Overview
The Kliff Greatsword Build is a stagger-focused, crowd-clearing configuration for Kliff in Crimson Desert that leans into the raw power of the greatsword weapon type. Greatswords are ranked S-tier by the community for good reason: they deliver the highest damage per swing of any melee weapon, generate shockwaves that displace the environment, and stagger most regular enemies in just two heavy hits.
Where the Kliff Longsword Build focuses on combo chaining through Spinning Slash and Stab sequences, the greatsword build takes a different approach. It prioritizes guard counters and charged heavy attacks as its primary damage sources, using the greatsword's wide horizontal arcs and built-in invulnerability frames to control crowds while dealing massive stagger damage. The playstyle is more deliberate and punish-oriented, rewarding players who read enemy attack patterns and commit to powerful strikes during openings.
Both Kliff and Damiane can wield greatswords, but their movesets differ significantly. Kliff's greatsword moveset features broader horizontal sweeps suited for managing groups, with stronger stagger per hit but slower recovery between combos. This makes his version of the weapon particularly effective in open-world encounters against mob packs and fortress assaults.
Why Choose Greatsword Over Longsword
Kliff has access to multiple two-handed weapons, and the distinction between longswords and greatswords matters for how you approach combat. Longswords (such as Rhett's Longsword and Thalwynd Longsword) are faster two-handers that favor extended combo chains. Greatswords (the giant sword variants like the Parvel Greatsword, Arben Greatsword, and unique weapons like the Darkbringer) hit harder per swing and generate more stagger at the cost of longer recovery animations.
The key mechanical difference is that greatsword heavy attacks have built-in invulnerability frames. During the downswing of a charged heavy attack, Kliff cannot be interrupted. This effectively functions as a dodge that also deals damage, giving greatsword users a defensive tool that longsword users do not have. Against bosses that telegraph their attacks, you can time a heavy swing to tank the incoming hit through your i-frames while landing a punishing blow.
Greatswords also have five Abyss Gear slots on non-unique variants, matching longswords for customization. The higher base stagger damage means you fill enemy stagger gauges faster, creating more frequent stagger windows where bosses become vulnerable to full combo follow-ups. If you prefer a playstyle built around punishing openings with devastating single hits rather than sustained combo pressure, the greatsword is the better choice.
Recommended Greatswords
Your weapon choice evolves as you progress through the story. The table below outlines the recommended greatsword at each phase of the game, including both standard and unique options.
Phase | Weapon | ATK | Crit Rate | How to Obtain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Early Game | 15 | Lv. 2 | 5 | ||
Early Game | 16 | Lv. 1 | 5 | Found in the open world or purchased from merchants | |
Early-Mid Game | 17 | None | 5 | ||
Mid Game | 19 | Lv. 2 | 5 | Crafted at Blacksmith using Two-Handed Weapons of the World Vol. II recipe (10 Iron Ore + 3 Copper Ore) | |
Mid Game (Exploration) | 22 | Lv. 3 | 3 (pre-filled) | Lodged in the teeth of a giant skeleton at White Wastes Sanctuary, Five-Finger Mountain. Comes with Ator's Orb, Gale I, and Insight I. | |
Mid Game (Exploration) | 23 | Lv. 3 | 5 total (3 pre-filled, 2 open) | Found inside Demeniss Ancestors' Ruins at the Nightfell Expedition Camp. ATK Speed Lv. 2, Gale II, Destruction I, Insight I. | |
Late Game | 25 | Lv. 1 | 5 | Treasure chest in the Spire of Frost at Eye of Ice, Demeniss. Comes with Stamina Transference, Gale I, and Destruction I. |
Weapon Progression Advice
Early game: Start with the Verak Greatsword if you can find it early, since its Crit Rate Lv. 2 bonus provides meaningful damage spikes on top of the greatsword's already high base damage. The Lusec Greatsword is a solid alternative with higher base ATK (16 vs 15) but lower crit bonus. Transfer Abyss Gears from any weapons you are not using to fill the five open slots. Destruction I and Insight I should be your first priorities.
Mid game: The Parvel Greatsword is the strongest standard greatsword you can craft, with 19 ATK and Crit Rate Lv. 2. If you have the Two-Handed Weapons of the World Vol. II crafting manual, craft it at any blacksmith for 10 Iron Ore and 3 Copper Ore. For an even bigger power spike, explore for the Darkbringer (22 ATK, Crit Lv. 3) at Five-Finger Mountain. Its unique Ator's Orb Abyss Gear fires explosive orbs during Forward Slash, adding a ranged damage component to your melee kit.
Late game: The Frozen Anguish at 25 ATK is the highest-damage greatsword available. Its built-in Stamina Transference solves the greatsword's biggest weakness by restoring stamina on every hit, letting you sustain longer attack chains. The five open Abyss Gear slots (after Stamina Transference) allow full customization. Alternatively, the Righteous Verdict offers ATK Speed Lv. 2 and Crit Rate Lv. 3 for players who prefer faster swing speed over raw damage.
Abyss Gear Configuration
The Abyss Cores you slot into your greatsword define its secondary effects. Non-unique greatswords have five slots, giving you significant room for customization. The core loadout should complement the greatsword's strengths: high stagger damage, wide arcs, and burst potential.
Weapon Abyss Gears
Effect | Priority | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
+1 ATK, directly increases damage on every swing | Essential | ||
Increases critical hit chance, amplifying burst damage | Essential | ||
Restores stamina on each hit (Stamina Siphon Lv. 1), sustaining long combo chains | Essential | Obtained from Hwando in Lioncrest Manor; built into Frozen Anguish | |
Increased movement speed during combat and extended attack reach | High | Found on Darkbringer and various exploration rewards | |
+35% Turning Slash damage; massive burst during stagger windows | Situational | Obtained from Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom in Sanctum of Benediction | |
+4.0% damage to mighty foes; consistent bonus against bosses and elite enemies | Situational | Found on late-game weapons and exploration rewards | |
Restores health on each hit (Life Siphon Lv. 1), passive healing during combat | Medium | Found on Delesyian Longsword in Sanctum of Veneration |
Recommended loadout for Parvel Greatsword: Destruction I + Insight I + Stamina Transference + Gale I + Momentum. This combination maximizes damage and crit chance while solving stamina drain and adding mobility. Momentum is particularly strong on greatswords because Turning Slash benefits from the weapon's naturally high base damage.
Recommended loadout for Frozen Anguish: Stamina Transference (built-in) + Destruction I + Gale II + Momentum + Malicebane I. The built-in Stamina Transference frees a slot that would otherwise go to sustain, allowing you to stack pure offensive cores. This is the highest-damage Abyss Gear configuration for greatswords.
Armor Abyss Gears
Armor pieces also have Abyss Gear slots. For a greatsword build, prioritize defensive and utility cores on your armor to complement the offensive cores on your weapon.
Slot | Recommended Core | Effect |
|---|---|---|
Increases maximum health. Available on Canta Plate Armor. | ||
Bonus ATK stacks with weapon Destruction cores. Found on Canta Plate Gloves. | ||
Boots | Additional ATK bonus. Found on Canta Plate Boots. | |
+35% Turning Slash damage. From Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom. |
Armor Set
The recommended armor for this build is the Canta Plate set, available for purchase from the Equipment Shop in Hernand Town after the Matthias duel in Chapter 2. The Canta set offers solid defense, attack bonuses on the gloves and boots, and built-in Abyss Gear slots that synergize well with the greatsword's offensive focus.
Piece | DEF | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | None | None | Swap for Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom for Momentum bonus | |
6 | None | Highest DEF in the set. Refine to Tier 4 for survivability. | ||
3 | ATK 13, ATK Speed Lv. 1 | |||
3 | ATK 13, ATK Speed Lv. 1 | Destruction I, Destruction I | Double Destruction I stacking for extra damage on kicks |
Total base DEF from the full Canta Plate set is 15. Refine the Armor piece to Tier 4 as soon as materials become available for a noticeable survivability increase. The gloves and boots each contribute ATK 13 and ATK Speed Lv. 1, which affects unarmed damage for skills like Lariat and Grappling.
Accessories
Slot | Item | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
Cloak | Lightning Res: 3 | Provides elemental protection against lightning-based enemies and bosses | |
Necklace | ATK +1 | Small but free offensive bonus |
Skill Tree Allocation
Kliff's three skill trees (Stamina, Spirit, and Health) each contain abilities that complement the greatsword playstyle. The Stamina tree provides core offensive skills, the Spirit tree supplies defensive reactions and damage multipliers, and the Health tree offers utility and survivability.
Stamina Tree (Primary)
The Stamina tree houses the greatsword's core attack skills. These should be your first investments.
Skill | Priority | Effect |
|---|---|---|
Essential | Base skill for all weapon combat. Unlocks the equipped weapon's moveset. Max this first. | |
Essential | Wide sweeping AoE attack. The greatsword's primary damage dealer against mob packs. Chains naturally from Stab and Forward Slash. | |
Essential | Increases Spinning Slash damage and reduces stamina cost. A direct power increase to the build's core AoE skill. | |
Essential | Thrust attack with high single-target damage and stagger value. Chains into Spinning Slash for the bread-and-butter combo. | |
High | Gateway skill that unlocks Lariat. Grappling attacks deal unarmed damage and can interrupt enemy actions. | |
High | Powerful AoE clothesline attack. Excellent for clearing mob packs. Deals high stagger damage and knocks down smaller enemies. | |
High | Rushing forward slash that closes distance quickly. On greatswords, the wide hitbox clips enemies as you move through them. | |
High | Spinning overhead attack. With the Momentum Abyss Gear, deals +35% bonus damage. Sends enemies flying on hit. | |
Medium | AoE burst that staggers nearby enemies. Useful for crowd control when surrounded. |
Spirit Tree (Secondary)
The Spirit tree provides the defensive reactions that let you survive while committing to slow, heavy greatsword swings. Guard counter is the core mechanic of this build, and the Spirit tree's Keen Senses chain unlocks it.
Skill | Priority | Effect |
|---|---|---|
Essential | Three-rank gateway skill. Rank 1 enables Parry, Rank 2 enables Backstep (precision dodge), Rank 3 enables Counter. | |
Parry (Keen Senses Lv. 1) | Essential | Time your guard at the moment an attack connects to deflect it. Creates openings for guard counter follow-ups. |
Backstep (Keen Senses Lv. 2) | Essential | Precision dodge with extended invincibility frames. Use against unblockable attacks (red-flash grabs, magic, ground slams). |
Counter (Keen Senses Lv. 3) | High | Attack at the exact moment an enemy strikes to neutralize the hit and deal damage simultaneously. |
Medium | Pushes enemies away. Useful for creating space when surrounded or repositioning targets for cleave hits. | |
Medium | Creates an illusion that replicates your attacks. Effectively doubles your damage output during punishment windows. |
Health Tree (Tertiary)
Skill | Priority | Effect |
|---|---|---|
Medium | Anchor skill for the Health tree. Unlocks Aerial Maneuver and elemental skills. | |
Medium | Advanced traversal for exploring cliffs and hard-to-reach areas across Pywel. | |
Low | Apply elemental effects (Fire, Lightning) to attacks. Optional for a build focused on raw physical damage and stagger. |
Stat Point Allocation
As you level up, you earn stat points to invest across Stamina, Spirit, and Health through the Abyss Tree. The greatsword build is extremely stamina-hungry because its heavy attacks and combo chains consume large amounts of stamina in rapid succession.
Stat | Recommended Points | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
6+ (primary) | More stamina directly translates to more heavy attacks per engagement. Push past the 200 stamina threshold early. Greatsword swings drain more stamina per hit than longswords, so you need a larger pool. | |
4 (secondary) | The greatsword's slow recovery frames mean you will eat hits during combos. A health buffer of at least 4 points prevents one-shot deaths against mid-game bosses. | |
Remaining points | Spirit fuels skills like Nature's Echo and Blinding Flash Finisher. Once your Stamina and Health thresholds are met, invest remaining points here. |
Combat Rotations
The greatsword build has distinct rotations for mob packs and boss encounters. The shared principle is using guard counters and heavy attacks as your primary damage sources, with Spinning Slash for AoE follow-up.
Mob Pack Rotation
Against groups of normal enemies, the goal is to hit as many targets as possible with each swing while keeping them staggered so they cannot retaliate.
Forward Slash to close distance to the nearest group. The greatsword's wide hitbox clips enemies as you rush through them.
Heavy attack immediately on arrival. The greatsword's overhead slam staggers most regular enemies in a single hit, and the downswing has invulnerability frames that protect you during the animation.
Spinning Slash to follow up and hit all remaining enemies in a wide arc around you. This is the greatsword's best AoE tool.
Lariat if enemies survive. The AoE clothesline knocks down smaller enemies and deals high stagger damage.
Repeat Spinning Slash as your stamina recovers. With Stamina Transference on the weapon, each hit refills a portion of your stamina bar.
Boss Rotation
Against bosses, the approach shifts from AoE coverage to maximizing damage during punish windows while maintaining defensive awareness.
Study the boss's attack patterns at the start of the fight. Greatsword swings have slow recovery, so committing at the wrong time is punished severely.
Guard counter incoming attacks using Parry. A successful guard counter deflects the hit and deals significantly more damage than a regular heavy attack, with a shorter recovery window. This is the greatsword build's primary damage source against bosses.
Stab into Spinning Slash during the opening created by a successful guard counter. This two-hit chain delivers massive single-target damage and additional stagger.
Heavy attack when the boss is staggered. Use the invulnerability frames on the downswing to tank any lingering AoE effects. The damage during stagger windows is where greatswords truly shine.
Backstep unblockable attacks (attacks that glow red). These cannot be parried. Use Keen Senses Lv. 2 for extended invincibility frames, then re-engage immediately after the attack passes.
Key Combos
Combo | Input Sequence | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
Guard Counter into Heavy | Guard at impact, then charged Heavy Attack | Primary boss damage. Guard counter creates the opening, heavy attack delivers maximum punishment with i-frames. |
Stab into Spinning Slash | Thrust input, then Spinning Slash input | Bread-and-butter damage combo. High stagger value. Use during every punish window. |
Forward Slash into Heavy | Forward + Attack, then charged Heavy | Gap-closing opener against distant targets. Covers distance, then delivers a devastating hit with i-frames. |
Spinning Slash into Lariat | Spinning Slash, then Lariat input | Maximum AoE burst against dense mob packs. Hits everything in range twice. |
Counter into Forward Slash | Guard + Attack at impact, then Forward Slash | Aggressive counter-play. Neutralizes the hit, then immediately starts your offense. |
Turning Slash during stagger window | Use when a boss is staggered for massive burst. +35% damage with Momentum Abyss Gear equipped. |
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Highest damage per hit. Each greatsword swing deals more damage than any other melee weapon type, including longswords. Fewer hits are needed to kill targets.
Built-in invulnerability frames. Heavy attacks include i-frames during the downswing, giving greatsword users a defensive tool that other two-handed weapons lack.
Superior stagger pressure. Greatsword heavy swings fill the stagger gauge faster than longswords or one-handed weapons. Bosses break to stagger within two to three punish cycles.
Wide attack arcs. Spinning Slash and basic heavy attacks hit in a wide arc, catching multiple enemies per swing. Effective against both individual bosses and mob packs.
Guard counter synergy. The guard counter deals more damage than a standard heavy attack with a shorter recovery window, making it the most efficient damage source against bosses.
Strong scaling. The Frozen Anguish at 25 ATK with built-in Stamina Transference is one of the most powerful weapons in the game, and the build's fundamentals remain effective throughout endgame.
Weaknesses
Slowest attack speed. Greatsword attacks have the longest startup frames of any melee weapon type. Missing a swing leaves you in extended recovery where you cannot dodge or block.
Very stamina intensive. Greatsword swings drain more stamina per hit than longswords. Without Stamina Transference, you will frequently run dry mid-engagement.
Punished by fast bosses. Bosses with rapid multi-hit attack strings can interrupt your slow swings before they connect. Strong Parry discipline and careful timing are required.
No shield. Greatswords require both hands, so you cannot equip a shield. Defense relies entirely on Parry, Backstep, Counter, and the heavy attack i-frames.
Limited ranged options. No built-in ranged attacks. You must close the distance to every target using Forward Slash or by equipping a secondary ranged weapon.
Reduced mobility. Movement speed is reduced while the weapon is drawn. Sprinting is slower and dodge distance is shorter compared to lighter weapon setups.
Comparison to Other Kliff Builds
Build | Damage | Difficulty | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Greatsword (this build) | Very High | Low-Medium | Medium-High | Stagger-focused, crowd-clearing play with guard counters and i-frame heavy attacks |
High | Low-Medium | Medium | Combo-chaining through Spinning Slash sequences with strong Parry synergy | |
Medium | Very High | Low | Beginners and players who prefer safe, defensive combat with passive blocking | |
Very High | Medium | Medium-High | Aggressive play with precise dodge timing and rapid attack chains | |
Medium-High | Medium | Medium | Counter-focused play with built-in ranged poke and reach advantage | |
Medium-High | Low | High | AoE-focused play using Iron Fists and Grappling with offensive Abyss Gear stacking |
The greatsword build sits at the high end of Kliff's damage spectrum alongside Dual-Wield, but with a completely different rhythm. Where Dual-Wield demands rapid dodge-weaving and attack speed, the greatsword rewards patience and timing. Compared to the longsword build, the greatsword trades combo versatility for higher per-hit damage and the unique advantage of heavy attack invulnerability frames.
Progression Roadmap
This section outlines the key milestones for setting up and upgrading your greatsword build as you progress through the story.
Chapters 1-2
Acquire an early greatsword. The Verak Greatsword (15 ATK, Crit Lv. 2) or Lusec Greatsword (16 ATK, Crit Lv. 1) are solid starting options.
Loot the Hwando from Lioncrest Manor and transfer its Abyss Gears (Destruction I, Insight I, Stamina Transference) to your greatsword.
Purchase the Canta Plate armor set from the Hernand Equipment Shop after the Matthias duel.
Invest first skill points into Armed Combat, Spinning Slash, and Keen Senses.
Chapters 3-4
Refine your greatsword and Canta Plate Armor to Tier 3-4 at any Blacksmith.
Unlock Stab, Lariat, and Parry. Begin practicing the guard counter into Stab into Spinning Slash sequence.
Equip the Ynitium Leather Cloak and Tarnished Necklace for additional stats.
If you find the crafting manual, craft the Parvel Greatsword (19 ATK, Crit Lv. 2) for a significant power upgrade.
Chapters 5-6
Explore for the Darkbringer (22 ATK, Crit Lv. 3) at Five-Finger Mountain or the Righteous Verdict (23 ATK, ATK Spd Lv. 2) at Demeniss Ancestors' Ruins.
Alternatively, hunt for the Frozen Anguish (25 ATK) in the Spire of Frost if you prefer open Abyss Gear slots and built-in Stamina Transference.
Invest in Backstep and Counter from the Spirit tree for improved defensive options against bosses.
Unlock Turning Slash for burst damage during stagger windows, especially with Momentum equipped.
Chapter 7+
Optimize your final weapon choice between Frozen Anguish (raw damage + customization) and Darkbringer (high crit + Ator's Orb ranged procs).
Max out Spinning Slash Proficiency and invest remaining points into Nature's Echo for damage multiplication.
Consider swapping to the Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom for the Momentum Abyss Gear, boosting Turning Slash damage by 35%.
Farm endgame materials to fully refine your greatsword and armor pieces to maximum tier.
Tips and Tricks
Always keep Stamina Transference slotted on your weapon until you acquire the Frozen Anguish (which has it built in). This single Abyss Gear solves the greatsword's biggest weakness and lets you sustain far longer attack chains.
Use the heavy attack i-frames aggressively. Unlike other weapons where dodging is the only defensive option mid-swing, the greatsword's heavy attack downswing grants invulnerability. Time your heavy attacks to coincide with incoming enemy strikes to tank and punish simultaneously.
Guard counter is your best friend against bosses. It deals more damage than a regular heavy attack and has a shorter recovery window. Practice the timing against weaker enemies before attempting it on story bosses.
Against bosses with unblockable attacks (red flash), switch from Parry to Backstep. Backstep has extended invincibility frames that let you avoid grabs, magic, and ground slams that would go through your guard.
Refine your greatsword often. Refinement directly increases your weapon's Attack stat. Even a single refinement level noticeably improves damage output. Prioritize refining your weapon over your armor.
Carry a secondary ranged weapon. Since greatswords have no ranged attacks, consider equipping a bow in your second weapon slot. Use it to pull enemies from a distance before swapping to greatsword for close combat.
Mix in Turning Slash during stagger windows. With the Momentum Abyss Gear, Turning Slash deals +35% bonus damage. Use it when a boss is staggered for a devastating burst that can chunk a significant portion of the health bar.
Do not overcommit against fast bosses. It is better to land a single guard counter into Stab and back off than to attempt a full combo chain and eat a counterattack during recovery frames.
The Darkbringer's Ator's Orb fires explosive orbs during Forward Slash. If you equip this weapon, use Forward Slash more frequently to trigger the bonus damage procs, especially against clustered enemies.
Crimson Desert allows full skill respecification without penalty. All Abyss Artifacts invested in skills are refunded when you respec. If the greatsword playstyle does not suit you, respec into a Dual-Wield build or Sword and Shield build at any time with no cost.
Related Articles
Kliff - Character overview and background
Best Kliff Builds - Comparison of all Kliff build archetypes
Kliff Longsword Build - Alternative two-handed build with combo-chain focus
Greatswords - Complete greatsword weapon overview
Two-Handed Weapons - Full list of greatswords, longswords, spears, and greataxes
Abyss Gear - Complete list of Abyss Cores and how to obtain them
Kliff Skills - Full skill tree reference
Damiane Greatsword Build - Greatsword build for Damiane with different moveset and skills