Unveiling Elden Ring’s Raw Power: The Ultimate Damage Dealer and More

So, you want to know the weapon that hits the absolute hardest in Elden Ring, stripping away all the elemental fluff and leaving you with pure, unadulterated physical force? Let’s cut to the chase: The Giant Crusher reigns supreme for pure, unbuffed raw damage potential.

The Giant Crusher boasts a whopping 330 base raw damage. However, the real key is its incredible S-scaling in Strength (STR). When fully upgraded and with sufficient Strength investment, this translates to a staggering 617 bonus damage, resulting in the highest possible physical attack power attainable in the game. This makes it the undisputed king of raw damage in Elden Ring.

Now, while the Giant Crusher takes the crown, understanding the nuances of damage types, weapon scaling, and other influencing factors is crucial for truly maximizing your offensive capabilities in the Lands Between. Let’s delve deeper into the world of Elden Ring’s damage mechanics and address some frequently asked questions.

Diving Deeper: Understanding Raw Damage in Elden Ring

Raw Damage vs. Total Attack Power

It’s important to differentiate between raw damage and total attack power. Raw damage is the base damage of the weapon before any scaling or buffs are applied. Total attack power is the final number you see displayed, taking into account scaling from your attributes (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Arcane) and any active buffs from spells, consumables, or talismans. While the Giant Crusher has a high raw damage value, it is its S scaling in Strength that allows it to reach the highest overall attack rating through scaling.

Scaling: The Engine of Damage

Weapon scaling is a system where a weapon gains bonus damage based on your character’s attributes. Weapons have scaling grades ranging from S (best) to E (worst), with some weapons having no scaling in certain attributes at all. The Giant Crusher’s S-scaling in Strength means that every point you invest in Strength after a certain point will yield a significant increase in its attack power. Weapons with higher raw damage values but poor scaling might fall behind in terms of total attack power compared to weapons with good scaling.

The Importance of Build Optimization

Even with the Giant Crusher, maximizing your damage output requires a well-optimized build. This includes:

• Investing heavily in Strength: Aim for at least 80 Strength, the soft cap for damage scaling, to get the most out of the Giant Crusher.
• Equipping talismans that boost attack power: Talismans like the Claw Talisman (enhances jump attacks), the Axe Talisman (enhances charged attacks), and the Shard of Alexander (enhances skills) can significantly increase your damage.
• Using consumables that grant temporary buffs: Consumables like Exalted Flesh and Pickled Turtle Neck can provide temporary boosts to attack power and stamina recovery, allowing you to unleash devastating combos.

Beyond Raw Damage: Other Considerations

While raw damage is important, it’s not the only factor to consider. Weapon speed, range, moveset, and special skills all play a role in determining its overall effectiveness. A weapon with lower raw damage but a faster attack speed might be more effective against certain enemies, while a weapon with a longer range might be better for maintaining distance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Elden Ring Damage

1. What is the difference between physical and elemental damage?

Physical damage is the damage inflicted directly by the weapon’s attack. Elemental damage is damage of a specific element, such as fire, lightning, or magic, that is added to the weapon’s attack. Enemies often have varying resistances to different damage types, so choosing the right damage type can be crucial.

2. Does armor affect raw damage?

Yes, armor directly reduces the amount of physical damage you take. The higher the physical defense of the armor, the more damage it will mitigate.

3. What are the different types of physical damage?

Elden Ring features three main types of physical damage: Standard, Slash, and Pierce. Enemies may have different resistances to each of these damage types. Standard damage is generally balanced, Slash damage is effective against lightly armored enemies, and Pierce damage is effective against heavily armored enemies.

4. How does weapon scaling work?

Weapon scaling allows weapons to gain bonus damage based on your character’s attributes. Weapons are given a letter grade (S, A, B, C, D, E) for each stat that contributes to scaling. The higher the grade, the more bonus damage the weapon receives from that stat.

5. What are the best talismans for increasing raw damage?

Some of the best talismans for increasing raw damage include the Claw Talisman, the Axe Talisman, the Shard of Alexander, the Ritual Sword Talisman (boosts attack power when at full HP), and the Marika’s Soreseal/Scarseal (boosts Mind, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane, but increases damage taken).

6. Can I increase my raw damage with spells or incantations?

Yes, some spells and incantations can temporarily boost your raw damage. Examples include Golden Vow (boosts attack power and defense), Flame, Grant Me Strength (boosts physical and fire damage), and Howl of Shabriri (boosts attack power but attracts enemy aggression).

7. Is the Giant Crusher the best weapon for all situations?

Not necessarily. While the Giant Crusher has the highest potential raw damage, its slow attack speed and heavy weight can make it less effective against fast-moving enemies or in situations where mobility is crucial.

8. What is the best weapon skill to use with the Giant Crusher?

The Lion’s Claw weapon skill is a popular choice for the Giant Crusher due to its high damage output and ability to stagger enemies. Other effective skills include Cragblade (temporarily boosts stance damage), Royal Knight’s Resolve (greatly increases the next attack’s damage), and War Cry (boosts attack power and changes the heavy attack).

9. How does stance breaking work?

Stance breaking is a mechanic where repeatedly attacking an enemy with heavy attacks or certain weapon skills can cause them to become staggered, leaving them vulnerable to a critical hit. The Giant Crusher’s high damage and stance damage make it excellent for stance breaking.

10. What is the difference between a critical hit and a regular attack?

A critical hit is a special attack that deals significantly more damage than a regular attack. Critical hits are typically performed on staggered enemies or after parrying an attack.

11. Are there any weapons that scale better than the Giant Crusher?

While some weapons might have slightly better scaling in a specific attribute, the Giant Crusher’s combination of high base damage and S-scaling in Strength makes it difficult to surpass in terms of raw damage potential.

12. What is the best way to upgrade my weapons?

Weapons are upgraded using Smithing Stones (for normal weapons) or Somber Smithing Stones (for unique weapons). Higher-level Smithing Stones are required to upgrade weapons to higher levels. Finding and collecting these stones is essential for maximizing your weapon’s damage output.

13. Does two-handing a weapon increase its damage?

Yes, two-handing a weapon increases your Strength by 50%, which can significantly boost your damage output if you’re close to a Strength scaling breakpoint.

14. What is the “soft cap” for Strength?

The soft cap for Strength is 80. After reaching 80 Strength, the increase in damage from each additional point diminishes significantly.

15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Elden Ring?

There are countless resources online for learning more about Elden Ring’s mechanics, including wikis, forums, and video guides. You can also explore the rich world of academic game studies for a deeper understanding of game design and player experience. Check out the work being done at places like the Games Learning Society whose website is located at GamesLearningSociety.org.