**Great Bolts: A Comprehensive Guide to Weapons in Elden Ring**

In the vast and unforgiving world of Elden Ring, formidable weapons are essential for survival. Among these armaments, Great Bolts stand as a distinct and devastating class of weaponry capable of unleashing immense power upon foes.

What are Great Bolts?

Great Bolts are a type of ammunition used by heavy crossbows in Elden Ring. These colossal projectiles are crafted from various materials, each imparting unique properties and attributes. Their exceptional size grants them devastating impact and piercing capabilities, making them ideally suited for decimating heavily armored enemies and inflicting massive damage upon vulnerable targets.

Weapons that use Great Bolts

Several powerful crossbows in Elden Ring utilize Great Bolts as their primary ammunition. These include: 1. **Heavy Ballista**: A towering siege weapon capable of launching colossal bolts with devastating force. 2. **Pulley Crossbow**: A massive crossbow known for its exceptional range and accuracy. 3. **Scorpion's Stinger**: A deadly crossbow favored by assassins, featuring lightning-fast reload times and deadly poison effects. 4. **Godfrey Icon**: A ceremonial crossbow imbued with the power of the demigod Godfrey, granting it potent holy damage capabilities.

Crafting and Modifying Great Bolts

Great Bolts can be crafted at a Smithing Table using various materials, including Arrowshafts, Stone, Iron, and Bone. The materials used determine the bolt's damage type, durability, and weight, allowing players to tailor their ammunition to specific combat scenarios. In addition to crafting, Great Bolts can be further enhanced through the use of Smithing Stones and Ash of War. Smithing Stones upgrade the bolt's physical damage, while Ash of War imbues them with unique abilities and special effects, such as additional damage types, elemental buffs, or status ailments.

Choosing the Right Great Bolt

The choice of Great Bolt depends on various factors, including: - **Materials**: The materials used in crafting determine the bolt's damage type, durability, and weight. - **Weapon**: Different crossbows have different compatibility with Great Bolts, so it is crucial to ensure the chosen bolt matches the weapon it will be used with. - **Combat Style**: Consider the preferred combat strategy and target type when selecting Great Bolts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Overlooking Basic Crossbows**: Despite the allure of Great Bolts, it is important not to neglect the basic Crossbow and Repeating Crossbow for close-range encounters or when stealth is required. - **Mismatching Materials**: Carefully consider the materials used when crafting Great Bolts to ensure their properties align with the intended combat scenario. - **Neglecting Ash of War**: Utilize Ash of War to enhance Great Bolts and gain access to powerful abilities and special effects.

How to Use Great Bolts Effectively

- **Positioning**: Position oneself strategically to maximize the impact of Great Bolts, especially when targeting large or heavily armored foes. - **Accuracy**: Aim carefully and take into account the bolt's range and trajectory to ensure accurate shots. - **Reloading**: Pay attention to crossbow reload times and prioritize reloading in safe moments to maintain a steady stream of damage output.

Why Great Bolts Matter

Great Bolts are not merely a weapon choice; they are tools of destruction capable of turning the tide of battle. Their unparalleled impact and armor-piercing capabilities make them indispensable in combat against formidable bosses, enemies with heavy armor, or in situations where precise and devastating strikes are required.

Benefits of Using Great Bolts

- **Exceptional Impact**: Inflict massive damage upon heavily armored targets with each strike. - **Armor Penetration**: Pierce through defenses with ease, allowing for effective damage even against heavily protected foes. - **Strategic Potential**: Utilize Great Bolts to decimate enemies from a distance, control enemy movements, or set up devastating combos.

Additional Information

- **Crafting Materials for Great Bolts**: - Arrowshafts: Found throughout the Lands Between. - Stone: Mined from rocks and cliffs. - Iron: Obtained from metal-bearing nodes or by smelting Iron Ore. - Bone: Collected from animal remains or by using the Sacred Relic Sword. - **Great Bolts Damage Types**: - Physical: Deals standard damage without special effects. - Holy: Inflicts holy damage and is effective against certain enemies. - Fire: Deals fire damage and is particularly effective against enemies with flammable materials. - Magic: Inflicts magical damage and is effective against enemies with low magic resistance. - **Ash of War for Great Bolts**: - Rain of Arrows: Fires multiple Great Bolts into the air, creating a devastating shower. - Bloodflame Blade: Imbues Great Bolts with a bloodflame effect, causing enemies to bleed damage. - Lightning Strike: Empowers Great Bolts with lightning, inflicting additional damage and triggering a lightning explosion. - **Crossbows that Use Great Bolts**: - **Heavy Ballista** (100-200 base damage) - **Pulley Crossbow** (70-150 base damage) - **Scorpion's Stinger** (50-120 base damage) - **Godfrey Icon** (80-180 base damage) - **Tips for Using Great Bolts**: - Experiment with different combinations of Great Bolts and crossbow types to find the optimal setup for each combat situation. - Use elementally infused Great Bolts to exploit enemy weaknesses and maximize damage output. - Practice precise aiming to hit weak points and critical spots, maximizing the impact of Great Bolts.