Choosing the right weapon can change your entire Elden Ring experience. Some weapons deliver huge damage, while others offer better range, speed, status effects, or survivability.

This Elden Ring weapon tier list focuses mainly on PvE performance. It considers damage, weapon skills, scaling, movesets, build flexibility, and how useful a weapon remains against difficult bosses.

The current game also includes weapons from Shadow of the Erdtree and the newer Tarnished Pack content. Patch 1.17 introduced additional weapons and several balance changes, so older tier lists may no longer reflect the current game.

How the Elden Ring Weapon Tier List Works

The tiers reflect practical performance rather than simple attack power. A weapon can have excellent damage but still rank lower if it has awkward scaling or limited build options.

S-tier weapons perform extremely well across a wide range of situations. They can support strong builds and remain useful throughout much of the game.

A-tier weapons are also powerful. They may have slightly more specific requirements or perform best with certain stats.

B-tier weapons remain reliable choices but usually have more noticeable limitations. They can still become excellent with the right build.

Lower tiers do not mean a weapon is unusable. Elden Ring allows players to create highly effective builds around many different weapons.

S-Tier Elden Ring Weapons

Blasphemous Blade

Blasphemous Blade remains one of the strongest PvE choices for Faith-focused characters. Its Taker’s Flames skill combines strong fire damage with healing, giving the weapon both offensive and defensive value.

The healing effect can reduce pressure during exploration and boss fights. Its range also makes the weapon skill easier to use than many close-range attacks.

For players who want a powerful weapon without relying entirely on status effects, Blasphemous Blade is an excellent choice.

Rivers of Blood

Rivers of Blood is still a major option for bleed-focused builds. Its Corpse Piler skill can rapidly build Blood Loss while dealing significant damage.

The weapon works particularly well with Arcane and Dexterity setups. However, its value depends on the enemy and the overall build.

It is especially useful when Blood Loss can trigger consistently. Against enemies with strong resistance to bleed, other weapons may become more attractive.

Moonveil

Moonveil is one of the most recognisable Intelligence weapons in Elden Ring. It combines physical and magical damage with a fast weapon skill.

Its Transient Moonlight skill can hit enemies from a useful distance. It can also apply strong pressure to enemies vulnerable to magic damage.

For Intelligence builds that want a melee weapon without giving up spellcasting potential, Moonveil remains a popular option.

Dark Moon Greatsword

Dark Moon Greatsword offers a strong combination of physical and magical damage. It also fits naturally into Intelligence-focused builds.

Its weapon skill enhances the sword and gives its attacks additional magical pressure. Charged attacks can then provide excellent ranged damage.

The weapon needs a more specialised build than some general-purpose choices. However, its damage and utility make it a strong endgame option.

Rellana’s Twin Blades

Rellana’s Twin Blades are among the standout weapons introduced through Shadow of the Erdtree. The weapon combines magic and fire damage with a distinctive moveset.

Patch 1.17 also increased its critical hit power.

The weapon works especially well for hybrid builds that can take advantage of its multiple damage types. Its moveset also gives it a different feel from traditional greatswords.

A-Tier Weapons

Bloodhound’s Fang

Bloodhound’s Fang remains a strong option for players who want excellent damage and mobility. Its curved greatsword moveset feels responsive for such a powerful weapon.

It also provides innate Blood Loss buildup. This gives Dexterity-focused builds an additional source of pressure against susceptible enemies.

Its availability relatively early in the game also makes it useful for players who want a weapon that can remain relevant for a long time.

Greatsword

The Greatsword is a classic Strength weapon. Its simple design hides just how effective it can become with the right setup.

High Strength investment allows it to deal heavy physical damage. Its large attacks can also create strong stance pressure.

The main drawback is speed. Players must learn enemy patterns and choose attack windows carefully.

Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear

Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear is particularly effective for Arcane and bleed builds. Its Bloodboon Ritual skill can cover an area around the player while building Blood Loss.

This makes it useful against groups and larger targets. It can also become extremely powerful when combined with an appropriate Arcane setup.

The weapon is less flexible than general-purpose choices because it strongly favours specific builds.

Sword of Night and Flame

Sword of Night and Flame supports Intelligence and Faith builds. Its unique skill provides two different attack options.

One mode focuses on magic damage, while another produces a powerful flame attack. This versatility can help against different enemy types.

The weapon requires careful stat planning, but it remains an interesting choice for hybrid characters.

Milady

Milady is a light greatsword from Shadow of the Erdtree. Its fast attacks and fluid moveset make it appealing to Dexterity-focused players.

The weapon provides a useful balance between speed and reach. It can also work with different Ashes of War and infusions.

That flexibility gives it value beyond a single specialised build.

B-Tier Weapons

B-tier choices can still carry a character through the game. Their position mainly reflects their limitations compared with the strongest weapons.

Weapons such as the Antspur Rapier, Cross-Naginata, Great Stars, Nagakiba, and Bandit’s Curved Sword can become highly effective with suitable builds.

Great Stars is particularly useful for players who want strong physical attacks combined with Blood Loss and healing-related effects. Nagakiba offers excellent reach for a katana, while Cross-Naginata gives spear users strong range and reliable attacks.

These weapons demonstrate why an Elden Ring weapon tier list should not replace personal build planning.

Best Weapons by Build

Strength Builds

Strength characters can get excellent results from weapons such as the Greatsword, Giant-Crusher, and other heavy weapons.

These choices reward players who enjoy large attacks and strong stance damage. They are especially useful when you can safely punish an enemy after learning its attack pattern.

Dexterity Builds

Dexterity builds have many strong options. Bloodhound’s Fang, Nagakiba, Rivers of Blood, and Milady can all fit different playstyles.

Fast weapons generally reward aggressive players. However, reach and weapon skills can matter just as much as attack speed.

Intelligence Builds

Moonveil and Dark Moon Greatsword are standout choices for Intelligence characters.

They allow players to combine melee attacks with magical damage. This makes them useful for builds that want both close-range and ranged options.

Faith Builds

Blasphemous Blade is a natural choice for Faith builds. Its weapon skill adds strong fire damage while providing healing.

ALSO READ: Elden Ring Weapons A Complete Guide

Other Faith-compatible weapons can also work well, especially when their damage type matches the enemy’s weaknesses.

Arcane and Bleed Builds

Rivers of Blood, Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear, and several bleed-capable weapons can support Arcane builds.

However, Blood Loss should not be treated as the only factor. Enemy resistances, weapon range, moveset, and your available talismans can all affect real performance.

How to Choose the Right Weapon

The highest-ranked weapon is not automatically the best weapon for every character.

Start by checking your attributes. Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane all influence different weapons.

Next, consider the moveset. A weapon with slightly lower theoretical damage may feel much better if its attacks are faster or easier to land.

Weapon skills also matter. Some skills provide burst damage, while others offer range, stagger potential, healing, or area control.

Finally, think about your playstyle. A heavy weapon may suit patient players, while a fast katana or light greatsword may suit aggressive players.

Does Shadow of the Erdtree Change the Tier List?

Yes. Shadow of the Erdtree added new weapon classes and several weapons that compete with established choices.

The DLC introduced weapons such as Rellana’s Twin Blades and Milady, which expanded the options available to Dexterity, Intelligence, and hybrid builds.

Patch 1.17 later added more weapons through the Tarnished Pack and adjusted several existing weapons. The update specifically changed weapons including Rellana’s Twin Blades, Smithscript weapons, Spear of the Impaler, Carian Sorcery Sword, and others.

Because of these updates, players should consider the current patch rather than relying on an old launch-era ranking.

Conclusion

This Elden Ring weapon tier list shows that several weapons can perform exceptionally well in modern PvE.

Blasphemous Blade offers strong damage and healing. Rivers of Blood remains useful for bleed-focused builds, while Moonveil and Dark Moon Greatsword provide strong options for Intelligence characters.

Newer weapons have also added more variety to the meta. Rellana’s Twin Blades and Milady are examples of DLC weapons that can compete with established favourites.

Ultimately, your stats, Ashes of War, talismans, upgrades, and preferred moveset all matter. A weapon that fits your build and playstyle can often perform better than a theoretically stronger weapon you dislike using.

FAQs

What is the best weapon in Elden Ring?

There is no single weapon that suits every build. Blasphemous Blade is a strong all-round PvE option, while Moonveil, Rivers of Blood, and Dark Moon Greatsword excel in more specialised builds.

What is the best weapon for Strength builds?

The Greatsword and Giant-Crusher are strong choices for Strength-focused characters. Heavy weapons reward high Strength investment and careful attack timing.

Is Rivers of Blood still good?

Yes. Rivers of Blood remains useful for bleed-focused builds. Its effectiveness depends on enemy resistance, your Arcane and Dexterity investment, and how effectively you use its weapon skill.

Is Moonveil good for Intelligence builds?

Yes. Moonveil works particularly well with Intelligence-focused characters. Its magical damage and Transient Moonlight skill give it both melee and ranged pressure.

What is the best Faith weapon?

Blasphemous Blade is one of the strongest Faith-friendly weapons for PvE. Its Taker’s Flames skill deals fire damage and restores health when it connects with enemies.

Is Bloodhound’s Fang still worth using?

Yes. Bloodhound’s Fang remains a strong option because it combines high damage, mobility, reach, and Blood Loss buildup. It can also work well without requiring an extremely specialised build.

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