When it comes to Elden Ring DLC weapons, few tools feel as effortlessly powerful-and stylish-as Rock Shasa's Great Katana. In the hands of an expert player, this thing becomes a raw damage machine: massive hyper armor, make Elden Ring Items, fast thrust attacks, deadly crouch pokes, and fully charged heavies that can two-shot-or even one-shot-hosts in PvP.

If you've ever wanted to turn this great katana into a trade monster, a roll-catching demon, or an invasion destroyer, this breakdown covers the full setup, talismans, armor choices, stat spread, and plenty of practical examples pulled directly from real invasions.

Let's dive into why this is one of the strongest pure-moveset builds you can run in the DLC.

Why Rock Shasa's Great Katana Stands Above the Rest

Many weapons in Elden Ring specialize in one thing-speed, damage, range, poise, etc. Rock Shasa's Great Katana, however, blends all of these into one terrifying package.

Key strengths include:

1. Hyper Armor Heavy Attacks

The heavy attack is where this weapon truly shines.

It comes out with huge hyper armor, meaning you can trade into almost anything and still come out on top-especially in PvP where the goal is often to hit harder than your opponent.

2. Pierce-Damage Heavy & Crouch Attacks

Like a claymore doing thrusting damage, Rock Shasa's heavy attack causes pierce damage, which synergizes with some of the best talismans in the game. The crouch poke also comes out extremely fast, making it ideal for mix-ups, counters, and catching panic rolls.

3. Exceptional Chase and Roll-Catching Tools

Running lights and running heavies are both fantastic depending on whether you're chasing a single player or cutting off positioned teammates.

For invasions, this flexibility is invaluable.

4. Organic Moveset Power

This build isn't reliant on Ashes of War or spell buffs. The moveset itself is the weapon's gimmick-simple, fast, brutal, and extremely consistent.

Talisman Setup: Maximize Every Pierce, Trade, and Heavy

To push Rock Shasa's Great Katana to its full potential, talismans make all the difference.

1. Spear Talisman

This is the MVP of the setup.

Since so much of the weapon's moveset deals pierce damage-including the heavy attack and crouch poke-the Spear Talisman significantly boosts counter damage. If you like trading hits, this talisman is essential.

2. Two-Handed Sword Talisman

Because the build is always two-handing the weapon, the 10% global damage boost is huge value for zero downside.

3. Retaliatory Cross-Tee Talisman

This talisman further boosts pierce damage, especially on crouch attacks. If you enjoy mixing in crouch pokes for counter-hit punishment, the synergy here is excellent.

4. Bull-Goat's Talisman (or Axe Talisman)

The Bull-Goat version increases poise-something this build thrives on since many trades start with heavy attacks.

But if your goal is maximum burst, the Axe Talisman gives a monstrous damage spike to fully charged heavies.

Armor Choices: Fashion, Poise, and Trading Power

Lettuce armor can further boost running and crouch attacks, but it lowers poise-something this setup heavily relies on. Unless you're extremely confident in spacing and timing, sticking with high-poise armor is the safer play.

Stat Spread: Pure Dexterity and High HP

This build is simple and straightforward:

 Primary damage stat: Dexterity

 High Vigor to survive trades

 Good Endurance for heavy armor and consistent trading

 Minimal investment in everything else

Since so many winning interactions come from trading blows, a large HP pool is essential.

Invasion Examples: The Build in Action

Below are summaries of the strongest invasion moments that showcase exactly why this weapon is so devastating.Mogwyn Palace: "Trade Machine" Activated

After buffing up, Chase trades into a dragon build and deals an absurd chunk of damage-nearly a one-shot with the heavy attack. The crouch poke also proves monstrous thanks to the thrust-based talisman stacking. Even opponents confident in trading quickly learn that Rock Shasa hits much, much harder.

Mountaintops: One-Shots in the Snow

Whether it's catching invaders near giants or running down hosts on the slopes, the fully charged heavy attack repeatedly deals 1,000–1,500 damage on trades. Most players, especially those with mid-range vigor, simply evaporate.

One host even tanks a heavy only to immediately lose the next trade. The message is clear:

If you attempt to trade into Rock Shasa's two-handed charged R2, you're rolling the dice with your life.

Windmill Village: Roll-Catch City

At the Windmill Village, the build destroys players trying to hide among props or use terrain. Crouch pokes and quick R1s clean up panicked enemies while charged heavies punish any attempt to trade. Even "Billy Wave" incantation users get erased when they try casting too close.

Bellum Highway: Boulder and Blade Combo

With the added spice of throwing lightning boulders to force movement, Chase closes distance, lands thrust counters, and finishes off players attempting to outrange the great katana. Once again, the heavy's hyper armor shines in chaotic 2v1 trades.

Giants' Catacombs: Elevator Ambushes

Dropping into a cramped room full of scythe-users and casters would normally be deadly-but Rock Shasa's heavy armor and huge punish windows make short work of both phantoms and hosts.

Kaelid & Beyond: Dominating Classic Duel Areas

Whether fighting in tunnels, wide open fields, rooftops, or tight bridges, the moveset remains flexible. Running heavies catch rolls. Crouch pokes punish swings. Fully charged R2s end health bars instantly.

Some of the most entertaining fights involve hosts trying to parry the weapon, only to get punished by jump attacks or delayed heavies.

Why This Build Works So Well

The secret to this build's consistency comes from a combination of factors:

1. Hyper Armor + Poise = Trade Dominance

Most invaders panic roll the moment they realize they cannot stagger you. This gives you complete control of the engagement.

2. Pierce Damage Synergy

Nearly every strong move in the weapon's kit gets amplified by multiple talismans. That means:

 Every crouch poke hits harder

 Every thrust counter hits harder

 Every heavy attack hits WAY harder

3. Two-Handed Running Attacks Are Top-Tier

Rock Shasa's running light and running heavy offer different chase options depending on enemy movement, giving you answers for both solo fights and group engagements.

4. Simplicity = Reliability

No fancy spell buffs.

No complicated setup combos.

Just raw weapon mastery and consistent damage.

Final Thoughts: One of the Best Moveset-Focused Weapons in the DLC

Rock Shasa's Great Katana is one of the most fun, most deadly, and most reliable weapons in the Elden Ring DLC-especially when built entirely around enhancing its moveset. When paired with the right talismans and a high-poise armor setup, it becomes a monster in trades and a menace in invasions.

The build thrives in chaos, dominates in straight duels, and offers some of the most satisfying heavy attack punishments in the entire game.

If you enjoy:

 High-risk, high-reward trading

 Huge damage spikes

 Fast pierce attacks

 Flexible roll-catching

 Stylish great katana gameplay

Then this build is absolutely worth trying.

And with so many variations possible-fashion, talisman swaps, armor choices, Elden Ring Runes and even Ash of War alternatives-there's plenty of room to personalize the setup.