Overview
In the highly anticipated game Elden Ring, players can create powerful builds to enhance their gameplay experience. One of the most popular and effective builds is the Greatsword build. This build focuses on wielding a massive greatsword to deal high damage, control crowds, and adapt to various combat situations.
Strengths
High Damage Output
The Greatsword build excels in dealing massive damage to enemies. With its large size and weight, the greatsword can unleash devastating slashes, dealing significant damage to both regular enemies and bosses. This build is perfect for players who enjoy dealing heavy hits and seeing enemies crumble before them.
Crowd Control Abilities
Another strength of the Greatsword build is its crowd control abilities. Due to the size and range of the greatsword, this build can effectively hit multiple enemies at once, making it ideal for situations where you are surrounded or facing groups of enemies. This allows you to efficiently thin out crowds and gain the upper hand in combat.
Versatility in Combat
One of the key advantages of the Greatsword build is its versatility in combat. Although wielding a greatsword may seem slow and clunky, with the right timing and strategy, this build can be surprisingly agile. It offers a mix of strong attacks, sweeps, and lunges that can be used to adapt to different combat scenarios, whether it’s dodging powerful enemy strikes or breaking through enemy defenses.
Weapon Requirements
Strength and Dexterity
To effectively use the Greatsword build, you need to invest in both strength and dexterity attributes. Strength determines your raw physical power, allowing you to wield the greatsword efficiently. Dexterity, on the other hand, improves your agility and attack speed, enabling you to execute quick and precise strikes.
High Endurance
Endurance is crucial for the Greatsword build as swinging a large and heavy weapon requires a significant amount of stamina. Be sure to allocate enough points into endurance to ensure that you can perform multiple attacks in quick succession without running out of stamina.
Good Stamina Management
Stamina management is vital for the Greatsword build. Since the greatsword consumes a substantial amount of stamina with each swing, it’s essential to control your attacks and avoid becoming exhausted in the middle of combat. Properly timing your strikes and making use of strategic pauses to recover stamina is key to maintaining an effective offense.
Skills and Abilities
Power Moves
The Greatsword build comes with a range of powerful moves that can devastate enemies. These power moves include heavy overhead slams, wide sweeping attacks, and thrusts that can pierce through enemy armor. Mastering these power moves is essential for maximizing your damage output and taking down tough opponents.
Takedown Techniques
When facing stronger enemies or bosses, the Greatsword build offers specific takedown techniques that can exploit their weaknesses. These techniques include performing charged attacks to break through enemy defenses, parrying incoming attacks, or exploiting vulnerabilities during enemy animations. Understanding these techniques and executing them at the right moment can turn the tide of battle in your favor.
Defensive Maneuvers
While the Greatsword build is primarily focused on offense, it also provides defensive options to protect yourself against enemy attacks. These defensive maneuvers include blocking with the greatsword to absorb incoming strikes, dodging to evade attacks, and strategically positioning yourself to minimize the risk of getting overwhelmed. Utilizing these defensive techniques effectively is crucial for survival in challenging encounters.
Armor and Equipment
Greatsword Selection
Choosing the right greatsword is vital for the success of your build. Look for a greatsword with high damage, a good reach, and a moveset that suits your playstyle. Experiment with different greatswords to find the one that feels the most comfortable and effective for your character.
Armor Sets for Balance
In addition to the greatsword, selecting the right armor set is essential for maintaining a balanced and effective Greatsword build. You’ll want to prioritize armor that offers a good balance between defense and mobility, as both are important for survival and maneuverability in combat. Look for armor sets that provide a decent amount of protection without hindering your movement too much.
Rings and Accessories
Rings and accessories can greatly enhance your Greatsword build. Look for rings that boost your strength, dexterity, and endurance attributes to further enhance your combat abilities. Additionally, consider accessories or enchantments that provide bonuses to critical hits, stamina regeneration, or increase damage against specific enemy types. Customizing your equipment with these enhancements can provide a significant edge in battle.
Gameplay Strategies
Timing and Patience
When using the Greatsword build, timing and patience are key. The greatsword delivers powerful strikes but can leave you vulnerable if you miss or get interrupted. Therefore, it’s important to time your attacks carefully, waiting for the right openings and striking when your enemies are off balance or recovering from their own attacks. Don’t rush; take your time to observe your opponents and strike when the opportunity presents itself.
Managing Stamina
Effective stamina management is crucial for the success of the Greatsword build. Keep an eye on your stamina bar and avoid overexerting yourself with consecutive heavy attacks. Strike a balance between offense and defense, utilizing strategic pauses to recover stamina when needed. This will ensure that you always have enough stamina to react to enemy attacks or perform powerful maneuvers when the time is right.
Proper Positioning
Positioning yourself correctly is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of your Greatsword build. Try to find openings where you can attack multiple enemies at once or catch them off guard with powerful strikes. Additionally, make use of the environment and obstacles to your advantage, using them to block enemies or create barriers that funnel opponents into favorable engagements.
PvP and Co-op Tactics
Hit-and-Run Strategies
In player versus player (PvP) encounters, a hit-and-run strategy can be effective with the Greatsword build. Use your large, powerful attacks to deal significant damage to opponents but avoid getting caught in prolonged close-quarters combat. Strike quickly, retreat to safety, and repeat, keeping your opponents on their toes and unable to capitalize on your slower attack speed.
Team Coordination
In cooperative play, communication and teamwork are crucial for success. Coordinate with your teammates to strategize and execute attacks that complement each other’s strengths. As a Greatsword build, your role may involve drawing enemy attention, providing crowd control, or dealing heavy damage to tougher enemies. By working together, your team can effectively handle various challenges and overcome difficult encounters.
Countering Enemy Builds
Understanding and countering different enemy builds is essential for the Greatsword build. Investigate the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents and adjust your tactics accordingly. For example, against fast and agile builds, focus on landing heavier hits during their recovery windows. Against tanky builds, consider utilizing techniques that break through defenses or performing critical hits to bypass their high endurance.
Conclusion
The Greatsword build in Elden Ring offers an exciting and powerful playstyle. With high damage output, crowd control abilities, and versatility in combat, this build is well-suited for players who enjoy wielding massive weapons and unleashing devastating strikes. Remember to invest in strength and dexterity, manage stamina effectively, and choose the right armor and accessories. By mastering the Greatsword build and implementing effective strategies, you can dominate your enemies and conquer the world of Elden Ring.
FAQs
Q: What are some recommended greatswords for the Greatsword build?
A: Some popular greatswords for the Greatsword build include the Zweihaender, Claymore, and Bastard Sword. Experiment with different greatswords to find the one that best suits your playstyle.
Q: Is the Greatsword build viable for both PvE and PvP gameplay?
A: Yes, the Greatsword build can be effective in both player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) gameplay. However, it’s important to adapt your strategies and tactics accordingly to the type of encounters you are facing.
Q: Are there any specific armor sets that synergize well with the Greatsword build?
A: While there are no specific armor sets tailored for the Greatsword build, look for sets that provide a good balance between defense and mobility. This will allow you to withstand enemy attacks while maintaining agility and maneuverability in combat.
Q: Can the Greatsword build be used effectively in boss fights?
A: Absolutely! The high damage output and crowd control abilities of the Greatsword build make it highly effective in boss fights. However, make sure to learn the boss’s attack patterns and openings to maximize your damage and avoid unnecessary hits.
Q: Can the Greatsword build be adapted for different playstyles?
A: Yes, the Greatsword build can be adapted to different playstyles. While it excels in heavy and powerful attacks, you can adjust your strategy to be more defensive or rely on specific techniques to suit your preferred playstyle, making the build versatile and adaptable.