Unleash Your Inner Giant: The Definitive Guide to the Strongest Strength Build Weapon in Elden Ring

The quest for the ultimate strength weapon in Elden Ring is a journey fraught with peril and punctuated by the glorious clang of steel against bone. But fear not, fellow Tarnished! The answer to the most sought-after prize is here: the Giant-Crusher. This colossal weapon isn’t just strong; it defines the meaning of strength in the Lands Between. Its staggering power, coupled with its ability to send enemies flying, makes it the undisputed champion for any dedicated strength build. Its raw attack power, especially when infused with a Heavy affinity, is unmatched, allowing players to decimate foes with each earth-shattering swing.

Why the Giant-Crusher Reigns Supreme

The Giant-Crusher isn’t just a weapon; it’s a statement. Wielding it demands a commitment to strength, requiring a hefty Strength stat of 60 to even equip. However, the investment is more than worth it.

• Unrivaled Damage: The Giant-Crusher boasts the highest base damage of any weapon in Elden Ring. When fully upgraded and infused with a Heavy affinity, its attack rating surpasses even other colossal weapons, ensuring maximum damage output with each strike.

• Staggering Potential: One of the most significant advantages of the Giant-Crusher is its immense stagger potential. Many enemies, even formidable bosses, can be easily staggered, leaving them vulnerable to critical attacks. This can drastically shorten fights and provide invaluable breathing room.

• Ash of War Flexibility: Despite its intimidating size, the Giant-Crusher is remarkably versatile thanks to its compatibility with a wide range of Ashes of War. This allows players to customize their playstyle and adapt to different combat scenarios. From the devastating Lion’s Claw to the defensive Barricade Shield, the possibilities are endless.

• Pure Strength Scaling: This weapon thrives on pure strength. As you pump points into your Strength stat, the Giant-Crusher’s damage output scales exponentially, turning you into an unstoppable force of nature.

Building Around the Giant-Crusher

While the Giant-Crusher is undoubtedly powerful, optimizing your build is crucial to unlocking its full potential. Here’s a breakdown of key stats and equipment:

• Stats:

  • Strength: This is your primary stat. Aim for at least 60 to wield the weapon effectively, and then continue to pump points into it to maximize damage output.
  • Endurance: Stamina is essential for swinging this behemoth. Invest enough points to comfortably perform a few attacks and dodge roll.
  • Vigor: Survivability is paramount. Prioritize Vigor to withstand incoming attacks and avoid getting one-shotted.
  • Mind: If you plan on using Ashes of War frequently, allocate points to Mind to increase your FP pool.

• Talismans:

  • Shard of Alexander: Boosts the attack power of weapon skills, further amplifying the damage of Ashes of War.
  • Axe Talisman: Increases charged heavy attack damage, synergizing well with the Giant-Crusher’s staggering potential.
  • Green Turtle Talisman: Enhances stamina recovery, allowing for more frequent attacks and dodges.
  • Great-Jar’s Arsenal: Increases equip load, enabling you to wear heavier armor without sacrificing mobility.

• Armor:

  • Prioritize armor with high poise to resist staggering from enemy attacks. Heavy armor sets like the Bull-Goat Set or the Lionel’s Set are excellent choices.

Addressing the Drawbacks

The Giant-Crusher isn’t without its limitations. Its slow attack speed and short range can leave you vulnerable to faster enemies. However, these drawbacks can be mitigated with careful planning and skillful execution:

• Patience and Timing: Don’t rush your attacks. Wait for openings and capitalize on enemy weaknesses.
• Strategic Use of Ashes of War: Utilize Ashes of War to create openings, interrupt enemy attacks, or close the distance.
• Partner with Summons: Summoning spirit ashes or co-op partners can help distract enemies and provide valuable support.

FAQ: Mastering the Strength Build in Elden Ring

1. Is the Greatsword a viable strength weapon?

While the Greatsword is an excellent weapon with good scaling, it simply doesn’t reach the raw damage potential of the Giant-Crusher. The Greatsword is a solid choice for a more versatile strength build.

2. What’s the best early-game strength weapon?

The Grafted Blade Greatsword, found in Castle Morne, is a fantastic early-game option. It offers decent damage and scales well with Strength, providing a solid foundation for your build.

3. How important is Endurance for a strength build?

Extremely important! You need enough Endurance to swing heavy weapons like the Giant-Crusher without running out of stamina. The heavier the weapon, the more Endurance you will need to swing it effectively and roll out of the way of danger.

4. What are the best Ashes of War for the Giant-Crusher?

Lion’s Claw for its powerful stagger potential and quick execution, Giant Hunt for its ability to launch enemies into the air, and Cragblade for adding even more stagger.

5. Is it worth dual-wielding Giant-Crushers?

Absolutely! Dual-wielding Giant-Crushers is a devastating strategy that allows for incredibly high damage output. However, it requires an even greater investment in Strength and Endurance.

6. Does the Giant-Crusher benefit from status effects like bleed or frostbite?

While you can apply status effects to the Giant-Crusher, its primary strength lies in its raw physical damage. Focusing on damage-enhancing Ashes of War and talismans is generally more effective.

7. What talismans are essential for a Giant-Crusher build?

Shard of Alexander, Axe Talisman, Green Turtle Talisman, and Great-Jar’s Arsenal are all highly recommended. They provide a significant boost to damage, stamina recovery, and equip load.

8. How does poise affect a strength build?

Poise is crucial for resisting stagger from enemy attacks. The higher your poise, the more likely you are to withstand hits without being interrupted. This is particularly important when wielding slow-attacking weapons like the Giant-Crusher.

9. Is a pure strength build viable in Elden Ring?

Yes, a pure strength build is entirely viable and can be incredibly powerful. By focusing solely on Strength, you can maximize the damage output of your weapon and become an unstoppable force.

10. What armor should I wear with a Giant-Crusher build?

Prioritize armor with high poise to resist staggering. The Bull-Goat Set and the Lionel’s Set are excellent choices, but any heavy armor set with good poise will suffice.

11. How do I deal with fast-moving enemies with the Giant-Crusher?

Patience and strategic use of Ashes of War are key. Wait for openings, use Ashes of War to create opportunities, and don’t be afraid to dodge roll to avoid incoming attacks.

12. What is the difference between colossal swords and colossal weapons?

Colossal swords are a weapon class that focuses on swords that are very large. Colossal weapons consist of other types of weaponry that are very large. The Giant-Crusher is a colossal weapon, not a colossal sword.

13. Is the jumping attack good with the Giant-Crusher?

Yes! The jumping attack with the Giant-Crusher is incredibly powerful and can often stagger enemies. It’s a great way to initiate combat or interrupt enemy attacks.

14. How can the Games Learning Society help me improve my Elden Ring skills?

While the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) primarily focuses on the educational aspects of gaming, understanding game mechanics and strategies can indirectly enhance your learning experience in games like Elden Ring. You can learn a thing or two about strategies, tactics, and the overall engagement that allows you to become a master at Elden Ring.

15. Is the Giant Crusher better than other Colossal Weapons?

Statistically, the Giant-Crusher is the strongest Colossal Weapon. It has the potential to deal the most damage with proper investment and strategic use. Some colossal weapons may have added benefits but do not ultimately compare to the potential of the Giant-Crusher.

The Giant-Crusher isn’t just the strongest strength weapon in Elden Ring; it’s an experience. It’s a testament to the power of dedication, strategic planning, and the sheer joy of crushing your enemies into dust. So, embrace the weight, hone your skills, and unleash the full potential of the Giant-Crusher upon the Lands Between. Good luck, Tarnished!