Elden Ring: 14 Builds That Utilize Offhand Magic Strategically
Elden Ring’s combat system offers a deep level of customization, and one of the most exciting aspects is the ability to combine melee prowess with offhand magic. Using spells or incantations in your offhand can drastically change the way you approach fights, allowing for flexible tactics and unique playstyles. Here, I’ll share 14 builds that make the most of offhand magic strategically, helping you get creative in the Lands Between.
1. Sword and Shield with Buff Spells
A classic setup, but by equipping offhand magic like weapon buffs, you can enhance your melee damage without sacrificing defense. Spells such as Flame Weapon or Magic Weapon work great here.
2. Dual-Wield Melee with Healing Incantations
Use fast dual weapons in your main hand and keep healing or defensive incantations in your offhand for sustainability in longer fights.
3. Greatsword with Offhand Sorcery
Pair a heavy greatsword with a staff in your offhand, allowing you to cast powerful spells while maintaining high physical damage output.
4. Dexterity Build with Offhand Buffs
Fast dexterity weapons benefit greatly from offhand buffs that increase attack speed or elemental damage, increasing burst potential.
5. Faith Hybrid with Melee and Healing
Mix a melee weapon with offhand healing incantations to keep yourself alive during tough encounters. This build shines in both PvE and PvP.
6. Stamina-Heavy Build with Buff Spells
For players who rely on dodging and stamina management, offhand buffs can help extend your offensive options without needing to land constant hits.
7. Katanas with Offhand Magic
Katanas paired with magic in the offhand create a versatile fighter capable of swift strikes and elemental damage bursts.
8. Tanky Build Using Defensive Magic
Heavy armor and shields combined with offhand magic like magic shields or damage reduction spells turn you into an immovable object.
9. Magic-Heavy Hybrid with Melee Backup
A build focused on sorcery or incantations but ready to switch to a melee weapon in the main hand when needed for close combat.
10. Bleed Focused Build with Magic Support
Use weapons that inflict bleed damage and pair them with offhand spells that boost damage or enhance survivability.
11. Speedy Melee with Quick Magic Bursts
This build takes advantage of quick weapons and offhand magic that can be cast rapidly to disrupt opponents and maximize pressure.
12. Two-Handed Weapon with Offhand Buffs
Use your main weapon two-handed for raw power and the offhand magic to augment attacks or provide utility.
13. Heavy Faith Build with Offensive Spells
High Faith builds can use powerful incantations in the offhand, supplementing their melee strikes with devastating magic.
14. Versatile Hybrid for PvP
Balance your build to switch fluidly between melee and offhand magic, adapting to your opponent’s style in real-time.
These builds not only maximize the versatility of your combat but also help you make efficient use of Elden Ring Runes to upgrade your weapons and spells. If you’re looking for the best place to buy Elden Ring items, keep an eye on vendors who can stock rare or valuable gear to complement these hybrid setups.
Strategically incorporating offhand magic can elevate your gameplay experience, offering creative ways to handle challenges while exploring the rich world of Elden Ring. Whether you prefer sorcery, incantations, or buffs, these builds prove that combining melee with magic opens up a whole new dimension of tactical depth.