UPDATE: We have added two interactive maps to this guide to help you with finding all the items necessary for the best Elden Ring Frost build.
Elden Ring: Frost Build Guide for Shadow of the Erdtree
The recent expansion, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, introduces players to a wealth of new bosses, weapons, talismans, and gear. Among these is the Chilling Perfume Bottle, which, when utilized effectively, can enhance your gameplay through a robust Frost build.
Incorporating the Chilling Perfume Bottle into your build requires a significant investment in Intelligence, as well as strategic management of damage negation—essential since this build often involves taking hits. This guide will highlight the optimal setup for the best Elden Ring Frost build under the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.
Interactive Maps for Item Locations
To facilitate your item collection for this build, we’ve embedded two interactive maps. These will assist you in locating every essential component in your journey:
Items Available in The Lands Between:
Items Found in the DLC Area, the Land of Shadow:
Constructing the Best Frost Build
There are numerous strategies for creating a Frost build in Elden Ring, yet the most prevalent involves utilizing frosty Ashes of War such as Hoarfrost Stomp. However, with the introduction of the Chilling Perfume Bottle, you can pivot to a more robust and enjoyable approach. This guide will focus on maximizing the effectiveness of the Chilling Perfume Bottle in conjunction with a staff and Sacred Seal for buffing prior to significant battles.
As this build centers on Intelligence, it will also require a modest investment in Faith to enable various buff spells. The inspiration for this build came from RageGamingVideos’ build guide available on YouTube.
Optimal Stats and Class Choices
When it comes to establishing your Frost build, your starting class will play a minor role in the overarching design. By the time you delve into the Shadow of the Erdtree content, your earlier class choices will have minimal impact. Nevertheless, choosing the Astrologer class is advisable to benefit from an initial Intelligence stat of 16.
For your Flask allocation, I recommend a setup of 10 Crimson and 4 Cerulean Flasks. Feel free to adjust based on your FP consumption needs, potentially reducing Cerulean Flasks to three if required.
Recommended Stats for Your Build
When approaching Shadow of the Erdtree or entering New Game Plus, consider the following stats, which may seem ambitious:
- Vigor: 60
- Mind: 20
- Endurance: 20
- Strength: 8
- Dexterity: 13
- Intelligence: 50/80
- Faith: 27
- Arcane: 9
Among these stats, Vigor and Intelligence are paramount. The goal should be a Vigor level of 60 to withstand powerful hits from DLC bosses. If necessary, you can reduce this to 55 and equip a Crimson Seed or Erdtree’s Favor Talisman.
Aim for 20 levels in Mind and Endurance, as your attacks in this build consume minimal FP or stamina. However, should you find yourself running low on stamina, consider raising it to 25 or 30 or utilize the Two-Headed Turtle Talisman for improved stamina regeneration.
Despite not relying on Strength or a high Dexterity stat, you will need a minimum of 13 Dexterity to wield the Chilling Perfume Bottle. Aim for at least 50 Intelligence, the key stat that dictates your damage output and has its soft caps at 20/50/80. Ideally, reaching 80 Intelligence would be beneficial, but 50 is satisfactory!
Your build should also include 27 Faith to enable use of the Golden Order Seal and the Golden Vow Incantation for buffs. Additionally, incorporating various spells can enhance combat versatility; close-quarters combat with the Chilling Perfume Bottle is effectively complemented by ranged sorceries.
Weapons to Maximize Your Build
The Chilling Perfume Bottle is exclusive to the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, making this build more suited for post-game exploration or New Game Plus runs.
The Chilling Perfume Bottle can be found in Lamenter’s Gaol, located within Charo’s Hidden Grave, while the Carian Regal Scepter is obtained by trading Rennala’s Remembrance at Roundtable Hold.
While awaiting the Chilling Perfume Bottle, you may utilize other Glintstone sorceries or the Meteorite Staff paired with Rock Sling to navigate the main game. Ideally, keep the Chilling Perfume Bottle in your main hand and the Carian Regal Scepter in your off-hand. For melee encounters, consider a backup weapon, such as the Moonveil Katana for slashing capabilities—just ensure you meet its 14 Strength requirement. Alternatively, the Uchigatana or the Frozen Needle acquired from Kingsrealm Ruins offer additional choices, the latter inflicting Frost damage.
The Moonveil Katana drops from the Magma Wyrm in Gael Tunnel, the Uchigatana resides in Deathtouched Catacombs, and the Golden Order Seal is available at the Minor Erdtree Church near Leyndell.
A crucial note: avoid dual-wielding the Perfume Bottle, as doing so will result in weaker damage, despite allowing a sweeping attack. Don’t neglect to equip the Golden Order Seal for buffing your Incantations.
Enhancing Your Build with Ashes of War
In Shadow of the Erdtree, you can equip the Chilling Perfume Bottle with an Ash of War, as its default Kick skill is relatively ineffective. Your optimal choices are between Rolling Sparks and Wall of Sparks.
Rolling Sparks is the superior option, unleashing a line of explosive mist towards enemies—best thrown on the ground to maximize hits. In contrast, Wall of Sparks surrounds you with mist that detonates slower, making it less effective against bosses but decent against groups.
Rolling Sparks can be found via a Teardrop Scarab located northeast of the Highroad Cross. Wall of Sparks is located on a corpse within the lower levels of the Specimen Storehouse.
If you select a secondary melee weapon, consider infusing it with magical Ashes of War to optimize your Intelligence stat. For those seeking maximum attack potency, applying Seppuku to an Uchigatana before tough fights can deliver excellent results.
Talismans for Maximum Effectiveness
This Frost build offers a range of Talismans, allowing customization according to your playstyle and opponents. Here are the Talismans I strongly recommend:
- Shard of Alexander: Amplifies attack power of skills, vital for frequent use of Rolling Sparks.
- Graven Mass Talisman: Boosts sorcery power, perfect if you incorporate sorceries into your build.
- Perfumer’s Talisman: Enhances the potency of Perfume Arts.
- Magic Scorpion Charm: Increases magic damage while elevating physical damage taken. Pair this with the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman for balance.
- Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman: Significantly improves Physical damage negation.
- Carian Filigreed Crest: Reduces FP usage of skills.
For optimal effectiveness, I suggest combining the Shard of Alexander, Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman, Perfumer’s Talisman, and Magic Scorpion Charm. This combination maximizes attack power while utilizing the Greatshield Talisman for damage mitigation.
Spells and Incantations to Complement Your Build
This Frost build can benefit from two primary spells, but you can fill additional Memory Slots with complementary spells to maximize the use of your Sacred Seal and Staff:
- Terra Magica: Boosts magic strength within the sigil area.
- Golden Vow: Enhances attack and defense for both yourself and allies.
Utilizing the Golden Order Seal for the Golden Vow Incantation will escalate the buffs thanks to its Intelligence scaling. The Golden Vow Incantation is found in the Corpse-Stench Shack on Mt. Gelmir, while Terra Magica is acquired atop a tower in the Academy Crystal Cave.
Explore the fun option of using moon spells, which inflict Frostbite.Rellana’s Twin Moons serves as an engaging choice, but alternatives like Ranni’s Dark Moon or Rennala’s Full Moon can be equally effective.
Alternatively, consider the Dragon Communion Seal for spells like Borealis’s Mist or Dragonice to apply Frost damage. Don’t forget about Sorceries such as Frozen Armament and Adula’s Moonblade to enhance your combat repertoire.
Choosing the Right Armour and Gear
In Elden Ring, armor choices often revolve around aesthetics, a trend that continues in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, with a few standout pieces for this build. I recommend selecting armor that matches the overall theme of your build while also providing bonuses. For my setup, I chose Rellana’s set along with the Navy Hood, which adds +1 to your Mind stat. The Queen’s Crescent Crown enhances Intelligence by +3, while the Cat Imp Head increases Faith by +2, useful in a pinch.
For those eager to learn more about Shadow of the Erdtree, consider checking out guides on our Beast Claws build, Impenetrable Thorns build, and the Lightning Milady build.
