Magic and miracles have always been a core component of FromSoftware games and it’s no different with their latest title, Elden Ring. Going the magic route is almost essential to beating the game in its entirety and players will need a good magic type weapon to fit their magic based build. If you’ve gone the route of upgrading your arcane to increase your magic damage, then you’ll definitely want a weapon that will make use of your upgraded arcane stat. Check out this list of the top ten arcane weapons in Elden Ring to figure out which weapon will go best with your build.
10. Clinging Bone (best used as a dex/arcane build)
The Clinging Bone is a very unique arcane weapon compared to most of the weapons on this list. Being the only arcane weapon belonging to the “fist” category it doesn’t do as much damage as the other weapons further down. Ont top of this, it, unfortunately, cannot be infused with your preferred ash of war or buffed with consumables.
The shining grace of this weapon however is its C scaling in arcane and its special ability. The special ability is called “Lifesteal Fist” which does exactly what you’d expect. The ability allows you to stab a human-sized opponent, rendering them unconscious and regening 30% of your max HP. This weapon is a nice one to keep on you since it’s lightweight and has a healing ability, but I wouldn't recommend it as your main weapon due to its really low damage.
What's good about the Clinging Bone
- Comes with the skill “Lifesteal Fist” which stabs an opponent and gives the player 30% of their max HP back
How to get the Clinging Bone
- After obtaining the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right) head to the round table
- You’ll be invaded by Ensha of the Royal Remains
- Kill Ensha and you’ll get the Clinging Bone
Full details on the Clinging Bone: Elden Ring Wiki
9. Reduvia (best used with a dex/arcane build)
Reduvia is a dagger that you can attain early on in Elden Ring by defeating an invading NPC. This dagger is one of the first bleed/arcane weapons that players can obtain, making it very helpful for players going for an arcane build early game. This weapon causes blood loss on basic strikes, but where this weapon really shines is its special ability which is helpful in both PvE and PvP.
The unique ability is called “Reduvia Blood Blade”. Reduvia Blood Blade allows you to send out a bloody slash toward your enemies outside of their striking range. This makes it optimal for PvP and PvE battles with low-grade enemies. The skill applies more blood loss to the target than the basic attacks would. Eventually, you’ll probably switch out this dagger for a higher damaging weapon, but it can definitely be of use to you until about mid-game when you have a chance at some better arcane weapons.
What's good about Reduvia
- Has the special ability “Reduvia Blood Blade” which sends out a bloody slash toward enemies
- Causes blood loss with basic attacks
How to get Reduvia
- Head to Agheel lake and go down the ravine heading north-east
- While heading down this ravine you’ll be invaded by Bloody Finger Nerijus
- Killing the invader will reward you with Reduvia
Full details on the Reduvia: Elden Ring Wiki
8. Ripple Crescent Halberd (best used as an arcane build)
The Ripple Crescent Halberd is a very unique weapon as it scales exclusively in arcane. When upgraded to +8 this weapon scales S in arcane making it a very viable option if you’re pouring your points into your arcane stat. Furthermore, this weapon can be boosted by consumables or buffed with magic making it a pretty deadly weapon if it’s used properly.
Sadly the uniqueness of this weapon creates drawbacks that make it a lot worse than the other arcane weapons on the list. Since it does not scale in anything besides arcane the physical damage of this weapon is quite low compared to other arcane weapons. Additionally, you can’t infuse this weapon with your preferred ash of war meaning you’ll have to make do with “Spinning Slash”.
Many players will find that the other arcane weapons deal much better damage despite having a lower arcane stat. Because of this I’m gonna recommend that you don’t use this weapon unless you have poured a ton of stat points into arcane (50+) as it won’t be able to compete with other weapons.
What's good about the Ripple Crescent Halberd
- Can be buffed with magic or consumables
- Scales an S in arcane
How to get the Ripple Crescent Halberd
- You’ll have to farm Albinaurics that are holding the Halberd
- Albinaurics can be found in Academy Gate Town
- The best farming spot would be the Palace Approach Ledge-Road site of grace
Full details on the Ripple Crescent Halberd: Elden Ring Wiki
7. Regalia of Eochaid (best used as a dex/arcane build)
The Regalia of Eochaid is an early-game and slightly weaker version of the Marais Executioner Sword. This sword is a pretty basic straight sword although it mainly scales in arcane. This weapon also appears to scale well equally in dexterity, but past 20 the dexterity doesn’t affect the weapon's damage as much. Boosting your arcane stat will up this sword's damage a lot more than putting points into strength or dexterity.
The highlight of this weapon is definitely its skill “Eochaid’s Dancing Blade” which allows you to fling your sword forward and drill into your opponent. This ability is based on your attack rate and can be increased by talismans that increase damage with successive attacks. Overall this is a solid and reliable sword but it’s not anything game-changing like some of the other weapons further down the list.
What's good about the Regalia of Eochaid
- Comes with the skill “Eochaid’s Dancing Blade” which fills the sword with energy and sends it corkscrew spinning in front of you continuously dealing damage
- Talismans that increase the damage of successive attacks work on the skill “Eochaid’s Dancing Blade”
- Arcane scaling is favored over dexterity scaling
How to get the Regalia of Eochaid
- Head to the western Caelid and make your way to the Gaol cave
- Can be found after completing the Gaol cave
- You can also head to the Third Church of Marika and scale the cliff on the beach to get it early on
Full details on the Regalia of Eochaid: Elden Ring Wiki
6. Marais Executioner’s Sword (best used as strength/arcane build)
The Marais Executioner’s Sword is very similar to the previous sword, Regalia of Eochaid. They both come with the skill “Eochaid’s Dancing Blade” and have a similar design. However, this sword is found a lot later in-game at the shaded castle in the northern Altus Plateau.
The Marais Executioner sword scales in strength rather than dexterity like the Regalia of Eochaid. The Marais Executioner’s Sword deals more damage than its straight sword counterpart as it has better scaling and attack rate.. It is a bit slower than a greatsword, but the damage is well worth the lack of speed.
What's good about the Marais Executioner’s Sword
- Comes with the skill “Eochaid’s Dancing Blade” which fills the sword with energy and sends it corkscrew spinning in front of you continuously dealing damage
- Talismans that increase the damage of successive attacks work on the skill “Eochaid’s Dancing Blade”
- Scales well in strength (B) and arcane (D)
How to get the Marais Executioner’s Sword
- Head to the Erdtree-Gazing-Hill site of grace
- From there head north until you find a castle in the middle of a poison swamp (called the shaded castle)
- Beat the boss and you’ll be rewarded with the Marais Executioner’s Sword
Full details on the Marais Executioner’s Sword: Elden Ring Wiki
5. Morgott’s Cursed Sword (best used as dex/arcane build)
Morgott's Cursed Sword is a heavy-hitting curved greatsword that packs quite a punch. When fully upgraded with base stats, the sword does almost 400 damage which is quite good for an arcane weapon. Additionally, this weapon causes (60) blood loss build-up adding to the already great damage that this weapon deals.
The skill is nice but it’s definitely not the best one on this list. The skill “Cursed-Blood Slice” allows players to charge forward and deliver up to two bloody slashes that explode. This can be extremely helpful when damaging bosses or tough enemies, but in crowded situations it becomes a little less helpful. Overall this is a strong and heavy-hitting arcane weapon, but it’s not so OP that you can crush any opponent with ease.
What's good about the Morgott’s Cursed Sword
- Causes blood loss build-up
- Comes with the skill “Cursed-Blood Slice” which allows you to charge forward and deliver a bloody slash that explodes (can be followed up with another bloody slash with additional input)
How to get the Morgott’s Cursed Sword
- Make your way through the capital and at the very end you’ll face Morgott the Omen King
- Beat the Omen King and turn in his remembrance for his curse sword
Full details on the Morgott’s Cursed Sword: Elden Ring Wiki
4. Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear (best used as strength/arcane build)
Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear is another heavy-hitting arcane weapon that has a ton of perks. As a long-reaching great spear that scales in strength and arcane, it does a good amount of physical and fire damage. Additionally, it causes blood loss further adding to its already solid base damage.
If that wasn’t enough the skill that comes on Mohgwyn’s Spear, called “Bloodboon Ritual”, is a high damaging ability that also enhances the damage of the spear itself. The skill will cause explosions of blood around you in an AoE attack up to three times. At the end of the skill, Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear is engulfed in a blood flame buff. This weapon deals tons of damage and is super effective for taking out large groups of enemies. I highly recommend trying it out if you’re going the arcane/strength route.
What's good about the Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear
- Comes with the skill “Bloodboon Ritual” which causes enemies in the area to be bled up to three times and coats the weapon in blood flame
- Causes blood loss build-up
- Longest great spear in the game
- Arcane scaling is favored over strength scaling
- Talismans that increase the damage of successive attacks work on the skill “Eochaid’s Dancing Blade”
How to get the Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear
- Head to the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum to fight Mohg Lord of Blood
- Turn in Mohg’s remembrance for his great spear
Full details on the Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear: Elden Ring Wiki
3. Bloody Helice (best used with a dex/arcane build)
The Bloody Helice is a perfect arcane weapon for players looking to make a good bleed build. The Bloody Helice is a heavy thrusting sword that causes bleeding to your opponents as a passive ability. This combined with the hefty damage (a little less than 400) makes this weapon a force to be reckoned with. Bloody Helice also has one of the highest arcane scalings (B) out of all the arcane weapons in the game.
While the damage and bleed build-up are nice this sword also comes with an incredible special ability called “Dynast’s Finesse”. This ability allows you to jump back, avoiding an attack, and lunge back in for a piercing strike. By pressing the button again you can also follow up with a sweeping slice. This combo buildsup a ton of blood loss to your opponents. This is a weapon I highly recommend if you’re looking for an arcane weapon for a bleed build. Additionally, this weapon makes for a good counter weapon against aggressive PvP players.
What's good about the Bloody Helice
- Causes blood loss
- Comes with the skill “Dynast’s Finesse” which allows players to dodge away from an attack, lunge back in to pierce the target, and follow up with a sweeping slice.
- Special R2 move that affects its feint animation
How to get the Bloody Helice
- Head to the northern part of the Altus Plateau where you’ll find the Mirage Rise
- Head north of the Rise and you’ll find two jumping platforms that lead to the Writheblood Ruins
- Beat the Sanguine Noble boss and open the chest to find the Bloody Helice
Full details on the Bloody Helice: Elden Ring Wiki
2. Eleonora’s Poleblade (best used as dex/arcane build)
This weapon is very similar to the number one weapon “Rivers of Blood” but it’s just a bit weaker. It causes both fire and physical damage and has a decent amount of blood loss buildup. It’s a fast-slashing weapon that, when used effectively, can deal massive amounts of damage in multiple attacks. There are a lot of players out there who have created dual-wielding builds with this weapon and the Godskin Peeler which is quite effective.
The skill of this weapon is very fitting for a weapon that should deliver as many attacks as it can in a short period of time. The skill “Bloodblade Dance” launches you into a flurry of bloody slashes that has a good chance of triggering blood loss. Pressing the button again mid-skill will allow you to do a final slash and an evasive maneuver safely bringing you out of harm's way. This weapon has a lot of potential especially when paired with the Godkin Peeler or another weapon that you can effectively dual wield.
What's good about the Eleonora’s Poleblade
- Comes with the skill “Bloodblade Dance” which allows the player to perform a flurry of bloody slashes with an additional input allowing the player to perform a final slash followed by an evasive maneuver
- Causes blood loss build-up
How to get Eleonora’s Poleblade
- Head to the Erdtree-Gazing-Hill site of grace
- From there head north-east until you find a carriage
- You’ll find the sword in the back of the carriage
Full details on the Eleonora’s Poleblade: Elden Ring Wiki
1. Rivers of Blood (best used with either a dex, or bleed build)
What else could receive the title of number one arcane weapon other than the Rivers of Blood? This weapon is simply incredible and it’s widely regarded as the top blood loss weapon in the game. The Rivers of Blood katana deals both fire and physical damage while also causing passive blood loss like many of the previous arcane weapons. In terms of basic damage, the Rivers of Blood is quite powerful dealing 186 damage in physical and fire damage in addition to the stat bonus.
The basic damage is pretty good, but you’ll mostly be using its insane special ability called “Corpse Piler” which allows the player to do up to six successive blood slashes that go well beyond the katana's range. By the end of these strikes, you’ll have bled your target at least once and the move set will stun most low to mid-tier enemies. As one of the top weapons in the game, this weapon is a must-have for all players as it will excel in both PvP and PvE.
What's good about the Rivers of Blood
- Deals physical and fire damage
- Causes blood loss
- The special skill Corpse Piler allows players to perform up to six successive attacks with cursed blood (deals physical and fire damage and causes more blood loss build-up than is listed on the weapon)
How to get the Rivers of Blood
- Make your way to the Mountaintops of the Giants and head to the church of repose
- Once you’ve arrived you’ll be invaded by bloody finger Okina
- Kill Okina to receive the Rivers of Blood katana
Full details on the Rivers of Blood: Elden Ring Wiki
