Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Guide | Sleep Build with Thiollier's Hidden Needle

Here's a guide on how to make a sleep build with Thiollier's Hidden Needle.

Game Guide by TauxicPandA on Aug 20, 2025

This guide covers Thiollier's Hidden Needle, a fist weapon that specializes in sleep status effects.

The weapon scales primarily with dexterity and offers unique combat mechanics centered around putting opponents to sleep for devastating follow-up attacks in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Weapon Overview

Thiollier's Hidden Needle is a fist weapon that puts your targets to sleep. Dexterity is the weapon's primary scaling stat; therefore, it's great for builds that emphasize dexterity.

The fact that this weapon may punish your enemies after you put them to sleep is what makes it special.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Guide, Sleep Build, Thiolliers Hidden Needle

The weapon has the Sleep Evermore Ash of War, which has two uses in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

When used on its own, it deals respectable damage, but its true power emerges when you strike sleeping enemies.

Against sleeping targets, the ash delivers significant burst damage and creates an opening for a guaranteed heavy attack follow-up.

Combat Mechanics

You need to understand the timing and conditions for the sleep combo system in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

The Sleep Evermore Ash of War only guarantees a heavy attack follow-up when your opponent is asleep.

Suppose you attempt to use the ash against an awake enemy. In that case, they can roll away and escape your combo sequence, which poses considerable risk when your entire build revolves around sleep mechanics.

Secondary Weapons and Tools

Include the Velvet Sword of Saint Trina in your loadout for its area-of-effect sleep buildup capabilities in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

The weapon's Ash of War functions similarly to Chilling Mist but applies sleep instead of frost. Use this weapon to create sleep zones and control battlefield positioning.

Equip a Spread Crossbow loaded with Sleep Bone Bolts for instant sleep.

This combination can immediately put enemies to sleep, though effectiveness varies based on their sleep resistance.

Enemies wearing Solitude Armor possess high sleep defense, making instant sleep application unlikely against such opponents.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Guide, Sleep Build, Thiolliers Hidden Needle

Choosing Sleep Pots

Eternal Sleep Pots require Ritual Pots as crafting materials, while standard Sleep Pots use Cracked Pots in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

You can carry up to 30 sleep pots total, providing extensive area denial capabilities.

Deploy sleep pots in confined spaces where enemies tend to camp or when facing aggressive opponents.

You can throw pots at your feet and retreat, forcing pursuing enemies to run through the sleep cloud.

Stat Distribution

Focus your stat allocation on dexterity since Thiollier's Hidden Needle scales primarily with this attribute.

Aim for 72 dexterity for optimal damage output. Allocate just enough intelligence to meet the weapon's minimum requirements without investing beyond the threshold in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Talisman Selection

Shard of Alexander makes your Ash of War do more damage, which makes your Sleep Evermore stronger.

When there are sleep effects in the area, Saint Trina's Smile boosts your attack power. This works wonderfully with your sleep-focused strategy.

Add the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman and Erdtree's Favor +2 to your talisman setup to make yourself more durable and increase your stats.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Guide, Sleep Build, Thiolliers Hidden Needle

Combat Strategy

Your primary approach involves applying sleep through various methods, then capitalizing on the Sleep Evermore combo in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Use the Velvet Sword of Saint Trina to establish sleep zones, follow up with sleep pots for area control, and finish with Sleep Bone Bolts for precise targeting.

Once you achieve sleep status on your target, immediately use Sleep Evermore and execute the guaranteed heavy attack follow-up for maximum damage.

Position yourself carefully since missing the sleep application leaves you vulnerable to counterattacks in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

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