How To Use Carian Greatsword Elden Ring

Unlocking the Power of the Carian Greatsword in Elden Ring

The Carian Greatsword is a formidable weapon in Elden Ring, offering a balance of melee prowess and sorcery. Its effectiveness hinges on understanding its scaling, weapon skill, and optimal usage. This guide provides a structured approach to effectively wielding the Carian Greatsword.

Acquisition and Requirements

The Carian Greatsword is obtained after defeating Royal Knight Loretta at Caria Manor in Liurnia of the Lakes. It requires the following attributes:

• Strength: 16
• Dexterity: 18
• Intelligence: 24

Meeting these requirements allows you to wield the weapon effectively, maximizing its damage output and minimizing stamina consumption.

Scaling and Upgrade Paths

The Carian Greatsword primarily scales with Intelligence, with secondary scaling in Strength and Dexterity. Upgrading the weapon significantly boosts its attack power and scaling. Smithing Stones are required for upgrades, obtainable throughout the game world and purchasable from specific vendors.

The scaling coefficients at +10 are approximately:

• Strength: E
• Dexterity: D
• Intelligence: B

Prioritizing Intelligence is crucial for maximizing the weapon's damage output.

Understanding the Weapon Skill: Carian Grandeur

The Carian Greatsword’s unique weapon skill, Carian Grandeur, is a powerful sorcery-infused attack. This skill allows you to charge the weapon with magical energy and unleash a sweeping arc of blue magic.

Carian Grandeur has two charge levels. Tapping the Weapon Skill button performs a quick, less powerful swing. Holding the button charges the attack, resulting in a larger, more damaging wave of magic. The charge time affects both the damage dealt and the range of the attack.

The damage dealt by Carian Grandeur is heavily influenced by your Intelligence stat and the weapon's upgrade level. Furthermore, talismans that boost Sorcery damage can also enhance the weapon skill's power.

Optimal Stat Allocation

A build optimized for the Carian Greatsword necessitates a significant investment in Intelligence. The specific stat allocation depends on your overall playstyle and other weapon choices. A sample distribution for a Level 80 character might look like this:

• Vigor: 40
• Mind: 20
• Endurance: 20
• Strength: 16
• Dexterity: 18
• Intelligence: 50
• Faith: 7
• Arcane: 9

This allocation prioritizes health, FP for using Carian Grandeur, and damage scaling. Adjustments can be made based on personal preferences and secondary weapon requirements.

Talismans and Armor Synergies

Selecting the right talismans and armor can significantly enhance the Carian Greatsword's effectiveness.

Effective Talismans:

• Graven-School Talisman: Increases the power of sorceries.
• Graven-Mass Talisman: Further increases the power of sorceries.
• Cerulean Amber Medallion: Increases maximum FP, allowing for more frequent use of Carian Grandeur.
• Erdtree's Favor: Increases maximum HP, stamina, and equip load.

Armor choices should focus on providing adequate protection while maintaining medium load for optimal mobility. The specific armor set is less critical than the talismans, allowing for customization based on aesthetic preferences. However, pieces with high Poise can be beneficial for trading blows.

Combat Strategies and Techniques

Effectively utilizing the Carian Greatsword requires a strategic approach to combat. Here are some key techniques:

• Spacing: Maintain optimal distance to maximize the range of Carian Grandeur while avoiding enemy attacks.
• Charge Attacks: Learn the timing for charging Carian Grandeur to unleash its full potential. A fully charged attack can stagger many enemies, creating opportunities for critical hits.
• Mix-ups: Alternate between charged and uncharged Carian Grandeur attacks to keep enemies guessing.
• Stamina Management: Carian Grandeur consumes a significant amount of stamina. Manage your stamina carefully to avoid being vulnerable.

The Carian Greatsword is particularly effective against groups of enemies due to its wide sweeping attacks. It can also be used to interrupt enemy attacks and punish openings.

PvP Considerations

In Player vs. Player (PvP) combat, the Carian Greatsword requires a more nuanced approach. Players are more likely to dodge predictable attacks, making it essential to use Carian Grandeur strategically.

Effective PvP Tactics:

• Delayed Attacks: Delaying the release of a charged Carian Grandeur attack can catch opponents off guard.
• Roll Catching: Use Carian Grandeur to punish opponents who attempt to roll away from your attacks.
• Mind Games: Feint attacks and utilize the weapon's versatility to create openings.

The Carian Greatsword's relatively slow attack speed can be a disadvantage in PvP. Consider pairing it with a faster weapon for close-quarters combat.

Countering Common Weaknesses

While powerful, the Carian Greatsword has some weaknesses. Its slow attack speed and high stamina consumption can leave you vulnerable.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Armor with High Poise: Reduces the likelihood of being staggered by enemy attacks.
• Stamina-Regeneration Talismans: Increases stamina recovery rate.
• Strategic Rolling: Effectively use rolling to avoid enemy attacks and reposition yourself.

Adapt your playstyle based on the enemy you are facing. Some enemies may be more resistant to magic damage, requiring you to rely more on physical attacks.

Comparing with Other Weapons

The Carian Greatsword is not the only viable option for Intelligence-based builds. Consider its strengths and weaknesses compared to other weapons:

The Moonveil Katana offers faster attack speed and bleed buildup but lacks the range of Carian Grandeur.

The Dark Moon Greatsword, another greatsword, provides frostbite buildup and unique charged heavy attacks. The choice between it and Carian Greatsword depends on preferred status effects and weapon skills.

Pure sorcery builds using staves offer greater range and versatility in spellcasting but lack the melee capabilities of the Carian Greatsword.

The Carian Greatsword serves as a hybrid option, providing both melee and sorcery capabilities. Choose the weapon that best suits your playstyle and preferred combat range.

Conclusion

The Carian Greatsword is a potent weapon in Elden Ring, offering a unique blend of melee combat and sorcery. Mastering its weapon skill, understanding its scaling, and optimizing your build are crucial for maximizing its effectiveness.

Key Takeaways:

• Prioritize Intelligence for optimal damage scaling.
• Master the timing and charging of Carian Grandeur.
• Select talismans and armor that synergize with the weapon's strengths.
• Adapt your combat strategies based on the enemy you are facing.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively wield the Carian Greatsword and conquer the challenges of the Lands Between.