With an Elden Ring DLC, “Shadow of the Erdtree,” currently in the works, it’s time to dust off those greatswords and start training up for some new adventures in the Lands Between.
For those of you who prefer the slower-swinging, heavy-hitting weapons that go hand-in-hand with strength builds…this one’s for you! Read on to see our top ten ranking for the best weapons for strength builds.
#10. Siluria's Tree
Pair this Great Spear with the Godfrey Icon talisman to inflict extra damage when using Siluria’s Woe
First on our countdown is a Great Spear known as Siluria’s Tree. As it does inflict additional Holy damage, players will need a Faith level of 20 to wield this weapon. Its weapon skill, Siluria’s Woe, cements its place on our Top 10.
Use of Siluria’s Woe causes the player to thrust the weapon in a spiral motion, while charged attacks have the power to blow away enemies while shooting a whirling beam of light, making it a great choice for clearing packs of enemies. This spear cannot be infused with Ashes of War and can be upgraded with Somber Smithing Stones.
How to get Siluria's Tree:
How to Get Siluria's Tree. Start at 0:47.
Siluria's Tree full details:
- Attack: Phy 90, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 90, Crit 100
- Requires: Str 27, Dex 13, Fai 20
- Scaling: Str D, Dex E, Fai D
- Weapon Skill: Siluria’s Woe, costs 25 FP
- Weight: 10
#9. Axe of Godfrey
You'll have to visit the Ashen Capital to grab this Colossal weapon
Commonly referred to as “the best axe in Elden Ring,” the Axe of Godfrey packs a mighty punch, but unfortunately is not obtainable until extremely late in the game, hence its higher ranking on our list. As a Colossal weapon, it’s no shocker that the Strength requirement is pretty high, players will need a Strength level of 42 to be able to wield this axe.
Regal Roar is the permanent weapon skill for the Axe of Godfrey; it cannot be infused with Ashes of War. While Regal Roar can be handy when fighting slower-moving enemies, the amount of time it takes to properly use the skill can get annoying after a while. Somber Smithing Stones can be used to upgrade this weapon.
How to get Axe of Godfrey:
How to get Axe of Godfrey. Start at 1:56.
Axe of Godfrey full details:
- Attack: Phy 165, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
- Requires: Str 42, Dex 14
- Scaling: Str D, Dex D
- Weapon Skill: Regal Roar, costs 25 FP
- Weight: 18
#8. Maliketh's Black Blade
Pro tip: Maliketh, the Black Blade, is weak to Frost damage!
Coming in at number eight is Maliketh’s Black Blade, a pretty badass-looking Colossal sword. You’ll have to defeat Maliketh, the Black Blade, and trade his Remembrance with Enia at the Roundtable Hold in order to obtain this sword.
Similar to the first few weapons on our list, Maliketh’s Black Blade cannot be infused with Ashes of War, as it already has its own powerful weapon skill, Destined Death. Use of Destined Death summons a plethora of blades that deal both immediate damage to enemies, as well as reducing the enemy’s max health while wearing down their health for a short period of time. It’s one of the heavier weapons on our list, with a weight of 22, which can be a bit burdensome depending on the weight of the player’s equipped armor. Maliketh’s Black Blade can be upgraded using Somber Smithing Stones.
How to get Maliketh's Black Blade:
How to get Maliketh's Black Blade. Start at 6:00.
Maliketh's Black Blade full details:
- Attack: Phy 127, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 82, Crit 100
- Requires: Str 34, Dex 12, Fai 20
- Scaling: Str C, Dex E, Fai D
- Weapon Skill: Destined Death, costs 40 FP
- Weight: 22
#7. Serpent Hunter
Snatch this spear up right before you engage with Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Another great spear on our list - Serpent Hunter. Though it doesn’t have any wield requirements, its B Strength scaling (which increases to A once fully upgraded with Somber Smithing Stones) makes it an excellent choice for Strength builds.
Its weapon skill, Great Serpent Hunt, is a bit underwhelming, though handy when battling a great serpent enemy, such as God-Devouring Serpent, or Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy.
How to get Serpent Hunter:
How to get Serpent Hunter. Start at 1:23.
Serpent Hunter full details:
- Attack: Phy 111, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
- Requires: No Stat Requirements
- Scaling: Str B, Dex E
- Weapon Skill: Great Serpent Hunt, costs 15 FP
- Weight: 12
#6. Nightrider Glaive
Nightrider Glaive is great on the ground, but especially deadly on horseback
Coming in at number six is the only halberd on our list, Nightrider Glaive. Though it starts with C scaling for Strength when first picked up, this halberd receives S scaling starting from 20+ upgrade, making it a worthy contender for pure Strength builds.
Nightrider Glaive is especially useful when riding Torrent, due to its size and length. It can be upgraded with Smithing Stones, and its weapon skill, Spinning Slash, allows players to perform a double 360-degree attack, followed by an additional heavy strike.
How to get Nightrider Glaive:
How to get Nightrider Glaive. Start at 2:50.
Nightrider Glaive full details:
- Attack: Phy 129, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
- Requires: Str 26, Dex 10
- Scaling: Str C, Dex E
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Slash, costs 6 (-12) FP
- Weight: 12
#5. Starscourge Greatsword
Stuck on Astel? Give this Colossal sword a try
As the first (but not the last) Colossal sword on this top 10 list, Starscourge Greatsword is definitely worth trying out, due to how useful its unique skill, Starcaller Cry, is in clearing packs of enemies. Using Starcaller Cry pulls surrounding enemies in with a gravitational wave, and following up with an additional attack causes the player to slam down with a gravity-infused sword.
Starscourge Greatsword also deals +30% damage to Gravity type enemies, and can be upgraded by Somber Smithing Stones. Players will need to defeat Starscourge Radahn in Caelid to grab this sword.
How to get Starscourge Greatsword:
How to get Starscourge Greatsword. Start at 0:08.
Starscourge Greatsword full details:
- Attack: Phy 129, Mag 83, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
- Requires: Str 38, Dex 12, Int 15
- Scaling: Str D, Dex D, Int E
- Weapon Skill: Starcaller Cry, costs 20 (-20) FP
- Weight: 20
#4. Prelate's Inferno Crozier
Basically Thor's hammer, but with fire instead of lightning
Though one of the heaviest weapons on our list, Prelate’s Inferno Crozier more than earns it place as fourth best weapon for Strength builds. Yet another colossal weapon, this hammer excels in dealing strong melee attacks that can throw enemies up into the air.
It can be infused with Ashes of War, but don’t sleep on its skill, Prelate’s Charge, which essentially turns the player into a flame-engulfed freight train. Prelate’s Inferno Crozier can be upgraded with regular Smithing Stones.
How to get Prelate's Inferno Crozier:
How to get Prelate's Inferno Crozier. Start at 0:12.
Prelate's Inferno Crozier full details:
- Attack: Phy 156, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
- Requires: Str 45, Dex 8
- Scaling: Str C, Dex E
- Weapon Skill: Prelate’s Charge, costs 7 (7) FP
- Weight: 23.5
#3. Greatsword
"You just got berked!"
Also referred to as “Guts” Greatsword, with a nod to Berserk, this Colossal sword takes the number three spot on our list due to its extreme versatility. The Greatsword can be infused with Ashes of War, if you aren’t a fan of its default weapon skill, Stamp (Upward Cut).
The Greatsword can be buffed with Magic and Consumables, and upgraded with regular Smithing Stones. Without upgrading, this weapon’s physical attack stat is 164, making it one of the strongest colossal swords in the game.
How to get Greatsword:
How to get Greatsword. Start at 0:03.
Greatsword full details:
- Attack: Phy 164, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
- Requires: Str 31, Dex 12
- Scaling: Str C, Dex E
- Weapon Skill: Stamp (Upward Cut), costs 5 (-8) FP
- Weight: 23
#2. Ruins Greatsword
As one of nine legendary armaments in the entire game, Ruins Greatsword is well-worth the effort it takes to obtain
Our (very close) runner-up for best weapon for Strength builds is the Ruins Greatsword. This Colossal sword goes up to S scaling in Strength, and the damage inflicted by its weapon skill, Wave of Destruction, scales with the weapon’s level. Ruins Greatsword is one of the nine legendary armaments that can be found in the Lands Between.
Wave of Destruction is unique to the Ruins Greatsword, and allows the player to fire off a wave of gravity that demolishes everything in its path. Even simple charged attacks with this sword cause a burst of gravity magic upon slamming the ground, which causes additional damage as well as staggering enemies within range.
How to get Ruins Greatsword:
How to get Ruins Greatsword. Start at 0:08.
Ruins Greatsword full details:
- Attack: Phy 124, Mag 37, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
- Requires: Str 50, Int 16
- Scaling: Str B, Int E
- Weapon Skill: Wave of Destruction, costs 25 (-25) FP
- Weight: 23
#1. Giant-Crusher
When you tell your friends you’re only gonna get a *little* hammered
Coming in at our top spot is the Giant-Crusher. This Colossal hammer is an extremely heavy-hitting weapon, and has only a Strength wield requirement, making it a perfect choice for a Strength build.
Dual-handing this weapon gives its best damage output, and the player’s ability to infuse Giant-Crusher with their choice of Ash of War allows extreme versatility. Giant-Crusher can be upgraded by using Smithing Stones, and has a pretty high physical guard damage negation, making it quite effective for blocking.
How to get Giant-Crusher:
How to get Giant-Cusher. Start at 0:04.
Giant-Crusher full details:
- Attack: Phy 155, Mag 37, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
- Requires: Str 60
- Scaling: Str C
- Weapon Skill: Endure, costs 9 FP
- Weight: 26.5
