Even billionaires need a break from rockets, electric vehicles, and social media chaos. Elon Musk has apparently spent more time in the Lands Between than many casual Tarnished would expect. His Elden Ring character is a magic-user, and he has offered a surprisingly detailed breakdown of his preferred build. For players who assumed the Tesla and SpaceX CEO would charge in with a colossal sword, the reveal is a fun reminder that Elden Ring rewards all kinds of play styles.
The story began when a history-focused account shared an 8th-century mosaic called Tree of Life. Its earthy tones and atmospheric lighting looked so much like Elden Ring's iconic Erdtree that Musk himself responded. Not long after, a user named KangaroO asked the obvious question: what build does Elon Musk use? The answer turned out to be a magic-user. Judging by the level of detail in his reply, Musk has clearly invested serious time in understanding how Elden Ring's mechanics fit together.
🔮 A Magic-Forward Playstyle
Musk's build centers on spellcasting, with a kit that covers close-range and defensive needs. He reportedly wields a shield, a staff, a rapier, and claws. That combination is more thoughtful than a one-note mage setup. The staff likely handles ranged damage and utility, while the rapier and claws give him fast melee options when enemies close the distance. A shield can parry or block in a pinch, which matters because even the smartest mage can get caught mid-cast.
| Gear Slot | Musk's Reported Choice |
|---|---|
| Primary style | Magic-user / Mage |
| Main casting tool | Staff |
| Melee option | Rapier |
| Backup option | Claws |
| Defense | Shield |
| Spells | Not revealed |
Why would a CEO known for engineering and systems thinking choose a magic build? Perhaps because spellcasting allows a more tactical, deliberate approach. Instead of trading blows at point-blank range, a mage can control spacing, manage FP, and evaluate enemy patterns from relative safety. That sounds like the kind of efficiency-minded problem solving Musk tends to enjoy.
🎮 What This Says About Elden Ring
Musk's loadout highlights one of Elden Ring's greatest strengths: build diversity. The game gives players near-unlimited freedom to combine weapons, spells, talismans, and ashes of war. A mage can carry claws for bleed pressure, a rapier for quick pokes, and a shield for emergency defense. Very few action RPGs allow that many layers of player expression.
The game also encourages players to use every tool in their arsenal. Summon spirit ashes, craft consumables, swap weapons, or lean on status effects—Elden Ring rarely punishes resourcefulness. For newer players, that can feel overwhelming. But for someone like Musk, who seems to enjoy optimizing systems, the complexity is part of the appeal. Mastering a particular build, even a squishy mage, becomes a source of satisfaction after conquering FromSoftware's seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Would this build work for the average player? Absolutely, with a small caveat. Magic-users often feel fragile in the early game, so carrying a rapier or claws is smart advice. The shield also helps compensate for low physical defense. Musk has not disclosed his spell selection, which leaves plenty of room for debate. Is he slinging Glintstone Pebbles, calling down meteors, or mixing in night sorceries? Nobody knows.
🌳 From Real-World Art to the Erdtree
It is fitting that a real historical mosaic sparked the conversation. Elden Ring's Erdtree is one of the most recognizable images in modern gaming, a glowing golden beacon visible from almost anywhere in the Lands Between. The Tree of Life mosaic shares that sense of ancient mystery. Seeing a space and technology entrepreneur pause to appreciate an 8th-century artwork, then connect it to a video game tree, is exactly the kind of crossover that keeps Elden Ring in the cultural conversation.
🚀 Even a CEO Cannot Escape the Lands Between
Elden Ring has proven to be a massive hit for FromSoftware, drawing in millions of Tarnished since its 2022 launch. Even Musk's high-profile acquisition of Twitter, now known as X, apparently was not enough to keep him away from the Erdtree. As of 2026, Elden Ring remains a cultural touchstone, and builds like Musk's still circulate as both a curiosity and a surprisingly practical starting point for new magic-users.
Players who are struggling through the Lands Between should remember that help can come from friends, family, online communities, or even a billionaire CEO sharing his loadout on social media. The next time a boss feels impossible, maybe the answer is not to keep smashing with a greatsword. Maybe it is time to pick up a staff, equip a shield, and think like a mage.