Mastering the Lance: A Comprehensive Strength Build Guide for Elden Ring

Elden Ring’s vast world offers a multitude of weapons to explore and master, but there are some that often get overlooked. One of these weapons is the lance. While players might gravitate toward colossal weapons or katanas for their sheer power or agility, the lance offers a unique and highly effective playstyle, especially when combined with a pure strength build. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into using the lance as a primary weapon, covering the best Ashes of War, talismans, and overall strategies for maximizing its potential.

Why the Lance?

For those looking to bring something different to the table, the lance is an underutilized gem. While it was once popular in dual setups for its crouch and jump attacks, it tends to get overshadowed by the power of other weapons. However, once you become familiar with the weapon’s moveset, it’s clear that the lance can be just as formidable as any other.

A key feature of the lance is its combination of speed and versatility. The two-handed lance, in particular, allows you to weave crouch attacks into your regular combos, keeping opponents on their toes. It’s also a great tool for aggressive plays, thanks to its running and jumping attacks, which are ideal for chasing down foes. For those looking to mix things up, the lance’s variety of Ashes of War only enhances its effectiveness.

The Strength Build

This build centers on maximizing strength, with just enough dexterity to handle the lance and other weapons of your choosing. For those looking to min-max, focusing on a high health pool and endurance is crucial to make the most out of your heavy armor, allowing you to tank hits while dishing out damage.

As for the armor, it’s really a matter of personal choice, but I highly recommend a knight-style fashion that complements the lance’s imposing nature. My preferred setup includes the Great Helm and the Banish Knight armor altered for that classic medieval aesthetic. If you’re looking to optimize damage output, you might want to consider Dleta’s armor, which boosts crouch attack damage—an important move when using the lance.

Best Ashes of War for the Lance

The beauty of the lance lies in its adaptability with various Ashes of War. Here are my top recommendations:

1. Piercing Fang: This Ash of War is perfect for roll catching and going through shields. It adds a lot of utility to the lance and helps you deal with shielded opponents who would otherwise be a challenge.
2. Flaming Strike: The AoE damage from Flaming Strike is especially useful in group battles, giving you the ability to control space and deal with multiple opponents at once. It also pairs beautifully with the lance’s moveset, adding extra mixups.
3. Waves of Darkness: For those who need an effective AoE tool to push back aggressive teams or opponents, Waves of Darkness is a fantastic option. It provides a strong burst of damage and can clear out multiple foes, making it especially useful in chaotic multiplayer encounters.

Talisman Loadout

Your talisman selection plays a key role in enhancing your build. I recommend the following:

• Shard of Alexander: Boosts damage for any Ash of War you use, making it perfect for your flame strike or piercing fang attacks.
• Two-Handed Sword Talisman: Since I prefer using the lance in its two-handed form, this talisman boosts your attack power significantly.
• Retaliatory Cross Tree: This is ideal for maximizing your rolling and crouch attack damage, especially when paired with your lance’s aggressive playstyle.
• Bulgo Talisman or Spear Talisman: The Bulgo Talisman increases poise, helping you tank through enemy attacks. If you’re looking to take full advantage of the lance’s thrust attacks, the Spear Talisman will boost your damage against enemies with a high guard.

Combat Strategies

When using a lance, it’s important to maintain your aggressive stance, especially in PvP. Utilize your long-range thrusts and aggressive roll-catch techniques to keep pressure on your enemies. The lance’s versatility allows you to quickly adapt, whether you’re chasing down opponents with jumping attacks or blocking incoming strikes with your shield.

In invasions, your lance can be an excellent tool for taking down groups of enemies. Piercing Fang will help you push through shields, while Flaming Strike will allow you to control space. Don’t forget to use your AoE abilities like Waves of Darkness to quickly handle multiple invaders.

Additionally, remember to focus on stamina management. The lance can be a bit stamina-hungry, so be mindful of your attacks, especially when you’re in a prolonged fight. If you find yourself out of stamina, you may be vulnerable to a counterattack, so always make sure to pace yourself.

In , the lance is a powerful but often underappreciated weapon in Elden Ring. With a strength build that focuses on maximizing its damage potential, the lance can be a formidable tool for both PvE and PvP content. By choosing the right Ashes of War and talismans, and combining them with the lance’s unique attack animations, you can dominate the battlefield. Whether you’re looking to invade other players or tackle tough PvE challenges, this build provides a well-rounded and enjoyable experience.