If you are traversing through The Lands Between in Elden Ring, chances are you have found more weapons that you know what to do with. However, how can you separate the good from the bad? Well, an Elden Ring weapon tier list is how.
We have been playing around with a lot of the tools on offer in the game and come up with an early tier list for some common weapons, as well as some of the stronger weapons you can only get from killing bosses, NPCs, or NPC Invaders that infiltrate your game. We have also run into some absolute duds, weapons you shouldn’t even spend a single Smithing Stone on.
So, if you want a breakdown of some of those weapons, continue reading for our Elden Ring weapon tier list. We will also be updating this in the coming days and weeks as we see more of Elden Ring’s map size, which is extremely large.
Elden Ring Weapon Tier List
Our Elden Ring weapon tier list doesn’t cover every weapon in the game, but does give you a good idea of some of the strongest and some of the weakest, which should help you get to grips with which weapons really shine.
S-Tier Elden Ring Weapons
Moonveil
Moonveil is one of the strongest weapons and easily the best Katana in Elden Ring. It has the same leading buildup and powerful slashes as any regular katana, but its skill really helps elevate it to a new level.
Transient Moonlight is a powered-up version of the Unsheathe Ash of War that sends out a Ray of light in a wave that can damage enemies horizontally with a light attack or vertically with a heavy attack. The vertical charged heavy attack is capable of breaking the armor of most enemies in Caelid and Dragonbarrow with just one or two hits, allowing you to land a visceral. It is also great at doing the same thing for bosses when you attack while they are winding up their own attacks. It can be found in the Gael Tunnel after killing the Magma Wyrm.
Banished Knight’s Halberd
The Banished Knight’s Halberd is another exceptionally strong weapon thanks to its skill, allowing you to swing the halberd around, knocking anyone to the ground or flinging them far away from you.
It is an absolute monster with its basic attacks as well, dealing significant damage, although you will have to accommodate for its slow wind-up and attack speed. Nevertheless, picking this up from Edgar himself or the Invaded version of him, will give you the weapon already at +8, which makes it exceptionally powerful if you can kill him early on.
Bloodhound’s Fang
Bloodhound’s Fang has quickly become a must-have weapon for players, especially as it can be grabbed very early on. Found after killing Bloodhound Knight Dharrvill at the Forlorn Hound Evergaol in Limgrave, the weapon is extremely strong and capable of turning tough bosses into a walk in the park.
Related: Here’s the Elden Ring boss order to make your life easy
The strength of the Bloodhound’s Fang lies in its Bloodhound’s FInesse skills, which offers two powerful attacks, a slash upwards, followed by a jump back. Both of these are great and allow you to land a hit and quickly escape an enemy’s combo. On top of that, it can then be followed up by a heavy attack to land a second devastating blow to your foe.
Dark Moon Greatsword
FromSoftware’s infamous Moonlight Greatsword returns in Elden Ring in the form of the Dark Moon Greatsword which is enhanced significantly by its skill.
The skill, which bathes the sword in the light of the dark moon, boosts your magic attack power and imbues the blade with slowing frost damage which can keep your enemies in place. On top of that, charged attacks release blasts of moonlight which truly lets the power of this sword shine. When it comes to greatswords, the Moonlight Greatsword has always been one of the best and the Dark Moon Greatsword is no different.
Sword of Night and Flame
The Sword of Night and Flame has quickly become one of the standout weapons in Elden Ring, gaining a following in the community and becoming a weapon speed runners are gunning for to help them beat the game quickly.
Its skill, allows you to cast a Night Comet sorcery which is damaging and powerful, knocking back enemies and able to cause significant amounts of damage. If you want to find it, here’s the Elden Ring Sword of Night and Flame location.
Axe of Godfrey
The Axe of Godfrey is an exceptional strength weapon, which is packed with power. While not only being imbued with Godfrey’s strength, its skill also enhances its capability in combat.
‘Regal Roar’ raises your attack power and sends out a strong shockwave that is unguardable and can stun enemies or send them flying. When active, the ability also transforms your strong attacks into a powerful lunge.
Rivers Of Blood
Rivers of Blood is yet another top tier Katana. Obtained by killing Bloody Finger Okina in the Church of Repose at the Mountaintops of the Giants.
It scales well with dexterity and Arcane and comes with the most overpowered status effect in Elden Ring, blood loss buildup. The skill, Corpse Piler is just as powerful, forming a cursed blade of blood that attack foes and deal massive chunks of damage when used in the right situations. It has become a new go-to weapon for the late-game and new game plus runs after the nerfs to the Icerind Hatchet.
A-TIER ELDEN RING WEAPONS
Meteoric Ore Blade
Katanas are very quickly showing themselves to be some of the strongest weapons in Elden Ring and the Meteoric Ore Blade sits alongside the Moonveila s a good close range-focused alternative.
Found at the Caelid Waypoint Ruins in an underground room, the Meteoric Ore Blade is essential if you plan to play up close. Its skill, Gravitas, has you thrust the sword into the ground and create a gravity well that sucks enemies in and deals damage to them in a radius around you. If you plan to play up close almost always and don’t step back for a break then the Meteoric Ore Blade’s ability is likely better suited for you than the Moonveil, stunning enemies with its impact.
Carian Knight’s Sword
The Carian Knight’s Sword is another A tier weapon in our Elden Ring weapon tier list thanks to its ability to be great in almost all circumstances.
As a straight sword, the Carian Knight’s Sword is a great all-around weapon. However, it is also strong at whittling down Bosses’ armour and strong enemies thanks to its skill, Carian Grandeur. This summons a large magic blade that can be charged up to two times to deal increasing amounts of power as your blade extends beyond its physical length and becomes encapsulated within a sharp blue sword. It can be found in Caria Manor behind the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
Grafted Blade Greatsword
Found at Castle Morne upon defeating Leonine Misbegotten, the Grafted Blade Greatsword is a strong greatsword that is all about pummeling your foe no matter their size.
With strong damage and armour attacks, the greatsword will beat any enemy to a pulp, although you will have to be prepared for just how slow the attacks with it are. Its skill, the Oath of Vengeance, raises all your attributes and also increases your poise, meaning that you can pull off attack after attack without being stunned or knocked down as often.
Great Omenkiller Cleaver
If you are looking for something that requires a bit of practice to use and also hits hard then might we suggest the Great Omenkiller Cleaver. This club-like weapon lands strong hits but is also capable of making you a machine that can’t be stopped.
The Wild Strikes skill causes you to swing the club back and forth consistently as you walk forward, meaning as long as you are stunning your enemies you can’t be hit. It is great at taking down low-to-mid-tier mobs as it can destroy a group of enemies or a shield-wielding knight within seconds, allowing you to then size up your larger foe and attack them with regular attacks. You will have to venture into the Perfumer’s Grotto in the Atlus Plateau and kill the Omenkiller at the end of the dungeon to get it though.
Icerind Hatchet
The Icerind Hatchet may not look particularly spectacular on paper, but it boasts one of the more powerful skills in the game even after a nerf: Hoarfrost Stomp.
This spamable, frostbite-inflicting ability sends out a cone of frost along the ground, chunking enemies for a ton of damage. If that sounds like a bit of you, definitely check out the Elden Ring Icerind Hatchet location.
B-TIER ELDEN RING WEAPONS
Uchigatana
We are officially in the katana club with Uchigatana being the third katana on this list. It effectively is the same as the Moonveil and Meteorite Ore Blade above, but doesn’t come with any special skills.
Instead, you just get an exceptionally strong weapon that can be easily levelled up and enhanced with Ashes of War. It also deals blood loss damage which can help with taking down particularly tough foes. You can find the Uchigatana rather early in the game at the Deathtouched Catacombs.
Winged Scythe
The Winged Scythe is a bit of a speciality weapon in Elden Ring. It requires a bit of finesse to master as it has wide swings, with long delays. But, if you know how to use it, the weapon can be strong once you have found it in the Tombsward Ruins in the Weeping Penninsula.
It does require a high Faith stat, which might be what puts you off using it, but if you do want a weapon that is a bit more flashy then it is a good choice. It deals blood loss damage and has a strong jumping skill called Angel’s Wings which can push enemies back and cleave them with a strong strike.
Vyke’s War Spear
Vyke’s War Spear can be found on the eastern cliffs of Liurnia of the Lakes as you make your way towards Bellum Highway, just past the village north of the Minor Erdtree.
You can get the weapon by killing Invader Festering Fingerprint Vyke, who has the spear. Beyond its traditional great spear qualities, its Frenzyflame Thrust skill allows you to jump in from afar and create a frenzied explosion that can turn your foes mad and cause them to lose a large chunk of their health. It requires a Strength and Faith stat in the late teens, but it can make a solid choice for those looking for a heftier weapon to get acquainted with.
Black Knife
The Black Knife is a weapon that requires an acquired taste. It isn’t particularly strong but it is fast and offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to mobility.
The speed of its attacks allow you to get out of the way. The Skill, Blade of Death also is just as potent, firing off a bladed projectile which sucks the life from your enemies when hit. You aren’t going to be slaying bosses in a speedrun with it, but if you want to play fast and loose then the Black Knife offers that more than most other weapons in the game.
Torchpole
The Torchpole is another weapon for those with a specific playstyle in mind. Pole weapons are rather hard to use in Elden Ring but the added flame on the Torchpole means that if you catch players within your charge they will be stuck in your charge, being burned as you continue moving forwards.
That covers our ever-changing and growing Elden Ring weapons tier list. As we play around with more of the options in the game, we will be sure to update this article with new information. For more help and tips on picking the best strategies or gear, check out our Elden Ring walkthrough for additional help.