There is no universally best thrusting sword in Elden Ring: standard Thrusting Swords favor quick attacks and guard attacks, while Heavy Thrusting Swords trade speed and stamina efficiency for heavier hits and more poise damage. This ranking separates the classes, then compares their strengths by build and use case. It reflects editorial judgment, not an official ranking or a controlled damage test.
The frame of reference is the game’s version 1.17, whose notes are dated August 27, 2026. The notes identify app and regulation version 1.17 and say the update is required for online play. Because the available class references do not establish a complete current roster for standard Thrusting Swords, this article ranks the weapons it can identify reliably rather than claiming a verified “every weapon” list.
How to read this ranking
Weapon performance depends on the character and situation. A meaningful damage comparison would need fixed upgrade levels, attributes, affinities, buffs, and one- or two-handed use; no controlled, universal comparison is established here. The order below is therefore a practical editorial assessment of each weapon’s distinguishing utility, not a claim that one weapon always deals the most damage.
The standard class is described by the community-maintained Elden Ring Thrusting Swords reference as offering quick attacks and guard attacks. Its available material does not establish a complete current weapon roster, so the standard-class section names the weapon whose inclusion and relevant change are verified here rather than inventing a complete list.
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The Heavy Thrusting Sword reference lists six weapons and describes the class as slower and more stamina-intensive than standard Thrusting Swords, but stronger in damage and poise damage. Those are community-reference characterizations, not a universal result across every build or matchup. The class’s individual weapons also vary substantially in moveset.
Standard Thrusting Sword ranking
Carian Sorcery Sword
Carian Sorcery Sword is the standard-class pick to consider when you want a thrusting weapon tied to Intelligence investment. Its ranking is especially sensitive to the current patch: Bandai Namco’s version 1.17 notes, dated August 27, 2026, say that its Intelligence scaling now increases the attack power of all damage types. That official change matters when assessing the weapon; older evaluations may not reflect the current scaling behavior.
This is not enough evidence to call it the best standard Thrusting Sword for every Intelligence build, or to compare its damage numerically with other weapons. Treat it as a build-specific option and assess it with your own attributes, upgrades, and intended use.
Rank #2
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Heavy Thrusting Sword ranking
The six weapons below are the roster named by the community-maintained Heavy Thrusting Swords reference. The ranking weighs distinctive moveset utility and the ways a weapon may suit a build; it is not a laboratory damage order.
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Bloody Helice
Ranked first for players whose build and plan value its distinct identity among the heavy weapons. It is a candidate to investigate when choosing a heavy thrusting weapon for a status-oriented approach, but this ranking does not establish a universal damage advantage or a measured PvE or PvP result. Compare its requirements and performance with your own setup before committing.
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Dragon King’s Cragblade
A distinctive heavy-class option for players drawn to a weapon with its own skill identity. Its appeal is less about a general claim of superiority than about whether that special utility fits the encounters and build you care about. No controlled comparison here establishes its damage rank against the other five.
Rank #3
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Godskin Stitcher
Its charged heavy attacks hit twice, a notable moveset feature called out by the class reference. That gives the weapon a different attack pattern from a heavy sword with a single-hit heavy, and makes it worth considering if you can use the full attack safely. The extra hit is a moveset fact, not proof of higher damage in every situation.
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Great Épée
Great Épée’s sweeping heavy attacks are its clearest distinguishing feature. They offer a different angle of attack from a purely thrust-focused pattern and may suit situations where the sweep is useful. Choose it for that moveset difference rather than assuming it is always the strongest heavy thrusting sword.
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Sword Lance
Sword Lance uses attacks described by the class reference as Great Spear-like. That gives it a noticeably different feel within this weapon class; it may appeal if you want heavy thrusting attacks with that broader moveset character. The reference does not establish a universal reach or damage ranking.
Rank #4
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Queelign’s Greatsword
Queelign’s Greatsword rounds out the six-weapon reference roster. The available evidence does not establish a specific comparative advantage that would justify placing it above the weapons with documented distinctive attacks here. That is not a finding that it is unusable or inferior for every build; it means its place depends on your setup and preference rather than a proven universal edge.
Which class should you use?
| Priority | Starting point | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Quick attacks and guard attacks | Standard Thrusting Sword | The class reference characterizes these weapons as quicker; it does not establish a universal damage ranking. |
| Heavier attacks and poise damage | Heavy Thrusting Sword | The class reference describes the trade-off as slower attacks and higher stamina use. |
| Intelligence scaling that affects all damage types | Carian Sorcery Sword | Version 1.17 explicitly changed its Intelligence scaling; practical results still depend on your build. |
| A distinctive heavy-weapon attack pattern | Godskin Stitcher, Great Épée, or Sword Lance | Each stands out for a different moveset feature; the best fit depends on which attack pattern you can use effectively. |
For PvE, consider whether you can safely complete a weapon’s longer attacks against the enemies you face. For PvP, matchup and timing matter; the evidence here does not support translating a PvE preference into a PvP win-rate claim. Upgrade level, attributes, affinity, buffs, and whether you wield a weapon one- or two-handed can all change the comparison.
Version and edition context
Version 1.17 is the documented game version used here. The publisher’s notes say it is required for online play, and specifically record the Carian Sorcery Sword scaling change. For context on the game’s expanded roster, Bandai Namco describes Shadow of the Erdtree as adding weapons, equipment, weapon skills, magic, enemies, bosses, and plotlines beyond the base game.
Edition names are easy to confuse. Bandai Namco lists Tarnished Edition as a Nintendo Switch 2 product that includes the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree. It is distinct from Tarnished Pack: the publisher’s August 28, 2026 Tarnished Pack article describes digital add-on content for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, including two starting classes, three Torrent skins, and four armor sets. That article lists a standard price of €4.99, subject to local currency variations. The pack is not a separate physical game edition.
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