Elden Ring Vagabond Build

In Elden Ring, the Vagabond class is a powerful and versatile starting choice, offering high starting Vigor and Strength, making it ideal for players who prefer melee combat and tanky builds. Whether you’re new to the game or a returning Soulsborne veteran, building around the Vagabond’s strengths can help you endure the Lands Between’s toughest challenges. With the right weapons, stats, armor, and strategies, a well-crafted Elden Ring Vagabond build can dominate both PvE and PvP content. Understanding how to balance damage output with survivability is key to unlocking this class’s full potential.

Why Choose the Vagabond Class?

The Vagabond starts with the highest base Vigor and a solid amount of Strength and Dexterity, making it a natural choice for physical damage builds. This class also begins the game with a good set of armor and a powerful straight sword, providing both defense and offense right from the beginning.

Starting Stats Overview

• Vigor 15
• Strength 14
• Dexterity 13
• Endurance 11
• Mind 10
• Faith 9
• Intelligence 9
• Arcane 7

These stats provide a strong foundation for a melee-focused character, allowing flexibility to scale either Strength or Dexterity for various weapon options.

Recommended Stats Allocation

As you level up your Vagabond build, it’s essential to focus on a few key attributes that align with your preferred playstyle. Below is a suggested stat progression for a balanced Strength/Vigor-focused build ideal for tanky melee combat.

Stat Focus

• VigorAim for at least 40 by mid to late game to maximize survivability.
• EnduranceInvest around 20-25 for stamina and equip load, allowing for heavier armor.
• StrengthIncrease to 40 if you prefer colossal or great weapons.
• DexterityMaintain around 13-20 if you’re using weapons with Dex scaling or for weapon requirements.
• Mind and IntelligenceMinimal investment unless you’re hybridizing with magic.

This stat spread enables high damage output with large weapons while giving enough endurance and HP to tank through tough fights.

Best Weapons for Vagabond Build

Choosing the right weapon is crucial in Elden Ring. Vagabond builds are most effective when wielding heavy-hitting weapons that benefit from Strength scaling. However, you can also opt for versatile greatswords or halberds depending on your preference.

Top Weapon Choices

• Greatsword (Colossal Sword)Excellent Strength scaling and raw power. Best used with a two-handed grip.
• ClaymoreA great mix of range, speed, and power. Suitable for both Strength and Quality builds.
• Ruins GreatswordOne of the strongest pure Strength weapons in the game, ideal for heavy builds.
• Banished Knight’s HalberdHigh damage and great reach, works well with both one-handed and two-handed setups.

Ashes of War can also be infused into most weapons to add special abilities and damage types. Consider using Lion’s Claw for a powerful somersault attack or Flaming Strike for added fire damage.

Armor Sets for Survivability

Armor choice impacts your poise, defense, and rolling speed. Vagabond builds typically favor medium to heavy armor sets that allow you to tank hits while maintaining enough stamina to dodge when necessary.

Recommended Armor Sets

• Bull-Goat SetHighest poise in the game, perfect for pure tank builds. Requires high Endurance.
• Veteran’s SetBalanced weight and defense with strong resistances. Ideal for high-level builds.
• Radahn’s SetGreat defenses and stylish aesthetics, suitable for both PvE and PvP.
• Vagabond Knight SetThe starting armor, still viable early to mid-game if you upgrade endurance stats.

Choose an armor set that matches your Endurance level and personal preference, balancing between defense and mobility.

Talismans and Accessories

Talismans provide critical bonuses that enhance your build’s effectiveness. A good Vagabond build should include talismans that increase stamina, boost Strength, and reduce incoming damage.

Key Talismans

• Erdtree’s FavorIncreases HP, stamina, and equip load useful in any tanky build.
• Radagon’s Scarseal / SourcealBoosts Strength but increases damage taken use with caution.
• Green Turtle TalismanSpeeds up stamina recovery, helpful during extended melee fights.
• Great-Jar’s ArsenalSignificantly increases equip load, allowing for heavier gear.

Best Ashes of War for Vagabond

Ashes of War let you customize your weapon with unique skills and affinities. Vagabond builds benefit from Ashes that boost raw power or provide powerful melee abilities.

Recommended Ashes

• Lion’s ClawA flipping, heavy-hitting somersault strike that pairs perfectly with greatswords.
• Flaming StrikeAdds fire damage and enhances follow-up attacks.
• CragbladeIncreases poise damage and can stagger large enemies easily.
• Flaming SlamDeals AoE fire damage and provides crowd control.

Infuse your weapon based on your chosen Ash of War and desired scaling Heavy for Strength builds, Quality for mixed Strength/Dex.

Vagabond Build Combat Strategy

To succeed with a Vagabond build, you need to embrace a tactical approach to melee combat. Focus on stamina management, enemy positioning, and careful trading of blows. Due to your high Vigor and Endurance, you can afford to take hits but shouldn’t rely on pure defense alone.

Basic Tips

• Always keep enough stamina to dodge or block after attacking.
• Learn enemy patterns to time your heavy attacks for maximum impact.
• Use terrain and line-of-sight when facing multiple enemies.
• Don’t overcommit stay patient and punish openings.

Boss Fights

In boss battles, the Vagabond build excels at staying close and dealing consistent damage. Use heavy jumping attacks or charged strikes during openings, and be ready to block or dodge massive hits. High poise allows you to withstand flurries and continue attacking.

Late Game and PvP Viability

The Vagabond build scales excellently into the late game, especially once you’ve reached high Vigor and Strength levels. It becomes easier to wear the best armor and use some of the heaviest weapons available. In PvP, the build is intimidating due to its durability and burst potential from powerful Ashes of War.

Tips for PvP

• Use unpredictable movement and delay your attacks to break enemy timing.
• Jumping attacks are effective at catching players who rely on dodging.
• Mix in crouch pokes or heavy R2s for spacing pressure.

Though not as flashy as spellcasting builds, Vagabond setups dominate with solid fundamentals and high-risk, high-reward power plays.

The Elden Ring Vagabond build stands as a reliable and powerful option for players who enjoy the thrill of close-range combat, heavy armor, and devastating melee strikes. With the right stat allocation, weapon choice, and strategic use of Ashes of War, this build is capable of conquering the game’s most difficult encounters. Whether you prefer duels or boss battles, the Vagabond offers an ideal mix of survivability and damage. It’s a class that rewards patience, mastery of mechanics, and careful planning making it a timeless favorite in the Lands Between.