Elden Ring Build Planning Guide
Building a character in Elden Ring requires careful stat allocation. This calculator helps you plan your build by showing the exact impact of each stat point on HP, FP, stamina, equip load, and damage scaling. Whether you are going for a Strength build, a spellblade, or a pure caster, understanding soft caps is critical.
Soft Cap System
Elden Ring uses a soft cap system where stat returns diminish at certain thresholds. You get the most benefit per point from 1-40, reduced benefits from 41-60, and heavily reduced benefits from 61-80. Going above 80 is generally not worth the rune investment unless you are at very high levels.
Recommended Stats by Build Type
| Build Type | Vigor | Mind | Endurance | Primary DMG | Secondary | Best Affinity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 60 | 25 | 30 | 80 STR | — | Heavy |
| Dexterity | 60 | 20 | 25 | 80 DEX | — | Keen |
| Quality | 60 | 20 | 30 | 55 STR | 55 DEX | Quality |
| Intelligence (Spellblade) | 50 | 35 | 20 | 80 INT | 20 STR / 18 DEX | Magic / Cold |
| Faith (Pure Caster) | 50 | 40 | 20 | 80 FTH | — | Sacred / Flame Art |
| Arcane / Blood | 60 | 20 | 25 | 60 ARC | — | Occult / Blood |
| Strength / Faith (Paladin) | 55 | 25 | 25 | 54 STR | 50 FTH | Heavy / Sacred |
| Dexterity / Int (Cold) | 50 | 25 | 20 | 45 DEX | 45 INT | Cold |
Rune Costs
Leveling up in Elden Ring follows the formula: Runes = 0.02 × level³ + 3.06 × level + 105.6, rounded down. Going from level 1 to 150 costs approximately 5.5 million runes total. From 1 to 200: over 12 million runes. From 150 to 200: about 6.5 million runes.
Soft Caps Reference Table
| Stat Range | Efficiency | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1-20 | Very High | Early game — massive returns per point |
| 21-40 | High | Mid game — strong returns, aim here first |
| 41-60 | Medium | Late game — diminishing returns begin |
| 61-80 | Low | End game — only after hitting other priorities |
| 81-99 | Very Low | Max level — minimal benefit, not recommended |
Starting Class Comparison
Your starting class determines your base stat distribution and starting level. The Wretch starts at level 1 with 10 in all stats, offering maximum flexibility for min-maxing. Classes like Vagabond and Hero are efficient for Strength builds, while Astrologer and Prophet excel for casters. Always choose the class that starts with the lowest investment in stats you don't plan to use.