"The Golden Crusader"

This Strength-Faith hybrid build is designed for PvP invasions, offering immense versatility, powerful weapon choices, and essential incantation support. It excels in both duels and chaotic team fights, providing tools for chasing, trading, and controlling space, whether you earn your equipment naturally or buy Elden Ring Runes to expedite your progress.

Core Concept

1. Primary Stats: Strength (54) and Faith (20+)

2. Playstyle: Adaptable aggression, using heavy weapons enhanced by buffs and regeneration.

3. Key Strengths:

· Access to top-tier Strength and Faith-scaling weapons.

· Powerful buffs and healing incantations.

· Excellent poise trading and chase-down potential.

· Counters light rollers and high-latency opponents.

Stats (RL 139)

Notes:

· Faith can be increased further for stronger incantations by adjusting other stats or using talismans.

· 139 allows matchmaking down to 125 and up to 150.

Weapon Arsenal

Primary Options

1. Greatsword of Damnation

· Claymore moveset with unique skill.

· Reliable and versatile for all situations.

2. Death Knight Twin Axes

· Ash of War covers huge ground.

· Excellent chase-down tool against light rollers.

3. America’s Hammer / Deonia’s Hammer

· Massive AoE launches enemies.

· Deonia’s charged attack has hyper-armor and high poise damage.

· Perfect for tight spaces and breaking ganks.

4. Golden Crux Greatsword

· Critical attack skill can grab opponents out of rolls.

· Effective against high-latency players.

Weapon Tips

Switch weapons based on the situation:

· Open areas → chase weapons (Twin Axes).

· Corridors → AoE hammers.

· Laggy opponents → Golden Crux grab skill.

Incantations & Buffs

Essential Buffs

· Golden Vow: Increases attack and defense.

· Protection of the Erdtree: Massive elemental damage reduction.

· Blessing’s Boon: Health regeneration over time.

Utility

· Flame, Grant Me Strength: Boosts physical/fire damage.

· Bestial Sling / Catch Flame: Quick pressure tools.

· Talisman Note: Equip Two-Finger Heirloom to temporarily boost Faith for buff casting, then swap back to combat talismans.

Armor & Fashion

1. Prioritize poise (61+ recommended) to trade hits.

2. Fashion suggestion: Gold-themed armor to match the holy warrior aesthetic (e.g., Tree Sentinel, Radahn’s, or customized mix).

3. Recommended sets:

· Tree Sentinel Set (high poise, golden look).

· Veteran’s Helm with Beast Champion Armor (mixed poise and style).

Talismans

Flex Slots:

· Swap Bull-Goat’s for Green Turtle if stamina management is needed.

· Use Two-Finger Heirloom to cast high-Faith buffs, then replace with Dragoncrest Greatshield for defense.

Gameplay Strategies

Against Teams

· Use AoE weapons (hammers) to pressure groups.

· Bait enemies into tight spaces where your AoE shines.

· Pre-cast regeneration buffs before engaging.

Against Light Rollers / Runners

· Equip Death Knight Twin Axes – the running L1 covers massive distance.

· Predict rolls and use Golden Crux skill to grab them.

Against Mages / Spell Spammers

· Close distance with Twin Axes or rolling attacks.

· Use pillars and terrain to block spells.

· Pressure with fast incantations like Bestial Sling.

High Latency Tips

· Golden Crux grab skill often connects even with teleporting opponents.

· Favor weapons with large, lingering hitboxes (colossal weapons).

Invasion Hotspots & Tactics

1. Crumbling Farum Azula

· Use elevation to ambush with plunging attacks.

· Lure opponents to narrow walkways for hammer AoEs.

2. Haligtree

· Exploit the verticality with sniping or drop attacks.

· Area denial with America’s Hammer on branches.

3. Mountaintops / Open Areas

· Snipe with Greatbow or Loretta’s Mastery.

· Chase down runners with Twin Axes.

4. Legacy Dungeons (Leyndell, Stormveil)

· Hold choke points with colossal weapon charged R2s.

· Surprise attackers around corners with Deonia’s Hammer poise trade.

Advanced Tips

· Weapon Swapping: Master quick swaps to adapt mid-fight (e.g., switch to a thrusting weapon for pursuit).

· Buff Rotation: Cast Golden Vow and Protection before entering combat; use Blessing’s Boon during lulls.

· Critical Hits: Use Golden Crux or parry tools (Buckler) for critical openings.

· Mind Games: Fake retreats to lure opponents into charged AoE attacks.

Weaknesses & Counters

· Bleed / Frost Builds: Carry Preserving Boluses and avoid prolonged trades.

· Shield Poke: Use Great Épée or piercing weapons with Impaling Thrust.

· Overly Passive Groups: Abuse regeneration buffs and force engagements with ranged options.

Final Notes

This build thrives on adaptability – use every tool in your arsenal. Whether you’re crushing ganks with a colossal hammer, chasing down a host with twin axes, or shrugging off damage with stacked buffs, the Strength-Faith Crusader is a menace in any invasion. To fully equip this versatile menace, you can buy cheap Elden Ring Items from MMOEXP to secure all the powerful weapons and talismans you need without the grind.