The Zweihander in Elden Ring: A Tarnished’s Guide to the Iconic Colossal Sword
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Yes, the Zweihander is indeed present and accounted for in Elden Ring. This iconic colossal sword, known for its impressive reach and devastating potential, returns to FromSoftware’s latest masterpiece, offering players a chance to cleave through enemies with satisfying weight and power. While it might not be the absolute best colossal sword (opinions vary, and builds matter!), it remains a solid, accessible, and stylish choice for Strength-focused builds. Its early accessibility makes it an attractive option for players eager to wield a truly massive weapon right from the start. Let’s delve into everything you need to know about the Zweihander in the Lands Between.
Finding the Zweihander: Location and Early Access
The beauty of the Zweihander in Elden Ring is its relatively easy access, especially early in the game. You won’t have to face a challenging boss or navigate a treacherous dungeon to acquire this behemoth. Instead, head to the Weeping Peninsula, the southern region accessible immediately after leaving the starting area of Limgrave.
Specifically, you need to find the Isolated Merchant’s Shack located on the westernmost part of the Weeping Peninsula. This merchant sells a variety of useful items, and most importantly, the Zweihander for 3,500 Runes. While this might seem like a hefty sum at the very beginning, it’s easily farmable in Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula. Prioritize this purchase if you’re planning a Strength build, as it will serve you well in the early to mid-game.
The Zweihander’s Strengths and Weaknesses
The Zweihander, like any weapon in Elden Ring, has its own strengths and weaknesses that players need to consider when deciding whether to incorporate it into their build.
Strengths:
- Early Accessibility: As mentioned, its availability right from the start is a major boon.
- Impressive Reach: Colossal swords are known for their reach, and the Zweihander is no exception. This allows you to engage enemies from a safe distance and punish their attacks.
- High Poise Damage: The Zweihander excels at breaking enemy poise, leaving them vulnerable to critical hits. This is particularly effective against heavily armored foes.
- Relatively Low Weight: Compared to other colossal swords, the Zweihander is surprisingly lightweight, allowing for more manageable equip load and better mobility.
- Versatile Moveset: While slower than smaller weapons, the Zweihander has a moveset that includes both horizontal and vertical attacks, offering flexibility in combat.
Weaknesses:
- Slow Attack Speed: This is the main drawback of all colossal swords. You need to time your attacks carefully and anticipate enemy movements.
- Stamina Consumption: Wielding such a large weapon drains stamina quickly. Manage your stamina wisely to avoid being caught off guard.
- Limited Agility: The Zweihander’s weight restricts your movement and rolling speed. Investing in Endurance to increase your equip load can mitigate this somewhat.
- Not Ideal for Fast-Paced Combat: If you prefer a faster, more agile playstyle, the Zweihander might not be the best choice.
- Scaling: While it scales with both Strength and Dexterity, its Strength scaling is significantly better. Dexterity investment is primarily for meeting minimum requirements, not maximizing damage output.
Building Around the Zweihander: Stats, Talismans, and Ashes of War
To truly unleash the Zweihander’s potential, you need to build your character and equip them appropriately.
- Stats: Prioritize Strength above all else. Aim to reach at least 60 Strength for optimal damage. Endurance is also crucial for managing equip load and stamina. Invest enough points in Vigor to survive enemy attacks. A minimal investment in Dexterity is required to wield the weapon, but don’t overdo it.
- Talismans: Several talismans can enhance the Zweihander’s effectiveness:
- Green Turtle Talisman: Increases stamina recovery speed.
- Erdtree’s Favor: Raises maximum HP, stamina, and equip load.
- Great-Jar’s Arsenal: Greatly increases maximum equip load.
- Claw Talisman: Enhances jump attacks, which can be a useful tactic with the Zweihander.
- Axe Talisman: Enhances charged heavy attacks, another great tactic.
- Ashes of War: The Zweihander can be infused with various Ashes of War to customize its moveset and add elemental damage or status effects. Some popular options include:
- Lion’s Claw: A powerful leaping attack that deals significant poise damage.
- War Cry: Temporarily increases attack power and changes the heavy attack into a powerful charge.
- Heavy Affinity: For maximum Strength scaling.
- Fire Affinity: Adds fire damage and scales with Strength.
- Bloodflame Blade: Adds fire damage and bleed buildup.
Comparing the Zweihander to Other Colossal Swords
The Zweihander isn’t the only colossal sword in Elden Ring. Here’s a brief comparison to some other popular options:
- Greatsword: Similar to the Zweihander but slightly shorter and heavier. Offers a different moveset.
- Ruins Greatsword: A unique colossal sword with a built-in weapon skill that fires gravity magic.
- Starscourge Greatsword: Dual greatswords that scale with Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. Has a unique weapon skill that pulls enemies towards you.
- Giant-Crusher: The heaviest weapon in the game, dealing massive damage and poise damage. Requires very high Strength to wield.
The best colossal sword depends on your playstyle and build. The Zweihander offers a good balance of reach, damage, and weight, making it a solid all-around choice.
The Zweihander: More Than Just a Weapon
Ultimately, the Zweihander is more than just a weapon in Elden Ring. It’s a symbol of strength, resilience, and the determination to overcome adversity. Wielding this massive blade is a statement, a declaration that you’re not afraid to face the challenges of the Lands Between head-on. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Soulsborne genre, the Zweihander is a worthy companion on your journey to become Elden Lord. Plus, the historical significance of the name and weapon type brings an extra layer of cool to your gaming experience. What’s not to love?
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Zweihander the best colossal sword in Elden Ring?
No, there is no universally “best” colossal sword. The Zweihander is a good choice due to its early availability, relatively low weight, and decent reach. However, other colossal swords, like the Greatsword or Giant-Crusher, might be better suited for specific builds or playstyles.
2. Where do I find the Isolated Merchant to buy the Zweihander?
The Isolated Merchant’s Shack is located on the westernmost point of the Weeping Peninsula, south of Limgrave. It’s easily accessible early in the game.
3. How much does the Zweihander cost?
The Zweihander costs 3,500 Runes at the Isolated Merchant’s Shack.
4. What stats does the Zweihander scale with?
The Zweihander primarily scales with Strength (C) and also scales with Dexterity (E). Focus on increasing your Strength stat for optimal damage output.
5. Can I dual wield Zweihanders?
Yes, you can dual wield Zweihanders if you obtain a second one. This can be a very powerful strategy for Strength builds, especially after patch 1.07 buffed dual-wielding colossal weapons.
6. What Ashes of War are good on the Zweihander?
Popular Ashes of War for the Zweihander include: Lion’s Claw, War Cry, Cragblade, and those that infuse elemental damage like Fire or Lightning.
7. Is the Zweihander good for PvP?
The Zweihander can be effective in PvP due to its reach and poise damage. However, its slow attack speed can make it vulnerable to faster opponents.
8. What armor should I wear with the Zweihander?
Wear armor that provides a good balance of protection and equip load. Prioritize armor with high physical defense and poise. The Bull-Goat Set is a great choice for maximizing poise.
9. Does the Zweihander cause bleed buildup?
No, the base Zweihander does not inflict bleed buildup. However, you can apply bleed buildup by using Ashes of War or consumables that inflict bleed.
10. Is the Zweihander a good weapon for beginners?
Yes, the Zweihander is a good weapon for beginners due to its early availability, relatively straightforward moveset, and high damage potential.
11. How do I upgrade the Zweihander?
You upgrade the Zweihander using Smithing Stones at a blacksmith’s anvil or through Master Hewg at the Roundtable Hold.
12. What is the weight of the Zweihander?
The Zweihander weighs 15.0.
13. Is the Zweihander better than the Claymore?
The Claymore is a greatsword, while the Zweihander is a colossal sword. The Claymore is faster and more versatile, while the Zweihander hits harder and has more reach. Which is “better” depends on your playstyle.
14. Is the Zweihander the lightest colossal sword in Elden Ring?
The article states The Zweihander is the single worst Colossal Sword In The Game. However, this is an opinion, not fact. Many players love the early accessibility of the weapon and how easy it is to get into the game with.
15. What is the historical significance of the Zweihander?
The Zweihander was a large two-handed sword used by Landsknecht mercenaries in 16th-century Germany. It was a symbol of their prowess and status, and it’s become an iconic weapon in fantasy and historical fiction.