Unleash the Fury: A Comprehensive Guide to the Giant-Crusher Build in Elden Ring

The Lands Between in Elden Ring are filled with colossal enemies and challenging encounters. To conquer them, you need a weapon that packs a serious punch. Enter the Giant-Crusher, a colossal hammer boasting the highest base attack power in the game. This guide will provide a comprehensive walkthrough on how to create a devastating Giant-Crusher build, covering everything from obtaining the weapon to optimizing your stats and talismans, ultimately turning you into a force to be reckoned with.

Why Choose the Giant-Crusher?

Before diving into the build, let’s explore why the Giant-Crusher is such a compelling choice:

• Unrivaled Damage: The Giant-Crusher possesses the highest base physical attack power of any weapon in Elden Ring. This translates to massive damage output per hit, allowing you to stagger enemies and quickly deplete their health bars.
• Staggering Potential: Colossal weapons excel at staggering enemies, interrupting their attacks and creating openings for follow-up strikes. The Giant-Crusher’s sheer size and power make it particularly effective at staggering even the most resilient foes.
• Poise Damage: Poise determines how easily an enemy can be staggered. The Giant-Crusher inflicts immense poise damage, ensuring that most enemies will crumble before your might.
• Simple Yet Effective Moveset: While the Giant-Crusher’s moveset is relatively straightforward, it’s incredibly effective. Its charged heavy attacks can flatten enemies, and its jump attacks deliver devastating blows from above.
• Satisfying Gameplay: There’s an undeniable satisfaction in crushing enemies with a weapon of this scale. The impact of each swing is palpable, making for a uniquely visceral and rewarding gameplay experience.

Obtaining the Giant-Crusher

The Giant-Crusher is located in the Altus Plateau region. Here’s how to get it:

1. Reach the Altus Plateau: There are two primary ways to reach the Altus Plateau:
   • Grand Lift of Dectus: Collect the two halves of the Dectus Medallion (Left and Right). The Left Dectus Medallion is located in Fort Haight, in the eastern part of Limgrave. The Right Dectus Medallion is located in Fort Faroth, in the Dragonbarrow region of Caelid. Once you have both halves, activate the Grand Lift of Dectus, located north of Liurnia of the Lakes.
   • Ruin-Strewn Precipice: This is a challenging but viable alternative route. Located in the north of Liurnia of the Lakes, this path involves navigating a treacherous mountain pass filled with enemies and hazards. Be prepared for a tough climb.
2. Locate the Outsider’s Rampart Site of Grace: Once you are in Altus Plateau, head to the northeastern part of the region. You will find the Outsider’s Rampart Site of Grace. This is a crucial starting point.
3. Find the Giant-Crusher: From the Outsider’s Rampart Site of Grace, head south. You will find a carriage guarded by two Golem Archers. The Giant-Crusher is located inside the carriage. Be careful of the archers, as their arrows can deal significant damage. Consider taking them out before approaching the carriage. You can use the environment for cover.

Stat Allocation: Building Your Giant-Crusher Tarnished

The Giant-Crusher primarily scales with Strength (STR), with some scaling in Dexterity (DEX) and a small amount in Intelligence (INT). However, the primary focus should be on Strength. Here’s a recommended stat allocation based on your level:

• Vigor: Aim for at least 60 Vigor. This is your health pool and is crucial for surviving encounters, especially against bosses. You can go higher if you feel you’re still dying too easily.
• Mind: This governs your FP, which is used for Weapon Skills. A modest investment of around 15-20 Mind is sufficient, primarily to use the weapon art.
• Endurance: This determines your stamina and equip load. You’ll need a significant amount of Endurance to wield the Giant-Crusher effectively without fat rolling (slow movement). Aim for at least 40-50 Endurance, depending on your armor and talisman choices.
• Strength: This is your primary damage stat. Maximize this as much as possible. Aim for at least 80 Strength, and eventually reach 99, the hard cap.
• Dexterity: Only invest enough points in Dexterity to meet the minimum requirement to wield the Giant-Crusher, which is 12.
• Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane: These stats are largely unnecessary for a pure Giant-Crusher build. Leave them at their base values unless you plan on incorporating some magic or incantations, which is not recommended for this build.

Essential Talismans: Enhancing Your Crushing Power

Talismans provide passive buffs that can significantly enhance your build. Here are some of the best talismans for a Giant-Crusher build:

• Erdtree’s Favor: Increases HP, Stamina, and Equip Load. This is a must-have talisman for almost any build, and it’s especially important for a Giant-Crusher build that requires high Endurance. There are three versions: Erdtree’s Favor, Erdtree’s Favor +1, and Erdtree’s Favor +2. The +2 version is the most potent, so aim to acquire it.
• Great-Jar’s Arsenal: Greatly increases Equip Load. This talisman is invaluable for allowing you to wear heavier armor while still maintaining a medium or light equip load, which is crucial for mobility. Found after completing the Great-Jar’s challenge in Caelid.
• Axe Talisman: Enhances charged attacks. Since the Giant-Crusher’s charged heavy attacks are incredibly powerful, this talisman is a great choice. Obtainable in Mistwood Ruins, Limgrave.
• Shard of Alexander: Greatly boosts the attack power of skills. Since the Giant-Crusher is well-suited for Ashes of War, this talisman is beneficial. Found by completing Alexander’s questline.
• Green Turtle Talisman: Increases stamina recovery speed. This is helpful for managing your stamina consumption, especially during prolonged combat. Located in Summonwater Village, Limgrave.
• Bull-Goat’s Talisman: Increases Poise. This allows you to withstand more hits without being staggered, making you more resilient in combat. Found in Hermit Village, Mt. Gelmir.

Armor Choices: Balancing Protection and Mobility

Your armor should strike a balance between protection and mobility. Aim for a medium equip load (below 70% of your maximum equip load) to maintain good movement and dodge rolls. Here are some recommended armor sets:

• Bull-Goat Set: This is one of the heaviest armor sets in the game, providing excellent protection and high poise. However, it requires a very high Endurance stat to wear without fat rolling.
• Lionel’s Set: Another heavy armor set with great poise and protection. Similar to the Bull-Goat Set, it requires a significant investment in Endurance.
• Knight Set/Banished Knight Set: These are more balanced armor sets that offer a good mix of protection and weight. They are a good option if you want to maintain a lighter equip load.
• Tree Sentinel Set: This provides excellent physical and Holy damage negation while also looking amazing. Obtained by defeating the Tree Sentinel guarding the Auriza Hero’s Grave.

Weapon Art (Ash of War) Recommendations

The Giant-Crusher can be infused with various Ashes of War to customize its moveset. Here are some excellent options:

• Lion’s Claw: This Ash of War provides a powerful leaping attack that deals significant damage and poise damage. It’s excellent for closing the distance and staggering enemies. Found in Fort Gael, Caelid.
• Royal Knight’s Resolve: Temporarily boosts attack power. A simple yet effective damage buff. Dropped by Black Knife Assassin in Black Knife Catacombs, Liurnia of the Lakes.
• Cragblade: Temporarily buffs your weapon with increased poise damage. Can be found in the Weeping Peninsula.
• Earthshaker: A versatile skill that slams the weapon into the ground creating a shockwave that deals heavy damage and poise break. Can be found in the Weeping Peninsula.
• Giant Hunt: This Ash of War is excellent for launching smaller enemies into the air, creating a safe distance and allowing you to follow up with another attack. It’s also effective against larger enemies, dealing significant poise damage. Found on a Teardrop Scarab near the Warmaster’s Shack in Stormhill.
• Hoarah Loux’s Earthshaker: Unleash the spirit of Hoarah Loux, stamping the ground to create a wide shockwave. Can be acquired after defeating Godfrey the First Elden Lord/Hoarah Loux the Warrior.

Strategies and Tactics: Mastering the Art of Crushing

Here are some tips and strategies for effectively using the Giant-Crusher:

• Charged Heavy Attacks: Utilize charged heavy attacks frequently. These attacks deal massive damage and poise damage, often staggering enemies and creating openings for follow-up attacks.
• Jump Attacks: Jump attacks are a great way to deal significant damage from above. They are especially effective against enemies with poor vertical defense.
• Staggering Enemies: Focus on staggering enemies to interrupt their attacks and create openings for critical hits (ripostes). The Giant-Crusher’s high poise damage makes it excellent at staggering even the toughest foes.
• Poise Breaking: When facing enemies with high poise, use charged heavy attacks and jump attacks to break their poise. Once their poise is broken, you can perform a critical hit.
• Managing Stamina: Be mindful of your stamina consumption. The Giant-Crusher’s attacks consume a significant amount of stamina, so avoid over-extending yourself. Use the Green Turtle Talisman and manage your stamina effectively.
• Utilizing Ashes of War: Experiment with different Ashes of War to find the ones that best suit your playstyle. Lion’s Claw and Giant Hunt are excellent choices for their mobility and staggering potential.
• Take advantage of openings: Due to the slow nature of the weapon, it’s important to only attack when you are sure your strike will land. Pay attention to enemy attack patterns and movements.
• Consider Status Effects: While pure physical damage is effective, consider adding status effects to your weapon through greases or incantations if you are facing a particularly difficult enemy or boss. Bleed and frostbite can drastically increase damage output.

Leveling Guide (Example)

Here’s an example leveling guide, assuming you’re starting from a fresh character. This is just a suggestion, and you can adjust it based on your preferences and playstyle.

Starting Class: Vagabond (for its balanced starting stats, but Hero is also a solid choice for slightly higher Strength).

Levels 1-20:

• Focus on Vigor and Strength. Aim for 30 Vigor and 20 Strength by level 20.
• Collect the Dectus Medallion pieces.
• Explore Limgrave and Weeping Peninsula to gather runes and upgrade your weapons.

Levels 21-40:

• Continue to level Vigor and Strength. Aim for 40 Vigor and 40 Strength by level 40.
• Start investing in Endurance.
• Acquire the Giant-Crusher in Altus Plateau.

Levels 41-60:

• Focus on Strength and Endurance. Aim for 60 Strength and 30-40 Endurance by level 60.
• Upgrade your Giant-Crusher as much as possible.
• Start acquiring essential talismans like Erdtree’s Favor and Great-Jar’s Arsenal.

Levels 61-80:

• Prioritize Strength and Endurance. Aim for 80 Strength and 40-50 Endurance by level 80.
• Fine-tune your armor choices to optimize your equip load.

Levels 81-100+:

• Continue to pump Strength towards the soft cap of 80, then towards 99.
• Increase Vigor if you’re still struggling to survive.
• Experiment with other stats to complement your playstyle (e.g., Mind for more Weapon Skill usage, Faith for buffs).

Dealing with Specific Bosses

While the Giant-Crusher is effective against most enemies, some bosses require specific strategies:

• Margit, the Fell Omen: Use jump attacks and charged heavy attacks to stagger him. Be patient and learn his attack patterns.
• Godrick the Grafted: Target his arms to break his stance and create openings for critical hits. Use jump attacks and charged heavy attacks.
• Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon: Focus on staggering the scholars to make Rennala vulnerable. When she’s on the ground, unleash charged heavy attacks.
• Radahn, Starscourge: Summon the NPCs to distract him. Use jump attacks and charged heavy attacks to deal damage while he’s focused on the summons.
• Malenia, Blade of Miquella: This is a very challenging fight. Use jump attacks to create distance and avoid her Waterfowl Dance. Consider using a shield to block her attacks. Alternatively, consider using frost pot to reset the waterfowl dance.
• Elden Beast: Dodge its attacks and use jump attacks and charged heavy attacks when you have an opening. Be patient and persistent.

Alternatives and Variations

While this guide focuses on a pure Strength-based Giant-Crusher build, there are some alternative variations you can consider:

• Strength/Faith Build: Incorporate Faith to use buffs like Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength to further enhance your damage output. This requires investing points in Faith and finding relevant incantations.
• Strength/Intelligence Build: While less common, you could invest in Intelligence and use sorceries for ranged attacks and buffs. However, this requires a significant stat investment and may dilute the effectiveness of the Giant-Crusher.
• Dual Giant-Crushers: If you are feeling ambitious, you can obtain a second Giant-Crusher in New Game Plus and dual-wield them for even more insane damage output. This requires extremely high Strength and Endurance.

Conclusion

The Giant-Crusher is a formidable weapon that can turn you into a true force of nature in Elden Ring. By following this guide, you can create a devastating build that crushes enemies and conquers even the most challenging encounters. Embrace the power of the Giant-Crusher and become the ultimate Elden Lord!