King of Frost Build (Intelligence/Dexterity) – Elden Ring

Elden Ring’s elemental status effects are unique, and they all have their own uses and applications. That being said, you can also just freeze all your enemies to death. This guide will focus on how to maximize frost damage and buildup to deal massive amounts of damage.

Starting Class

We suggest basing the King of Frost build off the Vagabond, but you can use any other class and adjust the stats accordingly. Keep in mind that each class begins with stats that cannot go lower than their starting value.

What this Build is For

Frost has been nerfed since release, in large part due to Hoarfrost Stomp‘s damage numbers and stagger breaking the game. However, much like in our Bleed Build, even nerfed status effects can still melt enemies and bosses alike — with enough resourcefulness. This build aims to maximize frost buildup while also outputting as much damage as possible. Thus, we’ll be using the Dark Moon Greatsword, Zamor Curved Sword, and the Carian Regal Scepter. Since we’ll use a mix of sorceries, Intelligence/ Dexterity are the two prioritized stats. This build is tailored to level 150, and is ideal for PvE.

The Stats

Weapons & Scepter

• Dark Moon Greatsword
  • This sword has some of the best frost build-up of any weapon in the game. The Dark Moon Greatsword’s weapon art, Moonlight Greatsword, casts a slash of ice, dealing single damage while quickly clearing enemy groups. The high Intelligence scaling makes this weapon perfect for this build; maxing the stats for this sword can melt bosses unfortunate enough to meet your blade.

• Zamor Curved Sword
  • This sword is to keep a sense of fluidity in the fight, as the Dark Moon Greatsword is heavy and can feel clunky at times. The weapon art, Zamor Ice Storm, clears away clumps of enemies

• Carian Regal Scepter
  • In addition to being the best scepter in the game, this will boost Full-Moon sorceries by 30%. Unlike other scepters, this one has no downsides.

Sorceries

• Freezing Mist
  • This sorcery projects a freezing mist in an area of effect, building up frostbite. In addition to area denial, charging this sorcery increases the frost buildup and area effected.

• Adula’s Moonblade
  • This incantation works for both single combat and some minor crowd control. It’s best to use it as often as possible, seeing as it has a low FP cost.

• Glintstone Icecrag
  • This will be our primary sorcery we cast with our scepter, steadily building up Frost while dealing damage from afar.

Talismans

• Shard of Alexander
  • This talisman will be helpful to increase the attack power of our skills.

• Carian Filigreed Crest
  • Since we want more opportunities to use our sorceries, we’ll be using this talisman to decrease the FP cost of our skills.

• Radagon’s Soreseal
  • This talisman will increase some of our stats, but also increase damage taken, so use the alternative for PvP.

How to use this build

We’ll have our two swords in our right-hand slot: Dark Moon Greatsword and Zamor Curved Sword. In the left-handed slot, we’ll have the Carian Regal Scepter. This build can function most effectively at close and mid-range, and can deal massive damage when Frost is built up fully. With our level of mind, we won’t need to worry about FP being melted during fights. Bosses — especially ones weak to frost — will melt faster.

Tips and Strategies for Groups of Enemies

1. When enemies start to swarm you, open with the Zamor Curved Sword weapon art to start dealing damage. This will also start hitting enemies with Frost build-up.
2. For the heavier enemy types, use the Dark Moon Greatsword, as its weapon art is perfect for single-target damage and crowd control.
3. Cast Adula’s Moonblade if you want to deal some extra damage on top of your weapons.

Tips and Strategies for Bosses

1. At the start of the encounter, charge up your Dark Moon Greatsword and begin using its mid-ranged weapon art.
2. When the boss starts attacking, cast freezing mist to get in that Frost build-up while attacking.
3. Cast Adula’s Moonblade when the boss finishes their attack patters — you can cast this sorcery and use the Dark Moon Greatsword simultaneously.