In the sprawling world of Elden Ring, few weapon skills feel as satisfying and impactful as Lion's Claw. This heavy-hitting Ash of War not only delivers immense damage but also allows your character to perform a stylish somersaulting strike, cutting through enemies with brutal efficiency. Whether you're looking to dominate PvE bosses or pressure opponents in PvP duels, mastering Lion's Claw is a worthwhile investment for Elden Ring Runes any Strength-focused Tarnished.

This guide will break down everything you need to know about Lion's Claw: where to find it, how to use it effectively, what weapons it works best with, and advanced strategies for maximizing its potential.

What Is Lion's Claw?

Lion's Claw is both a weapon skill and an Ash of War. At its core, it's a forward somersault attack that slams your weapon into the ground with massive force. The move is deceptively quick for a heavy skill, making it a favorite among Strength players. It has a unique advantage: the attack animation is difficult for enemies to punish because it comes out fast, and the somersault has built-in hyperarmor (poise), allowing you to power through incoming strikes.

Innately found on: Claymore (if acquired from Lion Guardians).

Grantable Ash of War: Can be applied to many large and colossal weapons.

Scaling: Best suited for Strength builds, but can be adapted depending on weapon choice.

FP Cost: 20 per use.

How to Get Lion's Claw in Elden Ring

Acquiring Lion's Claw requires defeating a dangerous but rewarding foe: the Lion Guardian. These ferocious beasts are encountered in several locations across the Lands Between, but the first and most accessible is found near Fort Gael in Caelid.

Step-by-Step Location Guide:

Travel to Fort Gael - Head to the western edge of Caelid. The Fort Gael North Site of Grace is the best starting point.

Find the Lion Guardian - Outside the gates of Fort Gael, you'll see a massive lion-like beast chained up near the entrance. This is the enemy that drops Lion's Claw.

Prepare for the Fight - The Lion Guardian is fast, aggressive, and capable of shredding through unprepared players. Its swipes, pounces, and quick combos can catch you off guard. Consider ranged attacks, Spirit Ash summons, or strong shields to mitigate damage.

Defeat the Guardian - Once you bring it down, it drops the Ash of War: Lion's Claw, which you can then apply to a compatible weapon.

Later in the game, you can fight more Lion Guardians in locations like Redmane Castle, but the Fort Gael encounter is the earliest opportunity to secure this powerful skill.

Using Lion's Claw: Mechanics and Advantages

Lion's Claw is deceptively simple on the surface, but when mastered, it becomes one of the most effective offensive and defensive tools in Elden Ring.

1. Fast Startup for a Heavy Skill

Despite being tied to colossal weapons, the somersault animation executes quickly. This makes it hard for enemies to react in time, especially in PvP scenarios. Against bosses, the speed allows you to sneak in damage during short attack windows.

2. Hyperarmor and Poise Damage

The move has strong hyperarmor, meaning you can continue the attack even if you're hit mid-animation. Combined with the natural poise of colossal weapons, Lion's Claw is perfect for trading blows. Additionally, the slam inflicts substantial poise damage on enemies, helping stagger bosses.

3. Gap Closer

The somersault has forward momentum, functioning as a mini gap-closer. This helps you punish retreating foes or keep up pressure in PvP. Against larger enemies, the lunge ensures you connect with their weak points.

4. Combo Potential

Lion's Claw chains into normal light or heavy attacks seamlessly. You can follow the slam with an R1 combo, creating a fluid sequence of aggression that keeps enemies on the defensive.

Best Weapons to Pair with Lion's Claw

While Lion's Claw can technically be applied to a wide variety of weapons, it shines brightest on those that benefit from Strength scaling and heavy impact.

Colossal Swords - Colossal-class weapons like the Greatsword or Zweihander maximize the poise and stagger potential of Lion's Claw. Perfect for players who enjoy trading blows and breaking enemy posture.

Greatswords (Claymore, Bastard Sword, etc.) - Slightly faster than colossal weapons, these swords let you use Lion's Claw more frequently while maintaining strong damage. The Claymore, in particular, comes with the skill by default if looted from a Lion Guardian.

Colossal Weapons (Dragon Slayer builds) - Greataxes and colossal hammers turn Lion's Claw into an earth-shaking blow, especially with buffs like Flame, Grant Me Strength.

PvE Strategies with Lion's Claw

Boss Pressure - Lion's Claw is ideal for punishing slow boss recovery windows. Use the quick startup to land safe hits without overcommitting.

Posture Breaking - Spam Lion's Claw against staggerable bosses to trigger frequent critical hit opportunities.

Spirit Ash Synergy - Summons like Black Knife Tiche or Mimic Tear can distract enemies, giving you free openings for Lion's Claw.

Crowd Control - While it's a single-target slam, the wide hitbox can catch multiple smaller enemies, clearing space quickly.

PvP Strategies with Lion's Claw

Catch Opponents Off Guard - Many PvP players underestimate the speed of Lion's Claw, making it an excellent roll-catch tool.

Trading Favorably - Use the hyperarmor to punish overly aggressive opponents. Even if they land a hit, your slam will usually out-damage them.

Mix-Ups - Alternate between standard weapon swings and Lion's Claw to break your opponent's rhythm.

Spacing and Pressure - The forward lunge lets you close distance quickly, punishing players who attempt to kite you.

Recommended Build Synergies

Strength Build - Prioritize Strength to maximize weapon scaling. Combine with heavy-infused weapons for colossal damage.

Poise Tank - Stack poise armor (Bull-Goat's Set) to ensure uninterrupted Lion's Claw spam in melee exchanges.

Buff Stacking - Enhance damage with spells and buffs like Flame, Grant Me Strength, Golden Vow, or consumables to push Lion's Claw into devastating one-shot potential.

Final Thoughts

Lion's Claw is more than just a flashy somersault—it's one of the most effective Ashes of War in Elden Ring, blending speed, power, and hyperarmor into a single devastating package. Its versatility makes it viable in both PvE boss encounters and PvP duels, and its synergy with Strength builds ensures it scales into the late game.

If you're searching for a skill that combines raw power with stylish flair, Lion's Claw is a must-have. Head to Fort Gael, take down the Lion Guardian, and Elden Ring Items for sale unleash your inner beast with one of the most iconic moves in the Lands Between.