Build a Sword-and-Board Tank With These 24 Elden Ring Tips
If you’re looking to create a solid, dependable tank build in Elden Ring, a sword-and-board setup is one of the most versatile and rewarding choices. This style lets you balance offense and defense effectively, allowing you to control the flow of battle while soaking up damage. Whether you’re new to tank builds or looking to refine your approach, here are 24 practical tips to help you build the ultimate sword-and-board tank.
1. Prioritize Vitality and Endurance
Vitality boosts your HP, essential for survivability, while Endurance increases your stamina and equip load, letting you wear heavier armor without sacrificing mobility.
2. Choose the Right Shield
Greatshields offer the highest stability, reducing stamina loss when blocking. Look for shields with strong physical damage reduction and useful special effects.
3. Select a Balanced Sword
A straight sword or greatsword is ideal for a tank build. They offer good damage output while maintaining reasonable speed and scaling.
4. Upgrade Your Equipment
Regularly upgrade both your sword and shield at the blacksmith to keep your damage and defense relevant throughout the game.
5. Invest in Strength and Dexterity
Depending on your weapon choice, putting points into Strength or Dexterity will improve your damage output without compromising your tankiness.
6. Use Armor That Maximizes Poise
High poise lets you tank hits without staggering, which is crucial in maintaining your guard and counterattacking.
7. Keep an Eye on Your Equip Load
Stay below 70% equip load to maintain a medium or fast roll. This balance keeps your tank mobile enough to dodge while wearing heavy armor.
8. Apply Buffs to Your Weapon
Buffing your sword with Ashes of War or spells can increase damage, elemental effects, or provide unique attack properties.
9. Don’t Neglect Stamina Management
Blocking and attacking consume stamina. Investing in Endurance helps, but also practice timing your blocks and swings to avoid running out.
10. Utilize Guard Counters
Learn the timing for guard counters with your sword for critical counterattacks after a successful block.
11. Mix in Powerful Incantations
Even as a tank, you can benefit from buffs like Flame, Grant Me Strength, or defensive spells like Blessing of the Erdtree.
12. Experiment with Different Shields
Try shields that resist status effects like poison or magic if you face enemies that use those attacks frequently.
13. Use Talisman Effects to Boost Defense
Equip talismans that enhance poise, stamina recovery, or increase damage reduction to further strengthen your tank build.
14. Learn Enemy Attack Patterns
Understanding when to block, when to parry, and when to dodge is essential to maximizing your tank’s effectiveness.
15. Keep Your Weight in Check for Optimal Mobility
Adjust your armor and weapon weight as you level up to maintain a good balance between defense and speed.
16. Explore Elden Ring Items for sale
Finding rare or unique equipment can boost your tank’s stats significantly. Browsing Elden Ring Items for sale is a great way to access powerful gear you might not have found yet.
17. Consider the Best Site to Buy Elden Ring Runes
Some shields come with skills like Shield Bash or Bash Charge that can stagger enemies and open up opportunities.
19. Invest in Fire or Magic Resistance
Some bosses deal elemental damage, so boosting resistances through armor or buffs can prevent your tank from being overwhelmed.
20. Experiment with Weapon Infusions
Infusing your sword with certain elements or scaling can add extra damage types, complementing your tanking strategy.
21. Manage Your Healing Items
Always keep a good stock of flasks, balancing between HP and FP if you plan to use incantations.
22. Practice Parrying
Though tank builds usually rely on blocking, mastering the parry can add a powerful offensive option against tough enemies.
23. Join Co-op for Tough Bosses
Having summon help lets your tank absorb damage while teammates dish out damage, making difficult fights more manageable.
24. Stay Adaptable
No single build fits every situation. Swap out weapons, shields, and talismans depending on the enemies or bosses you’re facing.
Building a sword-and-board tank in Elden Ring is deeply satisfying. With the right combination of stats, equipment, and tactics, you can control battles while shrugging off hits that would otherwise stagger or kill less prepared characters. Don’t hesitate to explore Elden Ring Items for sale to find gear that complements your build and check out the best site to buy Elden Ring runes to help speed up your progress. With patience and practice, your sword-and-board tank will become an unstoppable force in the Lands Between.
Build a Sword-and-Board Tank With These 24 Elden Ring Tips
If you’re looking to create a solid, dependable tank build in Elden Ring, a sword-and-board setup is one of the most versatile and rewarding choices. This style lets you balance offense and defense effectively, allowing you to control the flow of battle while soaking up damage. Whether you’re new to tank builds or looking to refine your approach, here are 24 practical tips to help you build the ultimate sword-and-board tank.
1. Prioritize Vitality and Endurance
Vitality boosts your HP, essential for survivability, while Endurance increases your stamina and equip load, letting you wear heavier armor without sacrificing mobility.
2. Choose the Right Shield
Greatshields offer the highest stability, reducing stamina loss when blocking. Look for shields with strong physical damage reduction and useful special effects.
3. Select a Balanced Sword
A straight sword or greatsword is ideal for a tank build. They offer good damage output while maintaining reasonable speed and scaling.
4. Upgrade Your Equipment
Regularly upgrade both your sword and shield at the blacksmith to keep your damage and defense relevant throughout the game.
5. Invest in Strength and Dexterity
Depending on your weapon choice, putting points into Strength or Dexterity will improve your damage output without compromising your tankiness.
6. Use Armor That Maximizes Poise
High poise lets you tank hits without staggering, which is crucial in maintaining your guard and counterattacking.
7. Keep an Eye on Your Equip Load
Stay below 70% equip load to maintain a medium or fast roll. This balance keeps your tank mobile enough to dodge while wearing heavy armor.
8. Apply Buffs to Your Weapon
Buffing your sword with Ashes of War or spells can increase damage, elemental effects, or provide unique attack properties.
9. Don’t Neglect Stamina Management
Blocking and attacking consume stamina. Investing in Endurance helps, but also practice timing your blocks and swings to avoid running out.
10. Utilize Guard Counters
Learn the timing for guard counters with your sword for critical counterattacks after a successful block.
11. Mix in Powerful Incantations
Even as a tank, you can benefit from buffs like Flame, Grant Me Strength, or defensive spells like Blessing of the Erdtree.
12. Experiment with Different Shields
Try shields that resist status effects like poison or magic if you face enemies that use those attacks frequently.
13. Use Talisman Effects to Boost Defense
Equip talismans that enhance poise, stamina recovery, or increase damage reduction to further strengthen your tank build.
14. Learn Enemy Attack Patterns
Understanding when to block, when to parry, and when to dodge is essential to maximizing your tank’s effectiveness.
15. Keep Your Weight in Check for Optimal Mobility
Adjust your armor and weapon weight as you level up to maintain a good balance between defense and speed.
16. Explore Elden Ring Items for sale
Finding rare or unique equipment can boost your tank’s stats significantly. Browsing Elden Ring Items for sale is a great way to access powerful gear you might not have found yet.
17. Consider the Best Site to Buy Elden Ring Runes
If farming runes is slowing your progress, the best site to buy Elden Ring runes can help you level up your tank build faster.
18. Use Shield Skills Wisely
Some shields come with skills like Shield Bash or Bash Charge that can stagger enemies and open up opportunities.
19. Invest in Fire or Magic Resistance
Some bosses deal elemental damage, so boosting resistances through armor or buffs can prevent your tank from being overwhelmed.
20. Experiment with Weapon Infusions
Infusing your sword with certain elements or scaling can add extra damage types, complementing your tanking strategy.
21. Manage Your Healing Items
Always keep a good stock of flasks, balancing between HP and FP if you plan to use incantations.
22. Practice Parrying
Though tank builds usually rely on blocking, mastering the parry can add a powerful offensive option against tough enemies.
23. Join Co-op for Tough Bosses
Having summon help lets your tank absorb damage while teammates dish out damage, making difficult fights more manageable.
24. Stay Adaptable
No single build fits every situation. Swap out weapons, shields, and talismans depending on the enemies or bosses you’re facing.
Building a sword-and-board tank in Elden Ring is deeply satisfying. With the right combination of stats, equipment, and tactics, you can control battles while shrugging off hits that would otherwise stagger or kill less prepared characters. Don’t hesitate to explore Elden Ring Items for sale to find gear that complements your build and check out the best site to buy Elden Ring runes to help speed up your progress. With patience and practice, your sword-and-board tank will become an unstoppable force in the Lands Between.