Dominating The Lands Between: The Ultimate Guide to Dual Colossal Weapons in Elden Ring
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So, you want to crush skulls and shatter the Elden Ring with the might of two colossal weapons? Excellent choice, Tarnished! Dual-wielding colossal weapons in Elden Ring isn’t just about dealing incredible damage; it’s about making a statement. It’s about turning bosses into pancakes and leaving your mark on the Lands Between. But with so many options, which combination reigns supreme?
The answer, while nuanced, leans heavily towards dual Giant-Crushers. While some combinations offer unique Ashes of War or status effects, the sheer stagger potential, raw damage output, and relatively simple stat investment of dual Giant-Crushers makes them the undisputed king of colossal dual-wielding. The Prelate’s Inferno Crozier is also a very good option and can be wielded in tandem with the Giant Crusher. These have been known to do 9k+ damage.
Now, let’s delve into why this combination works so well, and explore some worthy alternatives, delving into the strategic considerations for crafting your own dual colossal build.
Why Giant-Crushers (and Prelate’s Inferno Crozier) Dominate
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Unmatched Stagger: Colossal weapons are already known for their ability to stagger enemies. Dual-wielding them amplifies this, allowing you to relentlessly interrupt enemy attacks and leave them vulnerable to critical hits. The Giant-Crusher, with its inherent weight and damage, excels at this.
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Pure Strength Scaling: No need to juggle multiple stats. The Giant-Crusher scales almost exclusively with Strength, making it easy to build around. This allows you to focus on maximizing your damage output and survivability.
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Impressive Raw Damage: Even before considering buffs or talismans, dual Giant-Crushers deliver staggering amounts of physical damage. This raw power translates to faster boss kills and easier encounters against tough enemies.
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Versatile Ash of War Options: The Giant-Crusher can be infused with a wide array of Ashes of War, allowing you to customize your playstyle. Options like Lion’s Claw offer powerful single-target damage, while Ground Slam provides excellent area-of-effect potential.
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Fire Damage: The Prelate’s Inferno Crozier deals fire damage which when added to the physical damage of the Giant Crusher does incredible damage and is ideal for the Strength Build player.
Building Your Colossal Arsenal
Stat Allocation
- Strength: Your primary focus. Aim for at least 80 Strength for maximum damage scaling.
- Vigor: A healthy health pool is essential for surviving enemy attacks, especially when you’re trading blows. Aim for at least 60 Vigor.
- Endurance: Colossal weapons are stamina-intensive. You’ll need enough Endurance to swing them multiple times and still have enough stamina to roll away from danger. 40-50 Endurance is a good starting point.
- Mind: If you plan on using Ashes of War frequently, invest enough points into Mind to comfortably use them.
- Intelligence/Faith/Arcane: Generally unnecessary unless you’re incorporating specific buffs or status effects into your build.
Talismans
- Axe Talisman: Enhances charged attack damage, which is a significant part of the colossal weapon playstyle.
- Great-Jar’s Arsenal: Increases Equip Load, allowing you to wear heavier armor and maintain a medium roll.
- Erdtree’s Favor: Boosts HP, Stamina, and Equip Load, providing a well-rounded buff.
- Ritual Sword Talisman: Increases attack power when at full HP, rewarding aggressive play.
- Lord of Blood’s Exultation: Increases attack power when bleed occurs, which is handy is using the Blood Grease or a weapon that causes bleed.
Ashes of War
Experiment with different Ashes of War to find what suits your playstyle. Some popular choices include:
- Lion’s Claw: A powerful somersault attack that deals massive damage.
- Ground Slam: A wide-area attack that staggers enemies.
- Royal Knight’s Resolve: A self-buff that significantly increases your next attack’s damage.
- Cragblade: Temporarily increases attack power and poise damage.
- Flame of the Redmanes: Instantly stagger almost any opponent and also deals fire damage.
Alternative Dual Colossal Combinations
While dual Giant-Crushers are arguably the strongest, other combinations offer unique advantages:
- Starscourge Greatswords: Their unique skill allows you to pull enemies towards you, creating opportunities for follow-up attacks. They also scale with Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence.
- Greatsword (Claymore): A reliable all-rounder with a good balance of damage and speed. Its versatility makes it a solid choice for various situations.
- Godslayer’s Greatsword: Deals both physical and fire damage and is great for dealing damage with the weapon on fire.
Mastering the Colossal Playstyle
Dual-wielding colossal weapons requires a different approach than using smaller weapons. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Embrace Poise: Invest in armor with high Poise to avoid being staggered by enemy attacks. This will allow you to trade blows more effectively.
- Master Timing: Colossal weapons are slow, so timing your attacks is crucial. Pay attention to enemy attack patterns and learn when to strike.
- Utilize Jump Attacks: Jump attacks are a powerful tool for dealing damage and staggering enemies.
- Manage Stamina: Keep an eye on your stamina bar and avoid overextending yourself. You’ll need stamina to roll away from danger.
- Experiment with Ashes of War: Find Ashes of War that complement your playstyle and allow you to adapt to different situations.
Final Thoughts
Dual-wielding colossal weapons in Elden Ring is a rewarding experience that allows you to dominate the battlefield with sheer power. While dual Giant-Crushers are a fantastic starting point, don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations and find what works best for you. The Lands Between are vast and dangerous, but with the right build and a little practice, you can conquer any challenge that comes your way.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best stat to focus on for a dual colossal weapon build?
Strength is the most important stat for dual colossal weapons, especially for Giant-Crushers. It directly scales your weapon damage. Vigor and Endurance are also crucial for survivability and stamina management.
2. Are there any drawbacks to dual-wielding colossal weapons?
Yes. The primary drawbacks are high stamina consumption, slow attack speed, and the inability to use a shield. This requires careful stamina management and a focus on trading blows.
3. Can you parry while dual-wielding colossal weapons?
No. Dual-wielding prevents you from using a shield, and therefore, you cannot parry.
4. What is the best Ash of War for the Giant-Crusher?
This depends on your playstyle. Lion’s Claw is excellent for single-target damage, while Ground Slam provides great area-of-effect potential. Royal Knight’s Resolve offers a significant damage boost to your next attack.
5. How do I get the Giant-Crusher?
The Giant-Crusher is found in a chest behind a carriage in the Outer Wall Phantom Tree area of Leyndell, Royal Capital.
6. What is the best armor for a dual colossal weapon build?
Armor with high Poise is essential. The Bull-Goat Set is a popular choice due to its exceptional Poise and defense.
7. Is it worth investing in Dexterity for a dual colossal weapon build?
Generally, no. Most colossal weapons primarily scale with Strength. Investing in Dexterity is only worthwhile if you’re using a weapon that specifically benefits from it, like the Starscourge Greatsword.
8. What are some good early-game colossal weapons to use?
The Greatsword (Claymore) is a solid early-game option. It’s relatively easy to acquire and has a good balance of damage and speed.
9. How does the two-handing strength bonus work when dual-wielding Starscourge Greatswords?
Even though you visually wield them as paired weapons, the game still considers them two-handed for the purposes of the strength bonus. This means you benefit from the 50% strength increase even when attacking.
10. What is the best way to deal with fast-moving enemies when using colossal weapons?
Utilize jump attacks and Ashes of War with good range and stagger potential. Also, learn to time your attacks to interrupt enemy movements.
11. Can you powerstance colossal weapons?
Yes, when dual-wielding two weapons of the same class (colossal swords in this case), the move set will change and allow you to use the L1 attack to do a dual attack that hits more than once.
12. Does weapon level affect stagger potential?
While weapon level primarily affects damage, higher-level weapons will indirectly increase your stagger potential by allowing you to deal more damage per hit, which contributes to building up an enemy’s stagger meter faster.
13. Is it better to dual-wield two different colossal weapons, or two of the same?
This depends on your preference and the specific weapons. Dual-wielding two of the same weapon allows you to powerstance them, unlocking a unique moveset. Dual-wielding different weapons can provide more versatility and access to different Ashes of War.
14. What is the best way to apply buffs to colossal weapons?
Use greases, spells, or consumables that enhance weapon damage or apply status effects. Blood Grease, for example, can add bleed buildup to your attacks.
15. Are colossal weapons viable in PvP?
Yes, but they require a different playstyle than smaller weapons. Focus on trading blows, utilizing jump attacks, and punishing enemy mistakes. Poise is especially important in PvP to avoid being staggered.