What the Heck Does the Golden Order Greatsword Actually Do? A Tarnished Veteran’s Guide
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So, you’ve finally snagged yourself a Golden Order Greatsword in Elden Ring, huh? Maybe you even farmed that Misbegotten Crusader guarding the Minor Erdtree Catacombs like the rest of us. But you’re probably asking yourself, beyond looking absolutely righteous, what does this bad boy actually do? Let’s dive into the glittering details, Tarnished, and unearth the true power of this weapon favored by Radagon.
Essentially, the Golden Order Greatsword is a colossal sword that deals holy and physical damage. More importantly, it scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith. Its unique weapon skill, “Golden Tempering”, imbues the sword with holy light, launching a wave of holy energy with each charged heavy attack. This wave also deals holy damage, penetrates enemies, and applies a significant amount of Holy Damage making it extremely powerful against the undead. In short, it’s a faith-scaling wrecking ball that can obliterate enemies weak to holy damage and deal respectable damage to everything else.
The Core Mechanics: Breaking it Down
The Golden Order Greatsword distinguishes itself with:
- High Holy Damage: It’s a go-to for Faith builds specifically because of the substantial holy damage output.
- “Golden Tempering” Weapon Skill: This imbues the blade with extra holy damage and allows for a powerful ranged attack.
- Triple Scaling: It synergizes well with builds that invest in Strength, Dexterity, and Faith simultaneously.
- Colossal Sword Moveset: It uses the typical Colossal Sword moveset which includes wide swings, powerful thrusts, and charged attacks.
Why Choose the Golden Order Greatsword?
Besides the sheer drip factor, the Golden Order Greatsword caters to a very specific playstyle. If you’re rocking a faith build that’s not just slinging incantations, this sword provides incredible melee capability with the added benefit of ranged holy damage. Furthermore, the ability to hit multiple enemies with “Golden Tempering” makes crowd control much easier. You’ll find the Golden Order Greatsword is especially effective against death blight enemies and those in the catacombs.
Golden Tempering: Deeper Dive
The weapon skill, Golden Tempering, truly sets this sword apart. It’s more than just a fancy visual effect; it’s a core part of the weapon’s effectiveness. Here’s a closer look:
- Imbued Holy Damage: Before unleashing the wave, the sword itself is infused with holy damage for a short duration. This boosts your regular attacks.
- Ranged Projectile: The wave can hit enemies at a distance, providing ranged options for a colossal sword.
- Penetrating Wave: The holy wave passes through multiple enemies, making it ideal for dealing with hordes.
- Charged Attack Requirement: The wave is launched only with charged heavy attacks (R2/RT). Uncharged heavies simply benefit from the holy infusion, doing higher holy damage.
Is the Golden Order Greatsword Right for You?
Consider these points before committing to the Golden Order Greatsword:
- Stat Investment: Requires a significant investment in Strength (31), Dexterity (12) and Faith (28) to wield effectively. This might not be suitable for all builds.
- Upgrade Materials: Requires Somber Smithing Stones for upgrades, which are limited in each playthrough.
- Weight: Colossal swords are heavy, so manage your equip load to avoid fat-rolling.
- Holy Resistance: Less effective against enemies with high holy resistance.
FAQs: Your Golden Order Greatsword Questions Answered
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Golden Order Greatsword, addressed with the wisdom only a Tarnished veteran can provide:
1. What are the stat requirements for the Golden Order Greatsword?
You’ll need 31 Strength, 12 Dexterity, and 28 Faith to wield this behemoth effectively. Meeting the minimum requirements is important, but it’s even more crucial to continue leveling those stats for maximum damage output.
2. What kind of damage does it deal?
The Golden Order Greatsword deals a combination of physical and holy damage. This makes it versatile against many enemies, but less effective against those heavily resistant to holy damage.
3. How do I upgrade the Golden Order Greatsword?
It requires Somber Smithing Stones for upgrades. These are finite resources in each playthrough, so plan your upgrades accordingly.
4. Where can I find the Golden Order Greatsword?
It’s dropped by the Misbegotten Crusader boss in the Minor Erdtree Catacombs in the Altus Plateau.
5. What’s the “Golden Tempering” weapon skill?
This skill imbues the sword with holy light. Using a charged heavy attack releases a wave of holy energy that travels forward, damaging enemies in its path.
6. How effective is the Golden Order Greatsword against undead enemies?
It’s incredibly effective! Holy damage is particularly potent against undead foes, and the “Golden Tempering” weapon skill can easily dispatch groups of skeletons and zombies.
7. Can I buff the Golden Order Greatsword with spells or items?
No, you cannot buff the Golden Order Greatsword with spells or greases. It already deals holy damage, so applying additional buffs is not allowed.
8. Is the Golden Order Greatsword good for PvP?
While it can be effective, its slow attack speed and predictable weapon skill can be easily countered by experienced players. However, the high damage output can still surprise unsuspecting opponents.
9. Does the Golden Order Greatsword scale well?
Yes, it scales well with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith. This makes it ideal for hybrid builds that invest in all three stats.
10. How does the “Golden Tempering” skill scale with Faith?
The holy damage of the “Golden Tempering” wave scales directly with your Faith stat. The higher your Faith, the more damage the wave will inflict.
11. Is the Golden Order Greatsword considered a “colossal weapon”?
Yes, it is classified as a colossal weapon, meaning it has a slow attack speed but deals significant damage per hit.
12. What talismans should I use with the Golden Order Greatsword?
Consider talismans that boost attack power, increase Faith, reduce stamina consumption, or improve charged attack damage. Examples include the Shard of Alexander, the Ritual Sword Talisman, and the Green Turtle Talisman.
13. Is it worth respeccing my character to use the Golden Order Greatsword?
If you’re already invested in Strength, Dexterity, and Faith, then yes, it’s definitely worth considering. However, if you’re starting from scratch, it might be a significant investment of time and resources.
14. How does the holy damage compare to other faith-scaling weapons?
The Golden Order Greatsword has a high amount of base holy damage, and also releases a ranged attack dealing holy damage when using a charged heavy. The damage output is comparable to, or even greater than, other faith-scaling weapons, especially against enemies weak to holy.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore and mechanics of Elden Ring?
The Elden Ring community is vibrant and full of helpful resources! You can also explore educational websites dedicated to gaming, such as the Games Learning Society, which explores the educational aspects of games. You can find them at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society is an excellent resource for understanding the deeper mechanics and design principles behind games like Elden Ring.
Conclusion: Wielding the Golden Order
The Golden Order Greatsword isn’t just a weapon; it’s a statement. It’s a declaration that you’re not afraid to invest in multiple stats, to embrace the power of holy damage, and to wield a weapon that demands respect. While it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, for the right build and playstyle, it can be an absolute game-changer. So, Tarnished, go forth, temper your blade, and bring the light of the Golden Order to the Lands Between!