Best Elden Ring Wretch build including stats, weapons & talismans
Here is everything you need to know about using the Wretch build in Elden Ring, including the best equipment, stats, levelling, what weapons to use and more.
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Choosing the Wretch build in Elden Ring isn't for the fainthearted, but it does allow you more freedom and customisation than any other class - so we've got the best build to help you get to grips with it. This starter class begins on 1 for every single stat, so it is as close to a clean slate as you can get in the game.
Elden Ring is not an easy game, and choosing the Wretch out the gate over Samurai or Hero is just one more way to ensure you're truly having the most challenging experience you can. Of the ten starter classes, there is no doubt that this will be the most challenging on offer.
Elden Ring Wretch stats and levelling
A Wretch build has the freedom to go in a few different directions from the get-go, and you don't need to focus on certain stats that you already have a boost in. This is going to make the start of the game harder, as you won't hit for a massive amount of damage, but you'll receive a lot back. The only consistent suggestion for levelling we have is to put points into Vigor early, as you'll need the extra health.
The rest depends on whether you're focusing on a physical, magical, or mixed build, and these can still be split into further physical and magical damage types. This class will also encourage you to explore more, as it's more necessary to get runes and better equipment early on.
Best weapons for an Elden Ring Wretch build
There are several weapons you can choose from for a Wretch build in Elden Ring, but we recommend:
- Eleonora's Poleblade
- Gargoyle's Black Blade
- Lusat's Glintstone Staff
- Starscourge Greatsword
When it comes to finding the perfect weapon for a Wretch build in Elden Ring, you have a great deal of choice owing to the balance of stats you have at the start of the game. Finding weapons could provide you with a tangible goal in your playthrough, as you can also re-spec a little while into the game. By using the Larval Tears it opens up your choices when refining a weapon that's right for you.
There are a tonne of quality weapons available, and Elden Ring's Wretch build diversity gives you a lot of choices. One of the best you can use in the game is called Eleonora's Poleblade. This is a twinblade weapon that has some of the best DPS in the game thanks to its bleed effect and skill. You can earn it by killing an invader at the Second Church of Marika in the Altus Plateau. This is the best weapon in the game for Arcane builds, so if that's your stat of choice, we recommend this.
Another great weapon and the best colossal sword in the game is the Starscourge Greatsword, as shown below. It can be bought from Enia at the Roundtable Hold, once you have defeated Radahn and have the Remembrance of the Starscourge. Its high stats also mean it's a much later-game weapon.
If you're looking for a more magic-appropriate weapon to make use of, the Lusat's Glintstone Staff is by far the best choice. This is great if you are primarily levelling Intelligence as it requires 52, along with 10 Strength.
It can be found in Sellia, Town of Sorcery inside a chest near where you can fight the Nox Swordstress and Nox Priest bosses. The staff has some of the best damage scalings of any staff, and it enhances the power of all sorceries you cast with it but consumes additional FP. If you've put a tonne of points into Mind this won't be an issue, so look out for this when you are thinking of a sorcerer build like the Astrologer.
A good choice of physical weapon that works well with Faith users is the Gargoyle's Black Blades. It needs 18 Strength, 15 Dexterity, and 22 Faith to wield effectively, but it's a great melee choice when you are putting lots of points into Faith. You have to defeat the Black Blade Kindred first, who can be found just before the Grand Lift of Rold.
Best armours for Elden Ring Wretch builds
When it comes to finding a perfect armour for the Wretch build in Elden Ring, we also have some choices that depend on your playstyle, including:
- Briar Set
- Lionel the Lionhearted's Armour
- Spellblade Set
For magic users, the Spellblade Set (pictured below) is incredibly powerful, and a great choice if you are specialising in sorceries. You can get this early in Stormveil Castle by killing Sorcerer Rogier, but it's also available in Leyndell later in the game.
For armours, we also have some choices that depend on your playstyle, including:
- Briar Set
- Lionel the Lionhearted's Armour
- Spellblade Set
For magic users, the Spellblade Set is incredibly powerful, and a great choice if you are specialising in sorceries. You can get this early in Stormveil Castle by killing Sorcerer Rogier, but it's also available in Leyndell later in the game.
One great armour set that can be found in Leyndell is Lionel the Lionhearted's armour. This is the best heavy armour set, giving you a tonne of protection and increased poise, so you are much harder to knock over. You'll need to get into the area below the capital to find the corpse with this set, but don't wait too long as Leyndell undergoes some changes late in the game.
If you're looking for something a little lighter that still provides high protection, the Briar Set is a great choice, and a go-to for Samurai and Warrior builds. You'll need to travel to The Shaded Castle in the Atlus Plateau and defeat the boss of this area called Elemer of the Briar first. After this, go to the Roundtable Hold to purchase the set from Enia.
Best Talismans for an Elden Ring Wretch build
Lastly, there are some very powerful talismans worth seeking out during the game. We highlight some of these in the Elden Ring Legendary Talismans guide, but there are plenty of others that still provide very powerful effects:
- Gold Scarab Talisman
- Green Turtle Talisman
- Millicent's Prosthesis
- Shard of Alexander
The Green Turtle Talisman that's pictured above increases your stamina restoration speed, which is vital for some builds focused on dodging and fighting up close.
A solid early-game choice is the Gold Scarab Talisman, which gives you a 20% boost in acquiring runes, letting you get way more levels in throughout your playthrough. The Erdtree's Favour talismans are also solid, raising your max HP, stamina, and equip load.
For players who are taking advantage of the combat skills and Elden Ring Ashes of War, the Shard of Alexander will increase the damage of all weapon skills. Millicent's Prothesis is an imperative talisman for players with fast-attacking weapons like Eleonora's Poleblade, as it boosts Dexterity by five and raises the power of successive attacks.
If the Wretch isn't to your liking, there are plenty more classes to choose from in Elden Ring, including:
That's all for our Elden Ring Wretch build, and now you have an idea of the type of freedom afforded by this class, and some of the best equipment in the game to find. If you're wondering about the Elden Ring length while you're playing as a Wretch, we have a breakdown of how long it will take to complete depending on your playstyle. Otherwise, visit our Elden Rings guides & news homepage for even more essentials right here at GGRecon.
About The Author
Tarran Stockton
Tarran is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. He previously wrote reviews for his college newspaper before studying Media and Communication at university. His favourite genres include role-playing games, strategy games, and boomer shooters - along with anything indie. You can also find him in the pit at local hardcore shows.
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