If you're looking for a build in the Elden Ring that combines raw power, absurd trading potential, a pure Strength setup built around the Rusted Anchor. This unassuming great axe delivers some of the most devastating trades in the game thanks to its unique pierce damage profile, synergizing perfectly with hyper armor heavy attacks and Ash of War buffs Elden Ring Items.

This isn't just a build-it's a freight train in weapon form.

Why the Rusted Anchor Hits So Hard

At first glance, the Rusted Anchor looks like any other great axe, but there's a twist: it deals 100% pierce damage. This matters because of a little-known mechanic-when players are in their attack animation, their pierce absorption drops dramatically. Chase demonstrates this in the video: his pierce absorption is normally 28, but during attack frames, it drops to 17, meaning incoming pierce damage hurts significantly more.

That's where the Rusted Anchor shines. If enemies swing into you while you're attacking with a hyper armor move, you not only tank through their hit but punish them with boosted pierce counter damage. The result? Opponents evaporate in one or two trades.

The Core of the Build-Braggart's Roar and Buff Stacking

The build revolves around Braggart's Roar, an Ash of War that provides a heavy attack chain with massive hyper armor. This pairs beautifully with the Rusted Anchor's pierce profile. To push the damage into"delete phantoms instantly" territory, the setup stacks multiple roar and heavy attack buffs:

 Roar Medallion-Increases the damage of roar-based attacks, including Braggart's Roar's heavy swings.

 Highland Axe (off-hand)-Passively boosts roar damage even if you're not actively using it.

 Two-Handed Sword Talisman-Buffs damage while two-handing a weapon.

 Spear Talisman-Enhances counterattack damage for pierce weapons.

With all of these active, Chase's heavy attacks become nuclear strikes. He pushes Strength to 80 to maximize scaling, while the rest of his points are invested in Vigor for survivability and Endurance for poise and stamina.

Stat & Gear Breakdown

Main Weapon: Rusted Anchor (Great Axe-100% pierce damage)

Off-Hand: Highland Axe (for roar damage bonus)

Ash of War: Braggart's Roar

Talismans:

1.Roar Medallion

2.Highland Axe (passive buff)

3.Two-Handed Sword Talisman

4.Spear Talisman

Armor: a set with solid poise and defenses while keeping his preferred fashion.

Stats:

 Strength: 80 (hard cap for maximum scaling)

 Vigor & Endurance: Balanced for tankiness and stamina pool

 Dexterity: Minimum to wield the Rusted Anchor

Playstyle-Winning Trades by Design

The strategy is simple but brutally effective:

1.Buff Up-Activate Braggart's Roar and any consumables (Exalted Flesh, Bubble Tear).

2.Bait an Attack-Close the gap so the opponent swings first.

3.Trade Through Hits-Use hyper armor heavy attacks to absorb their strike and punish with amplified pierce counter damage.

4.Control the Space-Against evasive players, mix in running heavies or quick swings to condition their dodges.

5.The build thrives in invasions where enemies feel safe attacking into you-not realizing that's exactly what you want.

Invasion Highlights

Subterranean Shunning Grounds-Phantom Down in One Swing

One phantom gets separated from their host, and Chase greets them with a fully buffed heavy. The hyper armor lets him ignore their swing entirely, resulting in an instant knockout. Later in the same invasion, a coordinated group gets funneled into a tight space, giving Chase perfect trade opportunities.

The Dragon's Pit-Host Deletes Himself

After buffing, Chase faces a host wielding the Sword of Night and Flame alongside a hammer user. In true"you did this to yourself`" fashion, the host attacks directly into a heavy swing and simply ceases to exist. The pierce counter damage bonus is that punishing.

Specimen Storehouse-Elevator Ambush Attempt

Chase tries to line up a hilarious elevator ambush by timing a greatbow shot, but misses. Fortunately, the follow-up anchor swings make up for it, nearly scoring a triple kill. Even when plans fail, the Rusted Anchor's raw power saves the day.Stormveil Castle-The Most Passive Host Ever

One host refuses to attack unless Chase targets their friends, making for a slow, chess-like invasion. Chase plays patiently, conditioning the group with single swings before suddenly mixing in a charged heavy to secure kills. Eventually, the"anime dodge" antics of the wizard can't save them from a fully buffed trade.

Why This Build Works So Well

Several factors make this Rusted Anchor setup a monster in invasions:

1.Pierce Damage Mechanics-Attacking players naturally take more pierce damage, and most opponents won't realize they're playing into a disadvantage.

2.Hyper Armor Safety-You can commit to swings without fear of stagger, forcing trades in your favor.

3.Buff Synergy-Every talisman, weapon, and Ash of War choice stacks toward one goal-massive heavy attack damage.

4.Strength Scaling-At 80 Strength, the Rusted Anchor hits its full potential, and heavy attacks hit like freight trains.

5.Surprise Factor-Many players underestimate the Rusted Anchor's speed and reach, leading them to trade when they shouldn't.

Counterplay & Weaknesses

No build is invincible, and while the Rusted Anchor dominates trades, it does have weaknesses:

 Fast Weapons-Quick-strike builds can hit multiple times before your heavy connects.

 Roll Punishing-Skilled opponents may dodge the initial heavy and punish the recovery.

 Latency Issues-As seen in the wizard invasion, slow weapons suffer against high-lag targets.

 Kiting Opponents-Players who refuse to engage directly can drag fights out, forcing you to close distance creatively.

 These are mitigated by patience, spacing, and having a faster backup weapon for certain matchups.

Final Thoughts-A Strength Lover's Dream

The Rusted Anchor build is a perfect blend of mechanics exploitation and raw power. By combining pierce damage with hyper armor and layered buffs, it punishes anyone who dares to trade buy Elden Ring Items. Whether you're deleting phantoms in one swing or forcing hosts into bad trades, the satisfaction factor is off the charts.