Weapons in Action RPGs are vital, and Elden Ring offers a plethora of options. Each weapon boasts unique behavior and mechanics, providing players with diverse gameplay experiences. However, the abundance of choices presents the challenge of weapon selection. Each weapon caters to specific playstyles and possesses distinct statistics. Therefore, we’ve curated a list of Elden Ring’s finest weapons for players to explore.
FromSoftware, the developer of Elden Ring, ensures newcomers and fans of its previous titles have a variety of weapon choices. However, this abundance not only complicates the selection process but also leads to frequent updates altering weapon behavior. Here are our favorite weapons from Elden Ring.
Weapon Categories in Elden Ring
- Daggers
- Greatswords
- Colossal Swords
- Curved Swords
- Thrusting Swords
- Axes
- Katanas
- Twinblades
- Halberds
- Spears
- Hammers
- Reapers
- Whips
- Claws
- Glinstone Staves
- Sacred Seals
- Colossal Weapons
Top Weapons in Elden Ring You Should Use
Each weapon in Elden Ring is exceptional, enhancing the journey’s enjoyment. Here are over 30 standout weapons, categorized by type:
Best Daggers in Elden Ring
Misericorde
- Where to Get: Stormveil Castle, in the armory near the Grafted Scion room (Players need a Stonesword Key to bypass the fog wall).
- Base Physical Damage: 92
- Crit Damage: 140
- Compatible with Dexterity builds
The Misericorde, an early-game weapon, holds potential as a vital component of any build. It boasts the highest base physical stat among dagger weapons at 92, requiring minimal skill stats to wield while delivering 140 critical damage, the highest for daggers.
Misericorde excels with the Dexterity class, ideal for swift playstyles. Its quick step skill allows players to maneuver behind enemies for backstab opportunities.
Reduvia
- Get it by defeating the Bloody Finger Nerijus NPC near Murkwater Cave in Limgrave.
- Base Physical Damage: 79
- Crit Damage: 110
- Inflicts blood loss on enemies with the Reduvia Blood Blade skill
A dagger, acquired early in the game by defeating Bloody Finger Nerijus, an invading NPC, Reduvia packs a punch with its slick skills. It’s a versatile early-mid-game weapon, enabling users to deal damage with the Reduvia Blood Blade skill, launching projectiles at enemies, inducing blood loss.
Utilize this skill to strike enemies from behind for swift blood loss and critical damage. The weapon synergizes well with Dexterity and Arcane classes, offering benefits to players exploring these skills.
Top Greatswords
Darkmoon Greatsword
- Obtainable by completing Ranni’s Questline, initiated after encountering her in Caria Manor and defeating Royal Knight Loretta.
- Base Physical Damage: 82
- Critical Damage: 100
- Great Physical as well as a Magic weapon on higher levels.
Darkmoon Greatsword boasts a rich history, appearing in nearly every FromSoftware RPG in some form as a playable weapon with impressive stats. Also known as the Moonlight Greatsword in other titles, it requires 16 Strength, 11 Dexterity, and 38 Intelligence to wield.
Once properly leveled, the Darkmoon Greatsword becomes formidable, enabling players to unleash frost build-up projectiles and deliver significant damage.
Obtaining the greatsword is a feat, requiring players to complete Ranni’s questline in Elden Ring, a complex storyline with various objectives. The Darkmoon Greatsword is a mid-late game weapon, performing well in the late game.
Blasphemous Blade
- Where to Get It: After defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy at Volcano Manor. Players need to follow a specific questline at this legacy dungeon.
- Base Physical Damage: 121
- Critical Damage: 100
- It deals fire damage to enemies thanks to Taker’s Flame.
Another potent mid-late-game weapon in Elden Ring, the Blasphemous Blade capitalizes on elemental damage, particularly fire, to disadvantage enemies. Primarily a strength-focused weapon, the Blasphemous Blade necessitates 22 Strength, 15 Dexterity, and 21 Faith to wield, featuring the Taker’s Flame skill. This skill unleashes a fiery streak directly towards an opponent.
The Blasphemous Blade caters to players emphasizing a faith build in addition to Strength, as both attributes significantly enhance its effectiveness. Moreover, the sword excels when paired with specific talismans that augment fire and overall damage.
Top Colossal Swords
Grafted Blade Sword
- Where to Get It: Defeat Leonine Misbegotten in Castle Morne at the Weeping Peninsula
- Base Physical Damage: 162
- Critical Damage: 100
- The Oath of Vengeance skill boosts all attributes by five points.
Grafted Blade Sword leverages Strength, a crucial in-game stat. Constructed from mini swords as a nod to George R. R. Martin’s The Song of Ice and Fire, it excels in raw damage. With a base damage of 162 and requiring dual-wielding, players need 40 Strength.
Players focusing on the Strength stat benefit from this weapon. Its skill, The Oath of Vengeance, buffs every attribute by five points for 60 seconds, enhancing a player’s effectiveness against enemies.
Starscourge Greatsword
- Where to Get It: Exchange the Remembrance of the Starscourge at the Roundtable Hold with Enia. Players obtain it by defeating Starscourge Radahn.
- Base Physical Damage: 129
- Critical Damage: 100
The story of Starscourge Radahn in Elden Ring is one of heroism and grief. A resilient boss at the game’s launch, defeating him granted players not only bragging rights but also the option to acquire one of the best weapons in the game: the Starscourge Greatsword.
Starscourage Greatsword requires 38 Strength, 12 Dex, and 15 Intelligence, benefiting Strength builds. The weapon skill, “Starcaller Cry,” deals damage by pulling enemies in a gravitational pull and slamming them, increasing damage.
Top Curved Swords
Bloodhound Fangs
- Where to Get It: Defeat Bloodhound Knight Darriwal in Limgrave
- Base Physical Damage: 141
- Critical Damage: 100
- Impressive bleed build-up on successive attacks
Despite slight nerfs following numerous updates, Bloodhound Fangs remain among the best early-game weapons, requiring only 18 Strength and 17 Dexterity, favoring quality builds. They deal 141 damage on hit, scaling with player leveling, and build bleed damage on successive slashes.
Magma Blade
- Obtainable: Dropped by the Man-Serpent wielding an orange glowing Magma Blade at Volcano Manor.
- Base Physical Damage: 96
- Critical Damage: 100
- Inflicts fire damage as a skill.
Magma Blade, a potent fire-based weapon, suits those craving fire damage and raw strength. Requiring 9 Strength, 15 Dexterity, and 16 Faith, this weapon caters to players focused on annihilating enemies with powerful sword swings, dealing 96 damage per hit, while also exploiting most enemies’ susceptibility to fire. Although a minimum Dexterity stat is necessary to wield it, the Magma Blade excels with investments in Strength and Faith.
Top Thrusting Sword
Antspur Rapier
- Source: Dropped by Maleigh Marais, Shaded Castle Castellan at The Shaded Castle in Altus Plateau
- Base Physical Damage: 98
- Critical Damage: 100
- Special: Each hit inflicts scarlet rot build-up
Scarlet Rot, a status effect in Elden Ring, despised by the majority of players, primarily centers around Caelid. Thus, a weapon that exploits it becomes essential. The Antspur Rapier, a swift and damaging sword, caters to players who prefer speed and effectiveness, adding the aggravation of Scarlet Rot.
It is dropped by the hostile NPC Maleigh Marais, the Shaded Castle Castellan, found in The Shaded Castle within the Altus Plateau. The Antspur Rapier demands 10 Strength and 20 Dexterity to wield and inflicts 98 damage per strike. Moreover, it accumulates scarlet rot damage with each hit, making it favorable for players with a penchant for Dexterity.
Estoc
- Acquisition: Available from the Nomadic Merchant in Liurnia of the Lakes. Also serves as the starting weapon for the Prisoner class.
- Base Physical Damage: 107
- Critical Damage: 100
- Allows infusion of Ashes of War
The Estoc, the starting weapon for the prisoner class, can be bought from the nomadic merchant in Liurnia of the Lakes. It’s a simple thrusting sword but incredibly versatile in Elden Ring, allowing Ashes of War infusion, a rare feature. Requiring 11 Strength and 13 Dexterity, it deals 107 damage and scales well with Dexterity, making it a crucial early-mid-game option for those seeking a powerful weapon.
Top Katanas in Elden Ring
Uchigatana
- Where to Get It: Deathtouched Catacombs in Stormhill, found on a corpse. Starting weapon for Samurai class.
- Base Physical Damage: 115
- Critical Damage: 100
- Causes Blood Loss on every slash
The Uchigatana lacks exceptional skill but suits those seeking simplicity and effectiveness. As a starter weapon for Samurai class, it inflicts blood loss with each hit. To wield, players need 11 Strength and 15 Dexterity, with scaling improving accordingly, allowing for Ash of War infusion. This versatility makes Uchigatana a viable choice throughout the game.
Rivers of Blood
- Where to Get It: Dropped by Bloody Finger Okina at the Church of Repose in The Mountaintop of the Giants.
- Base Physical Damage: 76
- Critical Damage: 100
- The Corpse Piler skill enables users to maintain distance and inflict damage.
Among the visually striking weapons within the game, the Rivers of Blood stands out as one of the late-game discoveries in the Mountaintop of Giants area. Esteemed for its skill range and bleeding capabilities, it has garnered considerable affection from players. Despite its modest physical damage output (76), the Rivers of Blood katana in Elden Ring compensates with its bleed build-up damage and extended reach.
To wield it effectively, players must possess 12 Strength, 18 Dexterity, and 20 Arcane, prioritizing these attributes for scaling. Moreover, the Rivers of Blood truly shines when dual-wielded alongside another Katana. The Corpse Piler skill enables players to effectively damage enemies from a significant distance, utilizing its slashing area.
Top Axes in Elden Ring
Icerind Hatchet
- Where to Get It: Temple Quarter at Liurnia of the Lake, inside a chest in the ruined bell tower.
- Base Physical Damage: 115
- Critical Damage: 100
- Helps build Frost damage on hits and through the weapon skill Hoarfrost Stomp.
Unlike previous From Software titles, Elden Ring offers numerous weapons with Area of Effect (AoE) capabilities. The Icerind Hatchet stands out among these, allowing players to damage groups of enemies with its unique skill.
Located in the Temple Quarter within Liurnia of the Lakes, the Icerind Hatchet resides in a chest nestled in the ruined belltower. This agile axe synergizes effectively with high Dexterity stats. To wield it, players need 11 Strength and 16 Dexterity, enabling them to inflict 115 base damage per hit. Additionally, the Icerind Hatchet inflicts frost damage with every strike and benefits from the Hoarfrost Stomp weapon skill.
Executioner’s Greataxe
- Found: Dropped by Skeletons at the Church of Irith graveyard, the graveyard above Sellia, and the graveyard above the academy gate town.
- Base Physical Damage: 150
- Critical Damage: 115
- The weapon skill War Cry enhances players’ attacks.
Executioner’s Greataxe, a large weapon like every other big armament in the game, favors players who seek to deal heavy blows to their enemies. Found as a drop from Skeletons in the graveyards of Elden Ring, it excels in both physical and critical damage, dealing 150 and 115 damage respectively.
To wield it, players need 36 Strength and 8 Dexterity. Additionally, the Executioner’s Greataxe scales well with the Strength stat, and its skill, War Cry, boosts players’ attacks, inflicting more damage on enemies.
Best Twinblades
Godskin Peeler
- Where to Get It: Dropped by Godskin Apostle at The Windmill Village in Altus Plateau.
- Base Physical Damage: 121
- Critical Damage: 100
Godskins are formidable foes in the game, posing a significant challenge for players. Their chosen weapon reflects their menacing nature. The Godskin Peeler, a Twinblade, is acquired by defeating the optional boss, the Godskin Apostle, found in Windmill Village, Altus Plateau. Requiring 17 Strength and 22 Dexterity, the Godskin Peeler inflicts 121 base damage.
Notably, the Godskin Peeler scales effectively with Strength, Dexterity, and Arcane. Strengthening the weapon to +25 blood affinity and attaining 40 Arcane can boost the bleed build-up to over 120, significantly amplifying damage dealt to enemies.
Eleonora’s Poleblade
- Obtained: Eleonora drops it, Violent Bloody Finger at Second Church of Marika, Altus Plateau.
- Base Physical Damage: 72
- Critical Damage: 100
Eleonora’s Poleblade, a swift Twinblade, emphasizes rapid attacks and bleed build-up. To wield it, you need 12 Strength, 21 Dexterity, and 19 Arcane. It inflicts fire damage and causes blood loss.
Despite its speed, it deals only 72 base damage per hit, necessitating successive strikes for effective bleed and fire damage. Its skill, Bloodblade Dance, enables a graceful flurry of attacks.
Elden Ring’s Finest Spears
Cross Naginata
- Location: Gael Tunnel, Caelid. Found on a corpse inside.
- Base Physical Damage: 122
- Critical Damage: 100
- Unique attack move-set.
The Cross Naginata suits players seeking blood-loss weapons with extended reach. Dealing 122 damage, it offers a distinctive move-set allowing both slashing and thrusting attacks. Requiring 16 Strength and 20 Dexterity, it scales well with both attributes. The Impaling Thrust skill further enhances its attack range.
Cleanrot Spear
- Where to Get It: Dropped by the Spear-Wielding Lesser Cleanrot Knight, located South of the Heart of Aeonia, or obtained from the Ghostly Cleanrot Knight in the War-Dead Catacombs.
- Base Physical Damage: 102
- Critical Damage: 100
- Players can deal holy damage using the Sacred Phalanx weapon skill.
The Cleanrot Spear is a choice for players aiming to damage enemies from a safer distance and inflict magic damage. With a thrust move set, it deals 102 damage on hit, requiring 16 Strength, 16 Dexterity, and 14 Faith. The Faith requirement indicates its natural magic-based damage, augmented by the Sacred Phalanx weapon skill, which summons several spears on the ground. Additionally, it boosts player immunity by 50.
Best Hammers
Celebrant’s Skull
- Where to Get It: On a dead body hanging by a cliff, northeast of Windmill Village at Altus Plateau.
- Base Physical Damage: 138
- Critical Damage: 100
- Weapon Skill Barbaric Roar boosts attack.
By now, most large weapons in Elden Ring emphasize raw Strength, and Celebrant’s Skull is no exception. Found on a corpse by the cliff northeast of Windmill Village at Altus Plateau, Celebrant’s Skull deals impressive physical damage of 138, requiring 18 Strength and 12 Dexterity to wield and scaling well with both stats. Barbaric Roar, the weapon skill, further enhances damage by boosting attack.
Great Stars
- Where to Get It: Inside a chest on a carriage pulled by two giants in Altus Plateau.
- Base Physical Damage: 135
- Critical Damage: 100
- Restores 1% health per hit on an enemy.
The Great Stars, a formidable Strength weapon, stands out among Elden Ring’s hammers. Despite its supremacy, it boasts modest stat requirements, demanding only 22 Strength and 12 Dexterity. With its spiked head aiding in blood loss build-up and granting a 1% health restoration per strike, it excels in combat. Delivering 135 damage, its Endure skill mitigates incoming damage by enhancing poise.
Top Reapers in Elden Ring
Grave Scythe
- Obtain: Dropped by Skeleton Mages.
- Base Physical Damage: 144
- Critical Damage: 100
- Using it increases vitality by 35 and inflicts blood loss per attack.
Ever wanted to experience being a grim reaper wielding a scythe? Elden Ring has you covered, introducing the Grave Scythe. Dropped by Skeleton Mages, it deals a whopping 144 damage, requiring 17 Strength and 13 Dexterity. Hitting an enemy with it aids in Bloodloss build-up, and Spinning Slash further helps. Another reason to use Grave Scythe is its 35 vitality boost. However, wielding it demands significant Endurance as it’s the heaviest available.
Halo Scythe
- Where to Get It: Drops from Scythe-wielding Lesser Cleanrot Knight, south of Heart of Aeonia.
- Base Physical Damage: 118
- Critical Damage: 100
- Miquella’s Ring of Light weapon skill scales with Faith, dealing blood-loss build-up on hit.
This weapon emphasizes holy righteousness in cleansing Elden Ring of enemies. Halo Scythe deals 118 physical damage and requires 15 Faith, 13 Strength, and 15 Dexterity to wield. While it scales with Strength and Dexterity, its skill, Miquella’s Ring of Light, scales only with Faith. Swinging the scythe casts Miquella’s Ring of Light, launching a halo that deals damage but doesn’t track moving enemies. Between magical attacks, each scythe slash builds up blood loss.
Top Whips in Elden Ring
Urumi
- Location: Caria Manor.
- Base Physical Damage: 101
- Critical Damage: 100
- An excellent complement to other whips or weaponry.
Among the new weapons in Elden Ring, Urumi stands out. Dealing 101 damage, it slashes and thrusts at enemies straightforwardly. Requiring 10 Strength and 19 Dexterity, it’s suited for those who prefer ranged combat and swifter weapons. However, Urumi shines when used alongside another whip or weapon, serving as a reliable backup.
Thorned Whip
- Location: Possible drop from the Fire Prelate atop Mountaintop of the Giants. Players may need to defeat the enemy multiple times to obtain it.
- Base Physical Damage: 102
- Critical Damage: 100
- Builds bleed damage per hit.
Another effective whip to use alongside other weapons is the Thorned Whip. As its name suggests, it is thorn-covered and inflicts bleed damage on hit. The Thorned Whip deals 102 damage per hit and requires 16 Dexterity and 8 Strength due to its Dexterity-based nature. Its speed enables the gradual buildup of bleed damage from a distance, effectively subduing enemies.
Top Claws in Elden Ring
Bloodhound Claws
- Location: Dropped by Lesser Bloodhound Knight in Volcano Manor at Mt Gelmir.
- Base Physical Damage: 94
- Critical Damage: 110
- Allows rapid flurry of attacks, causing Bloodloss buildup.
Ever dreamt of embodying Wolverine, slashing enemies with impunity? While real-life emulation remains unattainable, Elden Ring offers a semblance of this fantasy through Bloodhound Claws. This bladed weapon, worn on the hand, inflicts bleed damage and lives up to its name with swift successive attacks. Its handling requires minimal effort, demanding only 10 Strength and 15 Dexterity. Despite its modest physical damage of 94, Bloodhound Claws compensates with its weapon skill, Bloodhound’s Step, enabling agile maneuvering in combat.
Hookclaw
- Location: Stormveil Castle, found on a corpse near the secret entrance.
- Base Physical Damage: 89
- Critical Damage: 110
- Great early-game claw weapon for experimentation.
Hookclaw, an alternative to bleed-based claw weapons, deals physical damage and builds bleed damage with each hit. While Bloodhound Claws is a mid-game option, Hookclaw suits those trying claw weapons early. It boasts 89 physical damage upon hit with modest 8 Strength and 14 Dexterity requirements. Scaling exceptionally with Dexterity, it complements a faster playstyle.
Best Glinstone Staffs
Carian Regal Scepter
- Where to Get It: After defeating Renalla and exchanging the Remembrance of the Full Moon Queen.
- Base Physical Damage: 24
- Base Sorcery Damage: 162
- Critical Damage: 100
- Boosts full-moon sorceries and scales exceptionally well with Intelligence.
For players prioritizing exceptional damage scaling based on Intelligence, the Carian Regal Scepter emerges as the top pick among staff options. However, wielding this weapon demands significant investment in Intelligence upgrading. Requiring 8 points in Strength, 10 in Dexterity, and a hefty 60 in Intelligence, this staff deals sorcery damage starting at 162, a figure that escalates further with scaling and enhancements. Furthermore, enthusiasts of full-moon sorceries find Carian Regal Scepter particularly appealing, thanks to its capacity to amplify the potency of such spells.
Lusat’s Glinstone Staff
- Where to Get It: Selia, Town of Sorcery. Inside a chest north of Nox Swordstress & Nox Priestess boss duo room.
- Base Physical Damage: 24
- Base Sorcery Damage: 179
- Critical Damage: 100
- High FP usage but buffs sorcery damage when leveled up.
If you’ve ever wanted to unleash devastating sorceries in the game, Lusat’s Glinstone Staff is your solution. As a late-game weapon, it surpasses all others in sorcery damage potential. With prerequisites of 10 Strength and 52 Intelligence, this staff enhances sorcery damage significantly when upgraded to +3 with Somber Smithing Stone. Unlocking its full potential at +10 reveals its true power. Lusat’s Glinstone Staff initially deals 179 sorcery damage and consumes substantial FP for casting.
Top Sacred Seals
Finger Seal
- Where to Get It: Available from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold.
- Base Physical Damage: 25
- Incantation Base Damage: 114
- Critical Damage: 100
In Elden Ring, Incantations offer a prime option for players delving into sorceries, and the Finger Seal facilitates this. An early-game weapon, easily upgradable, Finger Seal lacks buffs for Incantations. Why recommend it then? Finger Seal enables players to use various Incantations without heavy investment in leveling Faith due to its low usage requirement. It also pairs well with another weapon, bolstering Incantations as support tools. Requiring 10 Strength and 14 Faith for equipping, Finger Seal serves as the starting weapon for the Confessor and Prophet classes.
Godslayer’s Seal
- Where to Get It: Stormveil Castle, near Rampart Towers area. Exit the courtyard with archers via the Feasting Halls and take a hard left.
- Base Physical Damage: 25
- Incantation base damage: 129
- Critical Damage: 100
Godslayer’s Seal is a prime choice for players focused on Faith-based damage. Another early-game option found in Stormveil Castle, Godslayer’s Seal boosts Godslayer Incantation damage by 10%, a standout choice for Faith-based players. Using the Seal requires 4 Strength and 24 Faith.
Top Colossal Weapons
Giant Crusher
- Location: Find it in a chest on a Carriage south of Outer Wall Phantom Site of Grace.
- Base Physical Damage: 155
- Critical Damage: 100
- Can be tuned with Ash of Wars.
The Giant Crusher, one of Elden Ring’s most formidable weapons, is a colossal hammer attainable in the game. However, its effective use demands significant stat adjustments, rendering it a mid-to-late-game weapon. Yet, for those seeking sheer strength, it proves exceptional. With a requirement of only 60 Strength, the Giant Hammer delivers powerful blows, albeit at a deliberate pace.
Its Weapon skill Endure reduces incoming damage, compensating for its slow wind-up time. Giant Crusher can be customized with Ashes of War, accommodating various playstyles.
Prelate’s Inferno Crozier
- Where to Get It: Dropped by a Fire Prelate in Fort Laiedd.
- Base Physical Damage: 156
- Critical Damage: 100
- Features a distinctive R2 attack animation and supports Ash of War infusion.
Users need 45 Strength and 8 Dexterity, dealing 156 damage, scaling well with Strength and Dexterity as players level up. Another notable feature is its compatibility with Ashes of War infusion.
Ghiza’s Wheel
- Where to Get It: Dropped by Inquisitor Ghiza
- Base Physical Damage:
- Critical Damage:
Ghiza’s Wheel is a medieval-fantasy take on Bloodborne’s Whirligig Saw, as almost every item from past From Software Soulsborne games appears in Elden Ring. This colossal weapon requires 28 Strength and 18 Dexterity, dealing 156 base damage.
Despite the availability of many superior weapons, Ghiza’s Wheel aids in blood loss build-up and stands out as one of the rare colossal weapons with this capability. Its signature skill, “Spinning Wheel,” enables players to spin the blade wheels while moving, making it a must-try for all.
Can I Use Weapons Even Without the Required Stats?
In Elden Ring, players can wield weapons regardless of meeting the required attributes, except for magic-based ones such as staffs and incantations. However, using weapons without meeting the stats will result in reduced damage output and increased stamina consumption.
I Want a Specific Weapon from This List, but the Enemy Isn’t Dropping It. What Should I Do?
When a player requires a weapon obtainable after defeating an enemy, the most effective method to enhance the drop likelihood is by consuming a Pickled Fowl Finger prior to engaging the enemy. This action momentarily boosts the item’s discoverability, thereby increasing the probability of the enemy dropping the desired weapon.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.