Welcome, Tarnished, to a build guide dedicated to one of the most deceptively powerful weapons in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC: the Great Club. Often overshadowed by flashier armaments, this colossal weapon—affectionately dubbed the "Holy Chicken Leg"—is a powerhouse for Strength/Faith builds, though properly outfitting it can require a significant investment of resources; some adventurers choose to buy Elden Ring Runes to expedite the process. Today, we’ll break down how to wield it effectively, from stat allocation and gear to advanced invasion tactics.

Why the Great Club?

This isn't just a big piece of wood. The Great Club belongs to the Colossal Weapon class, offering immense hyper armor (poise) during swings, allowing you to trade blows confidently. While its standard attacks are slow, its secret weapon is the crouch attack—a surprisingly quick, lunging poke that’s exceptional for roll-catching and pressuring opponents.

Its key advantage is flexibility: unlike many split-damage weapons (e.g., Deon's Hammer), the Great Club can be buffed with Greases or Spells while dealing both Physical and Holy damage. This lets you significantly boost its output and adapt to your foes.

The Build Core: Stats & Gear

Attributes

· Primary: Strength (55-60+). This is your main damage stat.

· Secondary: Faith (25-30). While the club has no Faith requirement, investing here enhances its holy scaling and grants access to crucial buffs and auxiliary weapons.

· Vigor (50-60): Non-negotiable. You will trade hits.

· Endurance (30+): Essential for managing the club’s weight and sustaining attacks and dodges.

· Mind (15-20): Enough for using your Ash of War consistently.

Armor

Fashion is function, but poise is paramount. Aim for high poise (75+) to maximize your hyper armor trades.

· Example Set: Full Tree Sentinel Set for a majestic, golden look and solid defense.

· Helmet Alternative: The Circlet of Light can be swapped in for a stat boost without sacrificing too much poise.

Talismans

Your setup should enhance your core tactic: the mighty crouch attack.

1. Axe Talisman: Boosts charge attack damage (enhances your heavy attacks).

2. Two-Handed Sword Talisman: Increases attack power when two-handing your weapon—which you always should.

3. Great-Jar's Arsenal: Crucial for equipping heavy armor and your colossal weapon without fat-rolling.

4. Flex Slot: Green Turtle Talisman for stamina recovery, Bull-Goat's Talisman for extra poise, or Shard of Alexander for stronger Ash of War attacks.

Buff of Choice: Drawstring Holy Grease

The Drawstring Holy Grease is perfect for this build. Its fast activation can bait panic rolls from opponents, setting them up for an immediate roll catch with your quick crouch attack. The holy damage synergizes with the weapon’s innate scaling.

Combat Strategy: How to Wield the Chicken Leg

The Moveset

· Crouch Attack (R1 from crouch): Your bread and butter. Use it to punish whiffs, catch rolls, and apply constant pressure. Its speed belies the weapon's class.

· Jumping R2: A devastating, high-damage slam for openings and wake-up attacks.

· Charged R2: Great for punishing slower actions or trading with hyper armor.

· Rolling R1: A wide, sweeping attack excellent for handling groups.

Ash of War: Golden Land (Default)

The Great Club's default skill, Golden Land, is a versatile tool:

1. "Get Off Me" Tool: The initial slam creates space against aggressive groups.

2. Zoning & Distraction: The follow-up golden projectiles force opponents to maneuver, letting you close the gap or line up a hefty pot throw.

3. Combo Starter: A direct hit can stunlock, leading into a crouch or jumping attack.

Advanced Tactics for Invasions

1. Identify the Threat: In ganks, prioritize. Is the host a fragile wizard? Is the phantom a tank? Often, eliminating the ranged pressure (mages, archers) first is key, even if you must bypass a melee defender.

2. Master the Trade: With your hyper armor and high poise, you can often swing through an opponent's attack. Time your heavies or Ash of War to punish their commitment.

3. Environmental Warfare: Use the terrain. Lure opponents into chokepoints where your sweeping attacks shine, or use ledges for gravity kills. Trees and pillars are your best friends against projectile spam.

4. The Psychological Bonk: The sheer visual impact of a colossal weapon causes panic. Bait rolls with your buff animation, then catch them with the crouch attack. A single connected jump attack can shift the entire momentum of a fight.

Sample Invasion Flow (Vs. Mage + Melee Support)

· Opening: Apply Drawstring Holy Grease while advancing. The mage may panic roll.

· Engagement: Use Golden Land to zone the mage and create separation from the melee phantom. Focus the mage with sprinting jumps or crouch attacks.

· Clean-up: Once the mage is down, use your superior trading power and roll-catching ability to handle the remaining melee opponent. A fully charged heavy attack can often end the fight.

Final Thoughts

The Great Club is a testament to the beauty of simplicity in Elden Ring. It may not be the flashiest, but its combination of raw power, buffability, and an unexpectedly swift key attack makes it a terrifying force in the right hands. This Strength/Faith build unlocks its full potential, turning you into a relentless, golden juggernaut, especially when you have the right gear; for those seeking to complete their arsenal quickly, trusted platforms like MMOEXP offer a secure way to find Elden Ring Items for sale. So go forth, Tarnished. Pour your points into Strength, don your heaviest armor, and show the Lands Between that sometimes, the biggest stick is the best solution.