The Best Elden Ring Weapons for Each Main Stat
In Elden Ring, there are a wide range of weapon builds to satisfy every playstyle.
We’ve collected our list of the top 5 weapons for every stat (STR, DEX, IN, FTH, and ARC) to help you understand which you should target, and how to obtain them.
Note that there are a ton of viable weapons out there that didn’t make our list, and there were definitely arguments for what should be on here instead.
This tier list was updated by our two Elden Ring experts, AuraAmile and DigDug!
Here are our rankings for the best weapons in Elden Ring:
| Stat | Best Weapons |
|---|---|
| Strength | Star Fist, Anvil Hammer, Death Knight’s Longhaft Axe, Sword Lance, Greatsword of Solitude. |
| Dexterity | Backhand Blade, Milady, Rakshasa’s Great Katana, Falx, Lightning Perfume Bottles, Sword of Night. |
| Intelligence | Dark Moon Greatsword, Star-Lined Sword, Iron Greatsword (Carian Sovereignty), Carian Sorcery Sword, Thiollier’s Hidden Needle. |
| Faith | Blasphemous Blade (DigDug), Queelign’s Greatsword(Flame Skewer) (Aura), Fire Knight’s Greatsword (DigDug), Freyja’s Greatsword (DigDug), Spear of the Impaler (Aura). |
| Arcane | Bloodfiend’s Arm, Nagakiba, Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword, Dane’s Footwork, Obsidian Lamina. |
For a visual version of our list of best weapons, check out our infographic below!
The Best Strength Weapons
Star Fist (Heavy)
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Fist Weapon |
| Requirements | Strength – 12 Dexterity – 8 |
| Scaling (+25) | Strength – D(A) Dexterity – E |
| Max AR with soft caps | Str (60) + base stats = 460 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
The Star Fist is a Fist Weapon from the base game that can be infused with Ashes of War. It is still one of the strongest weapons in the game even after the release of the DLC.
It can deal high amounts of damage and stance damage with an extremely quick moveset that is perfect for dealing with any boss. The only downside of this weapon is the range as you may find yourself missing many attacks if you aren’t directly next to the boss.
Location: Can be found in front of one of the doors at the Colosseum in Leyndell Royal Capital.
Anvil Hammer
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Colossus |
| Requirements | Strength – 39 Dexterity – 10 Intelligence – 11 Faith – 20 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – C(B) Dexterity – E(E) Intelligence – E(E) Faith – D(D) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Str(60) +base stats – 971 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
The Anvil Hammer is a Colossal Weapon from the DLC with the unique Ash of War Smithing Art Spears. This weapon has a very powerful moveset and is capable of dealing very high damage and stance damage to enemies.
Location: Acquired by examining the altar at the end of the Ruined Forge Lava Intake dungeon in the East Gravesite Plains region.
Death Knight’s Longhaft Axe
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Greataxe |
| Requirements | Strength – 23 Dexterity – 10 Faith – 18 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – D(B) Dexterity – E(E) Faith – D(D) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Str(60) +base stats – 740 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
The Death Knight’s Longhaft Axe is a Greataxe from the DLC with the unique Ash of War Blinkbolt: Long-hafted Axe.
This Ash of War can allow you to evade attacks if timed correctly and deals a good amount of lightning damage which is very strong against most enemies.
Location:Acquired by defeating the Death Knight at the end of the Scorpion River Catacombs in the Ancient Ruins of Rauh.
Sword Lance (Blood)
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Heavy Thrusting Sword |
| Requirements | Strength – 21 Dexterity – 11 |
| Scaling (+25) | Strength – C(B) Dexterity – E(E) Arcane – (D) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Str(60) +base stats – 551 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
The Sword Lance is a Heavy Thrusting Sword from the DLC that can be infused with Ashes of War.
The best infusion for this weapon is blood with the Ash of War Spinning Gravity Thrust as this can allow you to apply bleed up to 3 times with a single cast of the Ash of War.
Location: Acquired by trading the Remembrance of the Wild Boar Rider to Enia in the Roundtable Hold.
Greatsword of Solitude
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Greatsword |
| Requirements | Strength – 27 Dexterity – 13 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – B(A) Dexterity – E(D) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Str(60) +base stats – 773 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
The Greatsword of Solitude is a Greatsword from the DLC with the unique Ash of War Solitary Moon Slash.
This Ash of War begins with a ranged slash and can be followed up with a heavy attack, which deals a good amount of damage.
Location: Acquired by defeating the Blackgaol Knight located inside the Western Nameless Mausoleum in the Gravesite Plains.
The Best Dexterity Weapons
Backhand Blade
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Backhand Blades |
| Requirements | Strength – 10 Dexterity – 13 |
| Scaling (+25) | Strength – D(C) Dexterity – D(C) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Dex(60)+ Strength(60) +base stats – 564 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
The Backhand Blade is a weapon found in the DLC of Elden Ring. It is best infused with either nothing, Bleed, or Frostbite.
The Ash of War on this weapon is what makes it so good. Its twin blade already gives it high damage output, and it is a normal smithing stone weapon, which means it can be infused. In both PVP and PVE, this weapon is at the top of the game.
Location: Beside a coffin Noth-East of the Scorched Ruins.
Milady
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Light Greatsword |
| Requirements | Strength – 12 Dexterity – 17 |
| Scaling (+25) | Strength – D(D) Dexterity – D(C) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Dex(80) +base stats – 564 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
Milady is a Light Greatsword found in the DLC of Elden Ring. This weapon has a very unique move-set which is unique to the Light Greatswords. It has amazing damage output, good attack speed and can be infused.
Location: It’s found atop of a tower at Castle Ensis.
Rakshasa’s Great Katana
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Great Katana |
| Requirements | Strength – 12 Dexterity – 27 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – E(D) Dexterity – C(B) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Dex(80) + base stats – 810 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
Rakshasa’s Great Katana is a Great Katana found in the DLC of Elden Ring. Rakshasa’s Great Katana has an amazing Ash of War together with a great moveset that works well with an aggressive playstyle. Weed Cutter, the Ash of War works very well in PVP but a little bit less in PVE.
Location: It is rewarded for killing Rakshasa found in the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum.
Lightning Perfume Bottles
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Perfumers Bottles |
| Requirements | Strength – 17 Dexterity – 22 |
| Scaling (+25) | Strength – E(D) Dexterity – D(B) Arcane – D |
| Max AR with soft caps | Dex(80) + Arc(50) + base stats – 565 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
The Lightning Perfume Bottles are Perfumers Bottles found in the DLC of Elden Ring.
The Lightning Perfume Bottles stand out from the rest because almost no enemies are resistant to Lightning, and a ton are even weak against it. Even though the most broken aspect, the Ash of War: Rolling Sparks, was nerfed into the ground, these still do heavy damage with charged Attacks.
Location: It’s found in a puddle North East of the Cerulean Coast Site of Grace
Sword of Night
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Katana |
| Requirements | Strength – 11 Dexterity – 20 |
| Scaling (+25) | Dexterity – C(B) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Dex(80) + base stats – 712 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
The Sword of Night is a Katana in found in the DLC of Elden Ring. Sword of Night is a unique Katana with only Dexterity scaling dealing both Physical and Magical Damage. It has a unique Ash of War which cannot be blocked making it super strong in PVP.
It can be obtained by giving the Iris of Occullation to Jolan after completing Count Ymir’s Questline.
Location: Dropped by Bloody Finger Hunter Yura.
The Best Intelligence Weapons
Dark Moon Greatsword
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Greatsword |
| Requirements | Strength – 16 Dexterity – 11 Intelligence – 36 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – D Dexterity – D Intelligence – C(B) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Str(30) Int(80) +base stats – 802 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
The Dark Moon Greatsword is a Greatsword in the base game in Elden Ring. This is the pinnacle of Intelligence weapons and has been in pretty much every souls game. It has an insanely good Ash of War which has been a staple in all souls games and inside Elden Ring its strength is no different.
Location: This weapon is rewarded upon completing Ranni’s questline.
Star-Lined Sword
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Katan |
| Requirements | Strength – 10 Dexterity – 23 Intelligence – 21 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – E(D) Dexterity – C(B) Intelligence – D |
| Max AR with soft caps | Dex(60) Int(60) +base stats – 712 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
The Star Lines Sword is a Katan found in the DLC in Elden Ring. The Star Lined Sword is one of 2 Katana’s with Intelligence scaling, making it a great weapon option for mages.
It also has an amazing Ash of War which deals a ton of damage.
Location: It can dropped by Demi-Human Queen Marigga in Cerulean Coast.
Iron Greatsword (Carian Sovereignty)
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Greatsword |
| Requirements | Strength – 7 Dexterity – 17 Intelligence – 20 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – E Dexterity – E Intelligence – D(C) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Int(80) +base stats – 840 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
The Iron Greatsword is a Greatsword found in the base game of Elden Ring. The reason this works is because of the amazing new Ash of War: Carian Sovereignty. This is an Ash of War with Insane damage output which can make this weapon hit like a truck.
Even without the Ash of War as long as you infuse this weapon with Magic
Location: Red Maned Misbegotten can drop this weapon. 2 can be found in Leyndell.
Carian Sorcery Sword
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Thrusting Sword |
| Requirements | Strength – 10 Dexterity – 19 Intelligence – 16 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – E Dexterity – D Intelligence – D(S) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Int(80) +base stats – 549 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
The Carian Sorcery Sword is a Thrusting Sword found in the DLC of Elden Ring. This is one of the most unique weapons in the entire game, being the only weapon being able to cast spells. It was bad at launch but after a buff the value of this weapon skyrocketed.
This should mostly be used as a casting wand and only be used as a weapon if nessecary.
Location: Found in a chest in Castle Ensis.
Thiollier’s Hidden Needle
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Fist Weapon |
| Requirements | Strength – 10 Dexterity – 22 Intelligence – 15 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – E(D) Dexterity – C(B) Intelligence – D(C) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Dex(60) Int(60) +base stats – 505 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
Thoillier’s Hidden Needle is a fist weapon found in the DLC in Elden Ring.
This weapon is mostly on this list for PVP, it can be used in PVE but in PVP this weapon is a monster. With fast attack speed and high Sleep buildup. The Ash of War also gives high Sleep buildup making it very enoying in PVP.
Location: After finishing Thiollier’s and St. Trina’s questline, and finally Defeating the Final Boss while having Thiollier summoned, you can loot it off his corpse.
The Best Faith Weapons
Blasphemous Blade
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Greatsword |
| Requirements | Strength – 22 Dexterity – 15 Faith – 21 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – D(C) Dexterity – D(C) Faith – D(B) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Fth(60) +base stats – 755 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
The Blasphemous Blade is a Greatsword from the base game with the unique Ash of War Taker’s Flames. This weapon was already incredibly powerful before the release of the DLC and has gotten even stronger now.
Taker’s Flames is capable of dealing incredibly high fire damage while simultaneously healing the player for each enemy hit.
Location: Acquired by trading in Rykard’s Remembrance to Enia in the Roundtable Hold.
Queelign’s Greatsword (Flame Infusion + Flame Skewer)
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Heavy Thrusting Sword |
| Requirements | Strength – 14 Dexterity – 18 Faith – 12 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – E(E) Dexterity – E(E) Faith – D(B) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Fth(60) +base stats – 711 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
The Queelign’s Greatsword is a Heavy Thrusting Sword from the DLC with a default Ash of War, which can be swapped.
With the correct setup this weapon can shred any enemy that is not resistant against Fire. Combined with the Flame Skewer Ash of War it can shred any enemy and boss.
Location: Acquired by trading an Iris of Oculation to a NPC located in the Prayer Room in Shadow Keep.
Fire Knight’s Greatsword (Flame Art)
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Greatsword |
| Requirements | Strength – 22 Dexterity – 18 Faith – 12 |
| Scaling (+25) | Strength – D(E) Dexterity – D(E) Faith – D(B) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Fth(60) +base stats – 872 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
The Fire Knight’s Greatsword is a Greatsword from the DLC that can be infused with Ashes of War. The best infusion for this weapon is Flame Art as this will increase the faith scaling and maximize the damage dealt by this weapon.
Location: Acquired as a rare drop from Fire Knights wielding this weapon who can be found in Shadow Keep.
Freyja’s Greatsword (Flame Art)
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Curved Greatsword |
| Requirements | Strength – 25 Dexterity – 14 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – C(D) Dexterity – E(E) Faith – (C) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Fth(60) +base stats – 792 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
Freyja’s Greatsword is a Curved Greatsword from the DLC that can be infused with Ashes of War. This weapon passively boosts the damage from Redmane battle skills by 10%.
The best infusion for this weapon is Flame Art with Lion’s Claw or Savage Lion’s Claw as these Ashes of War both receive a boost in damage from the passive.
Location: Can be found after completing the NPC group fight in Enir Ilim either on Freyja’s body in the arena where the NPC fight was held or on the ground near the Storehouse, Seventh Floor Site of Grace in Shadow Keep.
Spear of the Impaler
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Great Spear |
| Requirements | Strength – 14 Dexterity – 35 Faith – 18 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – E(E) Dexterity – C(B) Faith – D(C) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Fth(60) – 723 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
Spear of the Impaler is a Great Spear that is acquired in the DLC with a unique Ash of War and heavy attack.
With a hybrid build between both Dexterity and Fait this weapon can be an amazing asset in both PVE and PVP. It’s Ash of War deals an insane amount of damage and can stagger humanoid enemies.
Location: Acquired by handing in Remembrance of the Impaler at Enia
The Best Arcane Weapons
Bloodfiend’s Arm (Blood)
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Colossal Weapon |
| Requirements | Strength – 28 Dexterity – 11 Arcane – 16 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – D(C) Dexterity – E(E) Arcane – D(C) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Arc(60) +base stats – 593 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
The Bloodfiend’s Arm is a Colossal Weapon from the DLC that can be infused with Ashes of War.
The best infusion for this weapon is blood with the Ash of War Cragblade as that gives this weapon insane bleed buildup as well as incredibly high stance damage making this one of the best weapons in the game.
Location: Acquired by defeating a Bloodfiend which can be located in Prospect Town in the South-West of the Gravesite Plains.
Nagakiba (Blood)
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Katana |
| Requirements | Strength – 18 Dexterity – 22 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – D(D) Dexterity – C(B) Arcane – (D) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Arc(60) +base stats – 428 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
The Nagakiba is a Katana from the base game that can be infused with Ashes of War. The best infusion for this weapon is blood with the Ash of War Blood Blade.
This setup gives the Nagakiba incredibly high blood loss buildup from range allowing you to deal large amounts of damage extremely quickly.
Location: Acquired by defeating Bloody Finger Hunter Yura before entering the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Greatsword |
| Requirements | Strength – 35 Dexterity – 10 Arcane – 19 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – D(B) Dexterity – E(E) Arcane – D(D) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Arc(60) +base stats – 897 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
The Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword is a Colossal Sword from the DLC with the unique Ash of War White Light Charge. This Ash of War allows you to charge forward and then create an explosion after a delay.
It is very good for dealing with smaller enemies, as it is capable of knocking them down and dealing fairly good damage.
Location: It can be obtained by examining the altar at the end of the Ruined Forge Starfall Past dungeon in the Scadu Altus Region.
Dane’s Footwork (Blood)
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Hand-to-Hand |
| Requirements | Strength – 8 Dexterity – 8 |
| Scaling (+25) | Strength – D(C) Dexterity – D(C) Arcane – (D) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Arc(60) +base stats – 245 |
| Upgrade Material | Smithing Stones |
Dane’s Footwork is a Hand-to-Hand weapon from the DLC that can be infused with Ashes of War.
The best infusion with this weapon would be bleed as this will allow you to inflict blood loss on enemies fairly quickly. One of the best ways to utilize this weapon is by pairing it with the Deflecting Hardtear and using its unique Guard Counter that hits twice.
Location: Found on Dry Leaf Dane’s corpse after completing the NPC group invasion in Enir Ilim.
Obsidian Lamina
| Stats and Requirements | |
| Weapon Type | Reaper |
| Requirements | Strength – 12 Dexterity – 25 Arcane – 17 |
| Scaling (+10) | Strength – E(E) Dexterity – C(B) Arcane – D(D) |
| Max AR with soft caps | Arc(60) +base stats – 517 |
| Upgrade Material | Somber Smithing Stones |
The Obsidian Lamina is a Reaper from the DLC with the unique Ash of War Dynastic Sickleplay. This Ash of War grants you some invincibility frames when casting it and allows for 2 follow-up inputs that deal good damage.
Location: Acquired by completing Sir Anbach’s questline and defeating the final boss of the DLC in Enir Ilim.
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