Elden Ring DLC: Level 200 Tank Build Guide – The Ultimate Trading Monster

If you’ve ever wanted to become an unstoppable juggernaut in Elden Ring, this Level 200 Tank Build is exactly what you’re looking for. Designed entirely around absorbing hits, out-trading opponents, and crushing them with devastating counterattacks, this build transforms you into a walking fortress. Whether you choose to farm the gear yourself or buy Elden Ring Runes to speed up your progression, the core playstyle remains the same. Rather than relying on speed, dodging, or intricate combos, this setup embraces raw power, overwhelming defense, and hyper armor. You’ll willingly take hits—because trading damage is precisely where this build shines.

Why This Tank Build Is So Powerful

The core concept is simple: stack as much defense and poise as possible, then use high-hyper-armor attacks to overpower enemies during trades. Thanks to the incredible synergy between your weapon, armor, talismans, and buffs, you’ll consistently come out ahead whenever blows are exchanged. This build excels in PvP invasions, duels, and even many PvE encounters where enemies rely on aggressive melee pressure.

Core Weapon: Rusted Anchor

The Rusted Anchor is the perfect weapon for this playstyle. While it may look unconventional, it offers one enormous advantage: its entire moveset deals pierce damage. Why does that matter? Pierce weapons benefit from counterattack damage whenever you strike an opponent during their attack animation. Since this build is specifically designed to trade hits, you’ll constantly trigger this bonus. When combined with the right talismans, your heavy attacks become absolutely devastating—often strong enough to one-shot unsuspecting players.

Best Ash of War: Braggart’s Roar

Braggart’s Roar is the centerpiece of the build. It provides:

· Increased damage

· Enhanced stamina recovery

· Improved damage negation

· A unique roaring heavy attack

· Exceptional hyper armor during charged heavies

This Ash of War allows you to power through incoming attacks while charging your own devastating strike. In most trades, your opponent will lose far more health than you do.

Recommended Stats (Level 200)

To maximize both survivability and damage output, prioritize the following:

· Vigor: 60

· Mind: Base or minimal investment

· Endurance: 67

· Strength: 99

· Dexterity: Minimum required for weapon

· Intelligence: Base

· Faith: Base

· Arcane: Base

With 99 Strength, you’ll squeeze every ounce of damage from the Rusted Anchor while also benefiting from increased physical defense.

Best Armor: Verdigris Set

The Verdigris Set is one of the heaviest and tankiest armor sets available in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. It provides:

· Exceptional physical defense

· Excellent poise

· Strong elemental resistances

· Outstanding synergy with high-Endurance builds

On its own, the set provides roughly 38 physical damage negation. Once fully buffed, that number becomes absurd.

Defensive Buff Setup

To truly unlock this build’s potential, stack the following defensive buffs:

Boiled Crab

Provides a substantial boost to physical damage negation.

Flask of Wondrous Physick

Use:

· Opaline Hardtear – significantly increases all damage negation

· Optional second tear based on preference

With both active, your physical negation can climb to an incredible 58%, allowing you to shrug off even the heaviest blows.

Best Talismans

Roar Medallion

Boosts the damage of Braggart’s Roar-enhanced heavy attacks.

Two-Handed Sword Talisman

Increases damage when wielding your weapon two-handed.

Spear Talisman

This is mandatory. Since the Rusted Anchor deals pierce damage, every successful trade during an enemy’s attack gains a powerful counterattack bonus. Together, these talismans create a devastating damage multiplier that turns each trade into a lethal exchange.

How to Play the Build

This build is all about intelligent aggression. Your goal is not to avoid damage—it’s to make every trade favorable.

Combat Strategy

1. Activate Braggart’s Roar before engaging.

2. Apply Boiled Crab and your Physick.

3. Two-hand the Rusted Anchor.

4. Bait enemy aggression.

5. Respond with charged heavy attacks.

6. Trade confidently.

Because of your enormous poise, hyper armor, and damage negation, most enemies will be unable to interrupt your charged heavy attacks. And when they try? They usually lose.

Why Trading Works So Well

Your opponents are forced into an impossible situation:

· If they attack, you out-trade them.

· If they hesitate, you pressure them.

· If they panic roll, you can catch them with follow-ups.

The Rusted Anchor’s roar-enhanced heavy attack hits incredibly hard, and the follow-up attack often catches players attempting to escape after the initial impact.

PvP Strengths

· Excellent against aggressive melee players

· Punishes Ash of War spam

· Dominates cramped environments

· Can one-shot lighter builds

· Extremely forgiving due to massive defenses

Weapons and builds that rely on repeated aggression—such as Rivers of Blood, Blasphemous Blade, or martial arts setups—often struggle against this tank. They simply cannot win the damage race.

Optional Secondary Weapon

A colossal sword with Waves of Darkness can be a useful backup option when facing multiple opponents or when you need crowd control. However, in most situations, the Rusted Anchor is more than enough.

Strengths

· Massive survivability

· Incredible trade potential

· Extremely high burst damage

· Easy to play effectively

· Excellent in invasions and duels

· Punishes overaggressive opponents

Weaknesses

· Slow attack speed

· Vulnerable to highly passive opponents

· Can struggle against skilled ranged players

· Heavy equipment demands high Endurance investment

Final Thoughts

This Level 200 Tank Build is one of the most satisfying and effective PvP setups in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. It perfectly captures the fantasy of becoming an unstoppable force—absorbing punishment while delivering crushing retaliation. If you enjoy dominating trades, shrugging off enemy attacks, and deleting opponents with a single well-timed heavy attack, this build is absolutely worth trying. To gear up this tank quickly and affordably, you can buy cheap Elden Ring Items from MMOEXP and jump straight into the action. Few things in Elden Ring are as satisfying as watching an opponent confidently attack—only to be flattened by a roaring Rusted Anchor moments later. Trade smart, swing hard, and let your enemies learn the hard way that hitting a tank is usually a terrible idea.