Now it’s your time to make them suffer.

TheScarlet Rotbuild takes advantage of a detrimental effect to slowly deplete the enemys health bar inElden Ring.

In this piece, we explain thebest stats, weapons, armours, and talismansto run with this build.

Character screenshot from Elden Ring with the Mushroom Crown and two daggers

While this is a less explosive play style, it is not less effective.

Scarlet Rot works in Elden Ring in a similar way to Bleed or other detrimental effects.

You inflict Scarlet Rot on an enemy after hitting them enough times with the effect and surpassing their resistance.

Character screenshot from Elden Ring showing the Antspur Rapier

Like you, the effect kicks in enemies once a bar which you cant see is filled.

Your mission with this build is to fill it as quickly as possible.

You find the former earlier, so the whole idea is to swap them once you find the latter.

Scorpion’s Stinger screenshot from Elden Ring with the text “Dagger fashioned from a great scorpion’s tail, glistening with scarlet rot."

In case you prefer using the quick thrust sequences of Antspur Rapier, theres no problem.

You cant find weapons which build up Scarlet Rot in the early game.

Another downside is the fact both Antspur Rapier and Scorpions Stinger arent good options against multiple enemies.

Reduvia screenshot from Elden Ring with the text “Jagged dagger with a distinctive curved blade. Used by the noble servants of the Lord of Blood."

Because of that, the Scarlet Rot effect is mostly useful against bosses or large enemies.

The disposition of stats indicated here represents a level 150 character.

A goodstarting classfor this build which helps you reach these numbers is theSamurai.

Character screenshot from Elden Ring showing the Mushroom Crown

Doing so will likely affect how much damage you cause in combat with the weapons you have.

But if you want the Reduvia dagger, you might get it by progressing through theBloody Finger Yuras quest.

Another option is the Bloodhounds Fang, a curved greatsword that you earn after defeatingBloodhound Knight Darriwil in Limgrave.

Kindred of Rot’s Exultation screenshot from Elden Ring with the text “A talisman depicting the exultation of pests. Raises attack power when poisoning or rot occurs in the vicinity."

In midgame, after you have reached Altus Plateau, you could finally get the Antspur Rapier.

Defeat her to get your first Scarlet Rot weapon.

For this build, this is especially true when talking about theMushroom Crown.

This helm piece hardly fits in most sets visually speaking.

When it comes to the other pieces, there isnt the most optimal combination.

The reason why we want to use the Coil Shield is not for defence though.

This exotic shield has a skill calledViper Bite, which inflicts enemies with Deadly Poison.

By starting a fight with this shield, you ensure to always have the Mushroom Crown passive up.

The most important talisman for this build is theKindred of Rots Exultation.

You get this talisman after defeating the Kindred of Rot bosses in the Seethewater Cave, inMt.

You earn this talisman duringMillicents questline.

The third possible talisman for this build is theLord of Bloods Exultation.

In case youre running a secondary weapon capable of Bleed buildup, this is a great buff to have.

Next build:Quality build

Need more help?

Jump back to our list ofElden Ring buildsor ourElden Ring walkthrough.