Elden Ring guide: best weapons and where to find them

by | Mar 28, 2022 | Gaming Base | 0 comments

In Elden Ring, you have the freedom to completely customise your play style, using weapons, armour, sorcery, spells, talismans and so on and so fourth.

However, we must keep in mind that the best weapons change considerably depending on your build: there will be those who have focused on strength, those on dexterity, those who like to mix sorcery and swords, in short, there is something for everyone.

For this reason we decided to write this article dedicated to the best weapons of Elden Ring, separating them by category: we will talk, in fact, about the best Dexterity weapons, the best Strength / Faith weapons, the best Strength / Dexterity weapons and so on, revealing you where to find them and why they are so strong.

This article was written using different sources, such as Elden Ring Wiki. Alongside every weapon, you will find a link with the details of their location.

What are you looking for?

Here are Elden Ring’s best weapons.

Click on what you prefer to learn more about, and it will take you to your chosen section:

Power

Let’s see together the best Elden Ring Force weapons, where to find them and why they are so strong. It is worth keeping in mind that through the Heavy Infusion that can be chosen by assigning War Ashes, any weapon will improve its Strength scaling.

Take the Claymore, for example, which has a scaling of D on strength and D on Dexterity. By infusing it as a Heavy weapon, the Dexterity scaling will become E, while the Strength scaling will switch to B, making this weapon much more effective for those who have invested only in Strength.

This means that on paper any weapon can be a Force weapon, but however effective it will never be at the level of the initial scaling it was designed for.

Example: A +25 Heavy Claymore with 80 Strength deals approximately 766 damage per hit. A Quality Claymore with 40 Strength and 40 Dexterity instead deals more than 800 damage per hit.

  • Greatsword : Phenomenal weapon, not only for its astronomical stats (If infused Heavy, at +20 “A” Strength scale) and very high damage, but for two other reasons. First, it stuns anything, even the toughest enemies, allowing you to keep them from moving. In addition, it has an exceptional move set for dealing with large groups of enemies. You have to get used to it at first, but it becomes a devastating weapon in the right hands. The Greatsword, inspired by the Berserk Dragon Slayer, is found in Caelid, Dragonbarrow. North-west to the Caelem Ruins Site of Grace, inside of the caravan guarded by enemies. [Elden Ring Map Link].
  • Erdtree Burial Watchdog : This weapon is found at the Stormfoot Catacomb [Map Link], Impaler’s Catacombs [Map Link], Wyndham Catacombs [Map Link], Cliffbottom Catacombs [Map Link] and the Minor Erdtree Catacombs [Map Link]. It is exactly the same as the Greatsword, but has a shorter range and a different move set. Use it only if the Greatsword’s attack set doesn’t convince you completely, because overall the Greatsword is better.
  • Great Axe : Although this weapon appears to have D / D scaling on Strength and Dexterity, if infused heavy it completely loses Dexterity scaling and brings the Strength scaling directly to B. This means that by upgrading it it will reach a scaling of A. As always very solid weapon, difficult to use due to the short range but very powerful and, if you do PvP, it is impossible to “parry”. You can find it inside the chest in the traveling carriage moved by two large Trolls and guarded by militia and nobility in Limgrave, near Waypoint Ruins. [Elden Ring Map here].
  • Ruin Greatsword : This colossal greatsword is a unique weapon, so it is maxed out up to +10 with the Funeral Smithing Stone. B’s initial Force scaling quickly turns into A, and the very high base damage makes it one of the deadliest weapons in Elden Ring. However, it requires 50 Strength and 16 Intelligence to wield. You can find it after defeating Misbegotten Warrior + Crucible Knight at Redmane Castle Plaza. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Great Club : Simply fabulous weapon, with pure Force scaling, present since the days of Dark Souls 2. This weapon will be dropped by the Stonedigger Troll boss in Old Altus Tunnel. [Elden Ring Map here].
  • Large Club : Simply, the best Force weapon to start the game with, extremely solid against any boss and capable of one-shot almost any base enemy in Elden Ring. It is located southwest of the Forlorn Hound Evergaol, near the Lake of Agheel of Sepolcride. From there, go southwest and you will find halfhumans screaming next to corpses. One of the corpses has the Large Club [Elden Ring Map Link].
  • Great Mace : Basically an improved version of the Large Club, but you get it later in the game. It is in fact found inside a chest located in the camp with several trebuchets, outside the Grand Lift of Dectus. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Brick Hammer : This weapon obtained in Stormveil Castle [Elden Ring Map Link], and gains a scaling of S on the Strength as soon as you bring it to +15. The reduced range makes it difficult to use, but it is a real beast in the hands of experienced players. Vaguely reminiscent of Bloodborne’s Kirkhammer.

Dexterity

Dexterity weapons are usually quick weapons, often also suitable for the application of Bleed, designed to deliver swift hits in rapid succession. The best weapon in the whole game is a Dexterity weapon, but to compensate for this the developers have included a few weapons that scale well on Dexterity early in the game. Let’s see where to find all the best.

  • Rogier’s Strip : This weapon that will be given to you by Rogier if you have met it at Stormveil Castle [Map Link] is already delivered to you at +8. Infusing it Incisive it and achieves a scaling of B on Dexterity, which becomes A as soon as you get to +15. The base damage is lower than other piercing swords, but the heavy attack is unique and hits two attacks instead of one. It is, therefore, a perfect weapon to use in combination with the Talisman which increases the effectiveness of consecutive attacks.
  • Guardian’s Spear Sword : Quite simply, one of the best Dexterity weapons in the whole game (perhaps even the best of the normal ones) this sword-lance is a real gem. It a unique and much faster move set, has phenomenal Dexterity scaling, and offers the full package. The only problem? It is a very rare drop of Erdtree Guardians, those enemies that you often find around the Minor Mother Trees scattered throughout the game. You will need a lot of farming to bring one home!
  • Banished Knight’s Halberd : To obtain it, you must complete the entire mission of Irina and her father Edgar at the Castle of Morne, in the Wailing Peninsula. Once the mission is over, you must defeat the NPC located at the Avenger’s Hut, to get this weapon [Elden Ring Map Link].
  • Nagakiba – Long Fang : This long-bladed Katana is the reward for completing Bloody Finger Hunter Yura’s questline at the Second Church of Marika allowing you to also obtain Eleonora’s Poleblade and Purifying Crystal Tear. [Elden Ring Map here]. It is the classic Nodachi of the souls, so a sword with a very long blade, it has a unique War Ash and the best Dexterity scaling of all katanas.
  • Dragon Scale Blade: This is the only “normal” katana to have a basic damage scaling that prioritizes Dexterity. She has a unique War Ash and is also unique in appearance. It drops from Dragonkin Soldier in the Lake of Rot. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Hand of Malenia : Quite simply, the strongest weapon in all of Elden Ring. It qualifies as a katana, has one of the highest base damage in the game (264 to +10) and a unique ability (Water Dance) that is capable of taking down many of the game’s secondary bosses in a single execution when paired with the Talisman of the Decaying Winged Blade. The problem is how to get it: it can be drawn by Enia out of the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess at the Roundtable Hold, obtained after killing Malenia. So good luck. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Scorpion’s Stinger : This dagger is found in the Lake of Rot. Cross the swamp and go through the entrance with large statues on either side to reach the Grand Cloister Site of Grace. Use the ledges to drop down to the bottom, and head straight ahead (westward) and you’ll find the dagger in a chest. [Elden Ring Map here]. It mostly scales on Dexterity, but its key feature is its ability to very easily inflict “Scarlet Rotten” status, which is lethal to many of the Elden Ring bosses.
  • Dragon King’s Cragblade : Without a doubt, one of the strongest Dexterity weapons in the game. Obtained by trade at Remembrance of the Dragonlord with Enia at Roundtable Hold [Elden Ring Map here]. A +10 scale B on Dexterity and D on Strength, with a split damage of 70% physical and 30% ancient dragon lightning. His innate ability allows him to transform into a cloud of red lightning, becoming very fast and invincible for a few seconds, then crashing into enemies.

Intelligence

There are no pure INT weapons except scepters, so we’ve rounded up the best ones here.

  • Academy Glintstone Staff : This is the best scepter you can get in the early stages of the game as it is looted from Thops’s body. You must give him the Academy Glintstone Key first (or kill him). Once he has it, fast travel to the Schoolhouse Classroom site of grace of Raya Lucaria Academy, you’ll find him dead outside the room. Go outside and turn right, you’ll find him, sitting in a chair. [Elden Ring Map here]. Good stats, it boosts carian spells, and it’s a solid choice until you get something that is more geared to your play style.
  • Carian Regal Scepter : This weapon will be available when unlocking the Remembrance of The Full Moon Queen’s power by handing it over to Enia at Roundtable Hold [Elden Ring map here]. We have little doubt in defining it as the best choice of the whole game, because it has a scaling of S quite early in the upgrade path and above all it has no positive or negative effects on the type of Streogonerie you use unlike other choices on this list. If you want to use a lot of different spells, this is the scepter for you.
  • Azur’s Glintstone Staff : This weapon also has a scaling of S on Intelligence, but it has a particular unique effect. To find it, you must complete the entire section on the roofs of Raya Lucaria Academy [Elden Ring Map here] (accessed from the last shortcut before the boss) until you reach the upper floor of the Cuckoo Church.
  • Lusat’s Glintstone Staff : This weapon also achieves a scaling of S on Intelligence, but has another unique effect: it increases the AP cost of Sorcery by 22%, and in return allows you to increase it by just over 10% the pure damage of all Sorcery. It is found in the City of Sellia in Caelid, behind a chest guarded by the area boss, the Nox Swordsmen.
  • Staff of the Prince of Death : This weapon is unlike any other in that it sacrifices S’s scaling on intelligence to adopt an A / A scaling on Intelligence and Faith instead. This means that if you are playing with a “pure” wizard, using all the Sorcery and even the Spells, this is without a doubt the weapon you should get yourself as soon as possible. It is found in a chest north of the Nox Swordstress & Nox Priest boss duo’s chamber after defeating them. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Rotting Crystal Staff : This scepter doesn’t initially look great, since it has a scaling of B on Intelligence. But it has a hidden effect that adds the accumulation of Scarlet Rots for each successful Sorcery! This means that you can inflict this terrible status simply by using spells, making it a one-of-a-kind weapon capable of melting many bosses who are not immune to Rotting in seconds. It is dropped by the Crystalian mage in the first section of Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree, or dropped by the Crystalian mage guarded by 2 Crystalian Lancers, just next to the Elphael Inner Wall Site of Grace.

Faith

Here, however, we will not only find seals but also weapons!

  • Coded Sword : A “lightsaber” with insane Faith scaling (S from early levels) that has the ability to completely ignore shields and armour defenses. It is located in Leyndell, Royal Capital. Look for an abandoned horse stable, then climb onto its roof and enter the building. Keep going until you find a broken round table. Look for the double door. Inside that room you will find the coded sword. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Godslayer’s Seal : This is an extraordinary catalyst: in addition to achieving an S scaling on Faith and an excellent damage threshold for miracles, it boosts all “godslayer” spells, that is, all Spells that use Black Flames. This is the most powerful element in the game, dealing an extra amount of “flat” damage based on the enemy’s HP. Using it on dragons, for example, will inflict a tremendous amount of damage. It is found in Stormveil Castle, in the area sealed with a Stone Sword Key. From the grace, take the elevator down to the feasting hall where the Grafted Scion was roaming. Exit into the courtyard with all of the waiting archers. Make a hard left into a small stairway that goes underground. You’ll find a room that is guarded by four Rats, and ahead, is a doorway that is blocked by a white fog. To dispel this, you will need to use a Stonesword Key on the Imp Statue. You’ll find a stock room on the other side –  the room has a treasure chest where the seal is. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Giant’s Seal : Simply, the only choice if you want to create Pyromancers and use only fire magic. This object, in fact, greatly enhances any Spell related to fire. The only problem is that to get it you have to go inside Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave, on a corpse located at the bottom of a pit [Elden Ring Map here], an area to which you will only have access after completing the Capital.
  • Breach Seal : A bit of a niche, this Seal boosts Draconic Spells, which are the ones you can get at the Cathedrals of the Cult of the Dragon. It is received at the end of Hyetta’s questline as part of being the Lord of Chaos. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Seal of the Golden Order : This seal is a practically obligatory choice in case your character is a pure wizard who mixes Intelligence and Faith. At +10, in fact, it has a scaling of A / A on Intelligence and Faith, in addition it strengthens all the Spells of the Golden Order, or those that in addition to the Faith requirements have one of Intelligence. It is found on the dead body of a corpse next to the Minor Erdtree Church Site of Grace in Leyndell Royal Capital.
    [Elden Ring Map here]

Strength / Intelligence

Strength / Intelligence has always been a great match, and Elden Ring is no exception:

  • Dark Moon Greatsword : Here we are again at the inevitable Greatsword of the Moon present in all FromSoftware video games. Found below the Cathedral of Manus Celes after giving Ranni the Dark Moon Ring [Elden Ring Map here], this item will be the ultimate reward. It is a quality that scales on Strength / Dexterity and more on Intelligence, which inflicts devastating damage and which, as per tradition, has a unique ability that hurls rays of moonlight from a distance.
  • Loretta’s War Sickle : This splendid Quality Intelligence is dropped by Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree upon defeat. [Elden Ring Map Link]. The amazing moveset and the perfect stats for a warrior-wizard make it one of the most tempting choices in the title.
  • Onyx Lord’s Greatsword : An excellent curved greatsword for Strength / Intelligence builds, featuring one of the best scaling of these stats (D / D to +0) and a good moveset. Dropped by Onyx Lord in the Sealed Tunnel [Elden Ring Map Link]. Drop down and you will find the entrance to the Tunnel.
  • Helphen’s Steeple : With a scaling of C on Strength and B on Intelligence this sword is one of the best weapons ever for these hybrid builds. The weapon is a unique Sailor, dropped by a Tibia Mariner on a ledge South of Castle Sol and North West of Snow Valley Ruins Overlook. [Elden Ring Map here]

Strength / Faith

Strength / Faith is perhaps one of the most classic builds in RPG history, the path chosen by Paladins, Clerics and Crusaders.

  • Black Blade of Maliketh : Simply the most powerful Faith Greatsword in the game. The stats are great, the move set isn’t great, but the unique ability inflicts a terrifying amount of damage and is capable of both wiping out hordes of enemies, and heavily damaging any boss. To obtain it, the Remembrance of Maliketh is required [Elden Ring Map here].
  • Golden Halberd : Weapon drops from the Tree Sentinel in Limgrave. [Elden Ring Map here], the Tree Sentinel on horseback who sits outside. It is a Force / Faith weapon that can accompany you throughout the game.
  • Ordovis Greatsword : In a nutshell this is a Claymore that climbs mainly on Faith, with more than one single attack. It was a weapon present in the CNT. The problem is that to get your hands on this jewel you will have to get to the gates of the Capital: before actually entering the Bulwark of the Capital, you can reach the Tomb of the Hero of Auriza, a large optional dungeon just outside the entrance to the city. Dropped by Crucible Knight Ordovis, located at Auriza Hero’s Grave. [Elden Ring Map here].
  • Magma Wyrm’s Scalesword: Another excellent curved greatsword that inherits the move set of the fabulous Dragon Greatsword featured in Dark Souls 2 by adding a devastating unique Magma-based attack. Scale C on Strength and D on Faith, and drops from Magma Wyrm Makar in Ruin-Strewn Precipice in northern Liurnia of the Lakes. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Scepter of the All-Knowing : This is the colossal weapon that the Mother Tree Avatars wield around the Interregnum. Dropped by Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing upon defeat. Sir Gideon is encountered as a boss in Leyndell, Capital of Ash, an alternate version of the Royal Capital accessible only after making significant progress in the story. 
    [Elden Ring Map here] The weapon starts with a C on Strength and D on Faith scaling, improving when upgraded, and is therefore a great choice.
  • Troll’s Hammer : This is a variant of the Colossal Club that, in addition to the scaling of C on the Strength, adds a D on the Faith, therefore it is a devastating weapon. It is found in a storage shed inside the Old Altus Tunnel dungeon. [Elden Ring Map Link].
  • Gargoyle’s Blackblade : Variant of the Gargoyle Greatsword, it drops from the Black Blade Kindred, who stands in front of the Beastial Sanctum. [Elden Ring Map Link]
  • Greatsword of the Golden Order : This splendid greatsword, in appearance one of the most beautiful in the game, has a scaling that is mainly based on Faith (C to +0) and then on Strength, as well as an innate ability that assigns a very powerful buff. The problem is that this too is achieved very far in the game, or it is dropped by Misbegotten Crusader in the Cave of the Forlorn. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Knight’s Sword of Miquella : The only straight sword with an innate scaling on the Faith, it is a drop of the knights who patrol Elphael, the city at the foot of the Sacred Tree of Miquella. It is found atop a bell tower. You can reach this bell tower by entering the second alcove on the left of the eastern walkway, heading up the stairs and then jumping onto the tree branch on the balcony. Follow the tree branch up and across to reach the tower. [Elden Ring Map here]

Dexterity / Intelligence

  • Moonveil : This katana is simply extraordinary. In addition to having extremely powerful scaling on Dexterity and Intelligence, she has a unique ability that deals disproportionate amounts of area damage. If you’re doing this kind of wizard-warrior build, this is the first weapon you should pick up. It is dropped from Magma Wyrm found in Gael Tunnel – Caelid. [Elden Ring Map here]
  • Astel’s Wing : Scaling on Dexterity and Intelligence, a special spammable ability and a good moveset make it one of the best weapons in the category. Fantastic scimitar that you can recover from a small chest at the top of the ruins in southern Uhl Palace Ruins. Can only be reached if you have access to the northern section of Ainsel River, by following the river east from northern Uhl Palace Ruins. From the Nokstella, Eternal City Site of Grace, look east at the waterfall and go forward, climbing up the ladder you see on your right. Go through the door and up the watery path, hugging the right wall, you’ll encounter an ant enemy along the way and through the tunnel you’ll see a T-Posing enemy with a scythe at the cliff. Continue hugging the right wall, and drop down safely down the ledges and up the path where the chest is located on the walkway behind the Malformed Star enemy. Be careful of the spells it fires at you, so you don’t get knocked off the walkway. [Elden Ring Map here] 
  • Loretta’s War Sickle : This splendid Quality Intelligence is dropped by Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree upon defeat. [Elden Ring Map Link]. The amazing moveset and the perfect stats for a warrior-wizard make it one of the most tempting choices in the title.
  • Death Ritual Lance : Shattering spear that scales D / D on Intelligence and Dexterity and has an incredible area-of-effect ability that hurls a storm of spears across the battlefield. Deals split-damage split between Physical and Magic. To get it, however, you have to kill the Death Rite Bird fought in the Mountaintops of the Giants. [Elden Ring Map here]

Dexterity / Faith

  • Vyke Warspear : Can be dropped from Festering Fingerprint Vyke [Elden Ring Map here], this spear is very powerful and inflicts Madness status. His special ability is capable of one-shot other players during invasions, and scales mostly on Faith.
  • Shotel of the Eclipse : Found at the altar of the church in the southeast section of the castle [Elden Ring Map here] it has an excellent scaling on faith. In addition, the unique special ability inflicts “death” (godslayer) status, which is extremely powerful against enemies with high HP.
  • Winged Scythe : Probably the best DEX / FED weapon in the game, the Winged Scythe is a unique weapon that you can obtain at Tombsward Ruins: in the center of the ruins, there is a set of stairs leading underground into a dark hall with a door to a small room at the end. The scythe is inside a chest in the small room. [Elden Ring Map here] This weapon has more than excellent stats, inflicts heavy holy damage and has an extraordinary unique ability that makes you fly through the air and then drop into groups of enemies. The special attack, specifically, has extraordinary hyper-armor that makes it nearly impossible to interrupt the blow.

Super-hybrid weapons (FOR / DES / INT / FED / ARC)

  • Sword of the Burning Night : This is undoubtedly one of the strongest weapons in all of Elden Ring, but it requires a heavy investment in all stats (INT and FED at least 22, STR and DES at least 12). The peculiarity of this weapon, in addition to having a quadruple scaling, lies in the special attack: using a light shot it will fire a laser beam that is able to kill almost all the secondary bosses of the game in NG in two shots. The heavy attack, on the other hand, creates a whirlwind of flames that can eliminate up to twenty enemies in one hit (very useful for making Elphael Rune). You can get this by going to Caria Manor: in a locked room behind the gardens in the east side of the manor. This room is accessible from the walkways above. Begin at the Manor Lower Level site of grace, and proceed east across the rooftops, being wary of any spirit soldiers that may appear. From the first intersection, head north and continue down the pathway until it ends. There will be a rooftop on the north at the end of the pathway that you can safely jump down to, and from there you will see another lower roof to the north of this one with a ladder leading down to the ground at the center. Proceed down this ladder and you will find yourself in a small room with a chest containing the Sword of Night and Flame. [Elden Ring Map here]

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