Elden Ring is a tough game, so you need all the help you can get. To that end, lightning is one of the most devastating builds in the game; Capable of tearing a Tarnished a new one. So, what if you’re the one dealing lightning damage instead of being on the receiving end? Player.com has put together the best Elden Ring items for lightning build because of that reason and yes, the items below are effective against bosses too.
Also Read: How to Get to the Tornado Area (Crumbling Farum Azula) in Elden Ring
Top 6 Elden Ring Items for Lightning Builds
To help players who are interested in building a character who primarily deals lightning damage, we’ve compiled six items. We also included where you can find them and the perks that you’ll receive when they’re equipped. Sure, the items below aren’t strictly melee weapons. That said, navigating the huge sandbox of Elden Ring is easier said than done. You should consider switching maps.
#1: Lightning Strike
Lightning Strike is a spell from the Dragon Cult Incantations that summons a lightning bolt from the sky, which spreads upon impact. So, it’s not a spell that only hits one target, but multiple targets at once; Making it a must-have for lightning builds. It’s not a cheap spell, especially as it requires players to have invested 28 points into Faith.
The good thing about this spell is that you can use it in quick succession to each other. Also, it doesn’t consume much magic, so players who have dumped more points into their vitality will enjoy this ability. To obtain the Lightning Strike in Elden Ring, head to the Weeping Peninsula and find the Teardrop Scarab located to the south of the crevasse.
Furthermore, this spell can be charged to increase its range. Charging the Lightning Strike also increases the number of bolts conjured, which is particularly effective against huge bosses such as giants and dragons. It’s not as effective in PvP battles.
#2: Lightning Spear
The Lightning Spear is a spell that does exactly what it says, it conjures a spear of lightning that you hurl at your enemies. It also belongs to the Dragon Cult Incantations and yes, it can be charged. Charging the attack will cause a lightning bolt to strike the point of impact after the Lightning Spear is hurled at foes. Likewise, charging the spell increases its range, damage, and poise damage.
You can obtain this spell from Brother Corhyn or Miriel, Pastor of Vows for some Runes. However, you have to give them the Dragon Cult Prayerbook to unlock this spell and others. To get the Dragon Cult Prayerbook, eliminate the Leyndell Knight patrolling south of the Artist’s Shack.
Thankfully, the lightning build is broken in Elden Ring so both knights and bosses can be decimated with this Skill.
#3: Electrify Armament
Electrify Armament is a nifty trick that lets you electrify any of your melee weapons. That is, your Uchigatana, axes, greatswords, and spears can be electrified to deal higher damage against foes. To use this weapon, you need at least 15 points in Faith, and sure, the spell only affects your right armament.
Also, it costs 27 FP and 10 Stamina to cast this spell and yes, its duration is only 90 seconds. Like the other lightning spells on the list, Electrify Armament can only be unlocked by giving Miriel or Brother Corhyn the Dragon Cult Prayerbook. It’s sold for 4,000 Runes, and it grants the same damage boost as Vyke’s Dragonbolt.
Keep in mind that you can’t buff any weapon that already has a buff. For example, the Icerind Hatchet already inflicts frost damage, so you can’t electrify the armament. The Skill will only work on weapons that aren’t buffed with status effects such as Poison, Blood Loss, Frostbite, Scarlet Rot, Death Blight, and Madness.
#4: The Uchigatana
The Uchigatana is one of the best weapons in Elden Ring because of its range and versatility with many Ashes of War and the lightning build. It’s the most user-friendly Katana in the Katana Class of weapons because you don’t need to get close to enemies when you are using the lightning build. Another clear benefit is that you’re beyond the reach of most enemy weapons, excluding spears, great axes, and greatswords.
On the bright side, enemies who wield daggers, hammers, and other weapons with short range are in for a surprise. You can get to them but they can’t get to you, perfect for a lightning build. To obtain the Uchigatana, head to the Deathtouched Catacombs where you will find the weapon on a dead body on the second level of the catacomb.
Since this is a Katana, its damage scales with Strength and Dexterity and yes, it’s capable of Slash and Pierce damage types. Also, it inflicts Blood Loss and can be infused with any compatible Ash of War. However, we recommend you first play around with the Uchigatana’s primary Ash of War, Unsheathe.
#5: Carian Filigreed Crest
The Carian Filigreed Crest is a potent Talisman in Elden Ring that reduces the FP cost of Skills by a whopping 25%. So, your lightning build won’t consume too much FP in combat. You can buy this Talisman from War Counselor Iji after talking to Ranni and her servants. Thankfully, the Talisman proves invaluable throughout the events of Elden Ring.
#6: Two Fingers Heirloom
The Two Fingers Heirloom is also a Talisman in Elden Ring that raises your Faith by five points. It’s reminiscent of the Two Fingers, creatures who can’t speak in the conventional way that NPCs in the game are used to. However, the faithful can hear them loud and clear. One of the boons that they bring is a Talisman that increases the potency of your lightning build while allowing you to cast other varieties of powerful spells.
You can retrieve the Two Fingers Heirloom from the Purified Ruins’ basement. The ruins are located in the southeastern part of Liurnia of the Lakes, underneath some boards. You’ll find the Talisman in a chest.
Our Final Say: The Lightning Build Doesn’t Necessarily Make You Faster
If you want to get faster, hunt down the Bloodhound’s Step. It’s an Ash of War that lets you move so fast that you disappear from view only to reappear a short distance away. With it, you can dance around enemy blows and projectiles with uncanny ease and grace. On the bright side, lightning builds are perfect for fighting bosses, blow for blow.