The Complete Guide To The Best Swords in Elden Ring

Just started your wild journey in the Lands Between and you can’t wrap your head around what weapon to choose? We’ve been in the same boat as you at one point, so you’re definitely not alone there. This guide is going to cover the Best Elden Ring sword, so you know which of these versatile armaments are worth picking up and investing your upgrades into. Read on as I dissect some of the best Elden Ring weapons.  

Here’s a quick comparison between every Best Sword in Elden Ring:

Types of Swords 

There are 7 Different Types of Swords in the Elden Ring. These include:

1. Colossal Swords
2. Curved Greatswords
3. Curved Swords
4. Greatswords
5. Heavy Thrusting Swords
6. Straight Swords
7. Thrusting Swords

Best Colossal Swords

Let’s discuss some of the giant swords Elden Ring has to offer.

Grafted Blade Greatsword

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

Greatsword

The Greatsword in Elden Ring is a beast of a weapon, and no, it’s not to be confused with the “Greatswords” category. Surprisingly, it requires less Strength than you might think to wield one-handed.

The unique skill here is the Upward Cut, a devastating two-part move that lets you counter an enemy strike and then follow up with a crushing skyscraper strike. And guess what? You don’t need any fancy stones to upgrade it, just good old Smithing Stones.

Now, to find this bad boy, head to the Dragonbarrow area in Caelid. Look for ominous red skies – that’s your cue. Make your way to the Caelid Ruins Site of Lost Grace in the northwest. You’ll spot a wrecked cart surrounded by foes. Inside that cart is the magnificent Greatsword, a design that’ll remind you of the anime Berserk. Trust me, it’s worth the journey if you opt for the Best Greatsword Build.

Malekith’s Black Blade

Malekith’s Black Blade is a formidable Colossal Sword, dark as night and embroidered with the screams of its victims. To wield this terrifying weapon, you’ll have to beat Malekith, the Black Blade himself, in the treacherous Crumbling Farum Azula.

Defeating Malekith grants you the Remembrance of the Black Blade, which functions like having the boss’s soul. Exchange the Remembrance with Enia at the Roundtable Hold to claim your Malekith’s Black Blade.

This sword means business. It’s a hard-hitting weapon that excels at dealing with Holy Attack damage. It tears through shields like they’re made of paper and dispatches foes with ease. 

Why I Chose It: It has formidable attack power, specializing in Holy Attack damage, and its ability to penetrate shields effortlessly, despite its heavy weight.

Best Curved Greatswords

From a player’s perspective, Curved Greatswords are similar to most other Greatswords in the game, except for the fact that they comprise a curved design. They’re heavy weapons, require a fair amount of Strength and Dexterity, and are capable of inflicting a healthy amount of damage.

Read Best Curved Greatswords

Onyx Lord’s Greatsword

The Onyx Lord’s Greatsword is a remarkable weapon that not only slays enemies effortlessly but also looks stunning while doing so. It boasts a golden hue that soon gets bathed in the blood of your foes. 

To wield it, you’ll need more than just strength and dexterity; you’ll require 16 points in Intelligence as well.

To acquire the Onyx Lord’s Greatsword, you’ll have to defeat the optional boss known as the Onyx Lord. You’ll find him southeast of the Outer Wall Phantom Tree Site of Grace, accessible through a tunnel. Defeating him not only grants you access to the Sealed Tunnel Site of Grace but also rewards you with this exceptional weapon.

Its damage output is solid, the skill is exceptional, and its sweeping slashes provide excellent range. Give it a try and let me know if it becomes your weapon of choice.

Why I Chose It: With its exceptional blend of stunning appearance, solid damage output, exceptional skill, and impressive range in combat, The Onyx Lord’s Greatsword is an ideal choice.

Bloodhound’s Fang

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.

Magma Wyrm’s Scalesword

The Magma Wyrm’s Scalesword is a top-tier Elden Ring weapon. Its terrifying dragon-scale design adds potent fire damage to your attacks, which works well against many foes. While some enemies are resistant to fire, most in the Elden Ring are vulnerable, making this weapon highly effective.

To acquire it, defeat Magma Wyrm Makar, a fire-breathing dragon found near the Ruin: Strewn Precipice Overlook Site of Grace, after collecting both emblem parts.

Overall, the Magma Wyrm’s Scalesword is a formidable choice in Elden Ring, allowing you to inflict fiery devastation on your enemies.

Why I Chose It: It was selected due to its potent fire damage that complements the majority of foes in the Elden Ring, enhancing the effectiveness of attacks against them.

Best Curved Swords

Curved Swords are some of the most lightning-fast armaments in Elden Ring, making it possible for curious players to dish out tons of damage and not take up the entirety of your stamina bar either. These usually comprise low-weight points and are one of the most preferable types of weapons for facing quick-witted enemies.

Eclipse Shotel

The Eclipse Shotel is an exceptional Curved Sword in the Elden Ring. It boasts a legendary status with an intriguing backstory. This weapon favors scaling with Faith and Dexterity, requiring 25 Dex and 30 Faith to wield it effectively with one hand.

What sets the Eclipse Shotel apart is its Death Flare skill, which adds to its appeal. Unfortunately, it cannot be infused with Ashes of War or boosted with temporary magic effects.

To obtain the Eclipse Shotel, head to the Mountaintops of the Giants, an end-game region. First, defeat a couple of mainline bosses. Then, proceed to Castle Sol. In the southeast corner of Castle Sol, you’ll find the Church of Elipse. Eliminate the guards and search the altar to discover the Eclipse Shotel on a deceased body. It’s a valuable weapon for those who meet its requirements.

Why I Chose It: A unique Death Flare skill and potent Holy Damage make it an exceptional choice, featured by its backstory and high Faith and Dexterity scaling.

Magma Blade

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.

Best Greatswords

Next up, I have another form of a heavy weapon in Elden Ring that does take away a fair amount of mobility from the player but grants them high attack power instead. Greatswords are a norm in the Soulsborne series, whether they manifest as Ludwig’s Holy Blade from Bloodborne or The Claymore in Dark Souls 3.

Dark Moon Greatsword

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.

Blasphemous Blade

The Blasphemous Blade in Elden Ring, and it’s like a devil’s advocate from hell. I got this weapon from the boss Rykard. He’s in Mt. Gelmir near the Audience Pathway Site of Lost Grace.

I first encountered him as the God-Devouring Serpent in the boss fight. After beating his first phase, I compelled his inner demon to manifest, and then I fought Rykard, the Lord of Blasphemy himself in the second phase.

Rykard is an optional boss, so I didn’t need to defeat him to continue the main storyline. If you ever struggle with him, check out this video for an easy technique.

Now, killing Rykard, the Lord of Blasphemy, will earn you Remembrance of the Blasphemy which you can easily trade at the Roundhood Table and get the Blasphemous Blade. As for the skill move, this is where the tool of destruction readily stands out.

The weapon can be upgraded using Somber Smithing Stones, but cannot be used with any Ashes of War or Incantations.

Why I Chose It: It has high attack power and unique design aesthetics, obtained after defeating Rykard, the Lord of Blasphemy, offering a distinct advantage in combat within Elden Ring’s gameplay.

Best Heavy Thrusting Swords

Heavy Thrusting Swords in Elden Ring offer a unique combat experience with their exceptional reach, allowing you to strike enemies from a distance and disrupt their actions. This weapon type boasts an exciting moveset that includes the ability to cancel heavy attacks with dodges, low Stamina consumption, and a higher likelihood of staggering enemies.

Great Épée

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.

Bloody Helice

The Bloody Helice is a formidable Heavy Thrusting Sword with a spiral design that spells doom for your enemies. Its long-thrusting attacks are especially effective against high-level foes.

Each successful strike with the Bloody Helice increases the chances of causing the Bleed status, and when the buildup reaches its maximum, the enemy begins to bleed, gradually losing health over time. 

For those who prefer a defensive approach, the Dynast’s Finesse skill complements the Bloody Helice well. In terms of attribute requirements, you’ll need 16 Strength, 19 Dexterity, and 17 Arcane. The weapon primarily scales with Arcane, so it’s essential to invest in this attribute for optimal performance.

Obtaining the Bloody Helice is not an early-game endeavor. You’ll need to activate the Grand Lift of Dectus and venture into the Altus Plateau and Leyndell, Royal Capital regions. The weapon can be found inside a chest within the Writheblood Ruins, close to the Windmill Village Site of Lost Grace, setting the stage for the Sanguine Noble boss fight.

Why I Chose It: It has high Bleed buildup, effectiveness against tough enemies, and complementary defensive skill, making it a formidable choice for late-game encounters despite its limited defensive stats.

Best Straight Swords

Straight Swords are similar to Curved Swords in Elden Ring if I compare their versatility and ease of use. They’re standard, consistent armaments that bode well for a shield and sword combo, and most of them can be blended with almost every Ashes of War skill. Read on as I jot down the best Straight Swords in Elden Ring.

Carian Knight’s Sword

The Carian Knight’s Sword stands out in Elden Ring. It’s linked to Intelligence and found in Liurnia of the Lakes. I located it in the northwest near a caravan towed by trolls.

Inside the caravan’s chest, I found the sword. It’s perfect for magic builds, with a maxed Physical Attack of 879 and solid damage negation. The blue Glintstone design adds to its charm.

Its main skill, Carian Grandeur, unleashes a charged attack. Holding the skill button charges up the sword for a powerful blow.

Why I Chose It: Its affinity with Intelligence, high damage negation and the potent Carian Grandeur skill, makes it a valuable choice for any magic build.

Crystal Sword

The Crystal Sword, a radiant Straight Sword with a royal blue hue, excels against various enemies in the Elden Ring. Its Physical Damage can be upgraded to 886 with Somber Smithing Stones. Ideal for Intelligence builds, it requires 15 Intelligence to wield.

You can obtain the Crystal Sword in the Village of the Albinaurics. The sword features the useful skill Spinning Slash for dealing with foes.

Why I Chose It: The Crystal Sword’s high physical damage, versatility against enemies, and the useful Spinning Slash skill perfectly complemented my Intelligence-based build, making it an ideal weapon for combat in Elden Ring.

Sword of Night and Flame

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.

Best Thrusting Swords

The last weapon type falling in the Elden Ring’s best sword category is Thrusting Swords. These are rapid-paced, have good range, and are able to slash and pierce enemies. A variety of Ashes of War can be used with Thrusting Swords to enhance their stats even further as you wipe out opponents with lightning-quick strikes and pokes.

Estoc

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.

Frozen Needle

The Frozen Needle in Elden Ring is an intricately designed Thrusting Sword with a delicate yet dangerous appearance. Notably, the Frozen Needle has a Frost Buildup Passive Effect that can freeze enemies with enough hits.

You can find this weapon in the Kingsrealm Ruins region, specifically near the Royal Revenant boss. Defeating the boss will lead you to a door with a chest containing the Frozen Needle.

Why I Chose It: The Frozen Needle’s intricate design, high physical attack power, and unique Frost Buildup Passive Effect make it a deadly and visually appealing choice among weapons in the Elden Ring.

Antspur Rapier

The Antspur Rapier Thrusting Sword is a Strength and Dexterity-focused weapon with a powerful main skill called Impaling Thrust. This skill can break through enemy shields, causing them to lose their balance and allowing for devastating follow-up attacks.

The Antspur Rapier has a maximum Physical Attack damage of 756, not including the Passive Effects of Scarlet Rot Buildup.

To obtain this weapon, you’ll need to defeat Maleigh Marais, a non-player character located west of The Shaded Castle Site of Lost Grace. Once you’ve defeated Marais, you can pick up the Antspur Rapier and use it to your advantage in the Elden Ring.

Why I Chose It: The Antspur Rapier’s Impaling Thrust skill is effective at penetrating enemy shields, disrupting their balance, and enabling devastating subsequent attacks, making it an ideal choice for combat strategy.

Some Other Swords Worth Trying

Here are the other weapons which we couldn’t add to this guide but are worth mentioning:

• Coded Sword: Good for inflicting Holy Damage but lacks when it comes to physical damage.
• Troll Knight’s Sword: It can deal magic damage but it requires three different stats upgrades. 
• Zamor Curved Sword: It can cause blood loss on hits, but it lacks elemental damage.

My Take On The Best Sword In Elden Ring

I have over a few months of experience in Elden Ring, so I had the time to test out most of the best swords. And, in my experience, I can say that Malekith’s Black Blade and the Dark Moon Greatsword are the best swords in the Elden Ring. These weapons have great damage, especially Malekith’s Black Blade and the Dark Moon Greatsword.

Among these, I had the most with the Dark Moon Greatsword due to its unique Ash of War. While it has a high DPS potential, it also looks absolutely stunning, making it a great pick for everyone. Of course, I wouldn’t be lying if I said I picked up this weapon due to its legacy among FromSoft titles, but aside from that, it’s actually amazing. If you have enough stats to wield and use the Dark Moon Greatsword, give it a shot and I’m confident it won’t disappoint. 

Conclusion

Elden Ring takes pride in encompassing a large, vibrant world with a seemingly never-ending exploration factor. The game world teems with innumerable details and an even greater number of enemies lurking and seeking your demise. Little do they know that you’re the Tarnished who wields the best swords in Elden Ring, hungry to deliver death to all those asking for it. 

Get more into-depth info by reading the review about Elden Ring by Abdul Haddi