Elden Ring: A Detailed Exploration of Builds, Combat Mechanics, and DLC Content

Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco, is widely regarded as one of the most expansive and immersive action RPGs released in recent memory. Combining the brutal, punishing difficulty that FromSoftware is known for with an open-world design, the game offers players a richly textured experience filled with vast landscapes, intricate dungeons, challenging enemies, and an endless variety of combat strategies. With the upcoming DLC and Elden Ring Runes recent weapon balance changes, builds have become even more intricate and nuanced, pushing the boundaries of what players can accomplish in both PvE and PvP settings.

One such build that has gained prominence post-DLC is theSword Lance build, which benefits greatly from recent buffs to its heavy attack speed. In this article, we will dive into this build's mechanics, the associated playstyle, and why this weapon class is now among the most potent in Elden Ring.

Sword Lance Build: Buffs and Benefits

The Sword Lance, a unique blend of a spear and greatsword in terms of attack range and weight, has always been a solid choice for strength-based characters. However, it wasn't until a recent DLC patch that it truly became a force to be reckoned with. The patch introduced a critical buff to the speed of the weapon’s heavy attack, allowing for a more fluid and punishing combo potential.

Before this update, the Sword Lance had a potent heavy-to-light true combo, but the speed of its heavy attack made it difficult to land consistently in PvP. Enemies could easily react to the slower wind-up time, avoiding trades or outright dodging the combo's initiation. With the increased speed, however, players can now more effectively pressure opponents, making the Sword Lance a more viable choice for roll-catching and aggressive trading.

Key Mechanics of the Sword Lance

The cornerstone of the Sword Lance build revolves around its ability totrade hits effectively. The heavy attack serves as the initiation move, and if it connects, the player can seamlessly transition into a follow-up light attack. This combination dishes out significant damage, and when paired with certain talismans and buffs, the results are devastating.

The Spear Talisman Synergy

One of the talismans that complements the Sword Lance build perfectly is theSpear Talisman. This item boosts damage dealt when thrusting attacks are made during a trade, meaning the Sword Lance’s heavy attack (a thrust) benefits greatly from this talisman. Since the combo relies on trading hits with the opponent, the Spear Talisman enhances the build's core strength: trading efficiently and punishing opponents for being overly aggressive.

Two-Handed Strength Build

The Sword Lance shines in a two-handed strength build, thanks to itsexcellent scaling when infused with heavy attributes. Strength builds in Elden Ring typically revolve around slower but more powerful strikes, and the Sword Lance’s newfound speed fits this mold while adding more utility. Players can deal massive damage by utilizing two-handed combat and heavy infusions, gaining access to faster, more unpredictable attacks that can still break enemy poise with ease.

Additionally, using the Sword Talisman to increase two-handed damage output allows for greater burst damage potential, especially when combined with weapon arts likeEndure orRoyal Knight's Resolve.

Weapon Arts and Ashes of War

To truly make the most of the Sword Lance build, players can incorporate a variety of weapon arts and Ashes of War, further enhancing its damage potential and survivability in combat.

Endure

Endure is a favorite for players who enjoy going toe-to-toe with enemies, even in situations where the odds might seem stacked against them. This Ash of War grants temporaryhyper armor, allowing the user to absorb incoming damage without being staggered. In chaotic team fights or when dealing with enemies that rely on overwhelming attacks,Endure provides the perfect opportunity to trade hits safely and execute the heavy-to-light combo.

Royal Knight's Resolve

On the other hand,Royal Knight's Resolve caters to players who prioritize burst damage. This weapon art enhances the damage of the next hit, making it ideal for trading with high-risk, high-reward strategies. In scenarios where players can predict an opponent's movements and land the heavy attack first, this Ash of War can potentially finish fights in one swift combo.

Sword Lance Build in PvP

The Sword Lance build has found significant success in Elden Ring’s PvP environment, especially with the newfound speed of the heavy attack. Invasion and dueling scenarios are where this build shines brightest, thanks to its ability tocontrol space and pressure opponents.

Roll-Catching and Spacing

The extended reach of the Sword Lance, combined with its true combo mechanics, makes it an excellent tool for roll-catching. Experienced players in PvP often rely on timed rolls to evade attacks, but the faster heavy attack can punish poorly timed rolls, especially when combined with the follow-up light attack. The range also allows the player to keep opponents at bay while simultaneously looking for opportunities to trade.

Dealing with Teams in Invasions

In invasions, theSword Lance excels against groups of players thanks to its sweeping heavy attacks and versatility. With theEndure Ash of War, players can rush into a group and deliver punishing blows without being staggered by the barrage of attacks that typically accompany a 3v1 situation. Furthermore, the two-handed nature of the build means that players don’t sacrifice too much mobility, allowing for quick repositioning when necessary.

PvE Performance

While PvP benefits greatly from the increased heavy attack speed, the Sword Lance build is no slouch in PvE either. The ability to trade with bosses and land true combos can lead to quick victories against some of the game’s toughest enemies. Bosses with slower wind-ups or larger hitboxes, such as those found in legacy dungeons, are especially vulnerable to the true combo, allowing players to deal massive amounts of damage in a relatively short window.

Optimizing the Build with Armor and Talismans

In addition to weapon selection, players can further optimize the Sword Lance build with the right combination of armor and talismans. Since the build focuses on trading and hyper armor, it’s important to choose gear that enhances poise and physical defense while keeping the player's overall weight manageable. Heavy armor sets likeBull-Goat Armor are popular for this reason, offering a good balance between poise and defense, allowing players to absorb hits while maintaining mobility.

For talismans, in addition to theSpear Talisman, players may want to consider using:

-The Green Turtle Talisman for enhanced stamina regeneration.
-The Radagon’s Scarseal or Soreseal for a boost to strength and endurance.
-The Great-Jar's Arsenal to increase equip load and allow for heavier armor without sacrificing dodge roll speed.

Conclusion: Why the Sword Lance is a Top-Tier Weapon Post-DLC

The recent buff to the Sword Lance has transformed it into one of Elden Ring’s top-tier weapons for both PvP and PvE. Its increased heavy attack speed, combined with its true combo mechanics and excellent scaling with strength, make it a formidable weapon in the hands of a skilled player. When paired with the right talismans, weapon arts, and armor, the Sword Lance build can dominate the battlefield, whether you're invading enemy players or taking on the game’s toughest bosses.

As Elden Ring continues to evolve with DLCs and patches, players can expect more build diversity and weapon balancing. For now, the Sword Lance stands out as one of the most versatile and powerful weapons in the game, offering a balance of speed, power, and utility that few other weapons can match. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a
buy Elden Ring Items newcomer looking to try a strength-based build, the Sword Lance is well worth considering as your weapon of choice in the Lands Between.