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What this shortlist can—and cannot—tell you
Shadow of the Erdtree adds weapons and armor to the Land of Shadow. It launched on June 21, 2024. FromSoftware and Bandai Namco described the expansion as a new setting for Miquella’s story in their joint announcement: “In ‘ELDEN RING SHADOW OF THE ERDTREE,’ the story of Miquella is illustrated in a new setting, the Land of Shadow.”
The ten names below come from IGN’s July 8, 2024 video, not a consensus ranking. The available guides establish specific details for only some of the weapons, and do not provide a current, controlled comparison of all ten. Treat “best” as a shortlist of possibilities, not a promise that one weapon outperforms the others. Balance can change with patches.
Compare the ten weapons by what is established
Requirements and locations below are included only where the cited guide excerpts establish them. “Not stated” means those details are not established by the sources cited here. Build fit and editorial reason are recommendations based on the weapon class or name; they are not test results.
#1 Best Overall
![ELDEN RING - Shadow of the Erdtree - Xbox [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41oWZz2OeeL._SL160_.jpg)
- Playable on 21st June 2024.
- Pre-order now and get the following bonus content for the expansion: ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree Bonus Gesture
- Winner of hundreds of accolades including The Game Awards Game of the Year and Golden Joystick Awards Ultimate Game of the Year, ELDEN RING is the acclaimed action RPG epic set in a vast, dark fantasy world. Players embark on an epic quest with the freedom to explore and adventure at their own pace.
- The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion features an all-new story set in the Land of Shadow imbued with mystery, perilous dungeons, and new enemies, weapons and equipment.
- Discover uncharted territories, face formidable adversaries, and revel in the satisfying triumph of victory. Dive into the riveting interplay of characters, where drama and intrigue intertwine, that create an immersive experience to savor and enjoy.
| Weapon | Class and requirements | Skill or combat specialty | Acquisition | Build fit and reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rellana’s Twin Blades | Exact class and requirements not stated in the cited sources. | Not stated. | Not stated. | Consider it if you want a paired-blade option; check its in-game requirements against your build before committing. |
| Milady | Light greatsword; 12 Strength and 17 Dexterity, according to GameSpot’s guide. | Not stated in the cited guide excerpt. | Chest on the Castle Ensis approach, according to GameSpot. | A candidate for a character that can meet its Strength and Dexterity requirements and wants a light greatsword. |
| Beast Claws | Claw-family weapon; exact requirements not stated in the cited sources. | GameSpot describes blood-loss buildup; exact skill not stated. | Not stated. | Consider it for fast, close-range claw combat; distinguish the Beast Claws item from Red Bear’s Claw. |
| Horned Warrior’s Sword | Exact class details and requirements not stated in the cited sources. | Not stated. | Not stated. | IGN includes it, but the available guide details do not establish enough to recommend a particular build or moveset. |
| Bloodfiend’s Arm | Exact class details and requirements not stated in the cited sources. | Not stated. | Not stated. | IGN includes it as a shortlist choice; verify its requirements and combat role in-game before planning around it. |
| Great Katana | Exact requirements not stated in the cited sources. “Great Katana” may refer to the weapon by that exact name; other distinct named katana variants exist. | Not stated. | Not stated. | Confirm the exact item before following a location or build guide; do not confuse it with Rakshasa’s or Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana. |
| Spear of the Impaler | Exact requirements not stated in the cited sources. | Not stated. | Not stated. | IGN includes it, but available details do not establish its item-specific build role. |
| Backhand Blades | Backhand blade; 10 Strength and 13 Dexterity, according to GameSpot. | Blind Spot skill, according to GameSpot. | On a sarcophagus northeast of the Scorched Ruins, according to GameSpot. | A candidate for a character meeting its requirements who wants the backhand-blade moveset and Blind Spot. |
| Barbed Staff-Spear | Exact item details and requirements not stated in the cited sources. | Not stated; verify the item’s function before treating it as a spellcasting weapon or spear option. | Not stated. | IGN’s inclusion alone does not establish its mechanics or which build it suits. |
| Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword | Exact requirements not stated in the cited sources. | Not stated. | Not stated. | IGN includes it as a colossal-sword choice; confirm its item-specific requirements and skill before planning a build around it. |
Details identified as coming from GameSpot are from its DLC weapons and location guide. The ten selections are from IGN’s July 8, 2024 video. Missing details are not evidence that a weapon lacks a skill, location, or requirement; they simply are not established by these sources.
How to choose a weapon for your character
- Start with requirements. Compare the weapon’s in-game Strength, Dexterity, and any other listed requirements with your current attributes. Do not assume two weapons with similar names or classes have identical requirements.
- Choose a combat feel. Decide whether you want reach, speed, paired attacks, close-range pressure, or a heavier weapon. Class and moveset can matter more to your enjoyment than a list’s ranking.
- Check the skill and build interaction. Confirm the item’s skill and how it fits your planned character before spending upgrade materials or resetting attributes. The sources here specifically identify Blind Spot for Backhand Blades, but do not establish the skills for the other nine.
- Verify the exact item and route. Search using the full in-game name. Great Katana is not interchangeable with Rakshasa’s Great Katana or Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana, and Beast Claws should not be conflated with Red Bear’s Claw.
- Try it before rebuilding around it. If you obtain a weapon, test its attacks and skill with your current setup before investing in a respec. A recommendation cannot substitute for checking whether its reach, speed, and handling suit you.
These ten are not the only options
GameSpot’s separate weapon gallery highlights other expansion weapons, including Rakshasa’s Great Katana, Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana, Nanaya’s Torch, Bone Bow, and Devonia’s Hammer. That range reinforces the practical point: choose by your build and preferred combat style rather than treating one publication’s ten picks as the expansion’s definitive ranking.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What you need to play the expansion
Shadow of the Erdtree requires the Elden Ring base game; it is not a standalone game. Bandai Namco’s launch announcement also says players must have played the base game to a certain extent before they can start the expansion. The publisher’s official product page lists a Shadow of the Erdtree Edition that includes the base game and expansion. Elden Ring was described by Bandai Namco as a “25-million-unit best seller” in its June 21, 2024 announcement that the expansion was available; that is a dated sales description, not a current lifetime total.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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