Elden Ring offers players a huge variety of builds they can pursue, and one of the wonderful things about the game is how many of those builds are viable in both the main PVE and the secondary PVP aspects of the game. Just about any combination of stats, armor and weapons with some level of focus applied can carry you through the game.
With that said, it takes a little bit of extra work to build around specific playstyles and gameplay fantasies. If you're looking to play as an absolute tank of a fighter, maintaining your poise through the strongest attacks in the game to deliver crushing blows of your own in return, this is the build for you.
Best Elden Ring Strength Build: Stats
This build draws heavily on the one designed by content creator Xenoswarm, who designed it around the pure strength fantasy. In his build, he showed a recommended minimum level of 150, with the following stat distribution:
- Vigor: 50
- Mind: 20
- Endurance: 39
- Strength: 80
- Dexterity: 15
- Intelligence: 9
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 8
The primary stats here are (predictably) Vigor, Endurance and Strength. Getting Vigor to 40 should be enough for beating the game, and it marks the first soft cap on the stat, but most players in PVP run the full 50, so it's helpful to push for that. Eighty Strength is a perhaps a little excessive, but this build focuses delivering the massive melee attack power fantasy, so it leans into the Strength. Basically all stats left over from that point should go into Endurance, leaving only enough for Dexterity to meet weapon requirements.
Best Elden Ring Strength Build: Weapons
Speaking of weapons, Xenoswarm offers a variety of suitable weapons for this build; the best for you will depend on which move set and aesthetic you prefer. Whichever weapon you choose will likely perform at its best when given the Heavy affinity.
The classic option for a build like this is the Greatsword, which is, of course, modeled after the sword wielded by Guts from the manga "Berserk". This colossal sword has excellent Strength scaling, especially with the Heavy affinity. With that said, you'll likely want the Giant Hunt Ash of War on this weapon for its incredible poise-breaking ability.
Here's where to find the Greatsword.
Another solid option is the Giant-Crusher, a Colossal hammer that can be obtained directly south of the Outer Wall Phantom Tree Site of Grace, on the outskirts of Leyndell. This may be the most satisfying weapon to land a hit with in all of Elden Ring because of its massive weight. When paired with the Lion's Claw Ash of War, which gives all but unbreakable poise as it sends you flipping forward for a powerful slam.
If you're looking for more range, Xenoswam suggests the Nightrider Glaive; for Bleed effects and sheer badassery, he recommends powerstancing the Great Stars hammer (which requires either trading or duping); and for PVP, the relatively light Zweihander (here's where to find that).
Best Elden Ring Strength Build: Armor & Talismans
Xenoswarm's build uses the Bull-Goat Armor, which is the heaviest in the game and offers the most poise possible. You'll need to join the Volcano Manor covenant, carry out one kill mission, and then take Patches up on his bounty for Great Horned Tragoth to get the set. He'll drop it when you kill him.
In terms of Talismans, you'll want to equip the Great-Jar's Arsenal (essential for the equip load; here's where to find it), the Bull-Goat's Talisman for more poise (here's how to get it), the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman for extra damage negation, and the Shard of Alexander for stronger Ash of War attacks. The last two could be swapped out for other favorites, such as the Claw Talisman.
Of course, even with all that Endurance and the Great-Jar's Arsenal Talisman, you'll be fat rolling with all this gear. Unless, as Xenoswarm recommends, you use the Winged Crystal Tier in your Flask of Wondrous Physick. This Tear gives you three minutes of fast rolling regardless of equipment load, turning this build from untenably slow to positively spritely.