Introduction
Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco, is one of the most critically acclaimed action RPGs of all time. Its vast open world, challenging combat, and deep lore have captivated millions of players worldwide. Among the most important aspects of gameplay are the weapons—each uniquely designed with special abilities, stats, and scaling.
Whether you prefer colossal swords, dexterity-based katanas, or magical staffs, Elden Ring provides a weapon for every playstyle. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the different types of Elden Ring weapons in their unique mechanics, and which ones are considered the best for PvE and PvP.
Weapon Categories in Elden Ring
The game features dozens of weapon types, each catering to different builds. Below are the main categories:
1. Straight Swords
- Balanced and versatile.
- Good for beginners and veterans alike.
- Fast attack speed and manageable stamina cost.
Popular Example: Longsword – Simple but effective, especially with buffs.
2. Colossal Weapons
- High damage but slower attack speed.
- Perfect for strength builds.
- Capable of staggering even large enemies.
Popular Example: Colossal Greatsword (Colossal Sword of Radahn) – Legendary damage output.
3. Katanas
- Known for bleed build-up and speed.
- Great for dexterity-focused players.
- Stylish moveset with high DPS.
Popular Example: Rivers of Blood – Infamous for its bleed effect in PvP.
4. Great Spears and Halberds
- Long reach with heavy damage.
- Excellent for mounted combat and crowd control.
Popular Example: Banished Knight’s Halberd.
5. Daggers
- Small but lightning fast.
- Work well with critical hits and backstabs.
Popular Example: Reduvia – Effective for bleed builds.
6. Curved Swords
- Blend of speed and damage.
- Stylish moves with great combo potential.
Popular Example: Scavenger’s Curved Sword.
7. Axes and Greataxes
- High raw damage output.
- Can break through shields.
Popular Example: Executioner’s Greataxe.
8. Staves and Seals
- For sorcery and incantation builds.
- Scale with Intelligence or Faith.
Popular Example: Carian Regal Scepter – Ideal for high-intelligence mages.
9. Bows and Crossbows
- Ranged combat options.
- Useful for pulling enemies or dealing damage from a safe distance.
Popular Example: Black Bow.
10. Unique Legendary Weapons
- Often tied to boss fights or quests.
- Feature unique skills and lore.
Popular Example: Moonveil Katana – A legendary weapon famous for its magic-enhanced slashes.
Best Weapons for PvE
When fighting bosses or exploring dungeons, you’ll want high damage output and survivability.
- Rivers of Blood (Katana) – Insane bleed build-up makes bosses fall quickly.
- Colossal Greatsword – Perfect for strength builds who want huge damage.
- Moonveil Katana – Excellent for hybrid Intelligence/Dexterity builds.
- Blasphemous Blade (Greatsword) – Life steal ability makes it excellent for survivability.
- Dark Moon Greatsword – Scales well with Intelligence and deals frost damage.
Best Weapons for PvP
PvP requires speed, range, and versatility.
- Rivers of Blood – Dominates duels with bleed and fast combos.
- Reduvia Dagger – Quick strikes with bleed potential.
- Nagakiba Katana – Extended reach gives you an edge in duels.
- Curved Great Club – Unpredictable moveset to punish aggressive players.
- Bolt of Gransax – A legendary spear that shoots lightning, perfect for ranged PvP tactics.
Scaling and Upgrades
Each Elden Ring weapon in scales with different stats:
- Strength – Colossal weapons, axes, greatswords.
- Dexterity – Katanas, curved swords, spears.
- Intelligence – Staves, magical swords.
- Faith – Sacred seals, holy weapons.
- Arcane – Boosts bleed, death magic, and some unique weapons.
Weapons can also be upgraded using Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones. Choosing the right upgrade path can drastically improve performance.
Special Weapon Skills (Ashes of War)
One of Elden Ring’s most exciting features is the Ashes of War system, which lets players customize weapon abilities. For example:
- Unsheathe for katanas delivers lightning-fast strikes.
- Lion’s Claw lets you flip and smash enemies with colossal weapons.
- Bloody Slash adds bleed damage at the cost of HP.
- Carian Greatsword summons a huge magical blade.
Experimenting with Ashes of War ensures no two builds are alike.
Legendary Weapons Worth Hunting
Some weapons are not just powerful but also iconic:
- Sword of Night and Flame – A hybrid weapon with fire and magic beams.
- Eclipse Shotel – Nullifies shields, perfect for PvP.
- Marais Executioner’s Sword – Deals powerful spinning attacks.
- Bolt of Gransax – Unique legendary spear with ranged lightning bolt skill.
These weapons not only perform well but are also tied to the deep lore of Elden Ring.
Conclusion
The variety Elden Ring weapons is one of the reasons the game remains endlessly replayable. Whether you’re a new player experimenting with swords or a veteran seeking legendary arms, the Lands Between always has something new to offer.
From colossal weapons that crush bosses to katanas that bleed opponents dry, each choice defines your playstyle. Mastering your favorite weapon is the true path to becoming the Elden Lord.
