In Elden Ring, few playstyles offer the same sense of power and versatility as hybrid magic and melee builds. Whether you’re hurling Glintstone sorcery from a distance or finishing off enemies with a charged greatsword swing, combining intelligence or faith with physical might creates a layered, rewarding experience. These nine builds strike a balance between arcane destruction and up-close brutality—perfect for Tarnished who refuse to specialize in just one form of combat.

1. Battlemage Knight (Strength + Intelligence)

This build leans into heavy armor and colossal weapons, supported by sorceries like Carian Greatsword and Magic Glintblade. Focus on Strength for weapon scaling while pumping Intelligence to access mid- to high-tier sorceries. It excels in both PvE and PvP, offering control, burst, and reliable melee presence.

2. Arcane Blade (Dexterity + Arcane)

Perfect for players who love status effects. Arcane boosts bleed and poison scaling, while melee weapons like Rivers of Blood shine in this setup. Combine with Dragon Communion incantations to unleash powerful breath attacks. This build also makes rune farming efficient when paired with items that increase drop rates—ideal if you're farming Elden Ring Runes for quick leveling.

3. Paladin of the Golden Order (Strength + Faith)

This holy warrior is built around massive weapons like the Golden Order Greatsword and buffs like Flame, Grant Me Strength. Add healing and defensive incantations for survivability. Faith grants great sustain in dungeons and boss fights, especially when running solo.

4. Sorcerer Knight (Dexterity + Intelligence)

Light armor, fast blades, and quick spellcasting define this agile build. Use a weapon like the Moonveil Katana alongside spells such as Loretta’s Greatbow or Swift Glintstone Shard. Dexterity shortens casting time, while Intelligence empowers your magical offense.

5. Crucible Warlock (Faith + Vigor)

This tanky caster can take hits and dish out divine punishment. Focus on Crucible incantations, which scale with Faith, and pair them with colossal weapons. Stack Vigor for high HP, making it easier to trade blows while casting close-range incantations like Aspects of the Crucible: Tail.

6. Frostbite Battle Mage (Intelligence + Arcane)

Leverage Frostbite status with magic-enhanced weapons and spells like Adula’s Moonblade. Arcane helps proc status faster, while Intelligence gives your sorceries teeth. This setup is especially effective in boss fights with large health pools.

7. Faithflame Duelist (Dexterity + Faith)

Designed for fast-paced, aggressive combat with the added utility of ranged incantations. Combine Uchigatana or Scythe-class weapons with lightning and fire incantations. The Faith scaling makes spells like Lightning Spear a great ranged option while you're closing in.

8. Darkmoon Battlemage (Intelligence + Endurance)

Focusing on Glintstone sorcery and stamina-heavy weapon combos, this build benefits from high Endurance to chain melee attacks and spellcasting. Use the Dark Moon Greatsword for its Intelligence scaling and built-in Frostbite effect, great for both duels and boss encounters.

9. Sacred Pyromancer (Strength + Faith)

A fire-themed juggernaut that casts Flame-based incantations and wields blunt weapons for high stagger potential. Strength enhances weapons like the Giant’s Crusher, while Faith allows for devastating fire spells. Excellent for clearing mobs quickly—especially when trying to earn enough Elden Ring Runes for upgrades or to buy Elden Ring Items that improve combat efficiency.

Hybrid builds shine brightest in Elden Ring thanks to the game’s flexible stat scaling and wide selection of weapons and spells. Whether you're grinding to buy Elden Ring Items that complement your build, or spending hard-earned Elden Ring Runes to max out Intelligence or Faith, these nine paths offer a unique blend of power, style, and adaptability for players who want it all.