Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has introduced a host of game-changing weapons, but few are as grotesquely fascinating and devastating as the Gazing Finger. A colossal weapon crafted from the remains of a twisted cosmic entity, the Elden Ring Runes Gazing Finger is not only one of the most visually unique additions in the DLC but also a top-tier choice for Strength-based builds looking to dominate enemies with raw power, madness infliction, and absurd stagger potential.

Whether you’re hunting down the most challenging bosses in the Land of Shadow or looking to make a statement in PvP, the Gazing Finger is more than just a meme weapon. It’s a viable, powerful, and surprisingly versatile tool of destruction.

What is the Gazing Finger?
The Gazing Finger is a Colossal Weapon that looks exactly like what its name implies—a monstrous, severed finger from a cosmic being, grotesque in design and disturbing in its implications. Covered in veins and twitching flesh, the weapon’s sheer size and horrifying aesthetic make it a showstopper. But its true power lies in its unique properties: massive Strength scaling, Madness buildup, and a one-of-a-kind weapon skill that can turn the tide of any battle.

How to Get the Gazing Finger
The Gazing Finger is acquired by defeating one of Shadow of the Erdtree’s optional horrors: Metyr, Mother of Fingers. She is a massive, grotesque boss hidden deep within the Cathedral of Manus Metyr, a location that only opens after progressing through Ymir's questline in the Ruins of Rauh.

Steps to Acquire:
Find Ymir in the Ruins of Rauh and complete his tasks to gain access to the hidden cathedral.

Defeat Metyr – a challenging boss who uses madness, area denial, and crushing attacks.

Receive Remembrance of the Mother of Fingers.

Exchange the Remembrance at Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold to obtain the Gazing Finger.

This path demands patience and determination, but the reward is more than worth it.

Weapon Stats and Requirements
Weapon Type: Colossal Weapon

Attack Type: Strike

Passive Effect: Causes Madness buildup

Requirements:

Strength: 40

Dexterity: 10

Faith: 16

Scaling:

Strength: A (with upgrades)

Faith: C

Weapon Skill: Barbaric Roar of the Finger

The scaling is superb for pure Strength builds. It also synergizes well with Madness builds, particularly those that incorporate Faith for support incantations or hybrid setups.

Unique Weapon Skill – Barbaric Roar of the Finger
This Ash of War is exclusive to the Gazing Finger. When activated, the Tarnished slams the finger into the ground, causing it to shudder and emit a maddening pulse, dealing AoE damage and inflicting Madness buildup to nearby enemies. For 20 seconds afterward, your heavy attacks are enhanced with bonus damage and faster windups, allowing you to chain devastating combos with surprising speed for a colossal weapon.

In PvP, it can pressure enemies into dodging early and punish them with delayed heavy swings. In PvE, it’s devastating against groups and bosses weak to stagger or madness.

Why the Gazing Finger is One of the Best Giant Weapons
1. Insane Poise Damage
As a colossal weapon, the Gazing Finger already has high poise damage. But its wide swings, brutal heavies, and ability to stagger even the most resistant enemies make it particularly effective in melee confrontations. You can stunlock most humanoid enemies and even stagger bosses with well-timed charged attacks.

2. Madness Buildup
Few melee weapons apply Madness passively, and none do it like the Gazing Finger. This means:

Against human enemies, madness causes massive FP and HP damage.

In PvP, it forces mages and casters to keep their distance or risk losing the ability to cast.

Madness can also interrupt spellcasting, punish turtle builds, and allow you to control space with threat alone.

3. Unique Visual and Roleplay Value
For players who value style and lore, the Gazing Finger is a weapon with immense character. It's directly tied to the Greater Will and the twisted legacy of the Fingers and the Frenzied Flame. Wielding it suggests a rejection of traditional order, embracing chaos, divinity, and madness in equal measure.

Pairing the weapon with Frenzied Flame Incantations, such as Flame of Frenzy or Unendurable Frenzy, creates a thematic and devastating build that feels both fun and terrifying to use.

4. PvP Dominance
Weapon range: Extremely long.

Stagger window: Colossal weapons are harder to punish, especially with roll-catches.

Barbaric Roar of the Finger: Can bait aggression and punish overextension.

Unexpected aggression: With poise and damage buffs, a heavy roll-catch into a madness burst can end fights quickly.

5. PvE Powerhouse
Strong vs. large bosses due to high stagger damage.

Wide swings help with crowd control.

Madness is useful against NPCs, Finger enemies, and Faith-based mobs.

Ideal Build for the Gazing Finger
Stat Focus:

Strength: 60 (for max scaling)

Vigor: 50 (to survive trades)

Mind: 20–25 (to use the weapon skill frequently)

Endurance: 30–40 (for equip load and stamina)

Faith: 15–25 (optional for Madness incantations)

Gear Recommendations:

Talismans:

Radagon’s Scarseal/Sourceal (Boost Strength)

Shard of Alexander (Boost skill damage)

Flock’s Canvas Talisman (if using Madness spells)

Bull-Goat Talisman (Poise for trading)

Armor:

Heavy armor for poise, such as Bull-Goat or Lionel’s Set.

Or thematic gear like the Fire Monk Set for Madness builds.

Spells to Pair With:

Flame of Frenzy

Unendurable Frenzy

Howl of Shabriri

Final Verdict: A Monstrous Masterpiece
The Gazing Finger is more than a shock weapon or meme pick—it’s a lethal, viable colossal weapon that dominates in both PvE and PvP when used correctly. With high Strength scaling, Madness buildup, a powerful weapon skill, and undeniable style, it offers a uniquely chaotic gameplay experience.

It rewards aggressive play, risk-taking, Elden Ring Items buy and mastery over timing. If you’ve ever wanted to crush your enemies with the severed limb of a god, while driving them mad in the process, this is the weapon for you.