FromSoftware and Bandai Namco’s Elden Ring has taken the gaming world by storm, with its sprawling open world, brutal boss battles, and deep customization. One of the game's greatest appeals is the wide range of weapons available—each tailored to different playstyles, stats, and strategies. From colossal greatswords to deadly katanas and mystical staves, players have countless options at their disposal. This guide breaks down some of the best weapons to Elden Ring Items seek out in the early and midgame, helping Tarnished players carve a path to glory.

Greatsword (Colossal Sword)

Stat Requirements: STR 31, DEX 12
Location: Found in Caelid, inside a chest behind a caravan guarded by giant dogs.

The Greatsword is a beast of a weapon that pays homage to Berserk’s Guts. Its massive size and power make it ideal for strength builds who prefer to flatten enemies with high stagger potential. Though it requires significant Strength, it's well worth the investment for raw damage dealers.

Reduvia (Dagger)

Stat Requirements: STR 5, DEX 13, ARC 13
Location: Dropped by Bloody Hunter Nerijus near Murkwater Cave.

Daggers usually don’t shine for damage, but Reduvia is an exception. This fast, bloody dagger can inflict bleed status rapidly and even launches blood projectiles. It’s great for Arcane builds and can be obtained early with the help of NPC Yura.

Twinblade (Double-sided Sword)

Stat Requirements: STR 10, DEX 18
Location: In Dragon Burnt Ruins in Limgrave.

A quick and stylish weapon that offers powerful combos and wide coverage, the Twinblade is perfect for Dexterity builds. Its dual-sided strikes allow players to overwhelm foes with ease early on.

Winged Scythe (Reaper)

Stat Requirements: STR 16, DEX 16, FAI 24
Location: Found in Tombsward Ruins on the Weeping Peninsula.

Ideal for Faith/Hybrid builds, this scythe combines long reach with Holy Damage. It’s great for players who like to keep enemies at a distance while delivering mystical melee attacks.

Meteorite Staff (Staff)

Stat Requirements: INT 18
Location: Found in the Street of Sages Ruins, Caelid.

This unupgradable staff is a must-have for early-game sorcerers. It boosts Gravity spells and offers solid scaling, making it a top-tier early staff for Intelligence users.

Moonveil (Katana)

Stat Requirements: STR 12, DEX 18, INT 23
Location: Dropped by Magma Wyrm in Gael Tunnel, on the border of Limgrave and Caelid.

A standout weapon for Intelligence builds, Moonveil combines the bleed potential of katanas with magical slashes via its weapon art, Transient Moonlight. Its ranged magic attacks make it ideal for hybrid spellblades.

Sword of Night and Flame (Sword)

Stat Requirements: STR 12, DEX 12, INT 24, FAI 24
Location: Caria Manor in Liurnia of the Lakes.

Once overpowered, this sword still remains a versatile choice for magic/melee hybrids. It fires off flame strikes and magic beams, giving users potent ranged options in tight battles.

Death’s Poker (Greatsword)

Stat Requirements: STR 15, DEX 17, INT 11
Location: Dropped by the Death Rite Bird in southern Caelid (at night only).

With frost damage and the powerful Ghostflame Ignition skill, Death’s Poker is a formidable weapon. It has solid range and devastating area-of-effect potential, especially after recent buffs.

Ghiza’s Wheel (Colossal Weapon)

Stat Requirements: STR 28, DEX 18
Location: Dropped by Inquisitor Ghiza in Volcano Manor.

A massive buzzsaw weapon reminiscent of Bloodborne, Ghiza’s Wheel inflicts blood loss and features a chainsaw-like weapon skill. It’s a flashy, brutal pick for high-Strength builds.

Eleonora’s Poleblade (Twinblade)

Stat Requirements: STR 12, DEX 21, ARC 19
Location: Defeat Eleonora at the Second Church of Marika, Altus Plateau.

This twinblade is perfect for Dexterity and Arcane builds. Its quick slashes build up 
Elden Ring Runes blood loss rapidly, and its spinning weapon art provides both damage and style in PvP and PvE alike.

Rivers of Blood (Katana)

Stat Requirements: STR 12, DEX 18, ARC 20
Location: Dropped by Bloody Finger Okina near Church of Repose, Mountaintop of the Giants.

Widely regarded as the best bleed weapon in the game, Rivers of Blood has dominated both PvP and PvE. Its Corpse Piler skill unleashes devastating blood slashes that melt health bars.

Are These Weapons Still Viable in the DLC?

With the release of Shadow of the Erdtree on June 21, the game introduced over 100 new weapons, spells, and gear. Whether the above weapons hold up in the DLC remains to be seen—but the good news is they’re still incredibly viable in the base game and can synergize with new gear in exciting ways.

From new talismans to expanded weapon arts and magic, Elden Ring continues to deepen its already immense customization. Whether you’re a strength-focused juggernaut, a nimble katana user, or a frostbite-dealing spellblade, there’s never been a better time to experiment and discover what works best for your journey.