Elden Ring is more popular than ever, as new players and veterans (relatively speaking anyway) alike are jumping into the game to explore the Lands Between and the treasures within. No FromSoftware game is complete without its weapons, and Elden Ring does not disappoint on that front.
There are just so many unique options and playstyles, each with a collection of weapons to complement whatever fans may prefer. That being said, there are a few weapons in particular that have proven to be best-in-class, and essential for the game's most lethal loadouts.
Moonveil
For katana lovers, look no further than the Moonveil katana, as it is no doubt the best in its class. If players want to get their hands on this unique weapon, they'll have to brave Caelid and conquer the Magma Wyrm hidden in the depths of Gael Tunnel.
It scales great with any build centered around strength, dexterity, or intelligence, which makes it viable for multiple builds. The weapon art is a devastating slash and it can inflict bleed damage, which makes it equally ideal for large mobs of enemies and tough bosses.
Sword Of Night And Flame
In a game so full of wonderous and deadly weapons, few rival the devastating power that comes with the Sword of Night and Flame. After defeating Godrick the Grafted, players can head into Liurnia and find this sword past challenging enemies in Caria Manor.
As the name implies, the weapon arts featured include a powerful glintstone attack paired with a devastating flame combination. It requires a pretty unique build that specs into faith and intelligence, but any player willing to build around this weapon will not be disappointed.
Golden Halberd
Visible from the starting area of the game is the Tree Sentinal, the first world boss who poses a major threat in the Lands Between. If players can beat this boss relatively early in their playthrough, they will be rewarded with the Sentinal's weapon: the Golden Halberd.
The weapon art is simple yet great, as it increases attack power and allows for some major boss damage early on when clearing out Limgrave. It does require a rather hefty commitment of 40 strength to effectively wield, but doing so will allow its effectiveness to carry long into other zones.
Starscourge Greatsword
If there's one Elden Ring boss that shocks every player in their first playthrough, it's Starscourge Radahn. He's a devastating enemy with an equally devastating weapon, but players can use his Rememberance upon beating him to claim his greatsword for themselves.
The weapon art on this is especially unique, as it draws in enemies close to the player before unleashing a devastating attack capable of clearing out large hordes in a single blow. Better yet, equipping this weapon in both slots gives the player two greatswords, letting players live out the fantasy of being their own in-game boss.
Nagakiba
For those looking to wield a top-tier katana early on in the game, look no further than Nagakiba. Assuming players are confident enough to take on NPCs in a one-on-one duel, killing Yura, Hunter of Bloody Fingers in Murkwater Cave is the easiest way to obtain this one.
Similar to other katanas and a bevy of weapon types, this katana is highly effective in dealing with bleed damage. On top of that, the main attraction for this weapon is the reach it has compared to most, allowing for players to safely engage in melee combat from a distance.
Carian Knight's Sword
Although Elden Ring features more diverse options for starting player builds, there are always some who want to resort to the tried and true loadout of a sword and shield. There's no need to conquer any major bosses for this one, but rather uncover a caravan chest in northwest Liurnia.
While this weapon can work around a lot of standard builds, it is also ideal for dealing magic damage, as the weapon art creates a glintstone swing with an extended range. Pair this with an effective staff, and players are sure to find a great combination of ranged magic with close-up attacks.
Icerind Hatchet
Axes aren't particularly great in the game, but the exception to this trend is the Icerind Hatchet. It's possible to completely miss this unique Elden Ring item, as it is hidden inside a chest just southwest of Raya Lucaria in the Temple Quarter.
One damage type that is often overlooked by players is frost damage, which can be just as effective as other damage types in chipping down the health bars of bosses. The Icerind Hatchet does just that, also boosting effectiveness in damage negation and stamina recovery in combat.
Lusat's Glintstone Staff
There are a lot of different magic types and builds in Elden Ring, but a good staff is crucial to rounding out their lethality. Lusat's Glintstone Staff, hidden behind a secret boss fight in the underground of Sellia, is a great overall option.
That effectiveness does not come without a sacrifice, however, as it requires a whopping 52 intelligence to wield. If players can find a way to commit these points, the damage scaling and spell-casting variety it offers is practically unrivaled for the rest of the game.
Beastclaw Greathammer
On the other end of the dueling spectrum from magic is a strength build, which involves the use of massive armaments and crushing blows to take down foes. In a world full of enemies, it's actually a friendly NPC named Gurranq that offers this reward through his Elden Ring questline.
In a fittingly-epic fashion, the weapon allows players to rip up the ground below and launch a massive AOE attack that makes easy work of mobs. It only grows more powerful with points added to strength and dexterity, so this is a must-have for anyone with a similar playstyle.
Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear
Given the recurring theme of blood and bleed damage in Elden Ring, it's inevitable that some players are going to want to build around it. Hidden deep along the path of Siofra River lies Mohgwyn, Lord of Blood, whose defeat will allow players to trade his Rememberance for this item.
As the name implies, it's essentially a huge spear that deals significant piercing damage and swooping combos during close-quarters combat. Paired with its unique AOE bleed-inducing attack, obtaining this weapon will have players ready for any combat situation for the endgame.