Elden Ring: Unearthing the Best Colossal Weapon – A Tarnished’s Guide
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The Lands Between are rife with formidable armaments, but few inspire as much awe and terror as the colossal weapons. These behemoths of steel and stone demand immense strength and commitment, but the rewards – staggering damage, unparalleled stagger potential, and sheer intimidation – are well worth the effort. So, the burning question: Which colossal weapon reigns supreme in Elden Ring?
The answer, like most things in Elden Ring, is nuanced. There isn’t a single “best” colossal weapon for every situation and every build. However, for sheer versatility, damage potential, and accessibility, the Greatsword consistently proves to be a top contender. Its relatively early availability, straightforward strength scaling, and compatibility with a vast array of Ashes of War make it an excellent choice for both newcomers and veteran Tarnished seeking to dominate the battlefield. Its moveset is also fairly easy to get used to and provides a great starting point for someone just getting into the game. While other options like the Giant-Crusher may boast higher raw damage, the Greatsword’s balance and adaptability give it a slight edge overall.
Diving Deep: Colossal Weapon Tier List & Considerations
While the Greatsword claims a top spot, it’s crucial to explore other contenders and understand their strengths and weaknesses. A more comprehensive tier list, considering various factors, might look like this:
- S-Tier: Greatsword (Versatile, accessible, great scaling), Giant-Crusher (Incredible raw damage), Starscourge Greatsword (Unique weapon art, scales with multiple stats)
- A-Tier: Prelate’s Inferno Crozier (Fire damage, unique weapon art), Ruins Greatsword (Gravity magic integration), Maliketh’s Black Blade (Faith scaling, powerful weapon art)
- B-Tier: Godslayer’s Greatsword (Faith scaling, unique weapon art), Zweihander (Early accessibility, good scaling), Ghiza’s Wheel (Unique bleed build-up)
- C-Tier: Axe of Godfrey (Slow, clunky moveset)
Factors that influence a weapon’s ranking include:
- Scaling: How well the weapon’s damage increases with your stats (Strength, Dexterity, Faith, Intelligence, Arcane).
- Weapon Art: The unique skill associated with the weapon, providing additional offensive or defensive options.
- Moveset: The range of attacks and combos available, impacting versatility and effectiveness in different combat scenarios.
- Damage Type: Physical, Fire, Holy, Lightning, Magic – different enemy types have varying resistances.
- Weight: Affects equip load and movement speed.
- Accessibility: How early in the game the weapon can be obtained.
Building Around Your Behemoth
The true power of a colossal weapon isn’t just in its stats, but in how you build your character around it. Strength is the primary stat for most colossal weapons, but some, like Maliketh’s Black Blade, benefit from investing in Faith.
Key Considerations:
- Talismans: Equip talismans that boost your strength, equip load (to maintain medium roll), attack power, or provide other beneficial effects. The Green Turtle Talisman (faster stamina recovery) is particularly useful.
- Armor: Prioritize armor with high poise to withstand enemy attacks without being staggered.
- Ashes of War: Experiment with different Ashes of War to find ones that complement your playstyle. Lion’s Claw is a popular choice for its high damage and stagger potential.
- Two-Handing: Two-handing a colossal weapon grants a 50% strength bonus, allowing you to wield weapons with higher strength requirements earlier.
- Jump Attacks: Colossal weapons excel at jump attacks, dealing massive damage and stagger.
- Dual-Wielding: Colossal weapons benefit from dual-wielding, making your attacks devastating to enemies and bosses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are colossal weapons any good in Elden Ring?
Absolutely! Colossal weapons are incredibly effective, especially against enemies weak to stagger. Their high damage output and potential to break enemy stances make them powerful tools for both PvE and PvP. However, they require careful planning and execution due to their slow swing speed.
2. What is the best dual colossal weapon setup in Elden Ring?
A popular and effective setup is dual-wielding the Giant-Crusher and Prelate’s Inferno Crozier. The Giant-Crusher provides incredible raw damage, while the Prelate’s Inferno Crozier adds fire damage and a unique weapon art for additional versatility.
3. Which is better, the Axe of Godfrey or Hoarah Loux’s Earthshaker Ash of War?
Hoarah Loux’s Earthshaker Ash of War is generally considered superior due to the Axe of Godfrey’s clunky moveset and slow attack speed. The Ash of War can be applied to other weapons, allowing for greater flexibility.
4. What is the most useless weapon in Elden Ring?
While opinions vary, the Clawmark and Erdtree Seals are often cited as being among the least effective weapons, as they primarily function as catalysts for Incantations rather than direct combat tools.
5. Why is Godfrey’s axe broken?
The Axe of Godfrey is broken as a symbol of his tarnished status. In the lore, it represents Godfrey’s past and the challenges he faced.
6. What is the best starting colossal weapon in Elden Ring?
The Greatsword is the best starting colossal weapon due to its early availability and balanced stats. You can find it relatively early in Caelid.
7. What are the most overpowered builds in Elden Ring?
Many builds can be considered overpowered depending on your playstyle. Some examples include the Scavenged Bleeder, Magma Pyromancer, and Guts builds, all utilizing different weapon types and strategies.
8. Is dual wielding bad in Elden Ring?
Dual wielding is a powerful strategy in Elden Ring. Dual wielding colossal weapons increases your damage potential drastically.
9. Are colossal greatswords parryable?
Most colossal weapons are not parriable when two-handed. Single-handed, they can be parried, but two-handed attacks, charged attacks from greatswords/greataxes, and jumping attacks are generally unparryable.
10. Is the Godslayer’s Greatsword a colossal weapon?
While it’s often mistaken as a regular greatsword due to its name, the Godslayer’s Greatsword is indeed a Colossal Sword.
11. Is Giant-Crusher better than the Greatsword?
The Giant-Crusher deals more raw damage at maximum upgrade levels compared to the Greatsword. However, the Greatsword has better range and a more versatile moveset, making it more adaptable to different situations.
12. Can you swing colossal weapons faster in Elden Ring?
While you can’t substantially increase their base swing speed, you can improve your overall Agility by using lightweight armor and talismans that increase equip load capacity.
13. Is the Giant-Crusher a good weapon?
The Giant-Crusher is an excellent weapon for Strength builds, known for its exceptionally high physical damage. It’s a powerhouse if you can manage its weight and slow attack speed.
14. What is the easiest colossal sword to get in Elden Ring?
As mentioned earlier, the Greatsword is the easiest to acquire early in the game.
15. Can you dual wield the Starscourge Greatsword?
Yes, you can dual wield the Starscourge Greatsword. While they appear to be two separate swords, they function as a single weapon, each attack using both blades. They also still receive the two-handed strength bonus.
Conclusion: Embrace the Colossal Power
Choosing the “best” colossal weapon in Elden Ring ultimately depends on your individual playstyle, build, and preferences. The Greatsword stands out for its versatility and accessibility, but other options like the Giant-Crusher and Starscourge Greatsword offer unique strengths. Experiment with different weapons, Ashes of War, and builds to discover the colossal power that best suits your Tarnished. Remember to visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to discover more on game design. So, go forth, brave Tarnished, and crush your enemies with the might of a colossal weapon!