Elden Ring- Stellar Swordsman | Star-Lined Sword Build (NG+↑)

For this Build: This Elden Ring Build is a Dexterity/Intelligence Build centered around the Star-Lined Sword powerstanced with a Cold Uchigatana to utilize powerful rolling attacks to punish boss openings, inflicting Frostbite and the occasional Bleed Proc. The reason for pairing it with a Cold Uchigatana is because the Star-Lined Sword's scaling has more in common with Cold affinity katanas than its Somber cousin, Moonveil (Star-Lined Sword has a B scaling in Dexterity with a scaling value of 135 and a D scaling in Intelligence with a scaling value of 54).

I will admit: it took some doing to make this build work. The powerstance katana moveset is... Not great. Its neutral game is pretty bad because the katanas' attacks don't sync up. Successive hits barely build up with it, especially when compared to Curved Swords, Straight Swords, Daggers, Backhand Blades, Dryleaf Arts even two handing a Twinblade or Light Greatsword. If you wanted to use powerstance katanas for a successive hit build, generally don't. But if you insist, rolling and jumping attacks are the way to go because they are the best moves the katana powerstance has. They will easily trigger successive hits, the Retaliatory Crossed Tree talisman, and by the left hand Cold Uchigatana landing, Frostbite gets proceed pretty quickly and with both katanas hitting, bleed can occasionally proc despite not being a bleed centered build.

The reason for making rolling attacks and status effects the centerpiece of the build is the general disappointment that is the Star-Lined Sword's unique skill, Onze's Line of Stars. It should have a lot going for it. It is a Double Slash-esque skill where it extends the range of the weapon, can synergize well with successive hit buffs, can hitstun small enemies, has up to two follow-ups where the full combo can do really impressive damage and has a unique mechanic where it gets progressively stronger as the combo continues. That being said, it's mostly good on paper. The first input has pretty lackluster damage and rarely goes to 1,000 damage even with successive hit buffs. The second input does manage to get it above 2,000 damage against most opponents but the animations are so lengthy you will either need great timing or excellent positioning to safely use it. And very rarely will you ever have the time to reach the last input. And even if you can get the full combo off, it is a 5 second long attack and in Elden Ring, having such an opportunity is rare to land it untouched. And this skill wouldn't be so terrible in there weren't over half a dozen weapon skills that can do successive hits better and without likely taking damage in the meantime.


Relevant Stats:
Vigor: 60
Mind: 20
Endurance: 30
Strength: 11
Dexterity: 65 (70 w/Millicent's Prosthesis)
Intelligence: 40

Talismans:
1. Shard of Alexander: Increases the power of weapon skills by 15%
2. Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: Successive Hit Buff (6%, 8%, 13%)
3. Millicent's Prosthesis: Successive Hit Buff (4%, 6%, 11%) and increases Dex by 5.
4. Retaliatory Crossed Tree: Increases the power of rolling attacks by 17%

Physick:
1. Thorny Cracked Tear: Successive HIt Buff for 3 minutes (9%, 13%, 20%)
2. Magic Shrouding Cracked Tear: Increases the power of Magic Damage by 20% for 3 minutes


Drip: Rellana's Helm, Carian Knight Armor and Gauntlets, Greaves of Solitude

0:00 Intro
0:39 Build Overview (Weapon, Moveset and Scaling)
3:27 Onze's Line of Stars (Unique Skill)
4:36 Why Onze's Line of Stars is hot garbage (A Rant)
7:40 Chilling Mist on a Cold Uchigatana (The real Goat of this build)
8:16 Build Stats
8:54 Armor
9:07 Talismans
10:25 Buffs and Physick
11:00 So, why did I roast the Star-Lined Sword so hard?
11:33 Margit
12:18 Godrick
13:07 Starscourge Radahn
13:40 Draconic Tree Sentinel
14:20 Morgott
15:26 Mohg
16:55 Niall
19:00 Loretta
20:32 Malenia
23:00 Fire Giant
26:20 Maliketh
28:10 Hoarah Loux
29:38 Radagon
30:25 Elden Beast
34:32 Dancing Lion
37:07 Rellana
38:15 Putrescent Knight
41:26 Gaius
43:37 Romina
45:29 Messmer
47:05 Midra
49:01 Promised Consort Radahn (A very Sloppy Victory)