The Greatsword in Elden Ring is not just a weapon.
It is the foundation of Strength builds.
Despite its simple name, it represents one of the most influential weapon designs in the entire game: slow, heavy, and extremely efficient when used correctly.
Most players see it as a big sword for big damage.
In reality, it is a poise and stagger system weapon disguised as a melee tool.
Quick Answer
If you are wondering whether the Greatsword is worth using:
- Yes, it is one of the best Strength weapons in Elden Ring
- Yes, it deals extremely high poise damage
- Yes, jump attacks make it one of the strongest PvE tools
- Yes, it scales very well into late game
Its strength comes from stagger control, not speed.
Weapon Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Colossal Sword |
| Scaling | STR (primary), optional DEX |
| Status Effect | None by default (infusable) |
| Strength | High stagger + jump attack damage |
| Weakness | Slow recovery, stamina cost |
The Greatsword is designed around commitment-based combat.
Every swing matters.
Every mistake is punishable.
Every hit has impact value.
Why Greatsword Feels So Powerful
The weapon does not rely on speed or status effects.
It relies on three core systems:
Extreme Poise Damage
Greatsword attacks deal very high poise damage.
This means:
- Enemies get staggered frequently
- Smaller enemies are interrupted constantly
- Bosses enter punish states more often
Poise damage is one of the most important hidden mechanics in Elden Ring.
Jump Attack Optimization
Jump attacks are the core identity of this weapon.
They provide:
- High burst damage
- Reduced risk exposure
- Strong stagger potential
Most Strength builds revolve around jump attack loops for this reason.
Charged Heavy Attack Pressure
Charged heavies turn the Greatsword into a punish tool.
They are slow, but:
- Extremely high damage
- Massive stagger potential
- Strong boss punish windows
This makes positioning more important than speed.
How The Greatsword Combat Loop Actually Works
The Greatsword is not a spam weapon.
It is a timing-based punishment weapon.
Core Loop
- Wait for enemy attack
- Use jump attack or charged heavy
- Stagger enemy
- Reset positioning
- Repeat
This loop maximizes damage while minimizing risk.
Why Jump Attacks Are Meta For Greatsword
Jump attacks are not just damage tools.
They are system tools.
Benefits
- Avoid ground-based attacks
- Increase burst damage
- Maintain offensive pressure safely
Why It Works
Most enemies in Elden Ring are not designed to counter airborne attacks efficiently.
This creates a natural advantage.
Best Way To Use Greatsword
The optimal playstyle is controlled aggression.
Recommended Strategy
- Stay mid-range
- Wait for attack animation
- Use jump attack punish
- Avoid overcommitting combos
Greatsword rewards patience, not spam.
Best Builds For Greatsword
Pure Strength Build
- Maximum stagger output
- High physical damage
- Simple scaling path
Quality Build (STR/DEX)
- More flexible weapon usage
- Slightly faster recovery
Infusion Builds
- Heavy infusion for raw damage
- Fire/Lightning for situational scaling
Optimize your Greatsword build with the Build Planner — the right STR investment and poise breakpoint make a massive difference in stagger consistency.
Best Ashes Of War For Greatsword
1. Lion's Claw
- High stagger burst
- Excellent PvE punish tool
2. Giant Hunt
- Anti-large enemy tool
- Strong boss counter option
3. Waves of Darkness
- AoE control
- Crowd management
Best Bosses For Greatsword
Greatsword excels against:
Early Game Bosses
- Margit
- Godrick
- Rennala
Mid Game Bosses
- Radahn
- Morgott
- Fire Giant
Late Game Bosses
- Maliketh
- Godfrey
- Elden Beast
Why Greatsword Works So Well In PvE
PvE enemies follow predictable patterns.
Greatsword punishes predictability.
It excels because:
- Stagger interrupts enemy AI loops
- Jump attacks avoid many attack types
- Charged heavies punish recovery frames
This creates a stable combat rhythm.
Weaknesses Of Greatsword
Despite its strength, it has limitations:
Slow Recovery
Missing an attack is heavily punishable.
High Stamina Cost
Repeated swings drain stamina quickly.
Requires Position Discipline
Poor spacing reduces effectiveness significantly.
Greatsword vs Other Strength Weapons
Versus Colossal Weapons
Greatsword is faster and more consistent.
Versus Ultra Greatswords
Ultra weapons hit harder but are slower and less flexible.
Versus Bleed Weapons
Bleed weapons scale faster in burst, but lack stagger control.
Greatsword is the balance between speed and impact.
Why Greatsword Is Still Meta
Even in modern Elden Ring meta discussions, Greatsword remains relevant because:
- Jump attack builds are always strong
- Poise damage never falls off
- Strength builds remain consistent across patches
It is not a gimmick weapon.
It is a system weapon.
What Greatsword Teaches Players
This weapon teaches core Elden Ring fundamentals:
- Timing is more important than speed
- Stagger control defines combat flow
- Positioning is damage efficiency
Players who master Greatsword often understand the entire Strength archetype better.
FAQ
Is Greatsword good in Elden Ring?
Yes. It is one of the strongest Strength weapons in the game.
What is the best stat for Greatsword?
Strength is the primary scaling stat.
Is Greatsword better than Ultra Greatswords?
It is faster and more consistent, while ultra weapons hit harder but slower.
Why is Greatsword so popular?
Because it combines high damage with reliable stagger mechanics.
Can Greatsword carry the entire game?
Yes. It remains viable from early to late game. Check the exact damage numbers for your weapon setup with the Weapon AR Calculator.