8 Best Weapons in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree for Different Builds

There is no single best weapon for every Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree build. This eight-weapon shortlist focuses on PvE and prioritizes variety: distinct weapon classes, stat profiles, skills and attack styles, with patch 1.17 changes noted where relevant. It is an editorial selection, not a tested or official ranking; the order does not indicate comparative strength. Check your attributes, preferred moveset and current patch before committing to an upgrade.

How to choose from this PvE shortlist

Compare weapons by their attribute requirements and scaling, the reach and rhythm of their moveset, their skill and status effects, and the effort or trade-off involved in obtaining them. A weapon that suits one build may be a poor fit for another. The figures below are requirements reported by GameSpot’s June 24, 2024 guide, not a complete account of scaling at every upgrade level. PCGamesN’s guide, updated December 3, 2024, frames its comparisons around fully upgraded weapons and build or playstyle fit; neither guide establishes a universal current-patch ranking.

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Patch 1.17, published by Bandai Namco on August 27, 2026, introduced relevant balance adjustments and is required for online play. The notes changed several weapons below, but those changes do not establish which weapon performs best overall. Check the official patch 1.17 notes for the details and verify whether a later update has superseded them before relying on version-sensitive advice.

Eight weapons to consider

1. Backhand Blade — agile close-range play

The Backhand Blade is a nimble option for players who want to stay close and maneuver around an enemy. Its Blind Spot skill dashes sideways, offering a way to get around a guard and serving as a defensive maneuver against fast boss attacks. GameSpot lists requirements of 10 Strength and 13 Dexterity. Consider it if you value movement and quick engagement over a heavier weapon’s reach or impact; the cited material does not establish a current-patch damage ranking.

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2. Rellana’s Twin Blades — a mixed-stat stance weapon

This Light Greatsword pairs a demanding spread of attributes—13 Strength, 16 Dexterity, 16 Intelligence and 16 Faith—with Moon-and-Fire Stance. Normal attacks use glintstone-infused strikes, while heavy attacks create a fire tornado. It is a natural candidate for a character already investing across those attributes, but a costly mismatch for a focused build. Rellana’s Twin Blades are obtained as a Remembrance reward. Patch 1.17 increased their critical-hit power.

3. Star-Lined Sword — Dexterity and Intelligence

The Star-Lined Sword is a katana with a Dexterity/Intelligence profile. GameSpot lists 10 Strength, 23 Dexterity and 21 Intelligence as its requirements. Onze’s Line of Stars combines glintstone-infused slashes with an aerial slam, giving the skill a different attack pattern from a straightforward katana sequence. Its requirements make it most relevant to characters already investing in both Dexterity and Intelligence.

4. Red Bear’s Claw — fast Strength-oriented attacks

This Beast Claw offers a faster attack identity for a Strength build. Its rapid strikes can inflict bleed, making repeated contact part of its appeal. GameSpot identifies the Northern Nameless Mausoleum as its source. Choose it for its close-range, quick-strike style rather than assuming that bleed alone makes it the best option for every enemy or build.

5. Rakshasa’s Great Katana — wide slashes and bleed

GameSpot lists 12 Strength and 27 Dexterity requirements for this Great Katana. Its wide slashes can inflict bleed, and Weed Cutter adds successive swipes. The weapon comes from the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum, according to that guide.

Patch 1.17 adjusts the timing before a right-hand weapon attack after Rakshasa’s Great Katana is used in the left hand. The notes also increase the damage taken from other players during attacks, a PvP-specific change. That PvP adjustment should not be treated as evidence of a PvE damage penalty or as a general verdict on the weapon.

6. Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana — a jumping overhead attack

This Great Katana’s Dragonwound Slash delivers a jumping overhead attack. GameSpot notes that the weapon can inflict bleed and lists requirements of 15 Strength and 20 Dexterity. Its acquisition route is Dragon’s Pit. It suits players drawn to a committed, overhead skill attack; the supplied information does not compare its performance numerically with the other choices.

7. Perfume Bottles — choose for the bottle and its effect

Perfume Bottles form a distinct weapon class rather than one uniform build choice: requirements and skills vary by bottle. GameSpot notes that dual-wielding bottles lets off-hand strikes emit the main-hand weapon’s effect. Patch 1.17 increased attack power for the Firespark, Lightning, Chilling, Frenzyflame and Deadly Poison Perfume Bottles. Match the specific bottle’s requirements and effect to your build instead of assuming that one bottle represents every damage type or playstyle. GameSpot points to separate location coverage rather than giving complete directions for the bottles in its guide.

8. Spear of the Impaler — a reward with a high Dexterity requirement

This Great Spear uses Messmer’s Assault and requires 14 Strength, 35 Dexterity and 18 Faith, according to GameSpot. It is a reward for defeating Messmer and exchanging his reward. Patch 1.17 reduced its stamina consumption and increased the power of its weapon-throwing attacks. Its requirements make it a more natural fit for a character with substantial Dexterity and Faith investment than for a build that cannot meet them.

Acquisition routes and what the cited guide confirms

GameSpot’s guide confirms the following broad routes: Rellana’s Twin Blades via her Remembrance; Red Bear’s Claw from the Northern Nameless Mausoleum; Rakshasa’s Great Katana from the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum; Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana from Dragon’s Pit; and Spear of the Impaler after defeating Messmer and exchanging his reward. For Backhand Blade, Star-Lined Sword and Perfume Bottles, it points to separate weapon-location coverage rather than supplying complete directions in the guide itself. Consult a current location guide for exact directions; these sources do not establish a specific chest, map point or missability condition for those three entries. PC Gamer’s Shadow of the Erdtree guide hub is a starting point for dedicated weapon and location guides.

Which one fits your character?

• Prioritize your attributes. A weapon’s listed requirements are a threshold to meet, not proof that your character’s stats make it an efficient choice. Check its scaling and your upgrade level as well.
• Choose the attack pattern you will use. Blind Spot, a jumping overhead slash, sweeping attacks and a stance with separate normal and heavy options ask for different timing and positioning.
• Account for status and damage effects. Bleed, glintstone-infused attacks, fire and the individual Perfume Bottle effects are not interchangeable advantages.
• Factor in how you will obtain it. Some routes are tied to a boss reward or a named mausoleum; use a current guide for exact navigation and any decision-specific consequences.
• Separate PvE from PvP advice. Rakshasa’s Great Katana has a PvP-specific damage-taken adjustment in patch 1.17. Do not apply it as a PvE conclusion.

The official patch notes describe balance changes, not an official weapon tier list. Bandai Namco Europe’s September 11, 2024 infographic reports that the Spirit Eel defeated players 289,116 times, but that is player telemetry, not a weapon-performance measure or ranking.

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