Elden Ring Nightreign Scholar Build Guide – Relic, Weapons

The Scholar is not a traditional damage dealer or frontline bruiser. He’s a tactician who shapes the battlefield through items, debuffs, and smart positioning. Forsaken Hollows makes him even better by adding new relic effects, more item-scaling opportunities, and new enemy types that reward status-heavy play.

This Elden Ring Nightreign Scholar Build Guide focuses on making Scholar feel impactful without forcing him into awkward melee roles. If you want to support your team, multiply their damage, spread statuses, and control fights without being in constant danger, this setup will feel just right.

Elden Ring Nightreign Scholar Build Guide

Scholar succeeds when he plays one second ahead of everyone else.
He doesn’t trade hits; he orchestrates.

Your rhythm becomes:

1. Upgrade consumables early
2. Mark multiple targets with Analyse
3. Weaken enemies or buff allies
4. Spread damage with Communion at key moments
5. Maintain distance and build up statuses

He’s not meant to solo heavy bosses, but in co-op or mob-heavy encounters he becomes the quiet force that tilts the outcome.

Stat Priorities

The Scholar’s base stats already lean toward a support role, but Forsaken Hollows relics allow two very different paths.
Choose based on the playstyle you prefer.

Primary Support / Status Build (Recommended)

• Arcane — Priority #1
  This fuels item discovery, status application, and synergy with many relic effects.
• Intelligence — Priority #2
  For hybrid spells or mixed-damage item builds.
• Endurance
  Helps maintain movement and backsteps while throwing items.
• Vigor
  You don’t want to tank hits, but you do need a cushion to survive stray damage.
• Mind
  Optional if you’re leaning into spells or heavy Analyze usage.

This keeps Scholar in his intended zone: backline control, fast item cycling, safe debuff application.

Bagcraft

Bagcraft is the reason Scholar works.
To maximize it:

Upgrade Consumables Early

Use relics that start your run with items so you can immediately level that category:

• Fire Pots
• Lightning Pots
• Sleepbone Arrows
• Rot Pots
• Perfumes
• Shards

Every early throw pays dividends. Level 3 consumables are dramatically better:

• Lightning pots explode twice
• Fire pots leave burning pools
• Gravity stone upgrades pull targets inward
• Perfumes start gaining bonus effects

The fastest way to feel strong as Scholar is to treat your item pouch as your “real weapon.”

Analyze – When and How to Use It

Analyse wins fights if used at the right time.
It also gets you killed if you use it in the wrong moment.

When to Use It:

• When the boss is targeting someone else
• When enemies spawn in groups
• When a melee ally has created a distraction window
• Right before initiating an AoE combo

What You Get:

Enemy Debuffs

• Level 1: Reduced damage
• Level 2: Further reduced damage
• Level 3: Next hit deals around 60% extra damage

Ally Buffs

• Level 1: Stamina gain
• Level 2: Extra stamina
• Level 3: Shield that bursts when struck

Use Analyze early in big encounters, then maintain distance.

Communion – Best Use Cases

Communion is simple but powerful:

• Links enemies so damage spreads
• Links allies so healing spreads
• Scholar gains full invulnerability while casting

Communion shines when:

• Facing multi-target Nightlords
• Clearing mob-heavy swamps and forges
• Supporting teammates low on health
• Fighting new Forsaken Hollows enemies that spawn adds

Use it as a turning point ability, not a panic button.

Recommended Scholar Teammates

Scholar flourishes when paired with teammates who cover his weaknesses or amplify his strengths.

Ironeye

• Boosts item discovery for the whole team
• Enhances Bagcraft
• Turns every pouch into a toolbox

Wylder or Raider

• Provides frontline pressure
• Draws aggro so you can analyze safely

Duchess

• Restage repeats status buildup
• Finale gives invisibility windows for free debuffs

Recluse / Guardian

• Large AoE abilities combine perfectly with Communion

This is when Scholar feels strongest—when he’s enhancing others.

Best Scholar Relic Effects

These relics unlock his full potential in Forsaken Hollows.
Here are the ones that matter most—ranked by impact.

1. Allies targeted by Analyze gain boosted attack

This turns every buff into a direct damage steroid.
Essential for supporting aggressive teams.

2. Item Confer Effect to Nearby Allies

Your upgraded consumables become teamwide tools.
Fire pots with burning pools suddenly support everyone.

3. Starting armament inflicts Poison or Bleed

Status effects are your best option for bosses where Analyse is too risky.

4. Attack Power Up vs Poison / Rot-afflicted Enemies

Perfect synergy with Antspur Rapier and consumables.

5. Flask Also Heals Allies

Scholars often reposition near allies—this amplifies your presence dramatically.

6. Arcane +3

Always helpful for discovery, scaling, and relic synergies.

7. X in possession at start of expedition

Start with the consumable type you want to upgrade first.

8. Improved Physical Damage Negation

Not flashy, but critical—Scholar cannot afford to take stray hits.

9. Less Likely to Be Targeted

This relic is golden during Analyze windows.

Signature Weapons for Scholar

Antspur Rapier (Rot + Arcane synergy)

• Applies Rot
• Scales with Arcane for rapid buildup
• Great for weakening bosses while you support from mid-range

Poison / Bleed-inflicting rapiers

• Combine with Analyse debuffs
• Stack with relic effects like “Attack Power Up vs poison-afflicted enemies”

Thrown consumables

• Your true DPS in group fights
• Lightning Pots, Fire Pots, and Perfumes become your actual burst tools

Best Scholar Build (Forsaken Hollows Version)

Core Build Identity

• Mid-range status applicator
• Item-heavy support
• Debuffer and AoE amplifier
• Safe, mobile, and opportunistic

Recommended Loadout

Weapon:

• Antspur Rapier (Rot application)
• OR any rapier with innate Bleed / Poison

Relics:

• Allies gain attack when analyzed
• Item effects shared to nearby allies
• Flask heals allies
• Arcane +3
• Poison/Bleed on starting armament
• Start with X consumable
• Less likely to be targeted

Consumables:

• Fire Pots
• Lightning Pots
• Rot Pots
• Sleep Pots
• Gravity Stones
• Any Perfumes
  Upgrade them early using Bagcraft.

Gameplay Plan

1. Upgrade consumables early
2. Stay mobile, avoid aggro
3. Analyze groups whenever safe
4. Debuff bosses before ally burst phases
5. Use Communion on mob-heavy fights
6. Rotate consumables for status buildup
7. Reposition constantly and avoid direct trades

This is how Scholar shifts from “fragile old man with items” to a team anchor.

The Scholar is one of Forsaken Hollows’ most unconventional Nightfarers. He doesn’t dominate the screen with giant swings or explosions—he creates openings that make the team stronger. When played with intent, Scholar transforms tough expeditions into steady, controlled battles where your group always has the upper hand.