Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s 2022 action RPG, is known for its rich, dark fantasy world and intricate combat mechanics. Among the myriad of builds available to players, one of the most chaotic and potentially devastating is the Madness build. This build, which revolves around inflicting Madness status on enemies and exploiting the devastating effects it can have, has become a fan favorite due to its ability to turn the tide of battle with a single, well-timed attack. In this article, we'll explore the intricacies of creating a Madness build, the Elden Ring Runes weapons and incantations that make it so powerful, and the various strategies to maximize its potential in both PvE and PvP.

What is Madness?
Madness is a unique status effect in Elden Ring that, when triggered, causes enemies to lose control, dealing substantial damage to themselves while also leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. Once an enemy's Madness meter fills, they enter a state of frenzy, and they’ll take a chunk of damage from their own overwhelming mental stress. This effect can be stacked with additional attacks and spells to create devastating combos, turning enemies into ticking time bombs of their own making.

The key to any effective Madness build lies in increasing Madness buildup, which can be done using a combination of weapons, incantations, and talismans. Additionally, players can capitalize on the increased damage inflicted by Madness as a bonus to their own attacks. Combining these elements allows the player to use Madness not only as a tool for debuffing enemies but also as a source of raw power.

The Madness Weapons
Elden Ring offers several weapons that naturally scale with Madness buildup. These weapons are primarily focused on inflicting Madness status on enemies, whether through physical hits or special Ashes of War. One of the standout additions to the Madness arsenal is The Madding Hand, introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

The Madding Hand
This unique fist-type weapon stands out for its ability to inflict Madness buildup with each hit. What makes The Madding Hand particularly potent is its Ash of War, which, when landing, guarantees a fully charged heavy attack and a follow-up heavy attack. This combo can easily wipe out a player in PvP with the right setup, and when you’re playing in PvE, it’s capable of taking down bosses with minimal effort.

The Madding Hand’s Ash of War proc is not just for offensive power but also triggers a state where your opponent is subjected to the Madness buildup instantly. With the right talisman setup, such as Shard of Alexander, which boosts Ash of War damage, this weapon can turn the tide of battle quickly, particularly when combined with Madness-infused incantations.

Other Weapons for Madness Builds
While the Madding Hand is a standout, there are other weapons that work well with a Madness build. Frenzy-infused weapons like the Raging Flame weapons, or any weapon that has an inherent Madness Ash of War, can be used to further increase the potency of your build. These weapons are particularly effective in combo-heavy strategies, as they can quickly build up Madness status and deliver massive damage.

Incantations for Madness Builds
Madness builds aren’t just about weapons. Elden Ring also offers a variety of incantations that can support the build, creating synergy between Madness effects and additional status inflictions. Here are a few key incantations that should be considered for any Madness-focused player:

Unendurable Frenzy
Unendurable Frenzy is one of the most powerful and distinctive Madness-incantations in the game. It allows the player to channel Madness directly into enemies, causing them to experience the full effects of Madness buildup. The spell is a great way to start the Madness chain, as it can be cast from a distance and immediately put pressure on your enemies. With the right talismans, like the Flock Canvas Talisman (which boosts incantation damage) and Faithful Canvas Talisman, this spell becomes a devastating opener for any fight.

Madness Burst
For those looking to add more versatility to their Madness build, Madness Burst can be used in combination with other incantations to increase the intensity of the Madness buildup. It’s great for disrupting enemy spells and causing immediate chaos in the battlefield. The key to using this spell is understanding its range and timing. If used correctly, it can disrupt enemies' plans while inflicting significant Madness buildup over time.

Frenzy Flame
Frenzy Flame and its various upgraded versions add another layer of versatility to the Madness build. This incantation works particularly well when paired with Frenzied Flame Pots, which provide a huge boost to the Madness buildup. Using both Frenzy Flame and the Frenzied Flame Pots in combination can overwhelm enemies quickly, especially in PvP where the Madness status can confuse and disorient.

Talisman Setup for Madness Builds
Maximizing the effectiveness of a Madness build is all about fine-tuning your talisman setup. Talisman effects can further increase the potency of your Madness attacks, whether they’re from weapons or incantations. Here are a few talismans that should be considered:

The Shard of Alexander
The Shard of Alexander is a must-have for any Madness build that relies on Ashes of War. This talisman significantly boosts the damage of Ash of War attacks, which is perfect for enhancing the Madding Hand’s Ash of War combo. It provides the extra damage you need to make the most of the guaranteed heavy attack proc from the Madding Hand, especially when used in conjunction with Frenzy-infused weapons.

The Rigan Icon
Since many Madness incantations require quick casting speeds to maximize their effectiveness, the Rigan Icon is another essential talisman. It boosts your casting speed, allowing you to quickly throw out Unendurable Frenzy or Madness Burst and build up Madness without waiting too long between attacks. Speed is crucial in a Madness build, as the quicker you can stack Madness status on your enemies, the faster they’ll reach their breaking point.

The Age One’s Exaltation
The Age One’s Exaltation is another invaluable talisman for a Madness build. It increases your damage output when Madness is in the vicinity, making it an excellent choice when you’re in the thick of battle, dealing with multiple enemies at once. It’s particularly effective in PvP, where you can build up Madness with your attacks and incantations, triggering a chain reaction that devastates your foes.

Stat Distribution for a Madness Build
To make the most out of your Madness build, it’s essential to properly distribute your stats. Madness builds generally require a quality build (balancing strength, dexterity, and faith) to make use of the various Madness-infused weapons and incantations.

Strength and Dexterity: These two stats should be your primary focus, as most Madness weapons scale with both. Investing in these stats will increase the damage output of your weapons, particularly the Madding Hand and other Frenzied Flame-based weapons.

Faith: Faith is important for maximizing the damage output of your Madness incantations. Unendurable Frenzy, Madness Burst, and Frenzy Flame all scale with Faith, so a higher Faith stat will significantly boost your ability to deal damage with these spells.

Vigor and Endurance: These stats are equally important for survivability. The Madness build can be very aggressive, and you’ll likely be getting up close and personal with enemies. High Vigor will ensure you can survive the chaos you create, while Endurance will help you maintain stamina for your aggressive attacks.

PvP Strategies: Turning Madness Into Victory
Madness builds are particularly potent in PvP, where players can quickly overwhelm their opponents with Madness buildup. Here are a few strategies to maximize your effectiveness in PvP:

Aggressive Playstyle: Don’t wait around—Madness builds thrive on offense. Use the Madding Hand’s Ash of War to trigger Madness status early, then follow up with incantations like Unendurable Frenzy to stack even more Madness on your opponents.

Range and Spacing: While you want to be aggressive, you also need to maintain proper spacing. Weapons like the Madness-infused Greatsword or Frenzied Flamebow offer range that lets you harass your enemies while avoiding direct confrontations.

Mind Games: A key part of the Madness build is its psychological impact. The status buildup can cause enemies to panic, especially in longer fights. You can use this to your advantage by mixing up your attacks and spells, forcing your enemies to second-guess their every move.

Use of Talismans: Experiment with different talisman combinations based on the situation. The Shard of Alexander and Rigan Icon are excellent for boosting your combat potential, while the Age One’s Exaltation can turn a single Madness-induced hit into a game-changer.

Conclusion
The Madness build in Elden Ring is one of the most chaotic, fun, and rewarding builds available to players. With the right combination of weapons, incantations, and talismans, you can turn the battlefield into a nightmare for your enemies. Whether you’re using the Madding Hand to dish out devastating combos, or casting Madness-infused spells from afar, the potential for destruction is limitless. The Madness build isn’t just about dealing damage—it’s about controlling the battlefield and forcing your enemies into a state of elden ring items buy online fear and frenzy. So, if you're looking to wreak havoc in both PvE and PvP, consider embracing the madness