Summary
Elden Ring Patch 1.17 has shaken up the Tarnished meta with a wave of weapon buffs, improved parry mechanics, stronger shields, and new gear tied to the Tarnished Pack. If you want to prepare quickly, you can also buy Elden Ring Runes for upgrades and stat boosts. Released on August 27, the update strengthens several previously overlooked weapons and playstyles, if you're returning to the Lands Between, these five builds are worth testing.
1. Smithscript Throwing Build
The Smithscript Axe, Smithscript Spear, and Smithscript Greathammer are among the biggest winners. Patch 1.17 increases the power of their throwing attacks, while the Axe and Spear also consume less stamina when thrown. The Spear of the Impaler receives similar improvements.
Build around Strength and Dexterity, then use throwing attacks to pressure enemies from mid-range before switching to melee when they close the gap. This setup offers excellent flexibility for both exploration and boss fights.
2. Carian Sorcery Sword Hybrid
Intelligence builds also received a major upgrade through the Carian Sorcery Sword. Its Intelligence scaling now increases the attack power of all damage types, making it much more attractive as a hybrid melee weapon.
Invest heavily in Intelligence, with enough Dexterity and Mind to support your preferred combat style. You can switch between sword attacks and sorceries without relying on completely separate weapons, making this one of the most versatile builds after 1.17.
3. Perfume Bottle Status Build
Patch 1.17 increases the attack power of the Firespark, Lightning, Chilling, Frenzyflame, and Deadly Poison Perfume Bottles.
A status-focused setup can combine Chilling Perfume Bottle with frost-oriented equipment or use Deadly Poison for sustained pressure. The result is a stylish alternative to conventional bleed or colossal-weapon builds.
4. Parry & Critical Build
Parry received improved performance, while Daggers, Curved Swords, and Small Shields now recover faster after activation. Smithscript Dagger also gained increased critical hit power.
Pair a small shield with a high-critical weapon such as the Misericorde. Mastering enemy attack patterns can turn this build into a devastating boss-killing machine.
5. Greatshield Guard Counter Build
Greatshields received significant improvements, including higher Guard Boost on many models and reduced weight on several options.
Stack Strength and Endurance, equip a powerful greatshield, and punish blocked attacks with Guard Counters. It's slower than aggressive builds, but extremely reliable for players who prefer defense and controlled counterattacks.
Final Verdict
Patch 1.17 rewards experimentation. Throwing weapons, Intelligence hybrids, Perfume Bottles, parry builds, and greatshields all have stronger reasons to be used now. With enough Elden Ring Runes for leveling and stat adjustments, you can test these builds more efficiently and find the playstyle that best suits your Tarnished.
