Here I’m going to show you this build I designed based on Skaven Gutter Runners. I’ll tell you how effective it is, whether it works in all stages of the game, and what items you need to craft it.

I think this is a reasonably strong build. We can even use it as your first build if this is your first time playing the game. This means you can start playing Gutter Runner as early as possible.

Classes Selection

So let’s start with which classes you should choose. It is not mandatory we start which classes in any build. Therefore, you can eventually get the attribute points and items you need for your build using any starting classes.

The major role that classes bring to a specific building is optimization. Avoid spending attribute points on things you won’t use, or early starter weapons or items.

In this build, I chose to start with Bandit class for two main reasons. First, because this profession has more attribute points. This build focuses on Vigor, Dexterity and Arcane.

Next, its starting weapon is Great Knife, which is a dagger that will be used in this build, and some armor that you may end up using.

Attribute Points

When it comes to attribute points, I’ll show you how I do it and explain why I do it. First, I like to set up all the attribute points to use the weapon I build. Here, just add 1 more point of Dexterity to bring it up to 14 points, so you can use Claws.

Why do we choose health over something else to increase damage? Because in the ancient game, if the weapon does not reach a high level, the attributes of the weapon cannot be scaled well. In my experience, focusing on health and necessary attribute points just to use the weapons chosen for the game makes the game more interesting.

After Vigor reaches 40, you can start improving your Arcane attributes. This will help you inflict blood on your enemies more often. Now your damage mainly comes from making enemies bleed.

Then start practicing Dexterity, also aiming for 40. This will help boost your physical damage attack. When your Dexterity reaches 40, it’s time to start fine-tuning the build.

At this stage of the game, enemies have stronger attacks, so 50 points of vigor is a good choice. Then assign the next attribute points to Arcane or Dexterity. Note which one maximizes the weapon’s attack rate, but gives Arcane priority.

Because we set Poison and Occult as primary Weapon Affinities, and those weapons scale better with Arcane.

Finally, in the remaining levels, you need to increase your Endurance level so you can have more Endurance points. This helps to continue the attack without running out of endurance.

Weapons

Next, we start selecting weapons for this build. Let’s start with the dagger. Because the starting weapon for this build is the dagger, Great Knife. Not only does it scale better with Dexterity, but it also has blood functionality built into the weapon.

Great Knife requires 6 Strength attribute points and 12 Dexterity attribute points. In case you start the game with a class other than Bandit, you can get it by killing Demi-Humans holding that weapon. This is the only way to get this weapon besides starting as a Bandit.

To pair with Great Knife, you can use Reduvia. This is a very good dagger, especially early in the game. You can get it by defeating the invader Bloody Finger Nerijus in front of Murkwater Cave. You can also choose to get this weapon from the merchant by spending Elden Ring Runes. Note that you can use the code “CSCCA” to get 5% off at IGGM.com.

Reduvia’s skill is L2, which releases a small blood wave through Blood Blade. Although the spread distance is not very far, it is enough to give you some range attacks. It’s also worth noting that if you use this skill within melee range of an enemy and hit it with Blood Blade, you’ll deal double the skill damage and blood loss accumulation.

For now, these daggers should be enough to keep you going until you get some claws. You can get Raptor Talons early by entering Sage’s Cave in Altus Plateau. It will be inside a chest near the end of this cave.

The second option for Claws is Hookclaws, located in Stormveil Castle. It’s in a crate at the end of the “secret passage” that Gostoc recommends you take.

A third option is Bloodhound Claws located in Volcano Manor. You need to kill Bloodhound Knight in the dark corner of the manor’s secret passage. This gives you a choice of three claws. This build can use two weapons at once or dual wield.

Magic Spells

What we are going to discuss now is Magic Spells. Most Magic doesn’t quite fit Skaven Gutter Runner, so I don’t use it.

But if you choose other play styles with this build, you will need Poison Armament incantation. You will use Claws of your choice and apply the incantation to the weapon.

It’s up to you if you want to get Flames Grant Me Strength or Golden Vow for more damage. Of course, even without these Magic Spells, the damage of this build is already powerful.

Also Read: Elden Ring: How To Stagger Every Boss With Zweihander Cragblade Build?

Talismans

Now let’s move on to Talismans. Talismans are very important for this build, they will buff a lot of your damage.

The first Talisman required for this build will be Kindred of Rot’s Exultation. When Poison or Rot Status Effects occur near you, this Talisman will increase its attack power by 20% for 20 seconds.

Because this build involves a lot of poisoning and blood loss, this 20% boost will trigger more time. In most cases, this Talisman alone will give you a nice flat 20% boost.

Speaking of blood loss, the second talisman of this build will be Lord of Blood’s Exultation. It does the same thing as Kindred of Rot’s Exultation. Damage increased by 20%, but only triggers when nearby blood loss occurs.

The next Talisman will be Winged Sword Insignia. Regardless of the weapon class you use, it increases the power of your attacks with subsequent attacks. This Talisman is perfect for this build because of its super fast powerstancing claws and dagger attacks.

It has three levels of damage boosts that stack, increasing your attack damage by 3%, 5%, and 10% respectively. These stacks decay after 2 seconds. These damage stacking buffs will be a fundamental part of this build.

Finally, you’ll need another amulet called Millicent’s Prosthesis. It works like Winged Sword Insignia, but with 4%, 6%, and 11% increased damage, respectively. Also, you gain 5 Dexterity points using this amulet.

That’s all for this Skaven Gutter Runner build. I could also make this build more powerful, but I didn’t want to deviate from the theme of Skaven. So you can have a lot of variety with this build depending on your play style. Wish you a happy life.