Elden Ring Black Steel Greathammer Build - Black Hammer (Shadow of the Erdtree Guide)
Sep. 3, 2024Elden Ring Black Steel Greathammer Build – Black Hammer (Shadow of the Erdtree Guide)
In this Shadow of the Earth Tree guide, I’m going to be showing you my Black Hammer build. This is a build using the Blacksteel Greathammer. A lot of people have been asking me for a build for this weapon for a long time. Since think launch of the DLC, I finally got into making a build for this weapon. So let’s get into how this weapon works and what makes it so special.
This is aShadow of the Erdtreebuild that takes place after level 160. A build that utilizes the DLC exclusiveBlack Steel Greathammerthat deals heavy holy damage.
We have over 110 Elden Ringbuilds. Each one is meticulously crafted to offer unique playstyles, strategies, and experiences, ensuring there’s something for every adventurer in the Lands Between. Whether you seek the raw power of heavy weapons, the finesse of spellcasting, or the versatility of hybrid builds, our collection has you covered. Explore the depths of the game’s mechanics and unleash your full potential with our diverse array of builds.
TheBlack Steel Greathammeris a formidable weapon that deals bothphysical and holy damage, with scaling instrength,dexterity, andfaith. It’s one of the few weapons in the game that offers a secondary damage type while still allowing for infusions withashes of warorweapon buffs, making it quite versatile.
What sets this weapon apart is its uniqueblock countermechanic, which drags the hammer along the ground, leaving a trail ofholy damagesimilar to the attacks of theBlack Knightswho wield it. The damage type depends on your build; if you’ve infused it forheavyphysical damage, the weapon will mostly deal physical damage with some holy. Conversely, asacred infusionwill shift the balance towards more holy damage. However, the holy trail left by the weapon always deals 100% holy damage.
Through my testing, I discovered that at our current level, the sacred infusion slightly outperforms heavy infusion when it comes to the holy trail’s damage. This is especially true if you’re using theSacred Bladeash of war, which allows you to easily rebuff your weapon withL2without needing to swap to asacred seal. While heavy infusion may eventually surpass sacred at higher levels due to increased strength and faith scaling, the convenience ofSacred Blade’squick rebuffing and the immediate damage boost make it an excellent choice for this build.
I opted forSacred Bladenot only for the extra damage it provides during block counters and regular attacks but also because it complements the defensive nature of this build. While you cantwo-handtheBlack Steel Greathammerand block counter effectively, using agreatshieldenhances yourguard boostand overall defense, making block counters against regular enemies easier. The block counter mechanic is a standout feature of this weapon, and I wanted to emphasize it rather than replace it with an ash of war that overshadows its utility.
Sacred Bladenot only boosts your block counter damage but also gives you aranged attackoption when needed. This combination provides a balanced setup with high melee damage, solid stance damage, and some range for versatility. Regarding sacred seals, you have flexibility. TheClawmark Sealis ideal for this stat spread if you want to castincantationseffectively, though my focus here is on showcasing the weapon rather than spells. To keep myequip loadin the medium range, I opted for a lightweight sacred seal, using it primarily forGolden Vow. However, if you prefer theClawmark Seal, you might need to invest a few points intoenduranceto maintain a medium roll.
For the shield, I chose theBlack Steel Greatshield, setting it to “no skill” so I can easily useSacred Bladewith L2. This choice completes the Black Knight aesthetic I’m going for, although any greatshield could work. TheBlack Steel Greatshieldoffers 73 guard boost when fully upgraded—not the highest, but it looks perfect with theBlack Steel Greathammer. Still, feel free to use any greatshield that suits your style.
In terms of armor, I’m using a mix: theHelm of NightandGauntlets of Night, and theBlack Knight ArmorandBlack Knight Greaves, to achieve the look I want. Initially, I used the fullBlack Knight set, but I had to adjust my endurance higher than I preferred to maintain a medium roll. By swapping out a few pieces, I preserved the aesthetic while keeping mypoiseabove 51, ensuring I’m not interrupted during block counters. You can customize your armor to your liking, but I recommend maintaining over 51 poise to avoid being staggered during crucial moments.
For this build, the talismans I’m using include theTwo-Headed Turtle Talismanfor stamina recovery. This build consumes a lot of stamina since you’re frequently blocking and countering, and the weapon itself demands considerable stamina for attacks. Even with a high stamina pool, quick recovery is essential.
I also use theCurved Sword Talismanto further increase block counter damage. Given that this build relies heavily on block counters, maximizing damage is crucial.
TheShard of Alexanderis another solid choice.Sacred Bladecan deal significant damage, and boosting it can often allow you to one-shot enemies in the open world. Without it, you might leave some enemies with just a sliver of health. WhileSacred Bladeisn’t used constantly, this talisman isn’t mandatory but can be very effective when equipped.
You can also swap it out for other talismans like theRitual Sword Talismanif you’re not taking damage, to further boost your damage output.
Another option is theAxe Talismanfor charged heavy attacks—both are strong choices, and there are many other viable talismans as well.
For my last slot, I prefer theBlade of Mercy. I often land critical attacks in boss fights, usually two or so, which is pretty good. This talisman keeps my damage boosted between those critical hits, which I find valuable. It’s less effective in the open world, where block counters usually finish off enemies before you can follow up.
In such cases, I like to switch to theCrusade Insigniato secure quick kills and gain a damage boost afterward.
As for spells, the only one I’m using isGolden Vow, which provides both a damage increase and additional protection. Since this build has plenty of faith and decent strength, theClawmark Sealallows you to slot other spells if you want, though I haven’t showcased them here. If you decide to use other spells and adjust your strength and faith, you might want to swap out your talismans for ones that boost spell casting.
At level 165, the stats for this build are as follows:55 Vigor,27 Mind,40 Endurance,35 Strength,12 Dexterity,16 Intelligence,50 Faith, and9 Arcane.
For theFlask of Wondrous Physick, I use theHoly-Shrouding Cracked Tearto further boost Holy damage. While a significant portion of our damage is Holy, around one-third is still physical, so even at about two-thirds effectiveness, this tear provides a substantial benefit. I highly recommend it. Additionally, I include theStonebarb Cracked Tear, which makes it easier to break stances. This build focuses heavily on stance breaks, especially in boss fights where you can achieve them quickly.
This tear ensures that your attacks, block counters, and overall damage output contribute more to stance damage, allowing for frequent critical strikes on bosses. Although it only lasts 30 seconds—shorter than theHoly Shrouding Cracked Tear—it’s incredibly effective when used strategically. I usually activate it mid-fight or aggressively pursue stance breaks early on to trigger theBlade of Mercy’sdamage boost.
When it comes toGreat Runes,Radahn’s Great Runeis an excellent choice. The extra FP, stamina, and health it provides are all valuable for this build, so I definitely recommend it.Godrick’s Great Runeis also a viable option since it boosts six of your stats, or even seven if you’re usingSacred Order. This can be a great all-around choice as well.
That wraps up myBlack Hammerbuild. I’m considering doing another build with theBlacksteel Twinbladeat some point. I’m not sure yet what direction I’ll take with that, but I’m excited to explore its potential. Initially, I was skeptical about this weapon, but after using it, it’s become one of my favorites. In my opinion, it’s easily one of the top 5 best weapons in the DLC, or at least very close to it. As always, let us know if you have questions or other tips in the comments below. We have a ton more builds coming forElden RingandShadow of the Erdtreeso stay tuned for those. If you need help finding the spells, items, or equipment in this build, and securing some personal objectives, make sure to check theElden Ring Map.
Castielle
Senior Editor at Fextralife. I enjoy gaming, playing and watching sports, cooking yummy food, watching a good movie and hanging out with Fex.
