Welcome, Tarnished! Prepare to delve into the vast and perilous realm of the Lands Between, where the clash of steel and magic reverberates through the air. In this comprehensive tier list, we embark on a journey to uncover the most formidable weapons that grace Elden Ring. From legendary swords imbued with ancient power to arcane sorceries capable of annihilating foes, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to vanquish your adversaries and claim your rightful place as the Elden Lord.
As you embark on your adventure through the treacherous Lands Between, you will encounter a diverse array of weapons, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Some excel in close-quarters combat, while others dominate from afar. Identifying the best weapons for your playstyle is paramount to success. Whether you prefer the agile grace of dual-wielding daggers or the crushing might of colossal greatswords, there is a weapon here tailored to your needs.
Moreover, Elden Ring introduces a revolutionary new mechanic: Ashes of War. These mystical abilities can be attached to weapons, imbuing them with powerful special attacks or passive bonuses. By carefully selecting the right Ashes of War, you can customize your weapons to suit your combat preferences. From the devastating Bloodhound’s Step, which allows for swift evasion, to the potent Golden Vow, which boosts attack power, the possibilities are nearly endless. Experiment with different combinations to discover the ultimate weapon builds that will lead you to victory.
Colossal Weapons: Towering Titans
In the realm of Elden Ring, where colossal titans roam the lands, these towering weapons reign supreme, their immense size and brute force capable of crushing even the stoutest of foes. From the ethereal beauty of the Giant-Crusher to the raw power of the Ruins Greatsword, each colossal weapon embodies a unique blend of might and majesty. Their thunderous blows send shockwaves through the battlefield, shattering bones and crushing armor with unmatched ferocity.
1. Giant-Crusher: The Starbane Colossal
A relic of a bygone era, the Giant-Crusher is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the ancient giants. Its towering frame, adorned with intricate runes, is said to have once shattered the very stars themselves. With each swing, this behemoth cleaves through flesh and bone alike, leaving behind a trail of shattered dreams and broken bodies. Its sheer size and weight demand immense strength to wield, but for those who can master its power, it becomes an unstoppable force of destruction.
Curved Greatswords: Slashers of Grace
Curved greatswords are a versatile weapon class in Elden Ring, offering a blend of reach, damage, and crowd control. Their unique curved blades allow for wide, sweeping attacks that can cleave through multiple enemies simultaneously.
3. Great Stars
The Great Stars is a massive curved greatsword that excels in crowd control. Its wide, horizontal swings can devastate groups of enemies, and its heavy weight gives it formidable poise damage. Additionally, it inflicts bleed buildup with each hit, making it a potent choice against bosses and larger enemies.
| Stats | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack Power | 152 |
| Reach | 100 |
| Weight | 14.0 |
| Bleed Buildup | 55 |
The Great Stars is particularly effective when paired with the Lion’s Claw Ash of War, which grants it a devastating leaping overhead strike that can cleave through enemy lines. Its slow attack speed is its primary drawback, but careful positioning and use of Ashes of War can mitigate this weakness.
Great Axes: Brutal Cleavers
Great axes wield immense power, offering devastating blows that cleave through enemies with remarkable force. These colossal weapons are designed for relentless aggression. Their brutal strikes leave foes shattered, as they carve a path of destruction through the battlefield.
Notable Great Axes
| Name | Special Attributes | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Great Axe | High base damage and reach | Found in Limgrave, at the Church of Elleh |
| Bloodhound’s Fang | Unique skill: Bloodhound’s Step | Defeat Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in Limgrave |
| Black Blade | Scales with Faith, deals holy damage | Complete Millicent’s questline |
Spears: Elegance and Reach
Spears are polearms that encompass a wide range of weapons, from simple spears and partisan to more elaborate halberds. They combine refinement with extended reach, providing an elegant and versatile option in combat.
These weapons excel at keeping enemies at bay, using their length to pierce through defenses and maintain a safe distance. Their versatility allows for both thrusting and sweeping attacks, offering a variety of options for different opponents and situations.
Additionally, spears often possess a variety of special properties, such as weapon skills that can enhance their damage, reach, or utility. They also tend to be relatively light, allowing for quick and agile movements despite their length.
Here are some of the most notable spears in Elden Ring, offering a glimpse into the diversity and effectiveness of this weapon class:
| Spear | Description |
|---|---|
| Lance | A traditional cavalry spear with excellent reach and thrusting damage. |
| Partizan | A versatile polearm with a piercing thrust and a wide-sweeping heavy attack. |
| Godrick’s Glaive | A unique and powerful spear that deals fire damage and can unleash a devastating weapon skill that summons a giant serpent. |
| Winged Spear | A nimble and swift spear with excellent reach and a unique thrusting attack that deals holy damage. |
| Vyke’s War Spear | A legendary spear that deals madness buildup and can be combined with its paired shield for increased attack power. |
Thrusting Swords: Precision and Speed
Thrusting swords in Elden Ring are renowned for their exceptional precision and speed, making them formidable weapons for both PvE and PvP encounters. With their narrow blades and nimble handling, they excel in delivering swift and accurate strikes, perfect for isolating and hitting vulnerable targets.
One of the primary strengths of thrusting swords lies in their versatility. They can be wielded effectively with both one or two hands, allowing players to adapt their combat style to the situation. When used with a single hand, thrusting swords provide greater mobility and attack speed, ideal for dodging enemy attacks and delivering quick pokes. In two-handed mode, they gain increased reach and damage, making them suitable for more deliberate and controlled engagements.
6. Estoc
The Estoc, an iconic thrusting sword with a slender blade and elegant design, is a reliable choice for those seeking precision and swiftness. Its passive ability, “Swift Thrust,” grants bonus damage on the initial hit of consecutive attacks, making it a deadly weapon for rapid strikes. Furthermore, the Estoc possesses a low weight and high critical hit multiplier, amplifying its damage potential against vulnerable targets.
[Attribute Table]
| Attribute | Scaling |
|---|---|
| Strength | D |
| Dexterity | C |
| Intelligence | – |
| Faith | – |
| Arcane | – |
While the Estoc lacks the flashy movesets of some other thrusting swords, it more than compensates with its consistent damage and precise handling. Its versatility and low weight make it a suitable weapon for a wide range of builds and playstyles, making it a valuable addition to any Elden Ring arsenal.
Katanas: Swift and Devastating
Katanas are a powerful and versatile weapon class in Elden Ring, known for their swift attacks, high damage output, and ability to inflict bleeding. They are ideal for both close-quarters combat and quick getaways. With their range, speed, and devastating power, katanas are a formidable force on the battlefield.
8. Moonveil
The Moonveil katana is a legendary weapon acquired through the questline of Ranni the Witch. It is a formidable weapon that scales primarily with Intelligence and Dexterity, making it ideal for hybrid builds. The Moonveil’s unique ability, Transient Moonlight, unleashes a magical projectile that deals both physical and magical damage, making it extremely effective against enemies with high resistances.
Attributes
| Attribute | Scaling |
|---|---|
| Strength | D |
| Dexterity | B |
| Intelligence | C |
| Faith | E |
| Arcane | E |
Weapon Skills
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Transient Moonlight | Launches a magical projectile that deals physical and magical damage |
| Ash of War: Unsheathe | Unsheathes the katana, dealing additional damage and increasing attack speed for a short period |
Availability
The Moonveil katana is obtained by completing the questline of Ranni the Witch. It can be found in the chest at the end of the Ainsel River Well dungeon.
Whips: Exotic and Ensnaring
Whips are a unique weapon class in Elden Ring, offering a blend of reach, speed, and unique attack patterns. They excel in crowd control and can deal substantial damage to multiple enemies.
10. Magma Whip
This whip is imbued with the power of fire, dealing additional fire damage to enemies. It has a long reach and a wide attack arc, making it ideal for clearing large groups of weaker enemies. However, its low base physical damage limits its effectiveness against bosses and stronger foes.
Key Features:
| Fire Damage | Yes |
|---|---|
| Long Reach | Yes |
| Wide Attack Arc | Yes |
| Low Base Physical Damage | Yes |
Best Weapons in Elden Ring Tier List
Elden Ring boasts a vast arsenal of weapons, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. To help you navigate this diverse collection, we’ve compiled a tier list ranking the best weapons in the game based on their overall effectiveness, versatility, and ease of access.
Our tier list is divided into five categories: S-tier (the best of the best), A-tier (excellent weapons), B-tier (solid options), C-tier (mediocre choices), and D-tier (weapons to avoid). Here’s a detailed breakdown of each tier:
S-Tier:
- Rivers of Blood: A powerful katana that scales well with both Dexterity and Arcane. Its unique weapon art, Corpse Piler, deals massive area-of-effect damage.
- Moonveil: A versatile katana that scales with Intelligence and Dexterity. Its weapon art, Transient Moonlight, fires a ranged projectile that bursts into a damaging AoE.
A-Tier:
- Hand of Malenia: The signature weapon of Malenia, Blade of Miquella. It scales with Dexterity and Intelligence and boasts a unique weapon art, Waterfowl Dance, that grants exceptional mobility and damage output.
- Dark Moon Greatsword: A powerful Intelligence-scaling greatsword that deals both physical and magical damage. Its weapon art, Moonlight Greatsword, summons a shimmering blade that has high poise damage.
B-Tier:
- Blasphemous Blade: A Strength and Faith-scaling greatsword that regenerates health on damage and has a devastating weapon art, Taker’s Flames, that erupts a fiery explosion.
- Godrick’s Great Axe: A Strength-scaling greataxe that deals massive damage and has a unique weapon art, Earthshaker, that creates a shockwave that knocks enemies back.
C-Tier:
- Greatsword: A basic Strength-scaling greatsword that lacks unique abilities but can be upgraded to a high level for raw damage.
- Longsword: A versatile Dexterity-scaling longsword that can be infused with various Ashes of War to enhance its capabilities.
D-Tier:
- Wooden Club: A starting weapon with very low damage output and no special abilities.
- Torch: A weapon primarily used for illuminating dark areas or setting enemies on fire, but has limited combat effectiveness.
