MMOEXP-Elden Ring Lion’s Claw Guide: Unlocking and Combat Tips
This guide covers everything you need to know about Lion's Claw, including how to obtain it, the weapons it comes with by default, how to apply it through Ashes of War, its scaling properties, and strategies to maximize its effectiveness.
In Elden Ring, few weapon skills embody raw aggression and spectacle as much as Lion's Claw. This heavy-hitting technique is both visually stunning and mechanically powerful, giving Tarnished the ability to somersault through the air and slam into foes with explosive momentum. Beyond its aesthetic flair, Lion's Claw is one of the most versatile heavy weapon skills in the game, capable of turning boss fights, PvP duels, and Elden Ring Runes mob encounters in your favor.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Lion's Claw, including how to obtain it, the weapons it comes with by default, how to apply it through Ashes of War, its scaling properties, and strategies to maximize its effectiveness.
What Is Lion's Claw?
Lion's Claw is a heavy weapon skill that performs a forward flipping somersault, crashing your weapon down on the target with brutal force. The animation is both flashy and quick compared to other heavy weapon skills, making it ideal for aggressive builds.
Key features of Lion's Claw:
Fast startup for a heavy skill. It can catch enemies off guard.
Hyperarmor frames during the flip, letting you power through lighter attacks.
High stagger potential, making it excellent against tough humanoid enemies and bosses.
Chainable follow-up attack by pressing the skill button again, delivering two somersault slams back-to-back.
Because of these traits, Lion's Claw has earned a reputation as one of the strongest Ashes of War in Elden Ring. It strikes a balance between style and substance, and it's especially devastating when paired with colossal weapons or greatswords.
How to Get Lion's Claw
There are two main ways to obtain Lion's Claw:
- As an Innate Weapon Skill on the Claymore
The Claymore, a classic greatsword returning from past FromSoftware titles, comes with Lion's Claw as its default skill. This means you don't need to hunt down the Ash of War if you want immediate access to the ability-simply equip the Claymore and you're good to go.
Location of the Claymore: Found in Castle Morne, located at the southern tip of the Weeping Peninsula. Inside the castle, head to the armory chest in a room on the first floor. Once looted, you'll obtain the Claymore, already equipped with Lion's Claw.
For players who want Lion's Claw early, this is the most straightforward method. The Weeping Peninsula can be accessed shortly after leaving Limgrave, making this a great pick for early-game builds.
- Ash of War: Lion's Claw (Farmable Drop)
If you want to use Lion's Claw on a different weapon, you'll need to acquire the Ash of War: Lion's Claw. This item is dropped by the Lion Guardian enemy in Fort Gael, found in the western part of Caelid.
Location of the Lion Guardian:
Travel to Fort Gael, southwest Caelid near the Smoldering Wall.
Outside the fort's gates, you'll encounter a large Lion Guardian, a beast enemy wielding enormous claws.
Defeat this mini-boss, and it will drop the Ash of War: Lion's Claw.
The Lion Guardian is no pushover-it's highly aggressive, fast, and capable of shredding players with combos. To make the fight easier, summon Spirit Ashes to distract it, use ranged spells, or circle around on Torrent for hit-and-run attacks. Once defeated, you'll claim one of the best Ashes of War in the game.
Applying Lion's Claw with Ash of War
Once you've obtained the Ash of War: Lion's Claw, you can apply it to most heavy weapons at a Site of Grace by speaking with the blacksmith Hewg or using the menu.
Weapon Compatibility: Works best on Colossal Weapons, Greatswords, and Colossal Swords, though it can be applied to most standard melee weapons.
Affinity Options: You can infuse it with different affinities depending on your build, including Heavy, Quality, or Keen scaling. Heavy affinity is the most popular since Lion's Claw pairs excellently with Strength builds.
How to Use Lion's Claw Effectively
Lion's Claw is more than just a flashy somersault-it's a tool that can break enemies' composure and secure huge chunks of damage. Here are some key strategies to maximize its impact:
- Staggering Bosses and Enemies
Lion's Claw excels at breaking poise. Use it against bosses with humanoid stances (like knights or invaders) to interrupt their combos and set up devastating critical hits. With enough Strength investment, you can stagger even large foes in just a few uses.
- Trading Blows with Hyperarmor
The forward flip grants hyperarmor frames, allowing you to tank through weaker attacks without being staggered. Against enemies who spam quick strikes, Lion's Claw lets you punish them with raw damage while shrugging off their pressure.
- Chaining Attacks
Pressing the skill button twice lets you perform a double somersault slam. This is extremely useful for finishing off staggered enemies or maximizing burst damage before retreating.
- PvP Applications
In PvP, Lion's Claw can be tricky to land against experienced players, but it's a great mix-up tool. Opponents expecting slower heavy attacks may not anticipate the quick flip. Use it sparingly to catch them off guard, and chain it into light attacks for unpredictable pressure.
Best Weapons for Lion's Claw
While the Claymore is the default option, some weapons shine brighter with Lion's Claw:
Colossal Weapons (e.g., Great Club, Dragon Slayer Colossal Sword): The sheer impact of Lion's Claw pairs beautifully with the massive damage of colossal weapons.
Greatswords (e.g., Claymore, Knight's Greatsword): A balance of speed and power makes greatswords ideal for spamming Lion's Claw in aggressive play.
Strength-focused Weapons: Since the skill benefits from heavy scaling, Strength builds get the most mileage.
Recommended Builds with Lion's Claw
Lion's Claw synergizes best with Strength builds, though Quality builds can also make good use of it. Here are some setups:
Strength Tank Build: Equip heavy armor, a colossal weapon, and spam Lion's Claw to bully enemies while shrugging off their hits.
Quality Greatsword Build: Balance Strength and Dexterity to make Lion's Claw more versatile, allowing you to mix it with light weapon combos.
PvP Pressure Build: Pair Lion's Claw with fast roll setups and mix in jump attacks to keep opponents guessing.
Final Thoughts
Lion's Claw is one of the most satisfying and powerful skills in Elden Ring. Whether you pick it up early with the Claymore or unlock its full potential through the Ash of War, this somersaulting strike adds style and substance to any build. Its blend of speed, hyperarmor, and
Elden Ring Items buy staggering power makes it a top-tier choice for Strength-based Tarnished looking to dominate in both PvE and PvP.
If you want a weapon skill that delivers devastating impact while making you look like a feral beast tearing through foes, Lion's Claw should be at the top of your arsenal.