Elden Ring
NG+ Ice Knight Build
Zamor Ice Storm, frost proc resets, and enough poise to never get interrupted. This build handles NG+ content with consistent frost debuffs and proper knight aesthetics.
New Game+
Level: 150-200+
Core: Frost Proc Loop
Weapon: Zamor Curved Sword
Core Goal
Spam Zamor Ice Storm for fast frost buildup, reset the proc with a fire tool, and repeat. Frost debuffs enemies hard in NG+ and repeated procs bypass resistance buildup. The reset loop is the core mechanic - play it actively, not passively like bleed.
01
Weapon Setup
Primary
Zamor Curved Sword
Use with its native Zamor Ice Storm Ash of War. Community favorite for NG+ - AoW builds frost extremely fast and deals massive damage up close. Spam it aggressively for burst damage and rapid proc.
Secondary / Range
Pest's Glaive with Ice Spear AoW
~25 stance damage per hit, great range, safe frost buildup from distance. Poke until frost procs, then switch to Zamor for close burst.
Reset Tool
Smithscript Dagger (Flame infusion) or Fire's Deadly Sin
Critical for the build. Resets frostbite proc for repeated large damage spikes. Flame dagger resets from range. Fire's Deadly Sin allows immediate re-engagement with Ice Storm spam.
Alternatives: Royal Greatsword (STR/INT colossal for heavier knight feel), dual Banished Knight Halberds (Ice Spear + Hoarfrost Stomp), Dragon Halberd, Clayman's Harpoon with Ice Spear.
02
Stat Priorities (NG+, Level 150-200+)
Vigor
50-60
Survivability is critical in NG+. Prioritize this first.
Endurance
30-40+
Poise + armor weight. Mandatory to complete Ice Storm animation without interruption.
Mind
20-30
Enough for AoW spam and a few buffs.
Strength / Dex
Balance
Dex emphasis for Zamor. STR to 54 two-handing softcap if possible.
Int / Arc / Faith
Minimal
Low Faith only for Golden Vow. Drop unused points into Vigor/Endurance.
After weapons are set: Drop all remaining wasted Int/Arc points into Endurance and Vigor. NG+ punishes low HP and interrupted Ice Storm casts harder than it rewards marginal damage stats.
03
Armor - Target 51+ Poise
Poise requirement: You need at least 51+ poise to reliably complete Ice Storm animation in NG+. Set poise first, then optimize appearance within the constraint.
Recommended set: Eccentric's Hood + Divine Beast Armor + Radahn's greaves/gauntlets (~55 poise, frost knight aesthetic)
Alternatives: Banished Knight set, Zamor armor pieces. Fashion over min-max is common - but always hit the poise threshold first.
Alternatives: Banished Knight set, Zamor armor pieces. Fashion over min-max is common - but always hit the poise threshold first.
04
Talismans and Physick
Magic Scorpion Charm
Magic damage boost - core damage talisman for Ice Storm
Alexander's Shard
Ash of War damage increase - directly buffs Zamor Ice Storm
Bull-Goat's Talisman
Poise increase - use until poise is comfortable without it
Enraged Divine Beast
Extra Ice Storm damage - swap in for boss fights
Physick: Magic damage tear + Faith-knot crystal tear (for low-Faith buffs). Or Stonebarb variant depending on your weapon choice.
05
Pre-Fight Buff Rotation
Golden Vow
→
Blessing's Boon
→
Black Flame Protection (if needed)
→
Fire's Deadly Sin OR engage
Reset loop in combat: Land Ice Storm → proc frost (big damage) → immediately apply fire reset → spam Ice Storm again for next proc. Repeat. This is the core rotation - play it actively.
Key Decision Points
Pure frost vs. hybrid build?
Most community builds stick to cold weapons with physical scaling for the knight aesthetic. Only deviate into hybrid if you have specific weapon requirements that need high Int or Arc investment.
Zamor Curved Sword vs. Royal Greatsword?
Zamor for fast frost buildup and aggressive spam - best for NG+ efficiency. Royal Greatsword for slower, heavier knight feel with more poise damage per hit. Royal GS requires STR/INT hybrid investment.
Flame dagger reset vs. Fire's Deadly Sin?
Flame dagger for flexibility - resets from range without committing. Fire's Deadly Sin for more immersive close-range play with less talisman/spell slot investment. Both work equally well.
Poise vs. fashion armor?
Hit 51+ poise first, then optimize appearance. Getting interrupted out of Ice Storm is a larger DPS loss than any aesthetic compromise. The Eccentric's Hood set achieves both goals simultaneously.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring poise. Getting interrupted mid-Ice Storm is the most common death cause on this build. Hit at least 51 poise before anything else.
- Not resetting frost procs. Enemy resistances build up between procs. Always have your fire reset tool equipped and use it actively as part of every engagement.
- Over-investing in unused stats (high Int or Arc when not spellcasting). Every wasted point is Vigor or Endurance you are not getting in NG+.
- Underestimating NG+ HP and damage scaling. Vigor 50+ and poise setup must come before damage optimization - you will one-shot yourself optimizing offense before defense.
- Playing frost passively like bleed. This build requires you to actively manage the proc reset loop. Passive play will result in low damage as resistances build up between natural procs.
Video Reference
Ice Knight Build NG+ — weapons, stats, frost reset loop, and boss demonstrations