Jumping heavy attacks are among the most powerful and satisfying tools in Elden Ring. As someone who’s invested hundreds of hours into the Lands Between, I can confidently say that mastering this one move can completely change how you approach combat—especially against tough bosses and heavily armored enemies.

This guide will walk you through how to make the most of jumping heavy attacks, from weapon selection and stat investment to timing and enemy matchups. Whether you're new to the game or deep into NG+ cycles, jumping heavy attacks deserve a place in your arsenal.

Why Jumping Heavy Attacks Matter

Jumping heavy attacks are more than just flashy—they deal serious poise damage, meaning you can stagger enemies more easily, creating opportunities for follow-up combos or critical hits. This technique is especially deadly against enemies with high posture but slow wind-ups, such as knights, trolls, or even some dragons.

In PvP, jumping heavy attacks can break through defensive playstyles. They track decently well and often trade favorably due to their burst damage.

Choosing the Right Weapon

From experience, certain weapons shine with jumping heavy attacks:

• Greatswords like the Greatsword (Colossal) or Claymore offer a good balance between power and speed.

• Curved Greatswords such as the Bloodhound's Fang have an excellent jump animation and can quickly reposition you mid-air.

• Greathammers and Colossal Weapons hit the hardest, but require better timing due to slower wind-up animations.

If you want to maximize efficiency and reduce grinding time, stacking up on Elden Ring Runes early on can help you hit key stat thresholds quickly. Strength, Dexterity, and Endurance are your core investments depending on your weapon class.

Armor and Talismans That Complement the Playstyle

While testing different builds, I found that stacking poise is crucial if you’re using jumping heavy attacks aggressively. You’ll often be in mid-air and vulnerable. Wearing heavier armor helps you tank through minor hits without getting knocked out of the air.

Pair this with talismans like:

• Claw Talisman – Boosts jump attack damage.

• Green Turtle Talisman – Faster stamina recovery for back-to-back jumps.

• Radagon’s Scarseal/Sourceal – Adds raw strength if you're trying to two-hand a massive weapon early.

Combat Tips From Experience

1. Time your jump to avoid getting interrupted by enemy swings. Learn enemy patterns to find safe jump windows.

2. Chain jump attacks after rolling or sprinting. A sprint into a jump attack can surprise even agile opponents in PvP.

3. Mix up your timing—don’t spam. In PvP, delayed jump heavies catch panic rolls often.

4. Enhance with buffs: If you’re using a weapon with a damage buff like Flame, Grant Me Strength, it amplifies the jump attack’s impact.

From my own runs, combining two-hand greatsword jump attacks with Flame, Grant Me Strength often let me stagger even bosses like Crucible Knights and Tree Sentinels in just a few hits.

Farming and Fast Progression

Getting to the point where you can reliably one-shot smaller enemies or stagger bosses with jump attacks requires investment. If you're short on runes after dying a few too many times, many players opt to buy elden ring runes to speed up their progress. This is especially helpful if you're experimenting with multiple builds or want to respec often.

Final Thoughts

Jumping heavy attacks may seem like a simple move, but when used smartly, they become a high-risk, high-reward mechanic that adds aggression and control to your playstyle. I’ve beaten countless bosses by opening fights with a well-timed jump heavy to break their stance and take control of the tempo.

So next time you step into a dungeon or invade another player’s world, remember—your best move might just be taking the fight to the air.

Jump smart, strike hard, and dominate.