Elden Ring DLC: Pure Strength Executioner's Great Axe Build
Weapon of Choice: Executioner's Axe. The Executioner's Axe is a powerful tool for strength builds, especially if you focus on its critical strike. The axe has a naturally high critical strike modifier, making it a great weapon for dealing a ton of damage when you're backstabbing or counterattacking. When paired with the Dagger Amulet to further enhance critical strikes, you're going to be doing some serious work.
Why Fire Damage?
Since this is a pure strength build, I’ve decided to go with fire damage as the elemental buff. Fire damage is relatively easy to boost with buffs like the Flame Shrouding Cracked Tier in your Flask of Wondrous Physick. You can also use oil pots on enemies to make them weak to fire, which synergizes well with this build.
Flame Grantly Strength is also a key part of this setup, as it boosts both your physical and fire damage on the weapon, making your already high-damage axe even more lethal.
Talismans: Critical and Buffing Power
For talismans, here’s what you’ll need to get the most out of your Executioner's Great Axe:
1. Dagger Talisman – This is a must-have for boosting your critical damage. The other talismans are more situational, but the Dagger Talisman ensures your critical hits pack a punch.
2. Two-Handed Sword Talisman – This one boosts your damage when two-handing your weapon, which is important for strength builds that rely on heavy weapons like the Executioner’s Great Axe.
3. Urga Fa Talisman +2 – This talisman is great for enhancing your HP, stamina, and equip load, making sure you can withstand damage and keep swinging that axe.
4. Bogo Talisman – This increases your Poise, which is essential for trading blows without getting staggered, especially when you're wielding such a heavy weapon.
You might be tempted to use Shard of Alexander for your Ash of War, but this build doesn’t really require one since we’re focusing on raw critical damage and elemental buffs. Stick with the talismans above to maximize your output.
Important Tips for Elemental Builds
If you’re using fire damage like I am, keep in mind that weather conditions can impact your build. If you're fighting in rain or standing in water, your fire damage will be nerfed. For these situations, you’ll want to switch to a physical damage setup to ensure you don’t lose too much damage potential.
How to Enhance Your Critical Hits
To get the most out of this build, you want to land critical hits as often as possible. You can achieve this through the following:
1. Backstabs: Since you’re running a large weapon like the Executioner’s Great Axe, landing backstabs is key to your damage output. Quickstep works well with this weapon, allowing you to dodge and position yourself for easy backstabs.
2. Ripostes: If you catch an enemy off guard, riposting with the Executioner's Great Axe can be devastating, especially when combined with the critical hit modifiers.
Buffing Your Stats
Before jumping into battle, make sure you have your Flask of Wondrous Physick ready. I recommend using:
· Flame Shrouding Cracked Tier for that fire damage boost.
· Crack Tier for Strength or Strength-knot Crystal Tear for an added physical boost.
These buffs will stack with your Flame Granting Strength and turn your critical hits into absolute destruction.
PVE and PVP Strategy
This build works in both PvE and PvP scenarios, and I’ll give you a few tips for each.
PvE:
· Use your oil pots strategically to debuff enemies and make them weak to fire.
· Keep Flame Granting Strength active during all encounters to enhance both your physical and fire damage.
· Always look for an opportunity to backstab or riposte to maximize your damage.
PvP:
· Quickstep is your best friend here for dodging and closing the gap quickly to land a devastating backstab or riposte.
· Keep an eye on your surroundings—if you’re near water or it starts raining, switch your setup to physical damage for optimal output.
· In invasions, the Executioner’s Great Axe catches many players off guard, as not many people use large weapons like this for critical damage or quickstep backstabs.
Combat Tips for Success
One of the most satisfying aspects of this build is hitting players with massive criticals, especially when you land a backstab. The Executioner’s Great Axe has a great combo for roll-catches and two-handed attacks, which can catch people off guard in close combat.
Keep your distance, apply oil pots on enemies, and wait for that perfect moment to strike. You’ll find that even heavy-armor builds won’t be able to tank your hits when properly buffed.
Final Thoughts
This build is all about high damage, critical hits, and elemental buffs, and it does an incredible job at surprising opponents in both PvP and PvE. The Executioner's Great Axe is a weapon that doesn't get as much attention as some other heavy weapons, but when used correctly, it’s an absolute powerhouse that’s well-suited for pure strength builds. To further enhance your build, you may want to consider investing in cheap Elden Ring Items from reputable sources like MMOEXP, ensuring you have all the necessary gear and items to dominate in battle.
Stats Recap:
· Strength: Max it out to benefit from the Executioner’s Great Axe.
· Endurance: Ensure you have enough stamina to swing that big axe without running out.
· Vigor: Get enough health to survive the longer fights.
Until next time, keep swinging that axe and enjoy the chaos you bring!