Though the Dark Souls series was concluded in 2016 with the release of Dark Souls 3, titles like Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice serve as spiritual successors to the beloved franchise. Offering up grueling levels of difficulty and storylines as intricate as they are vague, they're every bit as well-regarded as the RPG trilogy which originally put FromSoft on the map.
Releasing in January 2022, Elden Ring likely won't have any major connection to the Souls series outside of a few Easter eggs. However, there's a chance that a few fan-favorite weapons from previous games may work their way into the fold.
Golem Axe
The Elden Ring trailer was pretty sparse in terms of concrete details, but fans were treated to glimpses of the bosses, NPCs, and weapons that can be found throughout the world. Featured in one short segment is a sword that can be extended via some sort of magic ability, and various bosses are seen commanding bursts of flame or blasts of energy via their weaponry.
This is nothing new for Souls fans, as many melee weapons in the series come equipped with either ranged or AOE attacks. The Golem Axe from the original Dark Souls is one such example, and it seems likely that a very similar weapon will appear in Elden Ring.
Twin Princes' Greatsword
Perhaps one of the most difficult boss weapons to attain in the entire Souls series, Dark Souls 3's Twin Princes' Greatsword requires the player to defeat the late-game boss Lothric and Lorian twice, mandating a second playthrough in NG+.
The weapon requires some serious perseverance to earn, but those who managed it were treated to one of the most unique and intimidating weapons in the game. Allowing the player to perform devastating magic attacks, it seems similar to what fans were treated to in the brief combat snippets shown in the Eldein Ring trailer, and the swords' ability to cast flames at enemies will definitely be familiar to those who've obsessed over every frame of the upcoming game's debut reel.
Black Knight Sword
They may not be quite as iconic as other pieces of Dark Souls weaponry, but the Black Knight Swords are emblematic of one of the first game's most difficult early-game enemies, and they serve as reminders of the strength Gwyn and his armies once possessed.
An excellent strength weapon that will serve most players will through the mid and late-game, anyone who has played through the first Souls game will be at least casually familiar with the Black Knight Sword. Though it likely won't bear the same name, a sword similar in appearance and attributes may appear as an Easter egg of sorts in Elden Ring.
Obsidian Greatsword
The Artorias of the Abyss DLC expansion for the original Dark Souls features some of the most harrowing boss fights in the game. From Artorias, the noble knight of Gwyn corrupted by the Abyss, to Manus, the contorted father of the spreading darkness, players exploring the DLC must be ready to face some serious challenges.
The only optional boss in the expansion is Kalameet, the cyclopean dragon. Severing his tail award the player the Obsidian Greatsword, an iconic symbol of immense skill. Kalameet has actually been seen in a prior FromSoft game, though he bore a different name, and it's possible that the dragon's legacy may be hinted at via this weapon in FromSoft's forthcoming title.
Dragon Tooth
Boasting a set of incredibly resilient armor, Havel the Rock—or, at the very least, his equipment—is encountered at several points throughout the Souls series. A fan-favorite as he pertains to series lore, Havel's loadout is a godsend for dedicated strength builds.
As iconic as the man himself, Havel's weapon of choice, the Dragon Tooth, is fashioned from an Everlasting Dragon's fang. Incredibly heavy and slow, it's not typically a go-to choice for most players. However, it would make for a wonderful reference to this beloved character in Elden Ring.
Morne's Great Hammer
One of the most tragic characters encountered in the third Dark Souls title, the player can meet Eygon of Carmin in the Undead Settlement shortly after defeating the Curse-Rotted Greatwood.
After his death, the player may be able to loot the Moaning Shield and Morne's Great Hammer from his body. Meant for strength and faith builds, it isn't a commonly used weapon, but it's a visually stunning piece of equipment that packs a serious punch. Able to emit a powerful AoE attack, it's very likely that fans will be treated to something strikingly similar in FromSoft's upcoming game.
Friede's Great Scythe
The bosses featured in Dark Souls 3's two DLC offerings are relentless and will require some serious skill and an ample amount of patience. Sister Friede, the final boss of the Ashes of Ariendel DLC, is no exception to this rule, but transposing her soul after defeating her will yield one of the coolest weapons in the game—pun fully intended.
A scythe with a flashy moveset, players can leap and twirl through the air when using Friede's Great Scythe in combat, and the weapon's skill sends a cascade of ice scattering before the wielder. Once again, it seems like the sort of magic-imbued weapon that'll be prevalent in Elden Ring.
Greatsword of Artorias
Obtainable after defeating Sif in the original Dark Souls game, the Greatsword of Artorias, while undeniably appealing from a visual standpoint, often goes unused by most players. A jack of all trades is a master of none, and, without any real strengths in any one category, its results in combat can be relatively underwhelming.
Yet, seeing this blade—or a blade boasting a similar appearance—in Elden Ring would be an excellent way to pay tribute to one of the best bosses in Dark Souls.
Storm Ruler
To appease the humans who disagreed with his rule, Yhorm the Giant granted access to a sword that could be used to easily defeat him. The Storm Ruler can be found in Yhorm's chamber in Dark Souls 3 and is vital to toppling him.
As awesome as the Storm Ruler is, it's almost useless aside from its application in this one specific battle. However, it's a potential callback to a weapon bearing the same name in Demon's Souls, and it's not outrageous to believe that a weapon bearing the title may yet again be seen in Elden Ring.
Moonlight Greatsword
Perhaps the most recognizable weapon in all of Dark Souls, the Moonlight Greatsword is more or less guaranteed to be appear in Elden Ring in some capacity. Mystical swords bearing blue tints have appeared in every Soulsborne game save for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and its legacy dates back to the Kingsfield games on the original PlayStation console.
Earned by severing Seath's tail in the first Dark Souls game, the Moonlight Greatsword is capable of firing beams of magic at enemies, making it one of the most unique weapons in the game. Though it requires a fairly specific build to garner optimal results in combat, it's an emblem of FromSoft's many gothic RPGs.