As I stood overlooking the vast and treacherous expanse of the Altus Plateau, the wind whispered tales of hidden treasures and brutal challenges. In the year 2026, revisiting the Lands Between in Elden Ring still feels as fresh and daunting as ever. My current obsession? Tracking down the legendary Great Stars, a colossal mace rumored to combine devastating power with a life-saving secret. Its reputation precedes it—a weapon that not only crushes foes but slowly siphons their life force to sustain its wielder. In a world where survival hinges on every advantage, why would a Tarnished like me settle for anything less?

The Hunt Begins: Two Paths to Power

My journey started with a simple choice: follow the rumors of a guarded treasure carriage or answer a more dangerous, spectral summons. Both paths, I learned, converge at the Altus Plateau. The first method seemed straightforward, if perilous. From the eerie stillness of the Bridge of Iniquity, I mounted my steed and began a cautious trek northeast along the winding mountain road. Alternatively, one could start from the Road of Iniquity Side Path site of grace and journey southwest. The key was patience and a watchful eye on the horizon.

The prize was unmistakable: a heavy wooden carriage, creaking under its own weight, laboriously pulled by not one, but two hulking Giants. A contingent of soldiers flanked it, their armor glinting in the fading light. This wasn't just a random encounter; it was a mobile fortress. Approaching required strategy—dealing with the escort, outmaneuvering the giants' thunderous strikes, and finally, claiming the chest bolted to the carriage bed. The moment of triumph was palpable. I pried open the chest, and there it was: the Great Stars, its spiked head promising ruin to my enemies.

But the Lands Between always offer alternatives for the bold. The second path was one of deliberate confrontation. In the ruins scattered along the southern edge of that same carriage route, a crimson summon sign beckoned. By using a Festering Bloody Finger, I didn't just invade another world; I stepped into a duel with destiny. The world shifted, and before me stood Magnus the Beast Claw, a formidable NPC whose very title commanded respect. He wielded the Great Stars with a terrifying familiarity in one hand and a sacred seal for beastial incantations in the other. The fight was a brutal dance—his heavy mace swings were wide and punishing, complemented by bestial magic that sought to overwhelm. Defeating him was a test of endurance, but the reward was immediate: the Great Stars clattered to the ground, along with other spoils from the fallen warrior. Two paths, one magnificent weapon.

Wielding the Beast: Stats and Strategy

Hefting the Great Stars for the first time, I understood its demands. This is no beginner's tool. It requires 22 Strength and 12 Dexterity to wield, a substantial investment that immediately directs it toward formidable strength-based builds. As I began to upgrade it at the smithy, I watched its scaling grow increasingly dependent on my Strength stat. This weapon is for those who believe the best defense is a world-shattering offense.

Its base attributes are imposing:

• Damage Type: Physical Strike damage (perfect for crushing armored foes and staggering enemies).

• Default Skill: Endure. This skill is a game-changer, allowing you to temporarily hyper-poise through enemy attacks to land your own devastating counter.

• Infusion Potential: It can be infused with Ashes of War. This flexibility means you can tailor its special skill to your heart's content, from launching yourself forward with Lion's Claw to summoning storm winds with Stormcaller.

But the raw numbers only tell half the story. The true mastery of the Great Stars lies in understanding its hidden mechanics and synergies.

The Hidden Heart: Bleed and Health Steal

What truly elevates the Great Stars from a great weapon to an essential one for strength builds are its two signature traits: Bleed Buildup and a hidden Health Steal ability. Let's break down why this combination is so potent, even in 2026's meta.

First, the Bleed. This status effect remains one of the most powerful in the game. When the bleed meter fills, it triggers Hemorrhage, dealing a massive burst of damage equal to a flat percentage of the target's max HP. Against bosses and high-health enemies, this is invaluable. The Great Stars applies this bleed with every swing, making sustained aggression highly rewarding.

Now, the secret sauce—the health regeneration. This isn't listed in the menu, but every successful hit with the Great Stars restores 1% of your maximum HP. One percent might sound trivial, but in practice, it's a relentless tide of sustainability. How does this work in a real fight?

Imagine this scenario:

• Your Vigor is 50 (a common high-level investment). Your max HP is roughly 1900.

• Each hit heals you for ~19 HP.

• In a combo of three hits, you've regained nearly 60 HP.

• Over the course of a long boss fight, this passive healing can easily total 500-1000 HP or more, effectively giving you multiple extra flasks' worth of survivability.

This creates a beautiful, aggressive playstyle. You are incentivized to stay in the fray, trading blows. Thanks to the Endure skill, you can tank a hit to land your own, healing back a portion of the damage taken. It turns a slow, heavy strength build into a relentless, sustaining juggernaut.

Building Around the Great Stars: A 2026 Perspective

After countless hours of testing, here’s how I optimized my build to make the Great Stars sing. The core philosophy is to amplify its strengths: high HP for bigger heals, high Strength for bigger damage, and tools to exploit the bleed.

Recommended Stat Allocation (Level 150 Example):

Stat	Target Value	Reasoning
Vigor	50-60	Maximizes the HP regained from each hit. This is non-negotiable for the build's sustainability.
Strength	50-80 (depending on infusion)	Primary damage stat. Go to 80 for dedicated physical damage (Heavy infusion).
Dexterity	Base (12)	Just enough to wield it.
Endurance	30-40	Needed to wear heavy armor and swing this weighty weapon without exhausting yourself.

Powerful Ash of War Choices:

The default Endure is excellent, but infusion opens up possibilities:

1. Heavy Infusion with Endure/Lion's Claw: The classic, raw power setup. Maximizes Strength scaling and physical damage.

2. Blood Infusion with Seppuku: This is the bleed monster setup. It sacrifices some base physical damage to massively increase the Bleed buildup. Activating Seppuku on the weapon before a fight makes Hemorrhage proc incredibly fast. Pair with the Lord of Blood's Exultation talisman for a 20% damage boost when bleed occurs.

3. Fire or Cold Infusion: Adds a secondary status (Frostbite) or raw fire damage. Excellent for overcoming enemies resistant to physical strikes or bleed.

Essential Talismans:

• Axe Talisman: Boosts damage of charge attacks, which are very strong with colossal weapons.

• Lord of Blood's Exultation: As mentioned, a massive damage boost when bleed triggers nearby.

• Great-Jar's Arsenal: Helps manage the weapon's significant weight.

• Crimson Seed Talisman / Blessed Dew Talisman: Doubles down on regeneration. Combined with the weapon's heal, you become incredibly hard to whittle down.

Final Thoughts: A Legacy Weapon

Returning to Limgrave after my conquest, the Great Stars felt more like a companion than a tool. In the ever-evolving landscape of Elden Ring, where new tactics are discovered even years after release, this weapon has a timeless quality. It rewards courage, planning, and a deep understanding of its mechanics. It asks you to meet force with greater force, and in return, it grants you the vitality to outlast your foes. Is it the perfect weapon? For a Tarnished who values relentless, sustaining power, the answer is a resounding yes. The journey to find it across the Altus Plateau is just the beginning; the real adventure is mastering the rhythm of combat it demands—a rhythm of calculated strikes, enduring poise, and the steady, comforting pulse of stolen health keeping you in the fight.