You're standing outside the fog wall. Your fingers are twitching. Radagon or some other demigod is waiting on the other side to flatten you into a pancake, and you're cycling through your inventory like a madman. Most people reach for the Golden Vow. It's safe. It’s reliable. But then there’s the War Banner of the Sun, that massive, ornate halberd dropped by Commander O'Neil in the middle of a rot-infested swamp. It looks cool, sure, but the way players actually use it—or don't use it—is kind of a mess.
Honestly, the War Banner of the Sun is one of the most misunderstood tools in the Elden Ring sandbox. It isn't just a "worse version" of other buffs. It’s a specific tactical choice that can either break your build in the best way possible or leave you wondering why your damage numbers didn't move. You've probably heard it’s just for "meme builds" or specifically for the Commander’s Standard weapon. That's not quite the whole story.
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Why the War Banner of the Sun Isn't Just Another Golden Vow
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. The "War Banner of the Sun" is the unique skill attached to the Commander's Standard. It’s a literal flag. When you plant it, you get a 20% boost to physical attack power and a 20% boost to all damage negations in PvE. In PvP, those numbers get scaled down significantly because, well, balance is a thing. But here’s the kicker: it’s an Aura Buff.
Why does that matter? Because in the weird, spaghetti-code hierarchy of FromSoftware's buff system, you can only have one aura buff active at a time. If you use the War Banner of the Sun and then immediately cast Golden Vow, you just wasted your FP. The second one will overwrite the first.
Most players make the mistake of thinking more is always better. They stack and stack until their character is glowing like a neon sign, but they’re actually just cancelling out their strongest multipliers. The War Banner is actually stronger than the Golden Vow spell (which sits at 15% damage/10% negation). So, if you have the Strength to carry that heavy-ass halberd, you’re getting a strictly better numerical boost. It’s just shorter. 30 seconds. That’s it. You have to move fast.
The Commander O’Neil Hurdle
You can’t just buy this thing. You have to kill Commander O’Neil in the Aeonia Swamp in Caelid. It’s a miserable fight if you do it early. He summons mobs of ghostly exiles that poke you to death while you’re trying to dodge his massive rot-infused swings.
But once you get it? You’ve basically unlocked a portable "win" button for the early game. The requirements are steep—24 Strength and 14 Dexterity. For a mage, that’s a huge investment. For a Strength build, it’s a Tuesday.
The Secret Mechanics of the "Banner Plant"
What people usually miss is how the buff actually triggers. You don't just hold the stick. You perform the weapon skill, your character shouts, and a golden shockwave pulses out.
- Range: It’s actually pretty generous. If you're playing co-op, your buddies don't have to be breathing down your neck to get the boost.
- Stamina: It costs a chunk. Don't try to buff when your green bar is empty or you'll be stuck in a "tired" animation while a boss charges you.
- Weight: This is the dealbreaker for many. The Commander's Standard weighs 11.5 units. That is massive for a "buff tool."
If you’re trying to stay in a "Light Roll" category, the War Banner of the Sun is a nightmare. You’re basically carrying a small tree trunk just to shout at the sky for 30 seconds. This is why you see high-level players "hard swapping." They equip the halberd, use the skill, then immediately menu-swap back to their primary weapon like a Greatsword or Katana. It’s a high-skill move, but it saves your equip load.
Is it actually "Sun" related?
Lore nerds love to argue about this. The item description mentions it’s a "worn ceremonial banner" featuring a "long-forgotten eclipse." It’s tied to Castle Sol. The "Sun" in the War Banner of the Sun isn't the happy, glowing Sun Solaire of Astora worshipped. It’s the "Frigid Sun," a symbol of the Haligtree’s attempts to grant a true death to Godwyn the Golden. It’s bleak. It’s heavy. It’s very FromSoftware.
The "Sun" here represents a failure. Commander Niall and Commander O'Neil are holding onto the remnants of a lost cause. When you use this buff, you’re tapping into that stubborn, veteran resilience. Kinda cool when you think about it that way instead of just looking at a stat sheet.
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How to Maximize the Damage (The Real Math)
A lot of players get frustrated because they see 20% on a wiki and then don't see their damage jump by that much. Remember, it scales off your base damage plus your scaling.
If you use the War Banner of the Sun while also using the Flame, Grant Me Strength (a Body Buff), they do stack. That’s the secret sauce.
- War Banner (Aura Buff) = 20%
- Flame, Grant Me Strength (Body Buff) = 20% (Physical)
- Total = Approximately 44% damage increase because they are multiplicative, not additive.
That is how people "one-shot" bosses. They understand the categories. If you try to stack the Banner with the "Rallying Cry" from another weapon, you’re going to have a bad time. They don't play nice together.
Common Mistakes with the War Banner
I see this constantly in invasions. A player pulls out the banner, does the animation, and then tries to fight with the halberd itself. While the Commander’s Standard isn't a bad weapon—it has a decent thrusting moveset—it’s outclassed by most specialized Strength weapons.
The real power is in the swap.
Also, don't use it in the rain or in water if you're worried about fire resistance. Wait, actually, that doesn't matter for the banner, but it does for your other buffs. The War Banner of the Sun is remarkably consistent regardless of the environment. Unlike fire spells that get nerfed in the rain, the "Sun" banner doesn't care if you're standing in a puddle.
The PvP Problem
If you're taking this into the Arena or using it during an invasion, be careful. Smart players see that golden glow and they know exactly what you’ve done. They’ll just kite you. They’ll run away for 30 seconds until the buff expires.
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In PvP, the damage negation is cut down to about 5% and the attack boost is around 10%. It’s still good, but it’s not the "god mode" it is in PvE. Honestly, sometimes it’s better to use a faster-casting buff like a consumable crab leg (Boiled Crab) which gives you 20% physical negation without the long "shouting" animation that leaves you open to a backstab.
The Verdict on the War Banner of the Sun
Is it worth the 24 Strength?
If you’re a pure Strength build or a hybrid Quality build (Str/Dex), absolutely. It’s the strongest aura buff in the game that doesn't require Faith. If you're a Faith build, you're probably better off sticking to Golden Vow because it lasts 80 to 90 seconds (with the right talisman) compared to the Banner’s measly 30.
But for the "Unga Bunga" players who refuse to touch a seal or cast a miracle? This is your bread and butter. It makes you hit harder and survive longer. It’s the ultimate "I’m not locked in here with you, you’re locked in here with me" item.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
- Go to Caelid: Head to the Inner Aeonia site of grace.
- Cheese O'Neil if you have to: Use Torrent to run circles around him and use poison or rot (ironic, I know) to whittle him down. Or just parry him; his swings are surprisingly telegraphed.
- Check your weight: Ensure you have enough Endurance to either carry the Banner as a secondary or practice the "hard swap" in a safe area like Gatefront Ruins.
- Time your window: Practice counting to 25. When you hit 25, you have five seconds of buff left. That's your cue to either finish the fight or back off to re-buff.
- Stop Overstacking: Pick ONE Aura Buff. If you're using the War Banner of the Sun, put your Golden Vow spell away. They don't stack, and you're just wasting time.
The War Banner of the Sun is a tool of aggression. Use it when you know you can stay on the boss for the next half-minute. If the boss has a long invulnerability phase (like Malenia’s transition or Elden Beast’s flight), you’re wasting the buff. Wait for the opening, plant the flag, and make it count.