Unveiling the Staggering Power of Greatblade Phalanx in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
Greatblade Phalanx in Elden Ring is a sorcery that unleashes a barrage of magical blades, not just for damage, but to stagger your foes. Each blade deals 10.175 Stance damage, totaling 30.525 Stance damage if all three blades connect. This makes it a potent choice for breaking enemy stances and opening them up for critical attacks. Let’s dive deep into how this spell works and why it’s a valuable tool in the arsenal of any Elden Ring mage.
Understanding Stance Damage in Elden Ring
Before we delve deeper into Greatblade Phalanx, it’s crucial to understand the concept of stance damage. In Elden Ring, every enemy has a hidden stance meter, also known as poise. When an enemy receives enough stance damage, they become staggered, leaving them vulnerable to a critical hit. Certain attacks and spells deal more stance damage than others. Stance damage accumulates as you attack, and once the enemy’s hidden poise threshold is reached, they will buckle and become open to attack.
Greatblade Phalanx: A Stance-Breaking Sorcery
Greatblade Phalanx is a sorcery that requires 29 Intelligence to cast. It summons three large, magical blades that hover around the caster. When an enemy approaches, these blades automatically launch towards them, dealing both damage and significant stance damage.
How Greatblade Phalanx Works
Upon casting, three spectral greatblades materialize around you, waiting for a target. When an enemy gets close, the blades rapidly home in, striking them with surprising force. Unlike its Glintblade Phalanx counterpart (which releases five smaller blades), Greatblade Phalanx prioritizes quality over quantity, delivering substantial stance damage with each hit. Its projectiles are larger than other similar spells, and they consequently inflict a respectable amount of stance damage.
Why Greatblade Phalanx Excels at Stance Breaking
The key to Greatblade Phalanx’s effectiveness is its high stance damage per blade. While other Phalanx spells might summon more projectiles, Greatblade Phalanx’s blades are more powerful individually. This means that even if only one or two blades connect, you’re still inflicting a significant amount of stance damage. In fact, against many enemies, just one or two castings of Greatblade Phalanx can be enough to break their stance entirely, leaving them open for a critical attack.
Comparing Greatblade Phalanx to Other Stance-Breaking Options
While many spells and weapons can deal stance damage, Greatblade Phalanx offers a unique combination of range, automation, and substantial damage output. Other contenders for stance-breaking magic include:
- Rock Sling: Deals physical (strike) damage and decent poise damage. It throws multiple rocks, but the stance damage per rock is lower than Greatblade Phalanx’s.
- Gavel of Haima: Summons a large hammer for a powerful strike. Excellent stance damage but requires close-range engagement.
- Carian Greatsword: Deals considerable poise damage, especially when fully charged. However, it’s a melee-range option.
- The Flame of Frenzy: Is a powerful Incantation.
Greatblade Phalanx stands out as a ranged option that can be cast safely from a distance, providing consistent stance damage without requiring precise aiming or close-quarters combat.
Optimizing Greatblade Phalanx Usage
To maximize the effectiveness of Greatblade Phalanx, consider the following:
- Intelligence: Ensure you have at least 29 Intelligence to cast the spell. Increasing your Intelligence further will increase the damage of the blades.
- Talismans: Equip talismans that boost sorcery damage, such as the Magic Scorpion Charm or Ritual Sword Talisman, to increase the effectiveness of Greatblade Phalanx.
- Staff: Use a staff with high sorcery scaling to further amplify the damage output.
- Positioning: Maintain a safe distance from enemies to allow the blades to track and connect effectively.
- Follow-up: Be ready to capitalize on the stance break with a critical hit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Greatblade Phalanx
1. How much total stance damage does Greatblade Phalanx do?
Greatblade Phalanx does a total of 30.525 stance damage when all three blades hit, with each blade dealing 10.175 stance damage.
2. Where can I find the Greatblade Phalanx spell?
Unfortunately, the source document does not describe where the spell can be found.
3. What are the Intelligence requirements for Greatblade Phalanx?
You need 29 Intelligence to cast Greatblade Phalanx.
4. Is Greatblade Phalanx better than Glintblade Phalanx for stance breaking?
Yes, Greatblade Phalanx is generally better for stance breaking due to the higher stance damage per blade (10.175) compared to Glintblade Phalanx.
5. Does Greatblade Phalanx scale with Intelligence?
Yes, the damage of Greatblade Phalanx scales with your Intelligence stat.
6. What talismans should I use to enhance Greatblade Phalanx?
Talismans that boost sorcery damage, such as the Magic Scorpion Charm or Ritual Sword Talisman, will enhance the damage output of Greatblade Phalanx.
7. Is Greatblade Phalanx effective against all enemies?
Greatblade Phalanx is effective against many enemies, especially those susceptible to stance breaks. However, some heavily armored or particularly resilient enemies may require multiple casts to stagger.
8. How does Greatblade Phalanx compare to Rock Sling for poise damage?
Rock Sling deals a fair amount of stance damage and physical damage, while Greatblade Phalanx offers superior poise damage from range and less overall damage.
9. Can Greatblade Phalanx be used in PvP?
Yes, Greatblade Phalanx can be used in PvP to apply pressure and potentially stagger opponents. However, its relatively slow casting time and predictable tracking can make it challenging to land consistently.
10. What is the casting speed of Greatblade Phalanx?
The casting speed of Greatblade Phalanx is moderate. Consider using the Radagon Icon talisman to increase casting speed.
11. What staff is recommended for using Greatblade Phalanx?
Staves with high sorcery scaling, such as the Lusat’s Glintstone Staff or Carian Regal Scepter, are recommended for maximizing the damage output of Greatblade Phalanx.
12. What is stance damage?
Stance damage is a hidden mechanic in Elden Ring that dictates how easily an enemy can be staggered. Each attack applies a certain amount of stance damage, and once an enemy’s stance meter is filled, they become vulnerable to a critical hit.
13. Can I break the stance of bosses with Greatblade Phalanx?
Yes, with enough casts, you can break the stance of many bosses using Greatblade Phalanx, especially if you’re targeting a weakness.
14. Is Greatblade Phalanx useful in the early game?
Greatblade Phalanx requires 29 Intelligence, meaning it’s generally a mid-game spell. Early game alternatives are better suited to players just starting out.
15. Can Greatblade Phalanx be used defensively?
While primarily an offensive spell, Greatblade Phalanx can offer some defensive utility by providing a deterrent to enemies who approach you. The blades will automatically target approaching foes, potentially staggering them before they can reach you.
Conclusion
Greatblade Phalanx is a powerful sorcery in Elden Ring, particularly valued for its ability to inflict substantial stance damage. With a solid understanding of its mechanics and optimal usage strategies, you can effectively break enemy stances and dominate the battlefield. Whether you’re facing formidable bosses or challenging PvP opponents, Greatblade Phalanx is a valuable addition to any mage’s arsenal. Understanding the dynamics of games and learning is a key aspect of the work done at the Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org.