Ultimate Elden Ring Beast Claw Build for Shadow of the Erdtree

UPDATE: We have embedded two interactive maps in this guide to help you track down the locations of all items required for the optimal Beast Claw build in Elden Ring.

Overview of the Beast Claw Build in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

The latest expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, has introduced a slew of gear, leading to powerful and innovative builds for players. Among these, the Beast Claw build stands out for its aggressive playstyle, enabling rapid stacking of Bleed effects on enemies. Compared to our previous Dryleaf Arts build, this approach encourages a more offensive strategy.

If you’re drawn to the idea of unleashing a barrage of attacks reminiscent of Wolverine and consistently breaking the Poise of foes, this might just be the weapon for you. Let’s dive into the specifics of crafting the best Beast Claw build in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Interactive Maps for Your Journey

The following interactive maps will guide you in collecting all necessary components for the Beast Claw build:

Additionally, here’s the map for items located in the DLC area, the Land of Shadow:

Building the Optimal Beast Claw Configuration

The Beast Claws weapon is available from the outset of the Elden Ring expansion, dropped by an NPC named Logur – a nod to Wolverine. To truly harness this weapon, focus on enhancing its ability to escalate Bleed effects. With a Blood infusion, you can nearly double blood loss build-up, making it a formidable choice.

Enjoying the rapid succession of hits enabled by the Beast Claws allows you to stack Bleed on opponents efficiently. Their speed is key, particularly against agile adversaries, and the default weapon skill, Savage Claw, excels at breaking Poise, making short work of bosses vulnerable to such attacks. For reference on their power, check the Beast Claw build showcase from IGN, particularly the segment at 3:50, where the weapon demonstrates its effectiveness against Malenia. The Beast Claws are a crucial asset in your arsenal.

In my experience, they outperformed traditional Bleed weapons like Rivers of Blood and Bloodhound’s Fang, especially against challenging foes like Radahn. However, be aware that this build isn’t universally effective against all bosses. Below, I’ve provided insights into secondary weapons that can complement your strategy when the Beast Claws may not suffice.

Key Stats and Class Selection for the Beast Claw Build

Your class is largely irrelevant when optimizing for the Beast Claws, as you should have gained significant experience by the time you engage with this weapon in the Shadow of the Erdtree. The Vagabond class, with its well-rounded attributes (15 Vigor, 14 Strength, 13 Dexterity), can serve as a strong starting point.

As you reach late-game and delve into DLC content, consider distributing your stats as follows:

• Vigor: 55+
• Mind: 30
• Endurance: 30
• Strength: 60
• Dexterity: 15
• Intelligence: 9
• Faith: 27
• Arcane: 45+

Adjust these stats to suit your preferences, ensuring they meet requirements for various weapons. Aiming for 60 Vigor enhances survivability against heavy hits, while 55 Vigor may suffice in less demanding scenarios. Equip protective talismans like the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman, Crimson Amber Medallion, or Crimson Seed Talisman if facing particularly tough foes.

For Mind, maintaining around 30 will limit your reliance on Cerulean Flasks during battles. Likewise, an Endurance score of 30 is recommended due to the high stamina consumption of the Beast Claws, though feel free to increase this stat if possible.

Since we will be infusing the Beast Claws with Bleed attributes, your primary focus should be on Strength and Arcane. Aim to reach a Strength soft cap of 60 before shifting your focus to Arcane; it’s essential for maximizing Bleed build-up. The soft caps for Arcane are 25/45/60, so strive to hit 45 Arcane first and eventually move it up to 60. We recommend allocating excess levels into Arcane to further amplify Bleed effects after reaching both Strength and Arcane targets.

Intelligence holds little value in this build. However, a Faith score of 27 is critical for utilizing the Golden Order Seal to enhance buffs. With the Two Fingers Heirloom, you’ll only need 22 Faith to optimize this build.

For your Flask of Wondrous Physick, feel free to customize based on your needs. I have personally found the Strength Knot Crystal Tear beneficial for boosting Strength for a limited time, helpful for those still reaching the 60 soft cap.

Weapon Selection for the Beast Claw Build

The primary weapon in this build is the Beast Claws, though the Red Bear Claws can also be a valid choice with a similar functionality. Additionally, consider equipping a secondary weapon to provide versatility in your on-the-fly strategies, particularly for ranged encounters.

The Beast Claws excel in close combat, demanding players remain in constant engagement with enemies. To mitigate risks in tight situations—such as low health or against tough opponents—having a ranged weapon is prudent for safety.

The Milady, a light greatsword with a Thunderbolt Ash of War, is a solid secondary option, boasting a B scaling with Strength when infused heavily. Alternatively, choose any Strength or Bleed weapon you prefer that enhances your Strength and Arcane stats. Look for weapons capable of accommodating a ranged skill like Vacuum Slice or Beast’s Roar.

Consider the Blasphemous Blade for its Taker’s Flames ranged skill, obtainable from Rykard’s Remembrance, requiring only 22 Strength, 15 Dexterity, and 21 Faith. Standard weapons like the Greatsword, Broadsword, or Giant-Crusher can also be utilized with your selected Ashes of War.

Ashes of War for Enhanced Performance

For the Beast Claws, a selection of Ashes of War can boost your effectiveness. I suggest using the default skill, Savage Claws, although Raging Beast offers exciting alternatives.

Both options allow fierce attacks on opponents; however, Raging Beast grants control over your lunging direction, enabling dodging of enemy strikes while following with your own attacks. While Savage Claws arguably stacks Bleed at a faster rate, Raging Beast can add a layer of tactical enjoyment and mobility when timed correctly.

Ultimately, Savage Claws may be the safer bet for maximizing Bleed damage quickly, given its straightforward nature.

Recommended Talismans for the Beast Claw Build

The talismans you equip can significantly influence your effectiveness, enhancing different aspects of your gameplay. Consider these crucial options:

• Lord of Blood’s Exultation: Essential for Bleed builds, increasing attack power when blood loss is occurring.
• Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: Dramatically boosts attack power with successive hits; alternatively, Millicent’s Prosthesis can be used, though it offers less potency.
• Two-Headed Turtle Talisman: Provides substantial stamina regeneration.
• Shard of Alexander: Important if relying on skills more than standard attacks, increasing skill damage by 15%.
• Claw Talisman: Enhances jump attacks, an essential part of the Beast Claws playstyle.
• Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman: Impressive physical damage negation; a personal favorite. Feel free to replace with others based on your matchup.

Equipping Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, and Shard of Alexander creates a formidable synergy for bolstering your attack power. Pair these with the Two-Headed Turtle Talisman for rapid stamina recovery, allowing for constant aggression against enemies.

Feel free to customize your setups based on your playstyle. If Stamina isn’t a concern, swap the Two-Headed Turtle Talisman for the Claw Talisman to increase jump attacks or select a defensive Talisman based on the challenges ahead.

Incantations for Increased Attack Power

For boss encounters, I recommend considering Incantations for additional damage enhancements. While these are optional, they can significantly improve performance during challenging battles. If you have at least 22 Faith available (22 with the Two Fingers Heirloom, 27 without), leveraging these buffs can further augment your offensive capabilities:

• Golden Vow: Enhances attack power and defense for you and nearby allies.
• Flame, Grant Me Strength: Boosts both physical and fire-affinity attack power.

Equip the Golden Order Seal for optimal buffing capabilities and to ensure maximum damage output; it’s superior to other seals like the Finger Seal based on field tests conducted with varying setups.

Armor and Gear Considerations

When it comes to armor, personal preference plays a significant role. While Elden Ring armor often serves more as a fashion statement, consider these suggestions to enhance your build:

• White Mask: Provides a slight attack boost when blood loss occurs—ideal for Bleed builds, but your damage output will still be substantial without it.
• Fanged Imp Head: Grants 2 additional Strength.
• Omenskirk Mask: Conversely, this piece also provides 2 Strength.

For aesthetic reasons, I personally favor the Divine Beast Head, combining it with the Fell Omen Cloak and Radahn’s Greaves for visual flair during combat. Ultimately, your gear choice should reflect your style!

For further immersion in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, explore our guides on crafting a Perfumer build, locating Larval Tears for respec operations, and uncovering all Smithscript weapons to enhance your gaming experience.

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