If you're new to From Software games, let me be the first to tell you: these games are HARD. Be prepared for a grind from the first moment you step foot in the Lands Between.
With that in mind, it’s absolutely necessary to be equipped with the best weapon possible, as early as possible. Keep reading for a top ten countdown of the absolute best weapons to get early when playing Elden Ring.
#10. Winged Scythe
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Giving some serious grim-reaper-teams-up-with-angel vibes
Coming in at number ten on our list is the Winged Scythe, which is a powerful “beginner” Faith-based weapon. Though you can obtain it quite early in the game, this scythe holds the highest wield requirement on our list; players will need a Faith level of 24 to wield the Winged Scythe.
For Faith builds, though, especially Dex/Fai builds, the Winged Scythe is an excellent early-game weapon, as its Angel’s Wings weapon skill packs a powerful punch in addition to offering a far attack reach. The Winged Scythe cannot be infused with Ashes of War, or buffed with Magic and Consumables. Players can upgrade this weapon using Somber Smithing Stones.
Two-handing the Meteoric Ore Blade inflicts more damage on enemies
As one of the earliest obtainable katanas on our list, it can be tempting to gravitate towards the Meteoric Ore Blade. This katana cannot be infused with Ashes of War, as it already holds its own weapon skill: Gravitas. While Gravitas can be handy in close-range combat, use of this skill can easily backfire, as it creates a gravity well that pulls all surrounding enemies in close to the player, which can result in quickly being overrun if the player isn’t ready for the onslaught.
The Meteoric Ore Blade has the shortest length of all of Elden Ring’s katanas, making it difficult to battle through groups of enemies without taking some hefty damage. Its heavy attack is one of the weapon’s redeeming qualities, and the weapon can be upgraded with Somber Smithing Stones.
Two-handing the Great Epee gives decent results, but equip a shield for max effectiveness
The number eight spot belongs to Great Epee, which is a heavy thrusting sword that can be obtained shortly after starting the game. The Great Epee is an excellent choice for Strength builds.
Most notably, Great Epee allows players to thrust while guarding with a shield, allowing players to deal damage while preventing taking too much damage themselves. This sword also offers players the ability to stagger most foes (holding R2), and if done multiple times, can be used to even stagger most bosses. Great Epee can be infused with Ashes of War, and is upgraded using Smithing Stones.
Though Lordsworn’s Greatsword might seem pretty basic at first glance, it is absolutely worth consideration as a formidable early-game weapon choice. It is one of the easiest to obtain at the very beginning of the game, as it can be looted from a chest close to the Gatefront Ruins, and can even be grabbed without facing any enemies (if you’re sneaky enough).
Tarnished are able to infuse this Greatsword with Ashes of War, if they prefer not to use the Stamp (Upward Cut) weapon skill that it originally carries. Lordsworn’s Greatsword can be upgraded with Smithing Stones.
In the number six spot we have Regalia of Eochaid. This weapon is intended to be obtainable a little later in the game, but with a little patience and some careful cliff jumping on Torrent, players can pick this sword up quite early.
Its weapon skill, Eochaid’s Dancing Blade, is based on total Attack Rating, so boosting one’s Attack Rating will increase the damage significantly. Regalia of Eochaid is a great choice for Arcane builds, offering players much more damage output with higher Arc levels. This sword cannot be infused with Ashes of War and can be upgraded using Somber Smithing Stones.
Better stock up on Tampax. Uchigatana causes blood loss!
Uchigatana is probably one of Elden Ring’s most versatile weapons, and can be obtained extremely early in the game - if you choose the samurai class, this is your starter weapon!
Players can stick with the Unsheathe weapon skill that the Uchigatana carries, or apply their favorite Ash of War to truly make the weapon their own. The Uchigatana can be upgraded using Smithing Stones and can also be honed with a Whetblade, scaling it however the player prefers.
Weapon Skill: Unsheathe, costs 10 FP for light attack release, 15 FP for heavy attack
Weight: 5.5
Causes Blood loss buildup (45)
#4. Reduvia
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Might as well double that Tampax order...
On my first playthrough, I remember scoffing when I picked up Reduvia, thinking “why would anyone prefer this little dagger when weapons like Bloodhound’s Fang, or Rivers of Blood, exist?” Don’t be like me and sleep on Reduvia - this dagger is absolutely worth the fight against Bloody Finger Nerijus to obtain it.
This dagger’s ability to inflict Blood loss buildup on enemies, paired with its weapon skill, Reduvia Blood Blade, which inflicts even more Blood loss buildup per hit, more than earns its spot in the top four. Reduvia can be upgraded using Somber Smithing stones.
Think Gandalf the Grey in Fellowship of the Ring...great staff for the beginning of your journey, but surpassed later on
Even though the Meteorite Staff cannot be upgraded, it is arguably the best beginner’s staff in Elden Ring, and can be obtained quite early in the game. By providing S scaling for Intelligence, with only an 18 Int requirement, in addition to its ability to boost Gravity sorcery by 30%, the Meteorite Staff can carry players until quite late in the game without wanting for a more powerful, upgradable staff.
Though the Meteorite Staff does not hold a weapon skill, and cannot be infused with Ashes of War, the staff’s passive boost of Gravity sorcery more than earns its spot in the top three.
Our runner-up for best weapon to get early in Elden Ring is Bloodhound’s Fang. This is the weapon that I stuck with during my first playthrough, and though I tried other weapons (Rivers of Blood, Dark Moon Greatsword, and Reduvia, to name a few), I kept coming back to Bloodhound’s Fang. It cannot be infused with Ashes of War, but can be upgraded by Somber Smithing Stones.
Bloodhound's Fang offers players a great reach, due to the length of this curved sword, and causes Blood loss buildup on enemies. The weapon’s skill, Bloodhound’s Finesse, allows players to attack enemies with an upward Slash, followed by a backwards somersault that provides distance between the players and foes, allowing players the chance to heal or use consumables.
Enemies will be sleepin' on you left and right with the Sword of St. Trina
The Sword of St. Trina earns our number one spot due to the absolute uniqueness of the weapon. Sword of St. Trina is one of the few weapons that can be found in the Lands Between that causes Sleep buildup.
Its weapon skill, Mists of Slumber, coats the sword with even more Sleep buildup, making it extremely useful in fighting strong enemies or even particular bosses (Godskin Duo, we’re looking at you!). The wield requirements for Sword of St. Trina are relatively low, and it can be found quite early in the game; add in the rarity of the sword’s passive Sleep buildup and it’s easy to see why this weapon comes in at number one.
From Tamriel to the Commonwealth, and all of the Lands Between, Abby has dedicated days to the exploration of these realms. From the frozen tundra of WI, she holds a deep affection for the Midwest.
Gamer Since:
1998
Favorite Genre:
RPG
Top 3 Favorite Games:
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn, Fallout 4
