Elden Ring: Where To Find The Zweihander

Massive blades deliver devastating impact capable of staggering even the toughest adversaries.

Among From Software’s legendary armaments, the Zweihander stands as a fan-favorite colossal greatsword that maintains its iconic status in Elden Ring. This formidable weapon combines raw destructive power with surprisingly accessible stat requirements, making it an exceptional choice for players committing to Strength-focused builds from the early stages. Its combination of reach, damage output, and crowd control capabilities ensures relevance through the entire game progression.

Wielding the Zweihander demands 19 Strength and 11 Dexterity, positioning it as one of the most attainable colossal weapons for dedicated Strength builds. The weapon scales primarily with Strength (C rating at base), with secondary Dexterity scaling (E rating), allowing for significant damage increases through reinforcement and proper attribute allocation. Beyond raw statistics, its true strength lies in interruption potential—successful strikes frequently stagger enemies, creating openings for follow-up attacks or strategic repositioning.

The signature weapon skill, Stamp (Upward Cut), provides a tactical advantage when mastered. Activating this ability grants temporary hyper armor, allowing you to absorb a single enemy attack without flinching while preparing a powerful upward slash. Proper timing transforms this from a simple attack into a sophisticated countermeasure against aggressive foes.

According to its in-game documentation:

Among the most massive blades manageable by human hands, this implement lives up to its name through mandatory two-handed operation—though even substantial physical power may find the weight challenging. The extended edge balances heft with sharpness, capable of repelling multiple opponents with sweeping motions while retaining precision for devastating thrusting maneuvers.

Secure the Zweihander through commerce with the Isolated Merchant, who operates from the appropriately designated Isolated Merchant Shack in the western sector of Weeping Peninsula. Reaching this vendor proves relatively straightforward during early gameplay: journey to Limgrave’s southern extremity, traverse the land bridge accessing the peninsula, then follow the western coastline until encountering the remote trading post.

Although accessing the merchant presents minimal difficulty, prospective buyers should note the 3,500 rune price tag. Ensure adequate currency reserves before undertaking the expedition. Upon successful transaction, you’ll possess one of Elden Ring’s most respected weapons for achieving monumental damage and spectacular stun effects.

Zweihander Location

Navigating to the Isolated Merchant requires awareness of several environmental hazards. The Weeping Peninsula hosts numerous soldiers, wandering dogs, and aerial threats that can overwhelm unprepared travelers. Consider clearing nearby sites of grace to establish respawn points, and utilize Torrent for rapid traversal past non-essential combat encounters.

For players struggling with rune accumulation, several efficient early-game farming locations exist. The Gatefront Ruins near the starting area provide consistent soldier encounters, while the peninsula’s coastal areas offer passive rune acquisition through exploration and minor enemy elimination. Our comprehensive Weapons Unlock guide offers additional currency optimization strategies applicable across multiple gameplay scenarios.

Mastering the Zweihander extends beyond basic swinging—successful implementation requires understanding spacing, timing, and stamina management. The weapon’s slow attack speed demands deliberate engagement rather than reactionary combat, rewarding players who anticipate enemy movements and attack patterns.

The jumping heavy attack proves particularly effective, combining forward momentum with substantial damage and enhanced stagger potential. This maneuver allows you to close distance while initiating an offensive, particularly useful against defensive enemies or groups requiring disruption.

When facing multiple opponents, utilize the Zweihander’s sweeping light attacks to maintain crowd control. The weapon’s range enables hitting multiple targets with single swings, while the stagger effect often interrupts enemy attacks before they connect. Against larger, more resilient foes, charged heavy attacks deliver exceptional posture damage, frequently leading to critical hit opportunities.

Weapon customization significantly enhances the Zweihander’s effectiveness. Applying the Heavy affinity through ashes of war boosts Strength scaling to B rating at maximum upgrade, making it ideal for pure Strength builds. For hybrid builds, consider Quality affinity when both Strength and Dexterity exceed 40, or Fire/Flame Art for intelligence/faith hybrid approaches.

Common mistakes include overcommitting to attack chains and inadequate stamina preservation. The Zweihander consumes substantial stamina per swing—maintain sufficient reserves for emergency dodges or blocks. Additionally, avoid using slow attacks against highly mobile enemies; instead, employ roll attacks or the weapon skill for quicker responses. Our Class Guide provides additional context for optimizing your character build around heavy weapon specialization.

For comprehensive gameplay guidance beyond weapon selection, consult our Complete Guide covering progression strategies, boss encounters, and character development pathways.

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