One build that's been generating a lot of buzz lately is the Intelligence-Strength hybrid colossal sword build. Combining raw physical power with devastating magical scaling Elden Ring Items, this setup turns some of the heaviest weapons in the game into spell-infused instruments of destruction.

In this guide, we'll break down the weapons, stats, talismans, and strategies that make this build so effective. We'll also cover how it performs in invasions, highlight key combos, and explain why colossal swords-especially with magic infusions.

Why Colossal Swords?

Colossal swords have always been a fan favorite in Elden Ring. They're iconic, anime-inspired, and carry some of the most satisfying animations in the game. But they're not just about style-the class has a fantastic mix of hyper armor, stagger potential, and surprising versatility.

 Hyper Armor: Allows you to trade into enemy hits and come out on top.

 Crouch Poke: One of the fastest options for catching rolls and punishing whiffs.

 Strong Ashes of War: From explosive AoE blasts to massive gap-closers, colossal swords bring unique tools to PvP encounters.

 Improved Move Set: Recent patches have smoothed out their heavies and rolling attacks, making them less clunky and more dangerous.

When infused with magic, these weapons not only deal huge Strength damage but also scale with Intelligence, creating a dual-stat powerhouse.

Weapons of Choice

This build shines with multiple colossal sword options, but two stand out:

Royal Greatsword

 Ash of War: Wolf's Assault

This skill is equal parts stylish and lethal. The first leap lets you trade into groups of enemies, while the follow-up AoE blast catches panicked players trying to punish you. It's flashy, anime-like, and devastating when timed right.

 Move Set Advantages

Aside from the crouch poke, the horizontal heavy slash is surprisingly quick and great for catching opponents circling you. It also makes the weapon a top-tier invasion choice.

Star Scourge Greatsword

 Ash of War: Starcaller Cry

A gravity-themed skill that pulls enemies toward you, setting up devastating follow-ups. Even though it scales better with Strength, it's still a strong utility tool on this hybrid build.

 Usage

Best slotted as a secondary weapon, brought out when you want to control positioning or threaten multiple players at once.

Together, these two swords form the backbone of the build, letting you switch between burst AoE and crowd-control utility as the situation demands.

Ashes of War That Shine

While colossal swords come with powerful innate skills, the real spice comes from choosing complementary Ashes of War:

 Waves of Darkness - Still one of the most damaging and effective AoE tools in the game when paired with high Intelligence. Perfect for punishing aggression or clearing groups.

 Wolf's Assault - As mentioned, this remains one of the flashiest yet practical gap-closers, especially against multiple opponents.

Stat Spread

This build is an Intelligence-first, Strength-second setup. Here's the general stat priority:

 Intelligence: Primary damage source once weapons are infused with magic. Boosts the damage of key Ashes of War like Waves of Darkness.

 Strength: Needed to meet weapon requirements and provide the colossal sword base damage.

 Vigor: Essential for invasions-you'll be trading hits often, so don't skimp on health.

 Endurance: Helps with equip load (since colossal swords are heavy) and stamina for repeated swings.

 Mind: A modest investment ensures you can use your Ashes of War without constantly running out of FP.

Talismans

A strong talisman setup is what pushes this build over the top:

1.Shard of Alexander - Boosts Ash of War damage, amplifying your biggest burst tools.

2.Two-Handed Sword Talisman - Grants an additional 10% damage when two-handing colossal swords, which you'll almost always be doing.

3.Great-Jar's Arsenal (or similar equip load boost) - Keeps you under heavy load despite using colossal swords and heavy armor.

4.Bull-Goat's Talisman - Maximizes poise, letting you swing through enemy attacks and secure trades.

These four choices cover offense, survivability, and the stamina/weight concerns of the build.Invasion Gameplay

Where this build really shines is in PvP invasions. Here's how it plays out:

 Trading Hits

Thanks to hyper armor and poise, you can confidently swing into smaller weapons. Many players underestimate just how hard a magic-infused colossal sword hits, leading to quick punishes.

 AoE Pressure

With Waves of Darkness or Wolf's Assault, you can punish groups trying to swarm you. The AoE explosions often catch not just one but multiple opponents, instantly flipping a fight.

 Crouch Poke Combos

Quick crouch pokes are perfect for catching rolls or securing a kill on a retreating enemy. Pairing them with talisman boosts makes even these "light" attacks deadly.

 Environmental Chaos

Many invasions take place in tight corridors or dangerous terrain. Starcaller Cry can pull opponents into hazards, while well-timed Waves of Darkness can catch people stuck on geometry.

The build isn't just strong-it's fun. You'll find yourself laughing as groups of enemies try to punish your "slow" swings, only to be caught in massive explosions they never saw coming.

Memorable Invasion Moments

Some standout highlights with this build include:

 Double Bonks in the Trees - Catching two players with colossal heavies in an elevated forest fight, turning the tide instantly.

 Pot Play - Using thrown pots to chip and pressure before closing in with colossal swings. One poor Rivers of Blood user seemed incapable of dodging them, eating every single throw.

 Gravity Shenanigans - Nearly pulling enemies off cliffs with Starcaller Cry, creating hilarious close calls.

 Anime Moments - Trading blows in dramatic slow-walk duels where both players commit to their Ashes of War, creating "true Elden Ring" cinematic fights.

These chaotic encounters show off just how versatile and entertaining the build can be.

Weaknesses

Of course, no build is without its downsides:

 Speed: Smaller, faster weapons can punish your recovery frames if you whiff.

 FP Management: Spamming Ashes of War will drain your FP quickly, especially in extended invasions.

 Multiple Casters: Fighting groups with heavy sorcery or dragon incantations requires patience and dodge discipline.

 Gravity Deaths: Ironically, with so many invasions taking place near ledges, colossal sword users are just as vulnerable to terrain mishaps.

Knowing when to disengage and reset is critical to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Closing Thoughts

The Intelligence-Strength colossal sword build is a perfect example of why Elden Ring remains so beloved: it's stylish, it's versatile, and it's ridiculously fun to play. Whether you're trading blows in dramatic duels or exploding groups of gank squads with Waves of Darkness, this setup captures the spirit of high-risk, high-reward PvP.

 For players who love anime-style showdowns, the Royal Greatsword's Wolf's Assault delivers cinematic moments.

 For those who want crowd control chaos, the Starcaller Cry adds gravity-based hilarity buy Elden Ring Items.

 And for anyone who just enjoys bonking people into the ground with colossal damage, this build delivers in spades.