Best Swords in Elden Ring – Tips from a 450-Hour Player

The Grafted Blade Greatsword is a true beast in Elden Ring. It’s massive, requiring 40 Strength to wield effectively. Moreover, it scales well with Dexterity and Strength.

To obtain it, you’ll have to face the menacing Leonine Misbegotten in Morne Moangrave. The catch? It’s heavy, weighing 21.0 units. But with the right investments in Endurance and the Arsenal Charm talisman, it becomes manageable.

Trust me, wielding this sword is an experience like no other in Elden Ring.

Why I Chose It: With its formidable physical attack and its scaling attributes with Dexterity and Strength, Grafted Blade Greatsword offers a unique and powerful combat experience in Elden Ring

The Bloodhound’s Fang is an impressive weapon in the Elden Ring, known for its menacing design and formidable power. It requires 18 Strengths and 17 Dexterity to wield. With a Blood Loss Buildup of 55 as a Passive Effect, it can deal significant damage and cause bleeding to enemies.

You can obtain the Bloodhound’s Fang in the early-game region of Limgrave. Start by reaching the Agheel Lake South Site of Lost Grace and then proceed to the Forlorn Hound Evergaol. There, you’ll face the Bloodhound Knight Darriwil, an optional boss. Defeating him will make the Bloodhound’s Fang drop into your possession.

One of the standout features of this weapon is its two-handed skill, Bloodhound’s Finesse. This move allows you to perform a double slashing strike that not only deals substantial damage but also provides some space when enemies surround you. 

Why I Chose It: It has high physical attack power, bleeding passive effect, versatile two-handed skill, and is available early in the Elden Ring.

The Magma Blade is undoubtedly one of the top Curved Swords in the Elden Ring. It features a menacing appearance with live lava flowing through its core. This weapon scales well with Dexterity and Faith, making it ideal for characters built around the Dexterity attribute. To wield it effectively, you’ll need 9 Strength, 15 Dexterity, and 16 Faith.

The Magma Blade deals fire-based damage due to its molten rock composition. However, it’s not obtained through a boss fight or found at a specific location. Instead, it is a random drop in the game, but there are ways to increase your chances of acquiring it.

You can find the Magma Blade in the Volcano Manor area of Mt. Gelmir. This region is treacherous, with lava and dangers aplenty. To access it more easily, assist a young girl named Rya in recovering her stolen necklace. You’ll encounter Rya near the Scenic Isle Site of Grace, located in the distant part of Laskyar Ruins.

Why I Chose It: I chose it for its formidable fire-based damage, coupled with its scaling attributes in Dexterity and Faith, making it an ideal choice for characters focused on these attributes in the Elden Ring.

The Dark Moon Greatsword has a great, glowing design that’s reminiscent of previous titles in the franchise and a good number of base stats for casual players. The weapon scales mainly with the Intelligence attribute, and you’ll need 38 levels of this to wield it. As for Strength and Dexterity, 16 and 11 points will do, respectively.

Furthermore, the Dark Moon Greatsword passive effect causes the infliction of Frost Buildup, which causes additional damage to the player as you’re hitting them. When the buildup bar is full, the opposing party’s movements are slowed down, essentially freezing them. 

To get the armament, you have to take up a character called Rannion in her search for hidden treasures. You first meet the ominous witch at the Church of Elleh, but if you don’t go up to her at that time, you can find Ranni at the Ranni’s Rise Site of Grace, which is in Lirunia of the Lakes.

Why I Chose It: I opted for the Dark Moon Greatsword due to its powerful base stats, unique Frost Buildup effect, and striking design reminiscent of previous franchise titles.

Starting my collection of Heavy Thrusting Swords is the Great Épée, a classic design reminiscent of fencing. The term “Épée” translates to “Sword” in French, and this weapon lives up to its name with its impressive length. It excels on the battlefield, allowing you to engage enemies from a distance with its long-reaching attacks and handle groups with its powerful swings.

It’s a versatile and easily obtainable weapon early in the game without the need for boss fights. Head east from the Agheel Lake South Site of Grace to find it in a chest among some ruins, but ensure your character has 15 Strength and 15 Dexterity to wield it effectively.

Why I Chose It: Its classic design reminiscent of fencing, impressive length for engaging enemies from a distance, and its ability to handle groups with powerful swings, make the Great Épée a versatile and accessible weapon early in the Elden Ring.

The Sword of Night and Flame in Elden Ring is an exceptional Straight Sword with a stunning fantasy design. It scales with Faith, Intelligence, Strength, and Dexterity. To wield it, you need 24 points in Intelligence and Faith. You can find this legendary armament in Caria Manor, closest to the Manor Lower Level Site of Grace.

The sword’s signature skill is the Night-and-Flame Stance, symbolizing the bond between Astrologers and Fire Giants. Dual-wield the sword, then follow up with light or strong attacks to unleash a combination of magic and fire.

Why I Chose It: The Sword of Night and Flame was selected for its exceptional dual elemental combination, diverse attack scaling, and stunning fantasy design, despite its high FP cost and mid-game availability.

The Estoc looks like a Heavy Thrusting Sword, but don’t let its size and design fool you initially. It can deal a flurry of attacks in mere moments and allow enthusiasts to experience versatile gameplay with it. You can take its Physical Attack damage as high as 639 with maximum upgrades. If you begin your journey using the Prisoner class, you’ll get the Estoc as a starting weapon, so there’s a plus in terms of obtaining it. 

You can get the armament for other classes by finding the Nomadic Merchant who’s seated near a campfire in the Liurnia of the Lakes region. He’s most likely to be found near the Liurnia Lake Shore Site of Lost Grace, selling the Estoc for 3000 Runes. 

Why I Chose It: The Estoc’s versatile, flurry attacks and high physical damage potential make it an excellent choice for quick, varied combat encounters, providing an adaptable gameplay experience.