How to get Claymore in Elden Ring & best builds

The Claymore has emerged as a reliable weapon across multiple FromSoftware games including Elden Ring. You can find the trusty greatsword early on and create some powerful builds around it. Here’s how to get the Claymore in Elden Ring and the best builds for the weapon.

The hype for Shadow of the Erdtree continues to build, as June cannot come soon enough for Elden Ring fans. With the highly anticipated DLC still months away, this might be a good time to start a fresh playthrough, check out interesting locations that you might’ve missed, or test out some new weapons.

If you’re yet to settle on a build to carry into the Land of Shadow, the Claymore could be worth taking a look at. The weapon will be familiar for souls-like veterans and it remains as capable as it was in the Dark Souls trilogy.

Here’s how to get the Claymore in Elden Ring and the best builds for the weapon.

Elden Ring: How to get Claymore

You can find the Claymore in Elden Ring by visiting Castle Morne in the Weeping Peninsula region, located in the south-eastern part of the map. The weapon is locked inside a chest, and to reach it you’ll have to climb up the hill of bodies surrounded by Harpies and take the door towards the right.

Castle Morne is an early-game area so you shouldn’t face many problems exploring it. That said, be on the lookout for the mobs of enemies that parade inside the castle walls.

Best Claymore builds in Elden Ring

The Claymore is best suited for STR/DEX builds in Elden Ring as the weapon primarily scales with Strength and Dexterity. It’s ideally used as a two-handed weapon and paired with armor sets that grant your character a decent amount of Poise.

In terms of base damage output, the Claymore offers 138 physical damage which is pretty average when compared to other greatswords. Where the weapon shines are the unique thrusting attacks which offer plenty of reach and allow you to poke enemies from a distance. This aspect is also helpful in PvP as it makes it easier to interrupt other players’ rolling animation.

Claymore comes with the Lion’s Claw weapon skill, which sees your character deliver a swift overhead smash. If timed correctly, the skill can come in handy during boss encounters.

With all this in mind, here are some Claymore builds for you to try out:

Flame Claymore build

This Claymore build will help you dish out Fire status effect damage and help you melt the health of bosses. Focus your attributes on Strength, Dexterity, and Faith.

• Armor set: Fire Monk
• Ash of War: Flaming Strike
• Talismans:
  • Fire Scorpion Charm – Increases Fire Damage by 12%, but increases Physical Damage taken by 10%
  • Millicent’s Prosthesis – Boosts dexterity (+5), raises attack power with successive attacks (4%,6%, 11%)
  • Rotten Winged Sword Insignia – Greatly raises attack power with successive attacks (6%,8%,13%)
  • Godfrey Icon – Raises attack power of charged Spells and skills by 15%

Poison Claymore build

If you want to stack tons of poison damage on your enemies, the Poison Claymore build is for you. To change your base Claymore’s affinity, make sure to use the Black Whetblade.

• Armor Set: Omen set, Maliketh’s set
• Ash of War: Poison Mist
• Talismans:
  • Millicent’s Prosthesis – Boosts dexterity (+5), raises attack power with successive attacks (4%,6%, 11%)
  • Erdtree favor – Slightly raises maximum HP, stamina, and equip load
  • Shard of Alexander – Greatly boosts the attack power of skills

Heavy Claymore build

The Heavy Claymore build is for players who always pass the Vigor check and want to lean into a Strength build. Before piecing together the build, remember to get Heavy weapon affinity by using the Iron Whetblade.

• Armor Set: Ronin’s set
• Ash of War: Wild Strikes
• Talismans:
  • Crimson Amber Medallion –  Raises maximum HP by 6/7/8%.
  • Shard of Alexander – Greatly boosts the attack power of skills
  • Erdtree favor – Slightly raises maximum HP, stamina, and equip load

Those were the best Claymore builds for you to check out in Elden Ring. For more on the game, check out:

Best early game weapons in Elden Ring & where to find them | Where to find Castle Sol in Elden Ring: Location, items, more | Where to find Somber Smithing Stone 7 in Elden Ring | How to get Bloodhound’s Fang in Elden Ring: Best builds | All Elden Ring achievements & trophies: Hidden, Platinum, more | Elden Ring Blasphemous Blade: How to get and best builds