Elden Ring Builds: 10 Strength Paths for Melee Combat
In Elden Ring, Strength builds remain a favorite among players who love the feeling of crushing enemies with colossal weapons and outlasting foes through sheer toughness. While other builds emphasize speed, sorcery, or subtlety, Strength paths are all about delivering heavy, decisive blows and dominating close-quarters combat. Whether you're a first-time Tarnished or a seasoned warrior looking to refine your melee setup, here are 10 Strength-focused builds to consider for your next journey through the Lands Between.
1. Greatsword Juggernaut
A classic Strength powerhouse, this build revolves around the Greatsword (inspired by Berserk's Dragonslayer). Paired with heavy armor and minimal Dexterity investment, this path is all about raw power. Two-handing the weapon increases Strength scaling and frees up more endurance for armor and poise.
Pro tip: Use Lion’s Claw Ash of War for aggressive somersault slams that stagger most enemies.
2. Dragon Slayer Colossus
If you prefer a weapon with reach and flair, go with the Dragon Slayer's Cragblade or Ruins Greatsword. These colossal weapons not only look intimidating but also deal devastating amounts of damage, especially when buffed with strength-focused talismans.
Pair this with the Radagon's Scarseal and Green Turtle Talisman to manage stamina and increase power output.
3. Blunt Force Barbarian
This build emphasizes hammers, clubs, and other blunt-force weapons like the Great Club or Brick Hammer. Perfect for staggering enemies and breaking guard, especially in PvE against shielded foes. Stack Strength to 60 and enjoy the earth-shattering results.
Use consumables like Exalted Flesh or Flame, Grant Me Strength to boost your damage output before boss fights. It’s worth keeping an eye out or even considering to buy Elden Ring items that enhance Strength or stamina regeneration.
4. Dual Great Club Build
For a brutal power stance setup, dual-wielding Great Clubs or similar colossal weapons lets you double up on Strength scaling attacks. This path thrives in wide-open boss arenas or against tanky enemies.
Equip the Erdtree's Favor and Radagon's Scarseal to maximize your HP, stamina, and Strength. Just be ready to commit to slower wind-ups.
5. Strength + Faith Hybrid (Crushing Paladin)
While Strength is the primary stat, adding Faith allows you to incorporate buffs like Blessing of the Erdtree and Flame, Grant Me Strength for more sustainable and burst-heavy melee combat. Equip something like the Golden Order Greatsword or Beastclaw Greathammer.
This hybrid approach is great for players who enjoy the brawler role in co-op but still want some versatility and healing options.
6. Anchor of Devastation
The Great Anchor offers a unique Strength weapon choice with solid stagger potential and decent speed for its class. It scales excellently and pairs well with Strength talismans.
Infuse with Heavy Ash of War to maximize scaling. Consider using buy elden ring runes to speed up early leveling, especially when pushing Strength beyond 50.
7. Giant Crusher Beast
One of the most devastating weapons in the game, the Giant-Crusher becomes a true boss-melter in the hands of a Strength build. It shines in pure PvE and is particularly effective with the Flaming Strike or Lion’s Claw Ashes of War.
This build demands a heavy investment in Endurance for equipment load, but the reward is unmatched burst damage.
8. Troll Hammer Tank
Less common but highly effective, the Troll’s Hammer has a fantastic unique weapon skill and strong Strength scaling. Its magma effect can interrupt enemies and deal lingering damage.
Combine with Bull-Goat Armor to become nearly immovable in combat. Use consumables like Boiled Crab for extra defense to round out the build.
9. Rusty Anchor Pirate
The Rusty Anchor is a surprisingly effective and stylish weapon with a unique moveset. This Strength-based greathammer has deceptive speed and high posture damage.
Ideal for crowd control and dungeon runs, this path benefits from investing in stamina and equipping fast recovery talismans. If you're short on upgrade materials, it’s worth looking to buy Elden Ring items that streamline weapon enhancement.
10. Troll Knight’s Crusher
A thematic and visually intimidating build using the Troll Knight’s Sword. This weapon delivers clean, sweeping arcs and benefits heavily from Strength scaling.
Its magic-infused skill allows for a mix of brute force and ranged options. Combine this build with talismans that enhance charged attacks and stay mobile with medium armor.
Strength builds offer some of the most satisfying and visceral experiences in Elden Ring. Whether you favor raw colossal power, devastating charged attacks, or weapon arts that shake the ground, there's a Strength path suited for your playstyle. And if you ever need a jumpstart in resources or want to skip some grinding, some players opt to buy elden ring runes or curated items to fine-tune their builds without delay.
As with all builds in the Lands Between, experimentation is key—so grab your weapon of choice and prepare to crush anything that stands in your way.
Elden Ring Builds: 10 Strength Paths for Melee Combat
In Elden Ring, Strength builds remain a favorite among players who love the feeling of crushing enemies with colossal weapons and outlasting foes through sheer toughness. While other builds emphasize speed, sorcery, or subtlety, Strength paths are all about delivering heavy, decisive blows and dominating close-quarters combat. Whether you're a first-time Tarnished or a seasoned warrior looking to refine your melee setup, here are 10 Strength-focused builds to consider for your next journey through the Lands Between.
1. Greatsword Juggernaut
A classic Strength powerhouse, this build revolves around the Greatsword (inspired by Berserk's Dragonslayer). Paired with heavy armor and minimal Dexterity investment, this path is all about raw power. Two-handing the weapon increases Strength scaling and frees up more endurance for armor and poise.
Pro tip: Use Lion’s Claw Ash of War for aggressive somersault slams that stagger most enemies.
2. Dragon Slayer Colossus
If you prefer a weapon with reach and flair, go with the Dragon Slayer's Cragblade or Ruins Greatsword. These colossal weapons not only look intimidating but also deal devastating amounts of damage, especially when buffed with strength-focused talismans.
Pair this with the Radagon's Scarseal and Green Turtle Talisman to manage stamina and increase power output.
3. Blunt Force Barbarian
This build emphasizes hammers, clubs, and other blunt-force weapons like the Great Club or Brick Hammer. Perfect for staggering enemies and breaking guard, especially in PvE against shielded foes. Stack Strength to 60 and enjoy the earth-shattering results.
Use consumables like Exalted Flesh or Flame, Grant Me Strength to boost your damage output before boss fights. It’s worth keeping an eye out or even considering to buy Elden Ring items that enhance Strength or stamina regeneration.
4. Dual Great Club Build
For a brutal power stance setup, dual-wielding Great Clubs or similar colossal weapons lets you double up on Strength scaling attacks. This path thrives in wide-open boss arenas or against tanky enemies.
Equip the Erdtree's Favor and Radagon's Scarseal to maximize your HP, stamina, and Strength. Just be ready to commit to slower wind-ups.
5. Strength + Faith Hybrid (Crushing Paladin)
While Strength is the primary stat, adding Faith allows you to incorporate buffs like Blessing of the Erdtree and Flame, Grant Me Strength for more sustainable and burst-heavy melee combat. Equip something like the Golden Order Greatsword or Beastclaw Greathammer.
This hybrid approach is great for players who enjoy the brawler role in co-op but still want some versatility and healing options.
6. Anchor of Devastation
The Great Anchor offers a unique Strength weapon choice with solid stagger potential and decent speed for its class. It scales excellently and pairs well with Strength talismans.
Infuse with Heavy Ash of War to maximize scaling. Consider using buy elden ring runes to speed up early leveling, especially when pushing Strength beyond 50.
7. Giant Crusher Beast
One of the most devastating weapons in the game, the Giant-Crusher becomes a true boss-melter in the hands of a Strength build. It shines in pure PvE and is particularly effective with the Flaming Strike or Lion’s Claw Ashes of War.
This build demands a heavy investment in Endurance for equipment load, but the reward is unmatched burst damage.
8. Troll Hammer Tank
Less common but highly effective, the Troll’s Hammer has a fantastic unique weapon skill and strong Strength scaling. Its magma effect can interrupt enemies and deal lingering damage.
Combine with Bull-Goat Armor to become nearly immovable in combat. Use consumables like Boiled Crab for extra defense to round out the build.
9. Rusty Anchor Pirate
The Rusty Anchor is a surprisingly effective and stylish weapon with a unique moveset. This Strength-based greathammer has deceptive speed and high posture damage.
Ideal for crowd control and dungeon runs, this path benefits from investing in stamina and equipping fast recovery talismans. If you're short on upgrade materials, it’s worth looking to buy Elden Ring items that streamline weapon enhancement.
10. Troll Knight’s Crusher
A thematic and visually intimidating build using the Troll Knight’s Sword. This weapon delivers clean, sweeping arcs and benefits heavily from Strength scaling.
Its magic-infused skill allows for a mix of brute force and ranged options. Combine this build with talismans that enhance charged attacks and stay mobile with medium armor.
Strength builds offer some of the most satisfying and visceral experiences in Elden Ring. Whether you favor raw colossal power, devastating charged attacks, or weapon arts that shake the ground, there's a Strength path suited for your playstyle. And if you ever need a jumpstart in resources or want to skip some grinding, some players opt to buy elden ring runes or curated items to fine-tune their builds without delay.
As with all builds in the Lands Between, experimentation is key—so grab your weapon of choice and prepare to crush anything that stands in your way.