The Greatsword of Solitude is a special weapon in Elden Ring that is excellent for players who like to block attacks and then strike back quickly. This weapon is strong not only because of its size but also because it helps you defend well. It has 89 physical defense when guarding and an extra 58 guard boost, which means it reduces the damage you take when you block.
Elden Ring Greatsword of Solitude Build
To get the most out of this weapon, it is best to use it with both hands. Holding it with two hands gives you 10% more damage. This is very helpful because you want to hit hard when you do a guard counter, which is when you block an enemy's attack and then immediately hit back.
- Use the Shard of Alexander to make your Ash of War attacks stronger. Ash of War is a special skill that you can add to your weapon for extra power.
- Equip the Two-Handed Sword Talisman to increase your damage when you hold the sword with two hands.
- The Curved Sword Talisman is also very good because it boosts the damage you do when you guard counter.
- Wear the Favorite +2 Talisman to wear heavier armor and get extra stamina and health points.
For your potions (called Physicks), choose ones that help you block better, like the Opaline Hard Tier, which reduces damage more, and the Deflecting Hard Tier, which helps with guard counters.
Recommended Stats and Gear
This build is mainly focused on Strength. The Greatsword of Solitude gets stronger when you have high strength, and it also makes you tougher because you can wear heavy armor and block more attacks.
Here is a simple table showing the main stats and gear to focus on:
| Stat/Item | Purpose | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Strength (High) | Increase weapon damage and defense | More power and toughness |
| Endurance | Increase stamina and equip load | More blocking time and heavier armor |
| Health (Vigor) | Increase hit points | Better survivability |
| Solitude Armor Set | High poise and defense | Less chance of being staggered |
| Shard of Alexander | Buff Ash of War damage | Stronger special attacks |
| Two-Handed Sword Talisman | Boost two-handed weapon damage | Extra 10% damage |
| Curved Sword Talisman | Increase guard counter damage | More damage when countering |
This combination helps you block enemy hits and punish them hard with quick, powerful strikes. Even when you don’t do a guard counter, just blocking with the Greatsword of Solitude and then following up with a light attack works very well.
How to Use Guard Counters Effectively
- Stay close to your opponent: The Greatsword of Solitude works best when you are near your enemy. You can block their attacks easily and hit back right away.
- Watch their moves carefully: When your enemy attacks, try to time your guard counter perfectly. This means you hit them at the exact moment you block their attack to do extra damage.
- Mix it up: Sometimes after blocking, do a light attack instead of a guard counter. This can surprise your opponent and keep them guessing.
- Use buffs before a fight: Cast spells like Exalted Flesh and use items like Uplifting Aromatic to increase your attack power before starting a battle.
In one-on-one fights, this build shows its true strength. You can block most attacks and hit back with huge damage numbers—sometimes over 1,200 damage in a single counter hit! This makes the Greatsword of Solitude a very scary weapon for enemies to face.
