Elden Ring has many popular weapons, like Moonveil and Sword of Night and Flame; however, there are many underrated weapons players should consider using. These weapons have the capability of working for a variety of builds suited for both PvP and PvE. This can be especially useful for players who want to try out new weapons but are unsure where to start.
In many FromSoftware games, it is common for a few weapons to become popular among players. Elden Ring is no different, with many using Rivers of Blood for PvP encounters, which means many players end up with similar builds. As useful as bleed effect and Rivers of Blood is in Elden Ring - for both PvP and PvE - it gets boring to see the same strategy repeatedly. The wide range of weapons in Elden Ring should lend itself to more variety in play style, but it's easy to overlook some less popular options.
Underrated weapons in Elden Ring can be very powerful, especially with the different affinity types and Ashes of War. This gives many players, regardless of their build, the ability to use the same weapons. However, there are underrated weapons with specific skills and bonuses that will benefit only one or two types of builds.
Elden Ring's Underrated Weapons - Raptor Talons
The Raptor Talons are one of few claw weapons in Elden Ring. From an aesthetic point of view, claws are cool; they give a Wolverine vibe to the player's character. The Raptor Talons are one of the more underrated weapons in the game because they scale very high in Dexterity and can be infused with powerful Elden Ring Ashes of War to allow a wide variety of builds. However, the best part about the Raptor Talons is jumping attacks deal increased damage.
Elden Ring's Underrated Weapons - Meteoric Ore Blade
The Meteoric Ore Blade is one of several katanas in Elden Ring, but gets overshadowed by Moonveil and Rivers of Blood. Its scaling is not the best, only getting a C in Strength, a D in Dexterity, and a D in Intelligence, but despite these lackluster grades, the Ore blade is unique amongst the game's katanas.
Its heavy attack is a strong downward chop, and a charged attack can deal a lot of poise damage which can be helpful for bosses that can be staggered. This weapon cannot be enchanted or boosted, but it comes with the Gravitas Skill. A final interesting bit about this weapon is it deals an additional 20% damage to gravity-type enemies such as Elden Ring's Fallingstar Beast and Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.
Elden Ring's Underrated Weapons - Crescent Moon Axe
The Crescent Moon Axe is a simple-looking greataxe in Elden Ring, but its move set is valuable against singular enemies and large groups. Like many weapons in the game, this axe can be infused with a variety of Ashes of War. To get this weapon, players will need to farm the axe-wielding Exile Soldiers in Stormveil Castle.
Elden Ring's Underrate Weapons - Grave Scythe
The Grave Scythe is a reaping weapon and one of the most underrated in Elden Ring. The standard build has high attack power - the highest among Reaper weapons in the game - and scales in Strength and Dexterity. While it is a bit slow, it has a wide range and can stagger some enemies and bosses while inflicting bleed damage. The Grave Scythe also raises vitality by 35, which increases the player's resistance to instant death.
The Grave Scythe can also be equipped with overpowered Ash of Wars in Elden Ring. A good Ash of War combined with the weapon's natural anti-block ability makes this an effective weapon for players. Finding the Grave Scythe can be tricky since it is dropped by skeleton mages wielding the scythe. The graveyard west of the Lake-Facing Cliffs Site of Grace is the best place to start.
Elden Ring's Underrated Weapons - Marika's Hammer
Hammers in Elden Ring are typically not the best; they are a bit slow and have a short range. However, players who like bashing enemies may enjoy using Marika’s Hammer. Since it is a unique weapon, players cannot swap out the Gold Breaker Skill. With its B scaling in Strength and a C in Faith, this weapon may be good for a player trying out a Strength/Faith build. However, the hammer may be better for PvE encounters rather than PvP, useful for any players hoping to relive the glory that was Elden Ring’s, Queen Marika.
Elden Ring's Underrated Weapons - Hoslow’s Petal Whip
Whips are found in many Soulslike games and can be powerful in the hands of a skilled player. In Elden Ring, there are only a few whips available, but Hoslow's Petal Whip is one of the coolest players should try. The whip comes with the Kick Skill, but its Ash of War can still be changed to fit the character's build. And like other whips, it inflicts decent levels of bleed damage that can be increased if a player equips two Petal Whips.
To get Hoslow's Petal Whip, players need to progress the Volcano Manor quest line to the last assassination target, Juno Hoslow. Hoslow's invasion sign is in Mountaintops of the Giants, east of Shack of the Lofty. Defeating Hoslow in Elden Ring awards his armor set and the Petal Whip.
Elden Ring's Underrated Weapons - Great Stars
Great Stars is a great hammer in Elden Ring that scales in Strength and Dexterity. While it is a bludgeoning weapon, the sharp spikes cause 55 blood loss. And, unlike other weapons in Elden Ring, successful attacks slightly restore a player’s HP, which also works with multi-hit weapon arts.
This weapon can be found in two locations. The first is in the Altus Plateau, in a carriage towed by two trolls southwest of the Road of Iniquity Side Path Site of Grace. This weapon can also be dropped by the NPC Magnus the Beast Claw, who can be invaded as part of Elden Ring’s White Mask Varré's questline.
Elden Ring's Underrated Weapons - Guardian Swordspear
The Guardian's Swordspear is a halberd weapon dropped by the Erdtree Guardians. When it is given Keen Affinity, this weapon has an A scaling in Dexterity, making it perfect for builds specializing in that stat. It comes with the Spinning Slash Skill but can be equipped with different Ashes of War. Compared to other halberds in Elden Ring, the Guardian's Swordspear has a unique move set that is like Loretta’s War Sickle.