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The Ultimate Greatsword Armor Guide in Elden Ring

Choosing the right armor set in Elden Ring is crucial, especially when wielding a massive greatsword. The perfect armor complements the greatsword’s slow but powerful swings, enhancing both offense and defense. So, what’s the best greatsword armor in Elden Ring? While there’s no single, universally “best” set for every scenario, the Bull-Goat Set stands out for its unparalleled synergy with the greatsword’s playstyle, thanks to its focus on poise and physical defense. However, other sets can be incredibly effective depending on your specific needs and playstyle. Let’s delve into what makes the Bull-Goat Set shine and explore some excellent alternatives.

Why the Bull-Goat Set is a Top Contender

The Bull-Goat Set is arguably the best choice for greatsword users who want to play aggressively and trade blows. This set boasts an incredible 100 poise, which is the highest in the game. Poise determines how much damage you can take before your character flinches, interrupting your attacks. With 100 poise, you can swing your greatsword through enemy attacks, maintaining your offensive momentum. This is invaluable for greatsword users who need to commit to their slower animations.

Benefits of the Bull-Goat Set

Unmatched Poise: 100 poise allows you to tank through many enemy attacks.
High Physical Defense: Provides substantial damage mitigation, making you exceptionally durable.
Perfect for Trading Blows: Lets you aggressively engage without being interrupted frequently.

Drawbacks of the Bull-Goat Set

Heavy Weight: The Bull-Goat Set is extremely heavy, often putting players into a Heavy Equip Load. This reduces your dodge roll distance and I-frames.
Mobility Issues: Due to its weight, it is not suited to more agile combat strategies. You will likely have to invest significantly in Endurance to be able to use this armor without being encumbered.

Excellent Alternatives for Greatsword Users

While the Bull-Goat Set provides a solid foundation, other armor sets cater to different playstyles or builds. Here are some notable options:

Lionel’s Set

The Lionel’s Set is another strong contender for players who prefer a balance of defense and poise. While it doesn’t quite match the Bull-Goat set’s poise, it offers a fantastic blend of damage resistance and enough poise to prevent frequent staggering. This set allows you to effectively face-tank hits while still maintaining some mobility.

Godrick Soldier Set

For players starting out or looking for an early-game option, the Godrick Soldier Set is a reliable choice. It’s relatively easy to acquire and offers solid protection. While not the most stylish, it is effective in the early to mid-game. This set allows you to stick with players long past Limgrave

Mushroom Set

If you’re facing environments with hazardous status effects, like Scarlet Rot, the Mushroom Set is a great choice. This set focuses on boosting immunity, focus, robustness, and vitality. It mitigates the buildup of Scarlet Rot and allows you to traverse dangerous areas with greater ease. It is especially useful against enemies and bosses that inflict Rot.

Other Viable Options

Nergigante Gear (Mentioned From MHW). While from Monster Hunter World, the armor’s design philosophy of boosting attack and health recovery is very useful in Elden Ring.
Specific pieces from other sets can also be mixed and matched to create a powerful custom build depending on the greatsword you choose and your individual build goals.

How to Choose the Right Armor for Your Greatsword

Choosing the best armor is highly dependent on your build, skill level, and preferred play style. Consider the following when making your choice:

Poise: This is crucial for greatsword users, allowing you to swing uninterrupted.
Physical Defense: Determine how much direct damage mitigation you need based on your skill.
Weight: High-weight armor can significantly hamper your mobility. Make sure to find a good balance or invest in Endurance to increase your equip load.
Resistances: Check the resistances to status effects and elemental damage depending on which enemies you want to focus on.
Fashion: Some players also care about how their character looks, so feel free to try different combinations based on your preferences.

Best Greatswords to Consider

Your choice of armor should also be made based on your preferred greatsword. Some of the best greatswords in Elden Ring are:

Greatsword: This is a standard greatsword that is readily available and one of the best strength weapons, easily looted off a Caravan located in Dragonbarrow.
Sword of Milos: A powerhouse with the highest physical damage, looted off the corpse of the Dung Eater.
Starscourge Greatsword: An excellent colossal sword that is very effective for quality builds. It is gained by defeating Starscourge Radahn.
Godslayer’s Greatsword: Inflicts fire damage. It has mediocre scaling in Strength but good scaling in Dexterity and Faith.
Troll Knight’s Sword: Scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Intellect, suitable for Intellect and Strength builds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Bull-Goat Set always the best armor for a greatsword?

No, while the Bull-Goat Set is fantastic for its poise and defense, it’s not always the best. Players who prioritize mobility might find other sets like Lionel’s Set or even lighter armor more suited to their style. It depends on the fight and your skill level.

2. How important is poise when using a greatsword?

Poise is incredibly important when using a greatsword. The slower attack animations of greatswords mean you are often exposed to attacks during your wind-up. Sufficient poise helps you tank through the attacks, meaning your attacks go through without you being staggered.

3. What is the best way to increase poise?

Poise can primarily be increased through armor and talismans like the Bull-Goat’s Talisman, which further enhances poise.

4. Is a heavy equip load detrimental for a greatsword build?

A heavy equip load reduces dodge roll distance and I-frames, which can be detrimental to players who rely on dodging. It is recommended to invest enough Endurance to reach a Medium Equip Load or focus on builds that can reliably trade attacks through poise.

5. Can I mix and match armor pieces for a greatsword build?

Yes, mixing and matching armor pieces is an effective strategy. You can combine high-poise armor with pieces that offer better damage negation or resistances. This is a perfect way to customize your build for your needs.

6. What talismans are good for greatsword users?

Some good talismans for greatsword users include:

Bull-Goat’s Talisman (for poise).
Erdtree’s Favor (for HP, Stamina, and Equip Load).
Radagon’s Soreseal or Scarseal (for increased attributes but at a cost).
Shard of Alexander or Warrior Jar Shard (for increased Ash of War effectiveness).

7. Which damage type is best for greatswords?

Physical damage is generally ideal for greatswords, though some have secondary damage types like Fire. Elden Ring’s top damage types are Magic, Fire and Pierce Damage.

8. Are greatswords the best weapons in Elden Ring?

Greatswords are excellent, especially for Strength builds, but they aren’t universally the “best.” Different weapons excel in different situations, so the “best” depends on the player and their build.

9. What is the strongest greatsword in Elden Ring?

The Sword of Milos boasts the highest raw physical damage among unique greatswords. However, other greatswords are better suited for certain builds and playstyles.

10. Is the Claymore better than the Greatsword in Elden Ring?

The Greatsword and Claymore have similar capabilities when two-handed. The Knights Greatsword is also similar and comes down to personal preference. The Claymore offers a poking move, while the Knights Greatsword provides unique combos.

11. How does the “Ash of War” affect the greatsword?

Ashes of War can significantly alter a greatsword’s capabilities, adding new attacks, status effects, or damage types. They are critical to customizing a greatsword to specific playstyles. Taker’s Flames Ash of War is considered to be one of the strongest available.

12. Can I effectively dual wield greatswords?

Dual-wielding greatswords can be effective after the 1.07 patch. It is particularly good for Strength builds, as this patch buffed the effectiveness of colossal weapons.

13. What is the fastest weapon in Elden Ring?

Daggers are generally the fastest weapons. Reduvia is a popular choice. However, their limited range and lower damage output are balanced by their speed.

14. Should I focus on Strength for greatsword builds?

Strength is a primary stat for many greatswords, but depending on the chosen greatsword, other stats may be important. Some greatswords have hybrid scaling, like Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith, which will need to be taken into consideration when choosing a build.

15. Is there DLC for Elden Ring and will it affect armor choices?

Yes, Elden Ring has DLC planned. New DLC may introduce new armor and weapons, so you may have to adjust accordingly with the release of the DLC to the game. It may introduce completely different meta armor, so keep your eyes out.

What is the best greatsword armor in Elden Ring?