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U4GM - 6 Tips to Build a Tank in Elden Ring

Building a tank character in Elden Ring is one of the most satisfying ways to play the game—soaking up damage while your enemies exhaust themselves trying to bring you down. As someone who has spent over 200 hours playing various builds, I can confidently say that tanking in Elden Ring is both viable and deeply rewarding, especially for players who enjoy methodical combat and strong survivability. Here are six practical tips to help you build a tank character, using my own experience and proven strategies to help you thrive in the Lands Between.

1. Prioritize Vigor and Endurance Early

The foundation of any solid tank build is high Vigor and Endurance. Vigor boosts your health pool, while Endurance increases your stamina and equip load. In my playthrough, I made the mistake of neglecting Endurance early, which forced me to choose between wearing heavy armor or being agile enough to dodge. Don’t repeat that. A healthy balance of both stats ensures you can wear heavy gear without sacrificing mobility or stamina recovery.

2. Choose the Right Armor Set

Tanks need poise, defense, and resistance. Some of the best armor sets for tanking include Bull-Goat Set and Lionel’s Set. These offer incredible defense and poise, allowing you to tank through many enemy attacks. I personally used the Bull-Goat Set in New Game+ and noticed a massive difference in how many hits I could withstand without staggering. If you're short on resources, consider looking for cheap Elden Ring Items from trusted sources to gear up faster.

3. Go with Greatshields

If you’re going to be a tank, don’t settle for medium shields. Greatshields like the Erdtree Greatshield or the Fingerprint Stone Shield offer near-complete protection from physical attacks. During my first Radahn fight, I survived multiple devastating attacks by holding my greatshield firm and waiting for my opening. Pair your greatshield with a weapon that has high guard boost to minimize stamina consumption.

4. Invest in Guard Boost and Damage Reduction Talismans

Talismans are critical. I recommend the Greatshield Talisman to increase guarding efficiency and the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman to boost physical damage reduction. These made a noticeable difference in long boss fights where stamina management is key. Adding these items to your loadout is one of the smartest moves you can make as a tank.

5. Use Heavy-Scaling Weapons with Strength

Most tank builds pair well with Strength-based weapons like Greatswords, Colossal Swords, and Hammers. I found that dual-wielding Greatswords with a Heavy infusion (boosting Strength scaling) allowed me to break enemy posture quickly while still playing defensively. You can further optimize this setup by farming elden ring runes for sale to level up and equip the best gear faster.

6. Buy Supportive Items from Reliable Sellers

The grind for tank gear and runes can be time-consuming. If you want to speed up the process, sites like U4GM offer reliable services for cheap Elden Ring Items and elden ring runes for sale. I personally used them during a build reset and appreciated how much time I saved re-gearing my tank setup. Just remember to use these services wisely and avoid disrupting your overall experience.

Building a tank in Elden Ring takes planning and patience, but the payoff is huge. From confidently walking through dragon flames to standing tall against invaders, a good tank build transforms how you experience the game. Using my personal journey and the tips above, I hope you can create a build that not only survives but thrives in the most brutal conditions the game has to offer.

Whether you’re just starting out or refining your New Game+ character, remember that U4GM, along with proper strategy and some persistence, can be your best ally in becoming an unstoppable force in the Lands Between.