Big weapon, big jump attacks. A Strength build with a colossal weapon staggers nearly every boss with jumping heavies and charged attacks, and trades hits with anything thanks to its huge poise. It is the simplest build in the game and one of the strongest.
Stats at level 150
Equipment
| Weapons | Giant-Crusher with Heavy affinity (main), Greatsword (earlier), Grafted Blade Greatsword (alternative) |
| Talismans | Claw Talisman, Great-Jar’s Arsenal, Erdtree’s Favor, Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman |
| Spells | Optional: Flame, Grant Me Strength with a sacred seal |
| Ashes of War | Lion’s Claw, Endure |
How to play the Colossal Strength Build
- Two-hand your weapon: two-handing multiplies Strength by 1.5, so 40 Strength already meets Giant-Crusher’s 60 requirement.
- Jumping heavy attacks are your main damage and stance breaker; the Claw Talisman boosts them by 15%.
- Use Endure or Lion’s Claw to trade through boss combos and finish stance breaks with a critical hit.
- Level Endurance so you stay under 70% equip load for a medium roll.
Leveling order
- Vigor to 30
- Strength to 27 (40 when two-handed), enough for the Greatsword
- Endurance to 25
- Vigor to 50
- Strength to 60, then Vigor to 60
- Strength to 80 and Endurance to 35
Early game version
Start as a Vagabond or Hero. The Claymore at Castle Morne and the Greatsword in a carriage in Caelid are both early. Lion’s Claw is in Fort Gael. Giant-Crusher waits in a carriage chest on the Altus Plateau.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- Massive poise damage
- Trades hits with almost anything
- Very simple to play
Weaknesses
- Slow recovery after whiffs
- Heavy equip load forces Endurance
- Weak against fast, evasive bosses
FAQ
Should I use Heavy or Keen?
Heavy. This build pushes Strength to 80, where Heavy affinity gives the highest attack rating.
Is two-handing required?
Not required, but it is the easiest way to meet requirements early and it raises your damage.
See every build ranked on the Elden Ring build tier list, compare weapons in the weapon database, and track your boss kills with the boss checklist.
Further reading: the Giant-Crusher on the Fextralife wiki.