U4GM - 10 Strategies to Best Strength Weapons in Elden Ring
Elden Ring is filled with diverse playstyles, but for players who enjoy smashing enemies into the ground with raw power, Strength builds are king. Having played through Elden Ring multiple times using high-Strength characters, I’ve experimented with various weapons and tactics to get the most out of this heavy-hitting class. Whether you’re a new Tarnished or looking to refine your approach, here are 10 strategies to master Strength weapons and dominate the Lands Between. This guide also considers how Elden Ring Runes and smart resource use — including where to buy elden ring runes — can enhance your build.
1. Prioritize Vigor and Endurance Early
Strength weapons are often heavy and slow, meaning you'll need to tank hits while waiting for a chance to strike. From my experience, dumping early levels into Vigor for survivability and Endurance for stamina and equip load is critical. It helps to avoid getting stun-locked mid-swing or fat-rolling into death.
2. Two-Hand Your Weapon
When using a weapon with high Strength scaling, two-handing increases your effective Strength by 50%. This can let you wield a weapon earlier than intended or push your damage into a much higher tier. I clearly remember the difference it made when I two-handed the Great Club in a tight cave fight — game-changing.
3. Upgrade Your Weapon Consistently
Even the best Strength weapon feels weak if not upgraded. Use your Elden Ring Runes wisely to upgrade your weapon at the Smithing Table and later at Master Hewg in Roundtable Hold. If you find rune farming tedious, many players turn to trusted sources like U4GM to buy elden ring runes and save time, especially when preparing for New Game+.
4. Use Ashes of War that Enhance Strength Scaling
Ashes of War can dramatically alter your playstyle. My personal favorite for Strength builds is "Flaming Strike" — not only does it add fire damage, but it allows you to pressure enemies and buff your weapon simultaneously. Don't forget to apply Heavy infusion to boost Strength scaling.
5. Maximize Poise and Hyperarmor
Strength builds thrive when they can trade hits. Wearing heavy armor sets such as Bull-Goat or Veteran’s set allows you to continue swinging even while taking hits. In my own experience, having high poise meant I could finish an attack animation and defeat an invader before dying — a trade I’ll happily make.
6. Stack Talismans That Boost Heavy Damage
Talismans like the Radagon’s Scarseal or Starscourge Heirloom increase your Strength stat, pushing your damage even further. Combined with the Green Turtle Talisman for stamina recovery, you’ll be swinging more often and hitting harder. I felt a noticeable performance boost after optimizing my talisman loadout.
7. Practice Timing and Stamina Management
Strength weapons hit hard but are slow. Learning enemy patterns and carefully timing your swings is vital. I once struggled against Crucible Knights until I realized that holding my attacks for delayed timing was more effective than trying to trade blows directly.
8. Farm High-Rune Enemies Efficiently
Use your Elden Ring Runes wisely by farming smart. For Strength builds, head to areas like the Giant-Conquering Hero's Grave or Consecrated Snowfield to farm bulky enemies that drop high runes. For those short on time, some players prefer to buy elden ring runes from U4GM to get straight back into the action.
9. Respect the Weapon’s Moveset
Every Strength weapon has a unique rhythm. Ultra Greatswords like the Ruins Greatsword offer sweeping horizontal attacks, while the Great Club excels in staggering. During my journey, switching between different Strength weapons gave me a better feel for timing, reach, and control.
10. Buff Before Boss Fights
Even a Strength weapon can benefit from temporary buffs. Use consumables like Flame, Grant Me Strength or Exalted Flesh before difficult encounters. Combining buffs with raw damage gave me the edge against bosses like Maliketh and Godrick — I could feel the difference in every hit.
Mastering Strength weapons in Elden Ring is deeply rewarding. While they may seem slow or clunky at first, with the right strategy, they can turn you into an unstoppable force. Don't neglect resource management — whether through farming or choosing to buy elden ring runes from reliable sources like U4GM, investing in your build is a long-term win.
As someone who's crushed through NG+ using colossal weapons and brute force, I can confidently say that Strength builds are not just viable — they're thrilling. Just remember: keep swinging, keep learning, and don’t let anyone tell you the Greatsword is too slow. It’s all about timing and the thrill of the impact.