Late-game issues with Lv 171 bleed build

[Uncle_Shank]

First-time Souls player. Having some specific troubles with my build and wondering if the Souls OGs can help (build info at the bottom).

I started as Strength/Dex/Faith, using Bloodhound’s Fang and Godslayer Greatsword, but switched to a Vigor/Dex/Arcane bleed build. My main weapons are Rivers of Blood +10, Eleonora’s Poleblade +10, Godskin Peeler +22.

I’ve been very happy with the switch generally. It’s more fun to play and the damage output is way higher, but I’m having trouble in certain areas where I see other people getting through with relative ease.

I’m finding the Crucible Knights in Crumbling Farum Azula to be kind of impossible, even when switching to a shield strat, and the Erdtree Avatar/Knight combo near the grace in Elphael is a joke. At Level 171, I feel like I should not be having this kind of difficulty in these areas, where it just feels like I can’t beat certain things. I've been getting through bosses mostly first or second try, so what gives?

I’ve been seeing strength players use weapon arts like Taker’s Flames and just walloping these guys and getting staggers on them quickly, which seems to make all the difference. I feel like I don’t have that kind of stopping power with these specific enemies. All other enemies I can dispatch and break posture pretty quickly.

Any ideas?

LV 171
Vigor 52
Mind 20
Endurance 25
Strength 20
Dexterity 49
Intelligence 10
Faith 23
Arcane 51

Golden scarab, Lord of Blood's Exultation, Great Jar's Arsenal, Winged Sword Insignia
Opaline Hardtear, Stonebarb Cracked Tear

[♔V3RD1CT]

Was ready to write a novel. Lol Really no reason for that imp. Look at your stats, the soft cap is 80.

For example my current build trend is close to this, and my main stat does not go under like 70 raw. Your investment is 100% too spread out.

[Edit to add:] In every one of my 11 respecs I could confirm that spreading my stats 'that thin' was detriment to my damage. Your main stat for example, dex, is what I could consider too low imp.
-Could be that much investment in arc, and they counter proc.
- you can ash into occult for raw damage from Arc btw

[Jester]

Crucible knights don't bleed that's why lol. It's literally your builds counter.

[Nero Nox]

No matter the Build, sometimes switching tools is the best way ...

I can only recommend the buckler shield for example for some humanoids. Pair that for example with talismans as Assassin's Crimson Dagger or Dagger Talisman and you seem OP quickly.

[Samvega]

Pathetic Sort Ahead (great name) says Crucible Knights don't bleed. This is true, and you can check here: https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Crucible+Knight

I also agree wtih Nero Nox: parry them.
As the Fetraxlife [age says above, they are parriable. It took me about 10 mins of practice to start parrying them reliably with a buckler. You could also equip a larger shield (with e.g. 100% physical, or whatever suits those enemies best) and put on an ash of war which improves parrying. Here are two videos:

1) How to parry CKs -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUGj0zWDgbk
2) Best ash of war to make parry shields -- https://youtu.be/Id-VIe4gsIE

Both of these videos are from Thingfishy, who has the best parrying tutorials on YT that I've seen so far.

[Simbah]

If you are using RoB and Ele's Poleblade, your best bet for crucible knights are waiting until he does the double spin attack, usually after the ground stomp. I find it the easiest to punish.

I'd say your stat distribution are fine, if not a little too much on arcane. RoB scales primarily from dex, so you'd want more stat on dex instead of arcane. Not sure about Godskin Peeler and Poleblade. As for vigor, I'd say it's fine. Most would recommend atleast 60 vigor when you reach Farum Azula.

[Uncle_Shank]

Originally posted by Pathetic Sort Ahead:

Crucible knights don't bleed that's why lol. It's literally your builds counter.

Christ. Welp, guess I'll respec to unga bunga for just those couple enemies :)

[BookItFaster]

Armored enemies and creatures with scales are your specs down fall. i wouldnt worry about respecing just try a blunt heavy weapon not sharp

[Uncle_Shank]

Originally posted by Smokes:

For example my current build trend is close to this, and my main stat does not go under like 70 raw. Your investment is 100% too spread out.

[Edit to add:] In every one of my 11 respecs I could confirm that spreading my stats 'that thin' was detriment to my damage. Your main stat for example, dex, is what I could consider too low imp.
-Could be that much investment in arc, and they counter proc.

I was considering putting more into Faith soon haha, but won't be doing that now. That helps. I'll start dumping points into Dex.

[Simbah]

Originally posted by Nero Nox:

No matter the Build, sometimes switching tools is the best way ...

I can only recommend the buckler shield for example for some humanoids. Pair that for example with talismans as Assassin's Crimson Dagger or Dagger Talisman and you seem OP quickly.

Or yeah, parrying the crucible knights are definitely the best strat for them

[Uncle_Shank]

I've been dreading the day when I'll have to get good with parrying, but it seems like that day is here...

[♔V3RD1CT]

Originally posted by Uncle_Shank:

I've been dreading the day when I'll have to get good with parrying, but it seems like that day is here...

No, that's why they suggested the buckler. You can ash it(parry,) with a item that has better use, and is faster at it. Like a buckler <.<

[Uncle_Shank]

Ahhhh ok. One thing I'm still not comprehending is all of the ash of war possibilities. I pretty much never use them

[chewonthis]

If your that invested to arcane just get dragons seal and albunaric staff. Cast rock sling to stagger easy. My go to is dragon claw and rock sling. Dragon claw has good poise through animation and decent damage. Bleed builds don't stagger to well so you need to be creative with enemies that can not be bled. Also for those enemies that can't be bled both elenoras and RoB have this thing called fire damage most of the bleed only mindset weebs forget about. You can amplify the fire dmg quite a bit with other resources and this will allow you to not be a 1 trick pony.

[RavDakar]

Crucible Knights is really easy, just swap weapon for that one fight.
Put on a talisman to get a bit more strength and use the special skill of the weapon BLASPHEMOUS BLADE. he will never get close and die fast

[RavDakar]

Originally posted by RavDakar:

Crucible Knights is really easy, just swap weapon for that one fight.
Put on a talisman to get a bit more strength and use the special skill of the weapon BLASPHEMOUS BLADE. he will never get close and die fast

Only down side is that its a very boring fight if keep a small distance and use the special skill. Maybe bring a few FP bottles