Is the Greatsword in Elden Ring Worth It? A Tarnished’s Verdict
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Unequivocally, yes, the Greatsword in Elden Ring is absolutely worth it. For both new Tarnished and seasoned veterans, this weapon class offers an exceptional blend of power, range, and adaptability that makes it a formidable choice for tackling the Lands Between. Whether you’re facing down monstrous bosses or invading other players, the Greatsword’s versatility ensures it remains a top-tier option throughout your entire playthrough.
The Allure of the Greatsword
What makes the Greatsword so appealing in Elden Ring? It boils down to a few key factors that combine to create a potent and satisfying combat experience.
Balance and Versatility
Unlike the ultra-heavy Colossal Swords or the rapid but less damaging Straight Swords, Greatswords strike a perfect balance. They offer substantial damage output while maintaining a reasonable attack speed and manageable stamina consumption. This allows players to chain attacks effectively, roll to avoid damage, and maintain pressure on their opponents.
Range and Reach
The Greatsword’s reach is a significant advantage in Elden Ring. It allows you to maintain a safe distance from enemies while still delivering punishing blows. This is particularly valuable against bosses with unpredictable attack patterns or in PvP situations where spacing is critical. The ability to hit enemies before they can reach you can often be the difference between victory and defeat.
Poise Breaking Power
Another critical attribute of the Greatsword is its ability to break an enemy’s poise. Poise refers to an enemy’s ability to withstand attacks without being staggered. Greatswords excel at disrupting enemy attacks and creating opportunities for critical hits or follow-up attacks. This is especially useful against heavily armored opponents or bosses that rely on sustained attacks.
Accessibility and Acquisition
Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of the Greatsword is its easy availability. The standard Greatsword can be found relatively early in the game, located on a caravan in the Dragonbarrow region. This means that players can quickly acquire this powerful weapon and start building their character around it.
Strength Scaling and Two-Handing
The Greatsword shines best in Strength builds. Its heavy attacks scale exceptionally well with high Strength stats, allowing you to deal massive damage with each swing. Furthermore, the ability to two-hand the Greatsword grants an additional 50% boost to your Strength stat, further increasing your damage output and poise-breaking potential. This makes it a natural choice for players who prefer a more traditional, hard-hitting playstyle.
Greatswords vs. Other Weapon Types
The Greatsword sits in a sweet spot, offering advantages over other weapon classes in certain situations.
Greatsword vs. Colossal Swords
While Colossal Swords offer the highest damage potential, their slow attack speed and heavy stamina consumption can be a significant drawback. Greatswords provide a faster and more sustainable alternative, allowing for more consistent damage output and greater maneuverability.
Greatsword vs. Straight Swords
Straight Swords are known for their speed and versatility, but they often lack the raw power of Greatswords. While Straight Swords can be effective against weaker enemies, Greatswords provide a more reliable option for dealing with tougher foes and bosses.
Greatsword vs. Greataxes
The debate between Greatswords and Greataxes often comes down to personal preference. Greataxes have the potential for higher burst damage, but their attack patterns can be less predictable. Greatswords offer a more consistent damage output and a more reliable moveset, making them a safer and more versatile choice. Some players might find that the high chance of average damage is “slow but steady” with the Greatsword, while others accept the risk of a low roll with the Greataxe in order to have a better chance at high damage.
Ashes of War and Infusions
The Greatsword is highly customizable thanks to Elden Ring’s Ashes of War system. You can imbue your Greatsword with various skills and affinities to tailor it to your specific playstyle. For example, the Lion’s Claw Ash of War provides a powerful leaping attack that can stagger enemies, while the Bloodflame Blade incantation can add fire and bleed buildup to your attacks.
Popular Ashes of War for Greatswords
- Lion’s Claw: A powerful leaping attack that deals significant damage and poise damage.
- Bloodflame Blade: Adds fire damage and bleed buildup to your attacks.
- Hoarfrost Stomp: Creates a burst of frost that can inflict frostbite on enemies.
- Stormcaller: Creates a whirlwind that deals damage and knocks back enemies.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the Greatsword is an excellent weapon choice in Elden Ring. Its balance of power, range, and versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of encounters and playstyles. Whether you’re a seasoned Souls veteran or a newcomer to the genre, the Greatsword is a reliable and rewarding weapon that will serve you well on your journey through the Lands Between. Remember that gaming is not just about entertainment, it can also have significant educational and social impacts, as researched by organizations such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Greatswords in Elden Ring
1. Is the Greatsword the best weapon in Elden Ring?
No single weapon is definitively “the best” in Elden Ring, as weapon effectiveness depends on your build, playstyle, and the specific encounter. However, the Greatsword’s versatility makes it a strong contender for one of the most reliable and effective weapons in the game.
2. Which Greatsword is the best in Elden Ring?
There isn’t a single “best” Greatsword, as each offers unique strengths. However, some popular choices include:
- The Greatsword: Found early on, excellent all-around weapon.
- Claymore: Versatile moveset with thrusting attacks.
- Banished Knight’s Greatsword: Scales well with Strength and Dexterity.
- Blasphemous Blade: Unique weapon skill that heals you and deals fire damage.
- Dark Moon Greatsword: Scaled with Intelligence and has a unique skill – Moonlight Greatsword.
3. Is it better to two-hand or one-hand a Greatsword?
Generally, two-handing a Greatsword is preferable, as it increases your Strength stat by 50%, resulting in higher damage output and poise-breaking potential. One-handing can be useful for situations where you need to use a shield, but for maximizing damage, two-handing is the way to go.
4. What stats should I focus on for a Greatsword build?
Strength is the primary stat for most Greatswords. You should also invest in Vigor for health, Endurance for stamina, and Mind for FP (if you plan to use weapon skills frequently). Some Greatswords may also require some Dexterity or Intelligence.
5. Can I dual wield Greatswords in Elden Ring?
Yes, you can dual wield Greatswords in Elden Ring. This requires equipping two Greatswords and holding down the “Power Stance” button (usually L1/LB). Dual wielding Greatswords can result in incredibly high damage output, but it also consumes a significant amount of stamina.
6. What are some good Ashes of War for a Strength Greatsword build?
Some popular Ashes of War for Strength Greatsword builds include Lion’s Claw, War Cry, Cragblade, and Giant Hunt. These Ashes of War provide powerful offensive options and enhance the Greatsword’s poise-breaking capabilities.
7. How do I find the Greatsword early in the game?
The standard Greatsword is located on a caravan in the Dragonbarrow region. This area is typically considered mid-to-late game, but skilled players can access it early by carefully navigating the map.
8. Is the Greatsword good for PvP?
Yes, the Greatsword can be very effective in PvP. Its range, damage, and poise-breaking potential make it a formidable weapon against other players. However, its slower attack speed can be a disadvantage against faster weapons.
9. How does the Greatsword compare to the Claymore?
The Claymore is another popular Greatsword option. It offers a more versatile moveset with thrusting attacks, which can be useful in certain situations. The regular Greatsword generally deals more raw damage, while the Claymore is more adaptable.
10. Can I use the Greatsword effectively without a Strength build?
While the Greatsword shines best in Strength builds, it can still be used effectively with other builds, particularly those that incorporate some Strength. However, you’ll likely achieve higher damage output by specializing in Strength.
11. What are some good talismans for a Greatsword build?
Some useful talismans for a Greatsword build include the Green Turtle Talisman (increases stamina recovery), Erdtree’s Favor (increases health, stamina, and equip load), and the Claw Talisman (increases jump attack damage). The Axe Talisman which enhances charged heavy attacks, is also a great pick.
12. Is it worth upgrading the Greatsword?
Absolutely. Upgrading your Greatsword is essential for increasing its damage output. Use Smithing Stones to upgrade your weapon at a blacksmith or at the Roundtable Hold.
13. What is the best infusion for a Greatsword?
The best infusion for your Greatsword will depend on your build. For a pure Strength build, a Heavy infusion is ideal. Other options include Keen for Dexterity builds, Fire or Flame Art for Faith builds, and Cold for Intelligence builds.
14. Is the Greatsword good against bosses?
Yes, the Greatsword is an excellent choice against many bosses in Elden Ring. Its range, damage, and poise-breaking potential allow you to effectively trade blows with bosses and create opportunities for critical hits.
15. How do I deal with fast enemies using a Greatsword?
Against fast enemies, it’s important to be patient and strategic. Focus on timing your attacks carefully and utilizing the Greatsword’s range to keep your distance. Consider using Ashes of War that can stagger enemies or create openings for attacks.