Shadow of the Erdtree adds many new things to the base game, building upon the foundation that was laid out when Elden Ring first came out. Where it added new weapons and spells, it also added an entirely new status effect, Eternal Sleep.

Differing only slightly from normal sleep, Eternal Sleep can be procced with two weapons, Velvet Sword of St. Trina and Thiollier's Hidden Needle. This status effect isn't very effective in PvE (at least in the DLC) since most bosses are immune to sleep and eternal sleep or shrug off the effect immediately after being inflicted. However, it is devastating in PvP, especially when paired with Sleep Evermore, Thiollier's Hidden Needle's ash of war.

Star-lined Sword in Elden Ring
Star-Lined Sword Build Guide in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

The Star-Lined Sword allows players to slice through hordes of enemies with celestial bodies. Here's a guide to building this katana in Elden Ring.

By 

Best Stat Spread For Thiollier's Hidden Needle In Elden Ring

Thiollier's Hidden Needle scales mainly with DEX and secondarily with INT. Increase the DEX to 70, and invest the rest of your skill points into INT to min max the damage. The ash of war doesn't consume a lot of FP, making 10 Mind enough most of the time, though you can invest a bit more if you plan to integrate spells into your build. The 25 FAI is to meet the minimum requirement for Golden Vow, though players can skip it if they don't feel like they need the buff in their routine. They can use the Uplifting Aromatic in its stead.

Vigor

40

Endurance

24

Mind

10

Strength

10

Dexterity

70

Intelligence

40

Faith

25

Arcane

10

Best Equipment For Thiollier's Hidden Needle In Elden Ring

other equipment for Thiollier's Hidden Needle in elden ring shadow of the erdtree

It's not very effective to use the Thiollier's Hidden Needle on it's own. It has a short range, it causes a fairly small amount of Eternal Sleep build up, and it doesn't deal a lot of damage. However, when paired with the right items and armaments, players can wreak havoc on their enemies, usually other players.

  • Velvet Sword of St. Trina : The weapon skill for Velvet Sword of St Trina casts a cloud that causes Eternal Sleep build up. When eternal sleep does proc, players can switch to Thiollier's Hidden Needle and use its ash of war to devastate the opponent.
  • Spread Crossbow : Keep this in your offhand and use Sleepbone bolts during your fights. Against enemy players, you can proc sleep within a few hits because of the multiple bolts fired with every single shot, making it a great accompaniment to Thiollier's Hidden Needle.
  • Eternal Sleep Pot : The DLC added new ritual pots, one of which is the eternal sleep pot. This gives the player 10 more pots to use to cause sleep buildup.
  • Sleep Pot : Players can have up to 20 sleep pots at the same time, for a total of 30 throwable items that cause sleep build up.
elden ring furious blade of ansbach two blade and sign
How to Get Furious Blade of Ansbach in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Learn how to acquire the recently buffed Furious Blade of Ansbach in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Use the spell for end-game opponents.

By 

Best Talismans For Thiollier's Hidden Needle In Elden Ring

talismans for Thiollier's Hidden Needle in elden ring shadow of the erdtree

The Companion Jar does increase the damage done by throwing pots; however, it doesn't increase the status build-up, so it is irrelevant in this build.

Best Wondrous Physik Mixture For Thiollier's Hidden Needle In Elden Ring

wondrous flask mixture for Thiollier's Hidden Needle in elden ring shadow of the erdtree

Wondrous Physik doesn't do much for this build. Players can use whatever crystal tear they like since nothing directly buffs the sleep build up or skill damage from Thiollier's Hidden Needle. Opaline Hardtear and Opaline Bubbletear are good defensive options, and the Greenburst Crystal Tear is a good auxiliary tear.

Shadow of the Erdtree Abyssal Woods, Belurat and Enir-Ilim, and Shadow Keep
Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree - 5 Best New Areas, Ranked

The Land of Shadow is incredibly vast and varied, but these new areas stand out the most in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

By 

How To Use The Thiollier's Hidden Needle Build In Elden Ring

general playstyle with Thiollier's Hidden Needle in elden ring shadow of the erdtree

Thiollier's Hidden Needle is a little underwhelming in PvE combat, especially because most of the DLC bosses are straight up immune to the sleep status effect. However, it is overpowered in PvP combat, and can be used to great effect with the right weapon combinations.

First, you should have the Spread Crossbow equipped in your off-hand with Sleepbone bolts equipped. Using this crossbow is the easiest way to cause the sleep status. However, you can also use sleep pots and ritual sleep pots in situations where it makes sense. Regardless of the source, your first priority is proccing sleep or eternal sleep on the enemy player.

As soon as you see the status take effect, dual wield Thiollier's Hidden Needle, and use its Ash of War, Sleep Evermore. If you hit the sleeping player, this will deal a big chunk of damage to their HP. Follow it up with a heavy attack to hit them once more to finish them off.

Since players running this build will be heavily invested in Intelligence and Dexterity, they can use either a Moonveil or Dark Moon Greatsword build (with some minor stat adjustments) when they aren't running a sleep build since it's ineffective against many bosses.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Elden Ring Tag Page Cover Art
Elden Ring
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget
10 /10
Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget
Released
February 25, 2022
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Developer(s)
From Software
Cross-Platform Play
PS4 & PS5 and Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
Genre(s)
RPG, Action
The Erdtree in Elden Ring
6 Images