In Elden Ring, strength-based builds hold a special place for players who enjoy breaking through enemy defenses with brute force. Whether you're wielding colossal weapons or crushing foes with raw might, a well-optimized Strength build can turn you into a walking fortress. Below are 10 powerful Strength paths that showcase different approaches to achieving melee dominance across the Lands Between.
1. Colossal Weapon Tank
One of the most iconic Strength builds centers around ultra greatswords and colossal weapons like the Greatsword or Ruins Greatsword. Stack your Strength stat, pair it with high Endurance, and go heavy on armor. This path isn't about elegance—it’s about overwhelming force. Use Ashes of War like Lion’s Claw to enhance your stagger potential.
2. Great Club Barbarian
Inspired by classic Souls designs, this build revolves around the Giant-Crusher or Prelate’s Inferno Crozier. Use Flame, Grant Me Strength to boost AR, and equip talismans like the Radagon's Scarseal. This setup thrives in PvP as much as it does in PvE, making it a great way to farm Elden Ring Runes through repeated enemy encounters.
3. Heavy Weapon Duelist
Opt for dual-wielding colossal swords or great axes to unleash a flurry of devastating power attacks. While this build requires a balance of Strength and Stamina, the key lies in spacing and stamina management. Consider farming and upgrading gear early, and don’t hesitate to buy Elden Ring Items that boost your equip load or poise.
4. Strength-Faith Hybrid (Blazing Crusader)
Combining Strength with Faith opens up new options, such as the usage of Flame Art infusions and incantations like Flame of the Redmanes. A Claymore or Dragon Slayer's Cragblade infused with Flame Art scales well while offering ranged support spells and fire damage, making this build effective against resistant bosses.
5. Greathammer Juggernaut
This build focuses on pure poise-trading and crowd control using greathammers like the Dragon Slayer’s Cragblade or Envoy’s Long Horn. While slower than most setups, each hit delivers enormous stagger potential. Pair with the Bull-Goat Set and endurance talismans for full effect.
6. Strength-Arcane Bleed Brute
Arcane isn’t just for bleed builds—when combined with Strength, it enables unique weapons like the Dragon Slayer’s Cragblade to achieve massive bleed damage with high base attack. This hybrid path is a good choice if you want to maintain brute force while taking advantage of bleed proc effects in both PvP and PvE rune farming.
7. Beast Claw Warrior
A lesser-used but fun Strength path involves the Clawmark Seal and Bestial incantations. These scale with Strength and offer fast-casting support that fits a pure melee playstyle. Use the Beast Roar and Stone of Gurranq to stagger enemies from a distance while remaining a close-range powerhouse.
8. Two-Handed Knight
Stick to the basics with a two-handed sword like the Greatsword, enhancing its performance through heavy infusions and talismans. This build is great for newer players aiming to conserve Elden Ring Runes while still pushing into late-game with consistent results. It's also efficient for rune farming due to its simplicity and high damage output.
9. Strength-Intelligence Crusher
Add some Intelligence scaling to your strength weapon using Magic or Cold infusions. This approach allows you to wield weapons like the Greatsword or Dragon Slayer’s Cragblade with enhanced elemental damage and access to utility sorceries. It’s an excellent mix for players who want some versatility without sacrificing power.
10. Fist Weapon Brawler
Sometimes overlooked, fist weapons like the Veteran’s Prosthesis or Star Fist can be devastating when paired with high Strength. The key is aggressive, fast-paced combat where poise-breaking and quick combos matter most. This build is ideal for invasions and tight dungeon corridors.
Each of these Strength builds presents its own path to melee dominance in Elden Ring. Whether you prefer slow, punishing swings or a more hybridized approach with magic or incantations, Strength remains one of the most satisfying ways to conquer the game. Don’t hesitate to experiment, respec when needed, and buy Elden Ring Items to fine-tune your gear. And of course, smart management of Elden Ring Runes is essential to evolving your build into a true powerhouse.