After spending a lot of time with the Elden Ring DLC, one thing feels clearer than ever: strength-based greatsword builds are not only viable, they are incredibly flexible. Watching high-level invasion gameplay and then testing similar setups myself reminded me why this weapon class keeps coming back in every Souls title. Greatswords sit in that sweet spot between raw power and control. They hit hard, have solid reach, and reward players who understand spacing, timing, and trades.

What makes greatswords especially strong in the DLC environment is variety. You are not locked into a single playstyle. Depending on the weapon and Ash of War, you can play patiently with roll catches, aggressively with burst damage, or even defensively by forcing trades with high poise. This adaptability matters a lot in invasions, where you never know if you are about to fight a solo host, a coordinated trio, or someone hiding behind bleed and magic spam.

Core Stat Setup for a Strength Greatsword Build

The stat spread for this kind of build is refreshingly simple. The backbone is strength, and hitting 54 strength is the key breakpoint. At that level, two-handing a greatsword gives you maximum value from strength scaling across most weapons in the class. From there, you only need enough faith to meet weapon requirements if you plan to use hybrid options.

In practice, 20 faith is a comfortable number. It opens up access to weapons like the Greatsword of Damnation or other faith-leaning greatswords without turning the build into a full hybrid. You are still a strength player first and foremost. Vigor, endurance, and a reasonable equip load round things out, especially if you plan to trade hits instead of playing a pure hit-and-run style.

Weapon Choices That Actually Matter

Not all greatswords feel the same, and that is where the fun begins. The Claymore remains a classic for a reason. Its thrusting heavy attack is excellent for roll catching and punishing predictable movement. Because it deals pierce damage, it pairs extremely well with the Spear Talisman, turning simple trades into surprisingly high damage exchanges. In both PvE and PvP, this weapon rewards patience and good reads.

The Banished Knight Greatsword and Knight’s Greatsword offer a different flavor. One leans slightly more into raw strength scaling, while the other trades a bit of damage for extra range. Both share strong jumping attack combos that can delete chunks of health if they land cleanly. These weapons shine when fighting multiple opponents, thanks to wide horizontal swings that control space.

Then there is the Greatsword of Solitude, which really stands out in the DLC. Its Ash of War enables true combos and long-range pressure, something strength builds usually lack. Landing that Ash unexpectedly can swing a fight instantly, especially against players who underestimate how far it can reach.

Ashes of War and Talismans: Simple but Effective

A big mistake newer players make is overcomplicating their talisman setup. With greatswords, consistency beats gimmicks. The Two-Handed Sword Talisman is non-negotiable if you are playing this style seriously. Since greatswords are almost always two-handed, the bonus damage is just free value.

Beyond that, talismans depend on your Ash of War. If your chosen Ash does not deal much damage, like Storm Stomp on a Claymore, there is no need to boost it with Shard of Alexander. In that case, leaning into pierce damage bonuses or defensive options makes more sense. On the other hand, if your Ash hits hard, swapping in Shard of Alexander can dramatically increase burst potential.

Poise and equip load talismans also deserve mention. Trading hits is part of the greatsword identity. Having enough poise to finish a swing without getting staggered often decides the outcome of an invasion.

Armor, Poise, and the Reality of Trading Hits

Fashion is always personal, but function matters in PvP. Mixing heavier armor pieces to reach comfortable poise thresholds allows you to challenge bleed builds and aggressive duelists without folding instantly. In invasions especially, you will often take chip damage or intentional trades to secure a kill on a phantom.

One thing that stood out to me is how often defensive buffs and situational items come into play. Against heavy bleed setups, temporarily boosting resistance can give you just enough breathing room to land a decisive hit. These small adjustments separate consistent invaders from players who rely purely on raw damage.

Invasion Strategy: Spacing Beats Speed

Greatswords are not about frantic button mashing. They reward calm decision-making. Many invasion clips show how effective it is to let opponents overextend, then punish with a delayed heavy or a well-timed crouch poke. Players often panic roll after the first hit, and greatswords are perfect for catching that second roll.

Another important lesson is target selection. In group fights, focusing down a phantom instead of chasing the host usually pays off. Removing one player quickly reduces pressure and opens space to reset the fight. Greatswords excel here because their damage output makes every successful hit meaningful.

Progression and Time Investment Tips

Building and upgrading multiple greatswords can be time-consuming, especially if you want to experiment with different Ashes of War. Some players choose to speed up early progression so they can focus on learning matchups and mechanics instead of farming endlessly. I have seen discussions where players mention options to buy elden ring runes as a way to save time during setup, particularly when testing new builds.

That said, safety matters. If someone decides to go that route, it is important to understand where to buy elden ring runes safely and avoid shady shortcuts that could risk an account. Communities often mention platforms like U4GM in these conversations, usually in the context of reliability rather than hype. Regardless of how you get there, the goal should be spending more time actually playing and improving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One frequent mistake is relying too heavily on charged Ashes of War against bleed-heavy opponents. If bleed buildup triggers before your attack finishes, the trade can go badly. Knowing when to switch to quicker pokes or simple R2 pressure is crucial.

Another issue is ignoring latency. In invasions, connection quality varies. Sometimes a clean grab or combo simply will not land. Adapting by using safer attacks and spacing tools keeps you alive longer and avoids unnecessary risks.

Strength greatsword builds remain one of the most satisfying ways to play Elden Ring, especially in the DLC environment. They reward fundamentals, adapt well to chaotic invasions, and offer enough variety to stay interesting over time. With the right stats, smart talisman choices, and a patient mindset, greatswords can handle almost anything the game throws at you.

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