Respeccing in Elden Ring gives you the chance to adapt your character without starting over. Whether you’re shifting from a pure melee setup to a magic-heavy build or just correcting early game stat choices, the system allows for flexibility. But it comes with restrictions, and doing it well means understanding how attributes interact with your chosen playstyle.
How to Respec
To respec in Elden Ring, you must first defeat Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, in the Grand Library of Raya Lucaria. Once she’s defeated, she becomes a friendly NPC and offers the ability to respec using the “Rebirth” option.
You’ll need one Larval Tear each time you respec. These are consumable and fairly limited in quantity, especially early on, so experimentation comes at a cost.
Key requirements:
- Defeat Rennala in the Grand Library
- Possess a Larval Tear
- Be at a Site of Grace in the Library to access the Rebirth menu
Larval Tears can be found in specific locations across the Lands Between. Some are dropped by enemies disguised in illusory forms, while others are located in late-game areas. Use them wisely.
What Happens When You Respec
When you choose to respec, all your attributes are reset to the base values determined by your starting class. From there, you can redistribute your levels however you like, within the limits of your current level. You cannot reallocate levels beyond what you’ve earned through runes.
This means your class still matters. A Confessor will always start with more Faith, while a Warrior leans towards Dexterity. The respec allows you to reassign everything you’ve added since character creation, but you can’t alter your class’s base stats.
When to Respec
Respeccing makes the most sense in these scenarios:
- You’ve drastically changed weapon types or added a new magic focus
- Your current build is inefficient or spreading points too thin
- You’ve reached the soft caps for scaling and want to lean into a different stat
- You want to optimise for PvP or a specific boss encounter
Avoid respeccing just for minor adjustments. With limited Larval Tears and no option to farm them infinitely, you’ll want each use to count.
Optimising Your Build
Once you’ve committed to a respec, your goal should be a clear and synergistic build. Every viable setup in Elden Ring rests on coherent stat investment, weapon and spell scaling, and equipment load management. Here are key principles to follow:
1. Respect Soft Caps:
Most stats have diminishing returns at certain thresholds. For example, Vigor provides solid gains up to 40, but drops off afterward. Strength and Dexterity typically peak in efficiency around 50 for scaling purposes, depending on your weapon.
2. Focus Your Damage Type:
Decide whether you’re investing in physical (Strength or Dexterity), magical (Intelligence or Faith), or status effect builds (Arcane). Hybrid builds are possible but come at the cost of depth in any one area.
3. Don’t Neglect Endurance and Vigor:
Pure damage builds often fail in tougher areas if they lack survivability. A good baseline for Vigor is around 40 by the late game, and Endurance becomes essential if you’re wearing heavier armour or using colossal weapons.
4. Match Stats to Scaling:
Weapons scale differently depending on their base stats and upgrades. Always double-check weapon scaling letters (C, B, A, S) and make sure your build reinforces that. A greatsword with A-scaling in Strength should not be used with a Dexterity-heavy character.
5. Use Talismans to Round Out Weaknesses:
Talismans can complement or correct certain build gaps. If you’re low on Endurance, a talisman that boosts stamina recovery or reduces equipment load can help offset the shortfall.
The Seven Swords takeaway
The respec system in Elden Ring is flexible but finite. Each change should serve a purpose: leaning into your preferred playstyle, adapting to late-game challenges, or refining your character for PvP. Don’t treat it as a fix-all for bad planning, but rather as a tool for sharpening your focus. Know your build, know your weapons, and plan your stat investments with intention.
