Elden Ring offers an impressive variety of build options, but for players who thrive on the thrill of dealing massive damage in a single strike, crafting a one-shot kill build can be incredibly rewarding. These builds revolve around maximizing burst damage, critical hits, or powerful combos that can take down even the toughest foes instantly. In this guide, I’ll walk you through 22 builds designed specifically to optimize your one-shot kill potential, whether you prefer melee, magic, or hybrid playstyles.

1. Critical Dex AssassinFocused on high Dexterity and critical hit damage, this build uses daggers or katanas paired with stealth and backstab bonuses to drop enemies in one blow.
2. Faith-Based Lightning StrikerUtilizes powerful lightning incantations combined with high Faith to deal devastating burst magic damage that can wipe out bosses or groups swiftly.
3. Arcane Bleed BuildBleed effects scale with Arcane, making this build excellent for stacking status effects that cause rapid HP depletion with a single combo.
4. Strength Greatsword WarriorA pure Strength build wielding colossal weapons that deliver crushing blows, ideal for staggering enemies and finishing them off instantly.
5. Spellblade HybridCombining Intelligence and Dexterity, this build casts high-damage sorceries and follows up with fast melee strikes for lethal combos.
6. Bow SniperMaximizing Dexterity and Arrow damage, this ranged build focuses on charged critical shots that can one-shot enemies from a distance.
7. Bleed Katana UserKatanas naturally induce bleed, and this build enhances that with stats and talismans for insane burst damage potential.
8. Magic Crit SorcererFocusing on sorceries with critical hit scaling, this build takes advantage of quickened casting and damage buffs to obliterate foes.
9. Heavy Crossbow MarksmanUsing powerful crossbows and high Strength, this build can pierce through shields and armor, taking down enemies with a single well-placed shot.
10. Faith Burst HealerNot just for support, high-Faith builds with buffs and miracles can deliver explosive damage that surprises foes with its burst potential.
11. Poison NinjaMixing Dexterity and Arcane, this build stacks poison rapidly, often killing enemies in a single burst once the status triggers.
12. Strength/Intelligence ColossusA tanky build that uses powerful weapons and heavy sorcery for bursts of magical damage, capable of one-shotting bosses with the right setup.
13. Bleed Bow HunterCombining bleed arrows and Dexterity scaling, this build excels at ranged burst damage, perfect for picking off targets quickly.
14. Critical Greatsword KnightThis build pairs greatswords with high critical damage stats, focusing on charged heavy attacks and parry counters for massive damage.
15. Fire Incantation SpecialistFocused on fire-based miracles that deal high burst AoE damage, excellent for crowd control and single-target burst.
16. Dexterity Twinblade UserFast weapon swings combined with dexterity scaling and buffs allow this build to deliver rapid, powerful bursts that often feel like one-shots.
17. Faith/Arcane SpellbladeA hybrid build that uses faith-based buffs alongside arcane status effects, resulting in unpredictable but deadly burst damage.
18. Power Stance Greatsword DuoUsing dual-wielding heavy weapons with power stance, this build capitalizes on damage multipliers to maximize burst potential.
19. Magic Staff Burst CasterMaximizes intelligence and staff upgrades to unleash devastating spell combos that can take down bosses in a single rotation.
20. Bleed Curved Sword RogueCurved swords with bleed combined with high Dexterity make for a swift, deadly build that can finish off enemies in one swift combo.
21. Strength/Poison GiantHeavy weapons infused with poison, this build stacks status effects while delivering strong melee hits for one-shot kills.
22. Faith Weapon Buff WarriorThis build uses faith buffs on weapons to boost their damage output drastically, allowing for heavy-hitting strikes that often lead to instant kills.

When building for one-shot potential, resource management is key. Many of these builds require access to powerful gear and runes to upgrade your weapons and stats. For players looking to speed up their progression, the best site to buy Elden Ring Runes or the best place to buy Elden Ring Items can be invaluable, and U4GM stands out as a reliable resource to help acquire the materials you need without the grind.
Mastering these builds requires not just understanding the mechanics but also timing and positioning to land that perfect blow. Whether you prefer the stealthy precision of a Dexterity assassin or the raw power of a Strength titan, these 22 builds provide a blueprint for unleashing devastating one-shot damage throughout your Elden Ring journey.