In Elden Ring, managing your equipment load isn't just about speed—it's the foundation of how you fight, roll, block, and survive. Whether you're a nimble rogue or a hulking tank, knowing how to optimize your loadout can mean the difference between a perfect dodge and a clumsy stumble. Here are 20 tips to help you make the most of your equipment load in Elden Ring, especially if you’re heading into NG+ or PvP scenarios.

1. Understand the Load Tiers

There are four equipment load tiers in the game: Light, Medium, Heavy, and Overloaded. Staying below 30% keeps you in the light category, ideal for quick rolls. Between 30%-70% is medium, 70%-100% is heavy, and beyond that you’ll be Overloaded—completely unable to roll.

2. Prioritize Endurance

Endurance isn’t just about stamina—it directly increases your maximum equip load. Pumping a few extra points into this stat can give you flexibility to wear heavier armor without compromising movement.

3. Use the Arsenal Charms

The Arsenal Charm and its upgraded variants are essential talismans for boosting equip load. They're must-haves for strength builds or anyone who wants to wear heavier gear while staying mobile.

4. Swap Shields Strategically

Not all situations call for a greatshield. If you’re facing magic-users or enemies with fast attacks, consider swapping to a medium shield or even going shieldless to free up load space.

5. Armor Isn’t Everything

Heavier armor often gives better resistance, but damage negation isn’t linear. Sometimes lighter armor with balanced resistances is more effective overall. Test combinations rather than just maxing defense.

6. Use Weight-Efficient Weapons

Some colossal weapons are efficient for the damage they output relative to their weight. The Giant-Crusher, for example, has excellent AR for its load. Test out various options to find what suits your build.

7. Keep Unused Items Unequipped

This sounds basic, but many players forget to remove backup weapons or shields they're not using. Every equipped item adds to your load—even if it's not in use.

8. Dual-Wield with Caution

Powerstancing two weapons can double your damage but also drastically increase your load. Make sure both weapons are optimized for your weight tier.

9. Upgrade Rather Than Replace

A lighter weapon at +10 can outclass a heavier +4 weapon. Upgrading wisely lets you use lighter equipment without sacrificing power, and that keeps your load in check.

10. Use Spirit Ashes Instead of Heavy Armor

Sometimes it's more effective to summon a tanky Spirit Ash to take aggro than to wear heavy armor yourself. Stay mobile while your summon soaks the hits.

11. Pay Attention to Poise

Higher poise lets you resist stagger, but you don’t always need to max it. Find the breakpoint that suits your playstyle—sometimes medium poise with good timing is all you need.

12. Customize for Boss Fights

Before tough encounters, re-evaluate your load. You might need a lighter load for better rolls or a heavier shield if the boss has lots of physical attacks. Don’t go in with your farming loadout.

13. Use the Great-Jar’s Arsenal

If you're deep into the game and pushing a tanky build, the Great-Jar’s Arsenal is one of the best talismans to maximize your equip load without stacking Endurance too much.

14. Know When to Tank and When to Roll

It’s not always better to roll. Sometimes walking through attacks in heavy armor and trading hits is more effective. Learn when your build benefits from each approach.

15. Manage Weight Around Fashion Souls

Let’s be real—Elden Ring is half about function and half about fashion. If you want to look good, find stylish sets that also offer decent weight-to-defense ratios.

16. Use Load to Support Hybrid Builds

If you're running a hybrid spellblade build, you’ll need to balance weapons, casting tools, and armor. Prioritize a medium load to stay versatile.

17. Respec If You Must

Don’t be afraid to respec at Rennala if your Endurance feels mismatched with your playstyle. A few points can drastically change your equipment options.

18. Optimize for PvP Separately

PvP fights are all about burst, spacing, and reaction. You may want to run a lighter load to maximize your roll speed and punish windows instead of relying on trading hits.

19. Plan for Rune Investment

Balancing stats for equipment load can eat into your rune pool. If you're short, the best place to buy Elden Ring Runes can help you save time and focus on refining your build rather than endless farming.

20. Buy Elden Ring Items Xbox Players Often Miss

If you’re on console, particularly Xbox, you might miss out on optimized gear early on. Buy Elden Ring items Xbox players recommend for load-focused builds to get access to mid- or endgame gear earlier.

Managing equipment load in Elden Ring isn’t about wearing the heaviest armor or dual-wielding the biggest weapons. It’s about finding the right balance for your playstyle. Every bit of weight matters, and with these tips, you’ll be better prepared to dance through enemy strikes or stand firm against a boss’s fury. Remember, a perfectly tuned loadout can be just as important as the weapon you wield.