Elden Ring offers some of the most diverse build options ever seen in a Soulslike game. One of the most popular build types is the Strength build, which utilizes high Strength to wield massive weapons that smash foes into oblivion.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know to create the best Strength build, from weapons and armor to attributes and tactics. Let‘s dive in!
What is a Strength Build?
A Strength build in Elden Ring focuses on leveling the Strength attribute to equip heavy weapons that scale well with Strength. This results in extremely high damage output capable of staggering enemies and bosses with few hits.
Strength builds also invest points into Vigor for survivability and Endurance for increased equip load to wear heavy armor sets. The playstyle centers around trading blows by poise tanking enemy hits while dishing out devastating attacks.
The benefits of Strength builds include:
- Highest weapon damage output in the game
- Excellent poise damage to stagger enemies
- Ability to wield colossal weapons with unique movesets
- Lots of versatility with dozens of weapon classes
The tradeoffs include being slower and more easily punished, as well as struggling against ranged combat situations. But in the right hands, Strength builds are a force to be reckoned with.
Best Stats for a Strength Build
To create an optimized Strength character, you‘ll want to focus your attribute points into:
Vigor: Get this to 40-60 to increase your health and survivability. Trading hits only works if you have a large HP pool.
Mind: 10-25 is sufficient. You‘ll mainly rely on weapons so don‘t need much FP.
Endurance: Level this to 25-50 so you can wear heavy armor while still medium rolling. Increased equip load is key.
Strength: Your main offensive stat, take this to at least 54 for best two-handing scaling, ideally 80+.
Dexterity: Only increase if your weapon(s) need it. 12-16 lets you use a 100% physical block shield.
The remaining points can go into Faith or Arcane if you want some buffing abilities, or more Endurance/Vigor never hurts. Stay away from Intelligence and Arcane unless supporting a secondary build.
Best Early Game Weapons
When first starting out, you‘ll want to grab at least one of these excellent Strength scaling weapons that can carry you through the early and mid game:
- Battle Axe – Found in Limgrave, fantastic faster weapon with War Cry skill.
- Claymore – A true classic, available early with diverse moveset.
- Grafted Blade Greatsword – Slow but hits like a truck, acquired by beating Leonine Misbegotten.
- Lordsworn‘s Greatsword – Reliable colossal weapon from Gatefront Ruins chest.
- Starscourge Greatsword – Unique weapon from Starscourge Radahn remembrance (duplicate to power stance).
Special mention to the Banished Knight Greatsword, while tricky to farm can make an exceptional Strength weapon.
Best Late Game Weapons
Once you reach the Mountaintops of the Giants or secret zones, pursuing any of these armaments can maximize your killing power:
- Giant-Crusher – Colossal hammer with a devastating weapon art. Found in Crumbling Farum Azula.
- Guts Greatsword – Iconic ultra greatsword paying homage to Berserk. Acquired by invading Iron Fist Alexander in Farum Azula then duplicating his innards.
- Maliketh‘s Black Blade – Boss soul weapon with Destined Death weapon art capable of shredding foes.
- Prelate‘s Inferno Crozier – Unique fiery war pick that extendeds with charged strong attacks. Drops from temple altar guardian mini bosses.
- Ruins Greatsword – Possesses long reaching gravity magic weapon skill. Rewarded by Ranni‘s questline.
Many special weapons can work on Strength builds, so explore what fits your preference. These will melt through enemies with ease.
Best Ashes of War
While most physical weapons naturally suit Strength builds, you can further enhance their capabilities by applying Ashes of War. Top options include:
- Giant Hunt – Spear one to close distance and knock down enemies. Found on Cliffbottom Catacombs miner boss spear.
- Lion‘s Claw – Devastating slam attack capable of stance breaking. Located in Fort Gael North passage after defeating the Bloodhound Knight boss.
- Royal Knight‘s Resolve – Significant damage buff applied right before attacks. Sold by Roundtable Hold merchant.
- Storm Stomp – Generate an AOE stomp of stones to stagger groups. Dropped from Teardrop Scarab in Weeping Peninsula tomb.
Experiment to see which movesets align with your chosen weapons and playstyle. Adding buffs before big blows works very nicely.
Best Talismans
Further bolster your brute force by equipping these complementary charms:
- Claw Talisman – Boosts jump attack power. Found in Leyndell catacombs with chariot traps.
- Erdtree‘s Favor +2 – Higher health, stamina, equip load means more tankiness. Located at Minor Erdtree Catacombs in Altus Plateau by impassable bridge.
- Radagon Icon – Decreases skill FP cost and casting time. Reward for Academy Crystal Cave miniboss.
- Shard of Alexander – Charged skill attacks do 15% more damage. Dropped by Iron Fist Alexander in Farum Azula upon his second invasion.
If lacking poise, the Bull-Goat Talisman found onSSW Mountaintops of the Giants or Great-Jar‘s Arsenal from Jarburg help increase equip load and attack power respectively.
Best Armor Sets
While armor doesn‘t impact damage output directly, wearing heavier protection suits Strength builds. Top heavy sets include:
- Bull-Goat Set – Massive poise and damage negation. Complete Patches/Tanith questline.
- Lionel‘s Set – Tanky armor with great resistances. Found on Mountaintop/Crumbling Farum Azula.
- Scaled Set – Dragon communion style with good physical defense. Sold by Patches after Volcano Manor.
- Veteran‘s Set – Easy to grab early game. Sold by Roundtable Hold merchant.
Mix and match to stay below 70 equip load for medium roll. Prioritize high poise to avoid getting staggered.
Best Flask of Wondrous Physick
Your special mixed flask can provide short term buffs to further strengthen your strikes. Helpful effects include:
- Axe Talisman – Charge attacks do 30% more damage for 3 minutes. Make those jump heavies hurt! Quest reward for helping Iron Fist Alexander against Fire Giant.
- Cerulean Hidden Tear – Removes FP cost of skills for 10 seconds. Empowers your best ashes of war. Find at Second Church of Marika in Altus Plateau.
- Strengthknot Crystal Tear – Adds 20 levels worth of Strength for 3 minutes. Create a temporary monster. Complete Sorceress Sellens questline.
Activating the Physick buff right as the boss health bar appears can start the fight at a big advantage.
Best Spirit Ashes
If you ever need a distraction or supporting player, these spirit ashes work very nicely for Strength users:
- Banished Knight Oleg – Tanky summon capable of taunting enemies so you can go ham. Buy from Roundtable Hold merchant.
- Lhutel the Headless – Agile polearm warrior that relentlessly attacks foes. Found in Weeping Peninsula tombs.
- Mimic Tear – Create a clone ally by giving it your exact loadout. Extremely powerful distraction. Progress Ranni/Nokron questline.
- Tiche – Speedy assassin spirit that dodges attacks while shredding enemy health bars. Ranni‘s quest reward.
Time your summon use to keep boss aggro off you for greater openings.
Core Combat Tips
Mastering the art of combat with colossal weapons is crucial to succeed. Keep these key tactics in mind:
- Trade blows by attacking through enemy combos using hyperarmor frames when possible.
- Charged heavy attack jumping R2s and crouched R1s are your friends! Use charged R2s to stance break.
- Learn weapon movesets and combos inside and out to maximize DPS uptime.
- Use ranged Ashes of War to catch runners or magic users.
- Parrying small enemies then riposting with a colossal weapon deals insane damage.
- Don‘t get greedy! Wait for safe attack openings after boss combos end.
With practice, no enemy can stand against your overwhelming might. Now go deliver thunderous destruction!
Conclusion
I hope this guide has prepped you to craft the ultimate Strength juggernaut within Elden Ring to conquer The Lands Between with no mercy. Trading blows through unrelenting force, shattering foe‘s guards, and cleaving them down never gets old.
Strength builds reward patience, risk-taking, and learning complex movesets that offer creative options to outplay any opponent. If seeing health bars melt as enemies get flung away sounds satisfying, then reach for the biggest hunks of metal you can find!
Do you have any other tips for Strength builds? Share them below and let me know your favorite weapons!
