Elden Ring: Most Overpowered Weapon Of Each Category, Ranked

FromSoftware’s fantasy masterpiece, Elden Ring, allows players to choose from a wide variety of weapons, from short-range daggers to hard-hitting colossal weapons. Players can create unique builds using the diverse range of weapons available and, along the way, discover new ways of defeating the many enemies of Elden Ring.

As is expected with such a large range, certain weapons are just more effective than others. Every weapon in Elden Ring is a viable choice for players to use, but certain weapons can make this notoriously tough game much easier to overcome. Each weapon category has a varied and unique selection, with the very best becoming the chosen tool for millions of players looking for every advantage they can get against some of the game’s toughest challenges.

Updated 24 October 2024 by Andy Chapman: With the release of the fantastic DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, Elden Ring’s status as one of the best games of the modern era has been solidified. This epic-scale action RPG has gained legions of fans and introduced new players to the Soulsborne series in the process. The game offers numerous weapon choices, which have been expanded even more with DLC. New weapon types have brought new ways for players to beat the game and offer endless overpowered possibilities. This article has been updated to include additional entries to give a full picture of the weapon types available in Elden Ring.

23 Lion Greatbow

Rain Down Arrows on Enemies

• Weapon Type: Greatbow
• Weapon Skill: Radahn’s Rain
• Requires: Str 22 Dex 18
• Location: Trade Remembrance of the Starscourge in Roundtable Hold.

The Bows and Greatbows are some of the most underused weapons in Elden Ring. However, since the game was released, this weapon category has improved, with many bows becoming viable weapons throughout the game. The Lion Greatbow is by far the best of these, with a powerful ranged shot that can deal a good amount of damage. It is also the lightest of the Greatbows.

The bow does additional damage if Radahn’s arrows are used, while its weapon skill, Radahn’s Rain, is an effective opening attack against enemies. Players can acquire this weapon by first defeating Radahn and then trading the Remembrance of the Starscourge with Enia at Roundtable Hold.

22 Hoslow’s Petal Whip

Serrated Edges Ensure Massive Blood Loss

• Weapon Type: Whip
• Weapon Skill: Kick
• Requires: Str 10 Dex 20
• Location: Dropped By Juno Hoslow or Diallos Hoslow at the end of his storyline.

Hoslow’s Petal Whip is one of the best Whip options in Elden Ring. While whips can be niche weapons due to their lower damage output and low stance-breaking percentage, Hoslow’s Petal Whip is a viable weapon for dexterity builds. It’s fast attack speed and serrated edges are perfect for players wanting to inflict large amounts of blood loss on enemies.

Blood loss is one of the most effective status effects in Elden Ring and can make low-damage weapons extremely dangerous. However, players will need to wait until later in the game to pick up the weapon. The Petal Whip can be found either by completing Diallos Hoslow’s storyline in Jarburg or by defeating Juno Hoslow as part of Volcano Manor’s questline.

21 Star Fist

Punch Enemies to Death With Spiked Fists

• Weapon Type: Fist
• Weapon Skill: Endure
• Requires: Str 12 Dex 8
• Location: Outside the Colosseum In Leyndell.

The Star Fist is another extremely effective weapon that relies heavily on blood loss build-up. While the fists deal relatively low damage compared to larger weapons, their speed, and blood-loss effect can outpace most enemies. The Star Fist mainly scales in strength and can also be buffed. Casting Bloodflame Blade on the Star Fist will increase its damage and bleed effect even more.

The downside to using fists is the range is significantly shorter than most weapons. However, the Star Fist makes up for this with speed, allowing players more time to dodge enemies’ attacks. Players will find the Star Fist to the far left of Leyndell’s Colosseum entrance, on a body at the edge of a cliff.

20 Bloodhound Claws

A Very Effective Weapon Skill

• Weapon Type: Claw
• Weapon Skill: Bloodhound’s Step
• Requires: Str 10 Dex 15
• Location: Volcano Manor

The Bloodhound Claws are one of the best Claw-type weapons in Elden Ring. Their quick attacks allow players to inflict multiple hits on enemies in a short amount of time. They also inflict significant blood-loss build-up on enemies and can also be buffed. However, what makes the Bloodhound Claws truly overpowered is its Weapon Skill. Bloodhound Step allows players to avoid almost any attack. The movement is far more effective than standard rolling and can make tough bosses far easier to deal with.

Players can acquire the Bloodhound Claws when exploring Volcano Manor. Once players have found the secret wall and entered the basement, they will encounter a lesser Bloodhound Knight. Defeating this enemy will reward players with the Claws.

19 Reduvia

Inflict Fast Blood Loss On Enemies

Daggers are some of the most challenging weapons to use effectively in Elden Ring. With their short range and low damage, taking down bosses requires skill and patience. Of all the dagger options, the Reduvia is the weapon of choice for many.

This is an ideal first weapon for players looking to start a blood-build character, as it can be found very early in the game. With good scaling in dexterity and arcane, the Reduvia can quickly inflict large amounts of blood loss on enemies. Match this with the weapon skill that shoots hemorrhaging projectiles, and the Reduvia becomes an extremely potent weapon.

18 Antspur Rapier

Decimate Enemies With Scarlet Rot

Much like daggers, thrusting weapons are one of the more difficult weapon categories to use effectively in Elden Ring. Daggers are best used with a shield, and players will need to be precise in their attacks.

One of the most striking-looking, as well as damaging, choices in this weapon category is the Antspur Rapier. Formed from the spur of a giant ant, the weapon inflicts scarlet rot build-up on its enemies. Ideal for players looking to test their skills, this weapon will quickly chip away at an enemy’s health throughout a battle. Players will find this weapon behind the Shaded Castle in the Altus Plateau region.

17 Icerind Hatchet

Freeze Enemies With An Effective AOE

• Weapon Type: Axes
• Weapon Skill: Hoarfrost Stomp Skill
• Requires: Str 11, Dex 16
• Location: In a chest in the Temple Quarter

While maybe not the most widely used weapon type, the axe category offers some strong options for players looking for fast and powerful attacks. The Icerind Hatchet is a solid option for players looking for their ideal axe of choice. With excellent scaling in dexterity and a unique weapon skill that spreads frost damage in an AOE attack, this frozen hatchet is the best in the range.

In addition to its standard damage, the Icerind Hatchet will inflict frost build-up on enemies, which can be effective against many foes, causing sudden high damage. Players will find the weapon in the Liurnia of the Lakes region, in a chest in the Temple Quarter.

16 Wing Of Astel

A Powerful Weapon Skill For Crowd Control

• Weapon Type: Curved Sword
• Weapon Skill: Nebula Skill
• Requires: Str 7, Dex 17, Int 20
• Location: Uhl Palace Ruins in Ainsel River

Curved swords are one of the less used weapon types in Elden Ring, as most players will find more effective choices in other categories. While not as powerful, curved swords can be deadly when dual-wielded, with fast slashing attacks and their back-step feint ability.

The Wing of Astel is by far the most effective curved sword, especially for intelligence builds. Its strong attack creates a ranged projectile and, when charged, will send out two. Its weapon skill, Nebula, spreads out a small dark cloud that will then explode, causing damage to multiple enemies when surrounded. Additionally, the weapon also inflicts 20% more damage against gravity-type enemies.

15 Sword Of Night And Flame

The Ultimate Magic User Weapon

• Weapon Type: Straight Sword
• Weapon Skill: Night-and-Flame Stance
• Requires: Str 12, Dex 12, Int 24, Fai 24
• Location: Caria Manor

With their fast swings and solid damage, straight swords can be effective weapons against the many challenges of Elden Ring, especially when dual-wielded. There are many strong options in this category for players to choose from, but the sword often at the top of the list is the Sword of Night and Flame.

The legendary armament is ideal for spell casters. Players will need to level both intelligence and faith to use the weapon, but by doing so, they can inflict both magic and flame damage with the sword. Players will be able to find the sword in a locked room in Caria Manor, accessed from above.

14 Bloody Helice

Powerful For Blood-Build Characters

• Weapon Type: Heavy Thrusting Swords
• Weapon Skill: Dynast’s Finesse
• Requires: Str 16, Dex 19, Arc 17
• Location: Wraitheblood Ruins

Much like the smaller versions, with their limited move set, the Heavy Thrusting Sword category requires good timing and precise attacks. However, with greater range, players will soon find these weapons can be deceptively effective.

For players looking to create a strong blood-build character, the Bloody Helice is a good choice. Found in a chest, after defeating the ruins’ minor boss, the Bloody Helice inflicts strong piercing damage and blood loss on enemies. Match this with its unique weapon skill, Dynast’s Finesse, which allows players to avoid an attack and quickly follow up with a counterstrike, making this one of the best thrusting weapons in Elden Ring.

13 Fallingstar Beast Jaw

A Powerful Weapon For Intelligence Builds

• Weapon Type: Colossal Weapon
• Weapon Skill: Gravity Bolt
• Requires: Str 34, Dex 12, Int 20
• Location: Dropped by Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast

While not as powerful as the Colossal Sword category, Colossal weapons offer a wide range of unique tools that deal extremely high damage. The Fallingstar Beast Jaw sits at the top of this category with its effective weapon skill and powerful piercing attacks.

Players will need to overcome the Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast to receive this weapon and will need to invest a lot of points in strength and intelligence to wield it. The Fallingstar Beast sits at the top of Mt. Gelmir and presents a challenge to most players with its large health pool and gravity attacks.

12 Executioner’s Greataxe

A Big Axe Does Big Damage

• Weapon Type: Greataxe
• Weapon Skill: War Cry Skill
• Requires: Str 34, Dex 8
• Location: Dropped by Skeletons

With their high damage and longer range, greataxes are extremely effective weapons against most enemies in Elden Ring. The category has some exceptional choices for players, but the Executioner’s Greataxe comes out on top as the weapon of choice for many.

With excellent scaling in strength, this versatile weapon can be buffed with magic and consumables, as well as its weapon skill, War Cry, making this a potentially devastating armament. To obtain this axe, players will need to farm specific enemies. Skeletons who drop this weapon can be found in the Church of Irith Graveyard, Academy Gate Town Graveyard, and Sellia Graveyard.

11 Eleonora’s Poleblade

Fast Attacks That Melt Health Bars

Twinblades are popular weapons for many players, with their dynamic move sets and fast attacks. Eleonora’s Poleblade is not only an effective twinblade but one of the best weapons in Elden Ring. Another highly effective blood-type weapon, this stunning armament deals high amounts of damage and inflicts blood loss on enemies.

With a weapon skill that is fast, effective, and fun to use, Eleonora’s Poleblade is a popular choice for dexterity builds. Players will be able to obtain the weapon in the Altus Plateau region, in the Second Church of Marika.

10 Great Stars

Ideal Duel-Wielding Weapons

• Weapon Type: Great Hammers
• Weapon Skill: Endure Skill
• Requires: Str 22, Dex 12
• Location: Guarded Carriage Altus Plateau

The Great Hammer category includes a wide selection of varied weapons, from the Rotten Battle Hammer to the Great Mace. These large weapons deal very high damage and can easily break an enemy’s poise. Of all these weapons, the Great Stars stands as the most overpowered.

These large spiked weapons inflict high amounts of blood loss on enemies. Especially if dual-wielded, the Great Stars will quickly take out most enemies in the game. They can also be buffed with magic and consumables, further overpowering the already strong weapon. Players will be able to find the first in a carriage in the Altus Plateau region, as well as an additional one, which is dropped after defeating Magnus The Beast Claw.

9 Marika’s Hammer

A Devastating Weapon Skill That Destroys Enemies

• Weapon Type: Hammers
• Weapon Skill: Gold Breaker
• Requires: Str 20, Dex 12, Fai 19
• Location: Exchange Elden Remembrance

The hammer category offers a diverse range of weapons for a wide variety of build types in the game. However, one hammer stands above the rest with its devastating weapon skill. Marika’s Hammer is one of two weapons players can obtain after defeating the final boss of Elden Ring and receiving the Elden Remembrance.

Marika’s Hammer may have a shorter range, but with strong scaling in strength, dexterity, and faith, this weapon can deal some serious damage. Pair this with the additional holy damage and one of the most effective weapon skills in the game, and Marika’s Hammer easily becomes the best choice in the category.

8 Blasphemous Blade

Inflict HP Stealing Fire

One of the strongest choices in the game, the Blasphemous Blade sits at the top of a weapon category with no shortage of overpowered armaments. The weapon skill is one of the most effective in the game. The character raises the sword, engulfing it in HP-stealing flames. Bringing it down, the sword shoots a line of flames out in a straight line, dealing lots of damage.

With strong scaling in both Strength and Dexterity, its fast movement and high damage ensure most enemies stand little chance. The sword is one of the most unique in the game. Players will see that it is covered in the squirming corpses of those it has defeated. Defeating Rykard will allow players to receive this weapon.

7 Starscourge Greatsword

Legendary Swords Of A Demi-God

The Colossal Sword category is one of the strongest in Elden Ring, with more than one game-breaking option available. Players looking to inflict large amounts of damage on enemies will certainly find their tool of choice among the Colossal Swords.

Of all the weapons in this category, maybe the most effective is the Starscourge Greatsword. Apart from looking great, the sword is dual-wielded when two-handed and causes huge amounts of damage to enemies. Its weapon skill, Starcaller Cry, can be effective for pulling enemies in closer. This stunning weapon becomes available to players after defeating General Radahn.

6 Bloodhound Fang

An Overpowered Early Game Weapon

• Weapon Type: Curved Greatsword
• Weapon Skill: Bloodhound’s Finesse
• Requires: Str 18, Dex 17
• Location: Dropped by Bloodhound Knight Darriwil

Dealing more damage than the smaller curved swords, Curved Greatswords are some of the most effective weapons in Elden Ring. Of all of these weapons, one has become a highly popular choice for many Elden Ring players. The Bloodhound Fang is an effective tool against bosses and PvP battles alike, with its high damage, fast movement, and powerful weapon skill.

Found very early, the sword can take players to the end of Elden Ring and be a powerful weapon against late-stage bosses. It is a rare weapon, as it inflicts high amounts of blood loss on enemies and can also be buffed with consumables and enchanted with magic, raising the damage even more.

5 Rivers Of Blood

Split The Air With Blood Slashes

• Weapon Type: Katanas
• Weapon Skill: Corpse Plier
• Requires: Str 12, Dex 18, Arc 20
• Location: Dropped by Bloody Finger Okina

Aside from being some of the best-looking weapons in Elden Ring, Katanas offer high damage, fast attacks, and a selection of unique weapon skills that can decimate enemies. Of all the Katanas in the game, Rivers of Blood has become one of the most widely used in Elden Ring, for both PvE and PvP battles.

With a weapon skill that can cause massive blood loss on enemies, Rivers of Blood can quickly destroy a boss’s health bar. With strong scaling in dexterity and arcane, this weapon has become known as Elden Ring‘s easy mode. Players will need to wait, though, as it is only available in the late-game stages once players have reached the Mountaintop of the Giants region in the Church of Repose.

4 Backhand Blade

An Effective New Method Of Combat

• Weapon Type: Backhand Blade
• Weapon Skill: Blind Spot
• Requires: Str 10, Dex 13
• Location: Gravesite Plain

Elden Ring’s long-awaited DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, introduces several new weapon types to its impressive roster. The Backhand Blade is one of the most notable of these and immediately became a fan favorite. These powerful dexterity weapons offer new ways to approach combat, with seamless running attacks, an effective weapon skill, and duel-wielding as standard.

These weapons can quickly become overpowered. Using keen scaling and leveling dex, the speed and precision of the attacks can defeat many of the game’s enemies. Buffing the weapon with blood grease or the Bloodflame Blade incantation can further overpower the already impressive armament.