Best Lords of the Fallen weapons

What are the best Lords of the Fallen weapons? Your journey throughout the world of Mournstead offers many opportunities to acquire armaments that can truly define your build. Some scale off of Strength, while others require Agility. There are even those that use two or more stats, which is viable for hybrid playstyles and using different types of magic spells. So, here’s all the Lords of the Fallen weapons you can get, what they do, and why you should use them.

This guide discusses where you can find these weapons, as well as what you can expect from their stats once you’ve upgraded them. Whether you’re playing Lords of the Fallen on PS5, Xbox, or PC, you’ll really want to obtain these powerful gear pieces from chests, well-hidden areas, and as drops from the Lords of the Fallen bosses. From swords and axes to bows and catalysts, you’ll have a lot of toys to play with as you annihilate monstrous and otherworldly creatures. All of these weapons were found during our Lords of the Fallen review playthrough, and we’ve had to find out what works best for each build given the bosses are challenging, to say the least.

Best Lords of the Fallen weapons

The best Lords of the Fallen weapons are:

Pieta’s Sword
Hushed Saint’s Halberd
Judge Cleric’s Corrupted Sword
Kukajin’s Sword
Rosamund’s Sword
Crushing Gaze
Blacksmith’s Pride
Iron Wayfarer’s Hammer
Final Whisper
Ebonlight Abiding Defender Sword
Abbess Chalice
Multishot Crossbow
Assassin’s Bow
Talon
Lord Berescu’s Catalyst

When considering which Lords of the Fallen weapons to use, it often comes down to damage and attack speed in our experience. Frequently, attacking first is enough to stagger and interrupt a foe, letting you counter an enemy before even being hit and dealing damage in the process. Therefore, fast attack times are generally worth chasing. Likewise, you want a weapon that boasts high damage, so that when you do get an attack in, it’s not hitting with all the ferocity of Fedelini pasta.

From there, you also need to take note of how LotF weapons scale. Similar to Elden Ring and other soulslikes, weapons scale on a specific stat, mainly Strength or Agility, with letter ratings ranging from ‘S’ to ‘E’. Not only do you want a weapon that scales with the best Lords of the Fallen builds you’re using, but you also want a strong scaling value like an ‘S’ or ‘A’. Why? Because this will deal more damage depending on your investment into the relevant stat each time you level up.

Now, let’s dig deep into each of the best Lords of the Fallen weapons, how to get them, and why they should be on your radar in the first place.

Pieta’s Sword

Type: Shortsword
Upgraded scaling: Radiance A-
Stat requirement: Radiance 25
Status effect: Smite 100
Location: Remembrance of Pieta – Purchase from Molhu for 40 Umbral Scourings.

Pieta is the first “real” boss fight in the campaign. Once you have her weapon, you’ll notice that it has a slightly longer reach compared to other short swords, though it can be a bit finicky. Still, it’s worth using for those who want to focus on a Radiance build, and its golden glow definitely looks cool.

Hushed Saint’s Halberd

Type: Polearm
Upgraded scaling: Strength B+ and Agility C+
Stat requirement: Strength 19 and Agility 16
Status effect: Poison 150
Location: Remembrance of the Hushed Saint – Purchase from Molhu for 20 Umbral Scourings.

This polearm doesn’t really have a lot of reach, despite belonging to the polearm class. At the very least, it does scale off Strength and Agility, which you’re likely to increase if you focus more on melee combat, making it a solid all-around option.

Judge Cleric’s Corrupted Sword

Type: Longsword
Upgraded scaling: Strength B+, Agility D+, Radiance A+, and Inferno A+
Stat requirement: Strength 13, Agility 13, Radiance 20, and Inferno 20
Status effect: None
Location: Remembrance of Judge Cleric – Purchase from Molhu for 20 Umbral Scourings.

We feel that the Judge Cleric’s Corrupted Sword is one of the best Lords of the Fallen weapons of all due to its stat scaling. Since it uses all four offensive stats, it’s a great option for various playstyles (though probably not for those just solely looking at Agility).

Kukajin’s Sword

Type: Shortsword
Upgraded scaling: Strength D and Agility B+
Stat requirement: Strength 8 and Agility 12
Status effect: Bleed 60 and Poison 60
Location: Forsaken Fen – Upon reaching the first bonfire in the swamplands, you’ll see a petrified woman named Kukajin in a small cave. We killed her, albeit accidentally, when we rolled into her, thus destroying her petrified form. Although it allowed us to pick up her weapon, we were unable to complete the tasks necessary to make her summonable in battles.

Kukajin’s Sword won’t win any awards in terms of DPS throughput. However, it does have fairly low stat requirements, equippable by several starting classes without needing to reallocate too many points. The poison and bleed applications are also notable and will help you out in a pinch – it’s certainly saved our hide.

Rosamund’s Sword

Type: Longsword
Upgraded scaling: Strength B, Agility B, Radiance B+, and Inferno B+
Stat requirement: Strength 13, Agility 13, Radiance 16, and Inferno 16
Status effect: Frostbite 150
Location: Lower Calrath Slums – As you go through the burning village, you’ll eventually need to cross a wide gap in your Umbral state. Climb up the steps to the back of the nearby house and you’ll see this loot orb guarded by several moth enemies.

This weapon scales off the four offensive stats, again providing a lot of versatility for hybrid playstyles. Naturally, those who’d like a melee weapon to complement the use of Umbral magic spells, which scale off Radiance and Inferno, might want to get this armament as soon as possible.

Crushing Gaze

Type: Grand Hammer
Upgraded scaling: Strength C-, Radiance A, and Inferno A
Stat requirement: Strength 15, Radiance 20, and Inferno 20
Status effect: None
Location: Upper Calrath Mining District – From the District vestige waypoint, head outside and look to your right. If you switch to the Umbral realm, you’ll notice a pathway that leads to this loot.

This is a great hammer option that has strong scaling for Radiance and Inferno with medium stat requirements. It is also pretty easy to obtain and makes you feel like Thor, so what’s not to love? With no Agility scaling though, those going for a Souls-classic ‘Dex’ approach will want to look elsewhere.

Blacksmith’s Pride

Type: Flail
Upgraded scaling: Agility A+ and Inferno A+
Stat requirement: Agility 16 and Inferno 16
Status effect: Frostbite 60
Location: Upper Calrath – This takes you from Lower Calrath’s burning slums down to the mines. Eventually, you’ll ride a lift that leads to the Upper Calrath vestige. To your left, you’ll see this item waiting for you in front of a barred gate.

This Flail option has really strong Agility and Inferno scaling and the Frostbite effect is exceptionally strong and useful against large enemies or tough mobs. For Agility builds, this is undoubtedly one of, if not the best weapon for you.

The Iron Wayfarer’s Hammer

Type: Grand Hammer
Upgraded scaling: Strength S, Agility D, Radiance D, and Inferno D
Stat requirement: Strength 31
Status effect: None
Location: Upper Calrath – In the same area where you’ll find the Blacksmith’s Pride, you’ll spot a towering gate that’s blocked by rock protrusions. It was at this point when the Iron Wayfarer showed up to battle us.

This grand hammer offers extremely high DPS for those who focus solely on Strength. It’s one of a select few armaments in the game that have S-tier scaling for a particular stat when fully upgraded.

Final Whisper

Type: Fist
Upgraded scaling: Agility S
Stat requirement: Agility 13
Status effect: Poison 60
Location: Hallowed Brothers Leprosarium – Upon reaching the courtyard at the back, head down the narrow path to a wooden gate that requires the Abbott’s Key. Then, look to your right. There’s a small opening that lets you pass if you’re in the Umbral state.

Speaking of items with S-tier scaling, here’s one for those who prefer the Agility stat. In fact, Final Whisper goes all in on Agility, boasting a single S rank in this stat and nothing else. You can expect fast attacks that work especially well if you use poison, since you can build up the effect much faster.

Ebonlight Abiding Defender Sword

Type: Grand Sword
Upgraded scaling: Strength B+ and Radiance B+
Stat requirement: Strength 29 and Radiance 29
Status effect: Bleed 125 and Frostbite 125
Location: Hallowed Brothers Leprosarium – In the same area where you’ll find the Final Whisper, you’ll see a terrace with a chest. As soon as you approach, you’ll have to fight two guardians that use holy magic.

This is one of the best Lords of the Fallen weapons if you like to use the Strength and/or Radiance stats. Think of yourself as a Paladin in this case, smiting down the hostiles that you encounter. Thanks to the Bleed and Frostbite effect, the Ebonlight Abiding Defender Sword is capable of some stellar DPS.

Abbess Chalice

Type: Catalyst
Upgraded scaling: Radiance A+
Stat requirement: Radiance 22
Status effect: None
Location: Abbey of the Hallowed Sisters – Defeat Abbess Ursula.

Those who like using holy magic and healing powers would do well with the Abbess Chalice, going all in on Radiance. It grants a lot of damage due to it’s A+ Radiance rank, and you can also assign up to five different spells. If you’re a versatile spellcaster, then keep your eye out for this weapon.

Multi-Shot Crossbow

Type: Crossbow
Upgraded scaling: Strength A+
Stat requirement: Strength 22
Status effect: None
Location: Abbey of the Hallowed Sisters – After beating Abbess Ursula, continue to the top of the main building, well past another abbess-type elite that’s shooting beams. Eventually, you’ll come across a gazebo with a chest.

Compared to most other crossbows in the game, the Multi-Shot Crossbow does exactly as its name implies: it fires three projectiles in a wide arc. Although it’s not that useful when fighting singular enemies, it’s quite viable when you’re up against larger foes or entire packs of mobs when each bolt will hit. Given several bosses heavily emphasise range weapons, it’s great that Strength builds (which are typically melee-only) can use a powerful crossbow as well.

Assassin’s Bow

Type: Bow
Upgraded scaling: Agility A+
Stat requirement: Agility 20
Status effect: None
Location: Tower of Penance – Proceed to the tower’s interior until you reach the second lower level (which has the Pious Tinct and Enhanced Poisoning Knife). You’ll then see this in one of the darkened cells.

If you’ve got an Agility-based character and you like to pepper foes with arrows from afar, then the Assassin’s Bow is a good option. As we mentioned with the Multi-Shot Crossbow, numerous bosses encourage you to adopt a ranged playstyle, whether to avoid damage or deal damage in the first place. This is the best option for Agility builds in need of a ranged weapon.

Talon

Type: Fist
Upgraded scaling: Strength C and Agility A+
Stat requirement: Strength 9 and Agility 13
Status effect: Frostbite 60
Location: Fief of the Chill Curse – Proceed further into the snowfields until you reach an abandoned village that’s submerged in murky water. Switch to the Umbral realm and traverse the area until you’re able to reach the rooftops. You’ll see this glowing loot orb on the roof of one of the houses.

The Talon is one of the best Lords of the Fallen weapons, if we’re talking about options that complement the Final Whisper mentioned earlier. Both are great for multiple hits when dual-wielding, as you continue to apply status effects and at a much faster rate.

Lord Berescu’s Catalyst

Type: Catalyst
Upgraded scaling: Radiance A and Inferno A
Stat requirement: Radiance 20 and Inferno 20
Status effect:
Location: Sunless Skein Hoist/Revelation Depths – Continue deeper into the tunnels until you reach a guardhouse with several mobs, including a bulwark-type elite. You should see this loot item just before the Depths vestige waypoint.

A combination of both Radiance and Inferno scaling makes this the ideal catalyst for those who like blasting enemies with Umbral magic. It also unlocks five spell slots for use, so you can have a versatile arsenal of spells ready and waiting at all times.

How to upgrade Lords of the Fallen weapons

To upgrade Lords of the Fallen weapons, you must first rescue Gerlinde the blacksmith, before speaking to this NPC in Skyrest Bridge in the blacksmith’s area.

Gerlinde can be found after defeating the first major boss, Pieta, and then heading to Pilgrim’s Perch. Here, you can ride an elevator to return to the Vestige checkpoint. Take the lift backdown to the cave system and descend further down the nearby ladder where you will find a pack of deadly dogs and a knight. Loot the area for the prison cell key before speaking to Gerlinde locked in a cell nearby. Afterwards, Gerlinde will head back to Skyrest and become the blacksmith, opening up the weapon upgrade system.

How to parry in Lords of the Fallen

No matter which Lords of the Fallen weapons you’re using, parrying is an essential ability in against nearly all enemies, including bosses. To parry in LotF, you must press the block button shortly before the enemy’s weapon makes impact. This is LB on Xbox, L1 on PlayStation, and Shift on PC.

This will result in you taking less wither damage than you otherwise would have while also delivering high posture damage to the enemy, Once a target’s posture is broken, they can be stunned before landing a killing blow.

Equipping a shield will make parrying (and blocking in general) much better as you will take less wither damage.

Lords of the Fallen weapon damage types

Several of the best Lords of the Fallen weapons inflict various damage types and status effects on the enemy, though these aren’t particularly well-explained in-game.

Bleed – Once enough Bleed is inflicted, the target will take a burst of damage and cause targets to take additional physical damage
Burn – Once Burn is triggered, the target will take Fire damage for a short period
Smite – With enough Smite applied, the target will take a burst of Holy damage and cause them to be more vulnerable to further Holy damage
Ignite – When Ignite is inflicted, the target will take a burst of Fire damage and suffer a short period of vulnerability to additional Fire damage
Frostbite – When Frostbite is applied, the target will receive a burst of Frost damage and have their poster decreased
Poison – Once enough Poison is applied, the target will take damage over time

These are what we consider the best Lords of the Fallen weapons that we’ve acquired after extensive time with the game. To survive even easier in fights, check out our guide on the best class in Lords of the Fallen to prepare for your future playthroughs, especially as you won’t have them all right away unless you have the Deluxe Edition.