Finding the right gear in the Lands Between is basically a full-time job. You've got over 400 weapons to sift through once you factor in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and honestly, the sheer volume is enough to make anyone just stick with the Bloodhound's Fang for a hundred hours. But if you’re looking to actually understand the Elden Ring weapon list, you need to look past the raw damage numbers.
It's about the moveset. It's about the "vibe" of the swing.
Since the 1.12 update and the DLC release, the meta has shifted quite a bit. We aren't just looking at the classic "bonk" builds anymore. We have martial arts now. We have throwing daggers that never run out. Basically, the game has evolved from a medieval simulator into something much more fluid and, frankly, weirder.
The Classes That Actually Matter
Most players get hung up on the 40+ categories, but you can sort of group them into "vibes." You have your fast-and-bleed types, your slow-and-heavy types, and the mages who just want to poke things from the next zip code.
The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC added eight entirely new categories that changed how we play. These aren't just reskins. For instance, the Light Greatswords—specifically the Milady—offer a flow that the base game lacked. It’s elegant. It’s fast. It makes you feel like a fencer rather than a guy swinging a slab of iron.
Then you have the Great Katanas. If the Uchigatana is a scalpel, the Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana is a chainsaw. It has the reach of a spear but the slashing power of a curved greatsword. Honestly, it’s a bit of a cheat code for dragon fights because of its unique skill.
The New Kids on the Block
- Backhand Blades: These are incredible for Dexterity builds. You hold them backwards, and the moveset includes built-in dodges. The standard Backhand Blade found early in Gravesite Plain is arguably one of the best "feeling" weapons in the game.
- Hand-to-Hand Arts: Ever wanted to kick a demigod in the face? Now you can. The Dryleaf Arts and Dane's Footwork let you fight like a monk. The range is terrible, but the speed is unmatched.
- Perfume Bottles: These used to be consumables. Now they’re primary weapons. The Firespark or Lightning Perfume Bottles are great for AoE damage, though they feel a bit "floaty" compared to a solid sword.
- Thrusting Shields: This is for the players who want to be a tank. You attack while blocking. It’s a very safe way to play, especially against aggressive bosses like Messmer.
What Most People Get Wrong About Scaling
There’s this misconception that an "S" scaling in Strength means a weapon is automatically better than one with a "B." That's not always true. You've got to look at the base damage. A weapon with high base damage and "C" scaling often out-damages a weak weapon with "S" scaling until you hit very high stat levels (like 80+).
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Also, don't ignore the "D" scaling in early game. Early on, your stats don't matter as much as the upgrade level of the weapon itself. Taking a Longsword from +1 to +10 does way more for your damage than putting ten points into Strength.
The "Old Reliables" That Still Dominate
Even with all the shiny new DLC toys, the base game Elden Ring weapon list has some absolute monsters that haven't been dethroned.
Blasphemous Blade remains the king of PvE. Its skill, Taker's Flames, deals massive fire damage and heals you on every hit. It’s almost boring how good it is. If you’re struggling, this is the "easy mode" button.
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Dark Moon Greatsword is the Intelligence equivalent. After Ranni’s quest—which is a marathon, let's be real—you get a sword that shoots frost waves for basically zero FP cost once the buff is active. It’s efficient. It’s iconic.
And we have to talk about the Misericorde. It’s just a little dagger. But it has a 140 critical boost. If you're good at parrying or breaking poise, this thing does more damage on a riposte than a Colossal Hammer. Most high-level players keep one in their second slot just for the "crit swap."
Upgrading: The Smithing Stone Wall
You’re going to run out of stones. It’s inevitable.
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Normal weapons go to +25 and use standard Smithing Stones. Special weapons (usually boss items) go to +10 and use Somber Smithing Stones. In a single playthrough, you can only get a handful of the final upgrade materials—Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones—so choose your "forever weapon" wisely.
Pro tip: Find the Bell Bearings. These let you buy unlimited stones (except the final tier) from the Twin Maiden Husks in the Roundtable Hold. It makes experimenting with different weapons on the list much less of a headache.
Practical Next Steps for Your Build
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the hundreds of options, stop looking at the spreadsheets and go to the Gatefront Ruins. It's the best testing ground.
- Pick a "Feel": Do you like the commit-heavy playstyle of a Colossal Sword like the Greatsword (the Guts sword), or do you want the "death by a thousand cuts" style of the Scavenger's Curved Swords?
- Check the Requirements: Don't waste levels. If a weapon needs 40 Intelligence and you're a Strength build, put it in the chest. Don't try to be a jack-of-all-trades; you'll end up being a master of none.
- Find the Ash of War: For normal weapons, the skill is half the battle. Putting "Cragblade" on a heavy club or "Unsheathe" on a katana changes the weapon's utility entirely.
- Invest in Vigor: This isn't weapon advice, but no weapon matters if you get one-shot. Get your Vigor to 40 minimum before you start worrying about whether your sword scales better with Dex or Faith.
The Elden Ring weapon list is a sandbox. There is no single "best" weapon because the game is designed to reward specific playstyles. Whether you're dual-wielding Great Stars for the bleed and stagger or sniping with the Jar Cannon, the most important thing is that the moveset clicks with how you want to move through the world.