Summary
This guide covers Elden Ring Patch 1.17's top 9 overpowered PvE builds, featuring buffed weapons like Perfume Bottles, Reverse Blades, Zweihander and dual flame katanas, paired with optimal talismans, affinities and Ashes of War. These setups suit varied playstyles and work well in the base game and New Game Plus. Leveling and gear upgrades demand many runes; players can buy Elden Ring Runes to skip tedious grinding and quickly test these powerful builds in the Lands Between.
Elden Ring continues to evolve with each major update, and patch 1.17 has brought fresh life to many weapons and playstyles. FromSoftware's latest adjustments, combined with content from the Tarnished Edition, have made several previously overlooked options shine. This guide explores nine of the most enjoyable and effective builds currently available, focusing on fun combat loops, solid damage output, and viability in both the base game and higher journey levels.
Whether you prefer flashy status effects, heavy poise-breaking swings, or agile dual-wield setups, these builds offer something for almost every Tarnished. Progressing through these setups often requires significant character investment, and many players look for efficient ways to acquire Elden Ring Runes to level up stats and upgrade gear without excessive grinding.
Perfume Bottle Build - Wall of Sparks
The Perfume Bottle weapons received meaningful buffs in the latest patch, restoring much of their earlier power. The Fire Spark Perfume Bottle paired with the Wall of Sparks skill stands out as a strong choice against large bosses. The delayed multi-hit nature of the skill can deliver impressive damage numbers, often exceeding several thousand in a single activation when properly buffed.
This setup works especially well on dexterity-focused characters. The relatively light weight of the perfume bottles also makes them convenient backup options. Recommended talismans include the Perfumer's Talisman, Shard of Alexander, and Fire Scorpion Charm. Physick tears such as the Flame Tear and Bloodsucking Cracked Tear further amplify the damage. With Golden Vow and Flame Grant Me Strength active, the build becomes surprisingly reliable for both boss fights and exploration.
Reverse Blades Bleed Setup
The Reverse Blades offer a lightweight, high-mobility option that benefits greatly from the Blue Dancer Charm. When infused with Blood affinity and upgraded fully, these weapons deliver strong physical attack ratings alongside solid bleed buildup. The combination allows for rapid shredding of enemies while maintaining excellent agility.
Craigblade and the Blue Dancer Charm boost physical damage significantly. Additional support comes from the Lord of Blood's Exultation, Winged Sword Insignia, and Prosthesis-Wearer Heirloom. This build performs consistently across New Game Plus cycles because bleed damage scales as a percentage of enemy health. Players who enjoy fast, aggressive playstyles will find the Reverse Blades highly rewarding.
Golden Fist (Golem Fist) Build
The Golden Fist weapons received improvements to their throwing animations and charged attack range in patch 1.17. These changes turned an already entertaining weapon type into one of the most enjoyable options in the game. Charged attacks now cover more distance and hit harder, making the fists excellent for both crowd control and single-target pressure.
Running them with Blood affinity keeps damage consistent in later journeys. The Axe Talisman, Lord of Blood's Exultation, and Blade of Mercy provide strong support. Endure on the weapon or a secondary seal allows for safe buff windows. Many players consider the Golden Fist among the most fun weapons available, offering a unique mix of range, impact, and visual flair.
Giant Hunt Zweihander Build
The Zweihander remains a classic choice, and pairing it with the Giant Hunt Ash of War creates a reliable late-game setup. The skill delivers substantial poise damage-often around 40 points per use-making it effective at staggering larger enemies. Heavy affinity maximizes the raw physical output of this greatsword.
Shard of Alexander, Blade of Mercy, and the Spear Talisman (for the thrusting component of Giant Hunt) form a solid talisman core. This build suits players who prefer straightforward, high-impact combat and want a weapon that feels powerful from the early game all the way through the endgame. The Heavy Knight starting class already provides favorable stats for this approach.
Dual Flame Art Great Katanas
Dual-wielding the Red Great Katana and the standard Great Katana with Flame Art affinity produces exceptional jump-attack damage. Properly buffed, individual jump attacks can reach impressive numbers, while the dual moveset remains strong for sustained pressure. Activating Flaming Strike on both weapons adds both visual spectacle and extra fire damage.
Raptor's Black Feathers, Millicent's Prosthesis, Fire Scorpion Charm, and the Claw Talisman support the jump-focused playstyle. This setup rewards aggressive aerial combat and looks striking in motion. It is particularly effective against enemies weak to fire and performs well in both open-world exploration and boss arenas.
Iaito Sword Light Greatsword Build
The Iaito benefits from the excellent light greatsword moveset and pairs well with the Blue Dancer Charm when equipment load stays under the relevant threshold. Blood affinity once again provides consistent bleed pressure and solid attack rating. The weapon's speed and reach make it a strong all-rounder.
This build stays relatively light, allowing for high mobility while still delivering meaningful damage. Players who prefer the knightly aesthetic of the light greatsword will appreciate how smoothly the Iaito handles. Early-game guides for the Iaito Knight class make this an accessible option from the start of a new playthrough.
Smithscript Greathammer and Additional Options
The Smithscript Greathammer offers another heavy-hitting alternative that benefits from the patch adjustments. Its unique properties and solid poise damage make it a worthwhile inclusion for strength-oriented players seeking variety.
Complementary builds such as the Reed Katana and Hefty Scimitars further expand the roster of fun options. These weapons emphasize different strengths-speed and status buildup in one case, weighty dual-wield power in the other-giving players more ways to experiment within the current meta.
Building Your Character Efficiently
Creating and refining these builds requires careful stat allocation and frequent weapon upgrades. Many players find that gathering the necessary cheap Elden Ring Runes helps accelerate the process of reaching optimal levels and purchasing materials. Investing in the right attributes-whether strength, dexterity, or a hybrid approach-makes a noticeable difference in how these weapons perform.
Talisman choices, physick combinations, and temporary buffs such as Golden Vow remain important across nearly every setup. Testing different affinities and Ash of War combinations in controlled environments helps players discover which variations best suit their preferred combat style.
Final Thoughts on Patch 1.17 Builds
Patch 1.17 has successfully revitalized several weapon categories and encouraged creative experimentation. The nine builds covered here represent some of the most entertaining and effective options currently available. From the delayed chaos of Wall of Sparks to the satisfying impact of Giant Hunt and the aerial aggression of dual Flame Art katanas, there is something for a wide range of play preferences.
Tarnished looking to try these setups should focus on proper buff sequences, appropriate armor weight for their chosen talismans, and consistent practice against different enemy types. With the right preparation and a bit of exploration, any of these builds can carry a character through the Lands Between with both power and style.
The current state of Elden Ring rewards players who experiment and adapt. Whether you stick with one favorite or rotate through several of these options, the updated weapons and balancing changes offer plenty of reasons to return to the game and discover new ways to overcome its challenges.
