In Elden Ring, some weapons dominate both PvE and PvP, transcending enemy types and player tactics alike. But not all weapons transition well between the two realms, and one of the most glaring examples is the iconic Greatsword – a weapon that shines in PvE but stumbles heavily in the competitive world of PvP. While its visual appeal and raw power make it a fan-favorite in single-player encounters, the Greatsword flaws are too significant to ignore when facing real players.

The Greatsword, often associated with characters like Guts from Berserk, is a staple of colossal weaponry in Elden Ring Runes. Classified as a Colossal Greatsword, it delivers pure physical damage with massive impact. In PvE, it can devastate enemies and bosses alike, especially when combined with buffs such as Royal Knight Resolve or Flame, Grant Me Strength. Few enemies can withstand a fully charged jumping attack without being staggered or outright destroyed.

Its enormous size and intimidating design make it the centerpiece of many strength-based builds. Whether dual-wielding with a second colossal weapon or going solo with a shield or magic support, the Greatsword looks and feels powerful in the Lands Between. However, when taken into PvP, its usefulness dramatically declines.

While the Greatsword may look threatening to human opponents, it suffers from several core issues that make it a poor choice for PvP combat:

1.Sluggish Attack Speed

Timing is everything in PvP. The Greatsword attack animations are painfully slow compared to katanas, thrusting swords, or even some curved greatswords. Every swing is telegraphed well in advance, giving opponents ample time to dodge, counter, or punish. In a game where fast reaction time and roll-catching are key to victory, the Greatsword commitment-heavy strikes become a liability.

2. Predictable Moveset

The standard R1 and R2 attacks are highly predictable. The wide arcs of horizontal slashes or the long wind-up of vertical smashes rarely catch experienced players off-guard. Even the jumping and rolling attacks, which are arguably the weapon most viable PvP options, become predictable after a few uses in battle. Unless you constantly mix up your approach or bait dodges effectively, you'll find yourself swinging at air more often than not.

3. High Weight and Low Mobility

Equipping the Greatsword locks you into heavy or medium equip loads unless you sacrifice armor. This hampers your mobility, a critical factor in PvP where spacing, dodging, and roll-timing decide fights. The heavier your load, the slower your roll – and in Elden Ring, a slow roll is a death sentence in PvP.

4. Poor Trade Potential

You'd think a weapon of this size and power would dominate trades, but that's not always the case. While it can stagger and hit hard, its inability to quickly follow up or reliably land combo attacks means faster weapons with status effects like Bleed or Frostbite often come out ahead in prolonged skirmishes. Plus, a missed swing leaves you wide open to punishment from faster weapons.

Many players try to compensate for the Greatsword weaknesses with buffs and Ashes of War. For example, Royal Knight Resolve can give you a massive damage boost on your next attack – but the problem is landing that attack. In PvE, a pre-charged RKR jumping slam can delete mobs or chunk bosses. In PvP, however, most players will simply dodge the telltale wind-up and counter you during your long recovery frames.

Another popular tactic is using Bloodhound Step to improve dodging and repositioning. While this helps with mobility, it doesn't solve the weapon core issue:difficulty in consistently landing hits. Even with perfect positioning, your opponent only needs to roll once to completely avoid your swing and respond with a punishing combo.

If you're attached to colossal weapons but want something more viable in PvP, consider the Ruins Greatsword for its unique Gravity Wave Ash of War, or the Great Club, which has a deceptive hitbox and slightly faster attacks. Even a well-built Greatsword Twinblade or Great Curved Sword offers more flexibility, faster swings, and better synergy with PvP movement.

The Greatsword may reign supreme in PvE for its sheer brute force and ease of bossstaggering, but in PvP, it's a glaring example of a weapon that doesn't translate well to competitive play. Its slow attacks, predictable patterns, and reliance on buffs that rarely land make it more of a novelty than a viable strategy in duels or invasions.

This doesn't mean you can't use it in PvP and win – Elden Ring is all about player expression. But if you're serious about climbing the ranks or consistently defeating real players, it's better to leave the Greatsword in your inventory and opt for a weapon better suited to fast-paced human combat. Forge your legend - Equip yourself with the buy Elden Ring Items you need to rise in MMOexp!