Elden Ring Claymore Strength Build Guide (Max Damage Setup)

If you’re looking to squeeze every ounce of damage out of one of the most iconic greatswords in Elden Ring, this Claymore-focused build is all about counterattacks, hyper armor trading, and devastating poke pressure, and having enough resources—whether you grind or choose to buy Elden Ring Runes—can help you fully optimize it. This setup shines in both PvP invasions and aggressive PvE play, especially if you enjoy calculated trades and roll-catching opponents.

Why the Claymore?

The Claymore stands out among greatswords because of its:

· Pierce-heavy moveset → Perfect for counter damage

· Excellent R2 (heavy attack) → Long reach, strong stagger

· Hyper armor potential → Great for trading hits

· Ash of War flexibility → Can adapt to multiple playstyles

Unlike many greatswords, the Claymore excels at punishing aggression, especially when you lean into thrust attacks.

Core Build Concept

This build revolves around:

· Counterattack damage (pierce bonus) 

· Two-handed Strength scaling 

· Hyper armor trading 

· Roll-catching with mix-ups 

You’re not just swinging—you’re baiting attacks and punishing them harder.

Best Ashes of War

Your Ash of War choice defines your playstyle. Here are the top options:

Offensive Pressure

· Piercing Fang 

o Incredible for roll-catching

o Chains perfectly after most hits

o Benefits from counter damage bonuses

Trading & Control

· Storm Stomp 

o Creates a stun window → guarantees a heavy attack

o Excellent for close-range brawling

 Coverage Fix (Important)

· Stormcaller 

o Solves Claymore’s weak horizontal coverage

o Great “get-off-me” option vs groups

Mix-up Option

· Flaming Strike 

o Adds burst + unpredictability

o Useful for catching defensive players off guard

Best Talismans (Damage Optimization)

These are the backbone of the build:

· Spear Talisman

o Boosts counterattack damage for thrust attacks

o Essential since Claymore relies heavily on pierce

· Two-Handed Sword Talisman

o Flat damage boost when two-handing (which you always should)

· Bull-Goat's Talisman

o Increases poise → better trading consistency

· Shard of Alexander

o Boosts Ash of War damage (great with Piercing Fang)

Optional Swap:

· Retaliatory Crossed-Tree

o Enhances crouch attacks

o Great for roll-catch heavy playstyles

Armor Choice

· Leda’s Armor Set

o Boosts:

1. Dodge attacks

2. Backstabs

3. Running (and crouch) attacks

This synergizes perfectly with:

· Crouch poke pressure

· Aggressive roll-catching

Alternatively, go for high poise armor if you want safer trades.

Recommended Stats (Strength Build)

Focus on:

· Strength (Primary) → Maximize scaling

· Endurance → Equip load + stamina for trading

· Vigor → Survive trades

Infusion:

· Heavy Infusion (Pure Physical) 

o Best for:

1. Scaling with Strength

2. Maximizing counterattack damage

Consumables (Big Damage Boost)

To push your damage even further:

· Exalted Flesh

o Boosts physical attack power

· Uplifting Aromatic

o Damage buff + defensive bubble

Stacking these with your talismans creates huge burst potential, especially on counter hits.

Playstyle & Combat Tips

Trading Like a Pro

· Use hyper armor from heavy attacks

· Let enemies hit first → punish with R2

· Your goal: win trades, not avoid them 

Roll Catching

Mix:

o Crouch poke

o Charged R2

o Piercing Fang

Condition your opponent → then punish panic rolls

Positioning Matters

· Claymore struggles with wide crowd control

Use:

o Stormcaller for groups

o Spacing + poke range in duels

Mind Games

Alternate between:

o Aggression (trades)

o Patience (baiting attacks)

The best Claymore players feel unpredictable.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

· Massive counter damage

· Excellent trading capability

· Strong roll-catching toolkit

· Flexible Ash of War options

Weaknesses

· Limited horizontal coverage

· Requires good timing and spacing

· Can struggle vs heavy projectile spam

Final Thoughts

The Claymore remains one of the most consistent and rewarding weapons in Elden Ring. When optimized like this, it becomes a high-damage dueling machine that thrives on smart aggression and punishing mistakes. If you enjoy:

· Outplaying opponents

· Winning trades decisively

· Mastering spacing and timing

This build will feel incredibly satisfying. For players looking to gear up faster, you can buy cheap Elden Ring Items from MMOEXP, a trusted site that helps you enhance your experience without breaking the bank.