the usual grind.