Elden Ring enemy weaknesses and resistances explained

Strike, Slash, Pierce, Standard, Holy, Fire, and Magic are all types of damage in Elden Ring, here's what each does, and who their best uses are.

Don’t know what the enemy weaknesses and resistances are in Elden Ring? Don’t worry, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first by the amount of information that’s thrown at you in the opening hours of this highly anticipated game.

Elden Ring’s damage types have their strengths and weaknesses, and some enemies require a change in strategy to defeat. The unique Souls-like game also introduces different enemies that are immune to certain damage types, requiring you to change your set-up. We’re here to help you with all of this, as well as offer some tips on how to use each Elden Ring damage type in the Open-world game.

What are the Elden Ring enemy weaknesses?

Here are the enemy weaknesses and resistances in Elden Ring:

• Holy damage is highly effective against Undead, but many bosses are also resistant to it.
• Strike damage is ideal for enemies with rock-like exteriors, such as Crystalians.
• Pierce damage has a unique property of causing counterattacks, dealing increased damage.
• Fire damage is effective against natural creatures, and can be buffed significantly. Fire-based builds have alternatives for enemies immune to Fire damage.
• Magic damage is not exceptionally effective against anything specific, but it’s easy to buff to high numbers. Few enemies resist Magic damage, making it a reliable option in most situations. Terra Magica provides the highest percentage damage increase in the game for Magic damage.

These are the most crucial enemy weaknesses and resistances to know, but you’ll discover other ones as you progress through the game.

Elden Ring damage types

Here are the Elden Ring damage types and their best uses:

• Standard damage is a dependable option that most enemies neither resist nor are weak to. It’s easy to get a handle on without significant weaknesses.
• Pierce damage has a unique property of causing counterattacks, dealing increased damage. This is great against enemies that have a lot of health, as it will whittle it down more quickly. Even if you don’t find Pierce damage to be effective against a specific enemy, it’s worth trying out just in case you’re missing out on extra damage.
• Lightning damage has few enemies resistant to it and deals extra damage in water or rain. It’s a good option to have in your arsenal, especially if you’re using a weapon that can be upgraded with a lightning gem.
• Strike damage is effective against enemies with rock-like exteriors, like Crystalians. It also works well on flying enemies, such as the Banished.
• Magic damage is not exceptionally effective against anything specific, but it’s easy to buff to high numbers. Few enemies resist Magic damage, making it a reliable option in most situations. Terra Magica provides the highest percentage damage increase in the game for Magic damage. It’s rare to find enemies that require a change in strategy for Magic damage.
• Fire damage is effective against natural creatures. Fire-based builds are one of the most powerful in the game and can be buffed significantly thanks to the Flame Gem and Fire Boost. Fire damage has alternatives for enemies immune to Fire damage.
• Lightning-based builds are one of the most powerful in the game and can be buffed significantly thanks to the Lightning Gem and Lightning Boost. Lightning damage has alternatives for enemies immune to Lightning damage.

Elden Ring enemies immune to certain damage types

Here are the enemies that are immune to certain damage types in Elden Ring:

• Crystalians are Rock enemies, so Strike damage doesn’t work against them. This also means that any weapons that can be upgraded with a Strike Gem are less effective against them.