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Is the Troll Knight’s Sword Worth It in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive

Yes, the Troll Knight’s Sword is a good weapon in Elden Ring, especially for players pursuing a Strength/Intelligence (Str/Int) hybrid build. While it might not be the absolute top-tier colossal sword in terms of raw damage output, its unique combination of scaling, weapon skill, and accessibility makes it a viable and enjoyable choice for many players, especially in the mid-game. Its value lies in its versatility and how it complements specific playstyles.

Understanding the Troll Knight’s Sword

The Troll Knight’s Sword stands out within the colossal weapon class due to several key factors:

Scaling: Primarily scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. This allows you to build a character that can effectively utilize both physical and magical offense.
Weapon Skill: Troll’s Roar: This unique skill unleashes a powerful shockwave that knocks back enemies, creating space and setting up follow-up attacks. The strong attack follow-up slams the sword down for substantial damage.
Aesthetics: The sword boasts a distinct and imposing design, aligning well with the lore of trolls and their brutish strength.

Strengths of the Troll Knight’s Sword

Hybrid Build Viability: The weapon’s scaling makes it perfect for characters investing in both Strength and Intelligence, allowing you to wield powerful sorceries alongside heavy weapon strikes. This offers strategic flexibility in combat.
Crowd Control: Troll’s Roar is exceptional for creating space and interrupting enemy attacks, particularly useful against groups of enemies or aggressive bosses.
Early to Mid-Game Powerhouse: While outshined by some colossal swords in the late game, the Troll Knight’s Sword is readily accessible and powerful during the early to mid stages of Elden Ring.

Weaknesses of the Troll Knight’s Sword

Not Top-Tier Damage: Compared to colossal swords like the Greatsword or Grafted Blade Greatsword, the Troll Knight’s Sword has slightly lower raw physical damage.
Stat Investment: Requiring investment in Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence can spread your stat points thin, especially early in the game. You need to carefully plan your build to maximize its effectiveness.
Skill Cooldown: Troll’s Roar has a slight recovery time, leaving you vulnerable if mistimed or used against highly aggressive opponents.

Comparisons to Other Colossal Swords

How does the Troll Knight’s Sword stack up against other colossal swords in Elden Ring? Let’s consider a few key comparisons:

Troll’s Golden Sword: While both share the “Troll” name, the Troll’s Golden Sword primarily scales with Strength and Dexterity. The Troll Knight’s Sword edges out the Golden Sword with better overall scaling potential due to the Intelligence component, and it occupies a higher position on lists ranking Colossal Swords by Physical Strength.
Greatsword: The Greatsword is a pure Strength weapon known for its high physical damage. It is much more straightforward for Strength-focused builds and often outperforms the Troll Knight’s Sword in raw damage.
Starscourge Greatsword: The Starscourge Greatsword, wielded by Radahn, scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, similar to the Troll Knight’s Sword. However, it has a unique weapon skill that pulls enemies in, which differs from the Troll Knight’s crowd control.

Builds and Playstyles

To maximize the effectiveness of the Troll Knight’s Sword, consider the following build and playstyle tips:

Stat Distribution: Prioritize Strength and Intelligence, aiming for a balance that allows you to meet the weapon requirements while casting powerful sorceries. Invest enough in Dexterity to meet weapon requirements and improve casting speed.
Talismans: Equip talismans that boost weapon attack power (like the Axe Talisman), reduce FP consumption, and enhance spellcasting.
Sorceries: Complement the sword’s physical attacks with a variety of offensive sorceries. Spells like Carian Slicer for fast melee attacks, Rock Sling for staggering enemies, and ranged spells like Glintstone Cometshard provide versatile options.
Combat Strategy: Use Troll’s Roar to create distance, stagger enemies, and set up charged heavy attacks. Alternate between sword strikes and sorceries to keep enemies off balance and exploit their weaknesses.

Final Verdict

The Troll Knight’s Sword is a solid weapon choice for Elden Ring players who enjoy hybrid builds and strategic combat. While it requires thoughtful stat investment and may not be the absolute highest-damage option, its versatility, unique weapon skill, and striking design make it a worthwhile addition to your arsenal, particularly in the early to mid-game stages. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different builds and playstyles to unlock its full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the stat requirements for the Troll Knight’s Sword?

The Troll Knight’s Sword requires 20 Strength, 18 Dexterity, and 18 Intelligence to wield effectively.

2. Where can I find the Troll Knight’s Sword in Elden Ring?

The Troll Knight’s Sword is dropped by the Troll Knight enemy located in Nokron, Eternal City.

3. Is the Troll Knight’s Sword good for PvP?

It can be viable in PvP, but its effectiveness depends on your skill and your opponent’s build. Troll’s Roar can be useful for creating space, but its telegraph can be predictable.

4. Can the Troll Knight’s Sword be infused with Ashes of War?

No, the Troll Knight’s Sword has a unique weapon skill and cannot be infused with Ashes of War.

5. How does Troll’s Roar scale with stats?

Troll’s Roar doesn’t directly scale with any specific stat in terms of damage. Its primary function is to knock back enemies and set up follow-up attacks. The damage of the follow-up attack is affected by your weapon’s scaling and attack power.

6. What are some good talismans to use with the Troll Knight’s Sword?

Recommended talismans include the Axe Talisman (enhances charged attacks), the Carian Filigreed Crest (reduces FP cost of skills), and the Radagon Icon (shortens spell casting time).

7. Is it worth upgrading the Troll Knight’s Sword to +10?

Yes, upgrading any weapon to its maximum level is always beneficial if you plan to use it regularly. Upgrading the Troll Knight’s Sword will significantly increase its attack power and scaling.

8. How does the Troll Knight’s Sword compare to the Ruins Greatsword?

The Ruins Greatsword is another colossal sword that scales with Strength and Intelligence, but it deals magic damage with every strike. It has a different weapon skill and playstyle, making it a matter of personal preference.

9. Can I use the Troll Knight’s Sword effectively with a shield?

Due to its weight and size, the Troll Knight’s Sword is best used two-handed. Using a shield will hinder your ability to utilize its full potential.

10. What’s the difference between Troll Knight’s Sword and Watchdog’s Greatsword?

The Watchdog’s Greatsword scales primarily with Strength and has a different weapon skill. It’s a more straightforward Strength weapon, while the Troll Knight’s Sword is tailored for hybrid builds.

11. What are the best armor sets to pair with the Troll Knight’s Sword?

Armor sets that provide a good balance of defense and equip load, allowing you to medium roll, are ideal. The Royal Knight Set or the Carian Knight Set could be fitting choices.

12. Does the Troll Knight’s Sword have innate bleed or frost buildup?

No, the Troll Knight’s Sword does not have any innate status buildup.

13. Is the Troll Knight’s Sword effective against specific enemy types?

It’s effective against a wide range of enemies due to its physical damage and the utility of Troll’s Roar. It can be particularly useful against large enemies that are easily staggered. Remember that trolls are weak against slashing and fire; adjust your strategy accordingly.

14. How can I optimize my build for the Troll Knight’s Sword in the late game?

In the late game, focus on maximizing your Strength and Intelligence stats. Consider using talismans and armor that further boost your damage output and spellcasting abilities. The Magic Scorpion Charm can boost your magic damage, but will decrease your physical damage negation.

15. Are there any mods that enhance the Troll Knight’s Sword experience?

This will depend on your gaming platform (PC) and individual preferences. Always exercise caution when installing mods and ensure they are compatible with your game version.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Troll Knight’s Sword in Elden Ring, equipping players with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their builds and playstyles. Learn more about game design and educational uses of games at the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org.

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