Long-range combat in Elden Ring offers a satisfying alternative to the up-close brutality of melee-focused builds. Whether you prefer pelting enemies from a distance with arrows, raining down sorceries, or dishing out elemental incantations, there’s a wide variety of tools available for players who want to keep their distance while staying deadly. Below are 16 builds that thrive in long-range engagements, each with unique advantages and playstyles.
1. Pure Sorcerer (Intelligence Build)
The classic long-range setup. Focus on boosting Intelligence to use Glintstone spells like Comet Azur or Stars of Ruin. Equipping Lusat’s Glintstone Staff maximizes spell damage, especially when buffed with Terra Magica.
2. Faith-Based Lightning Caster
Ideal for players who enjoy fast, aggressive ranged damage. With high Faith, you can unleash spells like Ancient Dragons’ Lightning Spear or Lightning Strike, especially powerful in open-field boss fights.
3. Hybrid Mage-Knight
Combine a Glintstone Staff with a light melee weapon like a rapier or straight sword. You’ll have the flexibility to cast at range and defend up close when enemies rush in.
4. Black Bow of Pharis Build
This Dexterity-focused build turns the Black Bow of Pharis into a rapid-fire death machine. Pair with Bone Arrows or elemental arrows for variety and range control.
5. Fire Monk Incantation Build
Focusing on fire spells such as Flame, Fall Upon Them and Flame of the Fell God. Great for area control and pressure in both PvE and PvP.
6. Gravity Mage
A lesser-used but surprisingly powerful build. Spells like Rock Sling and Meteorite of Astel benefit from high Intelligence and deal excellent stagger damage at range.
7. Rotbow Archer
Combine the Serpent Bow with arrows that inflict Scarlet Rot. This status-focused ranged build excels at kiting enemies while steadily whittling down their HP.
8. Sniper Build
Using the Pulley Bow or Greatbow with Great Arrows, this build emphasizes precision and power. Best used in areas with wide sightlines or during co-op for covering teammates.
9. Glintstone Icecrag Sorcerer
Ideal for Intelligence builds that want to take advantage of Frostbite status. Glintstone Icecrag has fast cast speed and synergizes well with other frost-based gear.
10. Beast Incantation Build
Centered around Bestial Sling and Stone of Gurranq, this Faith-focused caster is surprisingly effective at mid-range. Add buffs like Bestial Vitality for extra survivability.
11. Bleed Archer
Make use of bleed-inflicting arrows with a Composite or Longbow. Buff with Bloodflame Blade or use Blood Arrows when available for even more effect.
12. Meteor Staff DPS
This staff boosts gravity magic and is perfect for Rock Sling users. Pair it with Talismans that enhance spell power, and you’ve got one of the most consistent ranged builds early to mid-game.
13. Pure Hex Build
Lean into dark sorceries and incantations like Death Lightning or Fia’s Mist. Not as bursty as Glintstone sorcery, but excellent for control and status effects.
14. Magic Archer Hybrid
This build combines Dex and Int to use bows with magic-infused arrows while casting spells from a staff. Ideal for players who want to switch between ranged styles fluidly.
15. Faith-Intelligence Hybrid (Golden Order Build)
This lesser-used combo allows access to both sorceries and incantations. Spells like Order’s Blade and Triple Rings of Light add versatile ranged pressure.
16. Rot and Flame Hybrid Caster
Focus on Faith and Arcane to cast spells like Rotten Breath and Ekzykes’s Decay while using flame-based incantations. Great for status-infliction strategies from afar.
Ranged builds can be particularly powerful in Elden Ring’s open environments, where maintaining distance often means survival. Whether you’re leaning into sorceries, bows, or incantations, there’s no shortage of gear and support items to help fine-tune your strategy.
If you’re looking to experiment with these builds without the grind, many players consider browsing Elden Ring Items for sale to speed things up. Managing your rune economy is just as important, especially if you’re planning on testing different builds, and some even explore the best site to buy Elden Ring Runes for faster progression.
No matter your choice, long-range combat offers both challenge and reward—allowing you to take on the world of Elden Ring with a tactical edge.
