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Ranged builds in Elden Ring provide significant damage while fighting from a safe distance. Being able to fire with a bow or crossbow provides accuracy, but sometimes isn’t the fastest option. In addition, some already swift bosses will require a few backup weapons, ammo, and spells.
Focusing mostly on ranged attacks isn’t the most common Elden Ring build. However, it can be an excellent means of going through a new playthrough. Additionally, waiting for a second run allows a fresh start but with endgame gear and items.
How To Distribute Stat Points
Main stats and items will change slightly based on how many weapon options the player wants. Players will want the minimum strength and dexterity to hold all their primary and secondary weapons. From there, the main combat stat will depend on an individual weapon’s scaling.
Standard longbows favor dexterity, and Elden Ring greatbows use more strength. If wielding either, players will want to get the corresponding strength stat of 40 and get the most out of any remaining extra points. Crossbows begin with no scaling, making additional strength or dexterity pointless investments. Instead, players will need to invest in mental stats, i.e., intelligence, faith, and arcane, to wield any desired magic skills. All other remaining points should go into vigor and endurance.
Best Ranged & Melee Weapons
Elden Ring is filled with multiple different ranged and melee weapons. It is helpful to have several varieties to combat various monsters and bosses. The following weapons should be considered for their different Elden Ring strengths and weaknesses.
Longbows
Weapon | Attack, Function | Location |
|---|---|---|
Black Bow | High physical damage with barrage weapon skill | Leyndell Royal Capital |
Pulley Bow | Physical damage mighty shot weapon skill bow | The siege tower in Mt Gelmir |
Serpent Bow | Arcane scaling bow with a mighty shot | Near a rotting pool in Abandoned Cave |
Crossbows
Weapon | Attack, Function | Location |
|---|---|---|
Arbalest | High-damage physical crossbow with kick weapon skill | Stormvell Castle |
Pulley Crossbow | Multi-fire three-show crossbow also with kick weapon skill | Site of Grace in Craftsman’s Shack |
Greatbows
Weapon | Attack, Function | Location |
|---|---|---|
Lion Greatbow | High damage great bow with the Radahn’s Rain weapon skill | Forged by Enia with the Remembrance of the Starscourge dropped by killing Starscourge Radahn |
Golem Greatbow | Very powerful great bow with the through and through attack | Randomly dropped from Golem Archer enemies; found in Elden Ring places like Stormhill, Caelid colosseum, or at the top part of Grand Lift of Dectus |
Ammo
Ammo | Attack, Function | Location |
|---|---|---|
Serpent Arrow | Poison damage arrows | Sold by Dragonbarrow Isolated Merchant |
Golden Bolt | Armor-piercing bolt | Sold by the Hermit Merchant |
Burred Bolt | Bleed damage bolt | Sold by the Imprisoned Merchant in Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum |
Lightning Bolt | 80 damage Lightning bolt | Sold by Nomadic Merchant in Atlus Plateau |
Golem Magic Arrow | 125 magic damage using great arrows | Dropped from Golem archers |
Dexterity Melee Weapons
Weapon | Attack, Function | Location |
|---|---|---|
Great Knife | Quickstep dagger | Bandit starting weapon or dropped from demi-human enemies |
Scorpion’s Stinger | Scarlet rot build up the dagger | Found at the Lake of Rot |
Nagakiba | Unsheathe weapon skill-based katana | Dropped by the Bloody Finger Hunter Yura found near the Seaside Ruins |
Even with all weapons and ammo collected, players should consider also finding several Elden Ring spells. These include the likes of Thop’s Barrier to stop magic, Unseen Form from becoming invisible, and Tibia’s Summons for a few extra skeleton minions. Additionally, if one has spare runs, one should practice aiming and timing long-ranged shots before heading into battle directly.
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Elden RingPlatform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Released: 2022-02-25
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Genre: Action, RPG
ESRB: M
How Long To Beat: 56 Hours
Expansion Packs : The Colosseum
Elden Ring