U4GM - Build the Ultimate Greatsword Character With These 25 Tips
Greatswords in Elden Ring offer an unmatched mix of power, poise damage, and versatility. Whether you're swinging colossal blades like the Greatsword (yes, the one that looks like it came straight out of Berserk) or opting for something slightly more refined like the Claymore, building around these massive weapons requires thought and strategy.
Here are 25 practical, battle-tested tips to help you build the ultimate greatsword character—covering everything from stats and weapon arts to armor, talismans, and rune farming.
1. Start With the Right Class
The Vagabond is an ideal starting point thanks to its high Strength and Vigor stats. It gives you a head start toward a tanky, heavy-hitting build.
2. Focus on Strength Early
Investing in Strength will increase your damage output and allow you to wield heavier weapons sooner. Aim for 40 Strength if you're going for a pure heavy-hitter.
3. Don’t Neglect Endurance
You’ll need it for stamina and equipment load. Greatswords are heavy, and so is the armor you’ll want to pair them with. Endurance helps you swing more and stay mobile.
4. Use Two-Handing Strategically
Two-handing your greatsword boosts your effective Strength by 50%. This can help you meet stat requirements early or simply deal more damage.
5. Experiment With Ashes of War
Ashes like Lion’s Claw, Flame of the Redmanes, and Flaming Strike scale beautifully with Strength builds and offer incredible stagger potential.
6. Infuse Your Weapon Wisely
Use Heavy infusions to scale with Strength or Flame Art/Fire infusions for hybrid Strength-Faith builds. Experiment depending on your damage goals.
7. Poise Is Your Friend
Wearing heavy armor gives you poise, allowing you to tank through enemy attacks while swinging your greatsword. Bull-Goat and Lionel’s sets are popular choices.
8. Stamina Management Is Crucial
Don’t spam attacks—learn to space out swings and keep stamina in reserve for dodging or blocking.
9. Use Jump Attacks Often
Jumping attacks are fast, hit hard, and break enemy poise efficiently. Pair with the Claw Talisman to boost their damage.
10. Level Vigor Aggressively
A true greatsword build is going to take hits. Aim for 40–60 Vigor by late game to survive trades and boss fights.
11. Use Buff Items
Grease, talismans, and spells like Flame, Grant Me Strength can boost your AR. These little boosts add up, especially for short damage windows.
12. Practice Your Spacing
Greatswords have long reach. Learn the weapon’s hitbox and use spacing to punish whiffs and overcommitted enemies.
13. Try the Greatsword (Colossal)
This fan-favorite weapon is unmatched for raw Strength scaling. If you want to feel like a medieval tank, it’s a must-try.
14. Upgrade Your Weapon ASAP
Invest in Smithing Stones and prioritize weapon upgrades over armor early. Your greatsword is your main damage dealer—make it count.
15. Farm Smart for Resources
If you're low on Elden Ring Runes, hit up farming spots like Mohgwyn Palace or War-Dead Catacombs. Staying ahead on rune income is crucial.
16. Equip the Right Talismans
Talismans like Radagon’s Scarseal, Green Turtle, and Great-Jar’s Arsenal enhance your core stats and help with loadouts.
17. Adapt to Boss Patterns
Learn boss attack windows. Greatsword builds rely on precise timing—get greedy and you’ll get punished.
18. Use Shields Sparingly
You can carry one, but it’s often better to roll through attacks and rely on poise, trading blows with heavier hits.
19. Avoid Split Scaling
Pure Strength builds work best with heavy infusions. Hybrid setups can work, but try not to dilute your damage too much.
20. Dual Wield Greatswords for Fun
Powerstancing two greatswords can be brutal in PvE. It’s stamina-hungry but rewarding for crowd control and massive damage output.
21. Use Spirit Ashes That Distract
Summons like Lhutel or Banished Knight Oleg give you time to line up heavy attacks without taking aggro.
22. Try Fire or Lightning Buffs
Even if you're not specced into Faith, items like Fire Grease or Lightning Grease can significantly boost damage short-term.
23. Explore Off-Meta Choices
Weapons like the Ruins Greatsword or Dragon Slayer’s Cragblade have unique movesets and massive damage potential—great alternatives to the standard Greatsword.
24. Know When to Trade
With high poise and damage, sometimes it’s better to take a hit if it means landing your own. Greatsword builds thrive on trading effectively.
25. Consider External Help
If you're short on upgrade materials or want to try a new weapon without grinding, some players choose to buy Elden Ring Items through trusted marketplaces. U4GM is often mentioned in the community as a reliable source when time is limited.
Greatsword builds are all about commitment. They're slower, heavier, and more punishing if you mess up—but when you play smart, they deliver some of the most satisfying combat in Elden Ring. From carefully planning stat spreads to managing stamina and timing, building around a greatsword isn’t just viable—it’s one of the most rewarding playstyles in the game.