Hello, fellow Tarnished! Welcome to another exciting Elden Ring build guide. Today, we're diving deep into one of my all-time favorite weapons—the Claymore. This versatile sword can fit into various playstyles, but I’m going to focus on a pure strength build that maximizes its potential using the right Ashes of War and talismans. If you're looking to enhance your gameplay experience, you might want to consider where to buy Elden Ring Runes to quickly level up and purchase the best gear for your journeys.

Why Choose the Claymore?

The Claymore is a fantastic weapon in Elden Ring for several reasons:

· Versatile Moveset: It has both slashing and thrusting capabilities.

· Solid Damage: When infused correctly, it can output impressive damage.

· Strength Scaling: Its scaling with strength makes it an ideal choice for players looking to maximize burst damage.

Ashes of War Selection

When it comes to optimizing your Claymore, the choice of Ashes of War can significantly affect your gameplay. Here are my top picks:

1. Piercing Fang:

· Perfect for roll catching, especially against panic-rollers.

· Its timing allows you to thwart evasive maneuvers effectively, fitting perfectly after a staggered opponent.

2. Impaling Thrust:

· Slightly faster than Piercing Fang, making it great as an opener.

· Use it to initiate your attack and quickly transition into a charged heavy attack, which many opponents may not expect.

3. Storm Stomp:

· This Ash of War pairs excellently with the Claymore, granting a free heavy attack afterward.

· Utilize it to bait opponents into rushing you, allowing you to trade damage effectively due to its poise and hyper armor.

Talismans for Strength Builds

To further complement your Claymore build, here’s a recommended talisman setup:

1. Shard of Alexander:

· Boosts damage for various Ashes of War, allowing you to maximize your offensive output.

2. Great-Jar’s Arsenal (or Two-Handed Sword Talisman):

· Enhances poise damage and increases the effectiveness of your attacks while two-handing the Claymore.

3. Spear Talisman:

· Amplifies counterattack damage. This is incredibly beneficial when opponents aggressively attack you after a crouch poke or heavy attack.

4. Bull-Goat Talisman (Optional):

· If tankiness is your preference, this will enhance your poise, allowing you to withstand attacks while keeping the pressure on your opponents.

Stats and Armor

Stats

For a well-rounded strength build with the Claymore, you’ll want to focus heavily on strength, maximizing your two-handed damage. Here’s a quick breakdown:

· Strength: Maximize this to increase your damage output.

· Vigor: Ensure you have enough health to survive engagements.

· Endurance: This is key for sustaining your stamina pool for dodging and attacks.

Armor

The Solitude Set is my choice for this build:

· Excellent poison defense, which complements the aggressive playstyle.

· It offers a balance between poise and defense, allowing you to trade effectively.

Playstyle Tips for Invasions

Now that you’re geared up, let's talk strategy for invading and dueling with your Claymore:

· Use your Ashes of War tactically. Mix up your approach using Piercing Fang and Impaling Thrust to keep your opponents guessing.

· Pay attention to your opponent’s stamina and health. The Claymore can trade damage efficiently, especially with the right talismans boosting your counterattack power.

· Utilize the environment to bait opponents into your attack range, especially in narrow spaces where heavy attacks can maximize their effectiveness.

Conclusion

The Claymore remains a classic choice for strength builds in Elden Ring. Its combination of versatility, damage potential, and robust move set gives you an edge in both PvE and PvP scenarios. With this build, you're equipped to tackle invasions with confidence and style. To further enhance your experience, consider looking for cheap Elden Ring Items at MMOEXP, where you can find great deals to improve your gameplay. Happy hunting, Tarnished!