In the unforgiving world of Elden Ring, where demigods stalk the lands and ancient dragons darken the skies, a Tarnished must be judicious in their choice of armament. For those who subscribe to the simple, brutal philosophy of overwhelming force—the warriors who believe that every problem can be solved with a sufficiently large piece of metal—the Strength build is a sacred path. It’s a playstyle that trades finesse for raw, unadulterated power, capable of Elden Ring Runes staggering giants and breaking enemy stances with earth-shattering blows.
But not all greatswords, greathammers, and colossal weapons are created equal. Some are hidden gems, while others are legendary arms worthy of the gods themselves. This tier list breaks down the very best Strength weapons the Lands Between have to offer, judging them not just on raw Attack Rating (AR), but on their movesets, unique skills, and overall versatility.
S-Tier:The Pinnacle of Power
These weapons are the crown jewels of the Strength build. They are not merely tools of destruction; they are game-defining artifacts that can carry you to victory against the most formidable foes.
Giant-Crusher:The name says it all. This is the absolute peak of pure, undiluted physical power. A colossal weapon in the truest sense, the Giant-Crusher boasts the highest Strength scaling in the game (reaching an S-rating when fully upgraded) and can achieve staggering damage numbers. Its moveset is slow and deliberate, demanding mastery of timing, but a single fully-charged heavy attack can poise-break almost any enemy. When infused with the Heavy affinity and buffed with spells or greases, it transforms into a wrecking ball of unimaginable force. It is the definitive choice for the purist who believes that the biggest number is the only number that matters.
Greatsword (The "Guts" Greatsword):A direct homage to Berserk, this colossal sword is a masterpiece of balance and power. It doesn’t have the single-hit damage of the Giant-Crusher, but what it lacks in pure AR, it more than makes up for with its exceptional moveset. The wide, sweeping horizontal slashes are far more manageable for crowd control than the vertical chops of many other colossal weapons. Its accessibility in Caelid early in the game makes it a beloved companion for Strength builds from start to finish. It’s a versatile powerhouse that excels in nearly every situation.
Ruin Greatsword:This weapon is a testament to the synergy between Strength and a minor Intelligence investment. Scaling primarily with Strength, the Ruin Greatsword offers incredibly high base damage and a unique, devastating Weapon Skill:Wave of Destruction. This skill unleashes a massive wave of gravitational energy that deals immense poise damage and can clear entire rooms. It’s a weapon that provides both incredible melee clout and a powerful, ranged area-of-effect option, making it invaluable against aggressive groups or flying enemies.
A-Tier:Legendary Alternatives and Reliable Workhorses
These weapons are exceptional in their own right and could easily be considered S-Tier in specific builds or playstyles. They are only a half-step behind the absolute best, often due to a more specialized nature.
Nightrider Glaive:Many Strength builds overlook halberds, but the Nightrider Glaive is a secret champion. It offers the fantastic range and moveset of a halberd with some of the best Strength scaling in its class. Its true power is unlocked when paired with the Sword Dance or Piercing Fang Ash of War, creating a terrifyingly fast and long-reaching weapon that can decimate opponents before they can even get close. It provides a speed and versatility that colossal weapons often lack.
Beastman's Cleaver:A curved greatsword that scales magnificently with Strength, the Beastman's Cleaver is a monster. Its default jumping attack is a rapid, two-hit combo that can melt enemy health bars, especially when paired with the Claw Talisman and the Raptor's Black Feathers armor. It can also be infused with Ashes of War, allowing for immense customization. This weapon offers a more dynamic and agile feel while still delivering the crushing blows expected of a Strength build.
Prelate's Inferno Crozier:Another colossal weapon that rivals the Giant-Crusher in sheer might, this great hammer has a unique and incredibly powerful charged heavy attack—a running slam that can chain into multiple hits. Its Weapon Skill, Prelate's Charge, lets you become a flaming juggernaut, charging forward while setting the ground ablaze. It’s an exceptional tool for applying fire damage and maintaining relentless pressure.
B-Tier:Situational Saviors and Fun Powerhouses
The weapons here are powerful and incredibly fun to use, but they often come with a significant drawback or are outshone by the options above in overall performance.
Ghiza's Wheel:A whirligig saw of nightmares, this weapon is a callback to Bloodborne's most infamous tool. Its regular attacks are slow and cumbersome, but its unique skill, Spinning Wheel, is where the magic happens. Holding the weapon revs it into a spinning frenzy that can shred enemy health and posture in seconds, especially against large targets. Its situational nature and high stamina cost place it here, but in the right moments, it is an unstoppable force.
Brick Hammer:Found in Stormveil Castle, this is the premier early-game Strength weapon. It comes with innate bleed and a fantastic hammer moveset, including sweeping light attacks. It's a reliable and powerful option that can carry you through the mid-game, though it is eventually outclassed by later finds. Its accessibility and solid performance make it a memorable and worthy tool.
Star Fist:For the Strength build that craves speed, the Star Fist is a pair of fist weapons that scale superbly with Heavy infusion. They attack rapidly, build up bleed, and, most importantly, can stunlock many human-sized enemies. Their Endure Ash of War makes trading blows trivial. While their short range is a glaring weakness, their DPS and stagger potential are nothing to scoff at.
The Honorable Strength Hybrid
No Strength discussion is complete without mentioning the Blasphemous Blade. While primarily a Faith weapon, its Strength scaling is respectable, and its Weapon Skill, Taker's Flames, is arguably the most powerful ability in the game. It unleashes a wave of fire that steals health from enemies, even on a miss. For any Strength/Faith hybrid, this weapon is not just S-Tier—it’s a veritable easy mode, providing both survivability and devastating ranged power.
The Final Verdict
The "best" weapon ultimately comes down to personal preference and playstyle. The Giant-Crusher reigns supreme for pure, uncomplicated damage. The Greatsword offers the perfect blend of power and practicality. The Ruin Greatsword provides a world-ending skill for those willing to make a small stat investment.
Whichever you choose, remember that in a world of cosmic horrors and divine tyrants, there is a profound, simple satisfaction in walking the path of Elden Ring Runes for sale Strength—meeting force with greater force, and shattering the foundations of the world, one colossal swing at a time.
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