What Is Stance Break and Why Should You Care?

You might be wondering, “Why bother breaking an enemy’s stance?” In simple terms, when an enemy’s stance is broken, they become staggered or even collapse, leaving them open for massive follow-up attacks. This is particularly useful against bosses and shield-heavy enemies who otherwise tank through your hits. Heavy weapons are ideal here because their high poise damage makes enemies crumble faster than lighter weapons.

Which Heavy Weapons Work Best?

So, which weapons should you focus on? Greatswords, colossal weapons, and hammers are all fantastic choices. Colossal weapons, in particular, can break the stance of even the tankiest foes with just a few well-timed hits. My personal favorite is the Great Club—it’s slow, but when it lands, it feels like the enemy is begging for mercy.

When using these weapons, timing is everything. A common mistake is spamming attacks, which often leaves you vulnerable. Instead, aim for staggered hits that chip away at the enemy’s poise, and combine them with charged attacks to maximize stance damage.

How Should You Approach Combat?

Here’s a tip: treat each enemy like a puzzle. Some enemies have predictable patterns, which makes it easier to land heavy hits when their guard is down. For bosses, patience pays off. Don’t rush in; observe their moves and strike during openings. You’ll notice that once their stance breaks, the resulting stagger allows for combos that can deal massive damage.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that having enough resources to continuously swing your heavy weapon is key. If you run out of health or runes mid-fight, your strategy falls apart. That’s where pre-planning comes in. If you ever need to buy Elden Ring runes quickly, consider stocking up from merchants or trading wisely to make sure you’re always prepared for extended fights. Trust me, it saves a lot of frustrating backtracking.

Any Special Techniques for Maximizing Stance Damage?

Yes! There are a few techniques that can really give you an edge:

Charged Heavy Attacks: Holding down the attack button fully charges your swing, delivering maximum poise damage. Timing it with an enemy’s attack pattern can result in instant stagger.

Jump Attacks: Some weapons benefit from jump attacks, which add extra impact. Perfect for stagger-prone enemies.

Buffs and Ashes of War: Using buffs or certain Ashes of War can enhance your heavy weapon’s damage output, making stance breaks more consistent.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Spend some time in early-game areas experimenting with different timings and combos. You’ll start to notice patterns in enemy poise and how much damage it takes to break it.

Where Can You Find Helpful Tools?

Sometimes you might feel stuck or want a shortcut to optimize your character. This is where community resources can help. For example, sites like U4GM provide guides, tips, and sometimes in-game items that can accelerate your progress. While I recommend trying to learn the mechanics yourself first, these resources can be lifesavers when you want to test new heavy weapon builds without grinding endlessly.

Quick Tips Before You Dive In

Patience is everything—don’t swing wildly. Wait for openings.

Mix charged and normal heavy attacks to balance stamina use and poise damage.

Keep your health and runes stocked; nothing kills momentum faster than having to retreat mid-fight.

Experiment with different weapons and Ashes of War to find a style that suits your playstyle.

Mastering stance break with heavy weapons in Elden Ring isn’t just about raw strength—it’s about timing, observation, and understanding your enemy. With practice, patience, and a little preparation, you can turn even the toughest enemies into manageable challenges. Whether you’re tackling bosses or exploring the open world, getting a feel for stance damage will make every fight more satisfying and strategic.

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