Elden Ring: The Power of the Iron Greatsword – A Pure Strength Build Guide

Welcome to a guide on an often overlooked weapon: the Iron Greatsword. We're going all in on pure strength, focusing on the raw power of the Iron Greatsword to deal devastating damage. If you've ever thought this beast was underutilized, now's the time to change that perception. Let's dive in and take a closer look at how to maximize this weapon's potential and why it's a top choice for any strength-based build.

Why the Iron Greatsword?

· The Iron Greatsword might not get as much love as some of the other heavy greatswords in Elden Ring, but it packs a serious punch. Here's why you should consider it:

· High AR (Attack Rating): Compared to the Claymore, the Iron Greatsword has 42 more damage. That means the burst damage from this weapon is significantly higher, especially when paired with multi-hit Ashes of War. If you're looking to improve your character's build, you might want to buy Elden Ring Runes to enhance your leveling experience and optimize your gear.

· Great for Burst Damage: With Ashes like Sword Dance, Stormcaller, and Spinning Slash, you’ll be able to deliver devastating multi-hit combos. The Iron Greatsword excels at dealing high damage per swing, making it perfect for stunning opponents or wrecking through mobs.

· Quick Slash Heavy Attack: While it doesn’t have the thrust heavy attack of the Banished Knight Greatsword, the slash heavy attack comes out quickly and can catch multiple enemies with ease, making it great for crowd control. The only downside? It lacks some of the more versatile features of other greatswords, like the jump light attack or thrust-heavy attack. But don’t let that discourage you—this weapon is more than capable in the right hands.

Building Your Pure Strength Character

This build is pure Strength, meaning you'll be focusing on stacking Strength stats to get the maximum Attack Rating (AR) for the Iron Greatsword. You don’t need any Dex or Faith, but if you want to boost your damage even further, feel free to invest extra points in these stats.

Stats for the Build:

· Vigor: 40 (Get some decent health to survive longer in PvP or boss fights)

· Endurance: 30 (You need this for more stamina and heavier armor)

· Strength: 50+ (This is your primary stat, and you’ll want to max it out for the highest AR)

· Mind, Intelligence, Faith, Arcane: 0 (You’re not using any magic or faith-based abilities here)

· Dexterity: 12 (Minimum requirement for the Iron Greatsword, but you don’t need more than that)

Armor & Fashion:

While strength builds are all about raw damage, don’t forget about fashion! For armor, you can prioritize fashion while keeping in mind your poise and weight. A good poise can prevent being staggered while wearing heavier armor, and since you’re running a greatsword, you’ll need that poise to survive incoming attacks.

Ashes of War: Amplifying Your Damage

The real beauty of this build lies in your Ashes of War selection. Here’s what I recommend for maximizing your potential:

Sword Dance (Highly Recommended)

· This Ash of War allows you to perform a quick series of slashes that are perfect for roll catching or punishing an opponent who thinks they’ve escaped your range. The follow-up slashes can catch them off guard, especially if they think you’re done after the first couple of hits. This is your bread and butter for quick, high-damage combos.

Flaming Strike (Great for Roll Catches)

· Flaming Strike is perfect for situations where you need to catch rolling enemies. With its wide arc and burn damage, this can stagger opponents and deal massive burst damage.

Stormcaller or Spinning Slash

· Both of these Ashes of War are great for applying multi-hit pressure. They work especially well when dealing with groups of enemies, as the area of effect (AoE) damage can take down multiple foes at once.

Talisman Loadout

To complement your damage output, I recommend the following talismans:

· Radagon's Scarseal: Boosts Strength significantly for a higher AR, making your swings even more deadly.

· Shard of Alexander: An absolute must for Ash of War users. This talisman increases your Ash of War damage by a solid 15%.

· Great-Jar's Arsenal: To help you wear your heavier armor without compromising mobility.

· Bull-Goat’s Talisman (Optional): If you want to tank through enemy hits, this talisman increases your poise, allowing you to tank hits while you swing.

Gameplay and Strategy:

The core of this build is simple: smash your way through opponents with the Iron Greatsword’s power and versatility. Here's how you should approach battles:

1. Engage with Strong Attacks: The Iron Greatsword's heavy attacks come out fast and can stagger most enemies. Use these to your advantage to either break their poise or catch them out of a roll.

2. Use Sword Dance for Roll Catching: If your enemy is trying to dodge, hit them with Sword Dance. It’s fast, has a wide hitbox, and deals insane damage. The follow-up slashes can land before your opponent has a chance to react.

3. Positioning is Key: While you won’t have the range of a longsword or katana, your burst damage is unrivaled. Use roll catches, flaming strike, and Stormcaller to control the battlefield.

4. Keep Moving: Don't just stand there swinging like a tank. Even though you have the strength to crush opponents, it’s important to be mobile and avoid getting overwhelmed. Use stamina wisely to manage your swings and dodges.

5. Watch for Invaders: This build is excellent in PvP, especially when invading other players. In invasions, you’ll want to pressure enemies by forcing them into a corner with your Sword Dance or catching them mid-roll with Flaming Strike. Be ready to follow up with a massive greatsword heavy attack for devastating damage.

Final Thoughts

The Iron Greatsword is an underrated gem in Elden Ring, and this pure Strength build showcases its true potential. With Sword Dance, Flaming Strike, and a solid understanding of your Ashes of War, you'll be able to deal massive damage while looking stylish doing it. While it may not have the fancy combos of the Banished Knight Greatsword or the Claymore, the Iron Greatsword stands out as a powerhouse for players who appreciate raw, unrelenting force. If you’re looking for the best site to buy elden ring items, consider checking out MMOEXP, where you can find everything you need to enhance your gameplay. So, if you’re looking for a new weapon to master or just want to mix things up, give this build a try. You might just find that it becomes your new go-to. Happy hunting, and don’t forget to BONK those invaders into oblivion. Keep an eye out for more builds, and as always, stay strong!