In Elden Ring, the world is rich with unforgettable characters whose stories weave together the dark, sprawling tapestry of the Lands Between. For players who want to immerse themselves further in the lore, building a character based on one of these figures is a satisfying way to blend roleplay with combat efficiency. Below are eight build ideas inspired by key lore figures, along with tips on gear, stats, and playstyle. Whether you’re chasing flavor or power, these builds make excellent use of Elden Ring Runes and curated Elden Ring Items.

1. Ranni the Witch – Frost and Sorcery Build

Ranni’s influence over the stars and cold magic makes her ideal for a Frost Mage archetype. Focus on Intelligence and Mind, using spells like Adula’s Moonblade and Glintstone Icecrag. Equip the Snow Witch Set and Lusat’s Glintstone Staff to capture her aesthetic. This build is best for players who prefer long-range engagements and lore-rich progression through Ranni’s questline.

Recommended Items: Adula’s Moonblade, Snow Witch Hat, Cerulean Hidden Tear
Rune Tip: Invest Elden Ring Runes early into Mind and Intelligence to unlock her strongest spells quickly.

2. Radahn – Strength and Gravity Build

Starscourge Radahn is a massive presence in both story and stature. This build relies heavily on Strength and some Intelligence to cast gravity-based sorceries like Rock Sling and Collapsing Stars. Wield the dual Lions Greatswords for the true Radahn experience.

Recommended Items: Radahn’s Set, Lions Greatsword x2, Gravity Well
Rune Tip: Prioritize Strength to dual-wield effectively, and use Elden Ring Runes from early bosses to rush to the required stats.

3. Malenia – Dexterity and Bleed Build

Known as the Blade of Miquella, Malenia’s combat style revolves around speed, precision, and relentless aggression. Use Dexterity-focused weapons like the Hand of Malenia, and stack Bleed procs with Seppuku or Bloodflame Blade. The Waterfowl Dance skill is essential to emulate her signature flurry.

Recommended Items: Hand of Malenia, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Malenia’s Set
Rune Tip: Use Elden Ring Runes to level up Endurance for the poise and stamina needed to stay aggressive.

4. Mohg – Arcane and Blood Build

The Lord of Blood’s entire identity revolves around blood magic. This Arcane-heavy build makes the most of weapons and spells that inflict Hemorrhage. Use Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear to unleash devastating AoE attacks, and invest in Faith to access blood incantations.

Recommended Items: Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear, Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Swarm of Flies
Rune Tip: Collect Elden Ring Runes in Mohgwyn Palace to scale quickly with Arcane.

5. Rykard – Fire and Serpent Build

Rykard’s transformation into the blasphemous serpent offers a twisted but powerful template. This build mixes Strength, Faith, and Fire damage. The Blasphemous Blade scales well with both Strength and Faith and heals on kills, making it perfect for aggressive play.

Recommended Items: Blasphemous Blade, Fire Scorpion Charm, Rykard’s Rancor
Rune Tip: Save Elden Ring Items from Volcano Manor quests—they offer valuable bonuses for fire builds.

6. Miquella – Support and Faith Build

Though never directly fought, Miquella’s lore paints him as a gentle and healing figure. This is a support-heavy build centered around healing, buffs, and light-based miracles. Focus on high Faith and Mind stats and use support talismans to boost spell efficiency.

Recommended Items: Erdtree Seal, Blessing of the Erdtree, Haligdrake Talisman
Rune Tip: Farm Elden Ring Runes from Erdtree Avatars to gain early access to powerful healing incantations.

7. Godfrey / Hoarah Loux – Pure Strength Build

The first Elden Lord and later a savage warrior, Godfrey’s two identities offer one unified playstyle: raw Strength. Equip colossal weapons like the Axe of Godfrey, wear heavy armor, and get up close to unleash relentless pressure.

Recommended Items: Axe of Godfrey, Bull-Goat Set, Green Turtle Talisman
Rune Tip: Use Elden Ring Runes to hit Strength breakpoints for heavy weapons as early as possible.

8. Melina – Fire and Dexterity Build

As the guide and eventual flame of ambition, Melina can inspire a build centered on Flame spells and light weaponry. Combine Flame of the Redmanes with daggers or curved swords to reflect her burning resolve and spiritual nature.

Recommended Items: Flame of the Redmanes, Kindred of Rot’s Exultation, Scavenger’s Curved Sword
Rune Tip: Don’t forget to invest Elden Ring Runes in both Dexterity and Faith to balance melee and incantations.

Roleplaying lore-based characters adds a whole new layer of immersion to Elden Ring. These builds don’t just look cool—they’re viable, fun, and deepen your connection with the game’s mythos. As always, smart allocation of Elden Ring Runes and choosing synergistic Elden Ring Items will make each of these character-inspired builds truly shine in the Lands Between.