If you are having some trouble with Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree, this DLC will likely be challenging for many players as the bosses and upgrade system make it significantly more difficult than the base game. If you're struggling, you aren't alone, many players aren't able to get past the game's first few bosses and the game's later bosses only increase in difficulty. This guide is going to help you get stronger today with the best builds to conquer Shadow of the Erdtree. 

Best Elden Ring DLC Builds after Patch 1.12 - Top 5 Op Builds to Conquer Shadow of the Erdtree 

The Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, has introduced new challenges and enemies to the game. To conquer these new obstacles, it's essential to have powerful and optimized builds. Below, are the top 5 op builds in Elden Ring after patch 1.12, including the Great Katana Build, Jumping Bleed Build, Blasphemous Blade Build, Backhand Blades Blood Build, and Savage Lion's Claw Build. Each build offers unique playstyles and strategies to help you succeed in the Land of Shadow.

1. Elden Ring DLC Great Katana Build

The Great Katana Build, also known as the Savage Slasher, focuses on explosive damage and utilizes the Great Katana weapon. This build offers versatility and reach, with a move set that combines a curved sword and a katana. The Great Katana's native bleed status effect build-up adds an extra layer of effectiveness to this build. The recommended armor set is the Raptor’s Black Feathers, providing good protection.

Gears

Weapons: Heavy Great Katana, Finger Seal

Armor: Raptor’s Black Feathers

Boots: Greaves of Solitude

Gloves: Night’s Cavalry Gauntlets

Armor: White Mask

Talismans

Millicent’s Prosthesis

Lord of Blood's Exaltation

Outer God Heirloom

Shard of Alexander

Stats

Vigor: 68

Mind: 22

Endurance: 30

Strength: 70

Dexterity: 20

Intelligence: 9

Faith: 25

Arcane: 13

2. Elden Ring DLC Jumping Bleed Build 

Jumping bleed build is very effective with only 8 upgrades, it works fine when fighting a mini boss. Bleed procs are still very good and the jump attack and successive attack damage buildup is excellent. The amount of damage that you're still going to get with these and bleed proc specifically are affected by the upgrade system, so it may be one of the better builds to go into DLC. It could be a boring play style for some, but keep in mind you want to learn boss move sets and such first and get a hang of everything before you use anything that's a little bit difficult.

Gears

Weapons: Scavenger’s Occult Curved Sword, Bandit’s Blood Curved Sword, Finger Seal

Armor: Raptor’s Black Feathers

Boots: Greaves of Solitude

Gloves: Night’s Cavalry Gauntlets

Helm: White Mask

Talismans

Lord of Blood’s Exultation

Winged Sword Insignia

Millicent’s Prosthesis

Claw Talisman

Stats

Vigor: 60

Mind: 16

Endurance: 29

Strength: 15

Dexterity: 35

Intelligence: 9

Faith: 25

Arcane: 55

3. Blasphemous Blade Build

Then we have the Blasphemous Blade build which revolves around the Blasphemous Blade weapon, a powerful and versatile weapon introduced in the DLC. This build combines strength and dexterity to wield the Blasphemous Blade effectively. The weapon's unique moveset and high damage output make it a formidable choice for players. It is recommended to invest in both strength and dexterity stats to optimize this build.

Gears

Weapons: Blasphemous Blade, Finger Seal

Gloves: Night’s Cavalry Gauntlets

Armor: Night’s Cavalry Armor

Boots: Greaves of Solitude

Helm: Skeletal Mask

Talismans

Shard of Alexander

Ritual Sword Talisman

Fire Scorpion Charm

Green Turtle Talisman

Stats

Vigor: 60

Mind: 24

Endurance: 30

Strength: 23

Dexterity: 15

Intelligence: 9

Faith: 60

Arcane: 8

4. Backhand Blades Blood Build

The Backhand Blades Blood Build focuses on utilizing the Backhand Blades weapon and maximizing blood damage. This build relies on quick and precise strikes to drain the enemy's health through blood damage. It is recommended to invest in both dexterity and luck stats to enhance the blood damage output. The Backhand Blades' unique moveset allows for swift and deadly attacks

Gears

Weapons: Blood Blackhand Blade, Finger Seal

Helm: White Mask

Armor: Night’s Cavalry Armor

Boots: Greaves of Solitude

Gloves: Night’s Calvary Gauntlets

Talismans

Shard of Alexander

Millicent’s Prosthesis

Lord of Blood’s Exultation

Winged Sword Insignia 

Stats

Vigor: 60

Mind: 20

Endurance: 25

Strength: 15

Dexterity: 45

Intelligence: 9

Faith: 15

Arcane: 45

5. Savage Lions Claw Build

Then we have Savage Lions Claw build, one of the best ashes of war that you could also grab early. This one is excellent, bosses, enemies, whatever you're fighting, it truly is incredible, the amount of posture damage it can do is awesome and the animation the fact that we're getting two lions claw in the ash of war, it's just ridiculous. The fact that they put this there early along with the backhand blades, great Katana, some of the best stuff you could find early on in Shadow of the Erdtree to help you, that's mean to be there, and as you power up along the way, these builds are going to get even stronger. 

Gears

Weapons: Heavy Greatsword, Finger Seal

Helm: Skeletal Mask

Armor: Raptor’s Black Feathers

Boots: Greaves of Solitude

Gloves: Night’s Cavalry Gauntlets

Talismans

Ritual Sword Talisman

Crusade Insignia

Shard of Alexander

Arsenal Charm

Stats

Vigor: 60

Mind: 22

Endurance: 30

Strength: 70

Dexterity: 15

Intelligence: 9

Faith: 15

Arcane: 8