When it comes to surviving the brutal challenges of Elden Ring, having a tanky build that can soak up damage is invaluable. Whether you're facing hordes of enemies or powerful bosses, the right combination of armor, shields, and stats can make all the difference. For players who want to focus on defense without sacrificing too much mobility or offensive potential, these tank loadouts deliver durability and resilience.

Here are 10 tried-and-true Elden Ring tank builds that can absorb virtually anything the game throws your way.

1. The Classic Greatshield Fortress

This build centers around the Greatshield of Glory or Lionel’s Greatshield, paired with heavy armor like the Bull-Goat Set. High Vigor and Endurance ensure you have the stamina and HP to survive prolonged fights. It’s ideal for those who want to block almost all physical attacks and punish enemies with a strong counterattack.

2. The Colossal Armor Juggernaut

For pure tankiness, gear up with the Lionel’s Set or the Bull-Goat Set combined with colossal weapons. The heavy poise allows you to trade blows and stay standing against aggressive foes. Prioritize Endurance for equip load and Vigor for survivability. This setup is slow but nearly unstoppable.

3. The Shield Bash Bruiser

Pair a fast, sturdy shield like the Erdtree Greatshield with medium-heavy armor for a balance of defense and mobility. Utilize shield bash and guard counters to break enemy poise. This build shines in PvP and can easily clear mobs with well-timed guard counters.

4. The Spellblade Tank

Combine heavy armor with a focus on Mind and Intelligence to wield defensive incantations or sorceries. Spells like Flame, Grant Me Strength and Blessing of Protection enhance your defense and resistances, allowing you to tank hits while buffing your offense. This is a versatile hybrid for those who want magic and might.

5. The Blessed Sentinel

Utilize talismans and armor sets that boost poise and resistances, such as the Dragoncrest Greatshield and Radagon’s Scarseal for extra defense. Add healing incantations to stay in the fight longer. This build can sustain through large boss attacks with ease.

6. The Endurance Tank

Focus heavily on Endurance to maximize equip load, allowing you to wear the heaviest armor without sacrificing movement. Combine this with high Vigor for survivability and use a shield or a two-handed colossal weapon for defense and offense. It’s straightforward but effective for newcomers to tank builds.

7. The Fortress Knight

The Lionel’s Set with Greatshield of the Lion offers exceptional poise and damage absorption. Supplement with talismans like Radagon’s Scarseal and Green Turtle Talisman to increase stamina recovery, letting you block and trade hits efficiently.

8. The Resilient Defender

This build is all about balancing physical and elemental resistances. Equip armor pieces that specifically counter certain types of damage, like the Lionage’s Set or Bull-Goat Set, along with talismans that boost resistances. It’s perfect for areas or bosses that deal mixed damage types.

9. The Mobile Tank

For players who want heavy defense but don’t want to be sluggish, mixing medium armor with a solid shield and high Endurance can keep equip load just under 70%. This allows for a good balance of poise, protection, and agility, letting you dodge or roll after blocking.

10. The Rune-Hoarding Tank

Finally, for those looking to farm or grind, combining tanky gear with strategies that optimize rune collection can be useful. If you find yourself low on resources, consider supplementing your playstyle by acquiring cheap Elden Ring runes or browsing Elden Ring Items for sale to quickly gear up for tough encounters.

Tank builds in Elden Ring don’t just mean wearing the heaviest armor available—they require careful planning to balance poise, stamina, and resistances. These ten loadouts are some of the best ways to create a character that can take hits from any enemy while still dishing out damage in return.

Whether you want to stand your ground in PvP or tank through the toughest boss battles, these builds provide solid foundations for a resilient playstyle. Experiment with gear and stats to find the perfect fit for your journey through the Lands Between.