How to Get the Greatsword in Elden Ring (& The Best Greatsword Build)

Not to be confused with the actual greatsword weapon type in Elden Ring, the Greatsword (aka Guts Sword, aka Ultra-Greatsword) is more or less the best colossal weapon in the game. Obtaining it can be tricky since it’s surrounded by the space rabies dregs of Caelid, but if you’re a traditional Strength and melee player, it’s a must-have. So I’ll accompany you in your suffering to get the Elden Ring Greatsword, just in time for Shadow of the Erdtree.

Elden Ring Greatsword Location

[Updated on June 18, 2024 – Added more detailed instructions and tips for the Elden Ring Greatsword]

Yes, the Greatsword is located in Caelid and if you want to grab it, you’ll need to be fast and bold. Knowing what you’re looking for helps a lot. Refer to the image above for the exact location and what the Greatsword location looks like.

Grabbing it unscathed is easier said than done. So I present you some step-by-step instructions and tips to get the Elden Ring Greatsword more easily.

1. Ideally, you shouldn’t be carrying a large amount of Runes.
2. Start from the Caelem Ruins Site of Grace. It’s the closest location.
3. Follow the road northwest until you see a stationary carriage. No need for Torrent. You also might want to sneak.
4. At the back of this carriage is a chest that contains the Greatsword.
5. Run past the crows and the dogs and grab the Greatsword.

What matters most is that you are able to grab the Greatsword before the crows and the dogs murder you. If you obtain the Greatsword, you can just forget about the location and move on. It’s troublesome to clear.

If you haven’t unlocked the Caelem Ruins Site of Grace, you can also start from the Rotview Balcony and follow the main road northeast until you see the stationary carriage.

The Best Build for the Greatsword

There’s no denying it, the best build or character for the Greatsword is one that has 80 Strength. You can work up to that number, targeting 40 Strength at mid-game. Even at the default scaling, the Greatsword will deal huge damage if you have that stat threshold.

It’s also worth noting that you can actually start using the Greatsword with just 21 Strength. No need to reach that 30 Strength requirement first. All you have to do is two-hand the weapon while at 21 Strength.

To maximize damage even further, you can customize the Elden Ring Greatsword with the following upgrades and Ash of War.

Any other scaling will perform less optimally. Meanwhile, Lion’s Claw is the perfect Ash of War for the Greatsword, especially for turning bosses into pancakes.

Elden Ring is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.