Elden Ring's expansive DLC content has brought a wave of new strategies, weapons, and builds for players to experiment with, and one style that has gained serious attention is the pierce damage build. This guide will break down the weapons, Elden Ring Items, talismans, armor, stats, and combat tactics that make a pierce-focused build both deadly and versatile.

 

Why Pierce Damage Builds Are Strong

 

Pierce damage is a specialized mechanic in Elden Ring that excels in trading scenarios—moments where both you and your opponent deal damage simultaneously. The key factor is that a player's pierce defense temporarily drops during attack animations, making it easier to land counterattacks and punish overextensions. For example, a character with a normal pierce defense of 28 may drop to 18 mid-attack, creating opportunities for heavy attacks and thrusting weapons to capitalize on the vulnerability.

 

Coupled with talismans that enhance counterattack damage, this creates a playstyle focused on precise timing and aggressive trades. The combination of pierce mechanics and talisman buffs makes this one of the most potent strategies for PvP encounters in the current DLC.

 

Recommended Talismans for Pierce Builds

 

1.Spear Talisman-Increases counterattack damage during trades. Essential for making trades as rewarding as possible.

 

2.Two-Handed Sword Talisman-Adds a 10% damage boost when using weapons two-handed, complementing heavy-infused weapons.

 

3.Retaliatory Cross Talisman-Ideal for weapons with strong crouching or heavy attacks, enhancing counterattack damage.

 

4.Shard of Alexander-Recommended when wielding weapons with pierce-style Ashes of War, like Piercing Fang, to maximize skill damage.

 

5.Axe Talisman-Increases fully charged heavy attack damage, making weapons like the Claymore or Zhander extremely threatening.

 

This combination allows players to maximize every trade, crouch attack, and heavy swing, creating a versatile yet focused offensive setup. Depending on your preferred weapon or Ash of War, some talisman slots may vary, but the general focus remains on enhancing counterattack and two-handed power.

 

Armor Choices

 

 Solitude Set + Letta Armor-Recommended for trading playstyles. Solitude provides higher poise to survive counterattacks while benefiting from Letta's attack bonuses.

 

 Rock Chasa Set-Offers additional damage enhancement, though poise is lower. Useful if you prefer offensive power over survivability.

 

The combination of poise and mobility ensures that players can survive through trades while dishing out maximum damage with their pierce attacks.

 

Stats and Infusions

 

For this build, Strength is the preferred stat allocation. Most pierce damage weapons benefit from two-handed swings, and heavy-infused weapons scale better with Strength. This allows players to:

 

 Increase counterattack damage with two-handed swings.

Maximize the impact of charged heavy attacks.

 

 Benefit from fast recovery on thrusting and piercing weapons, allowing more frequent trades.

 

While dexterity may play a minor role for certain weapons, Strength-focused builds optimize damage output and maintain synergy with the axe and two-handed talismans.

 

Weapons to Prioritize

 

Pierce damage builds can utilize a variety of weapons, each offering unique advantages in PvP and invasions:

 

1.Claymore-Heavy attack deals pierce damage, excellent for trades and backstabs. Two-handed swings synergize with the talismans.

 

2.Great Katana-Running and crouching attacks include pierce damage, making it ideal for chase-down tactics and aggressive trading.

 

3.Zhander-Heavy attacks benefit from pierce scaling, making it a strong choice for burst trades.

 

4.Colossal Swords-High damage with slow attacks; strong for counterattack setups and heavy-crush trades.

 

5.Thrusting Swords-Quick recovery and excellent for punishing slower weapons, particularly when enhanced by the Spear Talisman.

 

6.Piercing Fang (Ash of War)-Provides additional pierce damage options and works well with Shard of Alexander.

 

By mixing different weapon types, players can maintain flexibility in PvP, responding to different enemy builds, including heavy armor, spellcasters, or fast rolling characters.Combat Strategies

 

1.Trading Attacks-Engage enemies while they are mid-attack to exploit lowered pierce defense. Heavy-infused weapons and two-handed swings amplify trade damage.

 

2.Crouch and Running Attacks-Use these to close distance or escape, while dealing enhanced pierce damage. Letta Armor bonuses further enhance these moves.

 

3.Environmental Advantage-Fighting in narrow hallways or against obstacles allows you to control engagements and force enemies into disadvantageous positions.

 

4.Targeting Spellcasters-Keep distance and chip away at mages with thrusting weapons while avoiding spell spam. The build can punish predictable casting patterns.

 

5.Backstabs and Bloodhound Step Combos-Timing backstabs and using mobility skills like Bloodhound Step allows you to bypass shields and defensive positioning.

 

6.Boss and Mini-Boss Engagements-Use poke attacks and charged heavy attacks to whittle down health safely. Even high-HP enemies can be effectively countered when timed with pierce mechanics.

 

These strategies emphasize precision over brute force, rewarding players who master timing and positioning.

 

Observations from PvP Invasions

 

 Countering Magic Users-He demonstrated tactics against dishonest or heavily shielded spellcasters. With the bubble mechanic active, he could safely trade attacks while mitigating ranged damage.

 

 Heavy Roll Punishment-Pierce weapons and two-handed swings allowed him to punish slow, heavy-rolling enemies efficiently.

 

 Environment Control-Using elevation, obstacles, and chokepoints, he funneled enemies into vulnerable positions, maximizing pierce damage effectiveness.

 

 Mixed Engagements-He seamlessly shifted between dueling a host, engaging summoned allies, and managing NPC enemies, highlighting the build's versatility.

 

The invasions underscored that trading is the core mechanic of pierce builds—mastering it can turn even disadvantageous encounters into victories.

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

 

Strengths:

 

 Exceptional in trades and counterattack scenarios.

 High burst potential with heavy attacks.

 Versatile in PvP, effective against both melee and ranged builds.

 Strong synergy with two-handed weapons and talismans.

 

Weaknesses:

 

 Requires precise timing and knowledge of enemy patterns.

 Vulnerable during attack animations if trades are mismanaged.

 Less effective in high-mobility or fully evasive enemy encounters without positional advantage.

 

Players adopting this build should practice timing, distance control, and talisman optimization to overcome its limitations.

 

Recommended Playstyle

 

For those aiming to master pierce damage builds in Elden Ring:

 

 Always Two-Hand Weapons-This maximizes heavy attack damage and benefits from the Two-Handed Sword Talisman.

 

 Focus on Counterattacks-Prioritize trades during lowered pierce defense moments.

 

 Use Mobility Wisely-Bloodhound Step, running attacks, and crouch pokes allow for safe engagement and disengagement.

 

 Adjust Talismans Based on Weapons-Colossal weapons, pierce-style Ashes of War, and fully charged heavy attacks benefit from different talisman combinations.

 

 Adapt to Enemy Builds-Be aware of spellcasters, fast rolling enemies, and heavy tanks. Pierce builds excel against slow or predictable foes.

 

By following these guidelines, players can maximize damage output, survivability, and PvP dominance.

 

Conclusion

 

Pierce damage builds in Elden Ring DLC are a powerful and tactical choice for players seeking high skill ceilings in PvP combat. By combining weapons like the Claymore, Great Katana, and Zhander with Letta Armor and key talismans, players can dominate invasions and duels alike.

 

The build rewards precision, strategy, and mastery of combat mechanics, allowing skilled players to consistently outplay their opponents. Whether engaging magic users, heavy rolls, Elden Ring Runes or multiple enemies simultaneously, the pierce damage build offers versatility, burst potential, and tactical superiority.

 

For players looking to explore Elden Ring DLC PvP, this build provides a fun, rewarding, and highly effective option. Experiment with weapons, talismans, and mobility strategies to tailor the build to your personal playstyle. With practice, pierce damage builds can turn every trade into a devastating opportunity, making you a formidable presence in the Lands Between.