Elden Ring Builds: 20 Creative Loadouts That Use Non-Scaling Weapons
In Elden Ring, much of the focus tends to be on weapons with high scaling stats—those that improve significantly with your Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith. But non-scaling weapons, which don’t benefit from stat investment, often get overlooked. Despite this, they offer unique gameplay experiences and can be the foundation for some of the most creative and effective builds in the game. If you’re looking to try something off the beaten path, here are 20 inventive loadouts featuring non-scaling weapons that can surprise both new and veteran players alike.
While some players might be farming Elden Ring Runes or scouting the best place to buy Elden Ring items to boost their arsenal, mastering these weapons shows that skill, strategy, and creativity can often outweigh pure scaling numbers.
Why Consider Non-Scaling Weapons?
Non-scaling weapons often have fixed damage outputs, unique skills, or special effects that don’t rely on your character’s stats. This means they can be viable even with minimal investment in traditional offensive stats, freeing you up to experiment with other attributes like vigor, endurance, or mind. Plus, many of these weapons come with interesting movesets that can throw opponents off guard in PvP and provide fresh PvE tactics.
Top 20 Creative Loadouts Using Non-Scaling Weapons
Dragon Slayer’s Greatshield BuildDespite no scaling, this greatshield boasts high base damage and incredible stability. Combine it with strength buffs and heavy armor for a true tanky bruiser.
Marionette Sword SetupThis weapon has fixed damage and a unique skill that unleashes a series of slashes. Pair it with dexterity-heavy armor for quick, aggressive strikes.
Sacred Relic Sword LoadoutWith solid base damage and a powerful skill, this sword allows you to bypass traditional scaling and still dish out significant damage.
Greatsword of Judgment BuildA colossal sword with no scaling but huge base damage and AoE capabilities, perfect for crowd control.
Bloodhound’s Fang HybridEven though it scales somewhat, its unique skill lets you maximize stagger potential, working well in non-scaling focused builds.
Golden Order Greatsword SetupThis weapon’s skill doesn’t rely on scaling and provides powerful, area-clearing strikes.
Knight’s Greatsword BuildAn excellent weapon for strength-based players who want straightforward, high-damage attacks without worrying about complex scaling.
Dragon Slayer’s Axe LoadoutFixed damage but massive stagger potential makes this a favorite for punishing heavy enemies.
Eleonora’s Poleblade HybridUnique moveset with good base damage, excellent for those who want to experiment beyond scaling weapons.
Great Club Bruiser BuildDespite no scaling, the raw power of the Great Club combined with buffs makes it a force to be reckoned with.
Lion Greatsword SetupA weapon that favors strength and raw damage over scaling, perfect for crushing foes with sheer force.
Ox’s Greatsword LoadoutA massive weapon with high base damage, ideal for players who prefer heavy-hitting but low-stat investment weapons.
Prelate’s Inferno SetupWhile it lacks scaling, this weapon deals fire damage that bypasses some defenses, adding versatility.
Cragblade BuildA weapon with a fixed damage output that’s great for players focusing on stamina and endurance instead of attack stats.
Bloodhound’s Fang HybridThis weapon’s unique skill adds to its damage potential, working well in non-scaling builds.
Greatsword of Judgment SetupKnown for its fixed high damage and wide-reaching attacks.
Giant-Crusher Bruiser BuildA heavy weapon that relies on base damage, capable of staggering even the toughest foes.
Golden Order Greatsword LoadoutArea-of-effect weapon with great crowd control.
Tree Sentinel Greatshield TankOffers immense defense and attack power without scaling, perfect for a shield-focused build.
Lion Greatsword Heavy HittersCombining high base damage and strength-based buffs, it delivers a devastating punch.
Making the Most of Non-Scaling Weapons
To optimize these builds, focus on maximizing vigor, endurance, and stamina for survivability and sustained offense. Also, pairing non-scaling weapons with buffs from spells or talismans can elevate their effectiveness, letting you compete with scaling-heavy setups.
Non-scaling weapons in Elden Ring might not get the spotlight they deserve, but they open doors to fresh and creative builds that challenge the norm. Whether you’re grinding Elden Ring Runes or exploring the best place to buy Elden Ring items to support your journey, consider stepping outside the meta. With the right loadout and tactics, these weapons prove that power isn’t always about scaling—it’s about how you use what you’ve got.