Elden Ring Light Greatswords Best Upgrade Paths

[QuantumQuest]

What Makes Light Greatswords Stand Out?

So why pick a light greatsword over a regular greatsword or ultra greatsword? The main advantage is versatility. Light greatswords are faster than their heavier cousins, which makes them ideal for chaining combos and dodging around bosses. They also have decent scaling with strength and dexterity, meaning you can tweak your build to maximize damage without sacrificing mobility.

From my experience, these swords are especially fun in PvP, where you need to punish mistakes quickly. The faster attack animations let you land more hits before your opponent recovers.

Which Upgrade Path Should You Choose First?

The natural question is: do you focus on standard smithing upgrades or try the unique paths like Ashes of War infusion? For most players, I recommend starting with regular smithing enhancements. Upgrading a light greatsword with standard smithing stones provides a solid boost in base damage, which feels immediately noticeable in combat.

If you’re like me and sometimes run low on Runes mid-upgrade, a handy tip is to buy Elden Ring Runes from trusted sources. Having a small stockpile ready can save you a lot of backtracking, especially when you’re eager to try out a new upgrade on your favorite sword.

Should You Infuse Your Sword for Elemental Damage?

Once you’ve got your base upgrades done, the next question is infusion. Light greatswords respond really well to elemental infusions like fire or magic. I personally lean toward fire, because it adds extra burn damage and gives you an edge against enemies weak to fire. Magic infusion works well if you’re stacking intelligence and want to scale with your stats rather than raw physical damage.

Remember, infusions don’t stack with every type of buff, so it’s good to test your build in a few fights before committing all your resources. And if you’re playing on console and find yourself low on upgrade materials, you can buy Elden Ring Runes Xbox cheap to help fund your infusion experiments without grinding endlessly.

How Far Should You Push Your Upgrades?

Light greatswords hit a sweet spot where moderate upgrades make a big difference. Personally, I stop around +10 for normal smithing, then evaluate if my playstyle benefits more from infusions or heavier buffs like Flask-empowered gear. Going beyond +10 can be fun if you have a surplus of Runes, but the scaling returns start to taper off.

A pro tip: sites like U4GM often have affordable resources if you’re looking to stock up on Runes quickly. Using these wisely can accelerate your progression, letting you test different paths without feeling frustrated by RNG or grinding fatigue.

Are Certain Light Greatswords Better Suited for Specific Builds?

Absolutely. Not all light greatswords are created equal. Some have better dexterity scaling, making them perfect for agile, dodge-focused builds, while others emphasize strength for heavy-hitting combos. Try matching your sword’s natural stats with your character build for maximum efficiency.

From my personal experience, pairing a dex-heavy light greatsword with bleed effects is a game-changer. It keeps your attacks fast and punishing while letting you sidestep heavier enemy strikes. If you’re grinding bosses, this setup often allows you to chip away at HP while staying relatively safe.

Upgrading light greatswords in Elden Ring is all about balance. You want a sword that feels responsive, scales well with your stats, and matches your playstyle. Start with standard upgrades, experiment with infusions, and don’t be afraid to make use of external resources to support your progression. Whether you’re tackling tricky bosses or enjoying PvP, the right upgrade path can transform a solid weapon into an unstoppable tool.

System Guide: Elden Ring – Malenia the Severed Loots, Drops & Runes