Elden Ring is not just a massive RPG; it's also a popular title in the speedrunning community. From Any% runs to All Remembrances, players across the globe have shaved seconds off their times with carefully optimized builds. If you're looking to get into speedrunning or just want to clear the Lands Between faster, building your character with the right archetype is essential.



Here are five tried-and-tested speedrun builds that prioritize efficiency, mobility, and high burst damage, all while keeping setup time to a minimum.



1. Glass Cannon Mage

One of the most iconic speedrun builds focuses on sorcery, especially early-game Glintstone spells and late-game nukes like Comet Azur. With this setup, your goal is simple: kill bosses before they can move.



Key Tools:



Azur’s Glintstone Staff



Comet Azur + Terra Magica combo



Radagon Icon for faster casting



This build requires positioning and memorization of boss patterns but rewards players with insane damage output. Managing FP and flask allocation is crucial, and the correct talismans can save minutes across a full run.



2. Bleed Dex Build

Speedrunners love the bleed meta, and a high-Dexterity build centered on twin katanas or curved swords delivers quick procs and fast kills.



Popular Weapons:



Rivers of Blood



Blood Nagakiba



Reduvia for early game



This archetype is especially useful for bosses that are resistant to magic but susceptible to status effects. It's also very flexible for routing due to the ease of acquiring strong weapons early.



3. Faith Lightning Build

Faith builds shine in mid-to-late game sections, with lightning incantations like Ancient Dragons’ Lightning Strike clearing enemies and bosses efficiently.



Core Tools:



Gravel Stone Seal



Lightning Spear



Flame, Grant Me Strength (for buffs)



A major benefit of this setup is that it's viable for both PvE and speed-focused play. You can clear crowds and snipe bosses while having access to healing and support spells.



4. Strength + Jump Attacks

Although heavier, this archetype works incredibly well in speedruns where fewer hits mean faster boss fights. With buffs and jump attacks, you can stagger enemies instantly.



Effective Choices:



Greatsword or Ruins Greatsword



Claw Talisman to boost jump attacks



Ash of War: Lion’s Claw



Pair this with green turtle talismans and stamina boosters to stay agile even with a colossal weapon.



5. Hybrid Int/Dex Speedster

This build takes advantage of lightweight weapons like the Moonveil katana, offering both spell-based and melee flexibility. It fits well into No Major Glitch runs or runs that need fast adaptability.



Highlights:



Moonveil or Death’s Poker



Glintstone Pebble or Night Comet



Quickstep or Bloodhound Step for mobility



It allows you to react quickly to different scenarios and gives you tools for both boss fights and area clears.



If you're optimizing your run or simply testing multiple archetypes without grinding endlessly, you might consider looking into elden ring runes for sale to support experimentation. Many in the community point to U4GM as the best site to buy Elden Ring Items, especially when setting up fresh characters for routing practice.



Speedrunning in Elden Ring is as much about execution as it is about preparation. Whether you're going for a personal best or competing on the leaderboards, picking the right build can be the difference between a decent run and a world record.