Elden Ring: Mastering the Power of the  Broad Sword and Square Off Skill
In the world of Elden Ring, where every weapon has its strengths and weaknesses, some weapons stand out due to their simplicity, effectiveness, and raw damage potential. One such weapon is the Broad Sword, a seemingly unassuming straight sword that has become one of the most powerful tools in the hands of skilled players. While it may appear to be just another sword in the vast arsenal of weapons available in the game, the Broad Sword’s unique combination of infusibility and its powerful Square Off skill has made it a staple for high-level builds, especially in PvE combat. In this guide, we’ll break down how to optimize the Broad Sword build and use it to defeat some of the toughest bosses in Elden Ring Runes, including those from the DLC expansions, without taking a single hit.

The Broad Sword: A Hidden Gem in Elden Ring
At first glance, the Broad Sword may not seem like the most exciting weapon in Elden Ring. It’s a straightforward, infusible straight sword with average scaling and attack stats across all affinities. It’s also one of the shortest swords in its class, and its design is quite basic compared to other legendary weapons in the game. However, what sets the Broad Sword apart is its Square Off weapon skill, which allows the player to perform a series of swift, punishing slashes with a high potential for stance damage. Under certain conditions, Square Off can melt through an enemy’s HP bar in seconds, making it one of the most efficient and potent abilities in the game.

But the Broad Sword doesn’t stop there. When paired with the right build, buffs, and DLC items, it can rival even the most powerful weapons in Elden Ring. This weapon is the ideal choice for players looking to deliver consistent damage, while maintaining control over their combat environment. Let’s explore the optimal build for utilizing the Broad Sword with its Square Off skill.

Building the Ultimate Broad Sword Build
To make the most out of the Broad Sword, players need to focus on both optimizing their character's stats and equipping the right gear to enhance their damage output. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to build the most overpowered Broad Sword setup in Elden Ring.

1. Weapon Infusion: Flame or Sacred Affinity
The first key to optimizing the Broad Sword is its infusion. Since the Broad Sword is infusible, players can choose between Flame M Affinity or Sacred Affinity, depending on their desired playstyle.

Flame M Affinity boosts fire damage, making it an excellent choice for players who want to deal consistent fire damage, especially when paired with Hefty Oil Pots, which can increase fire damage by 65%. This is ideal for setting up explosive damage during key boss fights.

Sacred Affinity, on the other hand, is the perfect option for those looking to deal holy damage. Holy damage can be extremely effective against specific bosses or enemies weak to it, making it a versatile option in both base game and DLC content.

2. Armor Set: Rasas Armor + Black Dumpling
For armor, the Rasas Armor Set is a must-have, as it provides a 6% increase in damage, which is crucial for boosting the already impressive damage output of the Broad Sword. This set is lightweight enough not to hinder mobility, allowing you to quickly dodge or reposition during boss fights.

Additionally, pairing this armor with Black Dumpling provides an additional 10% damage boost when utilizing Madness effects. This combination works wonders when using skills like Square Off, as it can significantly boost damage output, especially when enemies are staggered.

3. Talisman Setup
Talisman choice is vital for maximizing your damage in any build. For this Broad Sword build, the following talismans are the most effective:

Radagon's Scarseal: This talisman boosts several important attributes, including strength, which further enhances the Broad Sword's damage potential.
Shard of Alexander: Increases the effectiveness of weapon skills like Square Off, allowing you to deal even more damage during combat.
Fire Scorpion Charm: If you're using Flame M Affinity for fire damage, this talisman will increase your fire damage by another 12.5%.
Exultation: This talisman increases damage when you're under a buffed status, making it essential for keeping your damage output high throughout the fight.
If you're opting for holy damage, swap out the Fire Scorpion Charm for the Sacred Scorpion Charm, which boosts holy damage instead.

4. Flask of Wondrous Physick
Your Flask of Wondrous Physick should be tailored to complement your overall build. The following crack tiers are essential:

Bloodsucking Crack Tier: Restores health whenever you inflict Madness status on an enemy, which is essential for keeping you alive during prolonged fights.
Flame Shrouding Crack Tier: If you're using Flame M Affinity, this increases fire damage, giving you a considerable edge against bosses weak to fire.
Alternatively, if you're focusing on holy damage, replace the Flame Shrouding Crack Tier with the Holy Shrouding Crack Tier for a boost in holy damage.

5. Buffs and Spells
Buffing your character is key to pushing your damage output to its maximum. The following buffs are essential:

Golden Vow: This increases your overall damage output and defense, ensuring that you can deal with difficult bosses and survive their most punishing attacks.
Blessing of the Erdtree: This will offset the HP drain from using Bloodsucking Crack Tier, ensuring that you remain at full health as you apply Madness effects to enemies.
Flame of Frenzy: A Madness-inflicting spell that synergizes perfectly with your build, Flame of Frenzy can apply the Madness status quickly, which further boosts your damage and helps stagger enemies more effectively.
The Power of Square Off
The key to this build’s success is the Square Off weapon skill. Square Off allows you to perform a series of quick slashes that deal significant stance damage. When used correctly, it can stagger even some of the toughest bosses in the game, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.

Additionally, Square Off can be used from a safe distance, allowing players to maintain high mobility while still dealing damage. This makes it an incredibly versatile tool for both PvP and PvE content. Whether you’re fighting a massive boss or a group of smaller enemies, Square Off is incredibly effective in almost every scenario.

Tackling Elden Ring’s Toughest Bosses
With the Broad Sword build fully optimized, you’ll be ready to take on some of the hardest bosses in the base game and the DLC. Here’s a brief look at how this build handles some of the most difficult encounters:

1. Radahn
Radahn, one of the most iconic bosses in Elden Ring, can be a tough challenge for many players. However, with the Broad Sword and Square Off, you can keep up with his fast and aggressive attacks. When paired with Golden Vow, Blessing of the Erdtree, and Madness-inflicting spells, you can quickly stagger him, making the fight much easier.

2. Malenia
Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is another challenging boss who can drain your health with every hit. With the right combination of buffs and healing mechanics, this build allows you to go toe-to-toe with her without taking damage. The Square Off skill, in particular, is ideal for staggering her when she’s on the offensive.

3. Mohg, Lord of Blood
Mohg is a tricky boss who can overwhelm players with his blood magic. However, with the Broad Sword build, you can deal significant damage during his staggered states, making the fight much more manageable. The Madness status and high damage output ensure that you’ll be able to whittle down his HP quickly.

Conclusion
The Broad Sword in Elden Ring may appear simple at first, but with the right build and setup, it can become one of the most powerful weapons in the game. By focusing on Flame M Affinity or Sacred Affinity, optimizing your armor and talismans, and taking full advantage of the Square Off skill, you can defeat even the toughest bosses without taking a hit. Whether you're looking to
best place to buy elden ring items  conquer base game content or dive into the DLC, this overpowered build will ensure you come out victorious every time