In the vast, unforgiving world of Elden Ring, players are constantly discovering new ways to build powerful characters capable of dominating PvP and PvE content alike. One weapon that’s flown somewhat under the radar but packs a serious punch is the Sword Lance. Combining the grace of a spear with the power of a sword, the Sword Lance offers an intriguing blend of reach, power, and versatility. In this article, we’ll explore why the Sword Lance is such a formidable weapon when paired with a pure strength build, and we’ll provide a detailed guide on how to maximize its potential for both invasions and duels.

Why Choose a Pure Strength Build?

Before diving into the specifics of the Sword Lance, let’s first understand why a pure strength build is ideal for this weapon. Strength builds focus on maximizing physical damage output and typically excel with heavier weapons, which rely on raw strength to deal devastating blows. The Sword Lance, with its heavy moveset and reliance on two-handed usage, synergizes perfectly with the attributes of a strength build.

When you commit to a pure strength build, you’ll be putting most of your Attribute points into Strength, which boosts your damage scaling with weapons that favor this stat. The result is a character that can deliver heavy, crushing blows, overwhelming foes in both PvE and PvP. The Sword Lance, in particular, shines because it has a unique moveset that can make the most out of a strength-focused character.

Why the Sword Lance is a Game-Changer

The Sword Lance is a rare weapon that offers piercing damage, which gives it an edge over other swords and spears in terms of trading hits in combat. One of the key strengths of the Sword Lance is its ability to combo light and heavy attacks, especially when wielded two-handed. The heavy attack on this weapon can be chained into a follow-up light attack, which can significantly increase damage output.

Moreover, piercing weapons like the Sword Lance tend to have an easier time trading with enemy attacks, especially when compared to slashing weapons. This makes it ideal for high-pressure PvP situations where your opponent is looking to interrupt or parry your attacks. The heavy attack on the Sword Lance, particularly when enhanced with talismans, is capable of delivering insane damage. In some instances, the weapon can deal as much as 1,600 damage in a single combo, especially when combined with buffs like Exalted Flesh and Uplifting Aromatic, which boost physical damage.

Additionally, the Sword Lance’s range is something to note. It’s not as long as a traditional spear, but it’s certainly longer than most swords, giving players an advantage in controlling space and keeping enemies at bay. The combination of reach, power, and piercing damage makes it a formidable weapon in both duels and invasions.

Maximizing Damage Output: The Build Breakdown

To make the most out of the Sword Lance, you’ll want to fine-tune your build. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how to maximize its potential:

Attributes:

Strength: The core attribute for this build, you’ll want to dump the majority of your points into Strength to maximize the Sword Lance’s scaling. Ideally, you’ll want to aim for at least 50 Strength, but higher is better for maximizing damage.

Endurance: You’ll be using the Sword Lance two-handed, so having enough stamina to maintain aggressive pressure is crucial. Aim for 30-40 Endurance so that you can execute multiple attacks without running out of stamina.

Vigor: Since you’ll be up close to your enemies, you need to make sure you have enough health to survive encounters. Aim for 30-40 Vigor to stay resilient in battle.

Dexterity: The Sword Lance is not particularly dexterity-heavy, so you don’t need to worry too much about this stat. Keep it around 12-15 for weapon requirements.

Mind and Intelligence: These stats are not necessary for a pure strength build and can be ignored unless you want to experiment with certain Ashes of War or buffs.

Weapon:

Sword Lance: The key weapon to this build, the Sword Lance excels when wielded two-handed. Its heavy attack is where you’ll see the most damage output. Be sure to two-hand the weapon to unlock its full potential.

Ashes of War: The Sword Lance works well with a variety of Ashes of War. Some of the most effective ones for a pure strength build include:

Impaling Thrust: A great choice for poking enemies at range. This will allow you to poke opponents while maintaining a safe distance.

Piercing Fang: Another excellent Ash of War for this weapon. It boosts the weapon’s natural piercing abilities and allows for a devastating combo.

Storm Stomp: This is useful for breaking poise and creating an opening for a follow-up attack. It’s a good choice for dealing with aggressive enemies who like to spam attacks.

Flaming Strike: A solid choice for defensive plays. It’s great for a quick get-off-me tool if you find yourself being pressured.

Talismans: Talismans play a huge role in maximizing your damage output and survivability in Elden Ring. Here are a few essential ones for this build:

Two-Handed Sword Talisman: This talisman boosts your damage when you wield your weapon two-handed, which is essential for maximizing the Sword Lance’s potential.

Spear Talisman: This boosts your damage with piercing weapons, making it an excellent choice for the Sword Lance.

Radagon’s Scarseal: If you want to go all-in on your Strength and maximize damage, this talisman increases your Strength by 8 but at the cost of increasing your damage taken. Use this for high-risk, high-reward plays.

Green Turtle Talisman: For improved stamina recovery, this talisman is a solid choice, allowing you to perform more attacks before running out of stamina.

Buffs and Consumables:

Exalted Flesh: This item boosts your physical attack power, which synergizes beautifully with the Sword Lance’s heavy attacks. Use this before engaging an enemy for maximum damage.

Uplifting Aromatic: This item provides a buff to all physical damage, making it an essential part of your offensive toolkit.

Crab: If you want to boost your defense even further, consuming a Crab will increase your poise and overall resilience, making it harder for enemies to interrupt your attacks.

Flame, Grant Me Strength: This incantation boosts your fire damage, but it’s also a great buff to increase overall strength for a short duration.

Playstyle Tips:

Utilize the Sword Lance’s Combo Potential: The Sword Lance excels at chaining heavy and light attacks. Mastering this combo will allow you to punish enemies who try to trade with you.

Trading Attacks: One of the biggest advantages of the Sword Lance is its ability to trade with enemy attacks. Don’t be afraid to use your heavy attack to trade with your opponent’s strikes, as it can often overwhelm them.

Staying Aggressive: As with any pure strength build, aggression is key. The Sword Lance’s heavy attacks are best used when you’re in your opponent’s face. Don’t hesitate to apply pressure and force them to make mistakes.

Conclusion: The Sword Lance is a Monster

In conclusion, the Sword Lance in Elden Ring, when used with a pure strength build, is an absolute powerhouse. Its ability to combo attacks, its piercing damage, and its versatility in both PvP and PvE make it a standout weapon in the game. By maximizing your damage output with the right attributes, talismans, and buffs, you’ll be able to hit like a truck and dominate your opponents. Whether you’re invading other players or taking on bosses, the Sword Lance is a weapon that deserves more attention in the Elden Ring community.

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