The Beastclaw Greathammer is one of Elden Ring's most thematically rich and Elden Ring Runes mechanically satisfying colossal weapons. Closely tied to Gurranq, Beast Clergyman, this weapon blends overwhelming physical force with bestial magic, making it ideal for players who enjoy methodical, high-impact combat. While its slow speed can be intimidating, mastering the Beastclaw Greathammer turns its wielder into a devastating force in both PvE and PvP.

Understanding the Beastclaw Greathammer

At its foundation, the Beastclaw Greathammer is a Strength–Faith hybrid weapon. Strength serves as its primary damage stat, while Faith enhances both overall scaling and the effectiveness of its unique weapon skill. This makes it best suited for builds that prioritize Strength while investing enough Faith to unlock its full potential. Ignoring Faith limits the weapon's identity, reducing it to a slower alternative to other colossal hammers.

As a colossal weapon, the Beastclaw Greathammer excels in posture damage, allowing players to stagger enemies and break boss stances with fewer successful hits. However, its slow wind-up and recovery demand patience, spacing, and precise timing.

Mastering the Regal Beastclaw Skill

The weapon's defining feature is its unique skill, Regal Beastclaw. When activated, the wielder slams the hammer into the ground, sending a wave of jagged stone spikes forward along the terrain. This skill gives the Beastclaw Greathammer a crucial advantage: mid-range pressure, something most colossal weapons lack.

Regal Beastclaw is excellent for interrupting enemies, punishing heal attempts, and dealing posture damage from a safer distance. It is especially effective against humanoid foes and aggressive enemies that rely on forward momentum. However, the animation is slow, so it should be used after dodging an attack, during enemy recovery frames, or when spacing safely. Spamming the skill is risky, but well-timed uses can completely control the flow of combat.

Optimal Combat Techniques

In melee combat, the Beastclaw Greathammer thrives on deliberate strikes rather than aggression. Light attacks are best reserved for finishing weakened enemies or trading against low-poise foes. Heavy attacks, especially charged heavy attacks, are the real stars. These attacks deal massive stance damage and often lead to critical hits when enemy posture breaks.

Jumping heavy attacks are particularly powerful and should be a core part of your playstyle. They come out faster than standard heavy attacks, hit hard, and synergize perfectly with talismans that boost jump damage. Proper stamina management is essential-overcommitting can leave you vulnerable to fast enemies.

Build Synergy and Equipment Choices

Because the Beastclaw Greathammer is heavy, poise and equip load management are critical. Armor with high poise allows you to tank lighter hits while completing attack animations. Talismans such as the Claw Talisman, Great-Jar's Arsenal, and Faith-enhancing talismans greatly improve performance.

Faith investment also unlocks powerful incantation support. Bestial Sling provides quick, close-range harassment, while Stone of Gurranq offers a ranged option that fits naturally into the weapon's rhythm. Buffs like Golden Vow significantly boost damage and survivability, making them invaluable in boss fights and invasions.

PvE and PvP Applications

In PvE, the Beastclaw Greathammer excels against large enemies and bosses with predictable patterns. Its high posture damage allows frequent stance breaks, shortening difficult encounters. Regal Beastclaw adds safety when fighting enemies that punish close-range commitment.

In PvP, the weapon is more situational but highly threatening. Jumping attacks and Regal Beastclaw can catch opponents off guard, while its sheer damage output discourages reckless aggression. Skilled opponents may try to exploit its slow recovery, so mixing in incantations and spacing tools is key.

Conclusion

The Beastclaw Greathammer is not a weapon for impatient players, but for those who value precision, timing, and buy Elden Ring Runes raw power. When used correctly, it delivers crushing blows backed by primal magic, embodying the ferocity of the Beast Clergyman himself. With the right build and disciplined playstyle, the Beastclaw Greathammer becomes one of Elden Ring's most rewarding weapons to master.