Summary: This guide explains Elden Ring strength requirements, including scaling, two-handing, top weapons, and tips to meet them efficiently.

Elden Ring is filled with massive swords, brutal axes, and towering greatshields—and if you’re someone who wants to smash your enemies into the dirt, Strength is your go-to stat.

But what exactly does Strength do? How much do you need to wield those colossal weapons?

And does two-handing really let you cheat the system? In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Strength requirements in Elden Ring, including how scaling works, weapon suggestions, and tips to optimize your build for raw power.

Table of Contents

1. What Does Strength Do in Elden Ring?
2. Elden Ring Strength Requirements: What You Need to Know
3. How Two-Handing Affects Strength Requirements
4. Strength Scaling: Does Strength Increase Damage in Elden Ring?
5. Best Strength Weapons and Their Requirements
6. Tips for Meeting Strength Requirements Efficiently
7. Conclusion

What Does Strength Do in Elden Ring?

Strength is one of the core attributes in Elden Ring and is essential for any heavy-hitting melee build. It impacts your gameplay in two major ways:

Many weapons in Elden Ring scale their damage based on your Strength stat. This is indicated by a letter grade—ranging from E (lowest) to S (highest)—in the weapon’s status screen. The higher the letter, the more bonus damage you’ll deal as you increase your Strength stat.

For example, a Great Club with A scaling in Strength will gain significantly more damage from leveling Strength than a weapon with C scaling.

If you want to swing colossal swords, great axes, or block attacks with enormous shields, you’ll need a high Strength stat. Every weapon and shield in Elden Ring has minimum attribute requirements, and Strength is often the limiting factor for the heaviest gear.

Failing to meet these requirements will result in reduced damage output or even an inability to equip the item.

Elden Ring Strength Requirements: What You Need to Know

When you inspect a weapon in your inventory, you’ll see a list of required stats at the bottom. Strength is usually listed first, indicated by an arm flex icon. Here’s what to pay attention to:

• Ruins Greatsword – Strength 50
• Dragon Slayer’s Cragblade – Strength 40
• Colossal Greatsword (e.g., Greatsword) – Strength 31
• Dragon Slayer Axe – Strength 30
• Beast Crest Heater Shield – Strength 10

Failing to meet these Strength thresholds means the weapon will be wielded ineffectively—resulting in slower attack speeds and lower damage.

How Two-Handing Affects Strength Requirements

A unique mechanic in Elden Ring allows you to “cheat” Strength requirements slightly by two-handing your weapon.

When you two-hand a weapon (by pressing Triangle + R1/R2 or Y + RB/RT), your effective Strength is multiplied by 1.5x. This means you can wield heavy weapons earlier than you normally could.

Required Strength ÷ 1.5 = Minimum Strength to Two-Hand

• The Greatsword requires 31 Strength.
• 31 ÷ 1.5 = 20.6 → round up to 21
• You can two-hand the Greatsword with just 21 Strength, even if you can’t one-hand it.

This is a game-changer for early- to mid-game builds, allowing you to experiment with colossal weapons sooner.

Strength Scaling: Does Strength Increase Damage in Elden Ring?

Absolutely. Strength affects weapon damage based on scaling. The better the scaling letter, the more bonus damage you receive from your Strength stat.

• E – Very low scaling
• D – Low
• C – Moderate
• B – High
• A – Very high
• S – Exceptional

• 20, 55, and 80 are the key breakpoints.
• Damage gain starts to diminish after 55.
• If you’re investing beyond 60+, make sure your weapon has A or S scaling in Strength to justify it.

• Greatsword +10 (Heavy) at 50 Strength = ~850 AR (Attack Rating)
• Same weapon at 80 Strength = ~980 AR
• That’s ~130 more AR, but at a high cost of 30 levels.

So, while Strength does boost your damage, you’ll get diminishing returns after a certain point unless your weapon has top-tier scaling.

Best Strength Weapons and Their Requirements

Here’s a curated list of some of the best Strength-based weapons in Elden Ring:

 1.Iron Ball

• Strength Requirement: 11
• Dexterity Requirement: 8
• Max Strength Scaling: C

The Iron Ball is likely the first fist weapon you’ll find in Elden Ring. Essentially a pair of solid metal gauntlets, it turns your punches into bludgeoning blows of raw iron. It’s dropped by Blackguard Big Boggart near the Boilprawn Shack in Liurnia.

2.Brick Hammer

• Strength Requirement: 31
• Dexterity Requirement: None
• Max Strength Scaling: A (can reach S with Heavy infusion)

The Brick Hammer looks like a mason’s tool turned weapon of destruction. Hidden behind a locked door in Stormveil Castle (requires the Rusty Key), it delivers raw, high-impact attacks perfect for pure Strength builds.

3.Iron Cleaver

• Strength Requirement: 15
• Dexterity Requirement: 7
• Max Strength Scaling: B

Dropped by Misbegotten enemies (notably at Castle Morne), the Iron Cleaver is a fast-swinging axe that scales strongly with Strength. It features a unique heavy attack that lets you charge forward before delivering a devastating downward strike—perfect for breaking through enemy defenses.

4.Godskin Stitcher

• Strength Requirement: 14
• Dexterity Requirement: 17
• Max Strength Scaling: C

The Godskin Stitcher is part of the new Heavy Thrusting Sword class, offering long-range, powerful thrusts. It drops from the Godskin Noble at Volcano Manor. With dual scaling in Strength and Dexterity, it’s best suited for quality builds rather than pure Strength setups.

5.Greatsword (Colossal)

• Strength Requirement: 31
• Dexterity Requirement: 12
• Max Strength Scaling: B (can reach A/S with Heavy)

Inspired by Guts’ Dragonslayer from Berserk, the Greatsword is a fan-favorite Colossal Weapon. Found in Caelid, near the Caelem Ruins, it hits incredibly hard and scales well with Strength. Pair it with the Lion’s Claw Ash of War for iconic and effective roll-slamming power.

6.Dragon Halberd

• Strength Requirement: 22
• Dexterity Requirement: 10
• Max Strength Scaling: B

Dropped by the Dragonkin Soldier in the Siofra River, the Dragon Halberd is a fast, sweeping weapon with great reach. Its Spinning Slash skill temporarily enchants the weapon with both Frost and Lightning, making it a hybrid powerhouse despite its Strength focus.

7.Giant-Crusher

• Strength Requirement: 60
• Dexterity Requirement: None
• Max Strength Scaling: B

The Giant-Crusher boasts the highest Strength requirement in Elden Ring. Located near the Outer Wall Phantom Tree in a late-game area, it’s an absolute behemoth that can one-shot smaller enemies and stagger bosses with ease. Perfect for New Game Plus or pure Strength builds willing to invest deeply.

8.Lordsworn’s Greatsword

• Strength Requirement: 16
• Dexterity Requirement: 10
• Max Strength Scaling: C
• Found in a chest on a carriage near the Gatefront Ruins, the Lordsworn’s Greatsword is a strong early-game weapon. Its built-in Upward Cut skill makes it excellent for interrupting enemies, and it’s an ideal first weapon for new Strength-focused Tarnished.

9.Zweihander

• Strength Requirement: 19
• Dexterity Requirement: 11
• Max Strength Scaling: D

A classic from the Souls series, the Zweihander returns as a Colossal Sword with a familiar moveset. It’s one of the earliest heavy weapons you can get in the game, purchasable for 3,500 runes from the Isolated Merchant near Tombsward Cave on the Weeping Peninsula. Its low requirements make it ideal for new Strength builds.

10.Morning Star

• Strength Requirement: 12
• Dexterity Requirement: 8
• Max Strength Scaling: C

The Morning Star is a simple yet deadly mace with built-in Bleed (Hemorrhage) effect. Found early on in a carriage chest along the Weeping Peninsula road, it features fast strikes and the Kick skill, useful for breaking guards. Ideal for early-game Tarnished looking for a mix of Strength damage and status buildup.

11.Axe of Godfrey

• Strength Requirement: 42
• Dexterity Requirement: 14
• Max Strength Scaling: C

Forged from the Remembrance of Horah Loux, this colossal battle axe mimics Godfrey’s earth-shattering attacks. Available at Roundtable Hold, its special skill replicates a boss-style slam that sends out a powerful shockwave. It’s a stylish and thematic choice for late-game Strength builds.

12.Bonny Butchering Knife (Shadow of the Erdtree DLC)

• Strength Requirement: 16
• Dexterity Requirement: 20
• Max Strength Scaling: B

A deadly and versatile Greataxe, the Bonny Butchering Knife comes with the unique Hone Blade skill and passive HP regen on hit. Found in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, this weapon is excellent for Strength/Dexterity hybrids and offers sustain against swarming enemies.

13.Stone-Sheathed Sword (Shadow of the Erdtree DLC)

• Strength Requirement: 16
• Dexterity Requirement: 8
• Max Strength Scaling: B

At first glance, the Stone-Sheathed Sword seems unimpressive—until it’s transformed into either the Sword of Light or Sword of Darkness. Found in altars at Fog Rift Catacombs, Ruins of Unte, or Ancient Ruins of Rauh, its real strength lies in its versatile weapon arts and upgrade potential.

14.Rusted Anchor

• Strength Requirement: 26
• Dexterity Requirement: 9
• Max Strength Scaling: B

Looking for an early-to-mid game powerhouse? The Rusted Anchor is a heavy Greataxe with strong scaling and devastating stagger. Found in Morne Tunnel on the Weeping Peninsula, it becomes usable at 18 Strength if two-handed. A sleeper hit for Strength builds.

15.Clawmark Seal

• Strength Requirement: 4
• Faith Requirement: 10
• Max Strength Scaling: B

The Clawmark Seal is a unique weapon in Elden Ring—it’s a Sacred Seal that scales with Strength and Faith. Acquired through D, Hunter of the Dead and Deathroot donation to Gurranq, this seal is perfect for Strength-based builds that want to dabble in Bestial Incantations.

16.Greatsword of Solitude (Shadow of the Erdtree DLC)

• Strength Requirement: 27
• Dexterity Requirement: 13
• Max Strength Scaling: A

Dropped by the Blackgaol Knight in the Western Nameless Mausoleum, this weapon offers high Strength scaling and a beautiful ranged skill, Solitary Moon Slash. It functions like a Strength-friendly version of the Dark Moon Greatsword, making it ideal for hybrid players who love flashy attacks.

17.Prelate’s Inferno Crozier

• Strength Requirement: 45
• Dexterity Requirement: 8
• Max Strength Scaling: B

Resembling Smough’s Great Hammer from Dark Souls, the Prelate’s Inferno Crozier is a monstrous hammer found at Fort Laiedd in Mount Gelmir. Its unique charge-and-scoop skill whirls enemies into fiery chaos. Heavy, powerful, and customizable with different Ashes of War.

18.Grafted Blade Greatsword

• Strength Requirement: 40
• Dexterity Requirement: 14
• Max Strength Scaling: C

The Grafted Blade Greatsword, styled like the Iron Throne, is a Colossal Weapon earned by defeating the boss at the southernmost point of the Weeping Peninsula. Its Oath of Vengeance skill boosts all stats by 5 for 30 seconds and grants bonus poise—great for tanky Strength builds.

These powerful Strength-based weapons in Elden Ring offer diverse playstyles, scaling options, and unique abilities—making them essential picks for any Tarnished seeking to dominate with brute force.

Tips for Meeting Strength Requirements Efficiently

If you’re planning a Strength build, invest heavily in Strength early. Prioritize Vigor and Endurance alongside it for survivability and stamina.

• Radagon’s Scarseal: +5 Strength, but increases damage taken
• Radagon’s Sourceal: +10 Strength, even more damage taken
• Flask of Wondrous Physick: Strength-boosting tears available

These items can temporarily let you meet weapon requirements or boost damage.

After defeating Rennala at Raya Lucaria, you can respec your stats using Larval Tears. Perfect if you want to shift into or out of a Strength build.

Conclusion 

Understanding Strength scaling, requirements, and mechanics like two-handing is essential for building a truly powerful Tarnished. From early-game weapons like the Morning Star to colossal beasts like the Giant-Crusher, knowing how to meet Strength thresholds efficiently can dramatically enhance your gameplay.

To push your single-player experience even further in Elden Ring, consider using Xmod. Xmod allows you to access cheats and trainers, letting you experiment with builds, test weapons, and tailor the game to your preferences.

How to use Xmod:

1. Download the Xmod app.
2. Search for your game (e.g., Elden Ring).
3. Launch the game directly through the app.
4. Activate your chosen mods for a fully customized experience.

Whether you’re chasing peak performance or just looking for fun new ways to play, Xmod is a great tool to enhance your journey through the Lands Between and beyond.