Finding the Best Early Game Weapons
Choosing the right weapon in Elden Ring can make or break your early game experience. The elden ring best weapons aren't always the ones with the highest damage numbers - you need to consider scaling, moveset, and synergy with your build. This guide covers the top 10 elden ring early game weapons that will carry you from the starting areas through the mid-game with ease.
Whether you're a strength-focused warrior, a dexterity-based samurai, or a faith caster looking for a reliable melee option, there's a weapon here for you. All of these weapons can be obtained within the first few hours of gameplay and remain viable well into the late game with proper upgrading.
Top 10 Best Early Game Weapons
1. Claymore
Location: Tombsward Catacombs, Weeping Peninsula
Requirements: Str 14, Dex 13
Why it's great: The Claymore is arguably the best weapons elden ring has to offer for early game quality builds. It features excellent strength and dexterity scaling, a versatile moveset with both one-handed and two-handed options, and can be infused with Ashes of War to match your build. The charged heavy attack is particularly devastating, making it effective against both regular enemies and bosses.
The Claymore's balanced stats make it perfect for players who haven't committed to a specific build yet. It scales well with both strength and dexterity, allowing you to experiment with different infusion options. Upgrade it with regular smithing stones, which are plentiful in the early game.
2. Uchigatana
Location: Starting weapon for Samurai class, or found in the Deathtouched Catacombs
Requirements: Str 11, Dex 13
Why it's great: The Uchigatana is the quintessential dexterity weapon, offering fast attacks, excellent range, and the ability to inflict bleed buildup. Its weapon art, Unsheathe, allows you to perform powerful charged attacks from a distance, making it deadly against both melee and ranged enemies.
This weapon is particularly effective in the hands of a dex-focused build. The bleed proc adds significant damage over time, and the fast attack speed allows you to land multiple hits quickly. It's also easily upgradeable with regular smithing stones.
3. Moonveil Katana
Location: Gael Tunnel, Caelid
Requirements: Str 12, Dex 18, Int 23
Why it's great: While technically obtainable early, the Moonveil is often considered one of the best weapons in the entire game. It scales with intelligence and dexterity, and its weapon art, Transient Moonlight, releases a powerful magical slash that can hit enemies from a safe distance.
The Moonveil is particularly strong because it combines melee and ranged capabilities. You can use the weapon art to poke enemies from afar or switch to regular attacks for close combat. The magic damage bypasses many enemy defenses, making it effective against heavily armored foes.
4. Bloodhound's Fang
Location: Bloodhound's Fang, Limgrave (dropped by Bloodhound Knight Darriwil)
Requirements: Str 18, Dex 17
Why it's great: The Bloodhound's Fang is a curved greatsword with excellent bleed buildup and a powerful weapon art, Bloodhound's Finesse, that allows you to dash through enemies and attack from behind. This weapon is perfect for aggressive players who want to maintain pressure on their targets.
The curved greatsword moveset is fast and fluid, allowing you to chain attacks together seamlessly. The bleed proc adds significant damage, and the weapon art's invincibility frames make it excellent for dodging through enemy attacks. It scales well with dexterity and can be infused to add other affinities if desired.
5. Meteoric Staff
Location: Street of Sages Ruins, Caelid
Requirements: Str 12, Int 18
Why it's great: For intelligence builds, the Meteoric Staff is the best early game catalyst. It has S-tier intelligence scaling when fully upgraded and cannot be infused with Ashes of War, ensuring it maintains its spell buff. It also has inherent bleed buildup, making it viable as a melee weapon in a pinch.
The staff is found in Caelid, which can be dangerous for low-level characters, but the reward is worth the risk. It will remain your primary casting tool for the entire game, as very few other staves can match its spell buff without significant investment.
6. Greatclub
Location: Forlorn Hound Evergaol, Limgrave
Requirements: Str 28
Why it's great: Pure strength builds will love the Greatclub. This massive weapon deals tremendous poise damage, allowing you, the player, to stagger enemies quickly and land critical hits. While slow, its charged heavy attack can break enemy guards and deal massive damage.
The Greatclub is particularly effective in the early game when enemies have lower poise. You can literally stun-lock many regular enemies and bosses, making encounters much easier. It's also very affordable in terms of stat requirements, making it accessible to most strength builds.
7. Scythe
Location: Castle Morne, Weeping Peninsula (dropped by Edgar the Revenger)
Requirements: Str 14, Dex 14
Why it's great: The Scythe is a unique weapon with excellent range and a moveset that emphasizes sweeping attacks. It's particularly effective against groups of enemies and can hit targets from a safe distance. The weapon also has good bleed buildup, making it deadly against single targets.
The Scythe's wide arcs make it excellent for crowd control, while its range allows you to maintain distance from dangerous enemies. It scales well with both strength and dexterity, making it a solid choice for quality builds. The weapon art, Soul Rip, adds magic damage and has a unique visual effect.
8. Bastard Sword
Location: Stormhill Castle, Limgrave
Requirements: Str 16, Dex 14
Why it's great: The Bastard Sword is a versatile straight sword that can be used one-handed or two-handed. It has excellent damage output and a familiar moveset for players coming from other Souls games. The weapon art, Square Off, allows you to adopt a defensive stance that can parry certain attacks.
This weapon is perfect for players who want a reliable, no-frills option. It scales well with strength and dexterity, and can be infused with any Ash of War to match your build. The defensive stance adds a layer of utility that other straight swords lack.
9. Winged Spear
Location: Various locations, including Stormhill and Liurnia
Requirements: Str 14, Dex 14
Why it's great: Spears offer excellent range and a defensive playstyle, allowing you to attack from behind a shield. The Winged Spear in particular has good damage and can be infused with Ashes of War. Its thrusting attacks are fast and can hit enemies from a safe distance.
The spear moveset is underrated in Elden Ring. You can maintain distance from enemies while still dealing significant damage, making it ideal for cautious players. The ability to use a shield while attacking gives you defensive options that other weapon types lack.
10. Sacred Relic Sword
Location: Late game (dropped by final boss), but worth mentioning for NG+
Requirements: Str 30, Dex 12, Fai 30
Why it's great: While not obtainable in your first playthrough until very late, the Sacred Relic Sword is worth mentioning for New Game Plus. Its weapon art, Wave of Gold, releases a massive golden wave that covers the entire screen, making it the best weapon for clearing groups of enemies quickly.
In NG+, you can obtain this weapon early and use it to breeze through the game. It scales with faith and has incredible range on its weapon art. While it's not viable for your first playthrough, it's worth working toward in subsequent runs.
Upgrading Your Early Game Weapons
Once you've chosen your weapon, focus on upgrading it as soon as possible. Best weapons elden ring players know that a fully upgraded early weapon often outperforms a mid-game weapon at +0. Here are some tips:
- Collect Smithing Stones from mines, caves, and enemies
- Visit the Blacksmith in the Roundtable Hold to upgrade
- Prioritize weapon upgrades over armor or flask upgrades in the early game
- Different weapons use different types of stones (regular vs. somber)
- Some weapons require special materials dropped by bosses
Weapon Scaling and Build Synergy
When choosing a weapon, consider how it scales with your stats:
- Strength weapons: Heavy, greatswords, colossal weapons
- Dexterity weapons: Katanas, curved swords, thrusting swords
- Quality weapons: Straight swords, halberds, some greatswords
- Intelligence weapons: Moonveil, Meteoric Staff, Crystal weapons
- Faith weapons: Sacred weapons, flame art weapons
- Arcane weapons: Weapons with bleed, poison, or status effects
Conclusion
The elden ring early game weapons listed above will serve you well throughout your journey. Remember that the best weapon is the one that fits your playstyle and build. Experiment with different options, don't be afraid to respec if something isn't working, and most importantly, have fun exploring the Lands Between.
Whether you prefer the raw power of a greatclub, the precision of a katana, or the versatility of a quality build, there's a weapon here for you. Upgrade it, master its moveset, and watch your Tarnished become a force to be reckoned with.