Welcome back to another Elden Ring DLC build guide. Today we're diving into a build focused entirely around the fist weapon class – and let me tell you, this setup absolutely slaps in both PvE and invasions, especially if you buy Elden Ring Runes to optimize your stat distribution right from the start. I really do enjoy this weapon class. Fast attacks, amazing chase-down potential, and the ability to stick to opponents like glue. But what they traditionally lack? A hyper armor option for when you're fighting outnumbered and really need to trade blows while dishing out solid burst damage. Enter Barbaric Roar – the perfect pairing for fist weapons.

WHY BARBARIC ROAR WORKS

This Ash of War transforms fist weapons from a purely aggressive playstyle into something that excels in multiple areas:

· Hyper armor on the heavy attack – Trade into overly aggressive enemies

· Massive damage – When you land that hyper armor attack, it HURTS

· Damage buff – Base AR of 440 jumps to 483 with the buff active

· Versatility – Run down runners OR stand your ground against ganks

STAT DISTRIBUTION

This is a standard strength build, plain and simple:

· STRENGTH: As high as possible – this is your primary damage stat

· ENDURANCE: Enough to maintain medium roll with your chosen armor

· VIGOR: High health pool – you'll be trading hits, after all

· Check the right side of the screen at the end for the exact stat spread!

TALISMAN SETUP

Your talisman choices will depend on which fist weapon you're optimizing:

For the Pata (or similar):

· Lacerating Crossed-Tree Talisman – You'll be using running attacks CONSTANTLY

For Star Fist / Most Other Fist Weapons:

· Rotten Winged Sword Insignia – Heavy attacks are multi-hit, so this procs beautifully

Core Talismans (Always Run):

· Roar Medallion – Absolutely mandatory. Increases damage on your roar-based moves (barbaric roar heavy attack gets buffed!)

· Bull-Goat's Talisman – More poise = more trades won

Off-Hand Weapon Tech:

· Highland Axe – Keep this in your off-hand. It increases the damage of barbaric roar's heavy attack. Game-changer.

CONSUMABLES FOR MAX DAMAGE

If you really want to maximize damage output:

· Exalted Flesh – Physical damage increase

· Uplifting Aromatic – Another physical damage buff plus damage negation

· Stack these with your roar buff and watch the numbers get ridiculous.

ARMOR & FASHION

Fashion is always up to you, but here's what I'm running for that perfect blend of style and function:

· Banish Knight Helm

· Banish Knight Armor

· Fire Prelate Gauntlets

· Bull-Goat Greaves

· This setup gives excellent poise and defense – exactly what benefits the fist weapon class when you're trading into groups.

PLAYSTYLE TIPS

The Barbaric Roar Heavy Attack:

· Use it when you KNOW someone's about to swing

· The hyper armor lets you tank through their attack and deliver yours

· Follow-up potential is massive – if they try to trade again, they lose

Chase-Down Game:

· Running light attacks close distance INSTANTLY

· Once they're in range, mix up with R2s

· If they panic roll, you've already won

Against Mages:

· Use terrain to your advantage – rocks, walls, narrow passages

· The boulder tech (using environment-appropriate AoEs) is evil and I love it

· Pressure them until they're out of FP, then go to town

Against Shields:

· Barbaric roar heavy attacks guard break through weapons

· Shields are slightly better, but they'll still eat massive stamina damage

· Mix in jump attacks to keep pressure

WEAPON SPOTLIGHT: STAR FIST

The Star Fist deserves special mention here. The damage on barbaric roar heavy attacks is honestly unreal. One combo can delete a phantom before they know what hit them.

Pro tip: The jumping light attack on Star Fist is incredibly good for roll-catching and initiating pressure.

INVASION HIGHLIGHTS & LESSONS

The "Trapped Yourself" Victory

When hosts chase you into a dead end, remember: you have hyper armor now. That dead end? It's THEIR coffin, not yours. Let them think they have you cornered, then barbaric roar heavy through their panic attacks.

The Elevator/Ledge Game

Fist weapons excel at ledge play. Running attacks can knock people off, and the quick recovery means you won't follow them down. Use gravity as your ally.

Fighting Outnumbered

This is where the build shines. Hyper armor lets you trade with one opponent while keeping eyes on the others. The key is positioning – never let them surround you completely. Use walls to limit approach angles.

The Wizard Problem

Mages love spamming the same attacks over and over. Use that predictability:

· Bait the spell, dodge, close distance

· If they're spamming from above, check if the terrain is thin enough for AoE rocks to hit through

· Once they're out of FP, they're just squishy targets

MATCHUP NOTES

Vs. Moonveil Users:

Constant L2 spam? Yeah, we know the type. Use the running attacks to close distance, then hyper armor through their next weapon art. The stagger from Moonveil is annoying, but one good trade wins the fight.

Vs. Backhand Blades:

Light rollers are tough, but the R2 on fist weapons has surprising range. Counter-attack when they whiff, and don't let them dictate the pace.

Vs. Great Katanas:

Respect the range, but know that your speed beats their recovery. Bait the swing, then punish.

Vs. Parry Spammers:

They're waiting for that parry. Mix up your timings, use jumping attacks, and remember – you can't parry a hyper armor trade.

Vs. Dual Spears / Bleed Builds:

Stay mobile until you see an opening. Your goal is to isolate one of them. The classic "double seppuku bleed build" hits hard, but they're often low on health after buffing. One good trade can end it.

SITUATIONAL TACTICS

When the Host is Fighting a Boss:

If you invade into a world where the host is fighting a field boss, you have options:

· Fight the phantom while the host handles the boss

· Let the boss be your ally – it doesn't discriminate

· If the phantom wants to 1v1 while the host fights, respect that unspoken agreement

When You Have a Friendly Invader:

Sometimes you'll spawn in with another invader. Read the room – if they're not attacking you, maybe work together. Wouldn't it be cool if we could buff teammates? One day...

The Corner Trap:

If you catch someone in a corner with this weapon, it's over. The stunlock potential combined with hyper armor means they have no escape. Fun fights, boys.

FINAL TALISMAN LOADOUT

Here's what I settled on for the Star Fist setup:

· Roar Medallion +2 – Mandatory for damage

· Rotten Winged Sword Insignia – Multi-hit heavy attacks

· Bull-Goat Talisman – Poise for trades

· Lacerating Crossed-Tree (for Pata) / Flex spot (for other weapons)

CLOSING THOUGHTS

This barbaric roar fist weapon build turns a class that's usually about hit-and-run into a face-tanking powerhouse. The ability to pressure runners AND trade with gank squads makes it incredibly versatile in invasions, and if you want to optimize this setup without the grind, you can buy cheap Elden Ring Items from MMOEXP to get all the gear and consumables you need instantly. The running light attack is literally the "chase-down weapon of God" – if someone's running from you, they're already dead. They just don't know it yet.

Special shoutout to:

· Blasphemous Billy (you know who you are)

· Every dishonest wizard who learned that boulders don't care about your FP

· The parry gods who can't parry hyper armor

Build Summary:

· Weapons: Fist class (Star Fist recommended) + Highland Axe (off-hand)

· Ash of War: Barbaric Roar

· Stats: Heavy Strength investment with high Vigor/Endurance

· Talismans: Roar Medallion, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Bull-Goat, +flex

· Playstyle: Hyper armor trading + relentless chase-down