If you’ve ever wanted to turn every parry or backstab into a one-shot kill, this Miséricorde-focused build might just be your next obsession. Inspired by ChaseTheBro’s latest Elden Ring DLC gameplay, this setup turns the humble dagger into a lightning-charged execution tool that dominates both PvE and PvP. Let’s break down how it works and why it’s so effective.
1. Understanding the Core of the Build: Miséricorde and Critical Power
The Miséricorde dagger is the centerpiece of this setup. With one of the highest critical modifiers in Elden Ring (140), it’s a natural fit for backstab and parry-focused playstyles. When paired with the Dagger Talisman, you can push your crit damage to insane levels.
Lightning infusion adds even more punch. It’s especially effective because lightning defense is naturally low in most enemies — and even lower when it’s raining or when enemies stand on water. This means that, under the right conditions, one clean parry can instantly delete a phantom or even some bosses.
For talismans, combining Lightning Scorpion Charm with your crit boosters can make your strikes devastating. Just remember it lowers your defense — so this is a true glass cannon setup.
2. Infusions, Buffs, and Physick Setup
For this build, lightning infusion isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s the most practical option. Chase recommends using the Lightning-Shrouding Cracked Tear in your Wondrous Physick for a strong temporary buff. When stacked with your talismans, buffs, and lightning effects, your damage output can reach 540+ AR, which is wild for a dagger-class weapon.
If you’re looking to optimize your build early, it’s often faster to buy Elden Ring runes from reliable trading platforms like U4GM instead of grinding endlessly. This allows you to experiment with multiple builds and find your perfect balance before stepping into intense PvP or NG+ battles.
3. Ashes of War: Quickstep, Impaling Thrust, and Storm Blade
Your Ashes of War determine how flexible your dagger feels in real combat. Quickstep remains the top pick for PvP. It allows you to dance around slower opponents, bait swings, and get behind them for clean backstabs. Against greatswords or colossal weapons, Quickstep can be a life-saver — mobility is key when you’re fragile.
When facing evasive players or enemies with range, Impaling Thrust shines. It extends your reach and helps secure punishes after dodges. It also has great roll-catch potential, forcing opponents to play cautiously.
Lastly, Storm Blade is surprisingly powerful for zoning or finishing off low-HP targets. It’s an excellent tool when your enemies retreat to heal — and no one expects a dagger user to have long-range options.
4. Learning the Flow of Combat
Critical builds are high-risk, high-reward. The challenge isn’t landing hits — it’s creating the opportunity to land a parry or backstab safely. Chase’s footage shows a mix of patience, precision, and perfect timing.
The trick is “conditioning your opponent” — acting like you’re not fishing for crits early on. Mix in light attacks or weapon arts to disguise your intentions. Once they get comfortable, you can bait predictable patterns and punish them with devastating criticals.
Against multiple enemies, Storm Blade or Impaling Thrust can help you control space until you isolate a target. Just don’t get greedy — one mistake can cost you the match, especially with your reduced damage negation from Lightning Scorpion Charm.
5. Playing Smart with Build Synergy
A good build isn’t just about stats — it’s about how everything works together. This setup thrives on timing, map awareness, and adaptability. Try to engage in open areas rather than tight corridors; your Quickstep movement and reaction-based play benefit from space.
You’ll also want to practice reading weapon animations. Recognizing greatsword swings, katana follow-ups, and casting delays is crucial to landing consistent parries. Once you master that rhythm, fights feel less like chaos and more like choreography.
For console players, especially on PlayStation 5, balancing rune farming and equipment upgrades can be time-consuming. If you prefer experimenting freely with builds like this, you can safely buy Elden Ring runes PS5 from legitimate marketplaces to skip the repetitive grind. That lets you focus on refining your parry timing and PvP awareness instead of farming mobs for hours.
6. Personal Tips and Takeaways
Having tested similar setups myself, I’d say this build is ideal for players who enjoy calculated aggression. It rewards patience and precision rather than brute force. If you’re coming from a strength or bleed build, it might take some time to adjust — but once you feel that perfect parry into a one-shot crit, you’ll never go back.
Also, don’t forget to switch tactics mid-fight. If an opponent starts panic-rolling, chase with Quickstep and light attacks instead of forcing a parry. Adaptability turns a good crit build into a great one.
The Miséricorde lightning crit build is one of the most stylish and lethal setups in Elden Ring. It combines finesse, risk-taking, and sheer mechanical skill. While it requires practice to master, it’s incredibly rewarding once everything clicks — especially when you pull off those cinematic one-shot kills in invasions.
If you’re looking for something fresh before the DLC meta settles, this build deserves a spot in your arsenal. Whether you’re experimenting in PvP or dueling friends for fun, few things feel as satisfying as landing the perfect parry with a dagger that literally sparks.
